introductory paragraphs [lelei]

Horus

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Ulrich didn't mind a nip or two of alcohol himself. In fact, his home on land came already stocked with a cabinet of fine liquors and wines that his servants knew he'd possibly like. He hadn't asked for it, but it was a fine treat to come home to, anyways. Rarely did he drink to the point of drunkness, and that was usually only around humans at their parties.

"I doubt they'd retain much of their ability to survive, in that case." What if everything went to shit the next day? Would half the population even know what to do with themselves? Of course, that was talking in hypotheticals. Not every species went on the same principle of fighting to survive as the Panthalassians did.

Ulrich finished off his plate as they walked, tossing it in a garbage can because at least he knew that much. Not too many people were giving them glances, but on an island with oddities like Manta Carlos, it was to be expected.

As for the clothes, he squinted at the articles in the window. They certainly looked pretty, but were impractical in his eyes. "Clothes is still something I must adjust to. My people have little to no need for it." Especially the ones who couldn't transform, or the ones who weren't adapted to frequenting the land.

He himself came out of the ocean completely naked and if he had his way, it'd stay like that. But despite the openness of the island, even things that resembled humans were expected to wear clothes.

"Why is it that humans find clothing so important, anyways?"
 

Critical

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No one around Lelei and Ulrich were giving the two any kind of looks, based on their appearances. Even a giant shark man like Lelei eventually faded into the realm of the familiar while on Manta Carlos. However, there were a few curious glances thrown their way occasionally based on what was being said.

It seemed that Lelei discussing the ins and outs of land culture as a completely foreign concept pricked an ear here and there. Said ears needed to hear the rest of what he was saying, and eyes quickly followed. Once the listeners thought they understood, they went back to their own lives knowing that Lelei and Ulrich were probably just... ocean tourists or something.

Now the two were momentarily on the same page as they both stared into the windows of the boutique with critical eyes. Lelei himself crossed his arms in thought and tilted his head.

"... I used to ask that same question a lot too. From what I can gather and discern, I think the importance comes from just... living with clothes for so long."

Even Lelei did not seem confident in that answer.

"They've covered their bodies for so long--initially for warmth and protection--that they've developed a complex about their naked selves, to varying degrees."

He looked down his own body, hidden beneath his shirt and shorts.

"They can be proud of their bodies, but it's taboo to just show EVERYTHING. Specifically genitals. I mean, as much as the boys at the clubs like mine, they would still tell me to keep it tucked away until we're in private. It's still kinda weird after all this time."
 

Horus

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Some of the 'clothing' in the window didn't even really count as clothing, as far as Ulrich was concerned. Some may as well have made their wearers naked, and a few pieces looked quite impractical. Did humans really value themselves based on this system. How strange.

"It does sound odd, but standard. My human guard said the same thing. Or at least something very similar." Yes, Nicolas did freak out a little when he started asking questions about clothes and why people wore then. He said it was generally considered a sex thing if they went without, and humans absolutely hated sex. Apparently. At least, from how they react to it.

Too bad.

"Which seems directly contradictory to some of their media... and their clothes." But apparently that, too, was extremely difficult to be able to explain properly.

With that thought in mind, Ulrich's attention moved on to the other beachgoers. They seemed to travel in groups, barely anyone alone. "The beach is a social place, from experience. Is this correct?"
 

Critical

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"You're human... guard? Oh! Oh, right."

Lelei had been so in the moment of giving Ulrich a tour of the pier that he had momentarily forgotten that Ulrich was a king, and a giant sea monster too. He wondered if the human guard was aware that the man he was watching was actually a multi-headed hydra beast.

"The sexuality they show in media is a result of their nudity taboo. It's exciting to see someone almost naked on TV and such. But embarrassing if they're totally naked. Unless they're intimate and then... y'know..."

Even Ulrich had to know where Lelei was headed with that statement. Surely even giant sea monsters were not immune to instinctual needs and attractions.

Turning with Ulrich, Lelei also watched the throngs of beach-goers on the piers. Groups came in all sizes and compositions. Couples spent time with each other, friends hung out and families had a good time together. Those that were alone seemed to be busy or on their way to something, and not actually on the pier for leisure.

"Correct. During the warm seasons, humans like to go places that are outdoors where they can be in the sun and have fun. The beach offers just the right kind of environment for that.

Humans are naturally social creatures at their core, and prefer the company of others. Now that may mean many friends, or one very close friend. 'Being social' has many interpretations to many people.

I find that there's a rather large initial hurdle when first meeting someone who is stranger. But once you 'break the ice', people open up and quickly grow closer."
 

Horus

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"Yes." Yes, his human guard. The one that was supposed to show him a bit of what life was like on land. Lelei helping him certainly did assist in the process, especially considering he probably went through a similar assimilation himself.

Ulrich squinted ever so slightly, but nodded in understand. "How strange humans can be." The Panthalassians were, in general, a lot less reserved about their more primeval urges. It was only natural, their morality dictated. There was no shame in sex, so partake in it as you will... and they did.

It was what got him into trouble and onto land in the first place.

"Interesting..." He observed the people strolling along the boardwalk and the few on the beach. Indeed most of them seemed to be with others, or were looking for others, or were busy getting to point B. "But the land is a much smaller place than the sea, especially on this island. I can't imagine they'd want to be lonely up here; people are just unavoidable. The sea is different."

The sea was vast. There were so many empty places, and so few 'intelligent' creatures down there. Some species never met until the annual conferences rolled around. The northern and southern Panthalassians were at war, so many creatures avoided the areas where they clashed...

