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Enclosed Sea (Mira and Cameo)
Mira-Charma13:
Her chocolate brown hair ran down her back in waves, ruffled in the wind as she moved into the tent with her friends. They chattered about trivial things, things which had nothing to do with the exams they had just gone trough during their first year of university. The crowd moved forward and back like the waves of the sea, which seemed so far away for someone who had once lived so close to the salty shores. It had taken some convincing for Theodora to agree to accompany her friends. In the end she had given in, though the young woman approved not one bit of these side shows. Grey eyes full of disapproval the young woman walked by cages and small acts up on pedestals. It was hard to tell if the people were really as they appeared of if somehow make up had been applied to make them look so strange. Something though, caught her eyes. A graceful movement within a large tank covered with sand at the bottom. There were so many people around that one place, congregating so tightly that it was hard for her to squeeze trough and see what they stared at. Her friends were forgotten as she tried to pierce those dark depths with her imperfect eyesight. So intent was she, that the jostling of everyone else didn't bother Theodora like it would usually have done. |
The water was as clear as could be, with a seemingly outrageous number of lights shining in the sides and through the top of the tank. Various tank decorations were scattered on the sandy floor, but they were small and didn't provide a suitable hiding place for the unwilling occupant of the tank. This was a deliberate move by the owners of the freak show, who noticed that their captive would hide in bigger tank ornaments to try and escape being seen by visitors.
The captive in question was laying out on a wide, flat rock in the middle of the tank, all stretched out and staring profusely at the ceiling, trying to ignore the fact that people were crowding around his tank and cooing at him incessantly to perform tricks for them and the like. He was a merman...a beautiful male siren with pale, milky-colored skin, pale arctic blue eyes, and slightly curly albino blonde hair. He had three large sets of fins--one set at the sides of his head, acting much like ears...one set on either side of his waist...and the final set was the big split fin at the very end of his long tail. The big split fin was constantly curling and uncurling beneath the water, and his light, almost white hair was billowed out around him. For a supposedly jovial, friendly creature of the sea, he didn't appear to be feeling very sociable. In fact, he looked downright depressed and perhaps a little angry. |
In the end, she shoved her way forward so that she stood as close to the tank as possible. A small gasp of astonishment left Theodora at the sight of it's occupant. Not believing her eyes, she removed her glasses to clean them then donned them once more. Theodora stared, even though she knew it was wrong. Guilt wracked her at the thought of what it must have been like, to be stared at day in day out.
Pressing up close to the glass, she found herself whispering to the enchanting being within. "I'm sorry. I know I shouldn't stare, I know it's wrong but you're just so..." Trailing off, Theodora glanced about at the crowd furtively. She was worried about people hearing her and making her leave. The young woman wanted to stay there, and perhaps have an actual conversation with the merman. Fascination gripped her, even as her friends started calling her name to leave. "Breathtaking," stated Theodora simply to the merman before she tried to make her way out of the crowd. It didn't work very well, and the young woman was pushed up against the glass again. Resigned, but slightly happy, she waved her friends on to go without her. Taking the bus alone wasn't really much of a big deal. The mimed calling them on her phone, and she made the same gesture to show she understood. |
The merman wasn't used to being spoken to directly as if he wasn't the animal that most of these people usually considered him. So, he looked a little surprised when she suddenly spoke to him, blinking in confusion. However, there was a clear sense of distrust in those icy blue eyes, and he was quick to look away, appearing slightly...frightened, perhaps? Obviously, he wasn't being treated the best in the eyes of the freak show owners...maybe they were fond of striking him when he disobeyed...
He didn't seem to be outwardly caustic or hateful. He was just saddened beyond belief, being cooped up in that awful tank instead of being out in the ocean where he belonged. He probably had family and friends waiting for him, and wondering what had happened to him. He was young...there was no way he was over the age of twenty-three. His life was just barely beginning, and now he had to spend it as the pet of some mean-spirited humans... A few snooty, giggly teenage girls were at the far right end of his tank, whispering about his good looks and making some lewd comments. One of them took notice of the sign that was at that end of his tank and read it closely. "...Hey, anyone got ten bucks?" she demanded, looking intrigued. "Sign says an employee will make him sing if someone pays ten bucks." Immediately, people began to scramble for their wallets. |
Turning back at all the commotion, Theodora frowned. This was no way to treat anyone, let alone a living, thinking person! Hopelessly, she regarded the crowd with disgust. Those people seemed to enjoy seeing others suffer, but then perhaps they simply didn't want to see the obvious. Looking at the merman, she knew that he was miserable in that tank. It was an easy thing to tell, when all the stories about his people spoke of them swimming in the vast oceans.
