Neuvilette ▪︎ Ocean Eyes

1: nymphs

In the distant past, nobles were scattered amongst the vast city in the land of Hydro, Fontaine. Banquets held here and there, may it be in fancy hotels, restaurants, cafés, or by-the-shore settings. Humans never get tired of enjoying their life, or what most would say.

Some even think: life's short, live every single day to your best, or something like that. In truth, humans are selfish. In the end - in their end, they will think of themselves and not others who were involved in their life.

"I feel dizzy already..." groaned a middle-aged man bearing clothing of fine suits and pins, complimenting each and every part of his vestment.

"That's all you got? I did tell you drinks' are on me tonight!" Oh, how his face was flushed red from all the wine or beer they have taken for the past two hours of drinking, plus forty minutes of dinner with the whole family - both nuclear and extended.

"It's your birthday! Not to mention your wife's away and your son's somewhere out there by the sea!"

On the other hand, the man, who already had his head resting on his hand that was atop the table, slowly dozed off as his vision faded. Instead of helping, his other companions laughed their breaths out as they started pointing fingers at the passed-out fellow.

It was a typical sight. In all honesty, this man wasn't a heavy drinker, or so they thought.

Ever since he had his child, he ought to himself to never drink more than his limit or his brains might shred all over the place. He speaks out most of his thoughts when he's drunk, some even are secrets that are supposed to be confidential.

"Father?"

A young boy called from beside the man, tugging his father's sleeve to somewhat, hopefully, catch his attention.

"Father, I'll be sleeping late tonight. I came to let you know." Despite his father's drunken state, he still kept his blank face plastered on his face and his almost nonchalant-like voice.

"Oh, my boy!" The young boy's uncle huffed a laugh and patted the edge of his shoulder. "Your papa's out tonight, you think he'll even remember this night tomorrow?"

Words scrambled, breath that reeked of alcohol - it annoyed him. His eyebrows furrowed ever so slightly as he waved his free hand above his nose, trying to get rid of the smell.

"Whatever, I guess," he mumbled before excusing himself out.

The night will be long, it was 9 o'clock and his bedtime was supposed to be in thirty minutes. But what's the use of it when the person who'll be checking him in his bedroom is out? How laughable.

'Once a month,' he says to himself as he silently trod the sandy shores beneath the city. The only sounds that calmed his core were the water hitting the land and the squawking of seagulls.

"They're having this dinner once a month. No wonder mother's been distant with him,"

He stops his legs at the sudden voice of a person that echoed from nearby. They sounded distressed and- wait, it sounded like a female's.

No words were spoken by the female, only hissing and grunting.

He ran to the direction of the sound but froze when his eyes were met with a humanoid creature, stuck within the restraints of a fishing net. Their upper body was those of humans, and...

"A fish-like tail..." No way, it was too shocking to be true. He wasn't dreaming, he wished he was.

He rubbed his eyes once.

Twice.

Blinked it a few times to reconfirm the sight before him.

He affirms to himself now, "They're real," despite not having confirmed it yet - like having investigations and observations and all.