Kelp - Tumblr Posts - Page 2
The behemoth
The final scanned image to a project that spanned more than a year in the making. The end feels happy and sad, but also freeing to return to a backlog of other ideas.
The seal with the spots is based on one I swim with up here, a nod.
Goldfish
Green eyelights met empty black eyes. Sans glanced over to his friend, more than a little curious as to what was going on. Kelp didn't blink. Neither did the fish in the tank. The older skeleton went over to the completely normal one, or, Sans thought Kelp was completely normal.
"Uh, buddy?" Kelp waved him away. "Kelp?" The younger fisherman finally blinked. And the moment that was over, he stared with an even more intense glare than earlier.
"Has that thing ever blinked?" He asked, finally turning away from his "adversary."
"Pretty sure it hasn't. It's a fish," Kelp took a moment to digest the words that had just been said. A soft ohhhhh came from the fisherman as he turned back to the goldfish. "It doesn't have eyelids, I thought you knew that,"
"I do! I just forgot," Kelp mumbled, his face flushing a light green. Sans patted him on the back as they continued walking towards the docks.
"Umm, Kelp?" Horror was shushed. The Great White nudged his landwalker partner. "Kelp?" The two sharks present shared a worried look for their two-legged mate. "Are you okay?" Green had been staring at gold for an unknown amount of time when- Dream blinked and shook his head. After a few more blinks, he looked back at Kelp, who was dusting off his shorts and slowly standing up. Once he was straight, he had a grin plastered on his face. The three mers were about to ask when-
"Hah! I knew it! You do blink!" He gave off a cheer, confusing his present company.
"Why wouldn't I?" Dream asked, confused, but completely adoring the sense of accomplishment Kelp was oozing.
"There's this-" Kelp struggled with the words for a moment. "Goldfish, and the damn thing never blinks. It doesn't have eyelids. But, you're a goldfish-" Dream let out a soft laugh.
"Kelp, I'm still a mer. Of course I blink," The skeleton didn't bother fixing his clothes to keep it from getting wet, he simply jumped in the water and hugged Dream. Horror and Dust joined in the hug, all three mers purring happily.
"That's even better. It means I win against that stupid fish. Because you're a leviathan and far superior,"
"Why were you even having a staring contest with it?" Dream asked, wiggling his tail with glee as he was surrounded by loved ones in a tight embrace.
"I- don't remember anymore... But! That doesn't matter," The three remained hugging until the mers had to return to the Depths.
Head Bonks
Two small leviathans swam through the sun-warmed water close to the surface. They were created together, twins, brothers. Dream, a warm, fiery goldfish with the power to boil entire seas. And Nightmare, a chaotic and dark entity who could smash boats and seaside towns with little to no effort with monstrous waves, all for his own amusement. Though neither had turned against each other. Not yet. They merely explored this new world they resided in, not remembering exactly how they came into existence. Dream laughed as he swam around his brother, trying to tempt him into a game of tag. When the octopus mer finally gave in, Dream darted away, an expert at avoiding his brother. Something that he couldn't see the true importance of. And wouldn't, for years.
When the two were finally done chasing each other around, they laid to rest. And Dream, ever so carefully, bonked his brother's forehead with his own. Nightmare let out an amused huff and threw a tentacle over Dream, wrapping him up in a gentle embrace.
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Nightmare was big. He knew that. He hated his tinier, weaker form. Ever since the incident, he avoided being in it if he could, but- Horror and Dream were curled up together, enjoying each others company. And Nightmare was envious that he too, couldn't be wrapped up in Horror's strong arms. So, for the first time in a long time, Nightmare allowed himself to be small. He approached his brother and the shark they had claimed as their own.
"Night-" Dream started before Horror scooped up the leviathan and brought him into the cuddle. The Great White pressed his skull to Nightmare's and gave off a deep rumble of a purr. He did the same to Dream and the trio drifted off into a calm slumber, Nightmare feeling safe enough to be so helpless since he received his injury.
