"I'm comin'! I'm starving, after all. I wouldn't miss supper!" Alfie squeezed Gian's hand before slithering his way toward the door. He was ready to chow down the moment he got to the table. He probably wouldn't say anything until every last bit of food was off of his plate. Alfie typically wasn't one for discussion at the dinner table--no, he preferred to just shove his face until his portion of food was all gone.

Léan quietly made his way to the top of the tank, leaning out and precariously over the edge so that Kratos could grab him. Shadow waited by the door, but he did move to prop it open so they would have an easier time getting out. "I think there is something we need to talk about at dinner, as well. We have a theory as to what may have caused the problem with Damon's legs."

Damon was startled by the knock at the door, but he stayed safely put as Hebs entered the room and spoke. "Oh, yes. I used to love gazing up at the stars...wondering what was out there..." A dreamy look fell over his face for a moment before it disappeared. He sat up slowly, waiting to be lifted into the wheelchair.

Gian grinned at Alfie's enthusiasm. This was something he liked about Alfie, too. Leading the way to the kitchen, he noted the smell coming from the dining table. Even his own glands couldn't betray him. He was really hungry and he was already salivating even if he hadn't had a taste of the food just yet.

Kratos' heart almost jumped out of his throat when he'd seen Léan leaning so dangerously out of his aquarium. This had the life man quickly taking him and holding onto him for a few seconds to make sure he hadn't hurt him in any way. When he knew that Léan was safe, the man finally relaxed and got down from the bed. Léan was dripping wet but he didn't mind it at all. In fact, he'd even held the other tightly against him while he nodded his way once towards Shadow after he'd gotten through the door with the siren in his arms. "A theory?" Somehow, Kratos wanted to hear this out. Just what were they talking about? The life man wasn't at all pleased when he'd seen Gian and Alfie but he didn't pay them any attention and seated himself on his usual seat before setting Léan onto his lap.

Hebs hummed thoughtfully. A surprised look crossed his features, though. "Used to?" he repeated before he'd stepped into the other's room and pulled up the wheelchair to the side of the bed. Slowly lifting Damon up and carefully setting him on the wheelchair, he made sure he was comfortable first before he'd started wheeling him to the dinner table.

- - -

Kenichi sighed for the umpteenth time. He was bored. Hadn't they said they were only gone for a month? It was already starting to go past one month. Stretching out on the couch and then promptly getting up to his feet, he felt the blood rush to his head and he stayed still for a while. Tying his hair high up, he fixed his black shirt, which made him all the more paler with his white hair, and tugged up his jeans. He'd completed the attire with slippers since there really was no need for him to look good for anyone. He's already gotten used to being with Rousel at a close distance but not for long. He'd only get to suppress the urge to run away for at least, two long hours now.

Johnny, on the other hand, was closing in on Arcturus. He was going to be getting feedback in a week and while he was waiting, he'd decided to just do more work and indulge himself in it. Hell, he was even glad he had Blake around to remind him to eat lest he'd turn, well, inhuman, so to speak.

Alfie didn't even hesitate once they reached the table and he sat down in his usual seat. He began to shovel food into his mouth at once, stopping every few seconds to happily savor the taste before continuing in his 'feasting,' so to speak. Once he was done, he would probably be all right to talk. But until then...he was definitely going to be quiet save for the sounds of his pigging out.

Léan clung to Kratos, purring at the worry he showed. The siren liked to be babied at times--he did love attention. Usually having people worry over him annoyed him, but he knew Kratos had good intentions and he didn't scold him. He instead laid his head against his chest comfortably as he settled down for the trip to the dinner table.

"A theory, yes..." Shadow held the door open for Kratos as he walked out and then close it gently behind him. "We were wondering if perhaps interference from another spirit could have caused problems." Shadow wasn't the most skilled when it came to dealing with spirits. He hadn't lived in his homeland of Babylon long enough to start dabbling with the dearly departed. For these matters, he depended on Kratos for assistance. He didn't know if his theory would hold any ground, or how exactly another spirit could interfere. But was it possible? It was certainly worth bringing up, the fallen angel figured.

