A beach sprawled out before you. It was vast and seemed to go on in both directions. However, there was a figure straight ahead that caught your interest. As you approached, it looked like a woman lying on her stomach; her back to the waters, which were splashing down on her.
Your pace quickened, assuming this girl was in trouble. She let out a soft moan as another wave of water washed over her body. She seemed to be smiling, resting her head on her folded arms. You stood in shock at what you saw when the water receded. It was a sparkling blue fishtail. You let out an audible gasp.
She looked up at you and said, "Hello. Can I help you?"
"Y... you're a... m-me-mermaid!" You blurt out.
With a quizzical look on her face, she rolled over; exposing her ample, shell covered breasts; curled her tail up and said, "Oh, so I am; how about that." The sarcasm in her voice was obvious.
"Well, I've never seen a real mermaid before." You said, furrowing your brow. "Heck, I thought they were a myth until just now."
"Ooohh, an Earthsider, huh? That explains it. I guess I should welcome you to the world of Gaia. I'm Missy, by the way." She held out her hand.
"Uh, pleased to meet you Missy; I'm Alex." You say as you shake her hand and glance down at her shelled bosom, noticing how secure the shells seem on her chest with no obvious ties or bands.
"Nice to meet you too, Alex." She catches your glance. "So, do you like what you see?"
"Hah, nice try; but I've talked to enough girls to know not to fall into that trap."
"Trap?"
"Yeah, you know; if I say 'yes', you'll accuse me of only caring about your looks; but if I say 'no', you accuse me of saying you're 'ugly'."
"I don't know what girls you've been talking to, but rest assured, we mermaids just love being told how pretty we are."
"Seriously?"
"Oh, yes!"
"So, if I answer your question, you promise you won't read too much into it?"
"I swear by the mermaid goddesses themselves."
"Okay, yes; I do like what I see."
Missy smiled. "Then it shall be yours!"
"What do you mean?"