The waters of the enclosure were calm, just the way Cor liked them. Dim light filtered through the kelp forests, casting shifting shadows over the rocky formations and winding tunnels that made up his home. It was a routine swim—gliding through his favorite crevices, brushing past smooth stone with the wispy edges of his fins, ensuring all was as it should be. His domain. His sanctuary.

Cor paused mid-motion, his long, elegant tail curling around a jutting rock as his crimson eyes narrowed. A flicker of movement, a ripple in the water—too deliberate to be a stray fish, too large to be one of those bothersome lobsters caught his attention. He tilted his head, ghostly hair floating around him, and inhaled, scenting the water. Another mer. Here. In his enclosure.

A slow smirk curled over his needle-like teeth.

"How bold," he murmured, voice barely above a ripple. His tail unwound in a languid motion, and he glided forward, winding between kelp and shadow like a specter, the smooth scales of his tail shimmering faintly in the dim light. He kept his movements slow, calculated—a predator sizing up unfamiliar prey.

The newcomer had his back turned, seemingly distracted by the shifting schools of fish buzzing about in the kelp strands. Cor took his chance. With a powerful flick of his tail, he darted forward and—SLAM!

His body hit a nearby rock formation with a resounding thud, sending vibrations and loose rocks rippling through the water. Just as quickly, he veered away, disappearing into the darkness. He didn't have to see the reaction to know it had worked—he could feel the startled flurry of movement in the water, hear the frantic heartbeat.

Oh, this was fun.

Circling back, he emerged again, this time at a much more leisurely pace, his expression one of feigned innocence. "Oh? A visitor?" His soft, melodic voice carried a teasing lilt as he folded his webbed hands together. "How terribly rude of me—I nearly mistook you for a trespasser."

His tail coiled idly around a jagged rock as he observed the other merman, his red eyes gleaming with amusement. "You must be new. I suppose that means Junhi allowed this." A contemplative hum, followed by a small flick of his finned ear showing clear distaste. "Strange. He usually has much better judgment."

Cor grinned, sharp teeth glinting. "It truly has been a while since anyone was sponge brained enough to flounder around in my waters. So tell me, little fish—are you here to admire scenery, or did you simply get lost?"