Re: Curiosity Killed The Catfish R/rated

[LadyRaven]

Syrenne noted the change in Arien's attitude towards Damus and she smiled sweetly, making her excuse to leave.  The male's skill in warfare and his strength and ingenuity had proven to be more than enough to catch the young female's eye and though Syrenne thought her friend somewhat fickle in that, she knew they would become a solid pair like she and Merlin.  She left them to a quiet corner and the spoils that Damus was now offering to Arien and made her way out of the grand hall.  She needed some 'air' so to speak.

Hector smiled and continued to chatter with Merlin a while longer and to tell his new king quite proudly that some of the miner merfolk had excavated Syrenne's old hole to make it big enough and more comfortable for them.  "It's the finest hole in the Spire."  He said with a smile, "You and Syrenne will be comfortable there for quite some time and there is plenty of room for those offspring I was talking about when you get back from your tours."  It was simple natural assumption for Hector that the young pair would return and make their home at the Spire.

Outside in the refreshing currents, Syrenne positioned herself on some rocks higher up and stared out into the open waters to think.  It didn't take long for one of her community to see her and went to her.  It was Nyssa.  "Evening Nyssa."  She said warmly to her friend and the pair touched their foreheads together before Nyssa took a rock next to her friend.
"How are you feeling?"  She asked.
Syrenne offered a small shrug, "Fine, I guess."  She replied.  "It's been a long few days."
"I can only imagine."  Nyssa told her, "It's been quite hellish here too with the worry for you and Merlin, and the battle and all."
"I know."  Syrenne said, looking down at her scales around her knee.  She began to pick lightly at them.
"I understand it was terrifying up there for you."  Nyssa said, "I can't imagine the monsters that you saw."
"Neither could I until I actually saw them."  Syrenne said quietly.  "Huge beasts with four legs and a sound that would frighten even a shark and things that move along with ground with such a rumble, it throws you.  And so many ground dwellers in all different colours and sounds and not one of them understood me.  I thought the flying thing was frightening enough, but all that in one go, it was too much for me."  She turned her face to her friend and then looked down with sad eyes.  "But most of all, the look of sadness in Merlin's eyes when I told him how I hated it.  He was so looking forward to showing me those things and how they lived up there.  He's so proud of his world, Nyssa, I feel as though I've condemned his wishes to be in both places."
Nyssa reached across and touched her friend's cheek, "What you went through would be enough to turn anyone against the upside world."  She said, "And Merlin understands that, I promise.  When you're ready, he'll take you up there on your terms and show you the beauty he sees in it, not the terrifying."
Syrenne looked to her friend and smiled, "I know."  She said, "But it could be a while before that happens.  We still have the tours to do and I know Hector will be anxious for us to breed when we get back."
"What makes you say that?"  Nyssa asked.
"The way he looks at us as a pair."  Syrenne explained, "The excitement in him when he examined me and the way he treats Merlin.  I'm just not ready yet, that's all and I don't believe Merlin is yet either.  I think his science mind will want to check and double check everything before we spawn to make sure."
"That's understandable."  Nyssa said and then smiled, "Do you want me to have a word with him about it?  Get him off your tail for a while."
"Thank you Nyssa."  Syrenne said with a nod.
Nyssa smiled again and nudged her friend carefully on the rock, "So tell me more about the upside."  She coaxed, "I want to know everything, good and bad about it."  She then smiled and settled as Syrenne began her tale.

Washington - Central Government.
"So you're telling me that just a few hundred of these fish destroyed Carrow's entire armada?"  The senator asked carefully.
"That's right."  Said the appointee, "Senator Graves, we've never seen weapons like this before.  Not even our past armoury could have matched it.  One blast from the crystal rods and it burned an entire ship."
"And you want us to make a treaty with these fish?"  Graves asked, "Are you insane, man?"
The appointee shook his head, "Senator, firstly, these merpeople are not fish.  The historical science has proven that.  They are much more akin to a whale or perhaps a shark."
"They breathe water through gills."  Graves snapped, "That males them fish."
The appointee shook his head again, "Sir, if you'd allow me to continue."  He said calmly, "Fair enough, the breathe water which puts them closer with a shark, but they have many human traits also.  They are a branch of human evolution that predates our own by several million years.  They are the original people of Atlantis, the fabled sunken island.  And believe me, Senator, they are anything but simple.  I have been in personal contact with John Sterling, the expert assigned to the oceanic and marine preservation society.  He himself experimented with the merpeople with the result of his son, Merlin Sterling.  Now, from what we have learned from both him and through the society, he now leads the merpeople and has even taken one of the females as his companion, or spouse, whichever term you understand.  What Carrow did in kidnapping the female and the subsequent attack on her home territories has all but declared war between us and them.  We need to be ahead of this before it turns into another bloodbath.  Their technology far outweighs our own and with two thirds of the planet being pretty much their country, we don't have much of a choice.  If we as a species are to live among these merpeople, we need to adapt and accept that they are there and they are not going to go away.  We all know the damage we caused to the oceans in our history of industry and pollution.  I'd say it's only fair that we listen to them and respect them.  In essence, Senator, as we might declare ourselves dominion over the planet, they were here first."

"I still don't like the idea of being subservient to a bunch of salt sucking fish."  Graves said sharply, "No matter what they are or are not.  If they were here all along, why did they not come forth before."
"They tried."  Said another senator.  Senator Marshall looked to both Graves and the appointee.  "During the war when our pollution was at its height."
"I don't understand."  Graves said.
Marshall moved forward in his seat, "I've been going over some of the historical records."  He nodded to the appointee, "Around the middle of the 22nd century, when the war was at its peak and our pollution of the oceans was the worst we'd ever seen.  The merpeople made themselves known then.  At first, it was just reported sightings and badly burned and decomposed bodies washing up on the beaches.  Nobody took any real notice at the time because of the fighting, but after, the reports kept coming.  When our previous government decided to dump the toxic weapons and waste after the war, reports started flooding in about the barrels and such being thrown back to the shore and at the boats that dropped them."
"Why did we never hear about it?"  Graves asked.
"We wouldn't have because the corporations responsible for the dumping kept it a secret."  Marshall explained.  "They went to great lengths to keep their crimes under the radar.  And when they found information leaking to the authorities, they started hunting the merpeople down and killing them.  They very nearly succeeded and what they didn't kill, the chemicals and toxic waste they dumped did.  We believe now that only a fraction of the original population survived, but that was more than a century ago.  In the time since, it appears that their numbers have recovered to a point where they can now claim themselves a vast civilisation.  John Sterling knew this and he'd been fighting for years to have all the oceans declared a preserve to keep them safe.  He even altered his own son to prove they existed and to show that our respective populations really can interact safely and without malice.  Before Merlin discovered the community at Shard Rock, he had been testing the ocean floor for the minerals and ores that showed these people were still there, but also for safe mining should they allow it.  Since then, according to John, his son has barely set foot on dry land since.  The merpeople are not our enemy, nor are they simply fish that need protecting as an endangered species.  They are a thriving and intelligent race that command our respect and protection from people like Carrow and his companies.  You know very well, Senator Graves, that I have been lobbying nearly my entire career to have the ocean protected as one whole being and to stop the drilling and mining that has proven to destroy the eco system down there.  I understand that we have a lot of money down there, but the cost, Senator, is too much for us to ignore any longer." 