"How do you like socializing with these humans? Are they much different?"
 

Critical

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"They'll seem strange for a little while. But spend more time on land, among them, and you'll eventually starting getting familiar with all their little quirks."

Lelei was primarily referencing the many little societal nuances of humanity, and living among them. As much as he wanted to try and teach Ulrich everything he could about humans, Lelei doubted he could teach him about the specific nuances of human sexuality. Not without, say, a demonstration or being a little tactless. Besides, Lelei had no way of knowing if he, a shark man who had a particular taste in cute boys, was the best person to teach that subject to one such as Ulrich.

Ulrich's own observation about the differences of living on land as opposed to the sea was quite insightful to Lelei. He had never thought of something like that before, but it made total sense.

"You... You're very right. Plus, humans aren't exactly a self-sufficient species. In the sense that they can just eat whatever out in the middle of nowhere. They need certain necessities, and they tend to keep those necessities in densely-packed communities like the city proper."

He pointed his thumb behind himself to Manta Carlos behind them, down the road.

"At first, it was difficult adjusting. Even if they were more accepting of a shark walking on land.

But now? I really like humans. They aren't as... Um... Beholden to their animal instincts as we tend to be beneath the waves. There's less formality and protocol than the hierarchies we have, and there's just so many different kinds of humans that you're always bound to find someone that you like.

In more ways than just friendly, of course."
 

Horus

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He supposed that he had to adapt, or else this little spat over Luca between himself and Emma would just end in disaster. Ulrich, after finding out that Luca was his son, had been quite conflicted over the matter in a political sense. He was still reeling, but he'd had a couple dozen years to think it over. Now it was just a matter of having him grow up.

Sort of. He couldn't let his general distaste for the land ruin it.

"Fair enough. They do what they need to survive." Even if it was a little odd to him. As for the city, he'd yet to wander into it proper. It seemed so densely packed that he figured he needed to practice on more isolated populations like this before he wandered in there.

"I suppose you're right." He took another glance around at the throngs of people just going about their daily business. First thing was first; he had to learn how to recognize their faces. Most of them had distinct features, but some looked exactly the same to him, like how humans couldn't often tell two parrots of the same species apart.

"There was a reason I chose this island, the general open acceptances being one of them. There seem to be very few like this in the world." Where those of a more... inhuman persuasion could freely roam.

"I don't quite understand how they get things done without a hierarchy, nor how they reproduce at sufficient rates without their more basic instincts. Humans just seem to be awfully stubborn and tenacious." He paused, staring out at a few boats on the harbour. Long gone were the days of his youth, where they were made of painstakingly crafted wood. "And intelligent."
 

Critical

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Lelei followed Ulrich's gaze out over the water, to the boats that lay beyond. Despite Manta Carlos being an island, recreational boats were not all that common among the populace. Most boats were of the commercial or transport kind, meant for bringing people and things across the ocean. Lelei supposed that living on an island, surrounded by water at all times, diminished the novelty of having a boat to go out on that water.

"Yeah. It's their intelligence that, I think, gives them a leg-up on other civilizations. Not that we aren't intelligent. We're just... set in our ways, I guess."

Sometimes he wondered what would have happened if the barrier of the ocean had not kept humans separated from any of their undersea kingdoms. Ulrich may have been a huge sea monster, and they were all adapted to the ocean, but the humans had massive metal weapons and vehicles. He suspected that even Ulrich would have trouble against superior numbers and technology.

Though his fears were not unfounded, Lelei found most humans to be tolerable and peaceful under the right circumstances. Given cautious meetings, humans seemed able to make bonds with other creatures quite easily.

"So if there anything else you'd like to know about or see, sir? There's lots more I could show you, but I'd like to know how you're doing so far with what we got."
 

Horus

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Ulrich had never thought much of skirmishes between his own species and the humans on land. Panthalassians had been around long before humans were even a glimmer on the horizon, and the sea was generally inhospitable to them. No, the sea was the sea creature's domain, and he was fairly sure there would be revolt if they attempted to encroach on it by multiple species, not just his own.

He gazed about again, eyes lingering on the various boats. Most of them looked bigger than what one would see recreationally, but he didn't care much for their noisy motors and groaning hulls.

"So far, it seems fine." He nodded, the corner of his mouth twitching up into a vague smile before it fell back into place. A constant scowl seemed to be his default expression, no matter what he was feeling. "Nothing unusual; I've been on land in the past before... Beach locations, mostly. Humans do like to party, don't they?"

Especially on very warm nights. He'd participated in quite a few, but none had gotten in him trouble until he accidentally stumbled across Emma. Augh. Ulrich sighed.

"I'll assume they're something of a regular occurrence on the island."
 

Critical

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Lelei brightened noticeably when Ulrich brought up the subject of parties.

"Why yes! Humans - especially the young ones - have a particular fondness for parties and get-togethers. Some small, reserved and intimate. Others loud, large and raucous."

His own preference was usually for the latter, if only by virtue of that was the most common kind of party he attended. To Lelei, small gatherings were for formal events that either had to do with work or business. In that context, they were stiff and rigidly controlled by social mores. So they were generally boring in his eyes, and only worth going to when it was necessary.

Meanwhile, wild rave parties were the perfect place to pick up boys in tiny shorts.

"I don't think any of the nightclubs around here have opened yet. It's too early for that stuff. But I think there might be a bar or two open that would be lively with people.

Interested in checking out the human party scene?"
 
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