"The cold doesn't bother me right now," he said, and it was true. He barely noticed it now that he could hear her warm, gentle voice clearly. It seemed to run through him like a current, making everything else seem less somehow. He was lost in her voice for a moment before something pulled him back. Her laughter was like bells, but it was her words that had sparked his curiosity.

"Rules? What rules would we be breaking?" he asked, walking back so he couldn't be so far out. The water had been breaking on his shoulders and it was making it hard to talk.

"Okay, if we can't meet face to face...then what if I close my eyes? I'll stand right here and close my eyes and hold out my hand. Could you just take my hand? Just so I know I'm not going crazy? Please?"

'Please, don't let me be crazy. Don't let this all be in my head. It's too good to be true. Please let it be true,' circled in his thoughts over and over. He stood still, the waves still splashing against his chest, but not hitting him so high up now. He lifted his right arm out of the water and extended it out in front of him, palm up, and waited for her response. He hoped with every fiber of his being that she would say yes.

Se stopped giggling and responded "Only the rules of the kingdome that keep us a secret from the rest of the world" She giggled some more. She paused as she watched him walk back in to the beach a bit more. She smile and said "I guess that it couldn't hurt anyone if you didn't see me." She stopped leaning on the rock and started to swim towards his out reached hand. When she reached his hand she made sure that her tail was behind her so that it would not touch him, she then took her hand out of the water and placed it on his hand and said "This is unfair for you, sorry"

Delphina was glad for the darkness, though the moonlight did do some interesting things with Eric's hair, as it hid her blush from Eric's words. "Th-thank you." stuttering for a moment she adds "And I do want you to keep coming back."

Untying the ribbon she opens the box, her face lighting up with joy as she sucks in her breath in amazement. No one before had thought of giving her something like this, nor did they have materials like the crystal the dolphin was made out of down below the sea. "I-its beautiful! Th-thank you so much!!" clutching it to her chest she thinks of the chain she is going to use to hang it up from.

shyly she adds almost under her voice "I wish I had thought to bring something for you too" blushing she looks down at the dolphin again in amazement her eyes filled with wonder.

Lily smiled to herself when she heard Ryan's voice, it made her want to get to him faster. It was what she had been waiting to hear all day. The days had seemed to last longer since she met him, since they could only meet at knight. She followed the sound of his voice towards the shore. "I'm here, Ryan," she called out to him, looking in the dark for him.

She got as close to the shore as she could, not wanting to get stuck on land. That could be killer for her. She had always been told that a mermaid or merman who ended up on shore could never survive.

Ryan heard Lily's voice and looked harder in the dark for her. He finally spotted her and ran out into the water towards her. She was a mermaid so she couldn't get too close to shore and so he had to go out to her. She was just as beautiful as always. He smiled at her, "You look as lovely as always."

As she spoke, he nodded, understanding.

'It makes sense. If people knew, it would put them in danger. People would want to put them on exhibit. Study them. Display them like animals. That's no life. They deserve their peace.'

Even as he thought the words, he vowed to himself that he would never do anything to endanger her, or her people. He wouldn't be able to live with himself if any of them got hurt, her especially. His thoughts were interrupted as he heard her move through the water. He was careful to stay still so she could find him, and as she spoke quietly in front of him, he kept his eyes closed, despite the overwhelming desire to see her face. He felt her hand in his and sighed a little, closing his fingers gently around hers. Her words made him smile.

"It's okay. I want to keep you safe."

He lifted his other hand slowly out of the water, holding it up between them, almost as if feeling an invisible wall that only their hands could breach.

"Can I touch your face? I want to know if you're smiling."
----------------------------------------------------------------

Eric felt his heart jump a little at her words, but he tried not to blush too much. He couldn't resist smiling though. As she opened the box, he held his breath, watching her face carefully. When her eyes lit up though, he sighed quiet relief, his own face blooming into a smile.

"You are very welcome. It suits you," he said, his heart in a giddy whirl from her joyous reaction. He leaned forward, minding not to lean too far over, and carefully brushed a lock of her starlight hair from her face. He let his fingertips linger just a second on her cheek before he pulled away and smiled again.

"There, that is your gift to me. I like being able to see your whole face light up when you smile, Delphina," he said honestly.

Aqua looked at him she didn't want it to be unfair to him, he had made the effort to come here every night to try and find her while she hid behind the rock. She looked down at their hands and she said "You are very thoughtful for wanting to keep me safe, most people would normally get all greedy becasue we don't exist and they would want to prove the world wrong." she paused and then said "But you are different, You care about things that are not even real, Thank you" She watched as he lifted his other hand out of the water and ask to touch her face she paused for a moment and then said "Of coures, I guess it is the least I can do for you without breaking the rules" She giggled a little and a smile lit up across her face and added "This may seem weird but the only real time that I ever smle is when I see you".

