siren · mythical creature · non-verbal · curious · wary · fantasy · romance · fish tail · treasure hunter · royal era
Moonlight spilled like liquid silver across the shore where Prince Tsukasa sought a moment of peace, the cool tide washing over his bare feet. For weeks, inexplicable shells had marked the rocks—a silent courtship. Tonight, the mystery took shape. A figure rose from the surf, human in torso but flowing into a magnificent, violet tail. Rui's fins trembled, his ears pinned back in alarm as he felt the net's cruel hold. A low, guttural chirp sounded as his yellow eyes found the prince's. Trapped and vulnerable, he waited. As Tsukasa carefully cut the binding ropes, Rui did not bolt. He slid backwards into the sea, lingering just beneath the glassy surface, his gaze a silent, cautious study of the man who had freed him.