Chapter Text
Light filters down through the cool saltwater as he swims up, his powerful tail propelling him effortlessly through the depths. The closer he gets to the surface the brighter things become, and he has to squint. His eyes are used to dark, murky depths, not the sunny surface world.
Breaking the surface of the water and breathing air again burns somewhat. A cough rattles his chest as he tries to adjust to the brightness, all while bobbing up and down in the dull waves. Once he does adjust, he finds that his hair is clinging to his skull unpleasantly. Ugh, the things he does for family!
Speaking of family, he spots a familiar head of pink hair in the distance and waves overhead. She notices him right away and waves back before cupping her hands around her mouth to shout his name. He laughs at the way her greeting sounds like a command to hurry over and he obliges, swimming over to the old dock as fast as his cod-fins will take him!
“You’re late!” His sister, Lizzie, scolds him as she takes hold of his arms and helps him onto the dock. He graciously accepts the help, but winces at her accusations.
“What? No, I’m exactly on time!” His defence comes with a huff as he seats himself as comfortably as he can on the creaky wooden planks. It won't be long before his tail transforms into a pair of legs– but he still hates the feeling of being a fish out of water. If only it was an instant transformation.
Lizzie lets out a dramatic sigh, looking even more disappointed in him. “I asked you to be here when the sun is in the centre of the sky, not when it’s already gone down!”
He casts his gaze towards the sky and notices the sun is, in fact, much lower in the sky than he had realised.
“Alright, you’ve got a point. But Lizzie, it hasn’t gone down! It’s still there!” He gestures at the rapidly fleeing sun, still trying to plead his case. He enjoys this kind of banter with her really, it reminds him of childhood days spent tormenting each other.
She just shakes her head, a smile forming on her face. “Oh, Jimmy, my sweet little cod prince. Will you ever learn?” She patronises him in the way only an older sister can. It's almost endearing.
“Enough of that. Right, why did you send for me?” Jimmy leans back on his hands, wincing at the way the rough wood scratches at the membrane between his webbed fingers. They won’t tear so easily, but the sensation makes his skin crawl. He just tries to ignore it.
Where he relaxes, Lizzie straightens up. Her playful expression becomes one of seriousness as she speaks. “I wanted to personally invite you to my wedding.”
He blinks at her, not sure what to say to that. In fact, he must look quite dumb right now.
She waits for his response, but when none comes her brows furrow in irritation again. “What’s that look for?”
“You’re getting married?” He hates the way his voice sounds small when he asks. He sounds like an infant again, asking about things he doesn’t quite understand.
“Yes! Of course I am! Why do you think I moved to the bloody Mesa? For fun?!”
He reels a bit at her tone as if struck, but he smiles sheepishly. It really is something he should have seen coming. Lizzie, former Queen of the Ocean, had recently given up her title to pursue a relationship with a land-dwelling man. It was only natural for a couple to get married, but it was all happening so quickly to him. Maybe true love was just quick like that.
“Right.” He nods agreeably, trying to look less shocked. “Congratulations, Lizzie. I’m really happy for you.”
Her stare bores holes into him as she judges whether or not his congratulations are sincere, but apparently they were enough. She relaxes again and shakes her head fondly. “Thank you, Jimmy. I discussed it with Joel, and we’ve agreed that we want you to be there.”
“Oh, really?” He wonders how much Joel really wants him there. He hasn’t even met the man, so why would he care?
“Of course!” She seems defensive for a split second before she calms herself again, evidently trying to be patient with her dear brother. “I know how difficult it is for us seafolk to stay on land for prolonged periods of time… but it just isn’t possible for us to have our wedding in the ocean.” No doubt because Joel is a human, and could only hold his breath for a few minutes at best.
“You supported me when no one else did.” She takes his hand, her no-longer webbed fingers holding his own gently. He tries not to feel strange about how different she is now. “It would mean the ocean and more to me to have you there.”
Still, he finds himself smiling. His thumb rubs a circle in the top of her hand affectionately, though he minds his claws. “Alright, alright. I’ll be there. You know I can’t say no to you.”
