[She can hear it shriek, enraged, when they both start backing away. She winces, and makes to stick her fingers in her ears when she feels herself sway forward, despite her caution.

Thank frick for Nicolas and his grip. She might have moved forward and gotten herself killed, and she really would have been ticked if that was how she went.

Sokie had to take a few moments to work her fingers out of her ears when he stopped, blowing out a slow breath. Oh, he typed like he said! And it's...well, she's seen worse.]

It's a former mer-folk. But it's infected.

[She pulled on her ear.]

It was using its voice to lure me in. It would have killed me or infected me if I got close enough.

[Nick could get close, and he had the sword but...that'd be messy. And a high chance he'd get infected too. She doesn't know much about how Shades pass it, other then...well, the water was likely not drinkable anymore.]