Noel Rinion
"Thanks...", Gavin replied attempting to laugh it off, "though I have not danced much myself personally, never had much need to if I am honest with you, I am just into my work too much", before looking back down at his clip-board as he returned to his console to check Noelās readings. Noel couldnāt help giggling at Gavinās shy response to Noelās inquiry regarding dancing. Noel began to feel that Gavin was indeed a shy person.
Gavin continued, "It is all starting to get a bit much if I am honest, I never thought when I started that I'd be doing all this and having your people hunted down like dogs. I love finding out about new things but not like this and now I am conflicted whether to help you or not as helping you would not help my father....".
Noel noticed Gavin ās cheeks were beginning to become stained with tears. Noel felt his own heart beat increase in pace. He was drawn to this human and Noel wanted nothing more than to embrace Gavin. The water level in the tank began to lower and the air pressure changed. Noel looked confused, was Gavin setting Noel free? The water was now completely drained in the tank and Noel sat at the bottom on the cold wet tank floor. Without the water Noel felt considerably weighted. His tail was not a very light thing, no mermaid or mermanās tail was.
Gavin approached the tank, placing his hands on the sides as he looked into Noel's eyes, "I'm helping you get out of here. Just do everything I tell you and I'll protect you like I promised, okay? The tank will lift once the air cycle is complete, so am I understood?"
Noel stared back at Gavin in awe. Gavin was truly risking a lot by helping him and Noel knew it. Noel shook his head to signify that he understood. āOkay. I will.ā Noel replied meekly. Noel was a bit nervous but Gavinās gaze helped to steady Noelās rapidly beating heartās pace considerably. The tank finally lifted. They didnāt have much time. Noel tried to remember his training so that he could levitate, it was all coming to him just fine. However, Noel was more concerned about how much energy he had. He was still tired from all the struggling he had done while fighting earlier. He began to rise from the floor of the tank and glided above the ground as if he were swimming in the water.
Noel smiled once more as he approached Gavin and opened his arms to hug him. Noelās embrace was gentle and surprisingly warm for a being that lived in the water. āThank you.ā Noel whispered as he embraced Gavin. He let go of the young man and looked about the room. He knew that Gavin was making a sacrifice to save him but Noel was determined to help Gavin too. āI donāt want you to get into trouble for helping me. If I had escaped on my own then it wouldnāt look as if you set me free . That way you wonāt get into trouble.ā Noel looked up at the tank behind him and had an idea. āI know what to do. Please lower the tank down again, then cover your ears as tightly as you can okay?ā
After Gavin followed the mermanās instructions. Noel focused his voice so that he could create a sharp high pitched sound that shattered the glass of the tank. Noel wasnāt able to do so from inside the tank as he could have popped his own eardrums due to the bouncing of the high pitched sound off of the glass while he was trapped inside. With the tank glass shattered now it was time to make it look like there were signs of a struggle. Noel turned to Gavin and apologized. āSo sorry but I want it to look like you hadnāt betrayed your job.ā Noel then raised his tail and swung it full force at the control council placing a large gash in it upon impact. Noel huffed and puffed, he was quite tired, he plopped down onto the floor. As Noel huffed and puffed he turned to look at his tail as he lay on the floor. āSorry Gavin, Iām too tired to levitate for much longer, Iāll have to walk on legs. Just give me one more moment, itāll be quick I promise.ā Noel said, and he waved his hand over his tail and fins as he generated heat to dry it out. After a few seconds his tail began to transform to legs.
[Noel upon transformation appeared partially clothed minus the shoes. See the picture below:]
Noel looked tired as he breathe heavily. A proud smile crept across his face as he looked down at his legs. He tried to stand up but his legs trembled a little. Before Noel could fall he caught hold of Gavinās shoulders. Now steadied, looking trustingly into Gavinās eyes, Noel said quietly. āSorry Gavin Iām ready now. Iām a little tired and Iām not so skilled at walking. Can you help me walk?ā Noel asked innocently.
Ibuki Nakoma
Oliver Rinion
Ibuki approached Beckman Labs carefully scoping out the area. It was a well guarded building, no doubt due to it being under government supervision. āThis wonāt workā¦ā Ibuki thought to himself. He decided that heād have to obtain Oliverās help after all if he was to save Noel. āHold on my friend. Iām on my way to help I promise.ā He said to himself.
The colony was bustling with people out in the streets, going about their day. Ibuki remembered where Oliver lived and ran as fast as his feet could carry him to his destination. Ibuki about 30 minutes later arrived at Oliverās home in the colony. It seemed Oliver was not home at the moment so he had to wait for his return. Ibuki simply waited outside the house on the front porch for Oliverās return. After a short while Oliverās car pulled up in front of the house and out stepped the stylishly dressed man.
Oliver recognized Ibuki immediately. A concerned look took over his face. āIbuki Nakoma what brings you here? Is Noel alright?ā Oliver said as he approached Ibuki who was seated outside of the front door of the house. Ibuki stood and let out a deep sigh.
āNoel has just been captured by hunters and brought to the Beackman Labs! I tried to stop it from happening but I was too far away to catch up with them before they entered the colony. We need to get to him fast! I couldnāt breach such tight security on my own.ā Ibuki explained, his face baring an intense stare.
Oliverās heart began to beat swiftly. He couldnāt bear the thought of anything having happened to his son. He clutched his forehead with his hand and paced back and forth. āH-How did this happen?ā Oliver asked anxiously. He stopped pacing and stared at Ibuki intensely.
āI saw him close to the dome. I think he was staring inside when the two humans cornered him. They roped him with a cable and dragged him into the colony. Youāve got to help me get into that lab!ā Ibuki would do anything to save his friend.