by M. Schaefer
“Right now?” Destiny asked hopefully, stopping in mid-stroke.
Shelleen laughed with a lightness of heart that seemed to float up with the tiny bubbles that surrounded them. “Patience, Love. We will start our lesson as soon as we are underway in open water. I don’t want you hitting your head on anything without wearing a safety snail helmet.”
“EEWWW!” Destiny screeched, crinkling up her face, thinking of the huge snail she had seen on Mertin. “I don’t want to put a huge, slimy thing on my head! I can definitely wait for a little while.”
Destiny watched Kincade swim up to the bull’s eye dragging a huge sea pack underneath him like it was filled with boulders. He changed into his legs and struggled to hoist it up on his back with a groan that seemed to make his knees waver and buckle slightly.
“Do you want me to take that for you?” Destiny asked teasingly. She dove straight down to stand on the platform next to him, landing with an ungraceful thud. She saw the shadow of her mother flit around them as she continued to swim overhead in slow, graceful circles.
“Only if you are really hungry and can eat say…fifteen pounds of crab rolls?” he said with a helpless, hopeful glance. “Mrs. Waverly and Pearl insisted we take this snack for the trip.”
Destiny laughed, “That sounds like them.”
Kincade blew his whistle sharply and only a moment passed before the great shadow of Manta floated overhead, darkening the landing pad.
“Oh!” Shelleen cried with excitement, rushing to Manta. “You are soooooo adorable!” She cooed at him, rubbing the top of his mammoth head and making googley faces and kissing noises. Destiny and Kincade looked at each other trying not to laugh. Up until now she thought that behavior was reserved for cute babies and kittens. Making kissing noises to a sea creature the size of a small plane seemed…well, a bit strange.
Destiny was sure that if there were any way for a Manta to blush he would have lit the sea scarlet-red. She thought she saw his enormous mouth curve suspiciously into a grin as he floated softly down for a cloudlike landing; however it seemed he was not immune to her mother’s charm, either.
“Nice to see you again, Manta,” Destiny said, with a toothy smile. “I see you have met my Mother.” Destiny pointed at Shelleen, who was now running her hands down Manta’s tail with amused, childlike awe.
“I’m afraid she hasn’t been out much lately,” she whispered, with a shrug.
Kincade prepared the towing strap, tying the pack in the middle and leaving the loops loose on each end.
“Princess Shelleen?” he called politely, peering around. “Would you like to ride Manta now?”
“No, thank you, Kincade. You and Destiny go ahead,” she replied, a far off look coming across her face. “I would prefer to swim awhile. It has been a long time and I have missed the feeling of the ocean currents under my fins.”
Destiny climbed aboard and set the strap under her armpits as she had done before, and watched as Kincade slid it around his broad shoulders, setting in place. He blew his whistle again and Manta lurched forward, grasping the strap in his gargantuan mouth.
She held on tightly at first, straining to get a good view as they started to spiral upward from the crater city of Mertopia. She stared intently, trying to capture everything in her memory. She didn’t want to forget a single, glorious thing.
The colors of the underwater plants seemed even more vivid then they had been when she had first arrived… perhaps because she was happier. She was going home with her mom! She had her answers, just as the letter with her necklace had promised.
They passed through bubbles from the whale sculpture and Destiny waved her hand through them, letting them tickle her skin. She noticed her watch, frozen at 12:04 p.m. The exact time she had drowned and a whole new life had opened up. Funny, she had no idea what time it was now. The underwater world seemed to have a different rhythm to life than the topside world. She hoped they would visit again very soon. Perhaps she would be able to spend part of the summer at the palace with her grandfather and aunt and uncle. A few days ago, she didn’t even know they existed… but so much had changed since then and she would really like to get to know them better before completely settling back into her normal life.
Just as the great doors of the Mertopia University were disappearing from view, she saw Professor Seamore slowly creep out, waving goodbye madly.
“Kincade! Look! He is outside!” she yelled, waving goodbye until he was long since out of sight.
