The heat begun to spread from his hands throughout my skin from he touched. My left foot twitches. What is that? It didn't hurt but it was disconcerting. Tristen then begun to trailed his hand down to my ankle. It tingle with such intensity. I bit my lips to the point of pain to distract me as his hand continued down to my feet wearing a pair of keds.
His hand lifted, only to touch one of my keds. His eyes flickered to mine. "May I?" He asked.
I paused then slowly nodded.
He tugged my shoes off, revealing my no show socks and he also tugged that off as well. My foot comes to sight with my blue toe nails. Thank goodness I had recently painted them.
He stopped. "Your nails are blue." He looked down his blue tail that was in the water. "The shade is similar."
My face heated. He probably thinks I painted that shade because of him. I nervously giggled. "What a coincidence. I just chose this color to paint it."
"Chose it?" He frowned. "You weren't born with it?"
I laughed. "Oh no, this is nail polish. Humans likes to decorate their nails. Particularly women."
"Oh, I see. Merwomen likes to decorate their nails too, but with gems rather than colors. Colors don't hold underwater for long."
"Gems?"
"Gems forged from volcanoes."
"Whoa." I remember how I spotted some mers with tattoos. "And tattoos?"
He nodded. "We practice that as well, but tattoos are only inked in honor and they must be earn. They're not view as decorations. Each tattoo means something"
"Wow. I would have never guessed you guys used ink."
He nodded to my toes, "I also wouldn't have guess humans painted their toenails as well." He raised his hand and looks to me with permission to continue his exploration of my human leds.
I nodded.
He slowly trailed his fingers down to my foot.
My foot jerked back from his touch and I giggled as I rubbed my foot. "That tickled!"
He smirked, "Really?" He leaned in to the tickle the soft padding of my under my foot.
I laughed and quickly pulled my legs away. "Hey!"
Tristen laughed, "Looks like I found your weakness."
I put my shoes back on and drew my legs in to sit on. "My turn." I said eagerly. I shifted my knees closer to his tail that hung over the edge of the water. I tried to ignore the dark water.
Tristen pursed his lips. "Okay..."
I scrunch my brows in concern. "Will it hurt you or something?"
He shook his head and casted his gaze down. "Nothing of that sort."
He still looked uncomfortable.
"So what's wrong?" I continued. "I won't if you don't want me too."
"It's just... never mind." He scooted back, pulling his tail out of the water until it laid on the floor, splayed out before me. He smiled at me. "It's only fair since you let me touch your legs."
I was staring at his beautiful tail in awe. This felt like a dream to me. Every little girl's dream is to be a mermaid or see one and I was living it.
The skylight made his scales sparkled like thousand of gems. The blue was so intense that it would put the peacock to shame. When his muscle shifted under his scales, the color rippled to deep green. The tails was much longer than I expected, almost my height - and I was not short. I was almost six feet tall and I hate it as an introvert. I wondered if his tail was heavier then a pair of human legs.
I braced myself and lifted my hand.
It was so warm and soft! Much smoother than I expected. I trailed my hands down. The tail was so slick and warm. My hand tingled as the heat from his tail seeped into my skin. Curious, I moved my hand the opposite direction of the scales. Expecting it to be rough, but it was still smooth with slight ridges. I trailed my fingers to his side of the tail, to where there was a long thin fin that protruded to one third of tail's length. When I touched it, it jumped. The fin collapsed down like a fan and rose again. Startled, I pulled my hand back. Did I hurt him?
I asked. "Are you ok?"
I knew he was uncomfortable, but it'll be more noticeably awkward if I stop now. Plus, he touched my legs.
But mostly, my curiosity was too strong for me to stop exploring his tail.
I raised my hand and looked at him. He nodded and I continued. I touched the fin on the side once more. The fin rippled and stretched to their full shape as I ran my finger on surface of the fin. Fine, thin membranes stretched between the ridges. I stated, "This helps cut through the water?"
He cleared his throat. "Yes, it does."
I trailed my fingers toward his fins. I asked, "How fast can you swim?"
He answered quietly, "On average, mers can swim about hundred miles per hour."
I breathed. "Wow."
He chuckled softly. "But I can swim faster."
I rolled my eyes. Oh, he is still a typical man. I redirected my attention back his tail.
Finally, I reached the fin. It was supple and elegant. It curved widely and ended with two thin tips. It almost looked circular, between the two tips, it cut inward with a smooth jagged line. It was thick and strong. I stroked down the length of the fin and Tristen tensed, I paused and he relaxed.
Curious, I tickled his fin, but he didn't even so much flinched. I frowned, "No tickle spot."
He raised one brow, "As if I'll tell you."
Feeling momentarily brave and mischievous, I narrowed my eyes as I scooted closer to him. "Hmm..." I tapped my chin as if I was an evil mastermind. "I have my ways."
"Really? How so?"
