Mermaids in Palus (Chapter 4: Reunion in the Northern Wastelands)

[Black Clay Lord]

Chapter 4 of Mermaids in Palus

Longest chapter of the story.
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Aquarius follows Ajax without fail, staying very close to him. She had hoped that the Northern Wastelands would've been her first stop. But, she & Fontanne had explored a little bit of Nalac & met Aphrodite, sank in the Hollows with Demeter, and had a heart stopping encounter in the Merelands. But, at long last, Aquarius & Fontanne were finally arriving at the Northern Wastelands, where Ajax & his family travel & call home. She was glad to be here.

"You sure had a journey, didn't you?" Ajax asked. "That's not even the half of it..." Aquarius answered. "I was hoping we'd land here right away..." She then sighed. "And I had hoped not one of us would get hurt..." "Hey, don't worry about it." Said Ajax. Aquarius looked up to him. "It all worked out, hmm? I mean, you're here alive & well." He says. Aquarius just smiled. She knew his words to be true. She & Fontanne did indeed get here alive & well.

And as far as she was concerned, that's basically all that mattered to her. "So... Where's your family?" Aquarius asks. "We'll see them soon." Ajax answers. However, apparently, Ajax spoke too soon. As Aquarius spotted a most familiar man up ahead. "Hey, Amethyst!" She exclaimed. Amethyst raised his head. "Did someone mention me?" He asks, before turning to see his son, along with Aquarius & Fontanne. Amethyst smiled upon the sight most familiar.

"Well, well~." He says, just as Aquarius makes a beeline for the most beautiful man in Palus, and she proceeded to hug him immediately, and he was quick to return it. "How've you been, o beautiful one~?" Aquarius asks with a giggle. Amethyst chuckled. "Still the charmer of a beautiful woman I see." He says, smiling. "But I digress. I've been well." He then answers. "Have you been keeping well yourself?" He asks. "Yes actually." Aquarius answers, smiling.

Ajax soon approached with Fontanne still in his arms. "And who might you be?" Amethyst asks Fontanne. "I'm Fontanne, Aquarius's little sister." She answers. Amethyst nodded. "My, you're quite a lovely one." He said. His attention soon moved to Fontanne's ankle. "Oh, what happened?" He asks. "We were in the Merelands earlier, and I must've rolled my ankle..." Fontanne answered. "While escaping this ghastly black knight..." Aquarius says.

"It was fortunate that you escaped nonetheless." Amethyst said. "But, let's focus on tending to that sprain, shall we?" He then asks. Both Aquarius & Fontanne nodded as the quartet traveled up. The campsite was not too far away. Aquarius noticed the camp. "Finally we can rest..." Said Aquarius. "You sure had quite a long journey getting here," Said Ajax. "Honestly, I wouldn't blame ya for your fatigue." He adds. The sisters just nodded in response.

Aquarius entered a tent, and Ajax followed, setting Fontanne down gently. Amethyst soon entered with medical equipment of his trade. "All right, let's have a look here." Said Amethyst, examining Fontanne's bandaged ankle. Fontanne winched as her ankle was touched. But, she didn't fight Amethyst about it. Right away, she trusted that he knew what he was doing. Just then however, someone else entered the tent. Aquarius looked to see who it was.

And right away, she recognized who it was. She knew that imposing 7' tall muscular finger anywhere. "Garnet?" Aquarius asked. Garnet turned her attention to Aquarius. She then smiled "Well if it isn't Aquarius." She said warmly The two proceeded to shake hands soon after. "Glad to see ya!" Garnet exclaimed. "Glad to see you, too!" Aquarius replied. "So what brings you here?" Asked Garnet. "My sister & I came to see you guys again." Aquarius said.

Garnet looked to Fontanne. "Is this she?" She asked. "Yep. Her name's Fontanne. She's a year younger than me." Answered Aquarius. Amethyst soon finished healing Fontanne's sprain, and she was able to stand without incident again. "That feels so much better, thank you." Fontanne tells Amethyst. "You're most welcome." Amethyst says. "I uh... don't have any gold on me though..." Said Fontanne, but Amethyst shrugs it off. "Oh, don't worry." He says.

