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[ wow, just voice. hadn't shrieky himself been advocating against that? ]

Okay.

[ there's something expectant at the end of that, the uptone, even though he thinks he might know what's coming. but it's been the kind of week to use as few a words as possible. ]

[He's not sure what his expression looks like right now, or what his feelings are, so... perhaps he's beginning to see the advantage of voice only.]

I feel... it's like when something startles you, and your heartbeat speeds up, and you have this rush of energy and warmth? It's like that, but it just keeps getting worse.

[A pause. Does he really need to describe it? Derek clearly knew that this was going to happen.]

Is it okay?

[Are you still all right with helping with this?]

[ he could say no right now. a lot of people assume derek made the offer out of some kind of hidden selfishness, as a way to get through his own aphrodisiac madness. but he's — well, he's already sated that need. but it's not about him. ]

Yes.

[ a pause. normally he wouldn't double-check, but: ]

You do know what you're asking, right?

Not entirely. I think I understand the... the principles of why everyone's uncomfortable about this, but I'm not entirely sure what the mechanics of what's going to happen.

[He knows that right now he feels vulnerable. Like every last nerve ending is on fire, and that having someone even touch him when he feels like this should demand some level of trust between them. It makes sense that people don't like asking strangers for help when they feel like this. What the actual help is, however... yeah, that's still a little mysterious to him.]

[ if derek has any reservations, he's putting them aside for this conversation. ]

Right. Be honest. Have you ever had sex before?

Oh!

[That's what this is! A brief pause.]

No.

[Be honest, Derek says. Shrieky does his level best.]

I don't know that this is entirely important, but the thing is, before I came here, I wasn't really equipped with the correct anatomy to reproduce the way that mammals do.

[That explanation might be making him sound weirder than just telling the whole truth would. Come on Shrieky, be courageous!]

I'm a mermaid. I don't know if that matters, but you said to be honest.

Edited 2014-01-01 13:14 (UTC)

It doesn't.

[ there's a shrug in derek's voice, though he's not actually moving his shoulders. ]

I'm a werewolf.

[ which he doesn't mean to say, really, but doesn't try to fight the truth serum, either. ]

But — you should ask someone you know to teach you.

[There's a brief pause, as Shrieky processes this, then suddenly he's irate.]

What do you mean I need to find someone I know? I have to make friends with someone, or I can't fix it?

[His voice wavers, in some odd place between anger, physical frustration and utter despair, as if the challenge of having to know someone seems insurmountable.]

Why did you even offer then?

[ derek's a little taken aback. but his own voice turns aggressive in response. ]

I offered because I want to help! I...

[ he breaks off, equally frustrated. ]

Do you even have any friends?

Of course I don't have any friends!

[He might have one or two almost friends by now, but truth is ruled by perception, and Shrieky is pretty sure that since he arrived he has only inspired dislike, pity, and indifference.]

[ clipped: ]

Wonder why.

[ there's the staticky sound of a heavy sigh. ]

Calm down. I'll take care of it for you. Do you live in the city?

[There's a disgruntled little hum from Shrieky, because... well, yeah, he knows the problem. But then Derek says he'll help, so he perks right up.]

In the southern city, yes!

[Which is code for: He is basically squatting and does not own a bed.]

I don't.

[ a pause. ]

But I could visit.

[ derek isn't picking up on his obscure code. ]

Or you can take a train out to the Eastern Tropics.

The Eastern Tropics?

[Usually, Shrieky can be relied upon to demand people come to him. Bring him things. Recognize his troubles. But he's not been able to go places for very long, and the idea of making a journey somewhere, to a new place he's never been, actually sounds quite appealing. Besides, he's not exactly attached to his current location.]

I think I'd like to come to you, if that's all right? [He pauses, very briefly.] Is it okay for me to leave now, or are you busy?

I'm not busy.

[There's the creak of a door. The sound of footsteps.]

I'll send you a message when I'm on the train then. When I'm close.

I live in Ivy Terrace. Apartment Nine.

Right.

I'll just... I'll be there soon then.

[And thus, Shrieky will descend on the Eastern Tropics, ask four people for directions, and finally muddle his way to Derek's apartment.]

[ derek hears him before he gets to the door, comes and opens it, expressionless as he sizes him up. he's not sure what he was expecting, but it wasn't this guy. ]

Come in.

[ his apartment's nice - sparse, a little cramped with the bedroom on top of the kitchen, but clean and tastefully furnished by someone who had more taste than derek. he closes the door. ]

You know, I never got your name.

[Thank the gods for Derek not phrasing that as a direct question.]

No, I don't... the person who taught me to speak gave me a name, but only he ever used it.

[And that makes it private. A special, private pact with someone who stopped coming to see him years ago. Shrieky peers around Derek's apartment, quiet and inquisitive, then he peers up at Derek.]

You look different in person. Bigger.

Thanks.

[ derek isn't actually sure if that's a compliment. he folds his arms, and then realizes he's supposed to be — reassuring. or something. definitely welcoming. he lets his hands drop to his sides, instead. ]

So what do I call you?

[ since he can't use his name. ]

Just Mermaid is fine.

[He reaches up to scratch the back of his neck. His body is still tingling with anxious heat, but uncertainty is enough to hold him in place.]

And you're Derek. [And now he smiles, tilting his head a little.] You don't smile in person, either. [Not compliments, not complaints. Just observations.]

[ derek rolls his eyes. ]

I know what I'm like.

[ he's not interested in the mermaid narrating his first impressions — and he's also not sure that calling him Mermaid isn't uncomfortable in the same way he'd be if someone called him Werewolf. derek runs through possible pet names — baby, sweetheart, darling — and promptly discards them. ]

Stop talking and come here.

[ he's not actually sure where he's going with this. they should really talk more about what they want, but he finds that a lot harder in person. it was all easier when the stranger was a girl and they both knew what they were doing. that had been natural. this? is awkward. ]

[Shrieky's shoulders tense for a moment, as though he's about to argue or resist, before he decides against it. He does, however, adopt an expression of haughty indifference as he approaches Derek, as if to make it clear that he has only stopped talking because he chose to do so, and certainly not because Derek told him too.]

[ derek's nostrils flare, jaw shifting as he waits until the mermaid is within arm's reach. it's hard to tell if he's going to fight or fuck, but then he puts a hand on shrieky's hip, slides it up to the curve of his waist. ]

Do you want me to kiss you?

[ even though he's not sure questions starting with "do you want" are going to get them anywhere, even though he's tense with the memory of being on the other end of it, a wicked smile and tender fingers and his own inexperienced desperation— ]

[ derek swallows hard, refusing the comparison, and hopes he sounds waspish instead of hopeless. ]

Do you even know what you're asking me to do?

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