He smiled at her words, shaking his head slightly. He wished he could look her in the eyes for what he was going to say, but she would just have to trust that he was being earnest.

"The world is wrong. But that doesn't matter. It doesn't matter if the rest of the world doesn't believe. Doesn't matter if they go on the rest of their lives thinking they are right and people like me are wrong. I believe. That's enough for me."

He felt her pause as he lifted his hand and he almost dropped it again, not wanting to scare her, but she gave her consent. Very softly, his searching fingers felt the air between them until they felt the soft brush of her hair. He trailed his fingertips to her face, down her cheek, noting that her face was wet. It was impossible to tell if they were tears or water, but as his fingertips traced down, he found his proof in the soft curve of her lips. The moment he could feel the shape of her smile, he smiled as well. He rested his palm on her cheek for a moment, not wanting to pull away and lose the sight of her just yet.

'The blind would forsake sight forever just to know the feeling of her smile,' he thought quietly, his chest tight with containing his joy, his galloping heart. Even if he couldn't see her, he knew she was smiling. She was smiling because of him. He felt the blush touch his cheeks and the joy threaten to burst from him. He felt practically buoyant. He might almost think he was floating if the push and pull of the tide and the sand beneath his feet weren't reminding him.

"I knew it was you," he said softly, his features softened by the warmth in his voice.

"I knew I'd find you."

Lily smiled softly at him, it was great to be near him again. "Thanks," she said blushing. She was glad that it was dark, she always got embarrassed when people called her that. "Its good to see you again, Ryan," she told him, looking at him. She was afraid that he'd get annoyed over the things they had to do in order to meet; only at night and he had to come out into the water to see her.

Aqua felt a comfort in his words as he told her that the world was wrong and he didn't care about what they thought of him. This only made her smile more, and when she saw him smile her smile grew, she could not hold it back this was the first time that she could be happy and knew that anyone could take it from her at any moment but she decided to stay there and just let her joy flow out of her. Then she said "I trust you" she paused and then said "To make it fair open your eyes. No one from the knigdom will know, it is just you and me here. The ruls can wait for daylight." She smiled and waited for him to open his eyes.

His heart jump up to his throat at her words, but he managed to keep his voice calm. His face was touched with concern. Every part of him was overjoyed, but one part worried. It had to be just right. He had waited for this moment, he could wait a little longer to make sure it was really okay.

"Are you sure? I don't want to endanger you," he whispered. It was taking every ounce of self control not to open his eyes, to finally take in the sight of her smile. He had to be sure though, he had to be sure she was okay with it. The last thing he wanted was for her to regret this night.

Alex suddenly felt like he was being watched; He always wondered why. He lifted his head and gazed out at the ocean. "Anyone there?" He asked even though he knew he wouldn't get an answer. Alex stood up and walked towards the water, He stopped when the water reached just below his knees. Alex looked around and sighed. "I don't know anymore.. If your real or not" he said softly to himself.

Aqua giggled she saw that he was trying to keep his eyes closed so she said "Yes, I am positive that you won't endanger me". She giggled a little more and then waited again for him to open his eyes.

"It's nice to see you as well," Ryan smiled. He took Lily's hand and kissed it gently. He wished he could see her during the day. He knew she was beautiful, but he wished he could see her more clearly, besides under the moonlight. He knew, however, that that wasn't possible.

Pearl blushed when she heard Alex's voice. He knew she was out there but they had never met. She was afraid to show herself since he might not like her like she liked him or tell the world that they existed. Then she would be in tons of trouble. Probably banned from the kingdom and forced to live on her own. If only she could find that wishing well. Yes, she'd go look for it tomorrow and then camp out till the next day in order to have her wish. Thens she could go and see Alex without a problem.

Lily smiled when he moved closer to her. He always treated her like a lady, it was nice compared to some of the mermen she had encountered in the past. As a cloud moved out of the way of the full moon, a wave of warm light surrounded them, making it easier to see. "There you are," she said looking at his face. If they could meet in the day it would be easier, especially for seeing his face.

Delphina's breath froze in her chest as he leaned closer to her, and brushed her cheek with his hand. blushing ddeply she sinks below the waves slightly the top of her head just barey above water as her heart hammers. those words he spoke so freely sending her into overdrive and almost causing her to faint.

when she finally found her voice and calmed down a little, she spoke her stammer slightly worse "'I-I'm glad you liked it." "For a second there i thought he was going to kiss me." raising a little more out of the water she thinks "he smells so interesting, i wish i could come and walk with him on dry land."

Ryan smiled. He sometimes wondered if he liked her because he looked like Allison, the girl he had loved before. She reminded him so much of Aly. She was beautiful, but Lily had the voice of an Angel. Allison couldn't sing if her life depended on it. He was glad Lily showed up. Maybe he'd finally be able to allow himself to love again. "And there you are," He said and playfully tapped her on the nose.