"I haven't stargazed since being revived. The stars never looked the same after I passed." Damon probably had never used a high-tech telescope before...maybe that was a good thing to think about getting him in the near future?

- - -

Rousel wasn't in the aquarium to nap this time. He was instead all curled up just outside in the sun, relaxing on the grass opposite from where town was. He didn't want to startle people, after all--Shadow had warned him already that his presence wouldn't be welcome among 'normal' human beings. Like Léan, Rousel loved to bask in the sun, and his cool skin couldn't burn like a human's cold. The warm sun seemed to be making him lazy, because all he wanted to do was lay there and nap. He'd been there nearly half the day and hadn't moved an inch.

He was used to Kenichi, even though the other wasn't used to him. He'd grown lazier over the past two weeks, doing little to nothing and sleeping more than half the day.

Blake was no chef in the kitchen, but he could make simple things. Whenever he made himself something to eat or snack on, he would pass some of it to Johnny--he'd noticed that the older male barely ate at all. Blake did keep to himself most of the day, though. He seemed to have a set sleeping pattern--he would sleep nearly all day and be up all night into the early to late morning, during which he would chow down on food and then head straight to bed. It was almost as if he was nocturnal...

Gian, like Alfie, simply ate. He listened in on the conversation of the people around the table, though. Hebs took his seat beside Shadow, as usual, right after he'd put Damon at one end of the table. He was beside him and Alfie, technically speaking.

Kratos nodded at that. "It could actually happen, yes." The man took the glass of lemonade to drink from it and held it out to Léan in case the siren wanted it. "That spirit should have a great amount of grudge, though, against him." The life man tilted his head towards Damon and started eating his food. Hebs looked worried. As he'd thought so. It was possible. "Is there any way to have it stop?"

Red eyes clashed with yellow. That was, perhaps, one of the few times that Kratos had looked at Hebs. "I'll need to break that spirit or have it go with Hades to the underworld."

- - -

Kenichi decided to rummage the kitchen for any food - any food at all. He'd already prepared lunch and had eaten it with Rousel but snacks. Were there anything to eat in the kitchen for snacks? "I probably need to go to the market..." the male mumbled to himself as he frowned. Looking down, though, he spotted a whole pineapple and blinked. That could definitely do well for snacks. Maybe, instead of eating dinner, he'd just go straight to bed, too, like what Rousel would usually do instead of watching TV and waste his time away. Or, he could practice some silly tricks for the next show. The latter thought was pleasing as he started cutting up the pineapple, the white-haired male couldn't help but smile when he remembered the smiles and laughter from the kids in the circus that day he presented for the first time.

Once he was done cutting the pineapple up, he put them in a rather big plate before he'd taken one to eat. He chewed languidly, relishing in on the taste as he headed out to where he saw Rousel napping since. He wasn't sure why he'd prefer outside, bathing in the sun, but he didn't question him. It was just pretty amusing seeing a big siren like him sleeping... there. It was like he'd stepped out straight from a science fiction movie. "Hey," He started, sitting in front of him and putting the plate down in between them, "I found some pineapples to snack on." His heart was hammering loudly against his chest out of nervousness but he didn't pay it any attention.

Johnny had noticed the boy's sleeping pattern but he didn't say anything about it. He was pleased, though, with the boy passing some of the food - though leftovers - to him. It was better than nothing. Plus, it reminded his stomach to eat so he'd be forced to go to the kitchen to make himself some quick-to-make food.

Shadow, once everyone was seated at the table, also seated himself and began to eat. He chewed for a moment, pondering Kratos' words, before swallowing and then clearing his throat. "There is only one buried out there in the graveyard who has anything against Damon...over jealousy, of course." Damon, as Shadow said this, had a knowing sort of look on his face. He paused in picking up his fork--his portion of food had rice and the sweet sauce, but no chicken--Shadow knew of his hatred for animal products.

