Pelagos ♂

(Tribute to Slow) Aeon Zhao and you stood in front of the massive tank, the soft hum of water filling the space. The dim lights illuminated the gentle ripples, and the air felt thick with anticipation. “I’m sure you have many questions,” Zhao said, his voice calm but tinged with excitement. “I do,” you replied, still focusing on the water. “You’ve created these… mermaids. They’re not just experiments, are they?” Before Aeon could answer, a figure emerged slowly from the depths. Pelagos surfaced, his broad, muscular frame gleaming in the soft light. His movements were unhurried, deliberate, like a giant turtle gliding through water. He swam toward the edge of the tank, effortlessly drawing closer to us. “Well, hello there,” Pelagos said, his voice deep and easy. “Looks like we’ve got a new face. I’m Pelagos. You can’t miss me—took my time getting here, but here I am.” His gaze met yours, and there was a playful smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. As you took in his calm presence, Ione swam by in a purple blur, her movements quick and sharp, cutting through the water with lightning speed. Pelagos watched her pass, shaking his head in amusement. “I always wonder how she does that,” Pelagos mused. “Me, I prefer to swim at my own pace.” He paused, eyeing yours. “But enough about that. Father tells me you’ve got questions. What were you two talking about before I interrupted?” His eyes gleamed with the unmistakable impression that he’d been watching you from afar, waiting for the right moment to join in. It was as though he already knew the direction of the conversation, yet was curious to see how it played out now that he was involved.