Mermaid x Pirate AU - shadamy (Patreon)

Hi guys!So here is the thing: I had too many ideas. So I did them all - but they're sketches. I still want to post a good illustration for Mermay but it gave me more trouble than expected because I got caught up in the details. So I'll post it another day. In the meantime, let me tell you about those sketches, if you care about the context.

The first one is a different AU from all the rest. In fact I have 3 AUs for Mermaid x Pirate Shadamy (warning, I suck at making scenarios):

1th AU (1th sketch) - The Goddess of the Sea

In a heroic fantasy world, Shadow the pirate always had very bad opinions of sirens, thinking them blood thirsty killers and seducers. One day, his enemies catch up to him; his pirate ship is attacked and sunk (in the background). He manages to flee on a rowboat, but then is met face to face with the siren that has been following their ship for a while. He is ready to kill her as she approaches. Except she's nothing like he thought, she looks pure and caring instead of a force of evil. Amy, able to see the vision of any soul who navigates on her sea, fell in love with Shadow from afar; and so she cannot help but reach out to him, even thought he have all intention to kill her. It's supposed to be beautiful but also creepy in some way, in the sense that Amy is more akin to a goddess and has powers that can be disturbing, as the sea itself can often be. It is inspired by the Little Mermaid, where the meraid has delusions and limerence. But during all the adventures they share, a true bond will form. Her look and the dynamic of their romantic relationship is inspired by Ponyo.

2th AU (the other sketches) - strangers to lovers

Shadow the pirate is fleeing a dangerous situation back on his homeland, but get surprised by a storm. He thinks he's going to die, until he sees, jumping out of a giant wave, a mermaid! He had heard about them but thought they were just fables. He get stranded on an island and while recovering and surviving he will be helped by Amy in various ways. He made his camp near a lagoon and there are several streams criss-crossing the island so she's able to follow him while he explores. Amy is just very curious and as lonely as him as she also had to flee her home. At first he's weary of her, but then will develop an attachement. He'll even trust her enough to go swimming with her and explore the shallow waters - and their mysterious treasures.

He will finally talk about his dead sister Maria having given him the little blue cristal he keeps in his pocket. She makes him a necklace to hold the cristal as a pendant, sitting on his heart. She remarks that for all his love of treasures as a pirate, his most precious belonging is something so plain, yet beautiful, so his heart must be bigger than his greed, even if he denies it.

But he looks at her and thinks he has never felt more greedy for things he cannot have.

He will eventually get rescued from the island by his crew and parts from Amy, thinking they have no deep attachement. But he quickly realizes how wrong he was - on his end at least. He cannot get her out of his mind and misses her terribly. He regrets leaving her behind, remembering she is now alone again. But Amy, having followed them, will be captured in a net by his crew. As they get ready to mistreat what they think is a monster, Shadow clutches her to him and refuses to let his men hurt her for their entertainement. Now his men are doubting their captain, disturbed that he seems close to this creature, thinking he may be under her spell... and the tension is rising.

3th AU (no sketch) - The Doom Prince and the lost Princess of the Rose Sea

Shadow the pirate has a secret he keeps from everyone: Cursed by his father the Black Doom God of the sea, every full moon he transforms into a Doom octopus. He managed to hide it from his crew well enough and every full moon he goes for a swim. On one of his nightime swim, he met Amy the mermaid. He had ever seen one before as they all got killed by his father once he took over the sea. At first wary of each others, they forge a bond little by little. They will share a profound understanding, care and a blooming love, but drama and heartbreak will ensue once she realizes he is the son of the false God who killed her people when she was a small child and subjugated every habitant of the sea; the sea she was, in fact... the princess of. At the end they will make up and together they'll defeat Black Doom. And, with the power of Amy's love, Shadow's transformation won't be one of an octopus anymore, but a Doom merman instead. And it won't be every full moon, it will be at will.

Mind you, those are AUs I cooked in 30 minutes, so there is no depth to them but if you are inspired, feel free to add to it! I would love to know your ideas about a Amy the mermaid and Shadow the pirate!

Thank you for answering the last poll. Most of you wanted to see Shadow as a pirate, but a decent amount of you wanted a merman Shadow, so I'll draw him like that some day.

Have a beautiful week!

Vinnie