Eric watched the water eagerly for any signs of Ariel. He was beginning to feel foolish when a face appeared out of the surf. He defeated the desire to jump into the water and settled for leaning dangerously far over the side.
She blushed and waved at him, sweeping her wet hair out of her eyes. Eric watched as she began climbing the ladder on the side of the ship, amazed she could do it all with just her upper body. When she neared the top, he reached out a hand and pulled her up to sit on the railing of the ship.
They smiled at each other and sat in silence for a moment. "I was afraid you wouldn't come." He said.
"I almost didn't." She confessed. "My father would never understand."
"Who is your father?"
"King Triton." She said plainly.
He furrowed his brow, "King Triton?"
She sighed loudly, "Oh yes, ruler of the seas, King of the merpeople. Take your pick." Her tone dripped annoyance.
"So you're a princess?"
"And the last girl in the sea who should be speaking to a human." She laughed, "You are all barbarians, you know."
"So merpeople don't like humans?"
"More specifically my father doesn't like humans." She corrected staring at his legs. He shifted, nervous when she continued to watch him. He had been staring at her tail as well and began to understand what it felt like to have someone gawk at you. "Can I touch your feet?"
He blinked, "Beg your pardon?"
She pointed, "Your feet. Can I touch them?" She giggled, and it was the most beautiful sound in the world.
"Well…" He thought about it, "Can I touch your tail?"
In reply, she shifted. The end of her tail was now over the ship's floor instead of hovering over the water. Eric raised an eyebrow but bent down and pulled off his shoes just the same.
"You first," Ariel gestured to her tail. He hadn't thought this through and rubbed his neck awkwardly as he looked at it.
"Um…"
"What's wrong?" She asked.
"Well… humans think it is inappropriate for a man to touch a woman."
She looked confused. "So why did you ask?"
"Fair enough," He laughed raising his hands in surrender. Slowly he brought his hand to Ariel's fin and ran his fingers along the scales. They were a brilliant iridescent green and felt slick to the touch. He pulled back when she laughed.
"That tickles." Her smile was amazing, "My turn."
He shook his head at her eager face as he sat down on a barrel and swung his legs up into her lap. She stared at his feet; wide eyed with amazement. He wiggled his toes, and she gasped.
"Why do you need so many?" She asked poking his left baby toe.
"They help us walk around and keep us steady." He giggled as she kept touching his toes. "That tickles too."
"Eric?" A voice called from the steps leading below deck.
Ariel jumped and almost fell forward when Eric leaped up to catch her, "Careful! Easy!"
Her arms were around his neck as he held her up and stared into her eyes. They both breathed heavily.
"Eric?" Someone called again. Footsteps were making their way up to the top deck.
Eric quickly scooped her up and lowered her to the ladder on the side. As she climbed down, he smiled a goofy grin before leaving to find the person calling for him.