He sat back again and regarded Graves as he went over his planner.  "It just so happens that I have a meeting with Mr Sterling at the old marina near what was San Francisco on Thursday.  He intends to show me personally some of the community from Shard Rock and to speak with his son, Merlin.  The President herself will also be there to try and rectify some of the myths and mistakes that have taken place and with a little hope, we might be able to strike a peace with these people and share our technologies.  Their medical applications alone are enough to strike a deal with them.  Did you know, Senator Graves, they have the cure to almost every time of cancer we humans suffer from?  Surely, that must have some sway over you, considering the untimely departure of your wife."

Graves grumbled his anger, but said nothing more on the matter, but the notion of too little, too late, came to mind.  "Fine."  He said after some time.  "Tell the President she has my backing.  I will speak to the rest of my party and inform them of my decision."
"And your connection with the corporations?"  Marshall asked cautiously.
"I will lobby a deal with them to stop their explorations for the time being."  Graves conceded, "But they, as well as I, want something in return for this, Marshall.  An assurance at very least that the corporations will continue to trade and they want first hands on any medical and technological advances they have over us."
Marshall nodded, "That's fair."  He said, "But the treaty isn't signed yet and it will depend on what bargains the President and I can get from the merpeople.  This is a two way street, Senator, remember that."

"So it is decided then."  The appointee said over them both, "I'll inform the President of your decisions and your participation in the meeting and subsequent treaties.  We will see you both in San Francisco on Thursday.  Doctor Sterling will be informed also."....

[questor]

John had indeed been busy with his communications to his Senator friend. When the news of the battle had reached them there were many that demanded to know what had happened and who these merpeople were. An emergency session of the Senate had been called and much discussion went on about it all. Even the general population were abuzz about it. That there was a new race discovered, one of myth, and that they were defending their homes brought back the images of the old books and history of the once wild west. Immediately people rose up to demonstrate against the agression towards the merpeople.

Government troops were moving in towards the corporation that had launched the attack, one to protect the people that worked there and the other to detain those in charge. There was a lot of things going on. When John got the word about the meeting in the old city of San Franciso he immediately relayed it to Merlin. That was on the other side of the world to them from the Spire. He would have to travel across land and it would take several days by the steam locamotive trains.

He knew that Syrenne would not be wanting to return to land and he would probably going alone. Meeting with those in power would be important and lay the foundation for good relationships and a treaty. "Make sure the lawyer Davids is there for the trip. Even though things did not go as planned for Syrenne's rescue he still had been of help. He let Hector know what was happening. The tour of the other communities would have to wait a bit. Making sure they were safe from attack or unauthroized mining or drilling was his top priority. He then sought out Syrenne to let her know what he was going to be doing.

[LadyRaven]

San Franciso, though stripped of its metal and technology as the rest of the country's cities, was one of those rare occasions where it had remained a city.  Many of the original brick and wood buildings and homes had remained almost intact and where there had once been the high rise business blocks and apartments, there now sat modest homes and parks where children played freely.  The once famous bridge had been replaced by a series of pulley styled ferries that used the old concrete bases as staging posts across the bay.  It looked now like it had done many centuries ago, before the rise of industry and had become a haven of sorts for those who simply had nowhere else to go.

The island that had once been the infamous prison, Alcatraz, had been restored to a state that it had been returned to its original use, though not for simple common criminals.  Yes, it housed the worst of society, murderers, rapists and the like, but the President was clear that should the corporation leaders be found guilty of their crimes, they too would find their future incarcerated in Alcatraz.  Such was the scale and power of the new race that had been discovered. 

The many protests, demonstrations and rallies that had come of the discovery to the general public could not be ignored and President Abigail Lincoln (pun and respect intended) wasted no time in lending her support and political sway.  Within a week, Capital Hill had been awash with new policies, debates and requests for protection of this new species and the news media had made full and unbridled use of it all.  In fact, every printing press, news reader (shouting the news in the street) and reporter had covered the story, recovering what had been considered lost in time, old stories of mermaids and sailors.  Many of course, were simply conjecture and gossip, but that was plenty enough to grab the public's imagination.  And it didn't take long either for information to be leaked about the meeting in San Francisco. 

Abigail had arrived a few days ahead, having the privilege of her own personal steam locomotive and steam powered carriages, and she found she wasn't alone.  She was greeted to a city teeming with millions of people from all over the country and all had come to see the fabled Merpeople.  Even those from the religious communities had come to witness what they felt was a miracle.  Abigail's schedule had suddenly tripled as she was asked to speak to the masses at several events.

Days before, Syrenne had stunned not only Merlin and Hector, but the entire community when she actually agreed to make the journey.  Had she known what awaited them, she may have shunned the idea, but after having spent some time thinking it over and some much needed alone time with Merlin, she had relented, but there were conditions.  No matter what, Merlin was not to leave her side and under no circumstance whatsoever would she go near the animals that had so frightened her before, horses.  These conditions were relayed back to John, who was happy to pass them onto the relevant people.  And though this caused much confusion at first, the condition was agreed to.  At the meeting, any sign of a horse would be kept away from the Mermaid Queen.

The journey to the land city went much quicker and easier than Merlin would have hoped for.  At this time of year, many species of whale were making their way north to their feeding and breeding grounds and they had consented to Merlin, Syrenne and their contingent travelling with them.  They arrived in only a week.  But it was not what Syrenne was expecting.  Entering the bay, they were met with a fleet of local and trawler boats and she felt her fear rising again as she clung to Merlin.  "Who are all these ground dwellers?"  She began asking in panic, "Why are they all here?  Why are they surrounding us?"  She didn't understand that this flotilla were there to escort them in respect and protection......

[questor]

The trip to the old city of San Franciso was not to bad. He Took Durmas and a couple other guards with him. His father took the ship to the coast and took a train westward. With him he had a small ammount of the sand, carefully placed in glass vials. He had studied it and found with a bit of tweeking with the amount that the painful transition was eliminated. Too little sand was what caused the pain and bleeding. Each vial had the correct ammount to prevent that.

Merlin, Syrenne and the others used the old but still useable Panama Canal to move from the Atlantic to the Pacific Oceans. Merlin did not think Syrenne would like the steam locamotives. So they used the oceans. They were meet with on the other side by a community of merfolk that lived in the warm waters by Panama. Word had spread even to the other side of the world. They swam with them to the Bay area and let Merlin and his group go in alone.

