Mossatee Madness

[sereneadherent]

🧙 WHO: Marianne and YOU
⚔️️ WHAT: Marianne can't help but fall in love with the sweet new sea mammals whose babies keep rolling onshore. It's enough to push her past one of her biggest fears about her magic. Come chat with her and the mossatee, or help her with a dilemma after she changes back from being one...
🕒 WHEN: early July
🗺️ WHERE: along the beaches near the old docks
⚠️ WARNINGS: non-sexual nudity in one prompt





I. Animal Friend

[Marianne is very interested in the new aquatic mounts that have arrived from the Kingdom of Elphame. Not because of where they can take her, but because of what they are. She loves all animals, but beasts of burden hold an especially fond place in her heart. The small warhorse from home that often follows her around is proof positive of that.

The mossatee are especially endearing, being gentle giants that are a touch clumsy and currently tending to their young. The babies that end up on shore aren't so large yet that Marianne can't help them back into the water. The first few that she helps are collected by their parents with little more than a 'thank you' along with the Inspirioss spell, but over time (and several days) the mossatee start to linger and chat with her.

As such, Marianne is currently sitting at a dock, shoes and socks carefully laid next to her as she soaks her feet into the water. A few bundles of purple flowers have sprouted from her head, but she hardly seems to notice or mind them. After so many days of rescues, she's come to expect the side effects of Inspirioss (which the mossatee insist on casting even after Marianne tells them that it's not necessary, as she's happy to help for their company and friendship in return).

She kicks her feet gently as she laughs, chatting more easily and comfortably than she does with most people. ]

Is that so? I feel sorry for the poor rider. I'm sure he was trying his best.

[The mossatee responds with a squealing noise, prompting more laughter from Marianne.]

Well in that case, maybe he deserved it a little.

[Feel free to come see what this is all about?]


II. Becoming the Mossatee

[Pippin, her robin familiar, is the one who starts the idea of Marianne joining the mossatee using her Animal magic. Knowing that it's a non-starter for discussion on Marianne's end, he instead mentions it "casually" to the mossatee themselves and steps back to let them wear her down.

The creatures are friendly in their persistence, the little ones eager to play and show her their favorite spots while the elder ones are happy for another pair of eyes on the babies, however temporary. Marianne deflects at first, but ultimately she doesn't have the heart to turn them down. After much consideration and prayer (and a little bit of crying), she prepares for her first animal transformation. She keeps in mind what Kainé told her not long after she arrived: if she believes in herself, she should remain herself no matter what form she takes.

It turns out to be the truth. It takes a couple of attempts to do properly, and ultimately Marianne as a mossatee is still a bit too small and an unnatural shade of blue, but she gets it down well enough to go swimming with them. Far from the mindless beast she feared she would be, she's every bit herself the whole time. It's strange, to be so acutely self-conscious as she rolls around and dives and splashes, but in a relieving sort of way rather than the usual mortification that comes with the feeling. She makes a note to share the news with Claude. He'll be glad to learn her fears were unfounded and the burden lifted.

Marianne ends up spending the night with them, too tired to change back after a day of swimming and playing and being shown around and taught some of their secrets. Thankfully, natural instincts allow her to settle into the how of it so that she doesn't accidentally drown herself while sleeping. As unexpectedly nice as her experience with the mossatee has been, that would be an awful way to go.

The following day, Marianne bids her new friends farewell for now and--again, after a few tries-- manages to transform back to her human self...]


III. Exposed

[...at which point she realizes that she has no idea where her clothes have gone to.

With a shriek, she runs to take cover behind a large rock among some foliage. As people approach, she swallows back every instinct she has to keep hidden and calls out.]

E-excuse me? You wouldn't happen to have a coat or a blanket you can spare, do you?

[Please help her. :c ]

Comments

III Exposed

[flame_emperor]

The shriek brings Edelgard running, fearing that someone might be in danger. When she arrives however, she finds only rocks and brush, no sign of anyone in danger. But then a familiar voice calls out. "Marianne?" Edelgard calls back. "Where are you? Are you hurt?" Wait, there was a question, wasn't there? "Ah, I have my cape with me. Why? What's going on?"

