Mutios
"Actually, only one of them goes by the name Mutio anymore." Katsuma explained. He pointed to the closest mutio. She was different than the rest of her sisters. Her markings were a little brighter and more radiant. Instead of the usual blue, her eyes were a soft red color. Her face had a sweet, thoughtful expression that Marina found endearing.
"All the females have been given a name of their own to individualize them." Katsuma motioned to the other four females. "These four go by the names Aquata, Nixie, Andromeda, and Delphine. All of them were adopted by the same deep sea mutio and consider each other blood sisters."
At first glance, the other females looked identical but upon further inspection Marina could see subtle differences in each sister. She studied each one for future identification.
Aquata's eyes, she noticed, were a lovely aquamarine blue and that her eyes were more hooded than the rest of her sisters and had a slight upward curve at the corners. It gave her a seductive look and reminded Marina of the sirens in the old legends.
Nixie was shorter than the others and had a more babyish face. Marina had a gut feeling that she was the youngest of the group.
Andromeda's face was narrower and more refined and she held herself with an air of superiority. She's definitely the oldest.
Last but not least, Delphine's lips had an upward curve that made her look like she was always smiling. Like a dolphin. Her eyes had a spark of mischief in them.
This has to be an interesting bunch.
"Mutio and her sisters were the first to find you", Katsuma went on. "They called to me for advice on what to do so I followed them. I recognized you immediately. I knew you wouldn't survive for long in the water so I sent Delphine to find Oceana."
"Who's Oceana?"
Right on cue, the water behind them rose as if some great sea monster was about to break the surface. Marina instinctively stepped back and watched in horror as a larger female head appeared. The head of a deep sea Mutio. "Katsuma, do we need to start running?," she asked nervously.
"No, it's okay, this is Oceana," Katsuma assured her. "It took some convincing, but she helped us save you."
"Oh, hi Oceana. Nice to meet you." Marina took a few wary steps forward. Oceana just watched her with an unreadable expression.
So far so good.
She turned towards Katsuma. "Is there anything else you would like to tell me before I say thanks?" She asked. "Or is there another person I need to be introduced to?" Standing near the giantess was not boding well with her.
"Not unless you want to hear more about the rescue." Katsuma noticed her unease but knew she would be safe with this group.
"As a matter of fact, I would." She was curious to know how she had managed to survive.
"Please proceed." Against her better judgment, she sat down cross-legged on the sand to hear more about her rescue. If Katsuma was relaxed around them then she should be too.
"Well, as we were waiting for Delphine, we huddled around you in the hopes that our body heat would keep you warm." Katsuma explained. "Luckily, Delphine is a fast swimmer so we didn't have to wait for very long. Within a few moments, she was back with Oceana at her side. Oceana didn't want to help you at first because she thought you would be a threat. I reassured her that you were a close friend of mine and could be trusted. She said she'd take my word for it and if I want to save you I'd better put you on her back so you would be out of the water." He shook his head. "Honestly, ever since I've met her she's been so straightforward. Not one for small talk at all. Anyways, I climbed up too so that you wouldn't fall. I have to admit, I wasn't sure if you were going to make it. Humans can't survive for very long in these waters and I had no idea how long you were out there. I'm really glad you pulled through though. I always knew you were made of stronger stuff."
Marina smiled up at him. Maybe, just maybe, he cared for her the same way she cared for him.
"Well, I owe you all a deep debt of gratitude." She stood up from her spot and bowed respectively. "Thank you all for saving my life. If you should ever need anything, I will do everything in my power to help you."
To Marina's surprise, Oceana made a deep rumbling sound in her throat. She took it as a sign of approval.
With a sudden realization, she straightened up with a look of shock written clearly over her face. "Oh dear, I just remembered something. I left Amonyushu alone with Verg. Oh, I hope she's alright. I should go check on her. Goodbye everyone and thanks again."
The others waved goodbye to her rapidly diminishing form, each hoping the best for their new human friend.
