Chapter 7 - A Beauty

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It's easy to say,

but never the same.

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It has been three full moons since Vera found her quad of merlings and the experience has opened her eyes, to say the least.

Varkens of her tribe had accepted the quad with open fins, and celebrated Vera's gift from their Goddess, Azurel. Many of them spoke of the quad with excitement and prophecy, stating their markings meant they were special compared to regular mers. The gossiping Varks converse about the five Goddesses of water, lightning, sun, moon, and stars. They spoke of hidden agendas between the Goddesses, thinking a war was arising or the end was near because of the four merlings Vera had brought to their tribe.

Vera never paid any mind to the females of the Varken Tribe with their thoughts of gossip, good or bad; they were all envious snarks compared to her. As the Leader's first female, she had high status within their tribe, and as a warrior, she was considered a diamond in the rough. Most Varks were promiscuous, especially the females because of how freely the males looped around the opposing sex. Vera found Vark males insatiable and overruling. She preferred Alophes to Varks, but she knew her father would detest the idea of being involved with an Alophe, considering they mate with multiple. The difference between mating with an Alophe and a Vark is the latter will only aid in raising the gen and the former will accumulate a certain selection of mers to mate with and raise future offspring.

Vera wanted a more secure future for her offspring, but she didn't know how to go about it with Dariol. He was set in a certain mindset and he couldn't be changed. It was difficult for her not only to find someone who understood her, but could be civil friends as well. Vera knew the difficulties of merfolk, and never once questioned her life's purpose. Now, she was in new territory, not knowing where her path will lead her next. Vera was accustomed to power and loneliness all through her immortal life, and this brought a comfort to her. She was safe and secure in her tribe, only fearing what Vark male to choose for gen. There were plenty to choose from, the male to female ratio ending in a four to one. As the female leader, Vera could very well pick her own father, but when the time came, one would be shredded for the Froons.

Vera had thought Dariol could be suitable, only she didn't wish death upon him. Rather, there were a plethora of males she'd like to mate with to kill, and most weren't worthy of either; she had decided long ago. Vera basked in this blessing from Azurel, Goddess of Water and Mers, and dispels any negativity from her tribe. She was only concerned about four tiny creatures named Atlas, Adare, Elsa, and Eira. Vera didn't mind if the others were consumed by the megalodons. She would lead them to their lair if she knew where the wretched predators reside.

Vera gently lays a kelp blanket over the quad, watching Atlas and Eira shift in their sleep a bit. She smiles, departing from the four tiny creatures. Her hair lay full across her back, reaching the bend of her tail. To keep the front wave of tresses out of her vision, braids end below her navel. Vera's claws brush against each of their flukes, softly humming a tune to lure them away from reality. Once she was completely satisfied with their even heartbeats, Vera set out to find Nesrin.

♥️

The siren was lurking behind a school of fish, hunting for her food. Her caramel tail flicks back and forth in anticipation of the hunt. She's patient and calm, thoroughly thinking through the kill. Her long raven hair wafts behind her in a wild mane as she closes in on the lingering fish behind the tightly knit school. Swimming behind the reefs, the siren darts straight for the three sea animals. The siren punctures each fishtail before dragging the creatures away from their school while the rest fled in safety of their own lives. They squirm within her claws, only drawing more blood. The siren swam faster, reaching the surface. A gasp of fresh air burns through her lungs from the sudden change of environment.

The female swims towards the nearest land mass, which happened to be a massive boulder in shallow water. The siren pins the food in her claws to boil against the boiling rock and harsh sun. A grinch grin covers her face while she observes the torment and torture of the smaller creatures. They flop and gasp, wriggling to get free. Their shimmering yellow and blue scales shine in the light of the sun, blinding to the eye. Only, the siren was very adaptable to change and bathed in the sunlight. She waits, cooking the delish meal for herself.

Suddenly, a gasp of air from another mer startles her, yet she keeps a hold of her catch. Turning, the siren immediately notices the white hair lingering in the violet waters. A dark smirk breaks across her lips. "Vera, good to hear you again." She giggles, licking her lips seductively. Her tail flickers in the shallows, causing an underwater current to enhance its flow.

Vera reflects the fellow female's smirk with one of her own. "Likewise, mei Corvina." The silver-tailed mer swims closer until she's a few feet away from the siren. Vera glances at Corvina's catch before meeting her dull noir eyes. "'As Nesrin been round?" The warrior wonders.

Corvina smiles sadistically, raising the cooked fish in the air. "Last I knew, Nesrin was with Iseki." The siren slowly dips her tail in and out of the mauve shallow water conspicuously. Her eyes trail Vera's figure, lingering her gaze on the siren's fins. Corvina adverts her attention to Vera, snagging her wrist before she left.

Vera lingers above the vibrant waters longer than she expected. "Yas; wha'tis it?"

Corvina's sultry smile leans in, "How big are your gen now, hm?" Her smile grows across her two plump lips as the two predator's connect eyes. Corvina draws a pattern into Vera's shoulder with her claw, seducing the Varken Warrior. "I could swallow them whole if they occupy too much of your time," Corvina suggests and saunters her tail towards the shimmering mass connected to Vera. Their tails intertwine, and Vera lays a hand gently over the raven-haired's claws.

Corvina leaves her prey on the rock, gathering the silver-tailed mer in her embrace. The two hold one another at arms length. "I know how you prefer to be alone with your gen," Corvina's right claw caresses Vera's cheek, and a sharp-toothed grin showcases on her lips. Her black orbs glare into Vera's, enticing the feelings within the siren further. "May I occupy your time, dear warrior?" Her claws slither down Vera's waist and pulls her closer in the water. Corvina smirks from her lover's gasp, licking her cheek slowly. When she departs from Vera's face, Corvina notices the smirk gracing the corners of Vera's lips.

"I 'ave time, fer yeh." Vera whispers against the mer's lips. A small, chaste kiss invites the siren's to envelope with one another during a non-mating season, but that never stopped them before.