[sereneadherent]

Thank the Goddess that this is Edelgard and not some random stranger. It's still plenty embarrassing, especially since they're still getting to know each other in several ways, but the familiarity keeps it from tipping into the sort of mortification that would make her want to crawl into a hole and die.

She peeks out from where she's hiding, her eyes and a mess of still-wet blue hair rising over one of the large boulders nearby.

"I'm not hurt. I just, um. Lost my clothing."

Nothing suspicious about that sentence at all.

[flame_emperor]

"You...what?" Now that's a sentence Edelgard never expected to hear from the Edmund heir. However, the bit of exposed shoulder she can see as Marianne pokes her head over the rock are proof enough even if she wasn't already inclined to believe Marianne's story. It's not like the girl was prone to making things up, after all. Edelgard shakes her head; that doesn't actually matter right now. Her hands come up and quickly unclasp her heavy red cape from around her shoulders. Being mindful of the view, she offers it over the boulder to Marianne.

"Here, quickly. It should give you adequate coverage."

[sereneadherent]

Marianne winces a bit at the question. It's likely a result of surprise and not admonition, but she still can't help but worry about what Edelgard might think of the situation. How she got to this point isn't anything untoward, but it's a reasonable conclusion for someone to make. Honestly, no matter what the cause it's a pretty shameful state of affairs.

"Thank you." Marianne takes the cape and wraps it around herself before standing. It's still less coverage than she'd prefer, but at least she's covered. At the very least, it's enough for her to blend in with the other morning beachgoers--someone could easily mistake her for a person with a minimal swimsuit under a towel.

She tries, and fails, to make eye contact with her savior once she's on her feet.

"I'm sorry to trouble you with my carelessness, Edelgard."

[flame_emperor]

"Don't be. I'm just relieved you're all right." Edelgard replies. "I apologize for my outburst. I was caught off-guard." The cape certainly helps, but she can tell Marianne is still uncomfortable being as exposed as she. is. Edelgard can't blame her. There's a reason she always dresses with nothing below the neck exposed, after all. She takes up a position in front of Marianne to do what she can to keep prying eyes off her. It...isn't much, unfortunately, but she's going to do all she can to help.

"We'll need to get you some replacement clothes. Do you..." She hesitates, trying to find the right words that won't cause further embarrassment or distress to Marianne. "...Do you have any idea where your original clothes might have gone?" She asks. "I can go look for them if you think they might be nearby."

And if someone perhaps stole them, Edelgard will happy go have words with them about their funny little "joke".

III

[gunmettle]

[ He really thought he heard someone scream over here, but looking around he can’t seem to find anyone who’s in danger. Perhaps there’s something in the lake that’s teasing him, some weird fish that’s been magicked to mimic a human shriek.

Hey, it’d fit with what he knows of this place so far.

Still, Juzo thinks he ought to look around a bit, and is just about to start down the shore when someone calls out to him. He turns, curious, the sun catching on the steel of his head. ]

You okay there?

[ He’s yet to realize she’s naked. ]

[sereneadherent]

[WHAT CONTRAPTION IS THIS POOR SOUL'S HEAD MADE OUT OF?!

Despite herself and all politeness, Marianne can't help but stare for a few moments, after which she's rewarded with the glare hitting her eyes. That's deserved, she reasons as she recoils and rubs the sting out of them. The brush she's currently squatting in rustles as a result.]

U-um. Yes. I just. Um.

[This would be difficult to ask even under less bizarre circumstances, but his appearance and the fact that he is a man and this is not even slightly a proper situation for a lady such as she isn't helping her nerves at all. When she finally does get the words out, they're barely audible.]

I need something to cover myself.

[gunmettle]

[ Were Juzo a bit more observant about that kind of thing, he might call the rustling of the leaves uncomfortable, but for the moment, he remains ignorant of her situation.

It’s not a very long moment, granted. As he takes a few careful steps towards her hiding place, her words, quiet as they are, smack him right in his big metal face. ]

Something to… cover…? Oh!

[ Oh god!!!!! His barrel instantly turns away, and despite the lack of expression on his face, his whole body screams embarrassed. ]

Y-you’re not hurt are you??