Marina jogged back down the trail. I hope she's not in too much trouble because of me. She seems so sweet. I could never forgive myself if she got punished for something I did. At that unsettling thought she broke into a sprint until she reached her destination. Please be okay Amonyushuu.
Preparing for the worst, she walked up the wooden steps of the house. Each one creaking under her sudden weight. She took a deep breath and stretched out her hand to open the door but, to her shock, it burst open from the inside before she could even reach the handle. She looked up to see Verg's glowering face and gave him a sheepish grin. "H-hi there."
He glared back, pushed his way past her (almost knocking her onto the floor), and stomped down the path she had been on. What is his problem, she wondered as she stepped back into the house. "Amonyushuu, are you okay? Where are you?"
"I'm fine; I'm in the kitchen." The girl replied from another room.
Marina stepped into said room to see the girl standing at the sink rinsing off some vegetables and placing them on a cutting board. "Hello Marina." The girl greeted sweetly. She seemed to be unhurt. "Would you like to help me make dinner?"
"Sure." Marina walked over and started cutting up the vegetables into neat little piles. She breathed a sigh of relief knowing Amonyushuu was okay. She could show her appreciation to her young friend by helping out with daily activities. "So," She said by means of conversation. "What are we going to make?"
Meanwhile, Verg was heading towards the beach to fume in his private spot. It was just on the edge of the woods underneath a large tree surrounded by ferns. This spot was his favorite place to go when he wanted to be by himself and just reflect.
Due to his dark coloration, he blended in with the shadows perfectly. No one could see him and he had a beautiful view of the ocean and the mutios who played in its waters. He sat down and looked for the red eyed female who had kept the traditional name.
Three of her sisters were playing a game of tag, one was chatting with Katsuma a little ways off, and their "mother" was heading back out to sea.
Mutio, on the other hand, was sitting by herself in the shallows watching her sisters play with a sweet smile on her face. She looked so beautiful. So happy.
These were the ones who had taken him out of the ship's remains before it sank into the abyss. They were the ones who had solely earned his respect. But above all, he had the most respect and gratitude towards Mutio.
Mutio, if only she knew how much he had changed since Papa's death.
He hated to admit it but he was somewhat relieved now that Papa was gone. Everything was so tranquil now without the war looming above everyone's head.
Since Papa's death, Verg no longer had to worry about earning his praise and respect. To show his Papa that he was a good leader and worthy of being Zorndyke's chosen son. It had been so important for him that it had become an obsession. If anyone got in the way of that he would punish them mercilessly. What a scoundrel he had been.
Verg focused on the thin scar on Mutio's ear and felt a pang of guilt in his chest. He had done that to her, among other things, and yet she had comforted him and risked her own life to save him. She had no reason to be so kind but she had done it anyway out of the goodness of her heart.
In doing so, she had gained his respect and admiration.
Ever since that day, he vowed to be a better person to show her how grateful he was of her kindness. It was easier now without that stupid obsession of getting his Papa's love and recognition. How could he be so blind?
To show his thanks, he had left Mutio alone so she could live peacefully, but now it was becoming harder to do. He wanted to be a part of her life again. Someone that gave her happiness and comfort. Not a dark and raging cloud of emotion that brought nothing but dread to those misfortunate enough to get in his way. Shameful, a disgrace to his status.
Verg shook his head sadly as he mentally berated himself. He was becoming more and more desperate now to ease his troubled mind. There were so many questions jumbled in his skull and not even a trace of an answer forthcoming. He wanted so much to show how he had matured but had no idea on how to go about doing it. What was he to do? Why did everything have to be so complicated? How could he feel so conflicted over one person who had meant nothing to him in the past?
Before the end of the war, she had just been one of his hand selected personal servants but now…..
"Mutio", He whispered, tears of regret forming in his eyes. "I'm sorry for everything I've done to you and I really wish I had the courage to tell you that. I never thought I would feel this way about anyone except Papa, but…. I-I think I'm falling in love with you."
