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Rat is sailing slowly on the water they're out to collect samples, not too far from the facility not anchored in just letting the waves move the boat , they turned off the engines long ago to not scared the local wildlife
It's a nice day, quite warm as said samples are safely put away to be later analyzed
Finally some peace and quiet on their beloved waters that is until they spot something reflecting from under the water
The hell..?
As the boat approaches rat makes out a tail and fins too long to be a fish but they've never seen one this white after approaching closer rat was quite confused to why the creature wouldn't get startled knowing most mermaids were still quite weary of boats and people..
That is until they notice that the mermaid isn't moving which makes their heart sink .
The mermaid wasn't too far from the surface but still far enough that rat had to get a hook out not a sharp one but more blunt just to grab
They managed to hook the mermaid around the waist this wasn't a small specimen either rat concluded that this was an adult managing to get the other close enough where rat could take them out the water into the boat there was quite the struggle, they'd never mention that there's a chance the boat almost tipped over 3 times due to the mermaids lengthy tail
After a struggle rat finally holds the other in their arms finally seeing a pretty large wound on their side immediately wrapping it in bandages, they thought about stitches but weren't sure if the mermaid was entirely unconscious
They had a faint pulse.. breathing was shallow while pressing their fingers to the others neck to check they realized that this mermaid exhibited most characteristic of a warm water mermaid (around oceana) while their facility(rattenheim) was set in cold waters
Oh you must be freezing..
Managing to cover them in the emergency foil blanket (or whatever they are basically the stuff firefighters have) finally after securing them to the boat making sure the tail fit rat manages to get to the wheel turning on the engine and heading back to the facility, calling his management (astron)
:get a rehab room ready found someone injured
:tail or no
:tail
:how big boss?
:barely fit in my boat so 3 meters?
:got it boss
:also this one is a warm water no idea how they're here … plus well.. th- .. this is the weirdest color I've ever seen on one, do you think you could set the room in my quarters?
:I'll try rat.. don't get too attached ok?
The sail back is too long for their liking way,way too long as far as they know the mermaid could have already passed ..
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(Skip because I don't know anything about medicine)
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Their vitals seem .. ok for now the water is warm
Rat is sitting on the edge of the small pool his legs slightly submerged tho they couldn't be bothered to take off their socks like the freak they are
You are so beautiful..
This is the most iridescent white rat has seen on a mermaid they were taking notes trying to pinpoint place of origin based on their appearance
They figured out that this one has to be from somewhere around oceana they already told winsweep to show some pictures around to the locals
They began taking notes about appearance and speculations.. more for their own for fun..
Hey..
Rat is startled by astron who brought them food
You've been sitting with him for the past few hours
Handing their boss a bowl of egg fried rice
But you were right I've never seen anyone like that either , winsweep called he said he asked around and gave a few photos…
But no luck so far
So what are your speculations for now?
Rat sighs still looking at the mermaid
They're around.. 30? I think the Injury could have been caused by a hook if this was an accident.. but
I-
Hm?
This wasn't an accident.
There's no way that they could have survived in the cold water more than a few days.. not enough to swim that far especially if injured..
They were dumped most likely not too long from me finding them .. plus they've got a few bruises.. it's hard to see tho..
Astron sighs too.. they hate trafficking cases
You'll find what happened boss
Patting them on the shoulder astron leaves to tend to other duties
Rat sits watching the mermaid they nicknamed “perl” as the sun was setting.. wishing they could talk to this beautiful person.. they had got a dish from their presumed area in case they'd wake up, rat eats their egg fired rice peaceful when they feel a slight jostle in the water and discarded the bowl by putting it aside to kneel in the water as they watched “perl” open their eyes very slightly still quite hazy from the anaesthetic their hands squeezing on the water
..hello
Their eyes seem to look at rats direction then they move a little even their slight tail movement pushing them closer to rat
Their head tilts gently, they're confused rat just prays they don't start to freak out I'd be bad enough
But the mermaid seems to be too hazy to react letting rat gently hold them in place hooking they're arms under “pearl’s” shoulders , they gently grab onto them hands squeezing their arms seemingly for comfort their head kinda floppy falling on one side to the other seemingly too heavy to hold up above water, they just.. stay there .. rat is confused but they seem comfortable they sorta lay down on rats arms , eyes shutting gently again.. they're probably tired from whatever happened to them..
..this-? This okay? You're fine with this?
Usually mermaids or sirens hurt by humans want nothing to do with them so “perl” either wasn't taken by humans.. or already gave up.. plus rat isn't even sure if they speak English or will they speak at all
So they just hold them,rat now legally can't move it's like with cats they stretch their legs underwater as they lean against the metal wall of the container to just fall asleep, they're used to falling asleep in weird places but holding a mermaid is a first for this rat.
