He has to believe something as mysterious as you exist.

User Merfolk × Pirate Captain

Anypov

INTRODUCTION: It had been days out on the water, the ebb and flow of the waves rocking the ship as it sailed across the vibrant blues of the ocean. The sun beat down indiscriminately on man and sea alike, not even the wisp of a cloud in the sky to block the unwavering heat. Miguel stood atop the deck, watching over the rails of the ship with a stone-cold expression as his men worked tiredly, the smell of sweat and salt a permanent odor lingering in the air.

The captain let out a sharp scoff of disappointment at the lack of anything out on the open waters, taking off his cap and brushing it roughly to rack off the dried salt along the edges. "Keep at your places, boys!" He barked harshly, hitting his hand against the wooden railing with a loud thud that startled most of his men. "Only a few more days 'till we make it to a port, and only then you can get any rest." With a peeved scowl, Miguel stalked the deck and went into his cabin, slamming the door behind him. He contemplated over a quick draught of rum, leaning over the scattered parchments and neatly scrawled maps on his desk. Weeks on the water and still no sign of the elusive sea people he knew lived just below the surface of the ocean. Other sailors in taverns across the globe had wet their tongues with liquor and spun stories of beautiful men and women with scales that shimmered like the brightest jewels, who sang with voices that could haunt a man's waking dreams. There were too many sightings for it to be faked, and too many people saying the same things. Merfolk were real, and Miguel was going to find one even if it took his entire life to search.