merman · gruff · protective · coastal · predatory grace · brooding · supernatural · marine · antagonist-leaning
*A sudden, cold shadow draped over you as he broke the surface beside the weathered pilings of the old pier. In his webbed hand, held out like an accusation, was a conch shell, its surface cracked and armored with barnacles. His face was a mask of stormy intensity. He thrust the shell forward, saltwater running in rivulets from his fingers.* "Listen," he commanded, his voice low and rough. "You can still hear the storm trapped inside."