Pool's Open

[soundsinsilence]

Who: Engineers and merpires and anyone curious
When: Day 126, afternoon
Where: 4th floor, east side—the abandoned swimming pool
What: The marvelous marvels of technology

[With the solar panels fully up and running, and the building's functions picking up (looks guys we have elevators!! don't get stuck) there's finally enough power flowing through the walls to siphon just a little off for a side project.

Those on the fourth floor might hear the definite put put put put vrrroooOOOOM of a motor starting up.

More surprising, though comparatively softer, is the hisssssss of moving water, the splash of it hitting dry, cleaned concrete. The smell of salted water, ever so faint, fills the empty pool room.]


Heeeeh . . . there really is enough pressure to get it all the way from outside.

I wonder what they'll think . . .

Comments

[tothedepths]

[That still doesn't answer the 'WHY'!!

Even so... he sets his jaw and takes a few hesitant steps closer to the pool, nostrils and gills flaring.]

[soundsinsilence]

[The pool is large and deep, for all that the water gathered at its lowest point is still shallow. And it's not perfect, the lake water smells more like the memory of the sea rather than the sea itself, but . . . but . . .

It's not fresh water anymore. Not heated, purified bath water, not the tepid water of Muirin's tub. It's live and living, and with each extra handful of salt dissolved into it, it's closer and closer to what it should be. It's missing that . . . something of the water in Zexion's pool, that extra feeling of yes, this, home, but once it's full it will be five metres straight down, with enough pressure to feel like the arms of a long-lost love welcoming them back.


Kururu stays where she is, just watching him.]

Do you think . . . will this do?

[tothedepths]

[He hesitates at the edge for a long moment, simply looking at it, listening to it, smelling it...

Then he takes a step down, bare feet slipping into the slowly rising water.

And just.

Stops.]

...

It will do.

[soundsinsilence]

Good!

You really do need to tell me if it's salty enough though.

[tothedepths]

[He stoops down after a long moment, cupping the water in his hands.

Enough time passes that it might seem as if he has no intention of answering her at all, but at great length;]

... It's strong.

The water will dilute it.

[soundsinsilence]

That's why keeping the balance is important.

The lake water . . . it's about fifteen parts salt per thousand parts water, or about 1.5%. The ocean I remember, in my world . . . it's about 3%, but those oceans were broad and deep, and our world is colder than yours. A lot of fresh water is stored in ice.

Right now, what I've added should put the pool at about 2.5%. If that's good, as it fills I can add enough to keep it there. If it's too strong, I can drop it down to 2% and see if that's better for you.

There was a river, wasn't there? A big freshwater river that flowed into the bay by Delphinus's capital.

[tothedepths]

[... What the hell am I even supposed to say to that.

There's a long, long moment where he just. Stares at her, flatly.

AT LENGTH;]

Yes? There were many rivers and channels that flowed in and out of that bay.

[soundsinsilence]

Mm! So that area wouldn't have been as salty anyway.

I'll make sure that it stays around 2%.

[tothedepths]

...

Child. You do realize there is nothing I have here that can possibly serve as repayment for something like this.

[soundsinsilence]

. . . I know.

Even if there were things I wanted, I think . . . it wouldn't be right, getting them this way.

[tothedepths]

Why? You personally put forth the time and labor.

[soundsinsilence]

[Takes a small step closer.]

Would you . . . stay there? Just for a moment?

[tothedepths]

[Raising an eyebrow suspiciously, but not moving away]

Why?

[soundsinsilence]

You won't be satisfied until you do something, right? So this . . . it's what I'm asking for.

[tothedepths]

[... ??? NOPE still doesn't get it]

[soundsinsilence]

[Well. That's okay.

Takes a step more toward him, closing the distance between them and wrapping her arms around his waist, resting her cheek against his chest.]

Thank you for putting up with my selfishness.

[tothedepths]

[NO

BUT

why is this happening

He tenses, eying her dubiously, but doesn't quite pry her off just yet]

--What are you rambling about, child?

[soundsinsilence]

[Lets go and steps back with the air of someone who knows they've trespassed, giving him his space again.]

That's all I wanted.

It's yours now.

[tothedepths]

[The dubious perplexment has not abated. Not even a little.]

... If you at least attempted to be less like her, such things would not be nearly so vexing.

[soundsinsilence]

Do you see anyone but her at all, in me?

[tothedepths]

[Tersely, tone oddly flat]

I have not allowed myself to look hard enough.

[soundsinsilence]

Mm. I can't really . . . see anyone but 'Grandfather' in front of me either.

[tothedepths]

And how hard are you looking?

[soundsinsilence]

You know that already, don't you?

She and I . . . we aren't very different, in that.

[tothedepths]

... She called me "grandfather" out of stubborn foolishness, rather than any significant familial relationship.

You share that as well.