Origin ARS 3 (Origin A.R.S.)

by Scottie Futch

  The fairy fluttered up and down for a moment. “Hi! How are you feeling?”

  The mermaid’s face turned a slightly darker shade. “Like a total slut. I totally don’t know what that was about. Right?”

  “It’s OK. Scott isn’t upset, though Rhea will probably watch you like a hawk for a while.”

  “Yah, really?” Neira’s cheeks took on a rosy glow when Rhea’s name was mentioned.

  “That girl Rhea, what’s her deal? Is she like, with that guy?” asked Neira.

  Ero giggled. “Well, they talk about it a lot and Scott likes her. She really super likes him, but they have issues.”

  “Issues? Wow...issues, huh... So, Rhea isn’t with him then?”

  The fairy tilted her head to the side. “I’m not sure. They like to cuddle a lot, and they hold hands, and they kiss and stuff.”

  “Kiss...” Neira glanced over at the elf girl then looked away. Her face turned bright red and she pressed her index fingers together.

  “Yeah, she’s wanted to be with him for a long time, but well...” Ero fluttered in the air for a moment, a thoughtful expression on her face. “I think that it’s one of those work in progress things.”

  “Rhea wants to be with that guy like, real bad?” Neira pouted softly then crushed a little sand between her toes.

  “I notice that you use her name a lot, but don’t say Scott’s name.” asked Ero in a casual tone of voice.

  “Huh? Oh, that guy...? Yeah, I guess I don’t...”

  Ero giggled excitedly. She knew a secret! Well, she suspected that she knew a secret. She loved to know a secret, even when she was not certain that she knew one. You know?

  “By the way, what’s your deal? Like, why are you and Rhea with that guy, Ero?” asked Neira.

  “Scott... His name is Scott, remember?” asked the fairy.

  “Right... So, your deal..?”

  “Oh, that’s simple! My deal? Well, Scott and I are totally BFFs! Rhea and Scott are sort-of-but-not-quite-maybe-kind-of-but-not-really lovers.” said Ero in a giddy manner. That had been a real mouthful.

  “Right...” Neira’s eyes widened and she shook her head. How was she supposed to process that?

  “See, simple.”

  “Yah... No. Uhm... What’s a BFF?” asked the human form mermaid.

  “We’re bestest friends forever!” exclaimed Ero.

  “Wow, really?” asked Neira.

  “Yah, totally!” exclaimed Ero.

  “Right, wow. Like... That’s so cool. I’ve never been friends with a guy.”

  “Have you ever been anything with a guy?” asked Ero curiously.

  “What? No way! Last night would have totally been the first time... like, for sure.” Neira giggled softly then shook her head. Guys were weird, interesting, but weird.

  The buxom mermaid sighed softly then looked at Rhea again. “Rhea’s like, super pretty. Right?”

  “Yah. Totally.” said Ero, further adapting the mannerisms of her new associate.

  Ero could not stand it anymore. “Are you... not interested in boys?”

  Neira gaped at her like a fish, and then shook her head. “No, no... Boys are... well... boys. I don’t like ever really get to see many of them who don’t look like a trout. Right? I just...”

  “Like girls more...?” asked the fairy.

  The mermaid giggled softly then hugged her knees. Her cheeks turned bright red. She shook her head from side to side slowly, a soft smile on her lips. “Well... yah. Love is for girls. Boys are for making babies. Like, everyone totally knows that.”

  “Totally.” said Ero, a mischievous smirk forming upon her sweet pink lips.

  Neira bit her lower lip then placed her chin on her knees. “I like need to try and help my people. The Shar-Shar are so harsh.”

  “We’ll do what he can to help you.” said Ero.

  “Shyeah, Rhea told me that...Thanks for wanting to help. I totally appreciate it. Right?” Neira breathed in and out once, slowly.

  Ero fluttered over and landed on the mermaid girl’s head. “We’ll do what we can to help your people. If those Shar-Shar are all about strong as the ones that chased you, Scott could take them out by himself.”

  “Wow, really? Is that guy really that strong?”

