Love Beyond Tides

Home Among the Waves

Thassasalin left Diana under the care of Merea in the sprawling mansion. Nervousness coursed through her as she traversed the halls, her curious eyes darting in every direction. The mansion walls, with their soft blue-green hues reminiscent of the ocean depths, and adorned with intricate patterns seemed to undulate. The mansion's layout was open and interconnected, with rooms seamlessly flowing into one another. Coral sculptures adorned alcoves, telling tales of the ocean's wonders and the inhabitants' affinity for art.

Although the mansion lacked the grandeur of the castle, there was an unspoken affluence that lingered within the peculiar aquatic abode. Her gaze lingered on the portraits that adorned the walls, pondering the mystery of how the paint endured the aquatic environment without fading.

As Lila chattered enthusiastically about her own experiences, Diana couldn't help but marvel at the beauty surrounding her. "Oh! You'll have your room," Lila told her. Then the girl turned to her mother. "Can she have a room close to mine?"

"I don't see the issue," Merea smiled at her daughter.

Lila's exuberant cheer resonated through the enclave as she enthusiastically latched onto Diana, forming an impromptu alliance. The human, unaccustomed to such close bonds with females, awkwardly adjusted her posture to accommodate the spirited girl. Marea, the perceptive tutor, observed the unfolding scene, a flicker of recognition crossing her features. As Lila guided Diana through the underwater abode, they ascended to the second level, revealing a unique architectural marvel. Absent were the conventional stairs or ladders found aboard ships; instead, pathways intricately carved into the walls facilitated movement through the aquatic residence.

"The common areas reside below, and this floor is designated for various activities," Lila elucidated, her enthusiasm undeterred. "Mom will likely tutor you here or in the courtyard." A spark of excitement lit up her eyes before she added, "Oh, the guest rooms are on this floor. So, if we happen to entertain other guests, you might want to steer clear of this area for a while."

Diana's brows knit in contemplation as Lila's mention of guest rooms stirred a realization within her – the potential arrival of other merfolk visitors. A cocktail of nerves and anticipation surged through her, and she found herself grappling with the prospect of interacting with unfamiliar denizens.

The matron of the household, sensing Diana's unease, approached to offer reassurance. "Keep in mind, Diana, you will have a room next to Lila."

A pledge of protection.

Lila eagerly chimed in, "Yeah! You can have my sister's room. It's been so quiet since everyone left."

"I see," Diana's lashes trembled, and she lowered her gaze. The mention of the quietude echoed a truth in her own life – a solitude she had grown accustomed to. "Dwellin' with a crowd be a lively affair indeed," she responded with a weak chuckle, her eyes then shifting to the affable girl clinging to her. "Why did all hands abandon ship?" Her curiosity peeking through.

"Oh, my sister recently got married! She was so pretty at her wedding, like a princess!" Lila gushed happily. "Everyone, except my second brother, is married. His job pays him well, so he moved out."

Merea, the mermaid matriarch, revealed a glimpse into her familial ties. "Of my five children, only Lila still resides here," she shared, a smirk playing upon her features. "When will my baby get married? You've already come of marriageable age."

Lila, upon hearing her mother's teasing, promptly pouted. "No! I'm not leaving Mom alone. Won't you be lonely if you're the only one here?"

Merea, with a chuckle that resonated through the water like a melodic ripple, covered her mouth gracefully and affectionately ruffled her daughter's hair. "Yes, mother is sorry. Thank you, Lila," she expressed, eliciting a proud huff from the determined daughter.

Diana, observing this intimate exchange, felt a dual swell of warmth and emptiness. The warmth emanated from the evident love within the mermaid family, while the emptiness, a poignant ache, echoed the void she had sensed when witnessing the interactions between Thessa and the oceanic monarch.

"What be ailin' me?" she asked herself, her thoughts swirling like the currents around her.

Lila's infectious enthusiasm once again bubbled to the surface, and she seized Diana's hand, propelling her forward. "Anyway," she chirped, "let's go up!" With unbridled excitement, the mergirl guided Diana to the fourth floor, declaring it to be the designated room floor. "We're on the east wing, and Mother is on the west wing," Lila disclosed, tugging Diana along in her wake. "This way!"

