It had been a while since his last time in the waters of Jasumin, though today Gerard was decidedly more tense than usual. The stress from working on processing grapes and ensuring they dried properly in the sun was difficult when it was being done by a single person. But he refused to hire anyone to help, as he didn't trust anyone to know how to dry the raisins exactly how he wanted them. That was the price he had to pay for being persnickety. If you wanted something done, it was best to do it yourself. Whenever he was feeling less than satisfactory he would come back here to recharge and refresh himself for the next bout of difficulties. Much to his misfortune, he wasn't going to be alone this time at the lake. First, a certain mermaid with a rather trying personality was present. Next, there was another just like her save for their looks.

Lorelei had been all by herself since this morning, and no one was around for her to chat with. Years ago many water nymphs and aquatics alike would congregate here to enjoy the temperate climate and catch up on the latest gossip. But the times had changed, and the land had changed too. Now everyone was busy, leaving her to find other ways to entertain herself. Paddling about and leaping into the air got boring after the first five minutes. What point was there to put on a show if no one was there to watch? The fish weren't particularly eager today, but that soon changed when another new face appeared. Delighted, the first thing she did was acquaint herself and the newcomer with each other. Then, after chatting they began to have a grand old time as they shared similar interests. A game of tag brought them both splashing to the surface, just in time for Gerard to see them in plain view as he was up to his waist in water. 

The nokken scowled and narrowed his eyes as he began to walk back to shore. Oh for crying out loud! These two were the last people he needed to see at this moment. He was here to relieve stress, not increase it! An all-too-familiar female voice called out from behind. "Geraaaaard!! Is that you?!" Rolling his eyes he wanted to say no, it wasn't but decided to be remain silent and save his breath. Ignoring her wasn't an option, as Lorelei was steadily approaching as told by the splashes and movement of the reeds. 

Turning around, displeasure was written all over his face as he muttered to himself. "…Good god." It was bad enough that he had experienced this nightmare once in the Circles of Infernos, now it was happening in reality. His left eye twitched as he attempted to keep his cool. "Stop that. And get that sea cow back in the water where it belongs." Lorelei was swimming about on her back as her aquamarine scales glistened in the light as she listened to the conversation. "So you two know each other? Oh that's just lovely! Why didn't you tell me you made a new friend while you were away Gerard?" Scowling, he pulled his shirt on and began buttoning furiously. "Because she is not my friend–or an acquaintance for that matter. I'm leaving."

Eyes widening the mermaid dove underwater and surfaced right beside the shore. "But you've just arrived! Why are you leaving so soon?" Lorelei wasn't very keen on reading the atmosphere, or sarcasm, or subtleties for that matter. It wasn't clear that the nokken was leaving because of her and the other flopping fool on the ground. His patience growing thin, the bard turned around to face her. "I have a headache, and it just so happens that it's gotten worse. I don't have time to play with either of you. Have I made myself clear?" It was like speaking to a small child, a child who was not the sharpest blade in the cutlery drawer no less. While Vicyeth was a gibbering loon, Lorelei was blissfully ignorant. Her naviete and airheadedness was enough to induce migraines, and make saints give in to frustration. That said, Gerard was no saint thus his capacity for tolerance was less than most.

Quickly he began moving away from the lake's shore before the mermaid started her incessant begging and pleading. Whenever she was denied something, the woman would whine and make a fuss in the most bothersome way possible. Though he had never been a parent, he could relate to the mothers and fathers who had to quell the tantrums and protests of their young when similar situations came up.

"My, did you make this yourself? How wonderful Vicyeth! Oh it even has writing on the top!" Obviously Lorelei couldn't tell what exactly the 'cake' was made of, but Gerard wasn't as supportive of the finned fool's creative culinary pursuits. He gave one look at the thing and said flatly, " I'm not hungry, and I'm not eating that. …No, I don't want any." As his luck would have it, it seemed everything in the entire world was trying to keep him here and exacerbate his already pounding temples. Glaring at the manatee for enabling Vicyeth's antics, he was quite literally sandwiched between a roadblock and a blockhead. No wait–scratch that, two blockheads. He left the manatee out of this as it was doing nothing aside from what Vicyeth wasn't already. Perhaps the only saving grace Vicyeth had was that her singing wasn't like nails on a chalkboard. Either way it wasn't causing things to shatter unlike a certain blonde mermaid next to her.

While Lorelei pulled herself up to the picnic cloth, Gerard was about ready to throw a fit. It was then that she forgot her original intent of begging him to stay when Vicyeth was speaking in a sing-song voice. "Do you like to sing Vicyeth? So do I! Why don't we sing a duet together? Gerard can play the music!" That was enough for make the bard blanch with horror and outrage. "No. No no no no no–absolutely not! Don't you dare try to make my ears bleed again Lorelei! You still owe me an entire set of porcelain dinnerware!" He didn't have the beeswax today, so there was nothing to stop that awful cacophony of butchered notes from reaching his ears.

Gerard was at his limit, and was about ready to begin the next ice age when another person–bless their soul–came and put and end to the hellish screeching that was coming from both Vicyeth and Lorelei's mouths. "Oh thank the GODS it's over!" Uncovering his ears he unclenched his teeth as sweet silence returned. It was only proper that he thank the one who ended the entire area's aural suffering, so turning to the elven woman he was preparing to do just that when his heart skipped a beat…in panic. For a brief moment that golden blonde hair of hers made him think, to his horror, that somehow Lorelei had multiplied. He yelled and backed away until he came to realize that thankfully no, he was just seeing things and it was just an elf. Not putting up with their tomfoolery anymore, he strode up to the mermaid and shoved half a piece of sweet bread into her mouth. As expected, Lorelei stopped singing and was momentarily distracted by chewing her food.

With that nightmare abated, he ran his fingers through his hair sighing in exasperation. "Thank you miss. I was at a loss on how to shut these two simpletons up for the sake of my ears–and everyone else. I never thought I'd see the day where these two horrendously garrulous birds would try in unison." This elven woman also seemed to know Vicyeth from before, something which he immediately gave his condolences for.