Arriving

[demoiselle]

"It's okay," soothed Demoiselle rubbing the merboy's back comfortingly, "I know you were just having a nightmare...red dragons? I don't think I've ever met one...they don't react well with air dragons, but...I'll catch you Terry. You're one of the first true friends I've had. We only have each other to rely on now, but I'll catch you. I won't let you fall. Everything's all right now. How 'bout we go for a walk? We can even stay by the the lake if you'd like." Demoiselle waited for Terry's reply still enjoying the feel of Terry's body against his. But maybe I shouldn't get attached. I can't stay in Zerca forever, but I don't want to risk Terry getting hurt just by taking him to my home. I don't think Father will be pleased about it either. We shouldn't even stay in one place for to long here or they might find us...and that'd be bad, real bad.

[Terry]

Terry heard Demoiselle's every word as his soft-green hair rested against the other's broad chest. The boy sighed with a faint smile gracing his lips. He really didn't want to move at all, he was more than content to just stay here as he listened to the lullaby of Demoiselle's heartbeat.

However, rational thought broke through wishful dreaming. Terry knew his dad would soon if not already find that his only child is missing from the planet and send guards to bring him back. Terry shuddered slightly. He didn't want to go back yet there were too many planets out there that he had read about, and he wanted to explore them all. Plus, he promised himself that he would never want to leave Demoiselle's side.

So, turning away for not but a moment, the boy rushed to find his clothes and put them on, and handed Demoiselle's his as well to do the same, or whatever the other wished to do with them.

Terry let his normal cheerful smile grace his lips, "Let's just keep going. I can't let one little dream I have stop us. There's too much to explore there!" The boy held out his jade-colored hand waiting for Demoiselle hopefully take it. That would make the mer-boy the happiest he would ever be.


_{((Whew! Sorry this took so long! I was actually at a crossroads. I really didn't know where to take this story, I want to move it forward but to where I have no idea. I'm just going with the flow right now!)))}

[demoiselle]

Demoiselle was happy to see the merboy smiling again and he took Terry's hand in his as they began to walk.
"What's it like to be a merboy," questioned Demoiselle his curiousity getting the better of, "I've never seen one unless it's the end of their tail." Demoiselle allowed Terry time to think about that wanting to know more about him, but not willing to say it out right. So Demoiselle waited for Terry's response happy to be touching and standing so close to the merboy.I don't know why everyone at home keeps so much distance from one another. Being this close, touching is very nice, thought Demoiselle with a small smile.

[Terry]

Terry laughed and his emerald eyes sparkled with joy. His gaze though kept floating from staring at Demoiselle's beautiful face, though Terry had to force himself to look away at times because of a sudden warmth that seemed to cover his cheeks. This feeling was so new and strange to him, but deep down, he kind of liked it. Though the boy didn't know why and just continued on smiling. His gaze at times also would drop to their joined hands swinging lightly back and forth. This was due to Terry's occasionally skips as he tried to keep up with Demoiselle's long strides. It wasn't that the man was taller then him. Over half the merman population was taller then him. It was that Terry kept staggering and tripping over his own feet. He was rather clumsy when it came to walking on land. Mostly because his father never allowed him except on rare occasions when his father had meeting to attend. Although, he was considered the fastest swimmer, and proved that time and time again when he and other local merboys would challenge each other.

"Tail...?" Terry laughed a little more, "Merpeople don't have tails. What you probably saw was that we clasp our legs together. This is gives us our speed and propels us through the water."

After a while, the two walked in comfortable silence, Terry hummed a little enjoying the immense new feelings he received ever since he first met Demoiselle. However, he soon became dizzy and almost tripped, but recovered and smiled back up Demoiselle. He didn't want his best friend thinking he was too weak to care for himself. He wanted Demoiselle to know he was strong, strong enough to stand up for what he believed in, and strong enough protect Demoiselle with all his heart and being.

His dizziness though bothered him. So many thoughts raced around jumbled inside his mind. Most of them were Demoiselle's own words and they were so loud they almost gave him a headache. Terry's eyes opened again and sighed sadly, "They do interact with each other, but only for trading purposes. No one ever takes the time to get to know each other, I'm sure if they did..." and his mind surprised himself when his voice suddenly became lower, and more authoritative, "When my father retires from his position and I take his place, everything will change." Just then he shook his head like he was waking from a dream. He looked up at Demoiselle a little confused at what just happened. However, before he could say any thing, the two had somehow wandered out of the forest and now stood on the outskirts of market square.