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Evening had fallen, the Trench was dark as always. Two sharks and a goldfish were all snuggled together, seemingly asleep. A large figure watched over them. Nightmare was also in a half-resting state. Yet he noticed when the newest addition to their shiver- that's what Horror had called it anyway, stirred. As did the previously mentioned Great White. They were speaking to each other. About what, Nightmare couldn't make out. He scooped up the conversing duo and gently brought them towards him, leaving his brother to sleep on his lonesome. Not that he noticed.
"Are you alright?" Dust had tears in his eyes and pressed his forehead to Horror's, almost as if both seeking comfort and hiding. "It's alright. Nothing can harm you down here," Nightmare said as softly as he could. The tip of one of his tentacles stroked the distressed mer until tears no longer flowed from his sockets.
"Thanks," Dust said in a barely audible whisper, before swimming up and bonking Nightmare's large head with his tiny one. Nightmare returned them to Dream, who was still deep in the firm hold of sleep.
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Killer was wild, his energy and speed only matched by Dream's own. He was chaotic and loud, but a welcome addition to the shiver. Unlike the previous and quiet shared moments Nightmare had with the others, Killer's own moment with the leviathan was just as loud and unexpected as the shark himself. It had been after a semi-successful hunt. The trio of sharks had gone after a giant squid, resulting in a few injuries. And a large meal for the shiver to share. Killer had returned with the most harm done to him, and the twins were glad that the things that did that was already dead. Lest their powers once again wreak havoc on the poor, unsuspecting oceans.
Dream was busy cleaning up Killer's wounds whilst settled in his brother's palm when Killer gave him a bonk. Dream let out a surprised squeak.
"Thanks for patchin' me up Dreamy~" Killer said smoothly before worming his way out of the shocked goldfish's grasp. "And you too Night," He said, delivered another bonk to Nightmare- And promptly swimming off. Both twins sat in silence for a moment before Dream jolted up like he had been caught on a fishing line.
"Get back here!" He screeched, darting off in the direction Killer had swam off to. "I'm not done with the bandages!" Nightmare held back a laugh until he was certain his brother was out of earshot.
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How two ancient leviathans kept collecting sharks was a complete mystery to Nightmare. He honestly thought they were done. But no. Dream and Killer just had to find and bring back the oddest, strangest, most silly little mortal being and drag him into the Depths. Cross didn't know how to act, barely knew how to hunt, and was completely abysmal when it came to navigation. He didn't purr, or growl. He never growled, not as a warning, not even when facing down a confused Nightmare. And Cross also didn't give any of the others head bonks. Which made sense. He had only been with the shiver for a few months, but-
Nightmare slipped into his small form and swam up to where Cross was sitting, near motionless, by the entrance to the Depths.
"Hello," He greeted. His voice the same, yet also different. Smaller. Cross gave only a glance. Nightmare huffed before cupping the thresher's skull in his hands. Cross gave a confused sound before Nightmare gently knocked their foreheads together. They stayed like that for a few moments before Cross leaned back. "It's a bonk. An affectionate gesture." Nightmare explained. Cross took a small breath and repeated what Nightmare had done to him. A small purr escaped the octopus. Cross tried to mimic the noise and found that it wasn't hard at all.
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Nightmare had met Kelp before on numerous occasions, but this was the first time the two were meeting on the surface. Horror and Dust had accompanied him in his smaller form. They were both there more to quell his anxiety than for any actual protection. Even as small as he was Nightmare was ferocious and strong.
Kelp was waiting on the dock, feet in the water, when they arrived. He and Horror chatted for a bit, before Nightmare pulled himself up to sit next to the fisherman.
"Hi," He said, waving a tentacle as both his hands were fidgeting with each other. Kelp gasped.
"Hello Nightmare. I'm glad you trust me enough to show me your smaller side," Nightmare only gave a nod in response. Kelp used one hand to turn Nightmare's face towards him and gave the other a bonk, much like the ones Horror and Dust gave to him.