"Knowing you're up & about is payment enough for me." He goes onto say. Fontanne soon sees Garnet. "Hmm? Are you Garnet?" Fontanne asks. "That is correct." Garnet answers. "You're... a lot more imposing than I thought..." Fontanne admits. Garnet crossed her arms. "Did you think I would be as tall as you?" Garnet asks. Fontanne was about to say something, but... She ultimately decided against it. Garnet dropped her arms soon afterward.

"Hey, where exactly are you set up this time?" Aquarius asks. "Oh, I think you'll like where we're staying for a while." Garnet said, smirking. "Ajax. Take Aquarius & Fontanne east of here." Garnet orders. "I'll send Lea over soon after." Ajax nodded. "Follow me, ladies." He said, gesturing Aquarius & Fontanne to step out of the tent, which they proceed to do without hesitation. Ajax followed them out, but then put his hand on their shoulders immediately.

"Ajax? What're you doing?" Aquarius asks. Ajax just winked. "Close your eyes for me." He said. Aquarius & Fontanne blink at the order, but nonetheless do as they're asked, and Ajax leads them east of the camp. As he guides them, Aquarius opened her eye some; which Ajax catches. "Ah, ah, ah! No peeking." He chuckled, making Aquarius close her eye back up. But soon, the trio stopped. "Dang it, Ajax. What is it you don't want us to see?" Fontanne asks.

"Oh, you're mistaken." Ajax chuckled. "Open your eyes." Aquarius & Fontanne opened their eyes, and to their delight... Many, many pools of quicksand were seen. "Wow... Look at all that quicksand!" Aquarius exclaimed, giddy as a schoolgirl. Fontanne was just as giddy. Ajax chuckled. "Figured you'd approve." He said. Almost immediately, Aquarius & Fontanne head over to the nearest quicksand pit in their sight as Ajax watched over the two race downward.

Aquarius & Fontanne soon find a good pit to sink into right away. The two decide to dress into their bikinis once more, but just before they start to change, Aquarius noticed Ajax still observing them. "Do you mind, Ajax?" Aquarius asks. "Huh? Oh, sorry!" He answered, turning his back immediately. Aquarius & Fontanne then proceeded to drop their battle clothes, and are soon left standing in their swimsuits, which are still in great condition fortunately.

"Okay you can look!" Aquarius calls to Ajax. He soon turns back around to see both 1/2 Mermaids in their bikinis. Almost immediately, Ajax remembered the 1st time he saw Aquarius swimsuit clad, and thought how cute she looked in it. This time was no different, and the bikini Aquarius had on was even cuter, being pink & sporting polka-dot hearts all over. Fontanne's bikini was just as cute, but sported kitty cats instead of hearts, and was purple.

Just then, Ajax's sister Lea approached the party. "Hey, Ajax!" She said. "Is it true Aquarius is here?" She then asks. Ajax nodded, and pointed down to the pool of quicksand Aquarius & Fontanne were standing by. Lea quickly jumped down to the 1/2 Mermaid sisters. "Hey, Aquarius!" Said Lea, grabbing Aquarius's attention. "Lea!" She said, and the two embraced in a hug. "Good to see you!" Lea says, smiling. Aquarius nodded soon after.

"Good to see you, too!" She says. Lea looks at Fontanne soon after. "Hey, who's your friend?" Lea asks. "Oh, that's my sister Fontanne." Aquarius answers. "Hello there." Fontanne says. "Hello." Lea said, smiling. Soon afterward, Aquarius & Fontanne returned their focus unto the quicksand itself. "Are you going to step in with us?" Aquarius asked Lea. "You go first." Lea answers. "We'd like to know what you think of it." The 1/2 Mermaids didn't argue with that.

They then stepped into the quicksand, sinking to their knees. Aquarius was quick to recognize that the quicksand was the same exact clay that pops up across the Northern Wastelands. From here to there, from there to here, it's like clay was everywhere across this desert. Already, Aquarius & Fontanne were in love with how it felt. On top of that, it had a decent coolness to it as well. "So, what do you think?" Asked Lea, smiling a little bit.

Aquarius cooed. "It's so good...!" She said. Lea giggled from this. "From all that walking you've been doing, I wouldn't blame ya." She says. Fontanne's face flushed red, and that was all she could give off to justify her answer. However, Aquarius & Fontanne stopped sinking at their butts. "Huh? This pit's only butt deep..." Said Fontanne. But Aquarius had an ingenious solution. Instead of stepping out to search for another pit, she simply sat down.

Fontanne noticed, and followed Aquarius's lead, sitting down herself. The sisters relax from that moment on, enjoying how smooth the clay was, and they feel themselves getting rejuvenated. Yet Ajax had an idea. "Hey, ladies?" He says, garnering the 1/2 Mermaids' attention. "If it isn't much trouble, why don't you stay with us for the night?" He proceeded to ask. Aquarius & Fontanne look at each other, but it doesn't last long as they have their answer.

"Sounds like a nice idea." Fontanne said, smiling. "Great!" Ajax said. "We'll find you a tent when you're ready." He then said, allowing Aquarius & Fontanne to relax still. The twins nonetheless remained with Aquarius & Fontanne, but gave them their space all the same. Even as Aquarius rubbed clay on her shoulders. Fontanne did the same thing. "Oh by the way..." Lea started. "You two have really cute bikinis." She said. "Thank you." Aquarius said, smiling.

"They're a couple of our favorites." Fontanne added. "How on Earth are they not so easily ruined by mud though?" Lea asked. "Trade secret." The 1/2 Mermaids giggle. Lea did not inquire further after that. The sisters soon feel refreshed enough & stand up. Stepping out of the quicksand, Aquarius & Fontanne use water magic on themselves to clean themselves off, and they dry off soon after. "Finished already?" Asked Ajax. "Yeah." Fontanne answers, nodding.

The four soon leave the quicksand packed area, at least for now, and Ajax & Lea lead Aquarius & Fontanne back to camp. They come across Garnet, watching over the site. "Mother, do we have an unused tent?" Lea asked. "We do." Garnet answers. "Why do you ask?" She then asks. "Well... We invited Aquarius & Fontanne to spend the night with us." Ajax answered. "I see." Garnet says. "I see no reason to deny them a stay with us." She then says.

With that, Ajax & Lea locate the spare tent, and with assistance from Garnet, it was set up in little to no time. Accommodations were set up inside the tent soon after. "Here you go." Lea said, smiling. Aquarius & Fontanne step inside, finding a bed waiting for them already. "Before you go back, make yourself at home." Garnet says. This is something Aquarius & Fontanne do not hesitate to do, seating themselves on their bed once they're inside the freshly set up tent.

Relaxing, Aquarius & Fontanne tried their bed out, finding it was nice & comfy. Aquarius had been one of these beds before, so she was quick to revel in how it felt. Fontanne laid down on it herself, and just about fell asleep on it. However, that was interrupted when someone came into their tent. That someone was Amethyst. With him, he had some food & water. "Settling in already, I see." He said, smiling. Aquarius & Fontanne nodded to him.

Amethyst soon sat down, and handed Aquarius & Fontanne the meals he brought over. The 1/2 Mermaids were quick to accept the offering. They found that it was pretty meaty, but as it stood, they didn't care. All they brought were simple provisions; which typically don't last long after such a long trek, and it came as no surprise that these two were hungry. Right away, the sisters dug in. "This is nice & tasty~." Aquarius cooed. "I'll say it is." Fontanne said.

"Glad to hear it." Amethyst says, smiling as he dines with the sisters. "Food does taste better after much hiking, and even hard work. Wouldn't you agree?" He then asks. Both Aquarius & Fontanne nodded in full agreement. "Considering the excitement we ourselves went through..." Fontanne quipped. "Admittedly though, our first two stops weren't bad." She then says. "Where were you before the Merelands?" Asked Amethyst. "Well..." Fontanne started.

"1st we wound up in Nalac." She then says. "The river nation no doubt." Said Amethyst. "River nation, huh?" Aquarius asks. "That explains why there were so many down there..." She says. "Indeed." Amethyst simply said. "Where did you end up after that?" He asks. "A place known as the Hollows." Fontanne answers. "While in both those areas, we had a chance encounter with Aphrodite & Demeter." Aquarius reveals. Amethyst rubbed his chin some.

"Two members of the Azura Host." He says. "I hear Aphrodite's the most easy going, but Demeter? She can be troublesome." He adds. "I think we learned that first hand." Fontanne says. "But at least she let us go." Aquarius said. "Perhaps it was because we were on her good side?" She ponders. "It's possible." Said Amethyst. Nevertheless, the three continued to enjoy their meals until not a scrap remained; save for a bone or two. Aquarius & Fontanne sighed.

"That was delicious..." Fontanne said. "I shall let the chef know what you thought." Amethyst said, smiling as he took the dishes away. The sisters soon stand up themselves and exit their tent once Amethyst had left it. Fontanne then looked to Aquarius. "You think we should've mentioned seeing Artemis as well?" She asked her older sister. "Probably." Answered Aquarius. But, they decide to brush it aside, and instead focus on a different matter.

That being to find a deeper pit of quicksand to enjoy. But their return to the quicksand pits did not go unnoticed. Ajax spotted them both and he decided to follow them. But he wasn't the only one to do so. Amethyst spotted Aquarius & Fontanne heading down there as well. But he pondered if he should follow or not. Though Garnet simply smirked. "You should follow them, babe~." She said. Amethyst smirked. "Perhaps I will, love~." He chuckled.

However, he decided to do one better. Stepping into a tent, Amethyst had a rather interesting idea in his head brewing. Garnet knew what Amethyst was up to, but opted to allow him to do as he pleased. Aquarius & Fontanne meanwhile, were approaching a rather dark looking quicksand pit already, but as they got close to it, Aquarius felt a hand rest upon her shoulder. She looked back to see who was touching her, and spotted Ajax.

"Ajax?" Aquarius says. "Did you think I was going to let you & Fontanne be here alone?" He asks, chuckling. "You ask as if you want to join us." Fontanne notes. "Yes actually." Ajax confirms. "Ah, but would you care to make room for one more?" Someone said. Aquarius, Fontanne, and Ajax looked back to see Amethyst, who was clothed in nothing but a revealing bottom, topless, and adorning a towel in a most sensual way indeed.

The sight sent Aquarius & Fontanne over the edge. Their whole faces blushed red, and it was as if steam erupted from their bodies; namely from their noses & ears. They thought Ajax was hot, but Amethyst sure had him topped in that department. Amethyst noted the reactions of the 1/2 Mermaids, and chuckled. "My oh my, have I left you two speechless~?" He asked, smiling. Ajax looked over Aquarius & Fontanne. "I think you did, dad." He then said.

Nonetheless, Aquarius & Fontanne regained their composure. But they still remained red as a beet. "Holy crap I forgot how amazing you look!" Aquarius suddenly said out of the wild blue yonder. Amethyst just chuckled. "Thank you~." He then says, before strutting his stuff down to the quicksand. Aquarius, Fontanne, and Ajax followed. It never took long to reach the quicksand. Ajax & Amethyst allow Aquarius & Fontanne to step to the quicksand first.

And that was something they did not hesitate to do. The sisters braved the waiting quicksand, wallowing through it fearlessly. But before they realized it, they were already up to their knees in the quicksand. The clay that formed it was nice & thick, so it held the sisters in a tight grip. Aquarius pumped her legs, giving the impression of a halfhearted escape attempt. But that was interrupted when she & Fontanne were joined by Ajax & Amethyst soon after.

Now a sinking party of 4, the slightly churned quicksand held both men & both women at their knees, but not for long as their thighs were slowly beginning to be swallowed as well. And, almost immediately, Ajax wrapped his arms around Aquarius, but kept hers unpinned. She blushed deeply from this immediately. She had a flashback from her first sink with Ajax back on Olympus, and how could she not? It was there where she first met and sank with him.

And as Amethyst started treating Fontanne to a sensual massage session, he noted how deep Aquarius was blushing. "Something on your mind?" He asks. Aquarius nodded. "I'm having flashbacks from my first time sinking with Ajax..." She said. Ajax smirked upon hearing. "Oh, especially when I did... this~?" He said, moving one hand to Aquarius's shoulder, and started massaging it. Blushing deeper, it didn't take long for Aquarius to welcome the action.

