Mirrored Waters

Chapter 2: Coral

Danny was surprised at the others reaction (and the fact that they apparently had the same name. He hadn't seen that coming). Surely the coral couldn't have been that hard to find...
He took the dry piece back from the other and examined it over, trying to find out why the older male had gone so defensive upon seeing it.
But the moment the other said that it was a suicide mission... it made him more tense than he already was.
The witch... couldn't have sent him all the way here in order to kill him... could she? She had paid quite a deal for him to be a part of the shiver.
A suicide mission...?
...
He looked at them and gestured for one of the two to explain what exactly he had gotten into.
Was it a plant found near the more shallow, human inhabited areas? Or... perhaps it was guarded by another group of animals? He honestly hoped that the elder was exaggerating on how dangerous it was.

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Phantom had apparently gotten the gesture as his gaze narrowed more so than before; pupils having narrowed into slits. His form still remaining tense as his tongue rolled over the inside of his fangs, as if mulling over the words. Despite being more fluent than his mate, his isolation had made him slightly mute, and thus the words weren't always easy to grasp even if he knew perfectly what the word was, his tongue simply would refuse to form the sound.
He heaved a sigh, grimacing slightly in the seriousness of it all before attempting his best at speaking. His mate was far too new the waters to know why he'd called such a task suicide, true her past with studying plants and animals had left her knowledgeable, but not of the dangers that lurked within the waters.
"It's... volcanic.... growing.... near active.. sea mounds..." He'd practically bit his tongue as he spoke, through the strain of forcing himself to speak, as well as the clenched feeling of the muscles within his jaw. It gave him a rather sour looking face, though in some sense the message was there.
Sam's eyes widened slightly as the pieces put themselves together. The only area she'd known like that was still another day's swim off, towards the outermost edge of the southern reef. The water was heavy with gases and minerals it should not possess, and though the reef life held strong, there were rumors of its warped presence there, though she'd never had a chance to witness it herself. He'd been more than unwilling to go near there.

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Danny's eyes widened at the knowledge before they looked down in contemplation. So... it's practically set of undersea volcanos? Well... crap.
What was the witch thinking?! Sending him on this mission when she knew well enough that he probably wouldn't survive. His tail wouldn't be strong enough if he got caught in a strong enough current. He still had a hard time controlling his timing as well. He could accidently drive himself right into the line of fire.
Then there was the heat, and the components of the water in the area. He had a hard enough time breathing, what would he do if his lungs got clogged?! He increasingly became more panicked, running a hand through his hair in frustration.
But...
Did he have a choice?
If he came back without, not only would he get a lashing to the back but his already minimal privileges would be revoked for who knows how long.
He could be locked up in his small little cave for years if she sees it fit. And he will no longer be able to have any contact with the others. They would turn their backs on him for defying the witch's orders. Even the ones who had become good 'friends' with him. What was better. Death by trying, or complete isolation?
The boy looked at the coral in his hand and sighed silently.
Death by trying it was then.
He looked to the pair, the male in particular, and gave him a pleading look despite the sudden pang of anxiousness that went through him at seeing the other's face.
He turned to the violet colored mer and mouthed:
Please, just point to me where I have to go.