A Mertale

~one~ ~Dolphin Chase~

Chapter One
Dolphin Chase

It was evening, and the ocean was turning brisk as the sun, so far above, went down. The waters slowly got darker and darker, making it harder and harder to see through the new gloom. Yet, we continued mess around on the coral beds, poking at grouper fish, playing rounds of 'Takka' with pet dolphins and just having a ball of a good time.

There was only four of us, though by the noise we made it must have sounded more like forty of us. Como and Pearl constantly laughed and argued playfully (and loudly). Meanwhile, Afeena, my sister like childhood friend bossing us around with a set smirk on her face. Even the dolphins looked like they wanted to cover their ear holes. It was a wonder an adult hadn't found and dragged us back home by our tails yet. As I watched the dimming salt water, I began questioning my current decisions; after all curfew must have been at the most a half and hour away.

"Hey!" Pearl called me out, her bright, blush colored hair floating around her round grinning cheeks. "What did you eat to make you look so queasy?"

I pointed at my chest, "'me?" I scoffed, playing clueless. "Queasy? No way."

Como threw his head back and laughed, his pale skin starting to glow against the dark of his hair and the deepening waters. "Mer, your skin is the color of kelp!"

Scowling fakely, I flicked my tail and hopped from my seat on a rock turning to Afeena who was obviously amused.

"What time is it?" I asked in the most hushed tone I could manage.

My traitorous best friend raised her warmly tanned wrist and glanced at the watch speaking loudly, "What's that, Caspian? You want to know the time?"

Another laugh from Como. My expression dropped, probably resembling a blob fish.

With a giggle Pearl asked, "Why do you want to leave anyway, blubber brains?"

"Because I'm not a blubber brain." I replied. "If I go past curfew again my faction parents are gonna rip off my gills!"

Pearl snorted, "Mer, your faction parents are the most relaxed folk in the whole ocean!"

I bowed my head, "But Kai said-"

Cracking up, Como cut me off, "Your brother is a liar, man! Didn't he also tell you if you ate red clam you'd get skin fungus?"

My cheeks went hot. "Yeah..."

Gliding toward me Pearl chuckled, "you're so adorably gullible, Cas." And with that, she lightly punched my shoulder.

A slight harsh ripple in the water made everything stop.

"Whoa," Afeena assessed, licking her finger and holding it up. "Looks like there's gonna be a storm Uptop. I'd say it's nearby too."

"Okay. Your boring." Como stated, changing the subject, "did you guys hear about Nerissa-?"

Afeena glared at Como, crossing her arms.

Not taking s notice, Como continued, "-She's traveling up north, to...where was it? New Jersey! And she's joining an Uptop Teacher and walking around with humans for like six months!"