Kincade smiled, his eyes bright with surprise. “I guess your trip to Mertopia has had quite a good effect on everyone. I have never seen people so happy. I hope you come back to visit soon. I will miss all the excitement while you’re gone.”
Destiny smiled back at him without saying anything. She would secretly miss him too.
They had been traveling for a long time when the lush, gardenlike landscape became more like an underwater desert with scattered shrubbery. Her armpits felt like she had blisters where the strap was and she was getting hungry. She tried to reposition herself to take the strain off her arms but, it didn’t help much. She was looking forward to taking it off. Destiny wondered how far they had traveled away from Mertopia. Her heart felt heavy as the miles grew between them.
Shelleen finally swooped up over them doing spirals in the water.
“What do you say, Shrimp Muffin? Care to take a swimming lesson?” she asked raising her eyebrows a few times like she was trying to entice her. “There isn’t too much for you to hit your head on here in the sea dunes.”
Destiny was out of her harness and flailing around so quickly they didn’t have time to stop. Her mother swam back, stopping with an elaborate flip, steadying herself in the current. “I suppose that means yes?” she asked coyly, her eyes twinkling with amusement.
Destiny replied laughingly, “OH Yea! I am oh soooo ready!”
“I will have Kincade take Manta up ahead to an old wreck site and set up our snack so you won’t have to feel…self-conscious. You stay right here in the open and practice swimming. Keep your legs together all the way to your ankles,” she said, pointing her finger as she swam away.
“I like that idea,” Destiny called after her. She still felt a little embarrassed about Kincade trying to teach her to use her tail earlier and her stomach was rumbling a bit.
Destiny concentrated, trying to swim without kicking her legs. The motion seemed awkward at first because she had to use the muscles in her hips and bottom rather than only her knees and legs…but after a little practice it felt almost natural.
“That’s wonderful!” Shelleen exclaimed, swimming up beside her. “You will have it in no time.” She swooped up and grabbed her hand. “Now try it with me. Up. Down. Chest out! Deep breath! One…two…three… four. Arms in front of you! Higher! Make sure you look where you are going!” Shelleen grabbed her arm and swerved just missing a passing green sea turtle.
Destiny was concentrating on the sound of her mother’s voice and the rhythm of her body. Trying intently to imitate her movements until together it seemed as if they were moving through the current as one, she was reminded of the synchronized swimmers she had seen in the Olympic Games.
“You are doing beautifully! Now I want you to close your eyes. Don’t worry about seeing. I will guide you. You just feel the movements of your legs. Feel it flow?” she asked.
Destiny nodded, feeling silly.
“Now I want you to imagine that they are becoming one. Melding together, all the way from the tips of your toes to the top of your bottom.”
Destiny was imagining with all her might; first picturing her long toes, then moving up to her knobby knees. Then she held an image of both legs in her mind as they began changing, feeling the movements. She was enraptured for a moment, in motion with the rhythm of the sea, listening to the sound of the water rushing by. She felt like she truly belonged here with her mother. It felt like they were flying and it was wonderful, but she didn’t feel like she was any closer
to having her tail.
“It’s no use, Mom,” she finally said, disappointment dripping from her tongue. “I just don’t think I can figure it out.”
“You’re right, love. It is no longer necessary for you to keep trying. You may open your eyes now.”
Destiny hated to disappoint her mom. Perhaps she would get it someday. She took one last disheartened breath and reluctantly opened her eyes to the most beautiful tail she had ever seen… and it was attached to her! She ran her hands down its length to be sure. It was surprisingly smooth. The gold scales shimmered in the deep ocean depths like the facets of a shiny diamond. Her feet had somehow transformed into a flowing gold tail without her even noticing.
“OH! Thank you! Thank you for teaching me!” she yelled, excitement beaming from her eyes like a spotlight.
Shelleen gave her a motherly smile, but her eyes held a hint of. sadness. “Your father did an amazing job. You are growing up so well, Destiny, as I knew you would. I am so proud of you both.”
