" There is one more test you could try," You tell the merman as you swim around the tide pool.
" Whatever it is, I'll do it," he says, clenching both his fists in excitement.
" Alight. First step: focus on the water in which you are submerged in."
He looks down at the water with his eyes wide open. You put your hand over your mouth to stifle a giggle. Who knew he'd take this so seriously. You take in a deep breath and continue teaching.
"Think of nothing but the swift movement of the water. The sweet, relaxing sound it makes."
The merman slowly nods, still focused on the water.
" Now... put your hand out towards it."
He puts out his hand.
" Try to make it levitate."
He lifts his eyebrows in confusion as he tries to understand what you mean. 'Like, how is this going to help me find a new power?' you swear he thinks (at least that's what you think he thinks.)
He goes with what you say and lifts his hand from the water to the top of the cave. Nothing happens. He looks at you, wondering what went wrong.
" Maybe it does happen right away. Just try again," you say with an encouraging smile.
He tries again. Fail! You see he's getting frustrated. "Ugh! This isn't working!"
You begin to rub his back. " Third time's a charm. Just try one more time?"
"I don't know..." he hesitates.
You make make puppy dog eyes and stick out your bottom lip. " Please Mister Mer? For little old me?"
He snickers and shoves you aside. "Okay, okay. One last time." He smiled sweetly and slightly blushes. "For you."
He takes a breath and re-focuses on the water. This time, when he lifts his hand, the water levitates in the air. He gasps in surprise, then starts to laugh. "I'm doing it! I'm doing it! Whoo hoo! Yes!" He punvhes the air with the same hand, causing the levitating water to explode everywhere. He laughs even more.
You laugh along with him. "Good job! You did great!" You swim in closer about to hit him, when his phone starts ringing. Good thing you grabbed that before you left that crazy building.
He swims to the edge of the pool and grabs his phone.
" Who is it?" You ask him.
"It my girlfriend."