[sereneadherent]

[Did he see anything?!?!!?! Why else would he be looking away so suddenly???

Marianne shrinks further into the brush, pulling her knees to her chest to try and cover herself as best she can.]

N-no, I'm not hurt.

[Aside from her dignity. That may never recover at this point.]

Nothing terrible happened to me, I promise. I just... lost my clothing...

[Note to self: pack a bag next time she does this.]

[notcethleann]

[Ah, there is truly nothing like a stroll along the beach to collect seashells and breathe in the lovely sea air! And to listen to the wonderful sounds: the rhythm of the waves, bird calls overhead, a shriek—-wait, what?

With one hand keeping her broad-brimmed sun hat on her head, she runs toward the sound. When she arrives there doesn’t seem to be anyone there, but then she hears a familiar voice.]

Oh, Marianne! I cannot seem to find you! Are you perhaps behind that large rock?

[She starts walking toward the rock to find out.]

It is all right, Marianne, it is only me, Flayn! Are you quite all right?

[sereneadherent]

I'm fine! Don't come look!

[The last thing she wants to do is corrupt Seteth's baby sister with her nudity. Surely, he'd find out somehow and she would be thrown out of the Church forever.

The fear makes sense in her own mind, at least in its current panicked state.

Eyes wide, she rises out of her hiding spot just enough to expose her head to the other young woman.]

I tried to use my animal magic and lost my clothes.

[notcethleann]

Oh! Oh, no. Oh, goodness, I am certain that must be absolutely mortifying! Were I in such a state, I would be quite flustered indeed. Ah...I am afraid I have no blankets or coats, but I do have...this!

[A thin, gauzy beach coverup is flung over the rock. It's probably a lot sheerer than Marianne would like...but it's what Flayn's got.]

Wherever did you leave your clothing before you attempted your magic? Perhaps we can go and search for it together.

[sereneadherent]

[It's certainly less than Marianne would like, but beggars can't be choosers. Marianne's grateful that Flayn had anything at all.]

That doesn't prevent Marianne from practically folding in over herself when she steps out from behind the rock, however. She's doing her best to cover herself up. Luckily, it's still early and the beach isn't terribly crowded. Hopefully Flayn won't be too scandalized.]

Thank you, Flayn. For the coverup and for understanding.

[She looks up and down the shoreline, her brow furrowed in thought.]

I'm not sure. And since I was gone overnight, I'm not confident that a search would even by worth it. The tides have probably washed them away by now.

III

[notwearingthekeds]

When you hear a scream, you head towards it and see what's up. That's just- the right thing to do when someone is in trouble. Izzy, of course, does it by walking up the side of the rocks. Letting her magic flow to the tips of her fingers and soles of her feet to take her up the rocks like she were on flat ground.

"Hey are you oka-" Wow that's a lot of naked. Izzy will just let herself down on the other side of the rocks, giving the lady her privacy. "You get drunk and lose your clothes or something?"

Adults do dumb things like that right?

[sereneadherent]

The sudden (to her) appearance of a teenager just makes Marianne cry out again, flailing to cover herself and somehow managing to expose herself further to the girl before she slinks around the rock. She's pretty sure she's lost at least a year of her life from that scare. Possibly two.

"N-no, I didn't get drunk." Her voice is high-pitched and scandalized at the question. She's not that kind of girl! "I went swimming with the mossatees and don't remember where I left my clothes."

Which makes it sound like she was skinny-dipping, which is equally immodest, so she quickly adds: "As a mossatee! I have animal magic."

[notwearingthekeds]

Well, this one is reminding her of Yuzu. High strung, animal magic. Okay- so, there are other things that are very different but that is not the topic at hand.

"I keep forgetting magic is the more reasonable answer to the bullshit here." Izzy dismissed the idea that this woman was 'that type of girl' because she is pretty sure this one would faint at the idea of showing ankle to anyone. "Well, I can't really give you my clothes. You're too tall, and way too busty to wear my things. Plus then I'd be naked and not a chance."

Izzy!

