Searching for a Mermaid

......

That guy's staring at the ocean really intensely. I hope he's okay.

Hey buddy, are you all right?

Huh? You need something?

Sorry, I just thought you looked kinda gloomy. Something on your mind?

Hmm... There is something that's been bothering me.

What's on your mind? The beastfolk?

No, no, nothing as deep as that. The truth is, I've been looking for a mermaid.

Those half-fish creatures you read about in fairy tales? Who are you, anyway?

My name is Kasim. I'm a ferryman here in Rinde.

Hi, I'm Aldo. I'm from Baruoki. Are you serious about this merfolk thing?

I know it must sound fantastic, but yes, I'm totally serious. When I was a kid, I saw a mermaid with my own eyes.

You're sure that's what it was?

Absolutely! I couldn't be mistaken. I even spoke to her.

Wow, that's really something.

You don't believe me, do you?

Uh, well...

Even I have moments when I think it may all have been a dream.

But every year, at around this season, I...sense her nearby. This year it's been stronger than ever. I think I may finally see her again.

You sense her, huh? I'd love to believe you have that kind of ability.

Aldo, are you a mercenary, by any chance?

Not really. Why?

I want to search along the Serena Coast, but things with the beastfolk are so tense...

Oh, I get it. I may not be a sword for hire, but I can still come along and keep you safe.

Really? Great! Let's head to the Serena Coast right away.

This is far enough. This spot right here is where I first met the mermaid.

Huh. It's such a normal place for a fantastic encounter like that.

I'll never forget that night. I was here, looking up at the full moon... My gaze drifted to the water, and suddenly there was a woman there. She was so beautiful she took my breath away.

She was no different from a human woman, until I looked below her waist. I was so shocked, I could barely move. But then she smiled at me. We started talking, and several hours went by as if in a dream.

I was lucky. It may have been a long time ago now, but I know what I saw. Since then I've felt like she's nearby a number of times. Every year I come back here, hoping that this time I'll be able to see her and talk to her again.

So, what now?

Now, we wait.

Huh? You're just gonna stand here?

Of course. I can't afford to miss her again!

All right. Whatever you say.

We've been here a while now... She gonna show soon, do you think?

Hm... Maybe. I think I feel her presence, but it's only faint.

Her "presence," huh?

Feels like it's gone again... We'll never get anywhere just standing around like this. Do you have any ideas?

Who, me? Uh... I usually approach a problem by asking around so I have as much information as possible.

That's a great idea! Knowledge is power. Let's go "ask around" in Rinde!

Hey, wait for me! ...He's really gonna ask people if they've seen any mermaid lately, huh?

I'd better go along and keep him out of trouble.

Excuse me, do you know anything about the merfolk?

Tales have been told about them since the days of Antiquity. They even say merfolk used to visit this port all the time.

Really?!

Great, we have a lead! I never heard about them coming here, though...

We're talking about the days of my father's fathers. Most of those stories have passed out of living memory.

Is there a reason merfolk are so elusive?

Well, there are old superstitions that say eating merfolk flesh will grant a human immortality... As a result of that, many merfolk were slain by scoundrels seeking eternal life. It's no wonder they've learned to be wary of humans.

What a tragedy...

They were innocent, kind-hearted creatures. They never tried to launch any kind of counter attack against us. All they could do was try to survive and lament the passing of their brethren.

If I were a merman, I know I wouldn't want to get friendly with humans in a hurry.

That may be, but I will not give up. I need to see her again...

You're looking for a real mermaid? You'd do well to talk to the children around town. They've been chattering about seeing something strange at sea lately.

Kasim's not the only one, huh? Maybe this isn't as impossible as I first thought...

Come, Aldo! We need to interview the kids.

Hey, is it true you saw something out at sea?

Sure is! And not any old something, either, it was a merfolk!

Wow! Can you tell me a little more about what happened?

Me and Pop were out fishing in the ocean. Then I saw something swim really fast. It was going too fast to be a human. It was a merfolk! I'm a million percent sure it was!

There aren't any other human-shaped creatures that can swim that fast.

Which way did the thing you saw go?

Uhhh... It shot off through the water toward the Serena Coast.

I knew it! Thanks for your help.

Hey, don't run off without your bodyguard!

There you are, Kasim.

Aldo, take a look at this!

Hm. There's grooves in the sand like something came up onto the shore. Someone was here, all right. What do you want to do now?

What can I do but wait?

I thought you might say that. I might as well stick it out with you.

Say, why are you so determined to meet this mermaid, anyhow?

Well, I... I guess you could say I'm...in love?

In love? With a mermaid?

Yeah, well... You know how it is.

I don't think I do...

Huh, I think I saw something for a minute there. Feels like we're not alone...

Is something here? Is it the mermaid?!

I dunno, but it's coming in fast!

Is this...a mermaid?

Kasim, you fell in love with this thing?

Don't be ridiculous! Who could love a hideous creature like this?

Gyaaargh!

Eeek!

I think you offended it. You'd better fall back to a safe distance. I'll handle the rest!

I'd just like to make this perfectly clear, that was NOT the mermaid I was looking for.

Yeah, of course. That kid we spoke to must have just mistaken it for one.

I feel foolish for getting my hopes up. I should have known my quest wouldn't end so easily.

Maybe I should take a break. I can make my own way home from here.

Hey, don't get so discouraged. I'm sure if you keep looking...

Oh! Did I just see something on the ocean? It looked like a shadow under the surface. I could have sworn it was human-shaped, too.

It might be my imagination, but you never know, right?