Not long later within the News Van that just so happened to be parked just off the pier. “Higher up weren’t kidding about making you try it huh” Liam, the cameraman noted over the silver colored, actually professionally make tail that had been in this box the two had been handed before heading out for the assignment. “Be that or diving in scuba-gear Liam and the New Atlantis Board of Shareholders and Directors were adamant in only tail swimmers being allowed” Susan firmly stated back while checking the special deep ocean camera to be used for the next part “Now all we need is someone using a proper tail from among the swimmers outside who knows how to run this. Providing your staying on dry land of course”. “…I’ll get to asking then” Liam nervously accepted.
“OK what’s the matter?” Susan demanded while placing the camera down on the table. “Look I’ll have you know that Colin’s brother’s wife is a mermaid performer, actually she’s maybe among those the Resort staff hired as the identities of the hired performers leading the show are classified until this afternoon, and country to what allot of shows might display, cartoons usually, actually swimming with your legs bound in a tail is tricky to the point those that want to take lessons need to first have several years of successful standard swimming lessons” Liam explained “Why is it do you think it is almost all live-action mermaid media only uses adults?”. “Wasn’t there this Australian show about-” Susan started. “Did you ever see the child actresses in actual tails doing deep water shots?” Liam countered.
“Besides how far do you expect to do down?” Liam then asked. “Pretty far really. You really think I was chosen solely over my looks?” Susan dared “I wasn’t a cheerleader is Highschool but part of the swim team but didn’t go professional, was more for fitness and health and during college I took mermaiding lessons”. “Then why’d you enter the reporter race?” Liam questioned. “Journalism was my main club and I-” Susan started before some noise outside alongside some of the Van’s equipment starting to flicker interrupted her. “-THE HELL?” Liam responded. “You check the system and I’ll look outside” Susan instructed.
However the moment Susan opened the door she was greeted by Aquaris floating outside using a paranormal waterspout to move, a waterspout coming out of thin-air and somehow not spiting water about but also powerful to allow it that Aquaris wasn’t touching the ground. “Forgive my intrusion but may we talk?” the merfolk goddess asked the silenced Susan who merely started stepping backwards back to her chair. “Someone here for an interview or some…thing?” Liam asked as he turned to face Susan but saw Aquaris. “You must be what they refer to as the Cameraman” Aquaris greeted.
“…who or what is this?” Liam finally asked “And how is it none of that water is touching the equipment?”. “I am Aquaris, and I am here to request your help” Aquaris introduced. “I…must say that is…quite the magic trick” Susan nervously. “Apologises but taking a brief human form seemed needless considering the distances and request’s nature” Aquaris calmly continued as she dismissed the water into nothingness and got seated on a third chair within the truck “But I suppose checking my tail should help”.
Reluctantly Susan crept closer and examined it first by eyes and noticed how Aquaris was moving it about, in ways more like cartoons and less live-action and upon tapping the scales then rubbing where the scales gave way to skin she again backward away. “Well…?” Liam asked like he was dreading the answer. “No costume… it’s real…” Susan muttered. “You mean…we’re talking to… a……genuine mermaid?” Liam guessed in dread. “Not quite” Aquaris assured. “Oh sorry. It’s Siren then, are somewhat interchangeable I guess” Susan responded. “No mermaid or merfolk in gender neutral group terms, mermen or merman for adult males, and merboys for male children are all correct while mermaid or mermaids for females of course” Aquaris assured “Put it plainly I’m of a divine nature… beyond what Christians call angels”. “…you’re… saying we’re…talking… with a goddess” Liam fearfully questioned. “Indeed and need not worry. If you’re gay I’ll have you know we divine are mostly indifferent to sexual preferences” Aquaris continued.
“What’s are the heads going to say about this? I mean abandoning a Resort opening to interview a being claiming, *looks at Aquaris* no offence, *looks back at Susan* to be a goddess?” Liam questioned Susan. “Oh what this involves won’t draw your story away but go along with it” Aquaris started “see I know neither of you will have believed this until now but merfolk were genuine until the changing of the calendars, BC to AD if you must, and not simply a completely independent race for I had Temple, Churches, Shrines whatever you will where on uncommon occasions I would convert humans into merfolk or allow merfolk to forsake the seas to become humans”.
“…so your planning on changing people here to rebuild your empire?” Susan guessed. “Indeed but not simply a mass indifference transformation but merely an offering alongside this being a starting point” Aquaris assured “But as you know getting word out even for a divine goddess like me isn’t easy so I came to you to interlink my return and offer with your news report here”. “Susan this is crazy? This can’t be that simple?” Liam muttered. “Well? What do you think?” Aquaris then asked Susan: