Othello looked up from his work with interest as low-grade workers of the local aquarium struggled to wheel a tank into his lab. Water sloshed over the ventilated sides as they wheeled it over to a slightly larger saltwater aquarium. Without word, the two men started to upend their transport into the other tank. "Hang on a moment!" he shouted, jumping up and going over. "You can't just -!"
"It's your problem now," said one as he handed Othello paperwork to sign.
"It bloody bit me," said the other as he cradled his bandages hand. "Wasn't it tranquilized?"
A flamboyantly dressed man entered the room clapping his hands, the owner of the aquarium himself, the Viscount Druitt. "There she is, my beautiful water nymph!" he exclaimed with a sigh. "Such beautiful red color! She will make a fine addition!" Othello looked and all he could see was murky water where the contents of the tank had been stirred up. Druitt approached the tank without fear. He placed his hands on the glass and called to the creature. "Come out! Come on out my little beauty!"
For a moment, there was nothing. Then a creature rushed forward and struck the wall of the tank, attempting to bite the viscount with its many sharp teeth.
"A mermaid!" Othello gasped. He viewed the creature in awe. He had read all the latest information regarding the latest scientific discovery, but he had yet to see one in person until now as they weren't easy to catch and one had to jump through many hoops and tons of paperwork to have the rights to keep one. She was indeed beautiful, however, through his research, Othello could tell this was the male of the species. Though, in Druitt's defense, the merman did oddly possess a certain number of qualities belonging to the females of the species. For one, they wore what looked like a brassiere made out of seashells and pearls. Their long red hair was adorned with a seastar. The find and the scales of the creature were tinted on a red hue, making this one quite remarkable, and to the best of his knowledge, the first of its color to be seen or captured. The face was fair and they were of a slim build, but in excellent shape, if those muscles were anything to go by.
"I shall call her Phoenix!" Druitt exclaimed. The creature hissed wildly at him. "She was found all alone without her pod. She won't be alone now! Not with all the visitors she will bring in. Once she is settled in, we shall look into breeding her and I think I have the perfect mate in mind for her. I happen to know a private owner of a handsome male." Should he tell him? Othello decided to keep his mouth shut for the time being. The poor man was a little thick sometimes. Othello returned to the animal he had been with while Druitt continued to fawn over 'Phoenix'. He would tackle the latest addition to their aquarium next.
Druitt had gone and Othello was left to his work. He got up and approached the tank slowly where Phoenix searched for a way out, a worried expression lining her features. "Hello," he greeted, staying a few feet away. They seemed to be doing well at the moment, however, time will tell if those knuckleheads didn't just kill their boss's prize with their rough treatment of it. "Name's Othello. Like the Shakespeare play….but I guess you wouldn't know about that." The creature seemed to ignore him as they continued to search for a way out. "I would like to know where he thinks I am going to put you, but we'll work something out. I'll try to get you comfortable living quarters soon." He looked at her with pity. Home. Its home was in the wild sea where it was caught. Speaking of which, he just realized he hadn't been told where Phoenix had been caught, therefore, he didn't know sorts of fish and other marine animals this species feasted on. He made a mental note to ask later.
For now, he supposed he would have to go with a common fish that most merfolks ate and hope for the best. "I bet you're hungry," he said. He doubted the mer understood him, but he liked talking to the inhabitants. "I'll be right back with something I hope you find tasty."
He returned shortly with the fish. He opened the top to drop them in. As soon as he did, Phoenix, who had been eyeing him warily from the bottom of the tank, lunged up and attempted to grab him with pne of its webbed hands. Razor sharp nails scratched him as jerked back just in time. He let go of the fish and it dropped into the water. He now hoped this one didn't have a taste for humans. Othello hissed in pain as the scratches burned from the toxins the claws had administered.
He grabbed a medical kit and immediately began cleaning, disinfecting, and applying anti-venom to the wound. Thankfully, mer toxins were similar to those found in jellyfish, if he applied enough of the antigenic, he should be alright. He hobbled back to his to his rolling chair and sat down. He looked at the mysterious creature. Phoenix was trying to claw its way out of the feeding slot, but Othello had only opened it far enough to put the fish in and thus was too small to fit through
Phoenix eventually gave up with that escape route. They now rested at the bottom of the cramped tank, ignoring the fish Othello had brought. "Picky eater?" He asked them. Phoenix gazed at steadily back at him, red tail fanning the bottom of the floor in a hypnotic motion, reminding Othello of a cat. "Where is your family?" he wondered. "What in heaven's name were you doing all alone?"
He continued to talk to Phoenix as he made notes about them. But other duties soon called and he put up his pen and stashed the file in a cabinet drawer. "Try not to cause much trouble while I am gone," he winked at the creature as he left.
As he busied about, Othello found that Druitt had already ordered a new section to house their new moneymaker. "I want out guest to be as comfortable as possible!" he said.
With everyone care for that needed his attention, he returned to his lab, to find Phoenix nestled in amongst the kelp. They had dug out a bed at the bottom of the tank. They appeared to be asleep, but Othello couldn't tell for certain. However, the mer had the right idea.
Othello began shutting down for the night. He usually slept at the aquarium as it was more convenient. He changed into something dry and pulled out his couch which folded out into a bed. Soon the only light on the room was the dim glow from the tanks.
Hey! A new fic that isn't depressing? I hope you enjoy it. And if you have a better title idea, feel free to suggest it.