Quinn, despite what a few people would believe, was not an idiot. She knew getting involved in a fight would end up being more of a liability, adding onto the fact that they looked like the enemy.

Don't get her wrong. If Ripley didn't end up handling themself and it looked risky, Quinn would have body-slammed the other Mer and cracked open their skull.

With that pleasant thought, Quinn carefully made her way over to the small Mer, and once she was close (not within stabbing distance, though) un-camoflaudged, "So, uhm, I know I look like the enemy but I'm not and I'd rather not watch you and Ripley both die, so." Quinn edged closer, and made the executive decision that this little Mer was going to bleed out if something didn't happen, and fast. She slid a muscular arm underneath the armpit of the small Mer and hefted them up, "Now we are getting Ripley, and getting away from the battle sight, then I'm going to wrap your wounds, and hope Ripley stays unconscious until we get back to where ever your medical is so they don't yell at me."

Woah, okay, that was a lot of conversation at once, and Quinn did not like that, but there wasn't really a choice. Being a little more human - or... uh, Mer would probably make the small Mer less likely to stab her.

Kay was terrified, which was pretty easy to see from the way their body shook. They were in no position to fight anyone off, and Ripley was far enough away to attract the attention of the nearby sharks. No matter how hard Kay tried to think of a solution to these problems, they came up with nothing, their mind was too clouded with adrenaline and pain. Eventually, they began to lose all hope, especially when the octo Mer appeared in front of them, pulling a muffled cry of surprise from their mouth.

They listened to the other Mer, mostly because not once had they ever heard of an octo Mer speaking, like ever. It took them awhile to realize that perhaps this Mer actually was there to help. The other Mer moved too fast for Kay to respond, so they didn't. Instead they just shivered slightly in the octo Mer's arms. "So you aren't going to kill me? And you're going to help Ripley?" Kay's inner voice sounded weak, and unsteady, but they were clear-headed enough to ask pretty decent questions.

Quinn shifted slightly, carrying the small Mer in a more comfortable way, "Uh. Yeah. I mean - no, I'm not going to kill you, and yes I'm helping Ripley."

Speaking of which, Quinn was now by their side, and bent down to haul Ripley up as well. She silently thanked Past Quinn for being paranoid (for good reason) and always working out, and Past Ripley for creating an efficient workout routine to gain more muscle and strength in her new tentacles.

"I'm Ripley's friend. Probably not, but well, I'm Kiache's friend, maybe, and Ripley knows Kiache. So I have reasoning to save them, and you look way too young to be out here, and I wouldn't want someone to die when I could do something."

Quinn was going fast along the sea floor, tucking the two other Mer slightly underneath her while she camouflaged, and with a battle going on, hopefully people wouldn't be paying as much attention.

Once they were far enough away that the dirt being kicked up wasn't visible, Quinn stopped and released her camouflage. After settling Ripley down gently on the sea floor, Quinn picked a few ribbons of sea grass, and placed the small Mer on a rock while she wrapped their wounds, "I'm not a medic, so these will need to be redone, but it should keep you from bleeding out."

Kay watched Ripley worriedly as the new Mer spoke to them, concern evident in their gaze. It was their first time fighting, and they'd already fucked up big time. Ripley was basically the best apprentice in their town, how would the other's fair without them leading the other apprentices with that courage of theirs that no one else could even imitate? This was all their fault, Kay knew for sure, if they had just listened to orders like a good apprentice, this wouldn't have happened.

The new Mer dragged them out of their thoughts as she set Ripley down pretty gently. Although Kay didn't exactly trust the stranger, they were pretty sure that this Mer wasn't going to harm either of them in any way. Kay's eyes flickered back to Ripley, who hadn't moved a muscle since they'd passed out. Blood still lingered around them, but Kay was more in danger od blood loss than RIpley was.

Kay stared at the octo Mer as she wrapped their wounds. "So you're Ripley's friend? I've never seen you in town before. You look like you'd be an apprentice too, is that how you met? But you aren't even supposed to be on our side, you're supposed to be with them. I'm too confused to figure this out right now. Just know that even though I mildly trust you right now, I am gonna ask you a trillion, billion questions when we are actually safe." Kay was obviously in some sort of shock, as they really wouldn't shut up, and blood loss was mildly evident as well. Slowly, their face softened from mild suspicion to gratefulness. "Thank you for saving us though, and for patching up my tail. My fin is gonna be torn for a bit though," Kay released a muffled groan. "This absolutely sucks," they whined, sounding rather childish.

