amarosc

[amarosc]

Amaros releases a breath he's held way too long, and the gaze in his eyes softens. "Okay.", he almost whispers, then it's a date." Fifteen year old him would freak it, if only he knew that the hot guy he had been staring at for all night during a ball, clearly busy dancing with his sister, would stand in front of him like this fifteen years later. But all rose-colored moments full of crushing are ruined within seconds, when a firm hand grips his shoulder, and a man appears right beside Amaros that looks like a carbon-copy of him, just a good thirty years more aged. Chogan Coralin carries a gaze that could kill, and the blonde woman that appears right beside him is so enchantingly gorgeous, that a few heads turn as they walk by. Though: Alice Coralin's facial expression when she looks at her husband's product of cheating, is as sour as if she just bit into a thousand lemons.

"Zak, dear.", she purrs, "Is Amaros distracting you from finally going in?" Like ever so often, Amaros' fingers itch to summon his trident, and to leave her bleeding in this lovely alley, like she had one of her friends do with his late mother, "Did you see his sister tonight, love? She's wearing a gorgeous blue gown. A lovely young woman she grew to be. And she's not married yet, which is quite the shame." Now, Amaros really wants to summon his trident. "Maybe she should start being less of a mean bitch. Perhaps then people would actually enjoy talking to her." Amaros rips his shoulder free out of his father's grip, who gifts him a concerned gaze. Alice fakes a gasp, and gifts Zak an apologetic glance, "Awful behavior, my dear. I still cannot believe you were chosen as the new leader, when your siblings were right there. Is that not right, Zak?"

Amaros takes a step back, his back slightly hitting Zak's chest, and he turns to look up at him, "I changed my mind. I would like to go in now."

Zak is a little thrown of when the question is asked. Hoping he wasn't getting muddled up with how he thought Amaros interpreted his own question. In the simplest of terms, Amaros was his 'date' for the evening, that was true. But Zak had accompanied many, many people to balls such as this one in his time and none of those companionships ever meant much at all. The same could not be said for Amaros.

He considered the man a close friend. He was one of the few merfolk who didn't treat Zak like he was already King, and though it had taken some time to get passed the curtseying and formal words, Amaros had learnt quite quickly that Zak just wanted to be treated normally, and he liked that.

The man then continued. Adding that he would like it if it was a date. Of course by this point Zak had clocked on to what he meant by that word. "I like to think it is." He said simply, without much thought. He would be lying if he said he hadn't given this some thought before tonight. Knowing the situation with Zak and Amaros' family had always been a complicated one. Especially considering the fact that Zak had been practically promised to the man's sister. A pairing he had never been a fan of.

"We can stay out here a while longer if you'd like, Ros." Zak smiled, seeing how nervous the young merfolk leader looked. Reaching down, and placing his hand on Amaro's arm. "I like it out here. Less need for masks, too."

[amarosc]

( @nytcwl -- The Lunar Eclipse Masked Ball late, in the evening )

Completely delighted about getting a single moment of piece, Amaros slips onto a chair at the bar, and is immediately confronted with his wonderful, stunning older sister. She's that by just one year, and even though they are almost the same age, she seems to have found joy in behaving like a toddler, pestering him constantly whenever she gets the chance. To his luck, she disappears after a few moments of bickering, running to find Zak. Amaros lets his head sink onto the counter of the bar, and takes a deep breath. When he lifts his head off of the counter again, he's faced with an unfamiliar face. On his chest, the crystal emits a faint glow -- identifying the person right in front of him as merfolk.

"Hey.", Amaros greets Umi, "I don't think we've met, which is a crime, because you look fabulous, and I've been here my whole life, and usually gorgeous creatures never get past me." He holds out his hand for Umi to place hers in it, so that he can kiss her knuckles, "Amaros Coralin. A pleasure to meet you."

[amarosc]

( @zacxmrnl -- The Lunar Eclipse Masked Ball late, in the evening )

"Is this a date?"

The question blurts out before Amaros can stop it. It has been burning low in his stomach with no other intention than to jump out in the most ill-fitting moment, and walking through an alley, approaching the Moonstone Museum, seems to be the worst. It is too dark to properly recognize Zak's features until they reach the courtyard in front of the museum, and lanterns light up in a soft, glimmering red.

"Not like it has to be." The young merfolk leader remembers their first meeting quite vividly. They were both so young, and Amaros' older sister by one year was already promised to Zak -- as his future, loving wife. They thought it would be her, or one of his brothers -- a glorious merfolk leader, bringing the wake of a powerful alliance. But instead the crystal of choice fell into the hands of his mother's bastard -- Amaros himself. He does a good job, or so he likes to think. But convincing the folk he does has proven itself to be a hard time.

