(Yoop!) Tez made her way through the market, exploring with wide, curious eyes. She turned down a quieter part of it, with less people. It didn't interest her as much, and she turned to leave before a pair of hands caught her over the mouth and around her ribs, not allowing her to scream or gasp in surprise as they pulled her into the alley. It would take awhile for her to reemerge. When she did, her breaths were quiet and shuddery. There were meticulous cuts along her right shoulder blade and torso. She had lured her attackers into a sleep with song, which had mustered courage to sing. She knew what they had wanted, but she never thought anyone would actually try. Wincing, she stepped out and immediately headed for the ocean and away from the dreadful place.
Rowan knelt down on the dock, pulling some moss from the cracks within the old, salt-encrusted wooden planks, his fingers gentle. The late afternoon sun sank lazily in the horizon and he glanced up thoughtfully, noting its weight in the sky. He sighed and stood up, placing the moss gently in his bag and wiping his hands of the dirt on his palms.
Tez held herself uncomfortably as she spotted him, the salty winds soothing her momentarily as she approached.
He glanced up and his expression shifted when he saw her, his normally severe demeanor turning to one of delight. "Tez! Hi! What are you..." He fell silent as he noticed the cuts on her body and he stepped forward, his face turning serious with concern. "Oh, baby girl. What happened to you?"
He stepped forward, his hand open to her reassuringly, leaving the option to take it to her. His gaze scanned over the cuts and for a moment, he remembered staggering through the woods, half delirious, all those years ago. He blinked and looked up at her and his voice was low and soothing. "You did well, Tez. You did so well. You're okay, alright? You did so well. We have to clean you up a little, though."
She took his hand, looking stricken. There were tears in her eyes and she looked down, her voice a murmur. "I want to go home."
He hesitated before stepping forward, his hand coming up to push her hair back. "That's okay, siren. It's okay. Do you..." He sighed, his hand on her jaw. "When you say home, do you mean... out there?" He tilted his head towards the water, studying her carefully.
He sensed her trepidation and kissed her forehead. "It's okay, Tez. It's okay. Go into the water. I'll wait here until you're better, okay? I don't mind. Take your time."
"I'll be here," he said reassuringly. "I won't leave this dock, I promise. Go get some medical attention. I can't help you as well as they can, Tez, and I don't want you to stay here because of me. I'll be here. I'll wait for as long as it takes."
She wrapped her arms around him lovingly before pulling away and going to the edge of the dock, leaping in. It would only take a second for her to change, and her silvery tail would be visible skimming the surface for just a moment before disappearing.
He watched her go, his brow furrowed as his eyes strained to follow her for as long as he could. Finally, with a sigh, he sat down on the dock, putting down his bag and pulling out a pad of paper.
