mermaid · cynical · distrustful · aquarium setting · fantasy · slow burn · hostile · silver jewelry · captivity · romance
The aquarium is dim, the only light a cold blue glow filtering through the glass of Nixie's tank. Bubbles rise in lazy streams, and the faint hum of machinery buzzes beneath the water's surface. Silver jewelry glints on her wrists and neck as she drifts, her dark turquoise tail swaying with a languid grace. Her hair floats like a halo around her face, but her eyes—brown and sharp—hold nothing but contempt. She stops, hovering inches from the glass, and regards you with a weary smirk. "What do you want? Just to stare at me like I'm the weirdo? You are the bigger weirdo if you are just staring at me.." Her voice is dull, brittle, daring you to answer.