Still, curiosity made her want to hear his voice if only to know if all the legends were true. Theodora shook her head at herself and went to push her way to the girls. "Hey! Would you mind actually treating him like a person? Maybe he doesn't want to sing!" Her voice was only loud enough to carry to the young women above the din of the crowd. Theodora knew she was probably going to get into trouble, but she felt so bad for him. It reminded her of one of her favorite stories, and that poor little whimperling forced to fly on small wings for the entertainment of cruel people. Turning, she glanced at the merman. Everything about him seemed to lure her in, and that was expected. It wasn't even really that which made Theodora want to return to the place... Nor was it the fact that she might want to try her hand at drawing him. No, it was none of that. Instead it was the emotions she could see, that overwhelming sadness that even someone as dense as Theodora knew was there. |
The employee that was on standby next to the merman's tank folded his arms across his chest and fixed Theodora with a firm, chilly look. "Ma'am. I'd suggest not yelling like that again, or I'm going to have to kick you out," he threatened, offering his hand to take ten dollars from a middle-aged woman, who looked excited. "All right, hang on a moment..."
The employee shoved the money in the pocket on the apron he was wearing and made his way around to the side of the tank, where there was a small ladder. He retrieved something that looked a lot like a small taser on the end of a stick. Based on its size, it was most likely a mild one that would only deliver a slight shock. He brandished it threateningly above the tank. The siren looked terrified at the prospect of being shocked--and it wasn't something he could escape, as the shock would make its way all throughout the water. So, to avoid it, he dropped open his mouth and began to sing. The singing of sirens was something stories about merpeople often spoke of...it lured distracted sailors to their deaths at sea... |
It really made her angry, but she didn't want to be thrown out. With a sigh she turned around, but averted her eyes at the sight of the tazer. In such a way, Theodora only heard the music, and saw the reaction of the crowd. Some had the same rapt expression as herself, except underneath it all was that guilt. Finally turning fully, she whipped her hands down her jeans and tried to think. She wanted to help the merman, but it would take planning and time. Considering the nature of the place, there wasn't much time to plan anything and put it into action.
There was also much she did now know. Those things which could only be found out by speaking with someone. It would mean doing something Theo had never done, breaking the rules and a few laws too. The young woman searched for likely hiding spots in the place, then she thought better of it. Maybe later she could return, when crowds weren't there... She was mesmerized though, and could not have left even if she had wanted to. |
When the merman finished his song, he lowered his head and rested it on his arms on the flat rock, even as people gave him a round of applause and continued to coo at him and praise him. He didn't want their praise. He wanted to go home, to be back in the ocean where he so belonged. Even though it was nice to be praised for his singing, he didn't want to sing because he was forced to.
He had lost the will to sing unless he was forced to after being in captivity for a while, now. He had turned into a depressed recluse, not wanting to talk to or be near anyone at all. He cringed whenever the threat of being touched was in the air, as he was frightened to the core of humans and didn't want them closer than was necessary. He had no idea what Theodora was planning. She was not the first human that had come here and tried to protest against his cruel treatment, but she had been the first one in a while that had tried to start a conversation with him. With all the people around and pushing to get to the tank, it was nearly impossible to hold a conversation, and in his current depressive state, he did not feel quite like talking... It was a sad state to see him in. He had once been happy... |
There were a few crates in the place which Theo had just noticed. A space was underneath them, a perfect spot for someone to hide. Still, she needed a distraction or something which would allow her to hide there until only she and the merman were left in the tent. A few restless people started moving about, already bored with the merman and a few of them were teens. Slightly smiling she moved forward and whispered a hurried conversation with the three young men, then handed over a few bills.
"We want our money back! He's gotta be a fake." The three young men started a huge commotion, complaining of trickery and fake merpeople. They called it the oldest trick in the book. A few of the workers, the one with the tazer, moved forward to try and subdue them. Quietly, swiftly, the young woman managed to get to the crates and crawl under. It was dark and cramped, but she would stay. Curled up as she was, Theodora lost track of time as she thought. The merman obviously wouldn't trust her one bit, so somehow she would need to gain his trust. Somehow she didn't think a few simple conversations would work. Proof would have to be given, and she had no idea how she would do that. There was also the fact that the show was leaving in less then a week. Drifting off, Theodora fell into a doze lulled by the voices of everyone staring and cooing now that the commotion had died down. The shuffling of feet before her woke the young woman. |
For the rest of the day, the merman stayed put on that rock in his tank. He didn't move a single inch until the employee with the tazer threatened him with it in order to make him sing. He was forced to sing three more times throughout the day. When the last customer finally left, the employees started to leave, one by one. Before the one that had held the tazer left, he covered the merman's tank with a large black tarp.