"They are all here to welcome us. They are courious about us and want to see actual merpeople. Remember Merpeople are stuff of legends not reality. Also man of these people are with us on our claim to the oceans as our domain. You see not all are like Carrow." flowers were stewn in their path making it even more pleasant welcome. Once they reached a beach where they were to emerge, John was there with clothing and the sands for Duirmas and the other two guards. The three had the tubular weapons of the Atlantinans strapped across their backs.

When Merlin reached the beach and his fins touched the sand in the shallows he began to change. He stood up and the people could see his scales change into flesh and his legs appear. John immediately got him into a Bath robe to cover his naked body. He did the same with Syrenne and then Durmas and the others.

There were cheers and shouts of welcome from a crowd kept back by military forces. A group of people stood not to far off. The president and a number of senators stood there waiting. "You are a celeberty now. The Queen of a people long thought to be myth. You are royalty in a time that there is no such thing anymore. Do not be afraid, wave to them and smile. They are not here to hurt you."

[LadyRaven]

Syrenne felt a little better when Merlin explained what was happening, but she was still cautious about it all.  However, at the complete opposite of the scale to this, her friend Arien could barely contain her excitement.  Neither could Syrenne stop her and she watched as Arien went to the surface and began to jump and dance in the air.  Several of the Pacific merfolk began doing the same, seeing that there really was no danger here.  Males and females both began to leap through the air, causing much noise from above as the crowds cheered and howled their delight.  Syrenne went so far as to poke her head above the flower scattered waterline and look.  Indeed, the several thousand ground dwellers were all cheering and clapping!  This gave her more confidence and on Airen's last jump, Syrenne felt sure enough that she followed her friend.

The sounds was phenomenal from the banks of the bay and as soon as Syrenne jumped from the water, it seemed to reach fever pitch.  It was perhaps the huge lump of gold on her head that did it.  After the impromptu display, the jumps took on a more ordered tone and Syrenne made her way forward, creating a V shape.  This was a sign of respect for the leading female and it seemed no matter where in the ocean one lived, the tradition still persisted.  She reached the beach a few seconds after Merlin and she carefully hauled herself up the sand bank until she felt her tail disappear.  She then stood up as John rushed to her with a robe.  She lifted an eyebrow at him and completely ignored the garment.  Not even the gasps of shock made it into her mind. 

Straightening her jacket, Abigail held her head high and cleared her throat.  Watching Merlin take the robe, but not the queen, reminded her just how different the two races viewed life and she made a mental note to ignore the nakedness.  It seemed several of the religious representatives found some offense in this, but after a quiet word with them, they too put it to one side for now.  She stepped forward with her entourage and held out her hand to Merlin.  "So good to finally meet you, Mr Sterling."  She said over the noise of the still applauding people.  "I have learned much of you from your father.  I must say, that display by your people was amazing.  It really introduced you with style."  She then smiled to Syrenne, "And you must be the queen, Siren... I mean, Syrenne."  She stuck her hand out to Syrenne, but then furrowed her brow as she did not respond.  "Um.."  She looked back to Merlin.  "How do I say welcome to her?"  She asked quietly.......

[questor]

Before Merlin could answer a woman moved forward and gave the president the proper greeting. She then turned to Merlin and embraced him, hugging him with such a hug that it took his breath away. Once the president had greeted Syrenne in her own toung she turned to Syrenne smiling. "I am Merlins Aunt Martha, John's sister." she said Syrenne's language. "Finally I get to meet the woman that has been able to win Merlin's heart." Smiling she embrased Syrenne like she had Merlin.

When she let Syrenne breath again she said. "When we have time I would love to sit down and have a chat with you. But for now I would suggest you put on the robe." she looked around then back at Syrenne. "You see everyone her wearing clothes, it is something we do, prevents people from getting bad ideas." She took the robe from John and held it open for her.

John went down to the water and handed each of the others one of the vials and in their own language told them what to do. When they had, and the transformation was made, he told them to put the robes on, and that there would be clothes for them to wear while they were on land.

Merlin laughed and shook his head. His Aunt had always had a knack for languages and it seemed she was far above anyone else learning the new language. He later found out that there were many now trying to study everything he had on the language and to learn it.

[LadyRaven]

Syrenne stood in shock as another female came to them and began speaking in her language.  So this was the famous Aunt Martha!  Syrenne smiled at her and then sucked in her breath as she felt the woman's arms around her tighter than an eel!  Once free again, she backed up a step and stared once again at the robe with confusion.  Then, with a slight shrug, she stepped forward and put her arms into the robe, but back to front.  "You ground dwellers have some strange ideas."  She said and then backed up once more.  Perhaps now she would have the chance to give the proper greeting.

Turning to the president, she moved her hand out, then around slowly before bringing it to her chest, then her forehead.  She smiled then and nodded, showing this was her greeting of a stranger.  She then turned to Martha and reached up, taking the woman at both sides of her head and she brought her forehead to Martha's in the sign of family.  "It is good to finally meet you, Aunt Martha."  She said, "Merlin has told me so very little about you."  She grinned with sarcasm and then embraced her how she had seen and been held.

Stood slightly apart, Abigail tried to fathom what Syrenne had done.  She waved her hand around slightly and then touched her own chest, wondering what it meant.  Was this their hello?  To make sure, she turned to Merlin, "That is the formal greeting, right?"  She asked quietly, not wanting any of her public to see how inept she had been thus far.  She tried to repeat eh action, but it just didn't look right.......

[questor]

Merlin chuckled as Martha hugged Syrenne. When she gave the president here sign of hello, he had to tell her, "That is the formal greeting to a stranger. What you saw her do to my Aunt is reserved for family and close friends." He turned and introduced Durmas, "This is my advisor Durmas." he turned to Durmas, "Durmas this is the leader of the ground dwellers of these lands." he would have to explain her title and such, but that was later. He then introduced Airen and the other two guards.

"Are those..." the president was looking at the weapons.

"Yes they are Mrs President.

Martha when Aiern was introduced smiled broadly and took her by the hands and said. "I have heard about you from my brother. Welcome my dear, welcome. Perhaps you and Syrenne and I can get together and talk. Syrenne has to tell me everything."

Merlin knew the look on his Aunts face. She would not be satisfied unless she got every little detail on how they met, and everything after.

Soon they were all walked up to a passage between the crowds to large hotel that was going to be used for everything. There Davids was waiting and came forward smiling. Of course he did not come near Syrenne knowing that she probably would love to shred him alive. He looked around and licked his lips. If all went well, he might even get a few government contracts.

[LadyRaven]

The president smiled and nodded and when Syrenne turned back to her, Aunt Martha putting the robe on her correctly this time, she made the sign for her greeting and then nodded her head.  Syrenne nodded in return and then turned back to Martha and Arien.  She laughed and nodded to the offer of sharing and Arien excitedly began to look around at the people still cheering and waving at them.  Unable to resist the attention, she waved back at them and touched her chest, then head.  Several of the ground dwellers did it back, making Arien smile even more.  "I think I like the upside world."  She said with a laugh.