Shadow poked at his food while he spoke--he rarely spoke with his mouth full, after all. "Her name is Kain. I'm not sure where her grave is, but it will be labeled. If you decide to try and look for her...she is a tall woman with long, very light blonde hair--like Léan's, for example--and cool blue eyes. She's very pretty, but has an attitude that sours it. She's a lot like an adorable puppy who is nasty and aggressive...I would be careful around her." A feisty spirit like Kain's was sure to have a lot of power even though she no longer had her body...

Léan reached out for the lemonade and took the glass, studying it closely. He took a quick, experimental sip before leaning in for a deeper sip. It seemed he liked the taste of it.

- - -

Rousel stirred slowly when he heard Kenichi's voice, his long limbs and his arms stretching out around him as he woke up. "Aaaahh...that was a nice nap," he hummed dreamily, a grin on his face. The mention of pineapple seemed to make him even happier as he reached out and nabbed a piece off of the plate, popping it into his mouth and chewing soundly. "Mm...I like pineapples. They're my favorite food of all time. Rare where I live, but it's oh so satisfying when I come across one floating in the water..."

Blake had just woken up earlier than he usually did--he typically woke around five in the evening and it was about three in the afternoon, now. He was rummaging through the cabinets for something to eat. The supply of food, with two people in the house, was starting to dwindle rather quickly.

Kratos wasn't really listening until Shadow had said her name and had told him that she had the same hair color as Léan's. That's a disturbing thought but he didn't dwell on it too much. "I don't really care," he mumbled. When he'd felt something hot pressing up against the back of his neck, he frowned and turned to look over his shoulder. No one seemed to be there. And, when he'd touched the back of his neck, there was nothing there. Had he just been imagining things?

It couldn't be. There was a possibility she was listening in on their conversation. "But, I'll see what I can do." There was another feeling of cold air brushing at his back and he made a face. She was trying to make herself known, all right. Hopefully, she wouldn't hurt anyone else because he would never forgive her if she even touches a strand on Léan.

- - -

Kenichi can't help but still be fascinated with Rousel's octopus legs. He couldn't help it either when he poked at a limb and smiled before he'd resumed eating the pineapple he had in his hand. "Oh, it is?" He blinked and nodded. He was going to remember that when he'd go out and buy some food for the both of them. Hopefully, enough to supply them until the others got back. "And, why do you nap out here? Doesn't the sun make you dry?" The white-haired male looked up at the kraken while he nimbly chewed on the last of his pineapple before getting another piece.

Johnny was just about to get himself a glass of water when he'd seen Blake awake so early in the afternoon. "No more food?" he asked him as he opened the refrigerator to take a pitcher out. Pouring himself a glass of water, he downed the first glass rather quickly, poured himself a new one and then put the pitcher back in the fridge. "We can go out to buy, maybe get some food too."

Kain was a rather powerful spirit. She had had so many odd abilities when she'd been alive that she had such a powerful presence even while dead. She could transform her limbs into weapons and communicate with and control plants of all shapes and sizes. She was jealous that Damon had held Shadow's affections for so many years, and even more jealous, now, that Damon got to live and she didn't. The other spirits were jealous, as well, but not to the extent of getting violent--they knew why he had to be revived.

Shadow nodded slowly, noticing the odd behavior. If she was powerful enough to harm Damon without even touching him...what else could she be capable of? Damon didn't seem to like talking about Kain and was relieved when conversation about her stopped. Already, he was looking a little stiff and uncomfortable. Obviously, she hadn't been the kindest to him while they'd been together in Shadow's family. Damon wouldn't be surprised in the least if Kain had been behind his inability to use his legs.

- - -

"Yeah, it is. I love the selection of food underwater--lots of fish, crustaceans, and sea plants--but when I see tropical fruit floating above, I go for it! Pineapples, coconuts, oranges...anything I find, I grab and eat. They're tasty." Rousel chomped on some more pieces of pineapple, a blissful look on his face. He didn't seem to mind it when Kenichi touched one of his extra limbs--each extra leg, of sorts, had a mind of its own, though, and when he did touch that one, it immediately tried to curl around his fingers.

