Nightshift 49: Lake- Surrounding Area

[tartaros-avatar.livejournal.com]

[From here, with much AUGH]

Of all the things Recluse was expecting when he walked through the door, immediately falling into a lake was not one of them. He began to sink immediately from the weight of his weapons, swimming back up to the surface, spitting out a mouthful of water that he'd nearly swallowed in surprise.

Hopefully, Agatha knew how to swim. Recluse wasn't quite sure he was in the mood by this point to do something so charitable as save her if she couldn't.

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[mistressmadgirl.livejournal.com]

The sudden release filled Agatha with elation, but it would have been better if it had been complete. She'd still have worried, of course, with the fish-thing still out there who knew where, but with the freedom of movement she'd certainly be more able to deal with it or, better yet, help get to shore. Having to cling to Recluse's outfit just to not drown was kind of embarrassing.

She still couldn't see, but something in the movement of the water hinted- the way the movement of the air hints that something is looming over you- that something rather bigger than a hand was coming at that arm. Her instinct was to try to withdraw... so she didn't, but lashed out in its direction instead, turning her hand with as much range of motion as her assailant's grip allowed and hoping desperately to stick something that would make it let go.

[tartaros-avatar.livejournal.com]

It was finally shallow enough for him to stand, setting his feet down on the bottom and dragging Agatha further, enough so that his upper torso was finally out of the water, the weight of his weapons helping him keep his feet planted securely.

He turned just in time to see the mermaid withdraw to strike and reacted solely on instinct, throwing a crushingly strong right hook to the thing's jaw. He only didn't have a knife in his hand by virtue of having no time to take it from his belt. Still, this was often how he preferred a fight. No weapons beyond whatever his body had given him.

[damned-monsters.livejournal.com]

The mermaid still refused to release Agatha's wrist, even if the woman's hasty movement jolted her enough that her teeth closed on empty water. She shifted her hold, scrabbling at the boxcutter Agatha was holding, trying to pull it out of her hand, and was so focused on it that she just barely noticed the incoming attack in time to turn away. The man's blow was still sufficient to force the creature to let go completely, however, and send her back through the water with a silent cry.

But all around them the shallow water flashed with silver tails, as all the mermaids who had up until been simply watching surrounded the pair. One by one they surfaced, eyes fixed on the invaders with distinctly unfriendly expressions, and a few of them bared sharp teeth in an angry hiss.

[mistressmadgirl.livejournal.com]

Agatha still held on like grim death, determined not to lose the closest thing to a real weapon she had, until she was finally released. Finally. She could have sobbed with relief as they came to rest, except that she knew she still couldn't afford to stop. She could let go of her guide's clothing and find that her feet reached the bottom, and that sense of control was amazing.

But, though she dimly perceived the shoreline, it was still out of reach, with those menacing figures splashing around between it and them. She raised the knife one more time.

"I don't want to hurt you-" she gasped, "-but we are leaving. You don't-- want to make trouble for us."

[tartaros-avatar.livejournal.com]

[All actions related to Agatha pre-approved by the mun!]

Recluse didn't need to turn to know that the blasted things were surrounding them, he could hear them well enough. This could still be more dangerous than they could afford, and slow them down far more than he could allow. Either they would have to make a push through the things, or...

Wait. The thing had only attacked Agatha, and only after a certain point. He hadn't seen what had caused the change in behavior, but it specifically had gone after her weapon arm... "Agatha. Drop the knife," he said urgently, trying to be careful with his wording in case these things actually understood what was being said. "It's what set off the first one. If it doesn't work, then I have something you can use on my belt. I can compensate you later."

For a moment, he was wondering whether he'd just have to knock the thing out of her hand, but she complied, grumbling as she did so. He held his own empty hands out to show that he was currently unarmed. "Will you let us pass now?" If not, he was still ready to move, and move quickly.

[damned-monsters.livejournal.com]

The tension in the surrounding mermaids vanished almost immediately once the knife dropped beneath the surface of the water, and the display of open hands seemed to be enough to mollify them. One by one they began to disappear beneath the surface of the rainswept lake, leaving the path to the shore completely clear.