CHAPTER- 8
NARINA POV-
We were given a little apartment, with a lamp, three beds and a washroom. Kian and I shared the same bed while Thalia and Ravi took their own bed
I still wonder what made Thalia react in such a way, she's usually hyper and carefree.
I've tried so hard to push the curiosity away, but I want to know.
The villagers have been nothing but nice to us throughout, they gave us fruits and vegetables, clothes accessories and many hugs.
"I'll miss you all!" The village leader hugged me tightly. I couldn't breathe. The village leader was a middle aged woman with streaks of white hair and occasional wrinkles.
"and remember to bring your mother next time, Ravi!" she waved like a little child.
"I will, I'll tell my mom all about you okay? " Ravi said.
The village leader let out a familiar warm smile before we continued our journey.
As the journey continued, we encountered many boars, low level snakes and more, however nothing could prepare me for this.
"I noticed something about you and the little boy" Ravi spoke, his deep brown eyes started at me curiously
Ever since we started moving, he's been staring at me, which made me nervous. And now he knows I'm hiding something? Does he know that I have a gem? Or does he knows something about my heart-shaped bracelet?
"You aren't a land creature, aren't you?" he continued
My heart stopped. Will he rat me out? Should I come clean?
"Yeah, I'm a mermaid, I haven't been able to transform though" I replied honestly, waiting for his reaction.
"Hmm…" Ravi hummed "I noticed. Your skin is a bit glossy, and your gills are kind of popping out." He pointed out. "Also, I remember that man called you "that mermaid".. I just wanted to make sure."
My face flushed, I didn't even notice.
"You need to hide your gills and put a colour changer potion on. If anyone found out you were a mermaid in silver dust, they'll use your power for their power fuel." He continued.
"I know… "I frowned. "But where could I possibly find a potion like that? And hiding my gills? I don't know how to get rid of them" I sighed
"Don't worry, I'm fully prepared! I'm an elf after all!! My bag has everything!" he shrieked.
I chuckled, his bag, it's small but carries a lot
"Yes… I always end up over packing though" a sweat popped on his forehead. "Here, colour change potion. The instruction is just one drop every day, it lasts 24hours exactly. Also, for your gills I have done some research and gills often disappear after Mer folks are rehydrated! And if I'm guessing, you haven't been in water with your tail for a long time, judging on how dominant they are" he looked at me again
"Don't worry, we can stop near a lake, and you can swim with your tail, also from now on when you have a bath, add salt to mimic salt water and swim with your tail!!"
"Wow, you know your stuff." Thalia said. "Well, what about me? Don't I need anything? And him"
"Sorry, no. Since your royalty, they probably won't care… for Kian, his gills don't really show, so he's safe, but I'd advise him to start, just in case you know!" Ravi said nervously
The donkeys came to a stop near a lake, the water danced as waves splashed on nearby rocks. The sun reflected on the blue water like diamonds.
"Here should be fine." Ravi cleared his throat "if you don't know how to transform, your necklace, it has a gold gem in your necklace, you can activate it by tapping it I think"
"Kiann can make his own, he'll need his tears, mixed with salt water and a strand of his hair. Once it's done, I think he should be able to do it"
"But he's a half Mer folk, he might not transform" Thalia said.
"oh, I thought he was full… then that means his gills might not appear as much, he wouldn't need to swim with you." He spoke
"Okay… I'll start" I said. I let out a heavy breath; I looked down at my necklace and realised there was a small gem dangling at the bottom. I think this was what Ravi meant.
I jumped into the water, the water droplet sticking to my body as my hair spread across the endless waters. I paused, expecting a transformation to happen. However, nothing happened.
FLASHBACK
Young Narina wailed, her legs on her face as little droplets sprinkled on the floor. A middle-aged woman gently walked towards her, her face full of worry.
"Mommy-"they said" sniffs "they said I can never be a true Mer folk- because I can't become a mermaid" my voice cracked.
"Rina dear don't listen to them, everyone develops differently, different strengths and weaknesses. "Her gentle voiced soothed me, my cries slowly stopped
"Mommy, how were you able to use your tail?" I carried on.
"Hmm," she hummed, sitting next to me. "well, in order to transform you need to almost become one with water. Your body should feel like you're turning into water. Then your legs vanish into a tail. It's hard to explain"
"Become water? What?" my eyes widened
"Yes, since us Mer folks are water creatures, it's important that we know our surroundings." She paused "maybe this is too heavy on your little brain, you'll understand when you're older" she ruffled my air slightly.
I closed my eyes, my body sinking as my brain flashed with memories of my mother.
That's right. My mom said something like that, I can't feel myself becoming one with water though.
What did she mean? How can I become one with water? I thought, my body desperately trying to transform
"Narina!!" thalia screamed from above "did it work!? You've been there for a while!"
"I'm okay!" I replied. I gently pulled myself to the shore "I couldn't transform, but I think my gills are less visible now"
"that's odd, you couldn't transform?" Ravi said, "maybe it's because you haven't transformed in so long, or maybe because of my calculations, but your gills have gone, this is interesting!"
"so, you don't know? Thalia said
"it's probably because her body hasn't adapted to the waters yet. Don't worry, everything else worked smoothly, her gills are gone, she was able to speak underwater. She could breathe under water" Ravi rambled
"that's good to know. "I replied.
"Woah mommy! That's so cool! I want to do that too!" Aiden jumped happily.
"Don't worry, I'll teach you next time, okay?" I said ruffling with his hair
He let out a little pout, clearly not happy with my decision "okay mommy"
"Sorry to ruin the mood, but we really have to get going, we are only 6 hours away, we need to hurry before it's full" Ravi said walking back to the wagon
This is my chance!
I dashed towards Ravi, determined to learn.
"how do I learn to make things like you!" I breathed out "you know, making your wagons and stuff!?" I sat next to him