Meanwhile, Dariol continues his journey to the surface. The merman glances behind his tail every so often, finding nothing too suspicious as he furthers the space between him and his Varken Tribe. Dariol sifts through seaweed hanging from the top of the ancient witch's cove until he comes across the caves. There were ten caverns spread out across the opening. Dariol inspects the ancient markings at the entrance to each cove, finding many different symbols. He passes by a creature with wings and a tail, another with eight nimble legs, then came across another symbol with a bat and fangs.
Dariol slams his fisted claw on the top of the opening with the bat symbol, growling as his tail swipes back and forth in an irritating manner. The rough rocks of the cave walls scrap against his fins while he spurts off towards another cave opening. This cave has a small creature with horns. Dariol hisses at the marking and darts toward another entrance. He continues to searching for a unique symbol until he passes a creature with four legs and a tail. The mer stops momentarily at the entrance, and he softly caresses the archaic message. His eyes scan the terrain, and doesn't spot a soul around. With a leap of faith, the siren ventures inside.
The male mer swims through the darkness, only sparking flames with his claws against the cavern's internal tunnel. His eyes begin to adjust to the pitch black cave. The silence gives Dariol a moment to clear his mind, thinking back to the moment he had scheduled this appointment. It was such a hard concept to ascertain, let alone act upon. He knew the consequences of keeping her from the truth, and he was determined to keep moving forwards, like he's always done. He only hoped the outcome of the incident that took place so many moons ago, in both realms, would allow him to be apart of her life until his very last breath.
The anguish he would feel from knowing how she would react, would only deepen the divide within his heart. He genuinely loved her, just as the rest of his offspring, but he couldn't keep her in the shadows, nor could he continue to run a crusade of skits. Dariol knew it was wrong, and he continued his web of lies because it was the right thing to do. If he had not been so discreet about the child he brought into this realm, he would have never met her; his first born daughter. She was a wee little thing and a beauty too, only Dariol couldn't get over two abnormalities.
One was the absence of a tail, and instead were two tiny legs with all the appendages attached. Dariol was concerned for the child because she was not of mer. Had it not been for her mother, he would have never thought she could change. The second abnormal feature about his child was her ability to shape shift. Before his very eyes, her two legs shifted into a tail with no magic required. Dariol has been relieved of her abilities, knowing he would not have to give her up. He never questioned why the female had left her child with him, only blessed her for this gift. It would be hard for Dariol to explain the story, but he couldn't keep the secret any longer.
Vera's mother practically begged for her daughter back. Dariol had been mortified by the request, especially when Vera has recently become a new mother. Dariol wanted to be there for her and the quads, but he knew the female had been right when she defended her reasons. Vera's mother deserves her time with Vera, whether Dariol likes it or not. Dariol raised her to be the siren she is, and he only hoped she can survive her mother's world. He had only been to her realm a handful of times, and every time was to visit her. The mer sighs dreamily, reminiscing about his youth.
When he swims further in, his scales ruffle from the exchange of water billowing from the outside currents. Dariol understands the change, and within seconds he's zipped through the cavern and surfaces in the nearest cove. With wet hair and dark eyes, he scours the inside of a cave above the surface. His nose stays below the bluish water as he inches near the land mass where the two had created Vera. The hole within the cave carried the glowing stars above his head as he waits for the mother of his child. Dariol slithered within the water, stealthily creeping below the thin surface.
A shadow suddenly casts against the far cavern wall. Dariol's eyes flicker to the long legs of a female. Her fair skin glows within the moonlight as she passes between the rays. Her dark locks litter her shoulders and hides her face from wondering eyes with the curly curtains. She languidly walks towards the edge of the pool before kneeling down and touching the water. Her fingers weave in and out of the liquid, and her touch flutters against his scales. Dariol hesitantly reveals himself, yet when he does, the female still hasn't glanced his way. His tail dips out of the water before swirling the forest green tail around to gather her attention.
Swiftly, the female locks eyes with the mer. She smiles, "It's been ah while, Sir."
Dariol's fins flutter at the sound of her soothing voice. He dares to venture closer, barely leaning against the edge of the rocky terrain. Their eyes never disconnect while she sits down and waits for his arrival. Dariol begins to flick his fluke at the thought of having her once again.
"Hello, darling." He smirks.
The female blushes, still smiling at his playful disposition. Her eyes slowly glance to her once-upon-a-time lover's eyes. "How have yeh been, Dariol?" She strikes up a conversation, curious as to if he had wondered about her just as much as she wondered about him.
Dariol's fins ruffle at the sound of his name coming from her mouth. He began to think of her screaming his name from pleasure instead of common speech. The strength to hold himself back was more painful than to claim his one of his own. "Now," he began, "that's not what we came to discuss, my dear Marzena." Dariol smirks, raising his body above hers and resides his hands beside her thighs. He was close enough to Marzena that she began to warm his scales with her body heat. Remembering few nights of passion, Dariol nears the female, barely touching her cheek with his nose. "But," his hot breath fans her lips while he whispers against her skin, "If you'd like to begin where we ceased, I would gladly assist you..."
Dariol's nose traces her cheekbone until he reaches her jawline. Marzena gasps softly, reminiscing about their dark nights and their passionate moments. Absentmindedly, she arches her back because of his languid movements, and allows him to feast upon her body. Dariol's tongue dips out between his full lips and lathers her skin in his saliva. As a Vark, his touch exudes euphoric pleasure and drives Marzena into a daydream. His saliva contains hallucinogens which trigger's her nucleus accumbens, otherwise known as the section in her brain to trigger cloud nine, enhancing Marzena's pleasure high. A low moan comes from the female as his tongue runs over her mate's mark, igniting a fluster of flurries within her stomach. Marzena never wanted Dariol to stop once he started.
However, Dariol freezes in his action of indulgence. He scowls at the female, removing his body from her touch. Marzena whimpers at the loss of the siren's satisfying tongue on the crook of her neck. Dariol casts himself away from the two-faced canine. He became ashamed of himself at the moment, realizing Marzena's status amongst her own civilization. When the female straightens her posture and dips her legs into the pool of water, Dariol glares at the inviting movements. Marzena catches the siren's eyes in a heated gaze. She curiously leans forwards, wanting to touch his scales.
"You're mated," he accuses.