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“Can you see him?”
“Nope, not yet love.”
“Perhaps we’re too early?”
“It’s around this time we saw him before. Right around the wave breaker over there.”
“Yeah, I remember. He was… yup, right there.”
“Okay, then we just wait?”
“Yeah, best bet for us.”
“Do you think he will show up?”
“We can hope, sweetie. We can only hope.”
Fives and Rex were once again out on their nightly stroll.
This time having become prepared with binocs and treats. Hoping to catch more than a glimpse of the elusive creature they had heard stories of from the locals. But also having caught a glimpse of the creature frolicking in the waves a few times before themselves.
Both Fives and Rex having become quite infatuated by the aquatic creature soon after that. Only wanting to see more of them after having read and research all they could of these, very special and rarely seen fantastic beings.
The mythical yet seemingly real mer-people. A merman to be more exact.
Fives, the perhaps more eager of the two of the loving couple wanting to actually meet up close and personal with the merman. Alas they had discussed this at length, the two partners sharing an equal interest in the fantasy creature and perhaps hoping they could lure the merman to the shores so they could actually speak to him if even possible. Not really sure if this particular one could talk. The lore a bit vague on that part. As it was rare to come across such a being at all let alone being able to talk to one. Having learnt this fact from the research. But they were hopeful to encounter one now and perhaps if lucky, them being able to actually converse with this, half fish, half man creation.
“Perhaps if we place the treats on the rocks by the water’s edge close to us, then perhaps he will come forth?”
“Sounds like a plan.”
“Not too close though, we don’t want to spook him.”
“I hear ya! I’ll be careful.”
They did as planned and then sat down to wait.
For a long while it seemed too. But neither of them was giving up hope. Having caught a sight of the fantastic critter, the both of them wanted to see the merman up close and personal no matter how long it took. Call it an obsession and perhaps it was one, but the couple had become somewhat infatuated by the merman. Perhaps a tad obsessed even? Whatever it was, neither of them could get the merman out of their heads.
And so here they were, snuggled closely to each other waiting for the mystical creature to arrive. Because they had to believe he was real and that he would, eventually come to them.
*
They must’ve sat there for a longest while.
Almost giving up hope of ever seeing the Mer-creature up close and personal or at all again. After all, the mind played tricks on the best of them and perhaps it had all been an illusion, a dream, a fantasy the two had been caught up in.
But just then a loud splashing noise cut the silence of the otherwise quiet and empty beach with just the two of them there at this time of the evening. Something Fives and Rex loved about the area as there were not a lot of people around most of the time. No crowds no matter the time of rotation.
Rex and Fives bolted up at the same time, trying to remain calm while unconsciously moving toward the water’s edge so not to scare anyone there, possible their merman?
And what they saw there certainly took their breaths away.
On the rock there munching on the sweet treats splayed out as a lure was the most gorgeous , most beautiful, most perfect creature they had ever laid eyes on.
The merman digging deep into to the snacks unaware of the duo in awe of him. His profile pale in the blue light of the moon. Neither Fives nor Rex able to tear their gazes away. The merman’s bare torso glimmering from the droplets with his long tail gently tapping at the water in a rhythmic beat. The merman humming while devouring the snacks.
“He’s …”
“Perfect in every way.”
The whispered words while still frozen in their spots. Only waiting for the merman to notice them. Not wanting to scare him off as this was the first time they had been this… close.
As if having already felt the two humans, which he most likely had, the mer-creature was taking things slow suddenly finishing the treats. Knowing to a certainty he was being observed he took only small bites from the remaining snacks.
It took a long spell, the three there as if frozen in time, the one playing it coy while the other two stood there, hardly blinking or even breathing. To scared to move or speak.
Out of the blue, them merman turned to look at Rex and Fives. Their eyes locking with the creature, the paleness present in his gaze… so, so pretty…
“Hey there.” Fives tried out softly.
The merman just stared at him, not responding but not turning away either.
Fives glanced back at Rex, him nodding in agreement Fives continued cooing the merman.
“You like what we brought ya?”
The merman glanced at the remnants of what he had been eating, clearly understanding what the humans were saying to him. But he remained vigilant just the same even if having much appreciated the offering. His stance indication of being ready to dive away at a moments notice.
“Yeah, those. There’s more if you like.”
Fives held his hand up before reaching for his pouch, digging out yet another snack bar and showing it in plan view to the merman.
