Adrianne stood at the rocky coast, her eyes as blue as the calm ocean surface, with hair as black as the ocean depths. She had thought that perhaps those characteristics are what had caused her parents to give her the middle name of Marina. Yet her pale complexion did not seem to fit any of the other characteristic of the ocean. Perhaps it was the foam on the waves, or as her friend Sid had once told her, deep below the water one would not get sunlight. Perhaps she was pale like the people who lived deep under the sea.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44alhT43eW
She had, of course, dismissed these claims. No one could live underwater. People needed air to breath after all. Yet, when her father died, she remembered a story going around the village. Perhaps the people of the sea had reclaimed him as they had her mother. Her mother being lured back to the sea by a mermaid with a tail that shimmered like the golden sunset upon the calm waters of the bay. Yet none had seen this creature since. Perhaps, like many other stories that went around town, it was from another drunken sailor who had one too many pints at the tavern and felt obligated to regale their peers with an outlandish story.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMz6pFF3LIw
Still, true or not, the story had stung her. That the town cared so little about her parents or even her that they chose to craft up some story about a strange sea creature luring them both to their demises.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQKOHXUaeL
"Stupid people..." she muttered as she stared out towards the ocean. Had the story been true, she'd happily go to the bottom of the ocean, if it meant seeing her parents again. She stared longingly out towards the sea, no one really cared about her except maybe Sid and Raine. But other than that, she had been the village outcast, though some of the older men and boys felt the need to tell her that only her looks would get her by in life.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQVmthT1l5
She sank to the ground and put her hands to her face as tears began to well up and flow from her eyes down her face. She had worked hard to eek out an existence, despite all that life had thrown at her, but she was nearing a breaking point. The waves crashed upon the rocks as she began to cry in earnest. Maybe throwing herself into the sea would solve all her problems. She'd be rid of all the pain and suffering of the past eight or so years and if the stories were true, she'd be in the same place as her parents..... if they were true....211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbBJM80qW3
"Don't cry my child," a soft voice reached her ears. The tone was quite mellow and almost sing-song. She looked up to see a woman upon the rocks below her. Her complexion was pale jade, slightly pointed ears, almost similar to fins, golden eyes, and green tinged braids. Though at first the girl thought it was the kelp along the shore that had gotten on the rocks, but as she noticed a golden tail behind the woman, she knew all at once that the green was hair and not kelp.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MG8fNfxO9
"You're... a mer... maid?" Adrianne stammered.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fBiXVY33x
"Yes, in your tongue, I suppose I am," she said with a warm smile. "I am Jendayi, Queen of the Seas, and I have come here with a request. Come closer, you need not fear me."211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxleuaLXBQ0
Adrianne wiped away her tears and nodded as she slowly came closer to where Jendayi was, "O..kay..."211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lWkEU00ES
Jendayi reached out and brushed her hand against Adrianne's cheek, drying her tears in the process, yet the touch somehow felt... familiar.... "My son, Ezra, Prince of the Seas is searching for a wife. He was smitten with your mother whom we had taken as his wetnurse and originally had plans to be his bride, but she would not entertain his advances as her heart belonged to another. However, she said that she had a daughter, and so I came to investigate on his behalf. After all, a mother has to make sure her son is married to a good person."211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDyBGdl7Yc
Adrianne was not sure what to think of this development. Her mouth struggled to move several times after the story as she blinked blankly at the mermaid. Finally after several moments, she spoke, "But... what of... my father?" she asked.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCofi9sRGF
Jendayi remained silent and looked away for a brief moment as her smile melted from her face. She took in a deep breath and shook her head before speaking in a very low voice, "Ezra... was enraged that your mother would choose a human over him and challenged him to a duel. Ezra won, but in doing so killed your father. Your mother was so aggrieved that she killed herself."211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLx9CIUSiwk
"So... you want me to marry... my parents' killer?" Adrianne spoke sharply as she hung her head. She grit her teeth and clentched her fist as tears began to fill her eyes again. "But does it really matter?" she asked as her posture relaxed a little and her hands opened up again. Jendayi was unsure about this question and remained silent. "My parents were killed in the sea, no one has ever told me how. But on land their character is continuously spat on, as I am continually reminded." She sniffled some before raising her head up slowly so that her eyes meet Jendayi's. "At least I know, they died for their own convictions. The sea has told me its secrets and if they are willing to make amends, then I will accept. It is far better than the persecution I suffer here on land."211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuruEGc8jgT
"Very well, if that is your decision, then shall we go?" Jendayi opened her arms as if to welcome Adrianne into a warm embrace.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoC032F4suW
Adrianne nodded, "Yes, let's be off." Adrianne jumped into Jendayi's arms, the warmth of her body seemed to contrast the coldness of the water. Soon she found herself unable to even remain awake as they swam out from shore. The sounds of waves hitting the land becoming more and more distant, until she heard nothing at all. She closed her eyes, and sank down into the warm darkness. Jendayi, smiling very pleased with herself as they descended towards the bottom of the ocean.... far... far away from any reminders of terrestrial life.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGHnaQKPEX
