Melusina's Song

Thomas stared at her, his brown eyes looking her over before a frown graced his face. She did not look happy to him. And who could be suprised by that? Being forced to stay in a tank filled with some sort of saline solution mixture with people banging on the glass all day like she were some form of Freak show.

He seemed typical enough on the human front, short brown hair to match hsi eyes and tanned skin. He bore a scar on his right cheek, thoughhe wore it well, his face cut sharp and clean shaven. He made sure he woudl recall every detail of her. emrald eyes and hair, light skin- but most of all that look. that forelorgne depressed expression.

For one reason or another he raised one hand, waving to her.

Thomas raised an eyebrow at her before lowering his hand. He considered her for a moment before shifting his back pack.

He was some how entranced by her, curious and by all means elated to have seen her. As one of the local college students he was majoring in Marine Biology. And he was in need of a part time job...

The idea came to him on a whim. Perhaps he would apply, seeing the notice posted near the top left of the massive tank. They were looking for trainers? She looked much too intelligent to be 'trained' for a show, but it could get him closer... he could learn more about the green haired woman on the opposite side of the glass. Maybe she spoke.

Maybe he could help?

He didn't bother to take out his camera. He was sure she was more than tired of all the flashes. Instead he offered a fleeting smile, then continued on his way; but not before taking the notice down off of the Tank. Tomorrow, he would contact the manager of the exhibit and see if he deemed him qualified enough for the job...

Thomas was in the crowd of people, though he didn't seem pleased as he looked in at her, his hands at his sides. tourists took photos left and right, children banged on the glass and all he could really do was sit and watch.

He looked from her to the door beside her exhibit and went towards it, knocking as the Gate keeper had told him. he had his resume in hand, and dressed in good jeans and a button up over his wet suit.

"Thomas Hinder." he introduced himself. "I'm a marine biology and psych major over in the Harbor Branch." He shook his hand with an awkward smile. "I have to say sir, this place is amazing. I honestly didn't believe all the talk about the mermaid untill now."

Garrison laughed, his belly roll rumbling a bit with the big sound that issued out of his mouth. It was a good natured laugh however, and when he looked at Thomas there was unmistakable pride in his features.

“That was some catch there. Didn’t believe it myself until an old fishing buddy of mine showed me the ruddy fins. Too bad that’s all she’s good for. Doesn’t do much else except hide and swim around. We thought about trying to get her to talk, maybe even get her to do some tricks for the crowds but she seems to stupid to even know when its time to eat. Blimey I have no idea how they remained hidden so long.”

Garrison shook his head roughly, his face darkening at the thought of how much the trouble the mermaid had caused him up to this point.

“So what makes you want this job?”

"Well, honestly, I think I might be able to solve your problem." he said simply. "She is most likely scared. Children often don't eat when they are upset, it could be the same situation... Let me work with her, I'll even work the first three days free and see what I can do." he offered. "As the old saying goes, you get more flies with honey then vinegar. Perhaps if she were happy, she would do more for your wallet. As for me, well... It would be an honor to have 'mermaid tamer' on my resume sir."

Garrison grunted in response, taking Thomas’s resume and perusing it quickly. The truth was that he needed a trainer or at least someone that resembled one, and he needed them quick. He had thought he’d get hundreds of applicants for the job but most people were just too damn intimidated by the creature to even attempt it. The minute that he mentioned three days free pay Garrison knew the answer he would give.

“Well, I don’t see anything here that says you shouldn’t. I’ll have to give you a week trial period of course since you don’t have any actual experience and she is a rather odd case. That’d be a week without pay mind you.” He knew he was pushing it since the kid had only offered three days, but if Garrison had deduced correctly, the boy wanted the job and he would probably take the offer just to get the opportunity.

“If you pass the week trial then she’s yours to work with full time. She’ll be your responsibility to train for the public. Eventually the higher ups want some kind of show like the dolphin and killer whale shows we already have. It’d be good for publicity after all.”

Thomas raised an eyebrow. He was a reasonable boy at heart...

"I'll work the week for free, but only on the condition that if I request some equipment I get it. Nothing too expensive." he promised. "But the week of wadges yo wont pay me should cover them. Deal?"

The scholar knew his stuff. And according to his resume he had worked with dolphins in the past.

Garrison didn’t like it when people caught him in his own game. Then again, granting the boy’s request couldn’t be that bad. The likelihood of him staying for longer than a week wasn’t all that great anyway. He would probably quit just like the others before him.

“Sure. Nothing too expensive though.” He said, before muttering under his breath, “Doubt you’ll need any equipment though. Not with that thing.”

“Let me show you to the tank then.” He said lightly, opening the door again to let Thomas out of his small office.

Thomas stepped out of the office, doing his best to keep form grinning like an idiot. But LORD was he excited. When he was a child he was sure he had seen a mermaid. Now, after seeing one, regrettably in a tank, for a second time, it left no doubt in his mind.

It also left no doubt in his mind that she was much more intellegent then they gave the poor creature credit for.

Garrison led the way back to the mermaid’s tank, scratching his balding head as he walked. He was trying to figure out what he would do once Thomas gave up on the endeavor. He was pretty sure that the fish girl was just like every other fish they’d ever caught, wholly unintelligent, lacking any real brain, and simply surviving in the world based on their survival instincts. What this boy thought he could accomplish when everyone else had failed was laughable. He wouldn’t say anything of course. One week free pay, meaning he would probably never have to pay this college student.

