A Scaly Tale

The mermaid world

5

"Well before you ask any questions I will tell you the basics of mermaid types and species we usually refer to a species as a nation. Oh yeah! Mermaids and mermen are called merfolk. Anyway back to what I was saying, there are six different species of mermaids; Beautiful Mermaids, Coral Reef Mermaids, Fresh Water Mermaids, Cave Mermaids, Deep Sea Mermaids and Devil's Mermaid. Each species has a specific habitat. The beautiful mermaids, that's you, don't live too far out from the shore because they are amphibious and love spending time in the sun on the rocks. This, here, is where you will sleep and stay," Ianthe said overly fast, guesturing around herself 

"Coral Reef Mermaids live in, well, the coral reef. There is always a reef around that even those pesky walkers can't find. I'm a coral mermaid by the way, we sleep in anemone's but I'm starting to think that these bubbles are more comfortable! Fresh water mermaids obviously live in fresh water but are able to come into saltwater as well but they are not welcomed into it because each species has their own place and ruler and they are not supposed to get along well, particularly the Deep Sea and Devils mermaids. Fresh water mermaids are said to make homes under the rock beds but I have never seen them before so I can't describe them to you. Fresh water mermaids have special gills so they can take in fresh or saltwater without and disruption to their bodies. Cave mermaids live in caves or hollow rocks, I have no idea how they find comfort in them but I guess they are just used to it. Deep Sea mermaids are dangerous and you should do all you can to steer clear of them, I don't know much about where they live but I know it's at the bottom of the ocean, pretty far out at sea. It's rumoured that they weave huts out of seaweed and have large pointy fangs and fingernails. Lots of people who have actually seen them haven't been able to report much or anything at all... Devil's Mermaid are worse, they live under the sand and have only been seen few times. It is said that they dig large holes under the sand and live there. Don't even attempt to go near them, don't worry we are safe where we are, if you travel about five hundred metres away from the shore from here you will find the big drop. The big drop is a big cliff of sand and down the bottom is the lair of the two evil species, even those two species don't get along. None of the species are supposed to even interact with each other but the Coral's and the Beautiful Mermaids have always had a secret friendship." Ianthe giggled. It was a lot of information to take in and remember. I hoped that I didn't have to follow any rules.

"So what do you eat?" I asked suddenly curious after feeling my stomach grumble.
"Well we like to stick to a healthy diet of seaweed, plankton and coral, sometimes other types of healthy things but it's so tempting to add a shrimp but they get angry if you do, obviously. We also eat-Oh my Poisiden! What are these?!" Ianthe suddenly yelled out, swimming over to me and tracing her fingers over my nose and cheeks.
"What?" I asked, worried and confused.
"These light brown spots, I want them!" She exclaimed.
"Oh. Those." I was actually surprised that she liked them, she was the first person to. "Those are freckles, they are spots you get when you are in the sun for a bit, they don't do anything except appear in random and annoying places." I gave her a large explanation after realising that mermaids wouldn't have freckles.
"I think they compliment your face nicely and they just suit you, wait what is your name? I don't even know,"
"I'm Megan," I thought about the mermaid things she said. 

I remembered her saying that Beautiful Mermaids were amphibious, does that mean I could go see my parents? I didn't want to but I still wondered what they were doing without me.

"Are coral mermaids amphibious?" I asked Ianthe.
"Not strongly amphibious but they can stay out from water for a couple of minutes," She replied.
"So what were you doing when you came and took my notebook?" Ianthe's eyes widened quickly and she tried to cover it but failed.
"I-I heard you moving around and I was investigating what it was!" I gave her an intense look, trying to squeeze the truth out of her.
"Ok fine! I was meeting a friend, happy now?" I knew she hadn't finished, there was more to it.
"A friend? Who is your friend? If it is a friend, why was it so secret?" I nagged her. She sighed,
"It was so secret because my friend is another species of mermaid, if we get found the consequences could be high, as high as death. Please don't tell anyone else! I guess being killed isn't the worst part, the way they kill you is. You remember that box you were in? That's where they kill you." I pulled a disgusted face. "They strap you in by your wrists and tankle*. The box is at first full of water and slowly drains out until they run out of water and dry up to death. With beautiful mermaids they cut their gills first so they eventually die too." It all sounded horrible. Ianthe made me swear never to tell anyone. Before I could ask her any more questions she left after a merman told her that Simon had to speak to her. Just before she swam into the clam she rushed back and whispered into my ear, "Oh and, be warned, Simon, that man with the beard, doesn't trust you or me now, so don't do anything...bad. Bye!" With that she swam away quickly.
Now that no one was with me I could finally poke around and have a sticky beak of this peculiar world.

This is just a recap in case Ianthe's words were too fast for you, it also includes the definition of some peculiar words.
Mermaid: a mythical underwater creature with a tail instead of legs.
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Species: Beautiful Mermaid
Beautiful, amphibious, not very fast, blues and purples.
Coral reef mermaid
Pretty, small fins on the side of their faces, average speed, oranges and yellows.
Fresh water Mermaid
Live in fresh water, can swim in salt water as well, pretty fast, earthy colours.
Cave Mermaid
Not very attractive, very flexible and rather fast, purples and greys.
Deep Sea Mermaid
Not pretty, fast, many fins and flaps on faces, lime greens and purples.
Devils Mermaid
Ugly, very fast, many ugly face fins, blacks and reds.
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*Tankle= A mermaids ankle. Where the tail meets the fin.                                                                                               Walkers= Humans 
*Merfolk= Mermaids and mermen.