"I just..." Yes, I just what, Amaros. "I'd like it, if it was a date." Honesty does little harm, especially if the fate was always meant to be different, anyway. A faint blush creeps onto his tanned cheeks, which is luckily drowned out by the glowing lanterns, "Anyways. Maybe we should go... inside?" Amaros pulls his mask out of his suit, shrugging softly, "Yeah?"

[amarosc]

AMAROS CORALIN AT THE LUNAR ECLISPE MASKED BALL

accompanied by @zacxmrnl (zak). avoiding his parents all night. wearing a suit tailored beneath the surface of the ocean, and a mask matching his species.

[amarosc]

Alexander's words replace fear with anger, and the fury rushing through his almost feels like the rush of the ocean hitting his skin. Angry, but not furious enough to commit to something incredibly dumb, Amaros opted for drawing his body out of Alexander's immediate reach. "I will rub my body with garlic if I must. That's what I'll do. The Ocean did not respond to me now, but it will. It will. And you will feel it. You may laugh at my face, but that you will regret."

The second the knife is gone, Amaros does not feel scared anymore. He can hear the ocean roaring far away, too far for his taste, and the rushing in is ear is also caused by the beating of his heart.

"You don't care about the rules, because you're vain. that makes you so, so stupid. So foolish. You think the court will not be able to handle you? Then fine. Make yourself their villain. Cause all the havoc you want to cause." Amaros takes a step back, "You should leave the town while you're able to." And then he turns around, and walks away.

THE END.

"Must feel awful, for there to be no water near, nothing that will come rushing if you call for it's help. And here I thought, the crystal wrapped around your neck had a meaning. It seems it is just a simple decoration, something boring the merfolk prides itself of, no?" Amaros' blood smells heavenly. If he were truly dreaming of starting a war that involves his own clan, he would have went in for a real taste, but he refrains from doing so now, and instead lets his teeth graze across his skin gently, almost piecing, but never quite really harming his skin.

"It was worth a try.", Alexander sighs when Amaros finally resists, "The weaker ones always fall for it. Makes them feel loved, and desired. Such a bummer you do not fall into that category. What will you do when this is over, Amaros? Will you bolt away, and run to see the court, warning them about my threats? How incredibly boring that would be. How incredibly... well-behaved. Like a dog, on a leash, bound to some age old rules no one besides the leaders cares about, anyway." The knife cuts deeper for a second, then he finally draws it away, bringing it to his lips to lick the blood off instead. "What will you do?", Alexander whispers, "Show me."

[amarosc]

"You don't have to." Amaros dipped his fin back into the water again, "The water is salt water, and my tail heals on it's own. Thank you for your offered help, though. I truly appreciate it." Gently, Amaros splashed a bit of water in his direction -- only a few sprinkles, through moving his tail. Truly, the Merfolk's love language through and through.

"They all are.", Amaros laughs at the description of the vampires, "However, they sadly are also more dangerous than I expected." He takes a deep breath, "I was attacked by their leader. Alexander Chen. Please do not tell anyone I told you. We might get more people worried than we need to." He points to the faint scar on his neck, that indicates someone cut it open, "I wish I had your hearing, really. It is an amazing trait to carry. Though transformations are painful for you, whereas mine are not." Instead, they always felt relieving. Comfortable, even. The transition from legs to a tail felt like a coat, wrapping around his skin. And he truly loved it.

"That's right. I hope you don't hold that against me," Myles said, nodding at him, offering a small smile. "Myles Bishop. I remember you now," he moved a bit closer. He wasn't so alarmed by the injury. The mention of hunters made his skin crawl a bit. It had been something that he warned the younger, less cautious of his pack about. If they listened, they usually came back from exploring or night watches unharmed. If not, that was when he had to do damage control.

"It doesn't matter, you're hurt," he said, taking out his supply pack. "I'm not sure if I have the right supplies for a fin," Myles said, studying the injury for a moment. He looked up at the mention of the new Vampires. "So I've heard," he said dryly. "I would think the Vampires are easy to spot, aren't they all prissy and stuck up?" he laughed with a roll of his eyes, searching his pack again. "We are safe here, for now," he looked around. "I don't hear anything," he looked at Amaros again. "What about this? It has healing properties. Might be our best bet."

