Beauty and the Beast [Lucio]

Parties like this was always Lucio's favorite. So many merfolk together and celebrating, smiling and dancing and just having a grand old time. He swam between the crowds, urging them to move more with the music as he goes more out in the open with a bright smile. Some would say that he's rather beautiful. Well-kept fins and shining tail, like he spends hours just making himself look good. His scales are a vibrate green with black mixed in, a pretty nice combination and he knows it. He does take care of himself as best as he could, getting the best things out there to keep them in tip-top shape.

Such a vibrate merman with a bright smile to go along, and then his personality? Like a literal angel. He knows of rumors about someone going around and biting people, but he didn't believe them. Not until he sees it himself. Though he's a bit busy with the party, continuing to move around with a bright smile and tons of laughter.

Jamison couldn't help the small smile as he watched everyone enjoying themselves from his hiding place, his tail flicking in time with the music, he always managed to get into it, even from the shadows where he was made to lurk, he took a chance as he slipped closer to the main street, packed with merfolk, this was the heart of the festival, where merchants set up shop and musicians played with enthusiastic vigor, it was hard to resist joining the crowd when they looked to be having so much fun, doubly so when he saw him.

He was probably the most beautiful creature he'd ever laid eyes on, vibrant and flowing and looking almost unreal amidst the rest of the crowd. He had the most incredible smile he'd ever seen, and he was so enthralled that he forgot himself, slipping out of his shadowy hiding place to go meet him. He was so close he could almost call out to him when he was suddenly yanked back to reality at a harsh yell from someone behind him.

He glanced around with a frightened expression when he saw a large group watching him with hostile glances, a few hissing to each other asking why he had shown up. He pulled back and glanced around with wide eyes as a few broke from the crowd to advance on him, he pulled his missing arm to him nervously, stealing a last glance at Lucio before darting off back into the shadows, making as much distance as he could between himself and the crowd, he didn't get anywhere fast though, his shredded fins made him a very awkward swimmer.

The harsh yell didn't go unnoticed as Lucio looked towards the commotion, blinking a bit before frowning as he watches the group practically glaring at the poor guy. "H-Hey, leave him alone," Lucio started, only to get a couple of glares from the others in response. That must be the one that the rumors were talking about. He didn't seem so mean and fierce. He frowned as he watches some of the merfolk following the other, and without thinking, he dashed forward to get in between the group and the stranger. "Come on, just leave him alone," he'll say, moving a bit to try and make himself a bit big and threatening but, that didn't work would how short the poor guy is.

Some talked among themselves once more, deciding to just let Jamison go this time as they turned to swim off, but not without throwing a bit of insults around. Lucio only frowned more at that, huffing softly as he crosses his arms over his chest. Why must people be mean to someone who's different? Well, maybe he can talk to this guy and see for himself. He finally turned around to face Jamison, giving him a smile once he's sure that the group had left.

Jamison had been relieved when the angry commotion died down behind him, stopping to catch his breath as he glanced back to make sure they'd gone, "stupid...That was stupid..." He berated himself for such a bold move, he could remember the last time he'd tried to make friends, he ran his tongue over his pointed teeth, he could remember what it felt like to bite back for a change too.

His attention was drawn when he heard someone swimming up behind him again and he turned and gasped when he spotted the gorgeous man from before, feeling his skin crawl with nerves before he ducked behind a reef, peeking out at him with a hurt growl, "better not come too close. Haven't yew heard? I bite." He hoped he was kinder than the rest of them, but refused to get his hopes up.

He swallowed as he slipped from his hiding place a bit more, still keeping himself mostly hidden from view, "y-yer not gonna hurt me...Are yeh?" There was a suspicious, uneasy tone in his voice, sure this man looked nice, but they all looked nice. None of them ever seemed to realize that he was more afraid of them than they were of him, "w-wot's yer name?" He poked his head out with a curious expression, making an effort to speak behind his remaining hand, more than a little self conscious of his rather threatening looking bite.

When he got Jamie's attention, he'll stop and sigh as the other went to hide behind a reef. Poor guy. That hurt growl actually didn't scare Lucio as he crept a little closer. "I heard, yeah. Don't believe it though," he'll say, head tilting once Jamie slipped out a bit more, unable to help but notice all those scars and other stuff across the other's body. What did he go through? Damn. Lucio sighed as he rubs a bit of his scales before glancing to the side. "They usually overdo rumors so I never believe it."

At the question, Lucio perked up before crossing his arms over his chest with a huff. "I ain't here to hurt you, that's silly. Why would I want to do that?" He asked in return before smiling at the next question as he swims just a bit closer. "I'm Lucio. Local musician, and who might you be?" Jamison doesn't seem so bad at all. What are these merfolk talking about? It's just someone who's hurt and needs a friend.

