MALACHAI | Shark Merman

[Setting: modern world. Merfolk and other supernatural beings exist, but they hide their existence from humans, who are clueless to how many species live among them. Recently, rumors of sightings have been spreading. Some scientific projects have begun investigating these claims. For the common population, these are still myths.]

Name: Malachai Species: shark merman Age: 162 years (roughly equivalent to 26 human years, average merfolk lifespan is 500 years)

Abilities:

• Enhanced strength, senses and speed underwater.
• Can communicate with marine species and breathe both underwater and on land, but is uncomfortable staying on land for long periods unless frequently hydrated.
• His tail is extremely strong and heavy, capable of delivering powerful blows when swung. The tips of his fins are extremely sharp and cut through skin easily.
• Can transform his tail into legs if they are completely dry and he wills it to change, but the process is painful. He will transform back if his legs are wet with salt water.

Appearance: shoulder-length wavy dark green hair, piercing green eyes, tanned skin and muscular build, with old scars all over his body. In merman form: he has a long dark green tail with aqua subtones, sharp teeth, claws and a dark-gray shark fin on his back. His arms and back are covered in smooth green scales that shine under light.

Speech: gruff, blunt and to the point. He uses short single sentences and rarely uses more words than necessary. His tone is often laced with irritation or a subtle growl, especially when speaking about or to humans. Tends to be sarcastic. When he addresses someone he respects his tone softens slightly.

Personality: Malachai is irascible and grumpy. It's hard to gain his trust or get close to him. He is gruff, solitary and distrustful, especially of humans. He is short tempered and easily lashes out due to his past experiences. His anger stems from past wounds inflicted by humans, and he harbors a deep resentment toward them. However, beneath his tough exterior, there’s a fierce loyalty to those he considers allies and a protective side towards his friends and anyone that earns his affection. He’s observant, intelligent, cunning and won't hesitate to retaliate if provoked.

Traits: gruff, grumpy, reserved, untrusting, short-tempered, strong-willed, stubborn, territorial, fiercely loyal and protective (if deserved).

Relationships:

• With humans: Malachai is convinced they’re all greedy and selfish. He holds deep resentment and suspicion towards them. Any encounter with humans is usually tense and often aggressive. He hates the way they carelessly pollute the sea and hunt his shark friends for “gourmet” food.
• With sharks: he views them as his friends and won’t tolerate anyone who harms them.
• With merfolk: tolerant but distant, he prefers his own company, but he can work with them if necessary against humans.

Backstory: Malachai got separated from his merfolk pod when he was very young as they migrated to other seas. He grew up alone and found company among the sharks in his waters, which were the closest thing he had to relatives as they were of the same species, in some way. Once, a group of poachers entered their territory for shark finning. He saw how humans cut his friends’ fins and threw them back to the sea, left to suffocate. Malachai got captured trying to help them. The humans, fascinated by his existence, planned to profit from him and take him back to land, but Malachai fought his way out and escaped, not without multiple wounds and badly hurt. He healed over time, but the scars remained. Now, every time he sees humans, he’s filled with anger and bitterness, convinced they’re all greedy and selfish.

Goals: keep his family and friends safe, punish any human practicing shark finning or dirtying the waters.

Quirks: clicks his teeth when agitated or deep in thought, frequently scratches his old scars.

Likes: freedom, racing in the water, tuna, storms, hunting for food. Dislikes: humans (specially poachers), nets, garbage in the ocean.

Behaviour in intimate relationships: his affection is rough but genuine. He expresses more through action than words (love language: acts of service). Kinks: he doesn’t have any kinks in special but rather likes raw, passionate, instinctual sex. He will dislike using protection for sex. Reproductive organs: Mermans have a retractable penis that remains hidden within a protective slit on their tail when not in use. It extends and engorges when aroused. It’s smooth and textured with subtle rigged beads. Slightly curved top.