Just as you finish making up your mind, you hear one of the mermaids say, “We know you’re there, so you can come out of hiding.” The six mermaids all pulled themselves out of the water and perched themselves upon their own rocks. They all had bikinis made of either starfish or seashells held together with little more than a string of pearls; the one that spoke had bright green hair and a sapphire tail that seemed to shimmer as the full moon finally made its appearance.
“Oh, uh, how long did you know I was here?” You ask sheepishly.
“Long before you even came close to this lagoon.” A pink-haired mermaid with a tail like ruby answered.
“Really?” you ask.
“Certainly,” yet another said, this one with vibrant blue hair and an emerald green tail, “after all these centuries our kind spent avoiding such obvious detection in your world, we would never be so careless as to allow ourselves to be seen unless we wanted to.”
A fourth mermaid spoke up; her hair was jet-black with a tail of pale purple, like amethyst. “Your friend is free to join us as well.” She gestured behind you.
You look back to see a female figure approaching. It was Corey, your best friend since you were in preschool. “Corey, come here!” You shout excitedly. “You will never believe this!”
“Okay, Millie; what’s so-” Corey started to ask before laying eyes on the mermaids. “Whoa, nice costumes!”
All the mermaids giggle before a brown-haired mermaid with a yellow tail, like topaz speaks up “These are no costumes.” She curled her tail upward as tightly as she could. Something no human in a costume could ever do.
Corey was astonished. “T-They really are mermaids!”
“Allow us to introduce ourselves.” The last mermaid, with platinum blonde hair and a light blue tail, like aquamarine, spoke. “I am Lorelei.”
“Polly.” The sapphire mermaid said.
“Clarissa.” Said the ruby mermaid.
“Kelly.” Added the emerald mermaid.
“Nina.” The amethyst mermaid spoke.
“Barbara.” The topaz mermaid said.
“I’m Millie,” you say, “and this is Corey.” You point to your friend.
“A pleasure to meet you.” Lorelei said. “So, Millie and Corey; care to join us for a swim?”