❧ Out ❧ Of ❧ Time

[tinkertank]

➷ Pick A Muse
➷ Post a Prompt: leave a picture, a line, or a full-on tag!
➷ THE CATCH!: AU-it! If they're sci-fi? Stick them in BCE. If they're Victorian? Put them in the 1920s. If they're from Candyland? Put them into Steampunk Dystopian Veggieland. WHERE IN TIME IS CARMEN SANDIAGO? them. Let's do this.
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➷ ♥

Comments

[cruelpatience]

A coat is acceptable enough, then?

[She smiles a little and nudges him so he'll walk with her over to the dry clothing.]

Not a fish, sir... Mermaid. The cold does not bother me as much, I am used to the chilled waters around now.

[fliesonfour]

Not terribly, but moreso, perhaps, at that.

[And he does walk, teeth clattering, trying to both cover her and himself as he walks.

Well! Well.

A Mermaid. That clears everything up.

Not at all.]

You are a myth, which nearly rhymes with fish, so I was close. ...A Mermaid? Well! Charming! I am hallucinating something very enchanting, that I am.

[cruelpatience]

[She's trying to keep him from worrying about her 'decency', but that's clearly a losing battle.]

A mermaid and you are very much not hallucinating me... How far before we can get you inside and warmed?

[As soon as they reach his discarded jacket, she's picking it up and...

Well, she actually doesn't know how to put it on. So, backwards it goes first.]

[fliesonfour]

[...if anything can get him to focus, it is still poor fashion that wins out.

Making a face, he shook his head no, momentarily forgetting his own soggy predicament to tut.]

No, no... not like that. Give it here. I will wrap you in it properly.

[cruelpatience]

[Musichetta blinks and cannot help but smile. She had a feeling she was going about it improperly, but she was more than happy to let him fix it. Removing the jacket, she handed it over to him.]

Thank you.

[fliesonfour]

[A nod, and still chattering, he placed it about her more solidly, fitting her arms through the holes and buttoning her up.]

Q-quickly now! We'll go into the inn, to warm up.

[And to find her clothes! ...Possibly.]

[cruelpatience]

[Smiling brightly at him, she gave a nod and a kiss to his cheek as thanks.]

I will follow you, I do not know my way around here...

[fliesonfour]

[He turned a bit coloured at the cheeks-- which was good, bringing colour back like that!-- and stood a bit straighter, offering his arm, though it looked a bit silly as he dripped his way along.

Still, he'd lead her to the inn and straight inside, to his room, where he intended to order wine and start a fire by which to warm up.]

[cruelpatience]

[It was very endearing... and she gladly followed him arm-in-arm, ignoring any looks from the few people they passed... Not intentionally so much as the fact that she just didn't see it.]

[fliesonfour]

[He ignored them as well! Informing her, 'Jealousy, my dear', just in case they made her in the least wary. Once they were in his room at the inn, he went to have her sit in the chair beside the fire, eyeing her curiously,]

Truly, you are not cold?

[cruelpatience]

Perhaps a little now that I've dried off... The water tends to be much colder...

[A sincere smile at that as she tugs his jacket closer, comfortable and content.]

[fliesonfour]

[Nodding, he went to put another log onto the fireplace and knelt to start the flint.]

You will excuse me that after lighting this, I must change; I do not want to catch death, if I have not already.

[cruelpatience]

Would you like your jacket back now?

[She smiles and unbuttons the first button innocently.]

But you should change soon, yes... I imagine the chill is bothering you more than I.

[fliesonfour]

No, no my dear, it's yours for the evening.

[Insisted, glancing back at her... and snorting gently, with a smile. Well! She really wasn't very shy, was she.]

Unless you feel warm enough to take it off, then by all means; I daresay I shouldn't mind.

[Now that the fire was started though, he was quick to his feet, to get something warmer and drier to change into himself.]

[cruelpatience]

[Well, clothing was such a nuisance, after all. Still, she left it at that and just continued to watch him. She shifted her legs up with her, sitting cross legged and smiling.]

Perhaps in a bit. I don't understand why you humans are so insistent with clothing, though... Is it really just to protect yourself from the elements?

[fliesonfour]

Well, yes and no.

[Getting the clinging wet clothing off of himself in a corner of the room; he was not very shy, either, especially since she seemed not to mind... and was a fish, besides!; he dried himself as he spoke.]

Yes, it does keep us warm; we are not built strong, you know! But it also keeps us modest, and fashionable. Nothing worse than a pretty woman who has to suffer the gaze of a hundred unworthy men, eh? Or the sight of a very unkempt man, who you are forced to look at. Better to be well-groomed! But clothing has its limits, I do admit.

[cruelpatience]

[Not only did she not mind, but she did take a moment to admire him. Giggling a little, she shook her head at his explanation.]

Oh, so it is for a woman's sake that clothing is to be worn not solely for protection of the elements.

[She smiles coyly.]

And you, monsieur, would you believe you were worthy of seeing my human body without clothing?

[fliesonfour]

[Glancing back at her yet again at her giggling, he pursed his lips and smiled when she realized she was peeking, then raised a brow.]

I believe I already have, worthy or no! And your 'human' body, I must admit, is without flaw!

But it is really up to the lady, who is worthy.

[cruelpatience]

Then I will be more prudent with who sees it from now on...

[Before she blushed a little at his compliment.]

You are truly a flatterer, I'll admit! You were soaked to the bone and quite shaken up, I hardly think that you could properly appreciate it because of this.

[fliesonfour]

Wise! If only because learning the art of false modesty is a great weapon against men!

[Advised, before grinning a little at her blushing. Delightful!]

Properly, perhaps not; I would not be opposed to appreciating it at my leisure; but appreciate it, that I did! What a sight to see before one dies. Like heaven, but perhaps an improvement on it.

[He winked.]

[cruelpatience]

[At his advice, she buttoned the jacket back properly, grinning but still blushing even more.]

An improvement because you are still alive and not dying at all. And please, your flattery is far too kind.

[fliesonfour]

That which is truthful is not a kindness! More a kindness that you let me see you.

[Getting on a long nightshirt and slippers after, he returned fireside, to sit near her in another chair, still rubbing his hair dry.]

Why did you let me see you, my dear? Not naked, I mean; in the water.

[cruelpatience]

We play a game... Ah-- We follow ships for a short time and allow glimpses, just enough for the sailors to tell tales.

You spent a long time at the railing of your ship... [She shifted to face him easier, grinning a little more.]

I don't know why I decided to watch you, to let you see me when you came swimming out. Perhaps it's because I knew you were a charming fellow instinctively.

[fliesonfour]

Oh, yes, very, I was very sea-sick, the entire journey. And when I was not, the sea air was better than the below-deck air.

[Chuckled, setting the towel aside now.]

It strikes me, I am not as charming as I ought to be, no I am not: I do not yet know your name.

[Usually he made sure to at least ask before seeing a woman naked.]

[cruelpatience]

The sea air is nice and soothing, I agree... But I am biased in this.

[Another laugh at him and she's shaking her head.]

You were preoccupied with death and fish, monsieur, I cannot blame you! I am Musichetta... What might I call you?