Jamison slipped out further when he spoke, tilting his head to the side before letting out a small sigh, "s'partly true...I have bitten other merfolk..." He said this with a guilty tone, the same emotion written across his face, "I didn't mean to...I jus' don't like bein' cornered..." He wrapped his arm around himself and looked down, "but I don't go bitin' other folk fer fun like they say..." He ventured closer as he spoke, looking him over with admiring eyes, "yew sure are pretty..." He looked himself over with a frown, "they don't like me because I look scary...Like chum, they say..." He sighed as he allowed himself to sink down to the ocean floor, "I just wanted t'make friends...I wasn't born in these waters...I guess I'm jus' too diff'rent..."

He looked up at him when he said he didn't want to hurt him, shrugging and giving him a soft smile, "I'unno...Why do any of 'em wanna hurt me?" He huffed as he pushed himself up closer to Lucio, it took some effort for his poor swimming, "Lucio huh? Jamison...Uh...Yew kin calls me Jamie...If yew want." He looked back in the direction they'd come from and sighed, "they never invite me...I always wanna come join th'fun...But my ugly mug ain't allowed..." He laughed softly, looking him over, "yew said yew was a musician, yeh?" He swam a circle around him, then looked backt he way they'd come again, "yew oughta get back to th'party...They'll be missin' yew..." He didn't want to be left alone, but dragging Lucio down with him wasn't fair.

Lucio kept silent before frowning a bit, feeling a bit sorry for this guy. Jeez, they just don't leave others alone. "Well, I'm not going to corner you or anything like that. I won't hurt you, promise." He then stayed put as the other got close, smiling and blushing at the compliment. Lucio even laughed a bit as he wiggles his fins, looking down at himself with that smile. "Thank you, man." He then looked the other over once more, head tilted a bit to the right before frowning. "I don't think you look scary, honestly. Different, yes, but not in a bad way. It's good to be a little different." Lucio then moved a bit to sink down next to him, smiling. "I'll be your friend."

Good question. "They're just jerks," he answered before swimming up a bit from the ocean floor, watching him for a moment. Damn, he's big. "Jamie. Well, it's real nice to meet you," Lucio said with a little laugh before frowning. Man, he wants to take Jamie back there but if he isn't allowed, then he'll get in trouble. "I wish I can take you with me," he grumbled before softly laughing as the other swam around him. "Well, they won't miss me too much. There's other musicians there to keep it going. Besides, I want to hang out with my new friend instead."

Jamison actually relaxed when Lucio assured him that he would try to hurt or corner him, forgetting himself and flashing him a wide grin, "good. Then I promise I won't bite yeh!" He giggled, indicating he was only joking with a friendly grin, "kiddin'...I wouldn't bit yew ever." He turned and twisted to look himself over, frowning at the sight, "maybe not scary...But I am ugly."

He traced his hand down his gnarly shredded fins to the thick rusted hook lodged in the base of his tail, "had too many run ins with fishermen...An' other merfolk." He sighed and gave the hook a tug, wincing, "I can't even swim right..." He glanced up when Lucio said he'd be his friend giving him a huge toothy grin before darting forwards to hug him, "yew will?! Ooooh thank yew!" He gasped as he remembered his manners and pulled back, "s-sorry!"

He looked pleased when Lucio said he would stay with him, doing a haphazard and ungainly backflip, "Strewth! Yer a right cobber yew are!" He grinned and took his hand in his, "Her so diff'rent from them...They've never liked me...Because I got sharp ugly teeth they tell me." He let go of his hands to swim more eager circles around him, grinning wide, "yew weren't scared'a me at all though, mate! I'm glad yew wanna be my friend...N-never had one'a them before..."

Jeez, they weren't lying when they said that he has really sharp teeth. A half shark? Maybe? Lucio laughed softly at the joke before crossing his arms over his chest. "You're real nice, really. I don't think being bitten would be any fun and.. my fins are a bit sensitive so that would be good either," he'll reply before frowning at the small insult Jamie directed to himself. "I don't think you're ugly. You're real unique."

He did glance at that hook though, moving to swim to check it closely with a curious noise. "Maybe I can take this out, if you want me to?" Lucio asked softly as he swims back to face the other merman with a worried expression. "I can totally help you out. Probably have to sneak you in though, somehow." How can he sneak in someone who's taller than him? He's like a empire state building compared to the man. Lucio nearly squeaked at the hug before laughing again. "Of course! And don't be sorry, I don't mind. I like hugs."

Jamie doesn't seem so bad at all. A bit of a funny guy, really. "Aw, well. I think they're cool. Helpful in some ways," he'll say with a nod. "I'm not scared at all, promise." Lucio then moved to playfully swim around the other with more laughter. "Of course! Well, we'll be the best of friends watch."

