The Wetter the Better

1. 21

Ignore the mistakes plz ;)

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"Promise me you won't get pregnant please?"

"Sanz shut up Avi is responsible."

"She might get drunk and you know how she gets when she's drunk-"

Vedant and Sania kept bickering on the topic, yet Avneet couldn't find herself paying any attention to the couple. Sania insisted that Avneet would only face immense danger on land, like getting caught by immigration or getting pregnant.

"Jeez sanzy, I'm not that dumb, I know how to take care of myself. And I'm good at faking and acting too."

"Yeah sanz, if I could make it through there's no way Avi wouldn't. But just in case, you're packing some of my autographs with you. Bet those would come in handy."

Avneet snorted loudly. As if anyone actually liked vedD duh. Two years ago when Vedant finally reached 21, he spent a month on land, a tradition for royal family members. Some King thought this could widen their horizon and quote-unquote just because they are ignorant of our presence doesn't mean we should be ignorant of theirs. And that's how the tradition was set years ago. According to vedant himself, he had mostly slept through the days and when night time falls, he's out. The nocturnal merman made himself a name by performing in underground rapping competitions, under the name vedD.  Vedant said he was really popular and often told Avneet if he had stayed long enough, he could have won a Grammy.

Avneet called it bullshit.

"Anyways, please be careful avi, you know how dangerous humans are. And on your way up please be extra cautious, okay? You know there has been frequent reports on hunters in these waters. Just pick a deeper shore with no humans nearby. Do you want me to go with you? You know I can always-"

"Sanzy, I know you're worried about me, but I'll be fine, okay? I'm turning 21 for Poseidon's sake!" Avneet let out exasperatedly. Sania was her best friend, she gets where this came from but honestly, after being babied for her entire life, she's a little bit sick of it. She wanted to live to the fullest.

"Avi, just one last thing to remind you before we leave. You know you can only go on shore once you've discovered your trait right? Don't do anything stupid before that. And keep the necklace safe would you? Drink the vial once you're near the shallow areas, then you swim your way to the beach. Bring this shell with you as well, in case you miss us you could call-" Sania was fidgeting, looking at Avneet with big wide eyes.

"Come on Sanz, it's her big day tomorrow, cut her some slack, she'll be fine, don't worry. Good luck and have fun out there bub." Vedant patted Sania on the back reassuringly, rubbing circles in her neck. It's only natural Sania feels uncomfortable with Avneet out of her reach, since the duo were basically joined at the hip since they were three. Sania first met Avneet in the palace, where her father worked as the General. Sania bumped into Avneet in the corridor, and got their tails entangled. Maybe that was fate's idea, since then, the two have been inseparable.

With a reluctant smile, Sania waved Avneet goodbye and left with vedant. Avneet was alone in her room at last. She eyed the indigo vial that sat on her desk. Vedant had told her that after she drank the vial, she could get temporary human legs for a month. Avneet wondered if it would hurt: would all her scales peel off one by one? Will her tail split in half? Will her legs be blue, like her tail? Instead of pestering vedant with questions, Avneet decided to find out the answers by himself. (Although she's pretty sure vedant would have told her off anyways)

Avneet pulled out a petite ivory-colored shoulder bag from her drawer and placed the seashell and the vial necklace in it. The bag was woven by her grandmother, using the finest coral silk found in the seven seas. The bag was also decorated with pearls, glimmering faintly in the room. Avneet eyed the autographs on seashells, sighed defeatedly, and shoved one in her most treasured bag. Being a forgetful person, Avneet did not put down her bag. The chances of her forgetting to take it were very high. So she took it with her when he went for a midnight swim.