"Wait... If you can turn into an animal, why not just turn into something else until we get to a clothes store," Izzy realizes the flaw in her plan because this has happened to her before. "And then I buy you an outfit there because I doubt you have a wallet hidden on you right now."

[sereneadherent]

"Busty?!" The description, while accurate, just manages to make Marianne blush with further embarrassment. Clearly, she saw more than just a passing glance. Or is her bosom just that obvious?

Although Marianne forces herself to calm down a bit and consider the suggestion offered. "Actually... I'm still new at it, but I think that's a good idea. I can pay you back for the clothes once I can go back to my room." The prospect of being an animal, now that she's done it once, is a lot less daunting than it once was.

Let's Go With II!

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[Darin had always had a soft spot for animals. When you grow up with no friends your age and most people either afraid of you or hate the very ground you walk on, you quickly find that animals don't care what you were born for. And maybe it was the fact that it was often animals that people would mistreat without a thought that made them feel like such kindred spirits.]

[So, when he heard about the mossatees giving birth, he couldn't help himself. He was down at the beach making sure nothing happened to any of the babies. Taking the advice of the locals, he does his best to roll the mossatees down the beach to the water when it looks like they're straying too far or they're drying out.]

[When he spots a particularly smaller one that looks a little off-color...well, Darin takes that as a sign that maybe this one needs to get to the water.]

Don't worry, little guy! I've got you! Come on, this is a lot of fun!

[Sorry, Marianne, but it looks like Darin is going to be gently rolling you into the water.]

[sereneadherent]

[Wait, what is going on? Is... is that Darin who's rolling her toward the water?

Without thinking, Marianne yelps and flails a bit in an attempt to get his attention.]

Wait, it's me! Marianne! I don't need help to get to the water, but thank you!

[What he hears is a series of distressed mossatee sounds. Her animal friends, for their part, find the situation hilarious and charming--he means well, after all!--and are happy to sit back and watch it play out. One even points out, helpfully, that he has the same hair color as her.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Heeey...relax, little guy! I'm a friend! Here, I bet I know what'll calm you down.

[He rolls Marianne onto her back and starts scratching beneath her left flipper...like he was rubbing a dog's tummy to get their leg kicking.]

Isn't that nice? Yeah, it is, right?

[sereneadherent]

[THIS IS REALLY WEIRD AND PROBABLY INDECENT.]

H-hey...!

[Which, of course, comes out as more mossatee noises.

Also, the animal instinct part of her does really enjoy the attention. No wonder animals like being petted and handled this way--it feels nice, so long as she doesn't think too much about it. Despite herself, Marianne finds her body relaxing as she lazily wags her left flipper in response to the scratching.

Giant mossy sea potatoes aren't really designed for prolonged stress, as it turns out.
Probably for the best.]

A

[mayoninofukucho]

[Hijikata notices Marianne's animated conversation with the mossatee and decides to see if she can give him some tips for riding them, seeing how animal magic users should have the best information on that, but as he gets closer he notices the plant life on top of her head. He hasn't really helped the gentle lake-dwellers with their babies at all, reserving his strength for dirtier work, so it's quite the surprising sight to him.]

Sorry, Miss, but are you aware that you've got flowers growing out of your hair?

sorry for the late reply! life ate me for a bit there.

[sereneadherent]

Oh?

[Marianne looks up and feels the top of her head and pats the flowers blooming there. Right, that happened earlier.]

I'd almost forgotten, thank you. They're a gift from the mossatee here, as thanks for helping their young.

If it bothers you, I can pluck them?

No worries!!

[mayoninofukucho]

No, I don't mind! Just, doesn't it worry you? What if the roots grow into your brain or something?

[Sure, the mossatees appear cute and harmless, but also really clumsy... have they really thought this all the way through before casting such a spell on humans?]

[sereneadherent]

Oh, no, there aren't any roots to worry about. They're just stuck to the scalp, like fresh-cut flowers.

[To demonstrate, she reaches up and plucks the bundle of flowers from her head and hands them over to him.]

See? It's a completely harmless side-effect of their inspiration spell.

[She pauses, then adds.]

But thank you for your concern. I don't think many people would have thought of that.