The Ocean's Song (pt. 1) (Going through edits)

~7~

"Two years older than you, well, technically. The ocean created us when your love for the ocean began to blossom, I believe it was at age seven. Most girls like their men older than them, so when we were born, we were already nine, physically and mentally." Shark said, laying his hands on his lap as he lightly bumped into a wall and drifted off somewhere else. Naida found this funny, as she tried to stay in the same spot, the mermen had pretty much drifted everywhere in the room. At one point Mako had drifted into a different room and had to swim back in. Naida also noticed there were large open windows, high ceilings, and no doors. These features probably benefited their drifting habits.

"So I'm assuming sirens are created for people who abused to the ocean, and merfolk for people to treated it well?"

"That's correct." Shark nodded.

"So, why are there five of you, and one of me?" Naida asked, gesturing to them.

This stumped the brothers, and they didn't respond right away as they did to the other questions. After a moment of uncomfortable silence, Krait spoke up, surprising Naida. "The ocean is mysterious, and she doesn't often explain why she does something. We were created at the same time, we were raised together, survived together, and loved you together. Each of us found the greatest joy in sending you gifts all those years." Krait never looked away from his tail while he spoke just loud enough for Naida to hear him.

"Of course, I always loved you the most." Lionfish smirked as he floated near the ground on his back, his numerous orange fins swaying. Ray hit him with his tail, leaving a faint red mark. Lionfish growled and glared at Ray, but didn't retaliate.

"Anything else?" Ray asked.

"The ocean speaks?" She asked in confusion. "But, it's not alive... right?"

"Not directly, no, it's more of the essence of the ocean that speaks, and it doesn't just speak ether. When the ocean speaks to you, what it's trying to say is commonly a hidden meaning in a dream, or a strange feeling, but it never speaks unless it's vital." Ray clarified, though really, his explanation only made it more confusing.

"Well, in that case, I guess all I have left is... what now? I can survive underwater, but only with an unbearable handicap. Is it possible for me to return to the land?" Naida rubbed her arm nervously, thinking about what life would be like if she could never return to land.