As they traversed the underwater corridors, Diana found herself carried along effortlessly by the undercurrents, her feet no longer needing to navigate the aquatic terrain.

"Tada!" Lila sang, her enthusiasm undiminished. "Did I say that right, Diana?"

Diana couldn't help but chuckle at the endearing attempt. "Aye, ye got it spot on," she affirmed.

She stepped into the room, her breath caught in her throat. The door opened to reveal a space that reflected the elegant simplicity characteristic of underwater abodes. The furniture, crafted from coral and adorned with pearls, exuded an aquatic grace. A large window, framed by bioluminescent corals, offered a breathtaking view of the underwater world, with schools of colourful fish dancing in the distance.

The room emanated tranquility, a stark contrast to the tumultuous sea she had experienced not long ago.

"Thank ye, Lila.... 'Tis truly a sight to behold, beautiful it is," Diana expressed, genuinely appreciating the mermaid's hospitality.

Lila's eyes sparkled with unabated enthusiasm as she showcased the room floor to Diana. "I'm so glad you like it! Oh, lookie here!" Lila's finger pointed toward a door in the room. "This door connects our rooms, so you can come to me when you need anything."

Gratitude swelled within Diana, and she reached out, but her hand paused in mid-air. Lila blinked at the hesitation, her head lowering in response. At that moment, a gentle chuckle escaped Diana's lips as she affectionately ruffled the merfolk's hair. The realization dawned upon her – was this her first true female friend? The notion of having someone close, a friend who might become akin to family, filled Diana's heart with a warmth she hadn't anticipated.

Yet, amid these burgeoning emotions, a question lingered in the recesses of Diana's mind. When did she start harbouring these expectations?

Their dynamic piqued her interest. "How old are you, Lila? Are you the youngest child?"

A proud nod accompanied Lila's response. "Yes, I'm the youngest! I'm two years an adult this year."

"Oh, I'm older." Diana, somewhat surprised, revealed, "Four years a full-fledged adult."

Lila's exuberance, undeterred by the revelation, bubbled forth. "Yay! I have another big sister!" she exclaimed, her excitement rippling through the aquatic currents.

As Lila embraced the notion of having another "big sister", it made Diana's cheeks warm. It also made her want to cling to this kinship. Lila, ever inquisitive, turned the question back to Diana, prompting her to share the dynamics of her familial background.

Diana, momentarily lost in thought, rubbed her neck before responding, "Ah... I stand as the lone offspring of me kin."

Curiosity shone in Lila's eyes as she probed further. "Oh, what was that like?"

Diana bit her lip, her mind briefly revisiting the icy stare of her father. "It be a solitary path, yet there be a peculiar comfort in bein' the sole spawn of me lineage," she confessed.

Diana couldn't shake the pang of sadness that accompanied them. The solitude she endured had been difficult, yet the thought of having a sibling – someone to bond with through adversities – offered a glimmer of comfort. However, the spectre of her father's neglect loomed large in her mind, casting doubt on the idea of familial bonds.

Diana understood that being neglected on her own was painful, but the thought of having a sibling who might receive their father's affection while she continued to be ignored was a prospect she wasn't sure she could bear.

Lila, ever perceptive to the shifting currents of emotion, sensed the heaviness in Diana's response. "Anyway," Lila interjected brightly, her mermaid tail swaying gently in the water, "have you tried our seaweed snacks yet? They're my absolute favourite!"

"Snacks?" Diana's attention was easily captivated by the prospect of food. "I reckon not. What be they akin to?"

Lila, brimming with excitement, seized Diana's wrist with a delighted shriek. "Come on, you have to try them!"

"Okay, okay!" Diana laughed, surrendering to the infectious energy of the mergirl.

With a swift pull, Lila propelled them forward, rendering Diana's legs obsolete in the underwater currents. As the mermaid pulled her so quickly her legs no longer needed to support her, they embarked on a discussion about the delectable delights of underwater cuisine.