Ever since I could remember

[lemirio]

[In a world that was often as uncertain as it was for individuals like himself, Mirio's outlook on life was one of unbridled optimism, a trait that even his own parents couldn't keep up with at times. In this world, there were two sides and you could only ever fully belong in one: the side of the world of humans, and the side of those not fully...there. For one day, in an unexplained sort of genetic mutation, a child was born that was closer to half-beast, half-human than they were human. Since then, generations were being bred of these humanoid hybrids. Though many of them posessed incredible powers and abilities, they were not necessarily celebrated. The less human you appeared, the more outcast you would become until those who only had a shred of actual humanity left in them were seen more as attractions than they were actual people.

Mirio and his family had been some of the lucky ones. Their entire family was of hybrid lineage, but somewhere along the line a few family members came up just...normal. Or at least, that was the assumption at first. For under the cover of night, their true selves would show. Able to make their bodies incorporeal at will while the moonlight revealed the bones just barely hidden by the skin covering them. It was a trait that Mirio had found nothing but fascinating right from the very start, even when it started manifesting and he would suddenly slip through the floor unintentionally while his mother was trying to get him dressed for school. It was dangerous for him to go out even though he appeared human in every way, so for the youngest years of his life he spent them at home being homeschooled by his parents. It meant that he didn't have many immediate friends for a good while, at least until he could control himself and was allowed to go to school once he reached middleschool age. His parents were relieved at least to see him making friends pretty much immediately...it was hard for him not to, with the kind of personality he had.

But though Mirio loved everyone both human and non, he craved the companionship of those more like himself. Not just the passing to barely-passing kids at school, but the ones who were a little...different. The ones with horns and hooves for hands or wings and finned ears. Those people he wanted to meet, too.

During a low tide at sunset one evening, Mirio sets out onto the beach to comb the sand for interesting trinkets. Seashells, sea glass, lost treasures...he also knew that it was dangerous for him to be going out this close to dusk, but he was 16 now! He could handle himself if some stranger decided they didn't think he should be out here. They'd never be able to lay a hand on him anyway.

And so he presses on, occasionally stooping down to scoop something up from the sand and put it into a satchel he's got over one shoulder before continuing down the shoreline.]

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[tamakiyaki]

[Growing up, Tamaki always knew he was more than a little different. At home, it was fine - his family's more bestial members always presented strongly, while the rest could pass for human easily... but that tended to get them strange looks when out in public, like someone had decided to sleep with the family pet that also happened to be capable of speech and communication.

The result was a withdrawn, shy boy who saw to it that he withdrew from "polite society" early. There was extended family out to sea, and living there would be better for everyone involved. Maybe being around "his own kind" would even give him some confidence!

Yeah, probably not.

In no small part that's due to how often he drifts back to the shoreline, fascinated with learning everything he can about everything he can - including why being so different only mattered for some. He never was able to come to any conclusions. It's one such day, though, that sees him linger a little too long under a pier, listening in on conversations and losing track of time. Before he knows it, the sun is dipping low over the horizon, and the tide is rushing out. On a normal day, when he's expecting it, he would be able to follow the current and dart back out to sea. Today, he ends up rather embarrassingly caught stranded in a small pool, barely bathtub sized, with a long expanse of sand between himself and safety.

So he's left to decide if he's going to try and cross it, or if he's going to hide out here and hope no one notices him until the water level rises again.

He thinks about it for a whole ten seconds before hunkering down to stay put, barely peeking out over the edge just in case, and winding dark purple tentacles over exposed, pale skin, in the hopes that maybe he won't be all that remarkable at a glance. Just rocks here. Definitely not a boy.

Definitely not a boy watching another boy who looks to be around his age explore the seashore. Nope. Not at all.]

[lemirio]

[Poor little mer...unfortunately for his desire to stay hidden, Mirio is headed directly for his hiding spot, zigzagging his way across the damp sand. He's already collected quite a few shells and things, but he's mostly interested in seeing if he can find shark teeth. His father would always manage to find them when they came out onto the beach together, but he himself hadn't been so lucky yet. He's so absorbed in his exploration that he very nearly runs up on Tamaki before he spots him proper, but fortunately he's still a few good yards off before he lifts his head to brush his hair from his eyes and sees what really does look like a big giant rock. A purple one.] Woooah! [He drops the rock he'd been inspecting as he quickly makes his way over, lifting an arm to shield his eyes as he squints into the setting sun. It's framing Tamaki from behind and half-blinding him, making it difficult for him to discern if he's alive or not.] Did a big piece of coral wash up here? Haha, that's so cool! [He steps a little bit closer, reaching out to try and touch the surface of the "coral", which in actuality is Tamaki's tentacles still coiled up tightly around himself.]