Dumas, with his new weapon on his back, bowed his head to the president and offered the greeting again to her.  She did it back and he bowed his head.  "She doesn't have a clue what I'm saying, does she."  He said with mirth, "She doesn't look like any kind of leader I've ever seen before."  He had heard the explanation of clothes, but like Syrenne, didn't quite understand the point.  "Merlin?"  He asked, "Why do ground dwellers wear clothes?  Don't they find their movement restricted?  And how are they to find mates when their bodies are covered like that?  How would a male know she is able to breed?"

After a short time, the group began making their way through a gap in the still crowding people and Syrenne felt she needed to be close to Merlin again.  She took his arm and clung to it as the crowds nearest them began to reach out, trying to touch her.  Arien, of course, was loving the attention and eagerly reached back, letting them touch her and her touch them.  It caused quite a lot of chaos as more people wanted to touch the mermaid.  However, at the door, everything changed.

On seeing Davids, the male she recognised from the ship that had taken her, Syrenne narrowed her eyes and let go of Merlin.  Something very bad was about to happen.  Seeing this, Davids backed up, not wanting to be too close to those nails, but Syrenne wasn't about to let him go without a fight.  She rushed at him, screaming at him.  "Kidnapper!"  She screamed, "Betrayer!  I will tear your eyes out!"  Arien and Damus were quick to reach for her and stop her doing something incredibly stupid, but they wouldn't get to her in time.  All Davids could do was stand there and hope someone would save him.  "Sea slime!"  Syrenne yelled, "Kelp sucker!".....

[questor]

"No my brother she has no clue. But give some of them time and they will know what we are saying and then the you will have to watch what you say." Merlin chuckled. "You see those people behind the soldiers. They carry signs that support our claims to the oceans." then he chuckled some more when asked about the clothing.

"Unlike the world beneath the ocean surface, there are four seasons that carry with it difereant weather. The sun beats down with warmth and at time there is to much and it burns the skin. Some times severely and is very painful. Then we have another season where the water in the air becomes so cold that it falls from the sky in what is called snow. It becomes so cold at times that one could freeze to death. So clothes is worn to protect against such things and others." he tried to explain.

He could see that Arien however, seemed to relish the attention and the way the people were acting toward them. Oh it was something until they reached the hotel and Syrenne saw Davids. Well he could not blame her for her reaction but he had to pull her off of him and tried to calm her and explain. "Yes he helped with the kidnapping, but he also was willing to put his life and career on the line to help me get you out of there. Had you not escaped, I would have been brought in and would have had a plan to rescue you. Now he is here to help us make sure that our claims are validated and presented to the courts so we have no more unauthorized drilling and destruction of the oceans." She would hate the man but he hoped she would see that he was useful in helping them.

His firm already had come under fire from the governmnet and a couple of the higher ranking laywers had been arrested. They did not want any more trouble or loss of clients because of what had happened.

[LadyRaven]

Damus looked around and nodded, though he still couldn't quite understand it.  The air seemed more temperate than hot or cold and the sun wasn't as hot either.  He knew there was more to this, but he decided to keep it to himself for the time being and nodded to the people with what Merlin called signs with odd markings on them.  Merlin said they were friends.  He wanted to go to them and thank them, but Arien was there first and was already making friends.

Syrenne stopped her attack, but she growled angrily at Davids.  Merlin said that he had helped them now, that he had planned to help rescue her had she not escaped on her own.  She didn't believe a single word of it and glared at Davids.  "Sea snake."  She hissed, "Bottom feeder.  I shall be watching you."  Her voice left no doubt of what she would do if he even so much as farted in the wrong direction.

The procession moved into the hotel and Abigail led them to a large conference room.  Already there were several teams of lawyers, two senators, representatives from the business sector and more so from environmental agencies and charities.  They all stood and turned to nod to the President and then some actually bowed their heads as Merlin and Syrenne entered.  They recognised her for the medallion around her head as the queen.  To Syrenne, they all looked odd in their strange clothing and many of them looked stiff and somewhat uncomfortable.  Syrenne also felt uncomfortable, but she kept her mind in order and remained polite.  She touched her hand to her chest and then her forehead in greeting and many of them returned the greeting, mostly those that seemed a little different than the stiff ones.  Quietly though, she half turned her head to Merlin and asked.  "Who are all these people?  Some of them look like they've just lost their catch and those over there.."  She nodded her head to some of the plainer looking ground dwellers from an environmental charity, "Look like they could start dancing any minute."

Abigail, unaware of Syrenne's question, began introducing everyone.  "Mr Sterling."  She said to Merlin, "I'd like to introduce Senator Graves and Senator Marshall.  They pretty much run things on Capital Hill for me."  Both men greeted and shook hands with Merlin.  Syrenne remained slightly behind and quiet for the time being.  Abigail smiled, "These lawyers are from the DA's office.  They'll be making sure everything here has legal ground and over there, we have several people from the Environment Agency and the charity Greenpeace and Ocean Alive."  She then furrowed her brow at Merlin, "Um, I understand that you are actually King, is that right?  Is that the right term that you use?"......

[questor]

Davids backed up, fear showing on his face and his trembling body. Nick had to explain to the president and the others that Davids had been the lawyer that had represented Carrow but that he now worked for him, after had seen the light of his errors. Syrenne backed off a bit but he could see in her eyes that she would tear Davids apart if he did the slightest thing wrong.

As they moved on into the Hotel, Merlin explained to Syrenne and the others about the place. How people came there to stay so they could get away from their homes and be comfortable as they did things to enjoy themselves. Though the place had been cleared for security reasons, it usually was filled with people from all over the country.

Once in the confrence room and the introductions were being made, again Merlin translated. From there Martha took over. "The senetors are advisors to the president. They help her run the country. The lawyers are the legal people that are going to help you with all the necessary documents that will insure your claim to the oceans are recorded and passed on to the other countries. The last two representitives are from organizations that have long tried to keep the sea life of the oceans safe from being exterminated. They have stopped the hunting of whales and other marine animals and were insturmental in stopping the dumping of wastes in the ocean. They are here to help represent you and your people her on land. They are happy because they have been saying for a very long time to stop messing with the ocean ecology and marine life. Now that you are here they know their hard work has not been in vain." She smiled at Syrenne "I will tell them what you say so Merlin doesn't have to. Except here and there when he needs to tell them something and then I can tell you what he says as well."

When asked about his title as King, Merlin responded. "Yes that is right. I am their King and Syrenne is their Queen. He brought her forward some to stand at his side.

[LadyRaven]

The President nodded and smiled, "So you would be King Merlin Sterling the first?"  She asked as the lawyers behind her started making notes.  They needed as did the president, exact details for all the legal paperwork for their claim of the oceans and also their laws and such so as not to offend when travelling through them for whatever reason.  "There is so much to do and so much to discuss and debate, I feel we may be here some time.  The hotel has graciously laid on a buffet for the afternoon and a full sit down meal this evening, but they will also need some details for dietary needs.  I take it your people don't really drink much in the way of wines or beers."