  “His level isn’t high at all, but he’s already defeated an army by himself. He’s used to fighting a few hundred opponents at a time if they are around his level.”

  “Whoa.” Neira blinked slowly then her eyes widened. “Maybe I should totally have that guy’s babies, after all.”

  “Totally.” said Ero her mischievous smirk returned with a vengeance. Things were about to become quite interesting.

  ***

  The early morning sea breeze invigorated the senses and filled a recently rested Scott with a sense of calm. After he had awakened from his brief rest, the group gathered together near the campfire and began to discuss the situation.

  The strange amalgamation of stereotypical 1980s style American valley-speak and modern California surfer girl mannerisms endeared Neira to the man. The fact that she was incredibly cute, and not the least bit aggressive toward him helped as well. She had tried her best to get at him throughout the night, but now it was as though she was indifferent to his presence. It was a refreshing change, actually.

  “So, you think there are about one hundred of the Shar-Shar in their village?” asked Rhea.

  “Yah, if that. They are weak, but outnumber us like, a lot.” said Neira.

  The elf girl leaned in to share her map screen with the mermaid, and the new girl’s cheeks rapidly darkened. “Can you tell where there village would be on this map?”

  “Uhm... I totally do not know how to read a map...” said Neira. Map skills and maps in general were not common among her people.

  “How about landmarks?” asked Scott.

  Neira looked up to him then smiled shyly. “I guess...I should like, be able to guide you to our grotto at least.”

  “Your grotto is it on the surface or in an undersea cave?” asked Rhea.

  “Huh? Oh, right... it’s both, for sure.” replied Neira. She smiled gently at Rhea and then her eyes widened ever so slightly.

  “Would you be able to find the Shar-Shar village if we go to your grotto?” asked Scott.

  “Totally, though there is no guarantee that my people would be there.” Neira nodded at him then smiled before glancing at Rhea once more.

  “Alright, how far do you think it is from here?” asked Rhea.

  Neira bit her lower lip and thought about it carefully. “Uhm, I am not too sure about distance. I like, think I had to swim for a while, but it doesn’t feel like it was too long. If it wasn’t for the full-moon, like, making me weak and stuff it wouldn’t have been so long. Right?”

  “Right.” said Scott.

  Neira flashed him a gentle smile then lowered her eyes quickly. Slowly, her gaze returned to Rhea.

  The elf girl looked down at the human-form mermaid then sighed loudly. “I hate to ask this, but can we get the blessing of the sea from you? We will probably have to fight underwater a lot.”

  “Oh for sure! I’d totally give it to you, Rhea.” replied Neira with great enthusiasm. The girl struggled to her feet then wobbled a little. She gave off the impression of a young girl trying to wear heels for the first time, or a newborn deer attempting to stand.

  “And Scott...” said the elf.

  “Oh right, and him.” said Neira quickly.

  Scott squinted at the mermaid then looked to Rhea. He suspected something was going on, but no one had bothered to clue him in entirely.

  “Uhm, but I like totally need to be in the water to do it and I don’t trust these feet thingies to get me there.” said Neira.

  “Do you need me to carry you?” asked Scott. She probably did not weigh that much and he did not want her to get hurt due to her inexperience with human legs.

  “Uhm, maybe Rhea should carry me...” said Neira before glancing at the elf girl
.

  “Right.” said Rhea. She rolled her eyes. Unlike Scott, she had a much better idea of what was going on. She knew the racial concepts used in creating the people of this world after all.

  “That’s totally awesome.” Neira clapped her hands then held out her arms to the beautiful elf maiden.

  Rhea sighed then walked over and hefted the girl onto her shoulder once more. Neira’s upper half hung down Rhea’s back, while her human booty was perked up in the air. The human-form mermaid placed her hands to her mouth then giggled happily. She never once looked toward Scott.

  The sorcerer followed Rhea and her giggling humanoid cargo down to the beach. Ero made a few giggling sounds inside his head. It seemed that everyone knew what was going on, but him, though he had begun to suspect something.

  “Hey, Ero.” asked Scott.