Ajax at that point added his other hand to the mix, which Aquarius welcomed immediately, purring and squirming with delight. But as she did, she churned the thick quicksand, which caused both her, and Ajax to start sinking a bit faster. As a result, both were butt deep in no time at all. Ajax soon switched to simply snuggling Aquarius soon after, whereas Amethyst did the same with Fontanne, but Fontanne was worried about being seen by Garnet.

She felt Garnet might mistake Fontanne for trying to take Amethyst away from her. But Amethyst, sensing her worry, was able to keep her calm all the same. "Don't worry," Amethyst says. "She won't misjudge." "I hope not..." Fontanne said, but nonetheless settling down all the same. Nevertheless, they too were butt deep, though Fontanne shamelessly grabbed Amethyst's butt without hesitation, making him gasp, blush, and smirk, all in that exact order, too.

"My, my~." Chuckled Amethyst. "I didn't think you'd be the grabbing type~." Fontanne blushed. "Some things can't be helped..." She sheepishly said. But Amethyst didn't mind it. Nevertheless, as the four continued to sink, Aquarius managed to turn around and lock her eyes with Ajax's eyes, smiling sweetly up at him as she pressed her breasts onto his chest, and rest her hands atop his shoulders as well. Both Fontanne & Amethyst observed the sight silently.

This is as the quicksand kept on swallowing the quartet, too. But neither one really seemed to mind it one bit. In fact, the 1/2 Mermaids were just happy they were getting to be intimate with such amazing men in quicksand. Aquarius ran her fingers across the lining of Ajax's muscles on his arms, before running a finger or two through his hair. Fontanne did the same thing with Amethyst, and he was quick to notice. "Your hair is nice & fluffy." Fontanne giggles.

"Thank you~." Amethyst chuckled. Pretty soon, the quicksand was now at their chests. "Mmm, now this is more like it..." Fontanne moans out, blushing deep as her breasts were cupped by the quicksand. "You like going deep, hmm?" Amethyst asked. "Not just deep..." Aquarius answers. "We like going... Under." "Is that so?" Amethyst pondered. "I can confirm it." Ajax said with a light smile. "Well, no arguments from me." Said Amethyst with a smirk.

Amaethyst soon found himself in the snuggling embrace of Fontanne, as they were the first ones to sink past their chests, and down to their necks. Fontanne even kissed Amethyst on the cheek, leading him to blush a bit. "I think a most beautiful man," Said Fontanne. "Deserves a kiss from a most beautiful woman~." She then says, winking. "You flatter me." Amethyst chuckled. Just as Ajax & Aquarius sink halfway past their own chests, Aquarius giggled.

Then, catching Ajax off guard, she jumped up at him some, and locked lips with him, kissing him deeply & wrapping her arms around his neck. Ajax did not hesitate to return Aquarius's kiss & snuggle. And as they kissed, they wound up sinking a bit more. Aquarius held the kiss for as long as she could, only stopping once she & Ajax were at their chins. Fontanne & Aquarius tilted their heads back shortly after, preparing to be swallowed by the quicksand.

And sure enough, down they went as the quicksand rolled over their faces. Then, Ajax & Amethyst, spending a moment at nose deep, followed soon after. 4 bubbling indents marked where the quartet sank. The quicksand nest was silent aside from the bubbles. But, the silence was broken soon after. All 4 sinkers rose from the quicksand, welcoming the air back into their lungs; Amethyst & Ajax especially. They then clawed at the surface, managing to get out safely.

"Man, that felt so good..." Aquarius cooed. "Figured you'd say that." Ajax chuckled. The party soon washed off with water magic from the 1/2 Mermaids & dried off soon after. Ajax soon looked at the sky. "Whoa, the sun's going down." He said. "Why don't you two head back into your tent and we'll get you something to eat?" Ajax then offered. "Sounds like a good deal to me." Aquarius answers, prompting her & Fontanne to enter their tent once more.

"It's certainly fortunate we got here before sunset," Said Fontanne. "I'd hate to see the Merelands at night..." "Don't get me started..." Aquarius says. But, overall, Fontanne & Aquarius were glad to have made it to the Northern Wastelands safely. But as the sun begins to set on the Northern Wastelands, and with Aquarius & Fontanne staying for the night, what kind of nighttime antics will follow them here?

TO BE CONTINUED

Aquarius & Fontanne: Me

Garnet, Amethyst, Ajax, Lea: Sabbie