“Let’s find Kincade! I can’t wait to show him!” she yelled, taking off with an awkward swoosh of her new tail. She wasn’t very coordinated, but she felt like she was doing pretty well for a beginner. She was just getting good speed going when she heard her Mother call after her.
“Shrimpy Pie! You are going in the wrong direction.”
“Oh! Sorry,” Destiny said, feeling silly and turning choppily. It was a bit trickier, her muscles didn’t want to take proper directions, but she clumsily made a wide circle and rushed back to where her mother waited, shaking her head and giggling.
“This is fun!” Destiny screeched as she passed her. Then threw over her shoulder, “I’m winning!”
Shelleen laughed, effortlessly swimming graceful circles around her, looping and twirling like a ballerina in the water.
“All right. Fine!” Destiny conceded. “You’re winning! When will you teach me how to do that?”
“I have a feeling you will be learning your own tricks. It only takes practice,” Shelleen said brightly.
They were swimming at a nice, steady pace when the ancient wrecked ship came into view. It was broken in half, like an enormous sea monster had crushed its center with a huge tentacle and left it to rot in the watery depths. The ship’s bow was partially lodged into a sand dune. Its masts were next to the bow, broken and twisted. Sea grass and algae in shades of brown and green covered the whole ship like massive cobwebs. The only thing keeping it from being a ship right out of an underwater nightmare was Manta and Kincade lounging in front of it, basking like they were on a tropical beach vacation. Manta had settled in the sand comfortably napping and Kincade was leaning up against one of the broken masts, his hands crossed behind his head and his eyes closed.
Destiny swam as fast as she could, strait for him. “Kincade! Look!” she yelled, startling him. In horror, she realized she had gained too much speed and didn’t really know how to stop! She put her arms in front of her waiting for impact and screamed, “Look out!”
Kincade’s face contorted into a mixture of shock and amusement as she plowed into him. The impact knocked the water from her lungs. “Oopsy! My landing needs a bit of work, but don’t you think it is amazing,” she said, catching her breath and smiling. She wasn’t sure if he was recovering or not because his jaw had dropped and he was staring.
“Are you okay?” she asked, getting a little concerned. Perhaps she had hit him harder then she thought.
He nodded feebly and snapped his mouth shut, seeming to regain some of his sensibilities.
“I’m sorry, Princess,” he stuttered, still looking dazed.
“Well…then! I accept your apology for being in my way!” she said, trying to get a rise out of him. He just nodded dumbly, not saying anything.
Her mother snapped him out of it in a hurry. “Kincade? Have you unpacked the snack?” she asked briskly, her eyebrows raised in question.
“Such a beautiful… Snack?” he mumbled. “I mean…Yes, ma’am! It is right over here,” he said, shaking his head like it had become waterlogged.
Destiny giggled; secretly delighted that he must think it was pretty, too. She just couldn’t believe it!
Kincade swam over to one of the ancient cannons, pulling out their lunch from it like it was a refrigerator. It was wrapped neatly in a checkered cloth.
Shelleen folded her tail primly and floated down into the sand next to a wide mushroomed-shaped rock.
“This looks like a lovely spot,” she said, patting the rock suggestively.
Destiny attempted to imitate her mother’s motions and float down, too. She folded her tail clumsily and used her arms to keep herself upright hovering precariously until she completely lost her balance and toppled over and landed face first in the sand. Her tail seemed to beat uncontrollably and she stirred up a mini, underwater sandstorm. She quickly righted herself and nonchalantly spit out a mouthful of silt, trying to appear like nothing happened. She saw her mother and Kincade exchange small grins, but thankfully they didn’t say anything.
Kincade unwrapped the cloth and handed them rolled seaweed sandwiches. Destiny bit into it quickly. It was filled with flaked crab and shrimp. They were delicious… except for the sand stuck in her teeth.
“These are heavenly,” she said, between chews.
“Indeed.” Shelleen agreed, primly licking her fingertips like a prissy cat. “This is my very favorite meal.”
Kincade handed her an odd shaped, leather-like pouch filled with liquid and a hollow reed. Destiny examined her pouch, confused.