Syrenne was taken aback quite a bit as the happy others were explained to her and they seemed eager to talk to her and to be honest, she was eager to talk with them too.  So these were the ones that had helped them in the past and tried to fight to stop the initial dumping.  These people she had a great amount of respect for.  She also listened carefully about the unhappy others that helped the President, which she assumed was the woman that first greeted them.  Having Aunt Martha translate for her seemed to make things a lot easier for Merlin and Syrenne agreed with that.  Until she could learn some of the basics, Martha would be needed quite a bit.  Eventually, Merlin brought Syrenne forward, robbing her for the moment of speaking with the happy others.  She smiled briefly at Abigail, but then half turned her head to Merlin.  "I'd like to speak with the happy ones."  She said quietly, "Aunt Martha told me they are the ones that tried to help us before.  I have much to discuss with them."  And she wrangled herself free of him.

With Martha close at hand, Syrenne greeted the charitable and other government representatives with a bow of her head and then her usual greeting.  They all seemed to get even more excited then and Syrenne smiled fully and honestly. "It's so very nice to finally meet ground dwellers that understand us."  Syrenne said with reverence.  Martha translated.
"The honour is ours, my lady mermaid."  Said one wearing odd blue fabric on his legs.  "My name is Daniel Harris.  I'm here to represent the Ocean Alive charity."  This was translated back.
"Nice to meet you Daniel Harris.  You can call me Syrenne, it's ok.  We use the term maid only for a female that has not yet been paired."
"Benjamin Maddison, Lady Syrenne."  Said a second one, he was in what Syrenne knew as a suit.  "I represent the Oceanic and Marine Institute.  The government version of these charities.  It's a pleasure to finally meet you in person."
"Banjamin Maddison."  Syrenne said, learning their names for future reference too.  "Nice to meet you also."
"Sarah Davenport."  Said a third. This was female and was dressed in something that reminded Syrenne of wafting kelp.  "I'm here to represent the charity Greenpeace.  We've had a long affinity with your people, Syrenne.  We've fought for years to stop companies drilling for oil and such in the oceans."
"Sarah Davenport."  Syrenne said, "Nice to meet you."  All the time, Martha translated without a problem and soon, the foursome were speaking quite liberally.

"I hear that your people live beneath Shard Rock."  Sarah said.
"Oh, we don't call it that."  Syrenne explained, "We know it as the Spire."
"I'll remember that for the future, thanks."  Sarah said as she offered Syrenne some coffee.
Syrenne took the cup and saucer, but didn't really know what to do with it.  It was hot and she didn't really fancy touching it much.  "So you call your charity Greenpeace."  She said, carefully putting the cup down again, "What is it exactly that you named it for?"
Sarah smiled and nodded at the translation, "We try to prevent the world's natural resources being used up by big companies and the public in general and show people that you can live without harming the earth."
"I don't understand what that means exactly."  Syrenne admitted through Martha.
"It means we try to live without causing harm to the planet.  We don't burn coal or oil, instead, we use renewable energy like wind and wave power.  We work in conjunction with other organisations like the WWF to stop deforestation and preserve the natural life around the globe and we lobby governments to stop their pollution and make better use of their waste."  Sarah explained.  "Many of us also don't eat meat, preserving other mammals on the planet.  It's all about ensuring our planet's future and bringing to book those that would pollute it and destroy it."
"I see."  Syrenne said, still not quite understanding, but respecting Sarah nonetheless.
"We do much the same."  Daniel said quickly, "But mostly for the oceans.  Dr Maddison here does almost the same thing we do, but he studies more than he saves."
Syrenne looked to Daniel and Benjamin and nodded as Martha once again, translated it all for her.  She turned her attention then to Benjamin.  "So you actually work for the government."  She said.
"Not exactly."  Maddison said, "But we work closely with them and we receive funding from them for various studies and such."
"Various studies?"  Syrenne asked.
"Yes."  Maddison said, "We measure the life in the oceans, search out new species that have yet to be identified.  We map the ocean floor and the various eco systems that live down there.  My bosses are actually quite astonished that we never found your people before now.  From what I've been told, there's quite a number of different subspecies of Merpeople."
Syrenne laughed quietly and then shook her head, "After the wars, we took to hiding in the places that we knew ground dwellers couldn't get to, such as the Spire and Jakar, but there are only really two races of Merpeople as you call us.  Those of us that connect with the surface, like myself and those that live far down in the very depths.  It is actually the deep dwellers that enabled us to walk on land."
"I see."  Maddison said, pulling out his folder to start making notes, "I thought with all the different colours of your races, there would be more separation."
"Colours?"  Syrenne asked and then looked around at those she was with, "Oh the colours!"  She said with a nod, "Yes, I understand the confusion now.  Our colours are the genetic traits we get from our parents.  We vary from green to blue, purple mostly, but in Jakar, there are also reds, yellows and tans and if your genes are very rare, black, like Merlin.  We don't separate each out from another in that case."
"That's amazing!"  Maddison said, making more notes, "What about the deep dwellers, is it?"
Syrenne nodded, "Yes, we call them the deep dwellers, for they live much further down on the ocean floor and in the deepest valleys.  They don't really have a colour to them.  They're usually silver or pale blue."
"So how are they different from you?"  Maddison asked.
"They don't have any hair or colour change between the upper and lower bodies and their eyes are much bigger than ours.  Also, their tails are shorter and thinner than ours and their webbing covers the entire hand.  Ours doesn't."  She held up her hand to show him the slight webbing that only came up to the second knuckle.  "We have evolved to live in the shallower waters, they have evolved to the deep.  Haven't your people done the same over the generations?"
"We have."  Maddison said, "But we have many different races of people, all dependant on where we came from."
"How curious."  Syrenne said, "I'd like to learn more about these differences."
"So would many people."  Maddison said with a laugh, "But about yours.  Is the colour blocked across your whole body, or does it fade slightly?"
"It fades mostly."  Syrenne said, "The tips of my tail are the same colour as my hair, but my upper body is paler like it is now, though in the water, my skin does have a strong blue tint to it.  Merlin on the other hand is a very rare type of fade.  he's a black fade."
"A black fade?"  Maddison asked.
Syrenne nodded, "Yes.  Very few merfolk have black fades.  His hair is black, but his upper body is only slightly tanned.  The colour difference is quite unique and striking."
Maddison nodded again, but then narrowed his eyes a little, "So if I was a merman, what colours would I be?"
Syrenne cocked her head to one side, "You'd be a tan, I think."  She said honestly, "Your hair is a tanned colour and your skin is quite pale."
"And where would the fade begin?"
"Around your birthing line."  She told him.
"Birthing line?"
Syrenne smiled and quite boldly opened her robe.  It caused quite a stir in the room, but Syrenne didn't notice.  It had quite an effect on Maddison too.  "Right about here."  She said, pointing to her belly button, "This is where we are linked to our mothers during gestation."
Maddison tried to avert his eyes and keep his vision on Syrenne's face, "Got it."  He said quickly and then sighed with relief almost when she closed her robe again, "So you're mammalian then."
"No."  Syrenne said, "Whales and Dolphins are mammals.  We're more akin to sharks, I think.  We breathe through gills and we birth live young like them, but we can also breathe open air like this for short periods of time."
Martha translated that, but then turned to Syrenne, "I think it's about time we sat down with the President and her people."  She said.
Syrenne nodded, "Fair enough."  She said and then smiled to Maddison, "Another time."  She said to him and then went back to the table.  She took a seat next to Merlin and smiled at him, "That doctor man, Benjamin Maddison, he's a very fascinating ground dweller."  She said with a smile, "You never told me about the different subspecies of your people, Merlin.  he says there's many different races and they all look different.  I'd love to learn more about them."  But it was time to get down to business......

[questor]

As Syrenne talked to the people from Green Peace and other agencies, he talked with the President and the Senators. "That is right." he chuckled at being called King Merlin Sterling the first. "I guess that would be the correct title." The talks then went on to other subjects, like what was being claimed as the territory of the Mer People.

"We have several communities scattered across the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. There was once more but with the toxic dumping that number has dwindled, but now is begining to come back. Even though we claim the oceans as ours, we know that those here on the surface needs to harvest fish, and the like. That I and the Merpeople have no real problem with. But on the other hand the drilling for oil, dredging the sea bottom for ores and other things we do. My people tell me of the destruction of coral reefs and other things that can not be replaced."

"I know first hand that the surface world is in need of these things and I am willing to allow the mining and drilling but under the supervision and care of my people. They know where the deposits are, they can with your help learn what is the right equipment to be used and they can help install such safety measures on the ocean floor to prevent oil spills and such and monitor these things. We can help each other."

He looked around the table and then continued. "As you can probably imagine, my people do not need many things, and most would be useless underwater. Working together and having he respect of the surface world for the oceans and its inhabitents is a must. Leaving our communities undistured is essential. My people would be able also to show the people of the surface world the wonders of the deep and keep them safe and perhaps even show them how they communicate with the whales and dolphins and others creatures of the deep." he motioned for Davids to approach. "Davids here has everything that is required for a treaty that will authorize the government here to contract out the mining and drilling rights for areas near its borders. There are other documents for the various governments of other countries as well. Also my people will do any mining below the surface. Like I said they know where to go and what to look for. With equipment supplied to them they can do the work safely and without damaging the echo system."

He then turned to those of the echo groups. "Also if there are those that wish to experience the wonders of the deep as we do, we have the means to transform you and let you see the world under the oceans as we do." At this the three looked up and eagerly accepted the offer.

"Our worlds are vastly different and our ways are the same. I would suggest that many learn the language of the merpeople and I will have those that can learn English at least so we can communicate properly."

When Syrenne came back to him and talked of the many races. He smiled. "Yes many colors and languages and beliefs." he told her.

John came up and said, "There is a salt water man made lagoon that is part of this Hotel. Those that will need to change back to their merform have that to do so and stay. I am working on the sand and it seems I can make the effect last longer and those using it will have a week or more before they have to change back."

Martha chuckled and chimmed in, "That will give us ladies time to do some proper shopping. Oh the experience you two young ones are going to have." she smiled at Syrenne and Arian.

[LadyRaven]

Abigail nodded and agreed with much of what Merlin said.  "Oh, absolutely."  She said with vigour.  "I think after the history, it would be best to leave them alone as much as possible and I imagine that many have never seen a human since the wars."  She nodded again about the mining opportunities, "I will make sure myself that any offer or request made is appropriate before sending it to you." 

As Davids came forward with the first draft of the treaty, she read it through carefully.  Copies were handed around to the lawyers and the room fell into silence for a moment.  It was basic and as Merlin said, the Merpeople weren't in need of most things that were on the surface.  Only one thing confused her somewhat, "King Sterling."  She mused, "It says here that you don't want your people to be put on the protected species list.  I don't quite understand.  You want your people protected and respected, but yet you don't want them on the official protected lists?"

Syrenne lifted an eyebrow at the excitement in Martha.  She had no sense of shopping and neither did Arien, but unlike her friend, Arien was also excited by the prospect.  "I can't wait!"  She chirped and then looked around the table once more.  She smiled warmly to them all, but then became bored and got out of her seat.  "I'm going to investigate this lagoon."  And off she went, with some of the others in tow.  Also, some of the humans left too, wanting to see the transformation up close.  Syrenne simply sat there, wondering what was being said.  Martha offered to translate for her, but Syrenne refused.  She wanted to listen to the language and see what she could pick up on her own.

It began to dawn on Syrenne that the merpeople and the ground dwellers did quite a few things in similar ways.  They held open discussions like this one and all sat around a large table to offer their ideas and advice.  Also, there seemed a politeness to it where each took their turn and then waited until it had gone around the entire table before speaking again.  There were a few exceptions of course, but that seemed to be a more one on one thing and it didn't disturb the rest of the table.  She liked it.....

[questor]

When asked about not wanting the merpeople put on the indangered species list his eyes narrowed. "Mrs President, would you consider your people and in dangered speicies. An animal or fish? My people are human, yet different. They were once like this." he pointed to his body and hers. "Long ago they realized their islands were going to sink beneath the surface of the ocean. They were more advanced then we could have imagined for the time period. Their weapons are a testimate to that, as is the sand that allows the change. "

"Realizing that their islands, Jakar and Atlantis, would sink, they prepared themselves for what was to come. Some took to ships and created colonies, but without the crystal technology they were reduced to more primative means but still far advanced then their neighbors, I am talking about Egypt and the Azetecs ancestors. But most took to the sea in their changed forms and over time have evolved into what they are today. Being so long with out walking onto land they became the merpeople of today. "

"So Mrs President, they are not a species, they are people like you and everyone else, just another race if you will. With all the rights a human being has.

Durmas left with Arien to make sure nothing happened to her and that she did not get into trouble. The lagoon was very large and man made but with coral that had been grown there and sand from the beach as the floor of it. Around the lagoon was tall palm trees to give shade and other emenities for guests.

Martha took care of the menu. From what John had told her the merpeople only ate live fish. That would be something that some would find a bit squimish about but she relayed it to the proper people, so a large tank of salt water and fish from the ocean could be brought in and the merpeople could select what they wanted.

[LadyRaven]

Abigail realised as soon as Merlin narrowed his eyes at her that she had offended him.  She listened carefully and swallowed hard as he explained the evolution of the Merpeople.  She chewed on her cheek as he finished and nodded, "I am so very sorry for offending you."  She said with genuine apology.  Around the table, the lawyers quickly began making amendments to the treaty and an adjusted one was given to her.  She read it again and nodded, "Much better."  She passed the treaty to Merlin with the amendments.  "The Merpeople will be afforded the same rights and privileges of any other human being and they will be included into the Constitution." 

As she waited for Merlin to read over the adjusted treaty, more paperwork was handed to her and she read over that more carefully, not wanting to repeat her previous mistake.  Her next question posed something of a familiarity.  Explorers had been posed with this problem when first setting foot in the Americas and now Abigail felt a small connection with them in this.  "King Sterling, I don't wish to cause offense again, please believe me, but I have another problem.  The oceans of this planet have never been considered a country or republic.  You've named two cities, Jakar and Atlantis, but nothing that would denote a boundary or border between them.  Were we to request mining or drilling, or even fishing rights, how would we know we are talking to the correct tribe or community?"  Now this question had caused problems throughout history and many mistakes had been made that had led to war.  Abigail felt nervous about asking it, but she had to.....

[questor]

Merlin nodded. But he had an answer to her question. Each community has what is called a Guardian. That person rules over the comunity, like a governor. He or she makes decisions for the community. Though they obey the ruling of their king they are free to run their communities as they see fit as long as it does not bring harm to the community or break the laws made by their King."

He looked at the others about the table. "With the proper communications equipment and again with each learning the language of the other communications with these communities will be possible. The Guardians will know if there are suitable places to drill or mine. Contact and talk with the surface people wanting to drill and mine needs to take place. Therefore there should be no misunderstandings. Of course all negotiations also need to go through Mr. Davids here. He will set up an account where the merpeople's share shall be deposited and managed in case there is things they would want from the surface. There may be some things that might be useful to my people."

He smiled and said, "Respect and courtesy goes along way with them. Agression and disrespect will only earn trouble and distrust." again he looked around the room, "My father and I have talked much before this meeting and much has already been implemented." he chuckled, "My Aunt as you see has learned the language of my people in a very short time. Some of the brightest lingquests and language students have taken up the task of learning the language. They will be invaluable to those wishing to do business with my people."

[LadyRaven]

Abigail nodded in understanding as she took down notes.  Many of the lawyers were also doing the same and talking among themselves as they battled to sort out the finer details.  At this point, Senator Grave got involved and it was clear, he was connected with the corporations deeply.  "And what if we need something and they refuse?"  He asked, "Or we travel through an area where they don't like us and sink our ships again?  What about that, King Sterling?  Many of my constituents have lost millions from them sinking our trade ships.  And what of the driller ship they sank only a week ago?  As I see it, your people were the aggressors there and they used technology that by rights, should not exist.  What of that, King Sterling?"  The lawyers tried to calm him, but he brushed them off like flies.  "No weapon of the Merpeople has been registered with the UN and have proven to do untold damage to our ships.  Can you honestly tell my constituents that these weapons won't be used again?  You say you want respect for your people, but I see almost nothing that warrants it.  Do you honestly expect the American people to sit back and be held hostage to your... fish-tailed subjects, while you sit on billions of dollars in marine oil, gas and minerals?  And these so called communities led by Guardians.  How can you know what they will and won't let us do in our own waters?"

At merlin's side, Abigail became nervous and put her pen down, "Senator Graves, that's enough."  She said sharply.
Graves narrowed his eyes at the President, "No, Madam President, I'm not done yet."
"Yes you are."  Abigail told him.
"Apologies Madam President, but no."  Graves returned with force.  "These so called people want control of everything beyond our beaches on the say so of one man that claims his right as King without evidence or proof.  For hundreds of years, there's been reports of Merpeople sinking ships and murdering their crews, poisoning the beaches and attacking people for no reason other than they were there.  They have weapons that have no known limit that they can use without question against anyone they choose.  On top of that, who the hell knows what kind of diseases and genetic disorders they could bring with them?  Once they start interfering with the general public, who's to say what they will and won't pass on to them?"
"I said, that's enough!"  Abigail said, almost shouting, "You're talking like we should be testing these people in hazmed suits and labs.  King Sterling has already stated that his people are no more or less human than the rest of us.  You talk about them like.... like....."  She wanted to say, he spoke of them like they were tribes of ancient humans that needed to be tested on and exterminated.  American history was awash with that kind of talk.  African slaves, Native Indian tribes, even.  She shook her head in shame at the Senator.

At Merlin's side, Syrenne had been listening very carefully and though she still didn't understand exactly what was being said, she understood perfectly the tone of it.  It had been going well until a fat Ground Dweller began talking.  Then it got heated and she knew they were arguing.  They were arguing about her people.  Clearly, the fat one didn't like her.  She figured there would be at least one with that didn't want peace between the upside and downside worlds, but she didn't want it nonetheless.  This one reminded her of Carrow.  Slowly, she stood up and stared at the fat one with suspicion and anger.  "You don't like us very much, do you."  She told him, though she knew he didn't understand.  No doubt someone would translate it for him later.  "That's fine, because we don't like you very much either.  We threaten your superiority.  We've dealt with people like you for centuries.  When you find us owning something you want, you make us your enemy so you can justify taking what does not belong to you.  And if you can't take it, you exterminate us.  I've already had my fill of people like you, fat one, and I won't take any more of it.  If you will persist in your hatred, I will take my people and leave and I will make sure that your ships never cast their shadows over our homes.  Then we will see who is superior.  The way I see it, fat one, you need us more than we need you."

Turning away from the table, Syrenne left the conference and the silence she left behind could have drowned everyone in the room.  The President stared in shock and confusion as to what had been said and looked to Merlin with question.  "Um, King Sterling?"  And then, to tighten the atmosphere further, Syrenne cast off her robe with disgust.  They could keep their strange coverings, she wanted nothing to do with such useless things.......

[questor]

Merlin rose from his chair and looked over at Graves. He knew all about the man. In the days following his visit with Davids, Merlin had the man look up all of Carrow's friends and found that the Senator was one of his best friends. He also dug up information connecting him to some of the corporations. Him and his firm had agreed to back Merlin for what they had done earlier. Merlin also found out that it had been Graves that had caused those that gave Carrow the permission to take specimens from the oceans, to break the law. Oh he thought he had his tracks covered but there was a paper trail and Merlin had all the documents, or Davids did. But he was not going to pull out his trump cards just yet.

"Let me ask you this Senator.l What would you do if a foreign country came here and started drilling, mining or what ever with out the permission of the government. That they simply state that their government gave them permission to do so. Or that they just walked into areas that are restricted even to your own people with out permisson, perhaps even into your home and took what they wanted, just because they wanted to. And again what if they destroyed things that you felt were precious and meaningful, like Mount Rushmore, because they wanted something that was there and it was in the way.

As for our weapons, as of the moment we are not a part of the UN. Therefore we do not have to register as you say the weapons we have. As for us sinking ships...... Well Senator, for centuries it seems that those on the surface have hunted the Merpeople, whether it was out of fear of the unknown or perhaps because they were different. Your Friend Carrow, wanted one to show off to his friends and have experiments done on. That happened to be my wife, Syrenne, and the queen of the merpeople. The drill ship that attacked her and took her was sunk, yes, in reprisal for that action. But it's crew was left alone and is in custody of the government."

