The next day, after breakfast, we drove out. Our destination was the Castle Miramare, where there would be tourists. It was directly on the sea, but there was no beach, just a four feet drop into the water.
When we arrived there – I let Andrea drive and was in the back with Maria – we parked the car and we went down. Indeed, some people where wandering around. The castle itself was little and only known because a famous Austrian princess once lived there, but it was really beautiful there. The green hills climbed up behind the white castle, and the water was really clear.
Next to the castle, there was a little stony pier going out in the little bay. That whole area could be overlooked from a railing where people were watching and taking photos and videos from the building and the scenery. I climbed down to the pier. Maria wanted to follow me, but I told her that it was time for the surprise. Her mother took her, looking wearily at Andrea, who also had taken out his good camera.
"Just watch!" I told them.
I ran to the end to the wall, where there was a small platform. There, I started to undress. That should generate some attention on its own, I thought, but I was quickly done and could go on with the most important part. I turned back to Maria, who was watching me with her mouth open, waved at her, and then I jumped into the water as graciously as I could.
I felt the water all around me, the tingling and the burning. I let the change happen while slowly sinking down. When I was ready, I swam up to the surface and looked out.
All the people were looking at me, shouting. I waved at Maria again, her expression was absolutely excited, no trace of fear. Her mum was looking at me, then to Andrea, then to me. Other people were filming. I dived back into the water, let my tail splash through the surface. I didn't come back to the air, but stayed close to the surface, near to the pier.
I swam for several minutes, when I saw a small clam. I dived for it, took it and then swam back to the little platform where my clothes were. Andrea has taken Maria there, since she obviously wanted to be near me. I came half out, just pegging on my arms, because I didn't want to change back.
Maria came close to me. I looked at her quizzically, since I couldn't say anything – I had no air to do so. I showed her the clamshell, but she was not interested.
"Auntie Lele is a mermaid!" she chanted instead and was happy.
I went back into the water, since I needed to breathe, and put on a show especially for Maria. I did somersaults in the water, rolled for and back and then I pushed myself out of the water completely back on the stone next to her. The change would not start as long I wouldn't try to put air in my lungs.
Maria touched my scaly skin on my arms and on my tail, laughing all the time. "It's cold and wet!"
I grimaced at her, but then I took her hand and put it on my cheek. My other hand I put on hers. Then I put my forehead against her.
"That's how mermaids say: You're my best friend," her father explained.
Then I waved her goodbye, pushed myself back in the water and swam out of the bay, back to the other half of my family.