Ocean's Breath Plateau scarabs

His body had been so light in the water, but as he returned to shore, Machi couldn't help but balk at the weight of gravity pulling him down, down, down, anchoring him to reality and away from the colorful aquatic fantasy he was leaving behind. Oh, how he yearned to return to the water's embrace! To regain that truly beautiful grace and fluidity that had so briefly been his.

If he were mer in the waves, then on land, he was more like a bedraggled, drowned rat of a man, with fur clinging to his slender frame like a toddler's crayons doodles to a rented wall.

You're far too generous, your eminence, Machi lauded, flashing Senmut a grin equal parts charm and soggy despair. With a formal nod, he accepted the skin, wrapping it around his shoulders with a flourish, his every movement punctuated by the soft plop-plop-plop of water droplets hitting the ground.

Too dignified to shake himself off like the wet dog that he was, Machi instead cleared his throat, opal eyes darting to the ground before meeting the pretty jade gaze once more. Is there anything I can do for you, excellency? he asked, hoping to divert attention from his less-than-charming state, voice tinged with a hint of humor despite the awkwardness of the situation.