Not So Into The Size Of This Thing (Open)

[ryocker]

Penelope looked panicked. "Um, h-hey, are you alright?" she asked.

[Monolilith]

Well, that REALLY jolted him - enough to screw up a note. Those white eyes, luminous now, lock on her frightfully, as if he's suddenly forgotten he's in a new reality. Then it all comes back, and he forces a breath in and out. "... yeah. I'm fine, kid. Don't... don't worry 'bout it. Just don't.

"Maybe a different song, yeah?"

[ryocker]

She gave a small frown. "A-are you sure? Those notes seemed a little weird..."

[Monolilith]

"I said it's fine!"

He winces at his own voice. It was harsh, harsher than he intended, and rather loud. He manages a mumbled apology, head ducking away.

[ryocker]

Penelope gave a gentle flinch, then looked at Nero again. "I-I was just checking on you," she offered.

[Monolilith]

"... i know. And I am sorry. I meant it." He manages to look at her, genuine sorrow in his eyes. "Let's... let's just not talk about it, okay? You did nothing wrong. Promise."

[ryocker]

The gal nodded, dusting some sand off of her green dress. "Um... So... do you live around here?" she asked. The answer was fairly obvious, but Penelope wasn't the type to grasp things quite that "in your face."

[Monolilith]

"I... no. I just got here." A pause. "Haven't found a new home yet. I have to live in water. Flowing water's best."

[ryocker]

"But, but..." Penelope looked around. "I don't think there's any flowing water near here... That's not a very good thing..." Her face tensed up, the young woman looking ready to start panicking.

[Monolilith]

"Oh, nonono! Don't worry!" His hands go out as if to stop her, expression twisting in fear. "I'll be fine! I can SURVIVE without flowing water, I promise I'll be okay!"

[ryocker]

"Okay!" The speed she recovered from what could have been a panic attack was astounding, to say the least. "So, you can live under water?"

[Monolilith]

A beat of confusion. Then, with wide eyes, he nods. "Y-yeah. I like water. I... grow things, too. But it's gotta be fresh water, 'kay?"

[ryocker]

Penelope curiously looked at the lake, tilting her head. "....is this fresh water?" she asked.

[Monolilith]

"Yeah. It's big, like... way too big, but it's definitely fresh water." He looks out across it again, brows creasing. He holds a hand out to the side, tilts it, then makes a low sound of aggravation. "There's a river in the... east, but it's drowning in fish. Only other obvious option is the ocean..." He mumbles some curse word in a voice too soft for the innocent girl to hear.

[ryocker]

"That's weird... is it possible for a place to have so few rivers?" she asked, confused. "How do we get you a home, then..."

"Peneeeelope!" another young teen's voice called.