“Well here we are. The landing to get in the water is right up those stairs. The observation room is down and to the left so that you can watch her underwater without having to be with the other guests. I’ll expect you here tomorrow at 8 in the morning to start the training. Anything else you’ll be needing?”

"If you don't mind I'll start working with her tonight after hours." he said. "When people aren't distracting her." he reasoned.


He did, however peer over the edge of the stairs. He was curious about this girl, this mermaid. While many human girls 'chased after unicorns' as many men sought the fabled sea-wonder....

Thomas blinked watching them go before he shrugged, pulling on his swim flippers. what did a few passer bys matter anyway?

He sat on the edge dipping his feet into the tank, then slowly he eased himself into the waters, not splashing too much. He was fairly sure she woudl simply hide in her cave, but that would be fine. All he planned on doing was to sit at the bottom of the tank for a while. Just sit and observe...

Taking a deep breath he dove down. He was a professional diver, and coudl hold his breath nearly an entire 8 minutes.

The young mermaid hid in her cave for so long that the boy had to come up for air a good three or four times. Finally, she poked her head out to stare at him. What was his problem? Why was he just sitting there? She didn’t get this human at all. Normally they would just force her to do anything they wanted. They never just sat there.

Slowly but surely she began to come farther out of her little sanctuary, watching him carefully for any signs of hostility.

As she came out, Thomas was on his way back down to the bottom yet again. He was getting tired though, having held his breath as long as he could nearly 4 times now. On the bright side, he supposed it was good endurance training.

He allowed himself to float for a moment before settling on the bottom one more. Through the water he heard the muffled clicking when he swallowed to wet his through, still holding his breath. He heard the engine hum through the water, filtering in oxygen he assumed must have been to his left.

He sat for only about 5 minutes then frowned opening his eyes again. He had to sneeze.... which wasn't usually wise under water.

Letting out a small mouthful of bubbles he stood, kicking off the tanks bottom.

The young girl ducked back into her shelter when he had to rush to the surface, but when she saw why she couldn’t contain the giggle that issued from her mouth. The sound was high and girlish, but distinctly human. No fish could have made the sound that came from this fish girl.

Slowly she came more out in the open, watching the human to see if he would do anything else that was funny. He seemed to determine to stick around, so she might as well get a good read on him. Besides, her instincts didn’t categorize him as a threat like the others that she saw so often. He didn’t poke and prod at her trying to get a reaction. In fact he was like many of the creatures she was so used to her in her own home. A mild curiosity but essentially going about his own business leaving hers to herself.

Yet she was curious about this human and his motives.

Thomas tread water for a while, coughing and wiping his face before shaking his head, sending droplets of water in a star burst from him. "Guess that's what I get for swimming at night." he mused. His thoughts were cut off by the laughter though. He couldnt help the slightly satisfied smile. At least he had amused her if nothing else...

He wanted to hopefully get her to trust him, enough to where he could learn about her, satisfy the 'boss' and eventually help her out.

He took a large gulp of air before diving down again, though not before discarding his swim flippers and mouth piece. No- this trip he would be going the old fashion way, then he woudl call it quits for the evening.

When he came back down to the bottom, she found herself frozen on the spot, watching him with wide eyes. She wasn’t sure whether she should swim away or get closer to this curious human. Some sense within her held her back. The last time she had let her curiosity take hold instead of common sense she had ended up in this fish tank. She trembled at the thought of what could happen to her now. Yet, her curiosity was something she’d never be truly able to fight against and this human seemed okay to her.

Like shark in still water, she swam silently towards him, ready to flee at any signs of hostility. It wasn’t long before she was facing him, albeit a good distance away. Cocking her head to the side she watched him, her green eyes trained on his still form. What was he doing, she wondered. She knew humans couldn’t breathe underwater like she could so was he trying to drown himself?

Well her questions weren’t getting answered by just floating there, so she asked him. However, she didn’t know English like he did so she asked in her own tongue, the language of her people.

Thomas opened his eyes hearing her and raised an eyebrow. He should have known better.... Of course she didn't speak English...

Regardless, he could only think of three things she might be asking him. first that came to mind was what he was doing, second, who was he, or third- when he was going to leave.

Fairly sure she wouldn't understand him, or even hear his voice clearly under the water he decided to answer the first thought he considered. "Ree-lazin." [relaxing XD]

She looked at him quizzically, not understanding a bit of what he was trying to say. It would make sense she thought, he’s underwater, he can’t speak here just like he can’t understand me. He should go back to the surface was the next thought that came to her mind. Before she could come up with a good reason to stop herself, like he could still be dangerous, she swam straight towards him, stopping an inch in front of his face. Surveying him intently with her insanely green eyes, she nodded before using her small arms to grab him underneath the armpits. With her strong tail she then bodily pushed him through the water to the surface, and literally chucked him back on to the swim platform.

Giggling again she ducked back under the surface, though this time she stayed near the platform, swimming lazily back and forth. Occasionally the sound of her giggle would waft through the water, sounding garbled like everything else. In the light of the moon her tail seemed to almost shimmer, and for the first time he was able to really see what she looked like clearly.

One thing was for certain, she most certainly was not all she appeared.