After that employee left, the area was eerily silent. The rest of the 'freaks' were not bound to water like the siren was. So, they had their own tents and rooms to sleep in. The merman was kept in the showroom tent, all alone in the dark in that cramped little tank with that tarp hanging over it. He could be heard shifting around in the tank, like he was settling down to sleep for the night...but there were a few bumping sounds here and there. He couldn't see in the darkness, and would sometimes bump his head or tail into the side of the tank without knowing it. How long had he been cooped up like this? From the look of him, it was...almost like he'd lost the will to live... |
She waited for a few moments more before scrambling out of her hiding spot. Each shadow loomed, another trap for the unwary. There might have still been people in the tent, but Theodora didn't think so. Biting her lower lip in nervousness, and trembling with the fear of discovery, the young woman moved forward. Her grey eyes searched the place for a sign of the merman and found the tarp. Perplexed, she moved forward and tugged it down. Even in the dim light she could tell the merman was still inside.
"Hi, umm I'm Theodora and... I want to try and help you get out of here." A slight shuffling of feet indicated nervousness. There was a sound outside the tent which made her whirl around, though it was nothing more then a passing car. Probably some employees leaving to enjoy a night in town. Turning back to the tank, she smiled nervously. "To do that though, I'm going to need your help. Can you survive without water? If so how long? And, from which seas do you come from?" She needed to know to help. A nebulous plan was forming in her mind, but it would never work upon such short notice... At least, Theodora didn't think so. |
The merman, who had finally laid down to relax and sleep for the night, made a startled sound when the tarp was so suddenly tugged off of his tank. He pressed himself against the far wall of the tank, looking very, very frightened for some unfathomable reason. But when he caught sight of the potential threat, his fearful expression was replaced with one of complete confusion. He raised his head up a bit, managing to catch what she was saying.
He understood and spoke perfect Italian, English, Spanish, German, and Icelandic. So, it wasn't a challenge understanding her. Nevertheless, when she did finish talking, the merman was dead silent for quite a while, looking tense and wary. ...He did not trust her. But, of course, how could he? He only associated bad things with human beings--being treated the way he had been...it just made things worse. Making a clearly displeased sound in the back of his throat, he turned his head away from her, closing his eyes and trying his best to settle down even though he could feel eyes on him. |
The young woman regarded his reaction carefully. Of course it was obvious that the merman didn't trust humans. After witnessing what had happened during that day, Theodora couldn't blame him. Even so, it was frustrating to be standing there with a half formed escape plan in her mind and no means at all of putting it into action. If only she had more time to do so, and to gain his trust...
Her grey eyes widened and a small smile tugged up her lips. Perhaps there was a way. "I suppose I'll just have to find a way to stick around until you see I'm only trying to help," stated the young woman. The sound of footsteps coming the way of the tent startled her. Looking around she found the tarp and hastily put it back in place, though before doing so she murmured a few words. "Sorry for messing up your sleep." Then she turned around and marched towards the footsteps. Accosting this anonymous person, the young woman took a deep breath. They were a little ways away from the merman's tent so maybe they wouldn't realize the reason behind this sudden application. "Hello, my name's Theodora and I would like to apply for a job here." It was the best way of staying there without arousing suspicion, though it would shock her friends and family... Or maybe not, considering how much the brunette loved Cirque du Soleil. Shrugging a little, she regarded this person's back nervously. The man turned around and regarded this young woman with a raised eyebrow and compressed lips. He wasn't necessarily called the Ringmaster by the employs, but that was his capacity. You could tell there was a certain liking for cruelty in his personality, simply by the way his eyes glanced over everything in pursuit of some snippet of information which would allow him to put it to use."Well well.... A few of our previous employs ran off as usual. I shouldn't be doing this, since you've broken into the circus grounds after opening hours, but you seem like you might fit the bill. You're hired, but don't come whining to me about not having a place to sleep. That's your job." The pale haired man turned around without another word and slipped away into the night leaving Theodora to stare after him with her mouth open. Shaking herself out of this stupor, Theodora made her way back to the merman's tent. It seemed like she would be staying there for a while, and this time with a legitimate reason. In any case, this job seemed like it was going to be difficult from the very start. That man hadn't even bothered asking for any information concerning payment! Glancing at the covered tank, Theodora placed her head upon her knees and closed her eyes. Slowly she drifted into a state of semi unconsciousness where things seemed strange and wonderful, but banal at the same time. |
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