The merman was starting to be able to breathe again, if very painfully. All he could manage were very short gasps occasionally between periods of holding his breath, but it was something. The cigarettes were making him nervous, though, an he made an attempt to stand and move away from them. He didn't want his throat any more irritated than it already was. 

He was still pretty shaky on his feet, but he managed to make it a few yards before he had to stop. It wasn't until after another short for of coughing that he realized that he had been asked a question. With the small amount of red liquid in his hand again, he dropped down to the floor to write again. 

*Both. Swan song. Tired.* 

It was a bit more than was asked, but it felt like an explanation was necessary. He hoped that the source of water Akila had found wasn't too far away.