"Oh, say something unexpected happened." I glanced away, as if thinking. "Like this!" I twisted myself to him and went full tickle attack mode. I tickled his bare stomach. He laughed as he tried covering his stomach with his arms, without his arms supporting him up, he lost his balance and fell lying on the floor. He clutched my hands, bringing me down too. I fell on his chest, still giggling. He raised his hands while on his back, "Ok, ok, I surrender."
I laughed, but it soon died when I realize I could see the speckle of blue in his eyes. Speckle of aquamarines, lost in the vibrant sea of green. Those eyes were staring at me. His face was too close to mine. I was too close to him. My hands was splayed his against his smooth chest. Heat seeped into my skin, into my bones and I barely stopped myself for leaning in for more.
Panic, I withdrew and plastered a fake smile, "Now, we're even. We know each other's ultimate weakness."
He sat up, looking at me quizzically, then he just shook his head and chuckled. "Yes," He nodded gravely mocking. "If one of us decide to for world domination, one of us would know how to stop the other."
I agree, "Of course, we'll just resort to using the mighty feather."
He laughed.
My stomach growled.
My face burning, I looked away from him and scowled at my stomach. Really? Then I remembered that I brought something.
"Sounds like you're hungry." Tristen stated.
I turned back and smiled. "Sounds like it. Good thing I brought something." I grabbed my backpack and ransacked.
Tristen leaned closer, "What did you bring?"
Finally, I dug out a chocolate bar and a coke, my poisonous choice of a snack.
His face light up. "I recognize the packaging..."
"Really?"
He nodded and pointed at the can of coke. "I've seen it in the water, floating."
I stiffen. "Pollution."
He nodded sadly, but shook off the somber vibe. "Will today be the day I'll get to try it?"
"Yes, it is your lucky day today." I smiled. I picked up the chocolate bar and waved it in front of him. "A bite of this, you're in heaven." I unwrapped it and gave him half the bar.
Tristen gingerly took it and stared at it in fascination. "Oh, I've heard of this... This is chocolate, right?"
Surprised that he knew of much, "Yeah, it is."
He nodded, "I've also overheard a few human guys on the shore a long time ago and I never forgot it since I am baffled with what it means. That human girls craved this during a certain time of the month and you must buy lots of it for her?"
I proudly sniffled. "Smart men you have chosen to listened. Follow his wise words and you'll be ok."
Confused, he slowly nodded. "Ok..."
I couldn't help it but I quietly laughed. "Well," Quickly, diverting us from this topic before he could ask more questions. I mean, I'm sure he can figure this out on his own. Doesn't mermaids have similar biological working as human women? Maybe they don't... Ugh, I really want to know, but I really don't want to ask him. God, that would be something. "Try it."
He pulled his fingers away from it and it left a melted piece on his fingers, "It's melting."
"Yeah, heat does that. Go on, take a bite."
He slowly took a bite from the corner of the car. Tristen's eyes went wide and he stared at his half, as if he finally found Nirvana. "This is amazing." He thoughtfully continue chewing. "It taste very similar some of our mer's snack."
"Really?"
He nodded, "We have a sweet bar called Kelpie and it's mainly made up of sugar kelp with various of other sea plants."
"Wow, really?"
He nodded, "It's quite popular and well known amongst the mer." He grinned. "It's my favorite as well."
I smiled. "Wish I could try it."
"Me too." He's eyes went to the coke, "What's the coke made of?"
"Oh, made of everything that's bad for you."
He raised the can for closer inspection and looked at me with slight shock, "Why would you humans drink it?"
I chuckled as I took the can from his hand. "Simple." I shrugged, "Because it tastes good." I popped the can and handed it back to him, "Here, take a sip."
Tristen slowly took the can and I move my fingers in a way that he wouldn't touch me. He raised the cup and sniffed it, then twisted his nose. "Smells like acid."
"Oh, that must be the gas you're smelling."
Finally, he tilted the can to his mouth and drank. Tristen stopped and pulled the can away to observe the can more closely. "Hmm, it's sweet!" He continued drinking the soda. Suddenly, he yanked the can back. "Ow!" He grabbed his nose. "It burns!"
I laughed, "That's the gas."
"Why would you inflict pain on yourself?"
I continued to giggle, "It's really not that bad." I continued, "Also, the taste is addicting."
He pursed his lips. "You're right, it's addicting." Tristen took another sip. "Can't argue there." Then he took a long gulp and let out a satisfied sigh as he finished it. "Ah, that hit the spot."
"Here, let me get that for you." I grabbed the can from his hand. I grasped the can and his fingers brushed against mine. Flame licked up my arm and I barely held back a gasp. He drew back his hand and the flame receded to a dying ember. As a distraction, I focused on putting the can beside my pack as I regain control of my heartbeat. I clenched my hand that were still tingling. How is he doing that? Why am I feeling like this? Like I'm falling and I can't steady myself? I never felt like this before. Why is it him? Why is he even wasting time on me? A human girl?
"Meredith."
I jumped at the sensation of rippling across my skin as he said my name. I yanked my eyes to his curious pair. His brows were slightly scrunched. "You're thinking very hard on something." He leaned enough for me to those blue speck in his eyes. "What are you thinking?"