He moved over next to the Senator and looked down at him. "MY people are ready and willing to repel any and all that want to try and take advantage of us, try to come at us with military or civilian forces that want to take from us what is not theirs. Will not the people of America do the same if one wants to invade their country? Also Senator, have you not looked around lately. Listened to the news, read the papers? All over this country, people are demonstrating, not against us, but for us. How many of those out there are the ones that have put you into your Senator job. After your little speech here today, how long do you think you will retain your seat in the Senate."

He walked back to his seat but still was not done. "I have come here in peace with the offer of a treaty and the chance to get at those billions of dollars worth of resources. But you Senator have only words that would provoke war and have already pissed off the Queen of the Merpeople. Do you think my offer to the other countries of this world will be met with your attitude Senator. Would you have your country excluded from the treaty? My people have the means to defend themselves and to make sure that this country is completely cut off. But that is not what I want. Besides Senator, the decision does not rest with you." He put a hand on the president's shoulder. It rests here with the President. You may be a powerful man in the government, but how many will follow you now."

He looked around the room and then nodded to Davids. He opened the satchel he had and took out documents and gave them to the president. All was there that would implicate him in the kidnapping of Syrenne and other things that were criminal. He now played his cards.

[LadyRaven]

At first, Graves gave a look that said, "Never happen."  But after Merlin continued, he began to lose that look and become somewhat nervous.  He worked his jaw as the tirade continued, his hatred of Merlin and the Merpeople growing ever more quickly.  He glared at Merlin as he was reminded the decision was not his to make and when his eyes dropped to the President, he saw her staring back at him with disappointment and anger.  He thought perhaps he could work this to his advantage, but when several documents were handed to Abigail, he realised his career could be over.  Graves felt now he was cornered and so he resorted to blackmail.  Standing, he straightened his jacket and glared at the President.  "While you read that trash."  He told her firmly, "Just remember who paid for your election campaign and who is currently paying for your next election year.  Without me, you'd be lost, Abigail."  And he walked away, taking his lawyers with him.  The room was quickly taken down to half the numbers.

Abigail, for the moment, could only stare at the door Graves had just left by.  She was speechless, which wasn't something she was often familiar with.  Slowly, she turned her eyes to the documents and took a deep breath.  What Graves had said was right.  It was his money that had got her elected and she would have to tread incredibly carefully now if she wanted to keep her presidency.  If the government audit office found out about this, she could be held as a conspirator!  "King Sterling, if what these documents contains are true, you could cause an apocalypse within the government."  She said carefully, "And land me in prison."

In the hotel's lagoon, Syrenne sat on the fake beach and watched her friends play in the water.  She didn't join them for now, she had too much to think about.  She wanted to know what was happening in the conference room, but she also didn't want to know.  The fat man sounded very dangerous and cruel to her and if he had any power with the woman President, or whatever she was called, this whole thing could spell trouble for her people and that was the last thing she wanted.  She began to wish almost that Merlin had never come to the Spire, or if he had, he had never killed Lukus.  If only he could have simply been born a merman, or if only he could have been happy to stay as one instead of becoming this statue of heroism to her people.  Her mind was filled with 'if only' questions and Syrenne felt she wanted to go home now.....

[questor]

Merlin could see that Graves was thinking nothing could effect him, but when the doucments were submitted, he could see the fear in his eyes. He then made his threats to the president and Merlin could see the fear in her. He was a good judge of character and knew that the president was a good person. Graves was helping pay for her reelection and she seemed to be afraid that what he had given her would come back on her.

He placed a hand on her shoulder. "You are a good leader and one like him is not needed. You are strong and you care for your people. You being here to make this treaty, make it work, has the people's support and they are all behind you. Face any scandle head on and don't try to cover it up. If you did not know of the things he has done, make sure that is made clear, but also make it known that he was supporting your reelection. If there is enough here to prosecute him do so, do not be afraid to do it. As for an apocalypse within the government, there have been worse things, worse scandles and it has survived and become stronger. Truth and Justice Mrs President, that is what the people want and they will support you all the way if you given them that. As for funding for your reelection, I think what this treaty will bring will help with that."

He then excused himself a moment and went out to let her think about what he said and to find Syrenne. He found her and moved up to her taking her into his arms. He told her what had happened and about the fear in Graves eyes and what he had said. "Do not dispair, or hate it here. Like under the oceans, not all are what we want them to be. We have to take the good and the bad alike and make the best of it."

[LadyRaven]

Syrenne listened carefully as Merlin explained what had happened both with and without her.  He asked that she not hate it up top, but Syrenne had to think long and hard about that.  Her previous experience and the fat man that had such hate in his eyes and voice, hadn't helped.  Turning her head to rest on his shoulder, she settled further into the sand to watch her kin play in the water.  "You're right."  She told him.  "No matter the place, or the people, there will always be some that want what others have and will wage war to get it.  We are all blinded by our own selfish need."  She closed her eyes for a moment as she took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the seal on her head.  "You can tell this President female that she can have her treaty, but I won't allow the sharing of our weapons.  And the fat one, I want him gone from any further meetings.  I don't want him, or any of his people involved anymore."  She turned her head up then and looked at him carefully......

[questor]

"I don't think he will be a part of anything anymore. Hopefully he will be put away for a long time. As for shareing our weapons, I have no intention on doing that. That would probably lead to even more trouble up here. He pulled her close and kissed her. As he looked up he saw plenty of cameras and news people at a distance taking pictures and filming everything going on at the lagoon.

Arien was eating up the attention. She was talking to the crowd knowing they did not understand her but still wanting to be sociable. "Looks like your friend is enjoying herself. Think we should make her an ambasador?" He was not really serious, but the idea was there. He didn't know how she would handle such a job and if she was mature enough to do it. But giving someone an important job might wake them up to their full potential.

[LadyRaven]

Syrenne nodded as she stared at her friend.  She couldn't help but laugh softly as Arien literally lapped up all the attention, but the people lingering and flashing small lights at her weren't helping matters.  "She always enjoys the attention."  She said, "That is, until it turns sour, or she gets bored.  The first tends to happen quicker."  The idea of making her an ambassador didn't actually mean much to Syrenne, she didn't know what one was or did exactly, "That's up to you, my love."  She told him as she continued to watch her kin play in the water. 

After that, her attention returned to the fat one and Merlin's promise that he'd been removed.  "I hope he stays put away for a longer time than is probable."  She said, "Ground dwellers like him are the reason we stayed hidden from the upside for so long.  I could see it in his face, how much he hated us and how much we threatened him.  And I could hear in his voice how little he thought of us.  I think he would rather have seen me served up on a plate than speak to me."....

[Sponsored content]