[amarosc]

Amaros curses himself for the way he relaxes when Zak opens the door, but he still quickly rushes inside. "The vampire.", the man croaks out, "The one I told you about, the one they are all worried about." His fingers wearily touch his throat, and while Amaros knows the wound is not deep enough to do serious harm, he still panics when he feels the wet blood. "He waited for me in front of the Court's building, and drew me into this alley, and then he just-- God, I need to shower, can I shower?"

The composed Amaros from almost exactly a year ago is non-existent today, as he moves to quickly pull his shirt over his head to get rid of the blood, during what seems to be a very clear panic attack. "I'm so sorry, I just had no idea where else to go. I just needed to get-- inside somewhere, you get me?"

Once his shirt is off, Amaros tries to take a deep breath. If it were not for the situation, he would make a dumb joke about them both being shirtless, and then, when he thinks about it, he finally does. "Hey, we could also loose all of our clothes and shower together." Amaros rubs his face in agony, takes a deep breath and shakes his head, "Sorry, I... I'm completely fucking lost right now. I should not have... just showed up. I'm so sorry."

Zak had almost wasted the entire day lounging around his apartment, the only planes he had made for the entire day was for Amaros to come over and 'hang out'. Something the two men hadn't done once since Zak had taken to living on the land. The two had still gotten to know eachother fairly well in the last couple of months, with Zak being a frequent patron to Amaros' little seaside bar. Often getting a little too tipsy, and maybe spending a little too much time there each time.

Still the two had grown quite closer with each visit Zak made to the bar, and though there were plenty of other merfolk in town, Zak still felt most at ease when he was around the young leader. Something that improved a lot once they got over the bowing and the royal protocols they were so used it back in his their natural habitat.

Eventually Zak began to get ready, and with a few hours yet before Amaros was supposed to arrive,, he felt like he had some time. But as he stood under the rushing water of his shower head he heard a loud banging, coming from outside. Then came the ringing of his doorbell.

Zak swiftly turned the water off. Stepping out and wrapping a towel tightly at his waist. As he stepped out of his bathroom he heard a familiar voice. Pulling his phone up from the dresser and checking the time. He was early.

He soon clocked the panic in his friend's voice. With no time to get dressed first he rushed to the door and opened it up. Letting Amaros enter. Eyes darting towards the bloody shirt. All of a sudden he was reminded of their meeting almost a year ago. Only this time, Zak was the one without his shirt.

"Shit, Ros, are you okay?" Zak asked, a genuine concerned look across his face. He closed the door as soon as the man entered. There was no way one of his siblings had taken an attempt at his life on land. No, this felt like something a lot worse than that.

[amarosc]

( @peaceworn -- The Setting Sun late, in the evening )

The warm breeze of the night coats Amaros like a soft blanket, and the fresh smell of the ocean comforts him as he pours down his third drink of the night, much needed after everything that happened in the last few hours. His thoughts run rampant in his head, and the alcohol barely stops it. Then, the warm breeze is interrupted, and Amaros turns his head to complain at however sat down right next to him. Immediately, he stops himself from speaking. "Hi.", is what slips out instead -- not knowing he has caught on to the hook of a plan similar to the one Alexander Chen had just a few mere hours ago. The cut on his throat still feels fresh, a burning sensation reminding him of the vampire's presence in town as he turns his head.

"Have we met?" His fourth drink is placed in front of him, and he's not shy to take it. While he does not really seem drunk, he feels like it, and what's a really flirty personality, becomes even more bold under the influence. "I don't believe we did." Holding out his hand, Amaros winks at him, "Amaros' is the name. And you're Single, I hope?" A stupid joke, followed by a stupid grin.

[amarosc]

( @zacxmrnl -- Zac's apartment in the middle of the night )

Never in his one year of being the leader of Westray's merfolk, Amaros missed a meeting of the court. Today, would be a first, and at fault was the man that was at fault for so many things lately - Alexander Chan. The most dangerous, most cruel vampire that Amaros had ever met, and who was at fault for his throat bleeding, and his heart beating like crazy. Zac had texted him his address, and Amaros had put in effort. He'd showered, of curse, shaved, tried a new conditioner meant for curly hair.

Now, his hair was all messed up, blood was splattered across his shirt, and he felt dizzy as he banged against Zak's door, ringing the doorbell more than twice. "Zak.", Amaros breathed out, looking around nervously, "Listen, I know I'm three hours early, but please, let me in. There's been- I need to- get inside." He felt as if someone was still watching him, eyes from the dark, fangs glowing in the night like stars. He wished he had been closer to the ocean, where he could have swam to safety, instead of embarrassing himself in front of the Marlinheart heir again. But then again -- their relationship had evolved throughout the year, and perhaps, his heart would have been beating faster because of Zak, were it not already exploding. "Please."