"Why me?" I blurt out. "Why pay any attention to me?" I clarify further, "To a human muchless?" I gestured around the secret location. "Why bring me up here and tell me that you can talk?"
"Oh." He lowered his gaze, taking the sea green with blue specks away from sight. He pursed his lips. "Honestly," Finally, he raised his gaze through his lashes. My heart constricted and I had to look away. He sighed and pulled back, "I don't have a damn clue why as well."
Startled by his answer, I looked back.
He gave me a sheepish smile, "There was just something about you... you just stood out from the crowd... and I knew that I could trust you." His intense gaze held mine captive. "Your eyes... I felt like I've seen them before. They seem familiar and I can't remember from where." He paused and chuckled as he rubbed his neck. "Ahh... That sounded cheesier out loud then it did in my head."
I laughed. "Just a bit." I recalled what he said earlier. I scrunched my brows, "My eyes?" There's an answer that I didn't expect. "You think you've seen me before?" I know we didn't meet because I would've remember. Tristen was pretty unforgettable to me.
But the longer I stared at him, that nagging sensation buzzed in my head. That feeling when you forget a word, but you know you know it and it's just out of your reach.
That's impossible.
I'd know if I met a merman before.
I shook my head, shaking off the sensation. "I think you're mistaken." I continue, "I think I can honestly say I would remember you if we have ever met." I gestured to my legs and his tail. "Also, you wouldn't have seen me in the water and I definitely wouldn't have seen you around my home."
He nodded but still look unsatisfied.
And the last time I was at sea...
I shook my head and smiled. I gestured to my eyes, "Brown is a pretty common color."
He smiled, "It's more hazel than brown."
I fidget as I focused on my hands. "Oh, is it now?" But I stared at him, trying to recall if perhaps if met him in another life since that's the only plausible explanation. I shook my head, "I have no memory of ever meeting you and I think I wouldn't forget easily if I had."
He nodded, "I as well." He rubbed his chin, "That's what I don't understand."
I noted that he had a lilted accent but I couldn't exactly pinpoint it. "There something I don't understand as well."
He paused, "What is it?"
I waved my hand over him, "How do you know english or able to talk at all, since it's impossible to speak underwater?"
He slowly smirked, "What makes you think it is?"
My eyes bugged. "You can? How?"
He leaned back on his arms and slid his tail back over the edge, leaving half of it dangling in the water. "Well, our anatomy are different."
I chortled, "Obviously." I sat cross legged.
He laughed, "Right, so our ears allow us to pick up sounds underwater. Somewhat like a sonar radar but stronger." He raised his hand and pointed at his adam's apple, "Our voice emits sonar like vibration as well." He shrugged, "But we sign as well."
"Sign? Like sign language?" I perked. "Like ASL?"
He nodded, "Yes, like that. But of course we have our own sign language." He grinned, "I guess you can call it MSL."
I laughed, "Mer Sign language?"
He laughed, "Of course that's not the official name. We call it Thalassa's Hands."
"That sounds so much better than MSL." I leaned in more. "Thalassa?"
"A goddess of the sea. She invented the language."
Can this day get any more mind blowing?
He continued, ignorant of the way my world seem to tilting right now. "Of course we familiarize ourselves with human sign language as well to keep up with the times."
I snapped out of it. "So you know ASL as well?"
He signed and spoke at the same time, "Yes, I know it."
I signed back, "You understand me if I sign?"
His eyes bugged, "You sign?"
Smug that I've at least managed to shock him since he shocked me, oh, a hundred times or so. I spoke, "I used to get a lot ear infection when I was three years old, so there was time I couldn't hear well, so my parents and I learned baby sign language to communicate. Of course, we used it less when my ears got better. But I was always interested in it. So I took some classes in high school."
He groaned, "I should've asked if you could sign earlier instead straining our eyes to lip read through the glass."
I laughed at the realization. "I had no idea you would know a human sign language, much less any human language." I let my eyes drift to my watch and felt my eyes bugged. It was 10:00am. I looked down the entrance to the aquarium and noticed a few people milling about. I had to go now before it got too crowded.
He sighed, "I guess it's time to go."
I bit my lips, "Unfortunately so." I smiled. "See you tomorrow then."
He perked up at that and gave a heart stopping smile. "I'll be waiting."
This man needs to stop being so... so... gorgeous. He was going to cause me a heart attack. I can almost see it. 'Death at aquarium, girl dies of heart attack. Cause? Gorgeous merman smiled at her.' I shook my head and stood up. I gathered my things and turned to him. Tristen still sat, watching me with a forlorn look. My heart wrenched. Time to go before I really do go into a cardiac arrest. I waved, "Bye." Then I signed. "See you tomorrow."
He signed back, "See you tomorrow."
As I snuck out of the supply closet without being spotted. Before I left the mer globe, I turned and spot him at our spot, looking after me as a crowd began to form between us. I smiled and left.
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