  “Yah?” asked the fairy from within his mind.

  “Will you need a blessing as well?”

  The fairy tittered gently. “No. I’m like totally a water fairy.”

  Scott groaned. “Are you turning into a California girl on me, Ero?”

  “Totally.” remarked the fairy girl, before she laughed once more.

  “Won’t you need a tan or something?” asked Scott.

  “Yah! Want to rub some lotion on me so I can get a totally wicked tan, Scott?”

  “At this point I might just dip you in the lotion bottle.” replied the man with a soft laugh.

  “Harsh.” said Ero, but she laughed anyway.

  Once they reached the shore, Rhea released Neira. The girl took a few trembling steps back then looked down. The beautiful girl sighed at her feet then wiggled her toes one more time before she looked up again. “Right, so let me get in the water and I can give you a blessing.”

  The mermaid staggered into the surf and kept going until there was enough water to completely submerge her body. She slipped under the water and a few second later she popped up again. “I’m like, ready now.”

  She pointed to Scott. “Let’s get him out of the way first.”

  “Out of the way?” asked Scott lightly. What was he, some sort of chore?

  Rhea grinned at him then shook her head. If only he knew. He would figure it out soon enough.

  “What do I do?” he asked.

  “Come here and I’ll take care of you.” said Neira. She smiled gently, but spoke without any sort of enthusiasm.

  Scott waded into the surf and stood before the lightly bobbing mermaid. He was uncertain how she could have her entire torso out of the water when she no longer had legs to stand on, but he decided not to question it. “What now?”

  Neira gently lifted her hands and clasped his cheeks. “Now I give you a blessing.”

  He blinked when the girl parted her lips slightly and leaned forward. Neira kissed him softly on the lips. It was a quick, almost chaste, kiss.

  <<< Message >>>

  You have been accepted by a denizen of the ocean. The mermaid Neira has granted you her blessing and as such, you will be able to breathe ocean water as though it was air. Your blessing will last until the next full moon.

  <<< * >>>

  “Uhm... thank you.” said Scott.

  Neira’s cheeks turned a slight shade of pink and she nodded. “I’ve like never blessed a boy before. Was it, OK?”

  Scott smiled at her. “Well, I certainly feel blessed.”

  Her cheeks darkened further and she giggled before looking up at him. “You’re a nice boy, aren’t you?”

  “Sometimes...” said Scott.

  “That’s good to know. Right?” asked Neira. She fanned her tail in the water a little and offered him a warm smile.

  “Right.” said Scott.

  “Ahem.” said Rhea, loudly.

  Scott and Neira turned to see that the elf girl had come much closer during their little chat. She wore a slightly annoyed expression, and had her arms crossed.

  “Oh, Rhea! Are you like ready for me to give you my blessing?” asked Neira. Her blush deepened further, and a soft gleam appeared in her eyes.

  “Totally.” said Rhea, with an amused smirk.

  The elf girl leaned forward and puckered her lips cutely. Neira, however, slipped her hands up and gently cupped Rhea’s face.

  Rhea blinked when she was drawn forward and passionately kissed on the lips. Neira’s hand slid up to cup the back of her head. Her eyes widened when the mermaid’s tongue slipped between her lips then began to artfully tease her.

  Scott tilted his head to the side and watched the surprising maneuver. Was that how it had looked when he was blessed? Somehow, he felt as though he had been given the equivalent of poor customer service.

  Neira clasped Rhea’s lower lip between her lips then drew back slowly. “So... Now you’ve been blessed by the sea. Right?”

  Rhea’s eyes, still wide due to her surprise, blinked once. She touched her lips. “Totally.”

  The mermaid giggled then wafted her tail around in the water. She had met a couple of really nice people.

  Ero laughed softly inside of Scott’s mind. “Maybe I should get a blessing after all. They look interesting.”

  Scott snorted at the fairy and the two girls turned toward him. They looked askance at the man and he shook his head. “Sorry, Ero was making a little social commentary.”

  “I bet.” said Rhea. The elf girl shook her head then started to laugh a little.