[amarosc]

"You don't like your men-" Amaros stops himself from speaking through biting on his tongue so hard that it bleeds, and even though it immediately starts burning, a grin tugs at the corners of his mouth. "What I was meaning to say is, of course, your Royal Highness." He's thankful for the shirt he's offered, even though it fits slightly baggy on him, and he does his best to carefully trash his original, bloody shirt -- it's an old one anyway, one he rarely ever wears anymore. "Thank you.", Amaros says as he buttons it up.

A few beats pass, as he fixes his hair and properly washes his hands, "You should practice lying.", Amaros muses, "I'm the most hated person in Westray's whole ocean. I'd be surprised if they barely had anything to say about me. Good or bad." He's fucking hot, he thinks, oh boy, and then he grazes his shoulder with his hand, walks out of the bathroom, and slips his carefully curated mask right back on.

THE END.

Being the eldest son to the King meant Zak had experienced his own fair share of assassination attempts over the years, none that got quite close enough to actually harm the boy though. Still, the idea of a member of his own family being responsible for an attempt on his life was unheard of to the young prince. Sure he didn't always get along, or see eye to eye with his family, but they would never ever attempt such a thing. "Can't say they have." He shrugged, truly unsure of what to say.

Zak chuckles lightly at the comment about this being their first date, the thought of Amaros 'fishing out' on his bathroom floor being an even funnier picture in his head. When asked what his family thought of the new leader, he contemplated answering truthfully for maybe a tad too long. "I can't say they've said much about you if I'm honest" It was a lie, but a necessary one as Zak saw it.

Zak's eyes flicker down to Amaro's chest. His fault for mentioning, but he tries not to stare for too long. "Of course. Only if you stop bowing." Zak jokes. Heading out into the walk in closet attached to the bathroom. "And stop with the Royal Highness stuff." He calls back, grabbing a shirt from a neat pile in his wardrobe.

[amarosc]

"Perfectly fine." The bloody arrow told a different story, and so did Amaros' movements. When Amaros analyzed his face, he realized he recognized the man from a few meetings of the court. "You're the Alpha of one of the packs.", he realized, immediately relaxing, "I believe we've met. Amaros Coralin. I've been the leader of the Merfolk in Westray for around one year. A hunter got the best of me about an hour ago." Lifting his fin briefly out of the water, Amaros showed why he'd not moved out of the water at all.

"Didn't mean to do that in your territory. Or is it? Forgive me, I do not possess even an ounce of heightened sense of smell." Carefully, Amaros lifts himself out of the water, and onto a stone -- the chance of a human coming by is low, and he needs the help of the remaining sun to dry down. "They're growing nervous. The Hunters. Because of the new Vampire Clan."

The forest had always given Myles a sense of calm and ease. He would go there after a rough night to just sit in the quiet. It was one of the few places that felt truly safe. But of course, that feeling never lasted too long. And he always had to move quickly, at least enough to evade detection. As he walked, he noticed the pile of clothes by the water.

Myles moved slower and quieter, his ears perking up when he realized his cover was blown. “Mmm,” he gave him a slow nod. “I wasn’t thinking much of it… just… taking a stroll,” he said, looking up at the trees around them. Looking back at the other man, he lowered himself to be closer to the ground. “Are you alright?”

[amarosc]

Focused on texting Zak, Amaros is too distracted to analyze his surroundings -- lets his guard down, and pays for it. A blanket of ice wraps around him like silk, and his poor heart cannot help but speed up, beats ricocheting through the night like gunshots. The pain ripples through his body only shortly after, and in response to backing away from the blade, the back of his warm body hits Alexander's cold one. His breath staggers, and he tries to call upon water -- but it has not rained in days, and Westray's pipes are lacking salt. His plea is left unanswered, and a mixture of pain and panic clouds his mind immediately.

"Do you not think you are the enemy?", Amaros croaks, "Ever since you came into the city, you have been causing nothing but havoc." Alexander leans forward, and his stomach starts burning. The surprisingly warm tongue touches his throat, and Amaros feels him lap up his blood. His mind grows dazed, and a strange voice in his head tells him to stop resisting, to let himself melt back into his arms, to-- "Stop fucking compulsing me.", he barks, "Fucking stop it."

