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It was like something out of a fairy tale, a real-life mermaid just lounging in a tiny natural harbor along the coast by the lighthouse. She had long flowing hair the same color as the sea and twinkling eyes colored like the finest sapphires. Her heavily jeweled outfit made her look akin to royalty, pearls necklaces and bracelets with a top woven with bejeweled seashells. The mysterious mermaid was gorgeous with a voice like an angel, a princess of the seas come to grace the surface world with her presence. She was also a complete and total klutzy airhead.
As I descended down the rocks to get a closer look, I half expected her to notice my clumsy approach. I was scared she’d flee at the first sign of my presence, or worse, notice me and coyly beckon me closer. Neither happened. No matter how close I got, no matter how many broken seashells crunched under my sandals and no matter how many times I nearly tripped over myself, she remained none the wiser.
She was too busy playing in the water, saying hi to the fishes or tripping over her own tail fin. I didn’t think it was possible to trip while swimming, but she proved me wrong. The closer I got, the more I wondered if she wasn’t a mermaid but rather some rich idiot in an expensive costume. I’d find out soon enough.
I reached the tiny harbor, practically looming over the mermaid who sat giggling to herself in the water. Despite my shadow literally enveloping her, she hadn’t spared a single thought as to why it suddenly got darker. I stood there for a good five minutes waiting for her to notice me, but she never did.
“Hello?” I asked. She heard my voice, but unable to spot me in her immediate vision, brushed me off and went back to playing with her bracelet.
“Hello?” I announced more loudly this time. The mermaid looked around again and scratched her head in confusion when she again failed to locate me.
“Look up!” I nearly yelled. Finally, the mermaid craned her up and saw me. She stared into my eyes for a good thirty seconds before letting out a simple “huh,” and returning to her jewelry.
“Are you stupid or something?” I said without thinking.
“Kyaa, how’d you sneak up on me?” The mermaid nearly jumped out of the water.
“Are you serious? You were just looking at me,” I pointed out.
“Oh, I guess I did,” she nodded. Oh no, she’s an idiot.
“What are you doing out here?” I finally asked.
“Hmm, I don’t remember,” she tapped her chin. “I went on a long swim and then I was here, I talked to some fishies, I saw a pretty lady and then it was now and then I don’t know what happens.”
“So, are you lost or…wait, pretty lady?” I realized with a blush.
“Yeah, she was about your height, with same hazel eyes, same red hair and a similar outfit,” the mermaid explained.
‘Oh lord, she’s a massive idiot,’ I cringed. ‘She’s got to be doing this on purpose, I refuse to believe anyone is that dumb.’ I took a deep breath and continued my question. “So, are you lost?”
“No, I don’t think so,” the mermaid shrugged. “By the way, where is here?”
“So, you are lost,” I sighed. “We’re on the Boulder Coast by the way.”
“Why do they call it that?” The mermaid asked.
“I can only wonder why,” I glanced at the hundreds of boulders that surrounded us in every direction that wasn’t ocean.
“Hmm,” the mermaid’s stomach growled. “Do you know anywhere to get food around here?”
“The nearest restaurant is a four-mile hike that way,” I pointed the way I came.
“Darn, I haven’t eaten in two whole hours, I’m starving,” the mermaid grumbled.
‘Really?’ I rolled my eyes. “Can’t you catch a fish or something?” I asked.
“I could never eat a little fishy,” she held her hands to her face in shock, “especially not raw.”
‘I don’t understand this girl at all,’ I clutched my forehead, sensing a headache coming on. “Well, I don’t have any food on me, so I can’t help you.”
“Can you show me to that restaurant place?” The mermaid asked.
“Um, how?” I inquired, “I’m not carrying you if that’s what you’re thinking.”
“Oh no, I’d never ask that,” she stood up and got out of the water. Her tail split down the middle, forming two crude legs that ended in half a fin. However, after a few clumsy steps onto land, the fins shifted into human legs in a shimmer of light.
“Cool trick,” I commented.
“I know,” she laughed, “I didn’t even know I could do it, but I always heard I could, so I thought why not?”
“You can just, turn your tail into legs?” I asked.
“Nope, they’re still fins, it’s just an illusion,” she held out her leg, “see?” It was hard to tell, like seeing double, but when I focused enough, I could tell there was a fin there.
“Will you be okay to walk four miles like that?” I asked in concern.
“Of course,” she immediately tripped over her two not-really-feet, forcing me to catch her. “All part of the learning experience.”
“Right,” I rolled my eyes.
“Onward to food,” she pointed in a random direction.
“It’s that way,” I pointed in the right direction. “Come on, once we get passed the coast you should have an easier time.” Against my better judgment, I led her up the rocks and towards civilization. I never knew I was making the most important decision of my life. Turns out, she was a princess, and bringing her along started a whole chain of insane events. But long before any of that I realized just how big an idiot she, and I, were. I brought her to the restaurant not realizing she didn’t have any money. But those are stories for another day.
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A fated meeting happens exactly how you think it would, it's what comes after that can surprise you.
Until next time, Read, Comment and Enjoy.
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