Arista had only been a few days without her legs, and she couldn't remember a time she had been so lonely. She was careful to avoid any contact with other people, instead finding herself trapped under the waves during the day and only safe to surface at night. She missed feeling the sun unfiltered, and so when she finally found a cave with an opening, she'd been quick to make her home. It was all nearly perfect, save for the loss of those she'd come to know as friends. She did her best not to focus on it, instead taking the insane amount of free time she had to explore the reefs and deeps of her new home. Still, she spent each sunset much like the one she was viewing now above water, watching the sky change it's brilliant colors wistfully. Around her the ocean crashed, somehow more noisy than her home in the falls, and she wondered how long it would take to get used to the sound.

"Arista!" She spun at the sound of her name, mouth dropping open in shock as she took in the form of Damon wading into the water. His shirt had been discarded, likely somewhere on the beach, and she blushed at the sight of him shirtless in spite of herself. Turning carefully so as not to cut her tail, she faced him, waiting less than patiently for him to reach her so she wouldn't have to shout.

"What are you doing here? How did you even find me?" He gripped her rock with one hand, the other settling on her tail and causing a tingle to run up her spine.

"I'm taking you back home." He seemed to be looking for a way to grab her without hurting her, and she turned his face towards hers.

"Damon, I can't go back...I'm stuck this way forever." She gestured to her tail, even as he shook his head.

"You're not even going to give a guy a chance to fall for you before writing him off?" Although he was grinning, she could see the pain in his eyes, and it caused a flutter of hope in her heart even as sadness pooled in her gut.

"Not when he's in love with someone else." Her words were softer, but she knew he heard. His eyes widened just a bit, and she turned away. "It would have been rude of me to press my affection when I knew you felt for another." She turned away, catching the last of the sunset as darkness descended. Damon was quiet for a bit and they listened to the crashing waves begin to calm.

"I'm sorry, Arista." Damon's voice was softer, his tone more sincere. "If I had known-"

"If you had known, nothing would have changed." Arista turned back to face him, seeing the pain on his face. Her own heart kicked up a bit faster, and she reached out hesitantly to caress his cheek. "In the end, Elizabeth still would have won." His gaze hardened at the name, and for a moment he looked every inch the immortal predator that he truly was.

"Remind me to tear that bitch apart." Arista blinked, unable to hold back a small laugh. It was ridiculous, and she hoped they never met the witch again. Damon's hand moved a bit farther up her tail to her waist. Carefully, she lowered herself to the water with him. "Please, come home with me."

"I can't, Damon. I can't be out of the water that long." Frustration crossed his gaze and she gave the most convincing smile she could. "It's not so bad here. I could travel the whole world now." Looking on the bright side was the only way she could cope with the loss, and it had been working until now. Having the reminder of what she was giving up right here in front of her was making things more difficult than she could handle.

"What if we can move you in the water? Up the coast to Virgina maybe." Arista opened her mouth to speak before she heard voices, turning to the beach to see a group of people getting set up for a party. She huffed, taking his hand and leading him from the rock. He followed her easily and she briefly wondered if there would be anyway to send him back home without her. Even if he didn't love her, it was at least clear that he cared, and it had her heart lifting traitorously. It didn't take long to reach her new cave, and though he climbed out of the water, she stayed in enough to keep her tail submerged.

"I'm sorry, I just don't see how we could move me back to Mystic Falls without broadcasting what I am." Damon had a look on concentration on his face, and she knew he was trying to come up with any possible way.

"I do, but I'd have to call and ask for a couple of favors." Already Arista was shaking her head, and Damon raised a hand. "Come on, none of this self-sacrificing shit. You've been trapped for god only knows how long, you deserve to have help escaping, even if it's just to a bathtub in Virginia."

"I'm not worth-" She started, though Damon was quick to cut her off.

"You are more than worth a couple of favors, Arista." He leaned down, cupping her chin in his hand. It took most of her willpower not to lean into his touch, to revel in contact with another person after so long. "I'm sorry I couldn't prevent this from happening to you, but I'm damn well going to do something to fix it." Her heart gave a flutter, and his smirk grew. "Besides, who wouldn't want the chance to date a mermaid?" She gave a small laugh, pulling away from his touch to shake her head.

"You're ridiculous, Damon Salvatore." His grin turned wolfish, and she sighed. "Alright, I suppose we can at least try your idea. But, if you want to stay here, it means more sleeping on rocks." He glanced around the cave. "If you want, however, I know of an alternative that works as a kind of compromise." He arched a brow and she smiled.