Mer

Mer I

“Anchors away!” exclaims Garnet happily, radiating delight at the sunshine, salt spray, and lively, cheerful company. “...or is it anchors aweigh?” she puzzles, “No matter... off we go!”

Garnet quickly picks a prime spot on deck of the elegant yacht-sized sailboat, and, pulling a jumbo sized beach towel out of her bag, while at the same time stowing her terry-cloth cover-up into the bag, lays down with a contented smile to sun her bikini-clad self.

“Oh!” she exclaims, as she almost reaches the moment of recumbent relaxation, “One more thing...” She digs into her bag an pulls out her cell phone, quickly dials, and in no time is engaged in cheerful chatting.

“Captain R.! Oh, Captain!...” Garnet calls, holding the cell phone in one hand, and beckoning to him with the other, “My mermaid BFF, Coral Rose, has invited us to a party tonight! Here...” she thrusts the phone into the hand of the puzzled captain, “She’s going to give you the coordinates...”

At a loss of what else to do, Captain R. obediently takes the phone & holds it to his ear. A look of confusion spreads over his face as he glances helplessly at Garnet and says, “Um... all I hear are... bubbling, gurgling noises.”

“Oh silly me.” exclaims Garnet, “I forgot. You don’t speak Mer!” quickly grabbing the phone back, she addresses her Mer BFF, saying, “Coral, honey, you better text it, OK?” before handing it back to the hapless captian.

Confusion turns to surprise as Captain R. sees coordinates scroll across the tiny screen...


Mer II

The stars shown bright, & phosphorescence twinkled in the ocean waves as if in imitation of those heavenly bodies. Between these two magic mediums of water and space floated a handsome craft named The Happy Deviant...

Early in the evening the noble ship had arrived at its programmed coordinates, slowing to a stop as silvery green tails flashed and upstretched arms signaled “Welcome!”

The events that followed raced by in a delightful blur of exotic merriment and amazing entertainment...

...platters of undersea delicacies delivered by laughing mermaids and hoisted to the deck by an enthusiastic Garnet... a never ending supply of drink bubbles, which, when pierced by a special straw, delivered serious refreshment and light intoxication...

Dolphin races... a juggling octopus... and synchronized swimming by Team Mermaid which would put any Olympic counterpart to shame...

In the wake of this amazing spectacle, the crew of the Happy Deviant reveled in the magic of their new-found paradise, while Garnet, leaning close over the water, chatted and giggled with her Merfriends.

“C’mon, Garnet!” Captain R. overheard, as bits & pieces of the twittering conversation floated his way, “You’ve GOT to meet him! There’s a get-together tonight at Marina’s place...”

“OK.” said Garnet decisively, “But I must return by sunrise...”

SNAP went the clasp of Garnet’s top as it dropped to the deck of the Happy Deviant... Suddenly her top was bare, and her bottom was... scaly? ...and blue-green shimmery.... changing shape, and with the last of her toes Garnet sprang into the water with a beautiful arc, and dove into the waves with a flick of her new-formed tail.

Giggles and giggle-bubbles exploded as Garnet waved good-bye to the Happy Deviant and her crew... “Don’t go anywhere!” she shouted with a wave, “I’ll be back by sunrise!”

In an instant the beautiful swimmers were gone, and all was quiet under the shimmering stars...

Mer III

And a beautiful sunrise it is. Blue melts into pink melts into red as sky melts into water...

Splash! Garnet (tail turned back to legs, scales into skin) drips herself on to the deck of The Happy Deviant. Quickly grabbing her beach towel, she envelops herself and proceeds to coax the water out of her ears by tapping the side of her head with the heal of her palm.

“Mornin’ Captain!” she chirps, upon seeing Captain R. emerge onto the deck, rubbing his sleepy eyes, “Wasn’t it the most wonderful...”

Garnet’s enthusiasm is interrupted by the ringing of her cell phone, which she quickly retrieves from her bag. A cloud comes over her face as she listens intently.

“But I didn’t even have any knees last night!” she says defensively. Holding the device away from her mouth and glancing at Captain R., she explains, “It’s Carla, my alter ego. She says that it being Holy Week, I should be on my knees praying rather than cavorting with underwater heathens!”

“And they’re NOT heathens!” she scolds into the mouthpiece of her cell, “But, OK...” she continues with a sigh, “I’ll be back in time for Holy Thursday Mass.” Rolling her eyes, she snaps the phone closed.

“Guess I’ve got to get off at the next port...” she sighs to Captain R., “But...” she continues with a mischievous smile, “Don’t hurry, OK?”
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