Dome of Atlantis

Chapter 18

I was already awake by the time Maureen came into my room. I heard the ruffle of my seaweed curtain before I saw her make her appearance.

     Strange that merfolk don't have doors to knock on before invading someone's privacy, I thought and smiled at Maureen.

     "Good morning Vivian. I hope you slept well," she said and smiled at me.

     "I did thank you, were you able to get some rest?"

     After that crazy shark yesterday I had a bit of adrenaline left, but then I was able to drift off into dreamland." Maureen laughed. "I brought you some new clothes last night before I went to bed, but you were already asleep. There's a new mermaid gown before you visit those sirens with Proteus."

     "Are sirens and mermaids different?" I asked.

     "There's a whole history lesson that answers that question." Maureen chuckled. "Siren's have different ancestors from regular merfolk and that's why they have beautiful voices. They're typically more pompous than normal merfolk. They think they're better than us or something."

      "I'm sorry."

     "Don't be, it's not your fault they're stuck up. Don't let them scare you though. I think humans are much more interesting and rare."

     I laughed at her comment.

     "What?"

     "There are more humans than you can imagine." I told her.

     "Really?"

     "Yes."

     She smiled while she thought about what I said. "I wish more of them would come visit over here. You better get dressed. I'll head out and tell Proteus that you're ready."

     "Alright," I said and waved bye to Maureen after she swam away.

     I pulled myself over to the gown she left for me. It was shiny and slick. When I turned it changed colors from deep purple to dark green.

     It looks like a chameleon, I thought.

     I swam through my curtained seaweed and  over a few feet to a rock wall. I swam along the wall and spotted Proteus and Maureen arguing with each other.

     I leaned against the wall nearby and listened.

     "I can't play along forever Proteus. Just keep her here."

     "Just because I'm the younger brother doesn't mean you should treat me differently than Maxwell."

     Maureen was quiet for a while and then she answered, "Yes your majesty. I'll go tell her you're outside."

     I barely made it to the seaweed outside of my room before Maureen saw me.

     She looked surprised.

     "All ready," I told her trying to act like I just came out of the room.

     She smiled nervously. "You all ready?"

     What are you hiding Maureen? I smiled back. "Yeah, is everything ok?" I decided to ask.

     Her fin flipped nervously. "Yeah, I think I might just be a little jittery still from that shark yesterday." She reached her hand out to me.

     I took it and she pulled me to where Proteus waited.

     He turned and smiled when I came into view. "Thank you Maureen."