"The sun doesn't make me dry unless I'm out in it for more than two days. I'm just warm and comfortable right now," Rousel hummed, closing his eyes. The sunshine was making him languid.

"No more food," Blake repeated groggily, closing the cabinet he'd been rifling through and reaching up to wipe at his eyes with his right hand. "Mm...I don't mind going out. I have to wake up and get dressed, though...when do you want to go?" He wasn't fully awake, yet--he must have just woken up and ambled downstairs in search of something to eat.

"This food's delicious," Gian started before he'd raised his eyebrows a bit and turned to look at Hebs, "Did Shadow cook it?" Hebs was amused. He had thought Gian was going to ask if he'd cooked it. "He did." Gian smiled brightly and finished his food before he'd downed his drink. The lemonade was definitely a great contrast to the sweet food. He leaned back in his seat and burped quietly. Excusing himself from that, he patted his stomach and turned to look at Alfie.

Hebs reached out to put his hand on Damon's own and he'd given it a little squeeze. I hope things will go well, he thought. He was obviously worried about the musician.

- - -

Kenichi was surprised when he'd seen that limb he'd poked at curl around his fingers. He gave it a little poke with his thumb and turned to look back up at Rousel. "Your limbs... do you control them or do they have a mind of their own?" He just had to ask. He'd been curious about it but he'd never been too bold to ask. Eating his pineapple, the white-haired male moved his gaze back down at Rousel's "legs".

"Later at seven." That should be enough time for Blake to get more sleep and get dressed once he'd wake up. The lawyer pointed to the fridge. "There's juice. Drink that and then go back to sleep." Taking a sip of his water, he walked back to the living room to continue typing up the document to petition a file for a hearing for his client.

"Don't excuse yourself after burping..." Shadow looked amused. "To me, burping is a sign that I did well in the kitchen. Excusing yourself for that is like excusing yourself for doing well on a test after studying very hard..." Alfie snorted into his lemonade, having to set it down and wipe it off of his nose with his hand. "I did not mean to do that," he muttered, looking quite embarrassed.

Damon squeezed Hebs' hand in return, glancing in a paranoid manner around the room. He was probably going to be on-edge until Kain was dealt with--if she was the source of the problem, of course. He was oddly quiet as he picked at his food, eating just as slowly as Shadow did.

- - -

"I can control them to an extent. But it's like...a dog and his tail," Rousel compared, rather awkwardly, through a mouthful of juicy pineapple. "I can't really control them too well, especially when I'm not paying attention. They have minds of their own. They can get me into a lot of trouble."

Particularly during mating season...

"Mm-hm...all right..." Blake's eyes were barely open as he popped the fridge door open and snatched up the juice. Without even being fully awake, he was able to steadily pour himself a glass of juice, put the juice back in the fridge, and navigate his way, albeit very slowly, up the stairs and back to his room. He was used to having to care for himself.

Gian blinked. "Oh," he started before he'd grinned. He didn't know that. Now, he did though and he was definitely going to burp a lot now. Hebs seemed to have read his mind because he'd smiled his way. Snickering at Alfie snorting into his lemonade, he gave the naga a light pat on the shoulder.

- - -

Kenichi's eyes sparkled with continued awe and fascination. "It must be hard." He looked back up at Rousel and raised his eyebrows a little. "With your limbs all around the place."

Alfie was the first one done with his food. He'd eaten a lot slower after almost choking on his lemonade, but he'd finished before anyone else, as he'd gotten a head-start before choking. When Shadow finished with his food, he reached under the table and rested his hand on Hebs' leg, a mildly affectionate gesture to pass the time with. "...When everyone is done, since we are all together...I suppose it would be a good time to give you all your gifts from the vault."

He turned his eyes on Kratos and Léan--the siren had turned his attention away from the lemonade to peer at him warily. "I have gifts for you two picked out already. I will let you three..." Shadow trained his eyes on Damon, Alfie, and Gian, "...pick your own gifts. I'll walk you through one-by-one...or in a pair, if you and Gian want to come in together, Alfie."

