II. Of Sunset Scales and Feathered Fins

There was a massive disturbance in the currents.

For him, the bottom of the coral reef was comparable to land, in that animals refused to be near him. So, it was quite noticeable when a substantially sized creature distorted the waters nearby. From what little his senses told him, Edward suspected it was no reef shark. It felt much too vast and powerful. And the way it broke through the currents resounded peculiarly.

It swam closer.

Edward opened his eyes and met the bright blue eyes of a girl―no, not a girl. It was a―

Her tail was immense. The skin at her waist faded away until it completely vanished below rows of protruding scales, gleaming from shades of sunset orange to honeyed gold. Her forked caudal fin flickered gently, appearing like a vast array of glossy feathers. Edward had never witnessed something so incredible.

And then he met her eyes again. They were vivid with laughter, pink lips stretched wide enough to reveal pearly white teeth. Flaxen gold hair to rival Rosalie's bobbed gently above her.

She waved a hand.

Her acknowledgment of him somehow made this encounter all the more tangible.

Edward returned the gesture and slowly allowed his hand to move towards her tail. While she appeared friendly, if a little amused by him, Edward was unable to read her thoughts. Would she mind if he―

Her scales were sharp, but not sharp enough to cut through his stone hands. And they were slimy. And probably cold, but to him, slightly warmer than his own skin. Edward carefully ran a hand down her tail, highly aware of his strength and unwilling to harm her. He admired the lustrous sheen of her scales and the streaks of gold in her fin. Her bralette gleamed with the same colors, and Edward could only deduce she'd use old tail scales to craft it. More practical than seashells, and more modest than being bare.

Observing her only allowed him so much information. Edward had never taken an interest in marine biology nor in mythology outside of his own species, but suddenly he wished he had. What species of fish was she fused with? What types of abilities did she have? How populous were mermaids? How closely did the legends match up to her reality?

The questions continued to mount. If only they were able to speak.

It was as though she were the mind-reader. She ducked her head closer to his, catching his eyes and gesturing towards the surface with the point of her finger. Edward pushed himself to his feet and swam up, eyeing the incredible length of her tail. From the top of her head to the tips of her fin, she was probably seven feet in length.

Edward quickened to break the surface alongside her. They bobbed gently above the water, as he struggled to choose his first question. Or perhaps it would be more polite to introduce himself first? Esme would be rather put out if he misbehaved, especially if it was just to satisfy his curiosity.

But before he could decide, the mermaid smiled widely at him and said with a distinct accent, "What's the matter, mate? Never seen a mermaid before?"

Edward tilted his head in thought. "You're Australian?" Not that he could see how living near a region would affect her dialect. Unless she posed as human too?

"Got it in one, sparkle pants," she laughed.

Edward blinked. "Pardon?"

"I got front row to your little light show."

Edward glanced up at the overcast skies with a vague sense of betrayal. It was fortunate she wasn't human. Although what human would be swimming in shark-infested waters near a privately owned island was beyond him.

"Come on," she said, reeling back his attention, "I know a spot where we can chat."

Before he could reply, she twisted and dived back down with a splash of her tail. Edward was swift to follow after, but it was unnecessary. She swam at a rate only slightly faster than human speed. Edward got the sense she was holding back by a wide margin. Perhaps she was unsure if he could keep up? Not that he could assuage her worries underwater.

Or perhaps it was the simple fact that their destination was not far off. Racing around Ni'ihau to its northernmost point, they soon reached a massive rock outcropping in the shape of a crescent moon, a few miles offshore. The mermaid chose one of its points to haul herself up, sitting on her tailbottom while her fin buoyed with the splashing waves. Edward settled himself in a similar fashion, feet submerged in the water.

He turned and held out a hand to her, "My name is Edward Cullen. It's incredible to meet you."

The mermaid appeared taken aback. And then she clasped her hand in his with a firm grip. "I'm Rikki," she flashed him a lopsided grin. "So? You gonna tell me how you did that sparkle trick?"

"Oh. That," Edward hummed in thought. "I suppose it's only fair."

A/N: Shoutout to ScriptumArt for her beautiful fanart!

I squint out into the horizon, and have yet to find a plot. But I hope y'all enjoyed reading this from Edward's POV! :)