@amarosc -- in front of the building the court holds his meetings in

Bless the merfolk and their lack of heightened senses of smell, Alexander thinks when he steps out of the shadows, and comes to stand right behind Amaros, who seems to be focused on something on his phone. Alexander's icy cold breath hits his ear as he laughs silently, holds a knife to his throat, and draws him back into the shadows. "Quiet.", he whispers, "Your heart beating fast is loud enough on it's own." With a small movement, the knife cuts his skin minimally -- and Alexander breathes out the second the smell of his fresh blood fills his nose.

"They did not invite me to the court meeting. Seems like they're making me out to be the enemy. Or did my invitation get lost in the mail?" His laugh is soft, but equally as wicked, "You should invite me inside. It's no fun without me." Amaros' blood keeps dripping gently, and Alexander leans forward, closing the minimal distance left in between them, to lick it up from his throat, slow and satisfied.

[amarosc]

"Hm... maybe come by the ocean and lay in the sun a bit more often, then I might not confuse you for a ghost again. and of course it is breathtaking - so is every single view of the ocean." Amaros allowed himself to lean back in his seat, even though the metal pressed into his back uncomfortably. "Westray is beautiful in general. I count myself lucky to be able to live here almost every day.", he admits.

"Thank you. I will let my parents know that you appreciate their choice." Amaros appreciated his first name, just like Kate did -- but his middle name, Tryton, had always put way too much pressure on his shoulders. "Kate is a beautiful name as well, though. It fits you. And don't you dare give me that challenge of finding a fitting nickname for you." Amused, he sits back upright again as they reach the top, "I'm just a simple bartender. Down at the Setting Sun, that beach bar. Nothing special. How's being a librarian? Sounds fun to be surrounded by books all day."

it was a busy day for kate, jumping from one teaching session with kids to the delivery of more books in her shop. the woman barely had time for herself and it was only after all of her tasks completed that she allowed herself a moment of quiet. while slowly approaching, kate jumped lightly when amaros startled as well. his words amused her, a slight smile coming across her face. "perhaps this is due to my very pale skin?" she suggested, smirking before nodding. "it's alright, you do not need to apologize." her green hues watched the beauty of the view and she added in an amused tone: "besides, i can't blame you for being absorbed in the view. it is a breathtaking one."

as he introduced himself, kate looked at his hand and shook it warmly before offering him a smile. "kate hastings. what a beautiful name that you have." kate loved originality in names. she wished sometimes she had another name, less classic than the one she carried. "it is lovely to meet you, amar. for me i guess it will be kate. unless one finds a unique nickname for me." she chuckled lightly before noticing his wink and smiled. "it seems like it, indeed. and if i may be honest: i am not a fan of heights either. but it's worth the view, indeed." she commented back before then asking: "so, what do you do for a living amar? i am a librarian."

[amarosc]

( @spllbvnds -- the Setting Sun late, in the evening )

When Amaros comes off of his shift and plops down in a chair right next to Esther, he has already had two drinks. "Do you think he's hot?", he asks, no further context given, while the alcohol swirls in his head, "The Prince, I mean." A stranger gives him a weird look, and Amaros gives her one back, "Eric, from the new Ariel life action, of course." Annoyed, he turns his whole body around to face Esther, sipping on his new drink as he places her freshly made one right in front of her, "Zak.", he almost whispers, "He's kind of... i don't know, have you looked at him? And hello, his tail? It's red. That's so rare. Usually the guys have these boring... greys, and greens, and mud browns. But his is red. Like a crab... oh my god, I had too many drinks. He does not look like a crab."

Amaros rubs his face, "But you agree, right? Wait, have you ever even seen him before?"

[amarosc]

Amaros didn't comment on the wound, and not on the large, still stitched up slash on his abdomen, either, until a few bitter words slipped out before he could hold them back -- "Curtesy to my oldest brother. Tell me, have some of your siblings tried to murder you for the sake of some power, or is that just a thing my family likes to do?" Amaros slowly drew his hand out of the sink, skeptically watching what Zak was doing. "Sorry.", he added a few seconds after, an apologetic expression taking over his face, "I did not mean to... that was not as respectful as it should have been."

A beat passes, in which he considers using the salt water, and then kindly shakes his head and opens up the medical kit. "Don't wanna end up like a fish out in the dry five seconds into our first date.", he jokes weakly, before searching for a bandage, and something to disinfect his wound. The salt water is and stays tempting -- but Amaros refrains from using it right away. "What'cha family think about me?", he asked, trying to distract Zak and himself from the situation, "I hope my first impression was as pristine as this one right here." The liquid burns in the slash, but Amaros barely pulls a face, and wraps the bandage around his arm right after. His shirt is still drenched in tab water, and even if it has no effect on him, that surely would cause a few strange glances.

