He wanted to hold her forever. He felt like he had just slipped into one of the stories he cherished so much. At last, he had found his princess. It was written in the way her head fit so perfectly on his shoulder, the way her voice melted every doubt he could ever have, they way they seemed to gravitate towards each other, despite both of their worlds forbidding or denying the possibility of them being together. It was meant to be. He could feel it in his bones.

"Aqua," he murmured quietly, closing his eyes to the world and trying to pin this memory in his mind. He wanted to remember everything. If nothing else, if everything went wrong and the world turned against him, he could hold onto this moment and say he had been truly happy once.

"I want to keep seeing you. But I know it's against the rules. Is there a way we can keep meeting? Maybe I could wear a blindfold....I just...I don't want something to happen to you. I can't protect you from the laws of your world. I can only protect you from mine."

It made his heart sad to say it, but he knew it needed to be said. He needed to be absolutely sure she'd be okay. The danger of it all made his heart beat a little faster and gave him a little thrill, but thinking about what might happen if they were caught terrified him. He couldn't even begin to understand her world. Maybe they were harsher than his people. What could they do to her? Would they keep her locked up somewhere? How would he protect her then? How would he keep her from crying then? He didn't want to become the reason for her tears. So he needed to find a way to keep them from being cried.

Aqua lifted her head and looked and him and then said "We can always meet here, my people never come up here but I can only come at night, I still have a job that I have to do for the kingdom." she paused then said "Why would you wear a blindfold now? The rule is already broken, so it doesn't matter. Nothing will happen to me, they will never find out about it, I come up alone and only when it gets dark enough to cover me from being seen." She placed her head back on his shoulder and then was talking to herself but out loud "They won't be able to do anything about it in two days anyways." she smiled at her plan and knew that there was no other way to be free with the one she loved.

Ryan thought for a bit before answering Lily. There wasn't much they could do since she was a mermaid and they had done a lot. He wondered if she had any ideas since all he could think of were things that he had already done. "Is there anything you'd really like to do," He asked with a smile. If not, he always had back up ideas ready, but he wanted to do whatever she wanted.

Pearl heard Alex's words and wondered what she should do. She could show herself to him and he promised he wouldn't tell. Most of her friends already did, but she was nervous. To him she'd be a beautiful mermaid, but in reality she was just a maid. He was too cute though and if she didn't show herself, maybe he'd stop coming. She took a big breath and jumped. Then hid under the water to see his reaction.

((finx15: Since Traverse hasn't showed up, I'll take over the part for now, if she does later, then I'll hand it to her, kay?))

Blake walked onto the beach with his guitar. It was a lovely night and he sat down on his usual favorite rock. He had been working on a song quite awhile now. He wasn't sure who it was for or about, but lately he felt as if someone was watching him on the beach. He wondered if that someone or something would show themselves one day. He didn't sense them yet and so began to play his guitar knowing that they would show up.

Delphina hurried to deny that that was what she wanted as she actually wanted him to move closer though she didn't say that, instead choosing a different excuse. "N-no it was fine, i was w-worried... y-yeah worried that you might fall in again" blushing she was extremely glad that he could not see her blush which would going to given her lie.

"Again, thank you" blushing she began studying the crystal anew. giggling as a dolphin thrusts its snout from under the water she speaks to the dolphin. "hehe, don't be jealous, it still can't replace you" looking up at eric she smiles apologetically "I'm sorry, but I need to go, I need to open the shop tomorrow, and if i don't go now, I won't open up on time." sinking slightly she waited reluctant to go just yet.

He got the feeling that she wasn't saying something, but he let it be. Whatever it was, she would tell him when she was ready. There was no good to come from pushing. Some things just need time. Instead his face broke into a wide smile as she reminded him of his little excursion in the water.

"I can be a little clumsy, I suppose. Still, there are worse things than being saved from certain death by a beautiful woman," he said, grinning, his attitude upbeat and playful. He watched her with a smile as she spoke to the dolphin that greeted her. She had a beautiful voice, and such a kind soul. He really admired that in her; it was probably one of the things he loved most about her, really. He felt a little disappointed when she said she had to go, but he understood. Every night had it's goodbye and he knew she had responsibilities, as he did. He leaned forward before she sank too much into the water, bumping his forehead lightly against hers with a grin.

"Alright. Be safe okay? Will I see you tomorrow night?"

He hoped and prayed and hoped some more that she would say yes, but he also knew it was risky for her to sneak up here. If she did it too often she might get in trouble and he didn't want that, even if they didn't find out what she was doing exactly. He didn't like the idea of her being in trouble, even if it were a light scolding. He liked it best when she was happy.