Quinn's face didn't change from its normal stoniness, but she did quirk up an eyebrow, "I suppose I shall wait for you to get well then, so that I may answer your questions. But yes, that was me in town." Quinn shot a quick glance at Ripley, "Look, pal," even their mental voice was blunt, "I wasn't supposed to be by the battle area. Hopefully I can get you two back before Ripley wakes up. If I do... don't mention that I was the one who got you two out. I'd rather not be yelled at if I can help it," Quinn finished up with wrapping up the wound on the little Mer, she moved to Ripley. There didn't seem to be anything super serious, but she wrapped up any wounds visible, then hauled the Mer up again. After picking up the little Mer again, Quinn began moving again quickly, "Whatcha say, Lil Mer? Willing to omit my part in this?"

Although Kay didn't say anything, they were concerned about what was under Ripley's armor. Although it had definitely softened the blow against the rocks, they were still worried that there might be a broke rib or two, and that might lead to the puncturing of something vital. Although, they had no idea if the doctor could actually fix something that serious, they hoped the doctor could.

After a moment, Kay nodded their little head, floppy hair drifting with the current. "I guess so, but Ripley won't believe that I dragged them all the way over to the doctor. They know I'm much too weak to be of any use in the dragging department. And my name is Kay, and I am not that small." This was a lie, Kay was tiny for their age, they just didn't like admitting it.

Quinn nodded solemnly, "Alrighty then, Lil' Kay," Quinn moved the fastest she could while carrying two figures along with her, "Ripley doesn't have to believe you - they just can't know I was there. At least, not until I've figured out the Octo-Mer's secret. There is something funny going on...." Quinn trailed off, although her mind was internally racing a mile a minute. There definitely was something off about the way the other group had moved, and the tug in the back of Quinn's mind that told her to join formation.

Kay tried to shrug, but failed as they were pretty much trapped in Quinn's arms. Truthfully, they supposed that they should be a bit more cautious of an Octo-Mer, but they were exhausted, and something told them they could trust Quinn. Maybe it was just the blood-loss, but regardless, they would find out soon whether they liked it or not. "Yea I guess so, and the problem with the Ocot-Mer is that they're all blood thirst and move smoothly, like a snake, and they all work together and are in sync." Kay shuttered before continuing, "I don't like it. They look like they aren't even there." They truly scared Kay, not because they looked like they could kill them, but they just got an off feeling from them. They didn't feel whole, that was the way it felt.

Quinn nodded severely, "Yes. And..." Quinn hesitated. She did not know Kay, but she wanted to mention what she suspected to someone. Kay hopefully could keep another secret, "Okay, don't mention it to anyone, but when I was out there, I felt... I felt a pull, alright? To join formation and fight. On the other side. It wasn't a lot, but that's weird, right? I wouldn't want to fight against you guys, yet my body was told to join." Quinn felt like she was close to figuring out what it meant, but the adrenaline was wearing out, and she was growing more and more tired. Luckily, Quinn could see the edge of town, and reached out with her mind, connecting with the first person she found.

"Hello? I need a medic - I have one Mer who is passed out and another who has dangerous blood loss." The mind she connected to startled, but quickly asked for where Quinn was, and promised to send out a medic.

Kay stared in shock at the other Mer, their eyes wide. This was news to them, as they'd never heard of a pull to go to the other side. Then again, Quinn was an Octo-Mer, and Kay had never met an Octo-Mer that wasn't a blood thirsty killing machine. Perhaps there was something bigger going on, something that Quinn could figure out.

Kay was too busy in their own thoughts to realize that they'd arrived near town. "I've never heard of anyone being pulled to the other side. Maybe it's because you're an Octo-Mer? That would make sense. Hm," Kay paused, their eyes fogging for a moment as they got lost in thought. "I think there is more going on than we realize, you should probably tell someone, Ripley would be good. Once they're awake you could tell them, they'll know what to do, they always know what to do." Kay gave Quinn a half hearted smile, as they grew tired from the day's events.