"I think I'd prefer to be with Gian..." The vault sounded intimidating--Alfie didn't want to go in alone. He looked uncertain. Damon, however, appeared perfectly nonchalant. Had he been in there before?

- - -

"Consider that I'm not around people that often back home. It's easier to live that way. I don't get in trouble." Rousel shrugged, nibbling a little more on the rest of the pineapple. It was nearly gone.

Hebs was mildly surprised at the hand on his leg but he was pleased at the warmth that gave him. His hand had moved to rest atop Shadow's own before he'd smiled in amusement again at Alfie's thoughts. Gian snickered, because of a different reason but he'd nodded at what Alfie said. "I'll come with Alfie." The "vault" sounded scary but at the same time, magical. What was going to be in there?

Kratos, on the other hand, didn't seem to react much. He only sipped his lemonade and continued eating. He wasn't really interested until said item could be in their hands.

- - -

Leaving the rest of the pineapples for Rousel to eat, he hummed a bit. "I see," the white-haired male nodded and poked another limb of Rousel to see what that did. Apparently, his fascination blended in with curiosity.

"Alfie...honestly, it isn't that scary. I just took Hebs in there with me a short while ago. He has his gift already." Shadow cast a sideways glance in Hebs' direction. You can show them and tell them what it does. Unless, you don't want to. That might make things awkward when you're reading minds left and right and they don't know how...

Alfie blinked, and then he huffed, puffing his chest out to look bigger. "I ain't afraid of no vault!" He reached out and snagged Gian's arm, looking pleased that he was going to accompany him, though. "I'd just like company."

Léan was trying to figure out just what Shadow had for them. While he did trust Shadow, he didn't trust his idea of what a 'good gift' was. If it was something ridiculous, the siren wasn't going to so much as look at Shadow for days.

- - -

This other limb of Rousel's joined the one that still hadn't let go of Kenichi's fingers, poking in-between his fingers curiously. Each limb had a different level of curiosity--some were very eager to explore, some were rude--poking and prodding roughly at passerby when they accidentally brushed against them--and some were very meek, barely moving at all.

Hebs nodded at that. He took the ring off to show it to the freaks on the table. "Beautiful thing, isn't it?" he asked before he'd smiled and worn it again, "It could make me read minds, much like what Shadow does with us everyday." Putting his hand back on Shadow's hand, he gave the back of his hand a little stroking with his thumb. "And, I'm sure it's something you and Kratos can put to good use."

Gian laughed and patted Alfie's chest. "That makes you look funny." Grinning brightly, the boy kissed Alfie on the lips and nuzzled him lightly. "Just admit that you're scared. I'll come accompany you anyway."

- - -

Kenichi had such child-like tendecies sometimes. When that limb had poked in between his fingers with curiosity, he found himself chuckling a little. "Your limbs. They're fun." At least, with what Kenichi was seeing.

It is something that they can put to good use. I just hope they don't let anyone else know about them... If word got out to the underwater world that Shadow had just given away those two gifts willy-nilly, there could be big trouble for him. They were special gifts given to him by royalty long ago.

"I'm not scared!" Alfie grumbled, looking irritated, as he nuzzled Gian in return. Shadow chuckled at him before glancing at Kratos and Léan. "Are you ready to go? You'll both have to come. I'm afraid I can't move the gifts unless an underwater creature moves them for me. Alfie, Gian...I will come and fetch you once they are done. Damon...I will get you after them." Léan didn't look so enthusiastic. He was highly suspicious--what could Shadow possibly have for both of them?

- - -

"Oh, they can be fun and so much more. They're very badly behaved when you provoke them enough," Rousel informed him as he finished off what was left of the pineapple. He held out the big plate, looking amused. "You have to be careful around them."