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He nodded, listening to her.

"Yes, night time would be best. Less people here, and it's safer..."

He shook his head and laughed a little.

"Yes, I suppose it would be pointless to wear a blindfold now. I just wasn't sure if you would want to keep risking it. I thought I'd suggest it, in case it made you feel better. But I'm glad to be able to keep seeing you. Ever since I first saw you, I've been waiting to see you again."

When she rested her head on his shoulder again, he stroked her hair, sighing deeply. Nothing had ever felt so right before. So why had fate cursed them this way? Was it torture for her too, knowing they would only ever see each other in secret? He pushed the troubling thoughts away when he heard her speak again, but she didn't seem to be talking to him. He couldn't help but listen though; her voice had a quality that was almost musical.

"In two days? What's special about two days? Are the laws changing?"

He didn't know anything about the mermaid world or traditions. He had no idea how their laws worked. Perhaps they changed them regularly. It would be an odd practice, but who said humans had gotten it any better? They were strange as well in their methods. They each had their ways, he supposed.

Aqua giggled "In two days the well will be working, and I am glad to be able to see you instead of spy" she sighed and then said "When I find it everything will be perfect, there will be no rules that they could hold me to". She looked up and over his shoulder and said "I am going to have to leave soon, tomorrow I have a show to do and it is early, I hope to see you tomorrow night". Aqua hugged him then said "But I could wait a little longer".

Delphina almost said yes immediately while her blush grew her worse yet, though her memory of what she had sent her dolphins after stopped her. "there's two nights to the full moon... and i still need to look for the well" shaking her head regretfully she spoke apologetically "I'm sorry, I can't i have something else i need to do... though I will be here three nights from now..." "whether i succeed or fail."

hoping she succeeds, and that she would actually be able to join him on land three nights from now she dives under water, her tail waving a good by as she raced home and to her bed to dream of him again.

Alex fell back into the water as he saw a glimpse of her. He sat there getting half his body soaked by the freezing water. He lifted his hand and covered his flustered face." I'm not crazy..I wasn't seeing things!" A few moments later he stood up. " Thank you" Alex called out with a smile while scanning the ocean for her. " You don't have to hide, I promised i wouldn't tell, and i don't break my promises" Alex said gently.

((ok))
Finx saw blake on the beach and giggled like a little school girl. He started to play his guitar and she sighed and thought to herself *he so cute and his playing is wonderful. to bad I can't go and be with him.* She sighed and watched him feeling kind of stalkerish.

He still had questions, but he didn't want to overload her with his curiosity, so he nodded, getting at least enough of an idea to understand things. He hugged her tight when she put her arms back around him and he leaned his cheek on her head, closing his eyes. He didn't want her to go just yet, but he knew it was growing late. They both needed to get some sleep. He had work tomorrow, and he'd have to be sure to get it done on time if he wanted to make it out here by nightfall again. He lifted his head and reached a hand down to lift her chin gently. Leaning forward, he brushed his lips very lightly against her forehead and smiled.

"It's okay. You should get some sleep. I will be here tomorrow, I promise," he assured her gently, "Go on home and get some rest. I will see you soon."

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He nodded and smiled as she gave her apologetic answer and he watched her disappear beneath the waves with a slight pain in his chest. It wasn't easy watching her go, especially with so much left unsaid. He would have to tell her, someday. Maybe when he did, she might feel the same. He could only hope.

"Three days...I'll be here," he promised, though he knew she was already long gone. He leaned back into the boat and started to head back to shore. He needed to get ready for bed, and work the next day. He wanted to bring her something else when he saw her next. Now that he knew she loved the dolphin, he was pretty certain of what he would bring her next. He smiled, thinking about the way her eyes had shined, the way her smile had warmed her face. He wondered if they had mirrors underwater. Had she ever seen herself before? Did she know how beautiful she was?

As his boat ground into the sandy shore, he decided he would go and look for a mirror in the market tomorrow after work. He secured his boat and headed home, already looking forward to the start of the next day. It'd be one day closer to seeing her again.

Aqua, blushed when he kissed her forehead and smiled in return. She had many questions for him she wanted to understand his world more but she was getting teird and he probably was too. When he told her that she should go home to get some sleep and promised that he would be there tomorrow night, she smiled even more then said "Then I promise to come back again tomorrow as well." She hugged him one last time and then began to swim out farther so that she could leave before she dove under she turned and said "Good-bye" she smiled then waved and dove under.

