Aquarius and Velvet sat in front of a small stage filled with paper props designed with sea and clouds. They watch the kids act while eating the popcorn they bought earlier. 'It's new to me, it tastes like the ocean, uhm melts quickly inside my mouth. It's delicious but, uhm, it sticks to the tip of my teeth.' The merhuman said in her mind.
She glanced at Velvet, who was watching seriously while she was busy removing the popcorn stuck to her teeth. She pinched it with her finger and pushed it with her tongue but failed to remove it. 'This is a problem!' She screamed in her mind.
''Am I that beautiful?'' The merhuman stopped what she was doing because of what the lady said. Aquarius demonstrated a wondering look, unable to determine what it meant. Instead of focusing, she just faced the stage again and ate some glazed popcorn. Out of the corner of her eyes, she caught the girl making a silly smile. Copying her companion, she also smiled awkwardly at the people nearby watching next to them.
The merhuman was fascinated by the children who were acting, especially the girl wearing a fake mermaid tail. What they were acting on just now is how the islands in the Pacific developed. Based on the presentation made by the children, there is said to be a mermaid who helped the area to develop the main business of the island, which was fishing.
It is said that people's beliefs were divided, some believed and some did not. Until the island miraculously developed. Because more people believed that the mermaid helped them, the story of it became an inspiration for the early settlers of the area, and that's where the story and presentation ended.
The merhuman imitated the applause of the audience. They also threw flowers on the stage. The latter turned as if looking for something, and when she didn't see what she was looking for, throwing the popcorn was her last resort. A very broad smile curved on her lips, she was enjoying every bit of it, and suddenly Velvet stopped her.
"Hep, hep, hep! Don't waste it." She then took the popcorn from her companion and started eating it.
''You know, every anniversary there's a skit like this. I've watched it several times, but I want you to experience it too, that's why I brought you here,'' Velvet said while stretching her arms and back.
They were about to leave when someone suddenly pulled the merhuman's arm. She almost fell because of what someone did. Aquarius looked at the one who pulled her, but she only saw its eyes while the mouth and nose were covered with a black mask.
"Where are you going to take her?!'' Velvet yelled at them. Worrying about where to put down the food she was carrying, she lost sight of them.
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The mysterious person took the girl to a small footbridge overlooking the sea. It is also not far from the stage where the performance took place.
''I know, you're a mermaid.'' The words it whispered to the girl. Aquarius' eyes widened at what she heard moving away slightly, but the mysterious person held her firmly in the arm. 'How did... a woman,' she thought.
''You lost your tail because of your stubbornness. But don't worry, it won't last long either, it will come back to you.'' The person added that makes her heartbeat roll like a drum.
'What is she saying? She seems to know a lot about mermaids.' The girl's eyebrows furrowed after saying that in her mind.
''When that happens, go back to the sea and don't come back to this place. Someone like you doesn't fit in here!'' The woman emphasized while looking directly into the eyes of the confused girl. The merhuman swallowed a bit of her saliva and looked away.
'I'm confused by what she said, it's scary.' She thought while biting her bottom lip. The merhuman girl looked at the mysterious woman's hand when she let go of her arm.
The woman stares at her sharply. 'This woman, does she also come from the sea?' The tension and nervousness she was feeling subsided when someone suddenly took hold of her shoulder.
''Are you okay? Did that strange guy hurt you?" The merhuman girl took a deep breath when she heard that voice. It was Velvet. She smiled and nodded. Aquarius looked at the mysterious woman again but suddenly vanished. She looked for her but couldn't see the woman anymore, it just disappeared, like a bubble.
''Do you know that?'' Velvet patted the girl's shoulder as she shook her head in answer.
''Come on, there's something else I want to show you." The girl anchored Aquarius's hand in her arm as they walked.
The girl looked back to make sure the woman was gone. 'Hmm, there are also strange creatures here in the land.'
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"Hello, Pinky." They stopped walking near the park when Velvet spoke. Aquarius turned to her as the girl pressed something to her ear. The latter's bored face revived at the new thing she saw, so she moved to the right side of her companion, poking the cell phone she was holding.
The girl's smile was endless while talking to the person who called her. Aquarius stuck her ears to hear what her companion was talking about. 'How did a person get inside that thing? Things on land are so mysterious,' she thought.
"You're weird, did you just see a cell phone?" Velvet smiled at her while turning the cell phone in her palm after the call. The merhuman girl just nodded at her.
"Aren't there any like this in your place?" Aquarius nodded again. "Ah, I see, anyway, we're going to the restaurant today because my friend from the band hasn't come back since last night."
