“I want to be human,” Naia continues, undeterred by my silence. “I know you’re the only one who can help me to accomplish that. And I’m willing to pay whatever price you demand.”
I rest my chin in my hand as I study this young mermaid. Well, siren in my script because I thought I’d be clever and make her a little siren instead of a little mermaid.
“Um…” I begin, but then I shake my head. No, what am I saying? I have to help her because she will give me her siren’s song in exchange for that potion. I will need that if I’m going to survive my script long enough to figure out how to get home.
My character Moira had her siren’s song ripped away from her when she was exiled to this shipwreck. I reach up, tracing my cheek and feeling a raised bump. I even have her scars?
A siren’s song is used to sway the seas and the sea creatures beneath. It even has an effect on humans. Not that I’d use it for such unscrupulous means.
In my character’s background, her mother and she were attacked by a shark, defenseless against it due to not having their song. Her mother died in the attack, and she got the scar and thus started her on her dark path to revenge.
I don’t need revenge though.
I just need to borrow it to make sure I don’t die. Plus, if I can turn Naia into a human then I can do it to myself as well and finally be rid of this ridiculous fin.
The only problem with this plan is that I don’t know a lick of alchemy. My eyes flick to the boiling pot. I don’t even know what is brewing in that. But if this is indeed the plot then surely it will progress properly? Maybe that boiling brew is already the potion, queued up and ready to be used. I can only hope that it somehow works, just like being able to see underwater with no sunlight and being able to speak.
Finally, I find myself nodding. “I can do what you wish, but it’s going to cost you. I want your song.”
I try not to feel too bad as I watch Naia’s face fall.Not for long… I silently promise her.
Just long enough to get me out of this ocean so I can finally start figuring out what exactly is going on.