Jamison chuckled when he called him nice, swimming flose to run a gentle hand over his fins, frowning, "I wont lettem' get damaged. Promise!" He felt a sudden urge to protect this tiny man, he was so small and so soft, "I'm a good body guard!" He flashed him a toothy grin , "I'll jus' bite anyone who messes with yeh!" He supposed it was counter productive to his goal of not being scary, and he couldn't help his cheeks flushing, "yeh? I come from much warmer waters, all th'folk where I'm from are like me...I got pulled in by a fisherman..." He rubbed over his missing arm, "I event'ally managed t'convince 'im t'let me go in exchange for proof that 'e met me...He took me arm. Thas' how I ended up here!" He was as out of place here as it got.

He flicked his tail away instinctively when Lucio came closer to inspect it, looking down, "I-I dunno...I've tried an' it jus' gets stuck worse...It's all barbed an' stuff..." He chewed his lip, "it's been stuck in there a while...Still hurts though...M-maybe yew kin help..." He laughed when he spoke of sneaking him in, tilting his head, "I'm almost three times bigger'n all yew lot...I ain't exactly sneaky, mate!" He said this with a hint of humor. His face lit up when he said he didn't mind hugs and he didn't hesitate to pull him into another one, laughing, "yer so small! Even compared t'the rest of the folk around here! I love it!" He pulled away after a moment and grinned, "if yew kin sneak me in..I'd love t'see if yew can help with this..." He wiggled his tail, "swimmin's painful...I haven't been able t'escape danger since it happened..."

Lucio blushed softly as Jamie examines his fins, moving them just a bit at the touch before nearly giggling. "That tickles a little," he'll say before smiling more at the promise. "Hey, thanks. Well, I don't know if I need a bodyguard but you can totally stick near me. It'll be great," he said before tilting his head with a curious look. "Warmer waters? I never tried going that far, don't think I can swim out way over there." Lucio then glanced at where Jamie's arm should be before rubbing the back of his neck. "I'm sorry to hear that, but at least you got free."

He moved away just a bit, moving to put his hands on his hips instead. "Well, you need help with it. That's all I know. I could help to a point, but I think it shouldn't be too hard." Lucio then nodded before frowning. Right, he's way too tall. "Maybe I can bring the stuff we'll need elsewhere so you won't get into trouble. That would be terrible." Lucio then smiled at the hug before returning it. "Yeah, I'm.. one of the shortest ones. I don't mind it though, I'm used to it," he replied as he glances at the other's tail again. "I'll do my best."

Jamison looked amused at how ticklish he was, chuckling softly, "tickles eh? shouldn't of told me that, mate." He got a mischievous expression at then, then smiled and nodded, "yeh, s'pose yew wouldn't need a bodyguard...But if anyone ever tries t'hurt yew I'll still protect yeh!" He nodded and chuckled, gesturing around him, "yeh, right off th'coast of 'stralia, s'where I'm from!" He shrugged and waved it off with his one hand, "yer right! I did get free, they'd of taken me t'some side show or...Who knows where else." It was a scary thought, he felt his limb was a fair trade off for freedom.

He chuckled softly and nodded, "if yew can't, it's alright, I've survived this long like this!" He grinned wide and puffed out his chest, "I'm strong, I can take it!" He tapped his chin a moment, then grinned, "Oi! Yew could bring it to me cave?" He gestured in a direction, "it's not too far from th'city...It ain't th'coziest place, but no one'll bother us!" He gave the man a friendly kiss on the cheek and chuckled, "thanks fer givin' me a chance...Wish th'others would..." He looked down with a sad expression, "I ain't got no fam'ly here...M'jus lonely...Wish they could see that...I don't mean no harm t'anyone..."

"S-Sorry, didn't think you would actually touch them," Lucio said with a small chuckle, returning the smile. "Well, that's still real nice of you. I don't mind it." With that, he'll nod and tilted his head once more. Oh, the coast of Australia? Seems cool. "Really? I heard something big happened over there. Not too sure what though. Yeah I'm from the coast of South America," he'll say as he excitedly swims around with a small laugh. "That ain't fun. Well, just stick with me and you won't get caught up with them again."

Lucio only laughed more as he wiggles his fins just a bit once more. "Well, I'll totally try. I mean, I know a bit of stuff but I'm not an expert, sadly. That's fine though." At the mention of the cave, he'll look curious before glancing in the direction that Jamie pointed out. "Great! Show me where it's at and I'll meet you there in a couple of minutes. I'll bring the super important stuff." The kiss, though, surprised the young man as he blushes deeply, laughing even more. "Hey, it's no problem." Then he frowned. Aw. "Now you have me."