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Next morning
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Rat blinks a few times as his eyes are blasted with the sun from unclosed blinds .. before realizing they're in water before also realizing the mass against them .. the mermaid had their head against their chest tail laying still against their legs.. seemingly they woke up at some point and adjusted their position rat doesn't mind the fact except that they still can't get up.. that is until they feel the mermaid moving their face looking right at rat..
…You have big ass eyes dude
Big eyes are a trait of mermaids that live deeper underwater but not deep enough where they can't leave
The other blinks at them a few times before making some sort of scoff noise , at least they're not freaking tf out
So you do understand me…?
Small Nod
Okay that's.. that's great..
Mermaid continues to just look up at rat waiting for answers or just.. very curious or confused
Uhh.. yeah right.. so I'm rat its- it's my name..
I found you in the cold waters and now you're here.. can you tell me your name?
Blink
Righhhht.. not very talkative?
Small Nod
Oh this will be even harder than rat thought.. tho they do seem to understand.. so maybe not too bad
Um.. are you.. are you comfortable like.. like this?
They look down then back up at rat and nod slowly
Okay.. at least that's good.. are you talking because you don't want to.. or..?
Nod
Okay.. that's fine.. do you speak maybe sign? Could you tell me your name like that maybe?..
Nod
They sit up in the water with rats help still kind of against them .. they look at their hands.. they're shaking.. this concerns rat but maybe they're still defrosting or whatever..
They start signing
a-r-a-t-h-a-i-n
Arathain hm? That's a long name.. very nice.. suits you
Are you a guy or..?
Rat hopes for that very much.. mermaid pronouns are the most difficult thing ever if they get even slightly complicated.. some groups have different pronouns for times of day and if they're under or above water , they get very offended if you don't use correct ones
Arathain nods
Okay.. that's great.. are you hungry I've got uhh.. well
They reach for the bowl mermaid foods are much different since they can't be cooked most of the time so it doesn't look too good for land people
But Arathain seems to like it eating the whole thing in a minute or less
Hungry eh?
Arathain glares at them but continues eating leaning against rat seemingly too weak to hold his own weight still
Under their breath
..You are the most magnificent creature I've ever seen..
Rat was still quite mesmerized by the others beauty or just completely fascinated by the fact that this might be a completely new color mutation they'd get to study.. maybe a bit of both
That earns them a glare from Arathain who did in fact hear what was said stopping to eat for a second then continuing as if nothing happened
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I'd need to check your wound.. if the stiches didn't loosen in the water ok? And to change your bandaged
Arathain nods with hesitance
Rat takes him out the water placing him on a towel most his body still in the water
They sit beside him on his left cutting the soaked bandages gently and slowly as the press of the scissors makes arathains heart race.. rat can see and feel the way he moves away from the scissors or twitches when they're pressed.. to prevent him from sitting up during this and injuring himself rat placed their hand on his chest feeling his heartbeat, Arathains hand holds rats coat firmly.
When said bandages are removed rat can glance at the wound now.. it's stiched up but now brusing turning different shades of red purple and yellow around it.. rat now has to apply an antiseptic which they're worried about the most
I have.. to put this on the wound.. it will hurt you can hold my hand but please keep still so I don't hurt you more ok..?
They speak softly
Arathain nods unsurely but not like he has much choice
Rat helps him sit up so they can put bandages on him immediately after
Can I?
Arathain nods - continue
With a sigh rat does apply it shutting his own eyes for a second as Arathain let's out a pitiful whine starting to squirm and breathe harshly
Rat wraps his waist in the bandages then tries to lay him down on the towel but gets pulled by the hand .. Arathain does not want to be left alone.. not now.. not when it hurts so much
Rat pulls him into their arms as Arathain buries his face in their shoulder crying softly from the pain
As he eventually falls asleep again.. he deserves it.. it's been a tiring day for the mermaid
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Rat hasn't gotten up for quite some time but managed to grab their communicator and notes
And?:R
W: nope still nothing boss
Check more south and under he seems to be from there :R
W: got it
W: got a name?
Yeah ask for an Arathain:R
W: k
W: how's he doing?
He's sleeping I'm trapped over here: R
W:???
W: why??
Applied medicine he freaked out didn't want me to leave and he fell asleep on me again:R
W: AGAIN?
W: random ass guy living my dreams
Winsweep:R
I swear on folly:R
W: sorry boss🫡🫡🫡
Rat closes their communicator , and opens his notes, noting that Arathain has to be from a social community which he promptly tells winsweep, due to the fact that he's willing to be comforted by a stranger in a confusing space noting that it could be a trauma response but doubting that theory
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He puts back arathain in the water who's still asleep worried for his heath
(Mermaids have gills but they can stay out the water for a few hours comfortably tho it's not recommended if they're recovering)
Stretching with a huff
Note to self do not sit on the floor for 4 hours ever again
They definitely will do that again