Free Day! - Legs
"Why did I agree to this?"
"Because it's Kelp's birthday?" Dream suggested as he got a feel for the new appendages he now donned. Nightmare was still in the water, his tentacles wriggling in agitation. "C'mon Nighty,"
"No." He growled. Dream glared and scooped his brother out of the water. The two teetered dangerously until the leviathan-turned-landwalker regained his balance and started to walk away from the ocean. "DREAM!!" Nightmare cried out, more out of shock and fear than anything else.
"We're going to see Kelp for his birthday and that's final." Nightmare curled his tentacles around himself, hiding his form.
"People are gonna see me," The octopus whined.
"Best start using your legs then," Dream shot back. Nightmare growled before allowing his tentacles to melt away giving way to an unsteady pair of legs. Dream smiled and set his brother down. Nightmare, already in a skirt Dream insisted on him wearing, clung to his brother as the fabric brushed against bones that hadn't been there. His legs were shaky and far too unused for someone who could do this at any time. "Lets get going!" Dream chirped as he dragged his stumbling brother to the house he knew to be Kelp's.
"Let me learn to walk, Dream." Nightmare said, digging his heels in the sand in a fruitless endeavor. Dream only continued to drag his brother along.
"No, because you're going to take all day just because you can," The grumpy leviathan admitted to nothing. Dream knocked on the door with a firm hand three times and stood back, waiting for Kelp to answer. The fisherman didn't take long and opened the door only moments later.
Now, on this very day, Kelp had invited Sans and his brother Papyrus to talk about a long fishing trip he was planning on taking. There was much talk about supplies and how Papyrus would fair on his own unless he wanted to join. It was normal. As was the knock on the door. Kelp was accustomed to helping people save the local marine life, so it wasn't uncommon for him to get people at his door at any time of day or night. But he had been greeted with a very unexpected sight.
"Dream?! Nightmare? How did you guys-" There was the sound of breaking glass causing all three to look into the house. Sans was standing with a confuddled expression.
"Hi kids?" The older fisherman offered a small wave. Dream promptly dropped Nightmare. The octopus fell into a boneless lump, not bothering to try and pull himself onto unstable, flimsy legs. He propped himself up on his arms and stared dumbfounded at the other leviathan in front of him and his brother.
"Sans! Where have you been?" Dream managed to get out. Kelp took it upon himself to help Nightmare into a chair whilst Sans floundered for a response.
"Uh- um... Just... around?"
"He's been here for at least 20 years," Kelp answered in an attempt to help. Nightmare hadn't released the fisherman yet, not trusting the wobbly stool Kelp wanted to place him on.
"We've been looking for you!" Dream exclaimed. "I have to tell the others and-" Dream was scooped up by a lanky skeleton and carried into Kelp's house. The door was kicked closed and Dream was set on the floor.
"We'd prefer it if you didn't," Papyrus said, brushing bits of shattered glass off his clothing. "Sorry about your window Kelp, I was hoping Sans would follow me and we could avoid the kids," The ray admitted sheepishly.
"It's fine Paps," Kelp assured.
"So, no telling Reaps and the others?" Dream asked.
"NO!" Sans and Papyrus shouted in unison. The goldfish flinched back.
"Geez, okay, okay." Nightmare had returned to his many-limbed form and taken to clinging to Kelp who was still trying to remove the octopus from his person. He pulled Dream over and clambered on top of his twin.
"Why did you even leave?" Nightmare asked from his new perch.
"Thought you kids would stop fighting," Sans said with a shrug.
"It did work," Dream acknowledged.
"Papy thought it wouldn't," Papyrus glared at his brother.
"I thought no such thing! I said that it would work, but it would still be a bad idea!"
"Hey, why'd you guys come over?" Kelp turned his attention to the twins, opting to ignore the bickering brothers in front of him. As well as the broken window and glass covering his floor.