She springs to life at his words, her toothy grin spreads across her face as she pulls him into a big hug. He hugs her back tightly and takes comfort in the two things that haven’t changed, her sharp teeth and her firm hugs.
“Perfect! It’s in one month’s time, and we’ve recently become acquainted with a wizard who may be able to help you keep your land form for longer.”
That’s certainly a relief to him, because without any magical help the longest he could stay on land would be a few hours at best. He glances down at himself, noting the legs that have formed in place of his tail. His toes are similar to that of a human, though they’re scaled and graced with sharp claws instead of nails. The brown and tan scales travel up his legs before tapering out at his thighs, giving way to his lightly sun-tanned skin. It’s not a look he likes, but he can admit there’s function in it. Being able to simply get on land and walk to the next body of water is a huge development, and he’ll be grateful for that at least.
“You really think they can do it?” Doubt drips off of his words as he wiggles his toes, nearly laughing at how the action causes water to flick off of them in random directions.
“Of course! Magic is versatile, and those who study it and wield it well are quite capable.” Lizzie sings the praises of magic, no doubt because it brought her and her lover together (despite the cost). “Besides, I would not ask you to do anything that I’m not completely sure about.”
He sort of doubts that too, but in a playful way. Siblings were pretty much guaranteed to throw each other under the bus once in a while. But he tries to ignore that and just put on a smile. He’s well aware that he’s starting to make this about him instead of focusing on her, the bride to be.
“Alright.” He concedes. “What am I going to need to bring?”
She hums thoughtfully as she sizes him up. “Well, our ocean attire won’t cut it for this. I’ll have an outfit made for you in the traditional Mezalean style!”
Oh cod. What is that supposed to mean? “Something tells me I’m not going to like it.”
Lizzie gasps, and he can almost see her axolotl gills flaring even though they aren’t there anymore. “Jimmy, No! You will love it! Mezalea is a very fashionable country.”
“Well, the thing is, I’m less concerned with the fashion and more concerned with the comfort of it.” His idea of fashion is whatever is available, meaning green and brown were his go to. He didn’t care about accessorising or dressing up.
“Fine. I will make sure that your outfit is comfortable, happy?” She rolls his eyes at him, as if he’s wrong to want to be comfortable in his own clothes.
“Thank you, ‘ppreciate it!” He makes sure to offer a winning smile to make her trouble worth it.
She matches his smile before sighing and standing. Her expression seems serious again, maybe even thoughtful. “Well… this may be our shortest meeting yet, but I’m afraid I’m expected back soon.”
“But I haven’t seen you in weeks…” His face falls as he slumps dejectedly. She really had to go already?
“I know, Jimmy. I’m sorry for that, but I’ve been so busy. I know a thing or two about ruling, but I still have a lot to learn about Mezalea… and humans.” She reaches down and pets his hair, no doubt trying to make up for the short meeting with a bit of physical comfort. He leans into the touch, afraid to let it go, but he knows he has to.
After a few moments he accepts his fate and pulls away, offering her a small smile despite his gloomy mood.
“Alright. See you soon, then?” Surely she would have to see him soon to get him ready for the wedding!
“Meet me here in one week’s time, and please, Jimmy. Come to the docks when the sun is directly above the ocean. We’ll have more time that way.”
He’s definitely taking that more seriously next time, so he nods enthusiastically. “Right, you got it!”
She smiles approvingly before bowing– it’s a new habit she’s developed, apparently a land custom. Some habits die hard though, because her last words to him are “Ocean’s blessings to you, Jimmy.”
“Ocean’s blessings.” He parrots their familiar phrase back at her and even mimics her bow, though it’s subtle.
And then she takes off, leaving him alone on the docks as he considers his next actions. He briefly debates wandering into Mezalea, but the last time he tried it he got stared down by the residents. It made him feel like an unwanted outsider despite the fact that his sister was basically their queen now.
In the end he decides to slide back into the water. At least he feels at home among the cold currents of the salty water.