  Scott laughed as well. It was an absurd situation, after all.

  Finally, Neira joined in with a nervous laugh of her own. Everyone else was laughing, so it seemed appropriate that she should laugh as well. Mostly, she was happy that no one had been offended.

  Chapter 3: Fi’Shoo Pantsu

  The sun shined down gently on the bright blue sea. It had born witness to many strange things in its existence, but few were stranger than the sight that existed just below the surface of the water. Two air breathing surface dwellers glided along at a slow, but steady pace. They swam through the water without once rising to the surface.

  Scott, one of the two slow but steady swimmers, was on the verge of exhaustion. He was not built for long distance swimming.

  Rhea had fared better so far, but even though she had higher agility and strong warrior’s heart she was not built for long distance swimming either.

  “Wow, like, you guys are so slow.” said Neira with a hint of annoyance in her voice. She was happy to receive help, but if they had to stop and rest every half hour or so, they would not get there in time to do anything.

  Scott tried to respond to the mermaid, but he could not talk well through water. He had the blessing of the sea, but that only meant that he would not drown. He did not acquire any epic swimming skills or the ability to talk underwater.

  Rhea touched her right temple with two fingers. “Scott, try using the party chat function. It should work underwater.”

  Shocked by the clarity of her voice, he turned to look at her. How had she done that?

  She picked up on his non-verbal request and sent him another message. “Place two fingers to your right temple and think strongly. You will be able to mentally send messages that way.”

  Scott did as she instructed and thought strongly about something. Rhea smiled at him in wry amusement when she received the message, “Smiley Face.”

  “We can’t do emoticons or whatever. It is all verbal.” said the elf girl.

  He tried again, this time he sent her a message about how pretty she looked when she was wet. The goofy sorcerer grinned when Rhea flailed her arms at him. He had the good sense to look embarrassed, however, when Neira glanced at him then blushed. She had heard the message that he had sent.

  “So, everyone hears the party chat and not just the person you think about?” asked Scott.

  “Yeah, it’s a party chat, Scott...” said Rhea.

  “Good to know. I’ll avoid thinking about certain other interesting things.” he said.

  Rhea eyed him with a scrutinizing gaze then shook her head. He w
as probably kidding, but now she wanted to know what he was thinking about.

  Ero easily moved over to him then hovered in place. It was as though she treated the water the same as she treated the air. “Do I look pretty when I’m wet, Scott?” asked Ero. She smiled sweetly at him, but there was a hint of mischief in her eyes.

  “Sure, why not.” he said. It was the most neutral response that he could come up with.

  Ero pouted at him cutely then folded her tiny arms. “That’s not much of a response, you know.”

  Scott attempted to laugh, but realized that he could not do so properly. Instead he placed his fingers to his temple and said, “Ha. Ha. Ha.”

  Neira actually laughed, somehow, after hearing that. Scott looked to her and smiled, but inwardly he was annoyed that he could not move around so freely in the water.

  “If you guys need a rest, we can go to the surface.” suggested Neira. Of course, due to her combination valley speak and surfer girl tone it sounded more like she was asking a question. The upward inflection at the end of her sentences was subtle, barely noticeable, most of the time. However, it tended to become more pronounced when she was uncertain of what to do next.

  “I’d rather try to figure out a way that we could swim better or move easier like you and Ero.” said Scott.

  Neira blinked at him once then her eyes widened. She clapped her hands together and held them in place. “Oh! Right, I do have something that you could use.”

  Rhea swam closer to Neira then said, “You do? That would be great.”

  The mermaid gestured at the air for a moment then two strange garments appeared in her hands. “We, like, make these in my village. They are super popular in Eizen. I had totally forgotten that I still had a few pairs of them.”

  Rhea reached the mermaid before Scott did, and the elf girl wasted no time in responding. “These garments...!”

  Scott stared at the unholy thing dangling in the mermaid’s hand. “Seriously?”

  “Yah, totally serious. You’ll be able to, like, swim without getting tired and other things, too.” said Neira.

  The sorcerer accepted the tiny garment then checked its stats.