"Oh. To wish you happy birthday!" Dream chirped.
"That's nice," Kelp replied, slumping against the wall to fight his oncoming headache.
Soulmate
"Do you believe in soulmates?" It wasn't a question Kelp was asked anymore. When he was younger, he heard stories of people finding their person, their soulmate. Stories of love and happily ever after. He might have believed in them then. When he was a child looking at the adults around him. Growing up though, he found that sometimes those stories ended in tears and broken hearts. He stopped believing in soulmates and a true happily ever after. And no, Kelp wasn't being pessimistic, just realistic. Things like that are just made to make the world seem like a better place to innocent minds. And, there is always the occasional story of everything going well, giving hope to other people.
But Kelp never fell in love. He wasn't given a real reason to believe or not. His calling wasn't to anyone around him, but the ocean and all her creatures. A fisherman he might be, but he had respect for the waters that provided him everything, his income, his food, his way of life. So he protected her as she did for him. Kelp took it upon himself to try and right the wrongs done by others who dwelled on the land. Everything from picking up litter to freeing marine life trapped in trash from the land. He saw just how awful it got. The wounds of seals trapped by fishing nets, he hated having to carefully tug the tangled strands from around the poor thing's neck, doing his best not to cause any further damage.
Oh how Kelp hated nets. So, when he saw a large creature trapped in one, he rushed to help. He met face to face with a growling shark mer who tried to get himself away, thrashing around and only hurting himself more. It pained Kelp to see him in such a state, could a mer even understand him?
"I'm going to help you," He said softly, setting his clippers down in the sand so that giant red eyelight could examine them. "I'm just going to cut to out, okay?" The mer stopped moving around so much and fell still. Kelp took this as a sign that he could probably start working. It was long and tedious, trying to free the shark mer. The net dug into his fins at places and it was tangled so much that his hands hurt from all the clipping. It seemed like it took hours, and it probably did. But eventually, Kelp got the mer free. He gave a small chrrp and pressed his head into Kelp's hand in a show of gratitude. "Need help getting back to the water?" The mer looked at the tide, which had lowered since Kelp had found him, and nodded. "Alright big guy, lets get you back," With a bit of effort, Kelp got the mer back to the water where he only looked back once before swimming away.
In the days following, Kelp noticed that his luck was looking up. He would catch far more fish than normal, hadn't lost any of his equipment overboard or off the dock, and the weather had been clear ever since, even though there was a high chance of storms for that week. He didn't think much of it, just that he had a lucky streak. So, with that in mind, he went to the dock to just relax. He had caught more than enough to keep him sustained for weeks to come, so he didn't have to be out on the water as much. Kelp could finally take a moment to himself.
The landwalker removed his shoes and dipped his feet into the water. It was cool and refreshing, something he- There was a loud splash and right in front of Kelp was the shark mer he had rescued not that long ago. With a bloody fish in his mouth.
"Umm, hi again?" Kelp had backed up considerably, staring at the mer. The fish was gently placed on the dock in front of him.
"Thank you," The mer said almost bashfully. He nudged the fish closer, single eyelight looking at Kelp for a reaction.
"Y-your welcome?" He took the fish. A purr came from the mer who promptly flopped onto Kelp's lap. There was a moment where the fisherman was thinking through all his life choices and wondering how on earth they got him here, but... Hearing the satisfied rumble from the shark... Kelp placed a hand on his head, mindful of the gaping wound, and just, pet the mer. They sat like that for quite a while before the mer bid him farewell and sunk back into the sea.
And the visits just kept happening. Kelp did learn the mer's name, Horror, and the mer his. They met and sometimes talked. Most of the time they sat in silence, looking out at the horizon.
And, for the first time in a long time, Kelp wondered again; are soulmates real? Because if they are, he had certainly found his.
"İnsanlara akılları ölçüsünde söz söyleyiniz"
Hadis-i Şerif | Hz Muhammed (sav)