Mermaid Aquarium

The Addition of Mira

      I'm suddenly awoken by heavy splashing at the top of the tank, like something heavy was dropped in.  The bubbles clear and I see what, or more accurately who, has entered my hellhole.  Another mermaid. 
      She swims over to me enthusiastically as I get a closer look at her tail.  A koi mermaid.
      "Hi!  My name's Mira.  The people here call me Emily, though" She says as she extends her hand out to me.  I shake it hesitantly and give a fake smile. "I'm Amara.  It's nice to meet you."
      Koi mermaids are by far the most enthusiastic and childish of all mermaid subcategories.
"So, an orca. Not a common sight, especially near Catalina." Mira says to me. I nod, "we mostly stay deeper in the ocean but I like the shore."
      She swims around, exploring the somewhat barren tank that we now share. "So, Amara, why were you alone on the shore of the island? Where was the rest of your pod?" Mira asks me. "Well, I was separated during migration. I didn't know where else to go so I just came back to Santa Catalina." I reply to her. "Ah man, I'm sorry"
She swims around, checking out the few decorations around the tank. Some people walk by and she swims closer to the glass. The small child excitedly stares at her as she waves enthusiastically. It's parents pull it away as it waved goodbye to Mira.
"So, what are we supposed to do?" Mira asks. I shrug, "there's nothing much to do. I mostly just swim around and do nothing." I can see the realization set in on her face. It's subtle but it's there. I feel bad but there's nothing I can do.
Mira swims up and breeches the surface of the tank. Gasps and applause come from the tourists watching her. If only she knew that there really wasn't an escape, and we were stuck here.  There would be the momentary feeling of happiness, and then the realization that they only care because they think we're beautiful, or magical.   We're like them, just living in the ocean. 
      "Amara, are we the only mermaids here?"  Mira turns to look at me.  "There shouldn't be.  While yes they called me their 'newest addition' I just figured that was because I was thought to be a siren."  I join her at the top of the tank, trying to understand the context of her question.  It's difficult to float next to her with her overabundance of curly ginger hair. Tinted glass is being installed over the tank across from us. I swim back down to look through the front glass.  After a while of staring a float away.
      "It's nothing new, just preparation for something."  I swim back down to my makeshift cove and try to rest.  "Well, maybe that 'something' is another mermaid?" Mira asks, following me.  I shrug, after all, nothing is predictable here.