[demoiselle]

Demoiselle looked at Terry in surprise. His voice had just deepened. It was nice especially what he'd saud, but yet odd.
"I believe my father has a ways to go from retiring and he's only an explorer, but I'm sure I can find something to do to help after all my father is held in high regard by most." Demoiselle looked at the marketplace knowing they needed to find food, but there was a risk of being seen. There's enough people here to allow us and escape though, thought Demoiselle with a smile, we should enjoy this.
"Come on Terry," urged Demoiselle making sure he kept his hand tight around Terry's so they wouldn't lose each other, "I have some money. We should probably get some food and pick up anything we'd like. I have more than enough money."

[Terry]

At the mention of food, Terry's stomach began growling loudly. His other hand covered his stomach, with the thought to try and hide it. However, his thoughts then flew back to the stream. He could have sworn he had caught a fish for lunch, but...Terry nearly cried. "Oooh..." the boy groaned, "I didn't get to eat the fish I caught earlier!!"

As they walked through the crowded streets, Terry tightened his grip on Demoiselle's hand. Everyone was so much taller than him. He was lucky Demoiselle was tall. He was sure that if they were somehow separated, Terry prayed they weren't, the boy would surely find the other quickly. Everyone seemed to be in a hurry, no really noticed the short boy. As Terry tried to avoid getting runover by one couple, his feet staggered again. He nearly fell, thankfully he fell full-body into Demoiselle. This caused the merboy to blush a little as he was surrounded in that instant by Demoiselle's warmth. 'Cities can be so dangerous.' Terry thought, making mental notes in his head for future reference.

[demoiselle]

Demoiselle kept a close eye on Terry making sure he didn't get hurt or seperated from him.I don't think I've ever been so worried about someone, thought Demoiselle though knowing it was Terry warmed him somehow, he really liked the boy even more than any dragonis he'd ever met, well, at least I'm with him. I wonder if he's feeling they same way. . Demoiselle felt Terry fall against him and quickly looked back to make sure the merboy was okay, he was and Demoiselle continued walking.
"Is there anything inparticular you would like to each,"questioned Demoiselle looking at Terry and wondering what he liked and disliked, an oppurnity to find out more about the merboy, "I think most of the food is Zercan, but I'm sure they must have some foreign food or I guess if you want the full experience we could always try the zercan food." Demoiselle wasn't sure about the food here though, I mean sure the cat people seemed friendly, but would there tastes fit that of a dragonis and merboy? It was an unanswered questioned, but Demoiselle would let the merboy decided it was the least he could do for his friend's company.

[Terry]

Terry almost didn't hear Demoiselle ask his question. Terry was too busy, listening to the older man's thoughts. Terry was happy that he knew his new friend liked him. He liked Demoiselle too. However, the merboy's subconscious had some thoughts pondering of his own. I wish I could go home with Demoiselle someday...I wonder what his dad is like...I wonder if he'll like me too...

Meanwhile though, Terry's conscious side pondered his thoughts aloud. "Well...fish has always been my favorite, or just about any kind of seafood..." Then he came to a conclusion, again with a confirming smile. "That's it! Since we're in Zerca...do as the Zercan's do! Besides, I always like to try new things!"

[demoiselle]

Demoiselle watched Terry smile at him and he felt like everything was going to be okay. Hearing Terry agree to eating the Zercan food he began to look around. The town was very crowded and there were stores everywhere the problem was where to go? Demoiselle began looking around and spotting a small yet nice looking restaurant he steered Terry to the building.
"What about there," questioned Demoiselle pointing to the restaurant, but making sure he didn't let the merboy go, he didn't want his only companion to be pulled along with the crowd. Waiting for Terry's response Demoiselle bagan looking around. The town looked very knew probably only a few years old and there were plenty of trees, but most importantly there was no sign of any dragonises.


[glow=red,2,300]you said something about not knowing where the story was going and I have to agree though I'm trying to think of something. I want them to get to know each other and get close,and then maybe have some dragonises or merpeople show up, but I just can't think of how the get it there. Sorry. [/glow]

[Terry]

Terry almost didn't hear Demoiselle again because he had at least one his hands over his ears, since his other was securely within said dragonis' grasp. The noise of the crowds were getting too loud for the poor boy. Terry knew ever since he was little he always had sensitive hearing. Whenever his father took him to the city, the boy always had a hood over his head blocking any loud noises that aroused. But the boy forgot to bring his hood and cloak so it felt now like his ears were ready to bleed.

Thankfully, Demoiselle was steering him toward a quiet restaurant. Even more thankful, was it quieter in the restaurant. As they entered, a pretty red head cat boy showed them to an empty table. Terry was at least happy it was next to a window so he could watch happenings outside. Everyone and everything just seemed to bustle with excitement. Terry smiled as he sat across from Demoiselle, though not really paying attention, as he was watching the action out the window.