“Like this,” Kincade said, holding up the pouch and jamming the straw into the sealed top.
She gingerly poked her straw into the pouch and sipped the cool liquid. It tasted like fresh water with a twist of clam juice, and it made her feel instantly refreshed.
Destiny couldn’t help but smile as they talked, enjoying their meal and each other’s company. This was one extraordinary picnic! She would never forget one second of it.
Her stomach was completely stuffed when her mother leaned forward, over the rock table as if she had something very important to say.
“You have been a wonderful escort, Kincaid. I thank you for your kind services,” Shelleen said softly, reaching for his hand. “But I think Destiny and I can manage from here. It isn’t far now and her swimming has greatly improved.” She smiled proudly at Destiny, winking. “Plus…it is quite a long journey back to Mertopia and I wouldn’t want you to be out too late. Professor Seamore is prone to worry, as is my father.”
Kincade looked like her words had punched him in the stomach. He was obviously trying to hide his disappointment with a feeble smile.
“As you wish, Princess Shelleen,” he said quietly. “Are you sure?”
Destiny’s heart dropped slightly. She didn’t want to say goodbye to him. He had been such a good friend and she didn’t know when she would get to see him again.
“Yes, dear. I think it would be best. Why don’t you show Destiny around the wreck for a few minutes while I will clean up a bit?”
He nodded solemnly and offered his hand to Destiny. “Princess Destiny? Would you care to escort me?” he asked, sounding disappointed.
“I would like that,” she replied, smiling back. She took his hand, relieved that she didn’t have to try and unfold her tail. Folding it was bad enough!
He pulled her up and with a burst of their tails, they were off swimming through the lost wreckage of an unknown ship. Destiny felt a twinge of sadness. It seemed to be disintegrating before their very eyes. A long time ago there must have been people aboard and now it was little more than chunks of wood and iron littering the sea bottom. It swayed slightly in the current slowly giving in to the sand.
They swam wordlessly across the algae ridden deck. Exploring this quiet underwater world with Kincade made her feel far away from everything and she wanted to remember this moment forever. His hand felt warm in hers as they looped slowly around the broken mast. She was quickly losin
g interest in the ship and couldn’t seem to ignore how his hair seemed to float around, framing his face. Ahhh…and the way his tail seemed to change from green to blue when she turned her head…and how handsome he looked when he puckered his lip for no reason.
Her heart seemed to skip a beat and suddenly she realized in horror that her grandfather was right! She had such a crush on him. It was pointless to keep denying it! Her cheeks exploded with heat. She couldn’t believe she just admitted that to herself! She didn’t really even like boys! Well, they were okay, when she was beating them horribly at baseball. But up until now she had never really given them much thought… and now she would probably never even get the chance to see him again. She felt a sadness creep across her heart. Should she tell him? Would he care? She wished her brain would shut up!
“Kincade, do you think I will ever see you again?” she accidentally blurted. Destiny couldn’t believe that just flew out of her mouth! She felt suddenly sick to her stomach. What was she thinking? She quickly averted her eyes, wishing she could disappear.
Kincade suddenly stopped swimming. He seemed to beat his tail just enough to keep them hovering in the current. He slowly turned to face her and reached up and turned her face toward his.
She couldn’t dare to even breathe. She was lost; staring at the blue of his eyes as he slowly leaned down and gently kissed her. His lips were warm and soft on hers. They tasted like the ocean. Her mind swam and she felt like she could suddenly float away. Kincade kissed her! She had never been kissed before. It was a moment she knew she would never forget.
“Only destiny has the answer to that question,” he said gently. He was smiling, but his eyes seemed to hold more then he said aloud and she thought he looked a little sad and unsure.
“Destiny…Kincade.” She heard her mother calling and her pent up breath finally exploded in a burst of tiny bubbles. She didn’t want to never see him again!
“Kincade,” she said seriously, pulling up his other hand in hers and looking at him intently. For the first time she didn’t want to giggle.