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Upon arriving at Velvet's restaurant, the merhuman girl felt good, observing the new place she was going to. From there, she could see the sea as well as the gradient sky; purple and yellow. From her seat, the air can freely enter the gigantic window with a wind chime hanging on it. There are also large coconut leaves inside and a small stage with an instrument display; drums, keyboard, and standing acoustic guitar. There is also a small aquarium on the side of the kitchen island and bar counter.
"Welcome to Pic-A Seafood resto!" Velvet greeted her enthusiastically with four pieces of confetti, which she sprinkled.
"Oh, try our best-selling beverage here. — she placed the cocktail glass in front of the girl before speaking again-This is a tropical mermaid cocktail."
The girl's ears perked up at what she heard. Taking a second look at the young lady in front of her and the drink on the table. 'Eh! Is this drink made of mermaids? I can't imagine how they tortured the mermaid to get it.'
She looked at the young lady again as if she were inviting her to drink that. 'I shouldn't show off, and might get caught.'
The girl shook her head in refusal. 'I don't drink that kind of stuff!' Protesting in her mind.
''Do you not like it? It's bad to refuse grace.'' Velvet, who is now sitting in front of her, nods while convincing the merhuman.
"Or maybe, this is the first time you have seen something like this?" She finally guessed a reason for Aquarius not trying it. She nodded enthusiastically, too.
"I just mix coconut rum, banana rum, pineapple juice, and lime juice. Then drizzle some blue curacao and viola! Add some ice cubes and lime slices for garnishing. That's it. Tropical mermaid cocktail." Velvet gave her a chef's kiss.
'I didn't understand anything she said, but I'm sure it wasn't made by the mermaid.' Aquarius convinced her mind. The latter took the small glass and smelled it. 'The smell was so fragrant and so sweet that it seemed as if I was being invited to taste it.' The merhuman stared at the lady in front of her before putting the glass to her lips.
At Aquarius's first taste she only took a small sip. Not satisfied yet, she instantly gulped down the cold drink as she put down the glass.
'So tasty! My taste buds seemed to be dancing with the newly tasted human drink.' She wiped her mouth and when there was still a drop left in the cocktail glass, she licked it thoroughly. 'I can taste a lot of flavors that are new to me. I felt comfortable on this hot afternoon and it feels like I was alone here on the island surrounded by dancing human drink.'
"Told you-''
"Miss Velvet, your brother is calling you. He had something important to say." Velvet couldn't finish what she was going to say when the woman standing near the bar counter called her.
"Yeah, thanks, Pinky," she answered. "You stay here first, I'm just going to visit my brother at the office." Aquarius just nodded, enjoying sucking on the lime slice though she was grimacing at its sourness.
Velvet entered that small and cold office, passing the dark walnut bookcase leaning near the window.
"Who the heck is that? You're inviting a strange woman into someone's bunkhouse. You know, what if it's a burglar and scamming the hell out of you?" The man's eyebrows met when he looked at his sister and then looked back at the laptop.
"She can't talk, that's why I helped her. -Velvet leaned against the paneled wall with muted purple paint- She might be in danger if I didn't help her. I know you're just being cautious, brother, but she's pitiful.''
Meanwhile, Aquarius heard the words from the room where Velvet entered. She didn't think she would be able to hear far away in human physique. 'I also believe that she and her brother are arguing about me.'
"Okay, okay, you feel sorry, -the young man looked at his sister again- But when that girl stabs you in the back, I'm telling you, Velvet, don't ask Violet and me for help.'' The young man ran his fingers through his hair before adjusting the collar of his polo shirt.
"Indigo, is it too early to assume that she's a bad person? She's just weird but she doesn't look bad to me.''
"Alright then. -He sighs- Take care of yourself! You're big enough and old! Get lost!" The man responded authoritatively.
"You don't even listen to me!" She blubbered.
Aquarius didn't hear the rest of what the two talked about. She just realized that the waves of the sea were touching her feet and were staring at the end of the seemingly endless sky.
"Hi there, lady." She looked at the man who was now standing beside her.
"Are you alone?" Aquarius just smiled at the man wearing a white polo shirt that was buttoned only at the stomach.
"There's a party in town, wanna come? By the way, what's your name?" The tall and charming man snorted with pleasure.
Aquarius grabbed her neck and shook her head.
"You mean you can't talk?" said the man who was now smiling mischievously.
"Anyway, c'mon." The man held the girl's hand. She looked just one more time at the sea and where Velvet's restaurant was, then nodded and went with the man.
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