Meanwhile, at a small table near the back, cerulean eyes spotted vibrant green hair. The young man, though shocked at seeing the boy, hid a small smile beneath the shadows and his long silken white hair.

[demoiselle]

Demoiselle relaxed in the quiet restaurant sitting next to Terry and was relieved that he didn't have to worry about anything happening to the merboy for now. Their Zercan waiter brought them food and Demoiselle began to eat his food hestiantly and kept glancing up at Terry, the merboy really was beautiful with his pretty green hair and blue eyes.
"This is nice," observed Demoiselle snuggling into his chair with a sigh, " too many people around starts to give me a headache, I feel uncomfortable with large groups of people, they make me nervous. I think I get it from my father. He's always worried about something, I don't think he ever got over mother being killed." Demoiselle went silent after that not wanting to bore Terry with his life story and looked out the window to watch all the bustling people, from a distance it didn't look so bad.

[Terry]

Terry's gaze was a bit distracted by the scene outside, at the same time, absently picking at his green salad. The merboy fumbled using the silverware, though he was taught with near impeccable manners, the boy still liked to catch his own food and eat it with his hands. Though he wasn't looking directly, Terry could hear Demoiselle's near every word. He smiled. He blushed at the thought he caught of the other claiming him beautiful...but he also was taken aback. Everyone always said that he had green eyes, but once he remembered a friend saying he had eyes of the ocean, one time they could be deep sea green other times they were a rich blue color.

Terry sat quietly and just listened as Demoiselle talked about his fathers. But was a little saddened when he stopped. "Don't stop!" The boy blurted out, "I want to hear more about you! I want to know everything about you." Terry stunned himself with his outburst and sat back, feeling hot warmth rush up covering his cheeks.

Meanwhile, another smile graced the young man in the shadows. He took a sip of his drink again, keeping his watchful gaze on the interesting couple by the window.

[demoiselle]

Demoiselle smiled at the blush that covered the merboy's cheeks. Demoiselle soon realized that Terry wasn't a big talker and that he'd have to do most of the talking, but he felt like he knew very little about his friend.
"It's okay," assured Demoiselle with a small smile, "I'd like to here more about you. My life gets boring after awhile." Demoiselle ran a hand through his white windblown hair and tried to lighten up the mood. He wasn't a funny person, but he didn't want Terry to be offended.
"We can stay here for a little bit longer or if you want leave to find other body of water," stated Demoiselle getting a little fidgeting, they were staying in the same place too long and Demoiselle kept having a feeling that someone was watching them and he didn't like it, but he didn't want Terry to worry. The merboy was too sweet to lose his smile to worry about something that Demoiselle could most likely handle without Terry even knowing.

[Terry]

Terry looked up and blushed a little more. "It's not that! I can talk a lot actually, when I want to..." Absently, he was swinging his legs back and forth underneath the table, just as a fish would move its tail. "...It's just my dad taught me I had to be quiet and polite when I was with company. He says it's not really grown-up of me to blurt things out like that...so...I'm sorry I shouted at you." Terry quickly bowed his head.

Emerald eyes though still bowed down, dared to take a peek through thick green bangs. He felt his breath get caught in his throat, was too frozen in his seat to move his hand for his gourde. Demoiselle looked really beautiful as he ran his hand through windblown strands. Terry wanted to do the same. He wanted to see if the other's hair was as soft as it looked, but he dared not. He blushed again and lowered his gaze again. Hands trembled in his lap. What was this feeling? His dad never told him of this. His chest hurt while his heart felt like it was pounding against his rib cage.

The young man in the corner, all the while, watching the young couple, raised a hand innocently, and instantly a waiter at his side. The guy leaned down as the man whispered something in his ear. The young zercan nodded and hurried off again.

[demoiselle]

"It's okay," assured Demoiselle with another smile, he realized he smiled more when he was with Terry than he had in his whole life, "shouting's better than nothing. And I see we both have parents who insisted we be well behaved. It's rather restricting when it comes to letting your personality show, but we're not with our parents so there's no need to worry." Demoiselle again looked at his empty plate before realizing that Terry was staring at him and smirked a little, the merboy was just too cute. Demoiselle straighten though. I got that feeling like they were being watched again and he didn't like it.
"Why don't we go back outside and see what else Zercan has to offer," suggested Demoiselle hoping Terry would agree, they did not need to be seen so soon, "I'm sure there's so other interesting places just waiting for us to find them." Demoiselle stood up and offered the merboy his hand.