Anna couldn’t deny it, Clia was very beautiful. Her grace and beauty could rival the sea goddesses that she studied during university assignments - Anna had to respect Aaron for having such an attractive mate, especially one who wants to mate with new merfolk. However, even with her hazy mind, her brain reminded her of Eric and her nest. If Anna were to fall to Clia and something were to happen to her eggs while she was gone, the results could be disastrous, and heartbreaking.
Snapped back to reality, Anna forcefully pushed Clia away with a strong “No!”
Clia fell back into the sand, surprised by such a harsh rejection. “No?”
“No, I don’t want to do this. Eric was about to kill Aaron just moments ago, but I stopped him by bringing up our eggs - Our kids. If I don’t return soon to my nest and an eel gets to them…” Anna paused. “He’ll definitely pin it on Aaron.”
At that moment, the idea that her mate could’ve been murdered just a few minutes ago sent chills. “Then… What were you thinking of being with Eric in the first place? He’s a psychopath!”
“YOU’RE the one that tried to rape me!” Anna said with a shrill.
Clia froze at those words. She really didn’t mean to make Anna uncomfortable. Clia thought Anna was just a reluctant mermaid that simply needed to be charmed a bit before she would be a willing sex partner. Clia was lost in thought for a bit before she heard sniffling coming from Anna.
“Listen… I-I’m sorry. That was too harsh of me, wrong choice of words. I just… just. Forget it, I’m so sorry for ruining this, Clia. I’m sorry.” Anna whimpered as she swam out of the kelp-strands.
Clia reached out. “Anna, wait!” but Anna was already gone to come back to her nest.
Anna felt ashamed. She had just met a mermaid that could’ve guided her in her journey as a mermaid, and she blew it. If she was on land, tears would be streaming down her face. Everything felt awful, that is until Anna felt a hand grasp her shoulder.
Anna turned to see Clia swimming by her side.
“May I see your nest?” Clia asked softly.
Anna nodded with a smile.
Another purple-scaled gulper eel could smell a delicious and yummy nest of eggs. From the scent, it seemed to be fertilized but there no pheromones indicating that a merman was nearby. Fertilized eggs tend to not be on an eel’s menu, but if no one’s going to claim it, this lucky eel might as well have a bite and -
SNATCH—CRACK
Anna grabbed the eel and killed it before it could harm her nest. Looking at Clia, wanting to make it up for her outburst, Anna offered the dead eel for her. “Clia, I’m so sorry for -”
Clia interrupted, “No, no. It’s fine. You had your reasons and… I think we started off on the wrong fin. But if I do appreciate the food!”
Laying on the seabed near the eggs, Anna and Clia split the eel and half and ate the creature in enjoyment.
After their meal, Anna swam over to her nest proceeded to gently prod and stroke her eggs with her fingers and tailfin.
“I’m so glad that we made it in time to save the babies. Eric’s babies. My babies.” Anna cooed lovingly.
Clia was fascinated seeing a mermaid being so cautious and delicate towards her entire nest of eggs. Granted, Anna was a human but it wasn’t as if merfolk didn’t care about eggs once they fertilized them - It was just expected that couples would go back to the village, wait to see if any eggs hatched, and simply try again on the next cycle if no babies survive to be born. Mermaids lay lots of eggs and if every egg survived to be hatched twelve times in a year, there would be a big overpopulation crisis and…
Anna preceded to sing a soft lullaby for her eggs as if she’s trying to lull a living merchild to sleep. Clia couldn’t recognize such a lovely song not sung in the familiar merfolk language and asked.
“Where did you learn that song? It sounds nice.”
“My mother sang it to me every night when I was a baby. It just stuck, you know?” Anna replied, remembering the voice of her mother. Her human mother.
Clia smiled and nodded. “If I were to have children, I’ll keep it in mind and have Aaron memorize it.”
Anna giggled. “Good!”
The two were silent and enjoying the quiet moment until Clia remembered why Anna came to her in the first place.
“So, now that we have more time to talk. What else do you want to learn about merfolk? Feel free to ask me about anything.” Clia asked.
Anna looked down at her eggs and thought about it. She really wanted to ask a good question so she could get the most of this conversation before Eric returned. Hopefully, the two would discuss more stuff once their mates weren’t home.
With her mind set, Anna decided to...