Kratos, this time, looked up. He'd been listening but he didn't show any interest at all. Like he did now. Picking Léan up from his lap, he pushed the chair back and got up to his feet. He'd just downed a bit more of the lemonade juice. Honestly, he wouldn't mind having more of that. Holding the siren close to him, he was a few steps behind Shadow. Of course, he couldn't help but be a little wary of this "gift" that Shadow was going to give them. What could it be?

- - -

"Well, provoking is bad." Kenichi finally pulled his hand away and got up to his feet. Taking the big plate, he nodded once. His time was almost up. He'd rather not run away and be rude this time. "I'll remember to be careful." With that said, the man went in to wash the plate so he could keep it.

Léan reached out for a few last sips of the lemonade, as well. He wasn't usually fond of human food. Human drinks, however, were something that he couldn't get enough of. Everything from hot tea to cool fruit punch was enticing for the siren. It was something that he'd always displayed, but never outright admitted. His icy blue eyes burned a hole into Shadow's back while the fallen angel led them along.

The basement was terrifying. It didn't seem to sit well for Léan--one of his past owners had kept him locked in a large tank in the basement, where he had been made to fight, forced to do inappropriate things with, and used as bait for sharks and other sea creatures for sport. He buried his face in Kratos' neck, happy that the human was there for him.

Shadow opened the door to the vault and quietly led them inside. Once they were in, he closed the door behind them and strode out in front of them, leading the way. "What do you think this gift is?" he asked all of a sudden--the question was directed at Kratos.

- - -

Rousel gave him a silent nod as he went off to put the plate away. Finally deciding that he'd had enough sun, the big siren followed him inside after a few minutes. He was headed slowly down the hallway toward the aquarium, looking bored. He spent most of his time sleeping or exploring the property, as Kenichi couldn't spend too much time with him due to his fear.

Kratos only continued to hold Léan close to him. He nuzzled him lightly before he'd quirked a brow and turned to look back up at Shadow's back. "Something useful for both myself and Léan." It was all he'd said. He was well aware that he was probably just repeating Hebs' words but it didn't matter to him.

Hebs started to put the plates away and cleaned it up. He'd only come back right after, drying his hands with a towel. "Damon, do you think Jae would come today?" he asked him, raising his eyebrows a little. He idly wondered if Hebs wanted Jae to come.

- - -

Kenichi had, strangely, come to the aquarium a couple minutes later. He was seated by the edge of the aquarium and was playing a little with the surface of the water. It wasn't hard to make out the kraken's position. "I'm aiming for three hours now. If I run away, do what you always do to keep me staying."

"Well...that's vague, but true..." Shadow made his way down the long hallway filled with odd trinkets. As he walked, it started getting cooler and cooler. There were a few things that Shadow had which needed to be kept in cool or hot temperatures. There were two different rooms for that--a cold and hot room. He opened the door to the cool room, peering inside, and then he hurried in. After a moment, he called out to Kratos and his siren.

"Come in! Get comfortable for a moment while I search." He couldn't remember for the life of him where he'd put the gifts the last time he was in here.

- - -

"Mm-hm..." Rousel was at the bottom of the tank but near the glass. If Kenichi tried to run, he would chase after him and tackle him. It was fun, but also violent--he didn't care if it possibly fueled the other's fear or not. It had to be done.

Kratos didn't say anything else, neither did he retort what Shadow had just said. Not like he could anyway retort anything smart. He just continued to hold Léan close while he followed after the fallen angel. It was strange when the place was getting cooler. It made the hairs on the back of his neck and the rest of his body have goosebumps. "Cold," he mumbled before he'd looked down at the beauty in his arms, "You're not cold, are you?" There was a hint of worry laced in his voice just as he'd asked that and he stepped into the room, only to feel that blast of cold air against his skin.

It made him shudder and grunt with a frown. Shadow should've had warned him they were going to go somewhere cold. He would've had worn more instead of his current attire: plain shirt, jeans and a pair of slippers. Damn bastard, he thought with a purse of his lips before he'd glared toward where Shadow had disappeared to. Wherever that was.