The whole time that she was swimming back home all she could think about was Jake and nothing else. She was going to find the well and make her wish no matter what. She smiled as she swam into her room tomorrow she would meet up with everyone and ask them if they knew anything about it. She laid in her bed and fell asleep, her dreams were fill with what her life would be like after she found the wishing well.

Pearl heard Alex's voice and felt nervous. He promised he wouldn't tell, but she wasn't sure if she should show herself. She swam slowly up to him. She was a mermaid and was afraid he'd only like her because of that. All mermaids were beautiful to humans, but she was rather plain compared to the others, especially Corral.

Blake swore he heard giggling and stopped playing. He knew someone was watching him for sure. Though he wasn't sure who. He put his guitar down and walked towards the water's edge. He scanned the shore for some sign of someone.

Alex stood there as she slowly swam closer to him; He smiled. " Hey there" He said while crouching down,getting closer to her. He extended a hand, and gave another smile, though inside many questions and thoughts flooded his head. " So she was the one who kept watching me.." Alex thought as relief spreads throughout his body. " So I wasn't being paranoid, nor was I imagining it.."

Pearl blushed and took his hand. She raised her head out of the water and shyly said, "Hi." She couldn't go closer to shore or she wouldn't be able to swim back out. She was pushing it now since she able to sit on the sand with her head out of the water.

Finx hide herself behind a rock staring at blake and wishing she could go on land and be with him. He of course didn't really believe that she existed so he may think he was dreaming. It would be worth it.

Lily smiled at Ryan, he was too nice. She knew that they were both limited in the things they could do together, since he could not spend much time underwater and she was unable to go on land. These things seemed so silly, but it was difficult to handle sometimes. "Just talk to me. What did you do today?" she asked him, curious about what he did on land.

Blake walked closer to the rocks. Maybe the person or thing was hiding? He wasn't sure, but he knew he heard something or someone and tonight was the night to find out. "Hello?" He called as he searched the rocks.

Ryan knew Lily was curious about the human world and smiled. "I got a summer job. I work at a cafe' which is close to here. It's really busy due to the summer rush. It's nice to come out at night when the beach is empty. Anyway, after that I came out here to wait to see you." He smiled.

Alex sat down on the wet sand,the water reaching halfway up his body. He didn't care that he was getting wet..All he focused on was the girl in front of him. " So you were the one I saw before?" Alex said while giving her a gentle smile. "You're really beautiful you know." He stated and brushed away some hair that were sticking to the sides of her face.

Lily listened to Ryan with rapt interest, the human world fascinated her. There were times when she wished she could join him in the human world, especially when she got irritated with the mermaid world. It was stressful sometimes to be a part of it. "A cafe? What is that?" she asked, having never heard the word before. The mermaid world obviously did not have such things.

Pearl nodded to answer his question. "Th-Thanks," She blushed when he called her beautiful and reddened even more when he touched her face. He was a lot more handsome up close than she had imagined. "Sorry I couldn't show myself before, we're not technically supposed to come this close to shore," She explained.

"You don't have cafe's?" Ryan blinked in surprise, "It's a small restaurant, food place, where people can buy drinks and snacks. You probably have something like it right?" He couldn't help but be bewildered and had to ask, " What do you eat anyway?" She was half fish and half human, he wondered if she could eat human food. Also he secretly began to regret asking in case it ended up being something gross.

((phht I keep putting finx instead of corral))
Corrals tail splashed the water very loudly she gulped and continued to hide. If he wanted to find here he would need to work for it.

Blake heard a splash and quickly made his way toward it. It had come from a behind a huge rock in the water and he had to wade toward it. The water was cold and he shivered as he neared the rock. He looked behind it and was confused to see no one, "I could have sworn..."

Lily listened to his description of cafes and it did sound like something they had under the sea. When he asked what she ate, she had to think about it for a moment, was it going to sound odd to him, she wondered. "Well, mostly fish, with deep sea plant life from time to time. There are some mermaid who don't eat fish, finding them a bit gross to eat, but I like them," she told him.

Finx had barely moved to the other rock when blake went to investigate. She giggled at his confusion and whispered "Catch me if you can."

"Ah," Ryan said. He could have guessed fish. He wasn't so sure about the plant life though. "Sounds interesting," He smiled. It was getting late and he wasn't sure how much time they had left before she'd have to leave.

Blake heard a giggle and looked around. "I can hear you," He said following her voice to another rock. He was getting a little frustrated as to why the person wouldn't just show themselves. "Isn't it kind of late to be out swimming?" He muttered and then wondered if it was someone swimming or perhaps. "Nah," He shook his head as he looked for some sign of the person he heard.