(open)

[seas_open]

While the event out at the Siren Cove Lodge and Resort hadn't been a bad way to start off in a new town, April hadn't bothered trying to get a room, instead opting to return to her apartment in town. She supposes she might have been able to find someone willing to share, but she's not quite prepared to jump into such arrangements, instead choosing to watch those around her, interacting with them to test the waters and see what they might be able to do for her.

Today she's doing a bit of exploring. She walks the boardwalk, looking into store windows as she goes -- a few of them are closed, their owners out at the Lodge, she expects -- and then through town. She passes the library, a police station, several cafes and small restaurants. Thus far she isn't sure what to make of Siren Cove, if the name has anything to do with what she might find or if she's just killing more time before she has to move on again. There's a part of her that wants to find nothing except a little bit of fun, but there's another, quiet part of her looking for something more. Some explanation as to what she is, where she's come from.

She's wearing a cute summer dress and a pair of strappy heels and she's dressed this way with intention. It's a sweet, approachable look and yet the heels are just unstable enough for it to look genuine when she trips, one ankle twisting as she reaches out for the nearest passerby.

"Oh, god, I'm sorry," she says, laughing at herself, looking faintly embarrassed. "It's these shoes. Are you alright?"

Comments

[seas_open]

Briefly, April's gaze flicks toward the water before she looks back to Bach, a smile curving the corner of her mouth. "I am especially good in the ocean," she agrees, making note of his talk of fangs and claws. Through her own hands remain unchanged when she does go through her transition, she's more than familiar with the concept of fangs and her tongue runs over the tip of one canine before she wets her lips.

She hasn't changed in some time, she has no interest in revealing herself now, to this man, but the way he speaks intrigues her and that's more than enough to want to keep him around. "Any woman who's been on her own since she was a child has seen danger. Maybe it's just not the kind you're talking about."

[bachjones]

"Teach me your ways, I still can't swim."

"And you're one of those women, April? I should warn you, I'm bad around any woman that comes in human shape. You are allowed to swing at me when it gets too much."

[seas_open]

"Don't worry about me, handsome, I've got a great left hook," she says and although her smile is teasing, she's not lying. Physical altercations don't happen often, not when she can usually charm herself out of such things, she knows how to fight if necessary and the taser stored safely in her purse is a great asset.

"You don't know how to swim?" she asks. "Tell me you at least know how to float. We can always work up from there."

[bachjones]

He runs his hands through his hair, smiling for the image of little blonde giving a mean hook. "I am without worry. When it comes to that, swimming, I don't know. The last time I tried to float, the woman with me turned into a scaly monster."

So maybe Bach shouldn't have said that.

[seas_open]

"A scaly monster, huh?" April echoes, her eyebrows lifting curiously. He could mean almost anything, but between what she is and the name of the town, she can't help but wonder if he's met another siren. She pretends to find it amusing, even smiles a little, but she's already thinking of ways to find out this woman's name.

"Well, if there's one thing I can promise, it's that I won't grow any scales," she says and she can bank on that. It's been a long time since she's accidentally revealed her nature to anyone and she has great control over it, even in the water

[bachjones]

"And I will hold and cherish that one problem. You won't give me hiccups either?" He scoots a bit closer. "Don't make me fall in love with you."

[seas_open]

"Now that I can't promise," she teases, her gaze drifting down the length of his body and then back up to his face again, a smirk still lifting one corner of her mouth. "Especially if I teach you how to swim. Don't forget, I told you that I'm especially good in water."

There's time yet for her to feel out how she might best use it, but she can't deny that he's interesting, that she's having fun. And sometimes fun is all she needs.

[bachjones]

"You're going to make me fall in love by teaching me how to swim. I never heard that one before. Or were we still talking about hiccups?"

[seas_open]

She could make him fall in love just by singing a few notes in his ear, but it takes time to find the right song for the right people, and April's never had much use for love anyway. For now she only smiles and rolls one shoulder in a smooth shrug. "You've never seen me all wet," she points out, her smile innocent. "You have no idea what that might do to you."

[bachjones]

"I definitely would, but I can tell you already that it won't do anything with me anymore. Except remind me of everything I've lost and how it's no fun without bullets in the gun."
He licks his lips. "That was bad, I'm sorry."

[seas_open]

"Well, isn't that tragic," she comments, an eyebrow arching, her smile returning to her tried and true smirk. "I can't say I've ever heard that kind of response before. I'm almost not sure what to do with it." Except she knows exactly what to do with it. It's a challenge.

That's Bach's purpose, she imagines. It's unfair and cruel of her to think of using him in such a way, but she's never been able to resist a challenge.

[bachjones]

"You wouldn't be the first, and that's okay. We can't always be the first, can we? Just as long as you don't worry your pretty little head over it. We'll both be okay. Do I need a swim suit for classes?"

[seas_open]

"You'll find I don't spend much of my time worrying about anything," she answers, resting one hand on her hip as she glances down the length of his body again. "I'd suggest it, if only so you don't scandalize the locals. It wouldn't be much of a lesson if you were arrested for indecent exposure."

[bachjones]

"Wouldn't be the first time either." He follows her gaze. "Maybe the locals are just too easily scandalized. Wouldn't I be under water most of the time anyway?"

[seas_open]

"If you're more comfortable swimming without a suit, I'm certainly not going to be the one to stop you," she answers, her shoulders lifting in a shrug. "I might wear one of my own, though. Just in case."

[bachjones]

"I just don't own one, yet. Just in case you feel uncomfortable with shocking people? I understand. I'm like that."

[seas_open]

"Swimming naked isn't the most shocking thing I've seen or done," she assures him, letting her gaze drift past him to the ocean briefly. "I doubt it's the most shocking thing most people have seen or done."

[bachjones]

He inhales deeply, keeping the water close. "Wanna share what was?"

[seas_open]

"Oh, no, that's strictly third meeting material," April answers with a smirk. "You give everything up right away and no one wants to keep you around anymore." She never gives everything up, not even after months or years of knowing a person, but he doesn't need to know that.

[bachjones]

"Maybe this will be our first and last meeting." He loosens his scarf, unbuttons his jacket. "The way you make my temperature rise, I might not even survive this one."

[seas_open]

That gets a laugh out of her as she pushes her hair back behind her ear. "One second you're telling me that getting in the water with me won't do anything for you and the next I'm making your temperature rise?" she asks, amused.

[bachjones]

"You're hot, it just doesn't start anything right now. You must know that. The first part. The second might be a first experience for you."

[seas_open]

"No. Not all men are interested in what I have to offer," she answers, but she's studying him curiously again. It's true, she knows she's not to everyone's taste, though she does try to figure out what it is people like and work with that. "You said it doesn't start anything right now. What's different about now?"

[bachjones]

"Gay men?"

He takes a step back so she can have a better look. "Few weeks, to be honest. Complete shutdown, barely bother to breathe these days. Although you look like a reason to go on."

[seas_open]

"Gay men, men who are genuinely in love," she answers, one shoulder rolling in a smooth shrug. Though April has never been in love herself and doesn't imagine it happening any time soon, she believes in the power of it well enough. She's seen it at work.

"Barely bother to breathe," she echoes, tilting her head. "Something bad must have happened to cause that kind of shutdown."