#anywhere

"What is it?" Salma calls from the shore, trying to focus with her ears cupped over her eyes to block the sun's glare.

The coin, clutched in her hand, almost forgotten with the new excitment

The Coin had three tridents on the back of it, and a HANDSOME ifh some what gilled face of a king on the front

SQUUUUUEE! "Mer Mer Mer!"

"Wow! For real!"

"Oooh, I found a fairy Godfather in the sand. Encantada Dinero...." But she slips it into a pocket, wading out a few cautious steps until the waves lap just to her knees, also curious about the boy moreso than the coin. "Careful, Princesca, la Siren will lure you away from us like a reverse Prince Eric!"

"He's real!"

A head peeks out.

He's handsome for one so young. Eyes sparkle. Not quite Sidhe like, but with pride of his own.

And he stares at the girls with curiousity as if they were exotic alien

"Hellllooooooo!"

"Hello," he says rising up a bit.

But he doesn't ahve gills, he does have.. kind of a blow hole that they saw for a second amid his hair

"Are you a mer-person or a pooka?"

"I beg your pardon," he says with almost imperial affront, "I am of the Mer, House Melusine , we're the sccholar house, and I guess it's up to me to educate you and cure your ignorance. Why would you think iwas a pooka?"

A doleful call from further back - those long ears can hear, but she seems reluctant to go deeper in the water. "Because Pooka can be Scholars too, you know. I'm always writing, that's why I'm out here with my esés."

"Well, I've never SEEN a Mer-person, but you could be a dolphin pooka. You aren't half fish. Fish have gills."

"House Melusine... we are bound to.. you wouldn't understand I fear, not all Mer Folk have gills.. and 'half fish' isn't quite right. We are bound to the spirits of sea creatures. In my case, a Pacific Wite sided Dolphin.." Proud "They're very overlooked but fun. Now" A nod "Now the first thing you should know so you don't accidentally give more offense, is that the Mer Folk are the Heirs of the Tuatha Dananan. Unlike you landers, we have our own civlizations, far under the sea and deep out... rather than having to mingle with the cold ones. "

She flares. "Well, I understand, being isolated under water, you might not understand how things are. The sidhe are the heirs of Dana."

He looks startled and backs up "i'm JUST trying to enlighten you.. .and no. .no.. you borrow bodies or mingle with cold ones... we've kept OUR lines and history pure, ours is the better claim you see?"

Salma splashes over, and gives a little bow to each... somehow! Thought it makes her bobble funnily in the surf. "I apologize that you're both mistaken. The Pooka are the Heirs, you can tell because we are the 'Airiest of them all." A tug at her long ears, attempting to diffuse with humor.

A proud little chin lift. "My soul is very pure, thank you."

"And Salma and Ariel are wonderful, yes. They're my friends."

A snort and laugh "She's funny" the fellow admits

Ariel sniffs a bit then says "Please... don't be mean? I.. I need Mer people to be nice and..good. Please?"

And the boy's features soften "Am i ..being mean?" he seems stunned

"You were being very, uh... Noble." She offers.

"It isn't polite to just say you are better than someone."

"Well, we do rule the waves"

"But it isn't polite."

"Well.. I didn't mean to be impolite. I'm just looking for a lost coin and you surprised me." A sigh "My name is Cire."

"Hello, Cire. I am Countess Eleanour Hyacinth de Violette of House Beaumayn. You may call me Eleanor."

"Oh, a Countess of the landers." He says "That's a high rank"

"Oh, you want the godfather!" She sticks a hand in her pocket, and then offers out the coin she found.

"You wonderful girl!" he beams and suddenly steps onto the land. His tail shifts turning into legs and takes the coin "Thank you SO much. I was in SO much trouble"

"Oh, is it very valuable? I will trade it back to you then." A sly grin.

"It's very valuable it's..." A troubled look "Trade?"

A soft "ooo" as he transforms.

She leans in, crooking a finger to indicate for him to come closer and listen.

Ariel's motuh is open

And Cire walks closer and leans his ear VERY Close indeed.

She cups her hands (and ears!) and whispers, before leaning back to cover her giggle with a hand. "Tis May Day, after all."

Innocence radiating from her.

He looks stunned then.. nods.. and moves to Ariel, and says "Joyous Beltaine" And kisses her on the right cheek. Then backs away. Ariel's eyes widen and she blushes goofily.

Cire moves to The Countess, bows, and then says "Joyous Beltaine.. and kisses her on the left cheek

Then adds "Your excellency"

Blink! Then a proper courtly curtsy. "Joyous Beltaine, Cire!"

Oh, and she smiles - the Merfolk are beautiful, but then... the sidhe shine like the sun.

"Glad I could help." She grins, winding an ear through her hands like one might play with a braid.

And he blushes "Well, then..." he then looks over at Ariel "Some of us are good, most I think. Some bad, but.. good people aren't flawless either. I'm sorry if I showed you one of my flaws. Thank you for .. wanting us to be our best for dreaming of us"