Amaros looks at Zak, unsure if he can ask the question, unsure if it would fit, but then he does. "I know my upper body may be enchanting, but may I borrow a shirt?" In hopes of making the question seem a little less disrespectful, Amaros bows his head, "Your Royal Highness."

No matter the cause, and no matter who attended, Zak always grew tired of these events fairly quickly. Unlike his siblings who could sneak away and get out things like this, Zak really had no choice. His father was the host and as with everything else his father did Zak would have to do it someday and learn how first hand up until then.

As he stood near the head of the main table. Bored out of his mind and more than ready to retire for the evening, his eyes caught sight of Amaros who looked like he was enjoying tonight just as much as Zak was. Unlike most in attendance tonight, Zak really didn't have much of an opinion on Amaros leading the settlement. He actually found it funny if anything.

His eyes followed on as Amaros left the room in quite a hurry. Zak excusing himself from the table, curious to find out where exactly the stressed out looking merman was headed. A part of him also taking any excuse to leave the room too.

He kept his distance as he watched Amaros storm through the halls of the castle. A confused look flickering across Zak's face when he entered the prince's private bathroom. He walked slow, unsure if he should have followed the man out in the first place, but he was there now, and the longer he was out of that hall, the better.

He pushed on the door, slowly. Only to find Amaros stood there, completely shirtless and holding what looked like a bloodied shirt under the tap. His puzzled expression only growing more intense when the other man spoke. Choosing not to question it. Clearly he wasn't okay. "It is and you don't have to leave." The prince tried his best to reassure Amaros. Noticing the blood dripping from the large cut on his arm. "That doesn't look so good." He sighs, stepping forward and reaching for the cupboard below the sink. Pulling out a glass bottle of sea water, and a medical kit that his father insists on him stocking for some strange reason.

"This should help. I hope. Sorry it's not much." Zak says, passing the bottle to Amaros.

[amarosc]

( @stllcfthcnght -- lake, in the middle of the forest mid-day )

When Amaros hears cracking noises in the forest, he knows the stranger must be a werewolf -- nobody else dares to enter this part of the forest, and he would not have, either, had he not been in need to heal a wound in salt water, after a hunter's arrow had caught him off guard. The arrow laid bloody on the ground, right next to a pile of his clothes, and Amaros watched the forrest with narrowed eyes, knowing if he was drawn out the water, there was not much he could do to defend himself. Bloodmoon, he prayed in his hand, silently calling for his trident beneath the water, only feeling comfort when it started manifesting from nothing.

Playing relaxed, even though the scene displayed itself to be quite different, Amaros placed his upper arms on a stone, dropping his head on them, as if he laid in the lake to enjoy the sun, his lower body buried beneath the water in it's entirety. "Occupied.", he allowed himself to joke the second the stranger stepped into sight, "In case you were hoping for a quiet bath aside from the city's stress, stranger."

[amarosc]

( @zacxmrnl -- the royal merfolk family residence, onshore backdated to mid 2024, late in the evening )

When Amaros notices his shirt wetting beneath his loose blazer, his panic is not rooted in the idea that he could turn in the middle of this enormous dining room, that has been rid of all the tables and stuffed full with Merfolk. It announces that his stitches have ripped open slightly, and that his perfectly pristine shirt is now tinted red. Amaros excuses himself from his mother, that smiles at him like her oldest son had not been the one to pay a poor merman to stab him just yesterday. Anger drives him forward, through the building, and into a private, secluded bathroom, where he rushes to take off his blazer and shirt, immediately holding the stained fabric beneath the water of the tab, in hopes of ridding it of the stain.

His empty hand splashes water into his face, and he realizes too late he has not locked the door, when it opens all out of sudden. "Occu...", he starts off, when his eyes meet Zak's, "...pied." Defeat glows in his eyes, his hands positioned on the counter, as he faces the Crown Prince shirtless, and injured. "If you want to get rid of me, now may be the perfect time.", Amaros jokes halfheartedly, and suddenly he longs for Westray's pipes to carry saltwater, saltwater he could summon his trident from, "Your royal Highness." Amaros mimes a bow, but flinches as another stitch rips open, "This is your... private bathroom. I'm assuming." A nervous laugh escapes his lips, "I should.. leave."