- - -

Thirty minutes now. The white-haired male idly watched Rousel as he bent forward to have his elbows rest on the grassy plains. He was seated Indian style with his legs crossed and he tilted his head a little. "What are you doing?" he asked, his brows raising just a bit in curiosity.

Léan seemed fine as the temperature started dropping...at first, that is. As they drew closer to that room, which Shadow disappeared into, The siren started to shiver. He clung more to Kratos, snuggling against him and seeking out warmth. "I'll...be fine. Cold...really cold, though..."

Shadow was over in the far corner of the room, standing by an old wooden table and beckoning to him. On this table were two identical glass boxes with pedestals inside. On both pedestals were identical necklaces which resembled tight black collars with cool sea blue stones hanging from them. "Here. You'll have to come here and let Léan take these out of their cases. Only a sea creature can take them out."

- - -

"Soaking up the water," Rousel replied simply. "Feels good. I was starting to get a little dry." The big siren wasn't as sensitive as Léan was when it came to needing to be in water, but a good soak always felt pleasant.

Kratos had to agree with that. He held Léan close though to hopefully, provide him with the warmth he needed. When the fallen angel had beckoned them though - well, specifically the siren in his arms, he gave a little frown as he walked to the said pedestals. It was a lot colder here, too, he'd noticed. "What happens if the one who took it isn't a sea creature?" he asked before he'd looked down at Léan. Idly, he wondered if the other was going to get it.

- - -

Kenichi looked amused. "I was wondering why you were out in the sun too long." He continued to watch Rousel and raised his eyebrows a little. "Hey, will you turn into a dried squid if you stay out too long and the water's gone from your body?" A little comedy couldn't hurt.

"The pedestals will shock a land creature...the only ones who can take these necklaces out of their cases are sea creatures. I've tried." Shadow pouted, now. "That hurt like crazy when it shocked me."

Léan snickered when he pictured Shadow getting shocked--for some reason, he wondered if all of his hair would stand up when it happened. The siren reached forward once he was close enough, popping the front lids off of the glass cases and then reaching in, individually, to pull out the pristine necklaces out of them. As he did so, he was looking rather curious. They were beautiful necklaces, but...

Did they do anything?

- - -

Rousel chuckled throatily. "Huh. I just like laying out in the sun--it's nice and warm. It's even better when it's hot out an raining--that feel greats."

Kratos tried to hold back his laughter only to have it come out as a snort. Like Léan, he was picturing how a shocked Shadow would've had looked like. He was pretty disappointed he'd missed that time when Shadow had tried to touch it. Bringing Léan to each pedestal to get the item, he raised his eyebrows a little as he eyed them warily. What did they do, indeed?

"It won't kill me, will it?" he asked, making a face as he looked up at the fallen angel. The very thought of a small piece of jewelry killing him was really not pleasing at all.

- - -

"You mean, when it's humid?" he asked as he blinked before he'd shifted to pull his knees up to his chest. Wrapping his arms around them, he rested his chin on his knees and tilted his head a little. It made him curious how staying underwater felt with such limbs. "Is it hard?" he asked, "Being your kind, I mean. With no other ones like you... is it that your kind's extinct?"

"No, no, it won't kill you." Shadow was smiling, now--their laughter at his misfortune didn't seem to put a damper on his sudden good mood. "Kratos, you can put yours on right now. But...Léan...don't put yours on until you're in water. It will hurt you if you put it on now. Unless you'd rather get the pain over with now rather than later?"

The siren stared flat-out at Shadow, looking suspicious, now. What was this about pain?

Shadow blinked, and then he suddenly realized he hadn't shared what those could do. "Mm-hm...those necklaces are special. They were a gift from a past lover, a merman that was once part of my show and who also had ties to royalty underwater. They're designed especially for merpeople who have human lovers. I would...test out the power later. It's going to hurt the first time. But, you'll understand its power soon enough."

- - -

"Yeah, that's the best kind of weather!" Rousel shifted where he was sitting, stirring up some of the sand on the bottom of the tank. "Well...no. I mean, I like being alone. And we're not extinct--we're just very rare."