Mermaid
Disclaimer: I do not own any ideas originally created by Warner Bros. or Aaron Spelling. All ideas previously created by the people behind "Charmed" are theirs. All other characters, settings, etc. belong to me.
A/N: This story is an extension of Charmed, still in its universe, but is focused on a young mermaid and her new life on land. However, she is, indeed, different than other mermaids. And this development is exposed in due time. It takes place present time, 4 years after the series finale. Without further ado, I hope you enjoy. Please R&R!
Chapter 1: Over the Surface
Water. To her, it was a beautiful thing, to feel the cool embrace of her home, and her heart. All her life she had known the rush of the tides, the sounds of the deep, the knowledge of her surroundings; what others called mysterious had no secrets for her. All this time, she just swam. Her birthright gave her the ability to swim so beautifully, with such a grace that no mere mortal had. For she was different, oh yes, she was indeed. She was so different she wished to start anew…on land, no less. It was just unusual though, for someone like her to live above surface. She has heard the stories, the rumors, and the facts. Yet, she is ever so intrigued by it, which was why she wanted…needed to do this.
Now there she stood.
Laurel surveyed her surroundings. The setting sun was casting a golden glow on not only the beach, but here bare body as well. She smoothed her damp blonde locks to her already soaked body. She gazed at a house just a couple of feet away. A smile spread across her face as the glass back door slid open and a familiar face stepped onto the balcony. She had been wearing a white tank top with a sandy flowing skirt reaching her ankles and wooded sandals. The house owner ran to Laurel and embraced her late visitor as if she was family. Laurel's chilled body began to warm up from the embrace.
"I'm here," Laurel squealed.
"You're naked!" her friend replied, breaking the hold. Her clothes were a little damp from coming into contact with Laurel's likewise wet skin, but she didn't mind. Laurel vibrated as her teeth tapped on each other.
Laurel went on in sheer delight, "I didn't think I could, but I did it!" All the young woman could do is smile at her best friend, seeing how far she had come. Their grins had said it all.
"Come, come in!" Hand in hand, the duo began the walk up to their new home.
(-o-)
Olivia Irving had grabbed her spare mesh sponge from her closet. Her long brown locks swung side to side from its ponytail as she paced down the hall towards the bathroom. She knocked on the ivory door, respecting her new roommate's privacy.
"Come in." came the muffled reply. She turned the brass knob and gently pushed the door to reveal Laurel Wakefield lounging in the bathtub. Her hair was smothered with lavender shampoo. Her chest was covered with two twin sets of golden scales. And her lower half…her lower half was wrapped in a collection of golden scales, ending over the tub's edge in a fish tail that thumped against it now and again. This was who she was, who she had always been - a mermaid.
"I thought you might want this," Olivia offered, extending her arm to give Laurel the sponge.
"Nice. Thanks," Laurel said, taking the mesh ball and covering it with Olivia's body wash. She dipped the sponge underneath the surface of the water and began to massage herself with it. Olivia had taken a nearby stool and sat on it, watching the mermaid bathe.
"Yeah, I didn't want to say anything, but you smelled a bit…funky." Olivia joked. Laurel dug both hands underwater and splashed Olivia in the face.
"Mean!" Laurel retorted. She giggled to herself and relaxed back against the tub, continuing to soak.
"So…you're out of water. How does it feel?" Olivia curiously asked. She had wondered how her friend would adapt. It wouldn't be easy.
"It's different," Laurel covered the sponge with more soap. "It's something completely new. Swimming around for so long, the Seven Seas all look alike to me. But I'm free, you know? I can start an adventure. I can stretch my legs!" Laurel cheered, splashing her tail in the tub. The duo both giggled in glee.
"Well hurry up. We're going out. It's gonna be your first official night in town," Olivia stated, getting up from her stool.
"What?!" Laurel protested. She sat up with a quizzical look on her face.
"It'll be fun, I promise. Besides, I told some friends that you were coming," Olivia said as she stepped out of the bathroom.
"Wait, I can't just go out. I'm barely settled in!" Laurel retorted. Olivia turned on her heels back towards the tub and the mythical woman sitting in it.
"Laurel, you said you wanted to start over, to have a new life. Well, this is it. Just reach out and grab it." Olivia explained, crossing her arms under chest.
Olivia was being so pushy because she loved Laurel. They had been best friends since that night, all those years ago, and they'd both since come to accept the other for who she were. For Olivia was no ordinary woman either: she was a witch.
"Can't the rest of my life start tomorrow?" Laurel asked in a whiny voice. Olivia was beat.
"Fine. But tomorrow, we're going out," the witch deadpanned. A small smirk tugged at the corner of her mouth at seeing the relief on her friend's face.
"Thank you. I love you!" Laurel smiled.
"Whatever you say, Ariel," Olivia joked.
"Who?" Laurel frowned. Olivia giggled to herself and shook her head.
"Never mind."