“See, all good?”
Fives glanced at Rex again before taking a few steps forward, closer to the merman. Slowly with baby step getting closer. Close enough to reach out and touch the creature, but he did not dare to do so.
“Here”
Fives offered the treat, only keeping it in his hand. Waiting for the merman to reach out to get it.
The merman stared at Fives for a long spell. Clearly assessing him.
Then making his decision, the merman's hand reached for the snack. Getting closer before snatching it off of Fives’ hand and retreating just a little yet still remaining close.
So, clearly not a threat?
“See, we’re all good here.”
Fives motioned for Rex to join them, both seated on the rocks now. As the merman did not seem to mind them. Gingerly eating the last of the treats even if Fives and Rex crowded his spot.
“Bribery will get you everywhere .” Rex chuckled softly.
“He seems to like them just fine.”
Fives was positively beaming, still unbelieving they were so close to this wondrous creature.
“Yeah. He does.”
The merman still not paying much attention to the two humans, but he was clearly listening to the conversation. His demeanour indication of the same, his ears honed in on the two.
“So. Ya think he understands us then?”
Rex could not be sure, but on some level it seemed that way.
Fives glanced at the merman, the creature clearly having eavesdropped on them not that it was a private conversation anyway. But, he could understand the two humans just fine.
“I think he does.” Then directing his words to the merman. “Don’t ya pretty thing.”
“He is that isn’t he.”
Rex could not agree more, still feeling all kinds of giddy of the encounter, the both were.
The merman had stopped all movement suddenly after finishing his treats. Seemingly observing something at the sea. His perfect side profile towards his two admirers. But he was listening to them, that much Fives was sure of.
“You do understand what we’re saying don’t ya.”
Fives wasn’t really asking.
Alas the merman did not budge at first. But then without any preamble, he turned to look at the duo. Their eyes locking again. A spell passed. Then another. And then.
“Echo.”
“Wot now?”
“My name. It’s Echo.”
The merman was speaking, in their language too. Gasp!
“Oh… sorry…. I’m Fives and this is…”
“Rex. I know. I’ve seen you two around.”
“You have?” It was Rex’s turn to be surprised.
“Yes. I have…. Have been observing you too.”
Echo went silent for a moment again before elaborating.
“I was hoping you would turn up again.”
“You did?” Fives sounded again, surprised but also happy. This was certainly news but good news. Exchanging glances with Rex before continuing to talk to the mer… Echo. “We… have been looking for you too… ever since….”
“You had a dream. Of me.” Echo finished for Fives, leaving the two humans once again, surprised.
“How did you…?”
“I dreamt of you too. Both of you.” Echo paused, clearly contemplating on his next words.”My, um… soulmates.”
Echo the merman clearly wasn’t filtering any. Not mincing his words. The implication of them quite clear.
Then again both Fives and Rex had felt their relationship had been missing a component for some time. The two very happy was true though and yet something had seemed to be lacking just the same. Part of them missing.
“Soulmates…” Fives was contemplating the word.
“It makes sense.” Rex too thinking of the meaning of it. “Even if…”
“I’m of a different species.” Echo finished for him.
“Yes. The Force does work in mysterious ways for sure.”
A comfortable silence fell on the three… soulmates having finally found their lost partner.
“So what happens next?” Fives asked curious.
He was only hoping they could make it somehow. Work things out even with Echo being different from them.
“Well,” Echo thought of the solution for a moment before revealing things further, as even if they had just met in person, Echo knew this two, through the Force, well enough to trust them implicitly, “I can walk on land but I still need the water to revert to this form every now and again.”
To prove his point, a shimmering glow suddenly surrounded Echo. His tail was gone and instead of it legs appeared among the rest of his human male anatomy.
“Wow!”
“Wow indeed.”
Rex and Fives unable to tear their eyes of Echo for several obvious reasons.
“So? Is this okay?” Echo asked slightly confused of the gawking duo while motioning at himself.
“More than.”
“Definitely… okay.”
“Do you want to come home with us, Echo?”
“I would love to.”
Echo smiled, offering his hands for the other two to take.
Which they did.
A blanket was placed over Echo’s nakedness before Fives and Rex placed their arms around him. The three then walking towards their house close by as their lost and found soulmate was finally coming home with them.
The best catch of the day if any ever had been. The merman caught.