Lily giggled when he tapped her nose. Being around Ryan allowed her to relax and be herself. There were certain expectations for her in the mermaid world being a singer. Around him, she could act the way she wanted to without any worry. "What would you like to do tonight?" she asked him for a moment.

((er what do i do if my crush hasnt shown up?))

Alex sighed,"If Your out there... at least call out something." Alex said desperately as he fell his eyes onto the crashing waves in front of him. He tried scanning the ocean, but he just couldn't see anything. " Please, anything.. i promise i won't tell about you guys." Alex pleaded. It was true Alex would never let a secret that big get out, but he just need to know if they actually were out there.

He hesitated, but assured by her words, he slowly opened his eyes. They were a surprising color, a cool mix between gray and hazel, with tiny flecks of silver. The moon hit them just right so she could see, and he blinked once or twice to clear his vision. The sight that greeted him stole his breath.

"I knew it was you," he repeated, his eyes transfixed, his mouth open slightly. He knew he must be staring, but he was so glad to have been right. He had been hoping, the entire night, that the enchanting voice belonged to the girl he had fallen for so many nights ago. He lifted his palm from her cheek for a moment and brushed some hair from her face so he could see clearly. She was not crying. His heart soared in response and he knew he must have been smiling.

"Thank you," he said softly, his eyes never leaving hers.

--------------------------------------------

His face falls slightly as she sinks and he pulls his hand back, misinterpreting her withdrawal as fear.

"I'm sorry. You don't have to be afraid of me, Delphina. I wouldn't...I would never..."

He couldn't even bring himself to think about hurting her, but at the same time, it was his worst fear. He was terrified that their secret meetings might get her in trouble, or worse, discovered. If anything happened to her because of him, he would never forgive himself. He would also never rest until she was safe again. Even if...

'Even if it means...saying goodbye,' he thought resolutely. He knew he could do it, if he had to. If it'd protect her. It would be hard, almost impossible. No, it would be impossible. But he'd do it anyways.

"Sorry," he said again, leaning away to give her space.

Aqua got lost in his eyes they were indescribable for her his eyes were amazing, her eyes were a pale blue to her they were normal and boring to her but his eyes were something else. She could not hold back her excitment any more she pulled her hand away from his and hugged him. When she pulled away she said "Sorry, it's just..." her vocie trailed off becasue she didn't know how t explain it to him she blushed and looked down. She remembered why she had came up to the surface before this happened, she thought to herself 'I was lonely and the stars were always there they never left. The stars were the only things that really helped me untill I saw him." Her eyes looked up to Jake's face and smiled, a single tear rolled down her cheek she hoped that her wet skin would hid it though.

Originally Posted by finx15

((er what do i do if my crush hasnt shown up?))

((I'll ping them. Traverse: the RP has started. If they don't show, I'll take it over unless someone else wants to do another character))

For moments that felt like they could stretch on forever, they stared into each other's eyes. He fell into hers, deep swirling pools of water. Oceans that beckoned him. He knew from this day on he would never look at another ocean without thinking of her, without his heart beating a little faster. She was the living beauty of the sea, and he would love her forever.

When her hand slid from his, he thought for one terrified moment that somehow he had offended her, but then she wrapped her arms around him in a warm embrace, and he couldn't think anything. When he could, a thousand emotions exploded inside of him and he felt like he could float, he could sink, he could die just right then and there and be happy. But he would be anguished forever if he did, because he never, never wanted this feeling to end. Never wanted this moment to end. But it did, and she pulled away, blushing. He was glad to see that at least she was smiling. She must have been happy.

"It's okay," he assured her, when her words seem to fail her. He smiled, then noticed a single tear slide down her cheek. It was hard; if he hadn't of been looking at her face (Studying, he wanted to memorize every curve, wanted to emblazon it in his memory) he wouldn't have been able to tell. But instead of speaking or asking about it, he simply put his arms around her and held her close.

"It's okay," he repeated softly, one hand stroking her hair, "I understand."

Aqua didn't move she liked to be with him, to her he was the only one who would ever know or understand her. She thought back to the first time that he saw her she was crying then too but it was for other reasons then she was alone and had nobody even though most of the kingdom loved her. This time was different and she knew it, she was happy, over joyed really and the tears were of happiness because she had found someone that she could trust and depend on. She looked up to him face and said "Thank you" and then rested her head on his shoulder, she just thought about how nice it would be to be with him out of the water and to see him in daylight even if the moonlight made him look like perfect she knew that in daylight he probably looked even better. She stayed there and then wraped her arms around him and said "Thank you" again but this time it was in a softer tone. At this moment she felt safe.