Celeste's (Very) Quick Guide to the Different Mer Species
(It’s another beautiful afternoon in the Meadows and some newcomers can be seen lounging around together. Everyone is chatting and having fun, enjoying a break from their lessons about the Reef.
Their peace is brought to an abrupt end when an argument starts nearby. The newcomers talk amongst themselves, but after a moment they realise that the Mer in question are two of their tutors: Moon and Celeste. No one is sure how they should react when the pair start making their way over. Especially when Celeste suddenly addresses them).
Celeste: Hi! I was wondering if you could help me with something?
(Her words are met with silence, so she continues to speak)
Celeste: Moon bet me two octopus that I couldn't describe species of Mer before his sand thingy ran out. I don’t trust him not to cheat and make the time go quicker. So would you be my witnesses please?
(The newcomers are confused but find themselves nodding in agreement anyway. While they have no idea what Celeste is talking about or why it’s gotten her so worked up, they also have nothing better to do.
After hearing their answer, Moon and Celeste look pleased)
Moon: Are you ready?
Celeste: Ready!
(With a flourish, Moon flips a makeshift sand timer that - as far as the newcomers can tell- came out of nowhere. Its large, handmade and will hopefully last long enough for Celeste to give her answers. After receiving an encouraging nod from their newfound audience, the challenge begins)
Moon: What's a Celestial?
Celeste: That's you and Sun! There are two variations that we know of, and they can be identified by their colourations and sleeping habits. Solar Celestials are bright and prefer being out in the daytime. While their Lunar counterparts have darker scales for camouflage, and are more likely to be seen at night. Celestials used to visit the Reef all the time and were very well-liked here. But they stopped coming around twenty years ago. No one knows where they went.
(Moon nods to himself. However, it’s unclear if he asked that as part of the bet, or if he wanted to see if Celeste knew more information about his kind. Upon realising that she’s waiting impatiently for the next question, he continues)
Moon: Alright, here's another easy one: what's a Reef Mer?
Celeste: That's me! As the name implies, we like to live in a reef and have scales that are bright and colourful. We also tend to be on the smaller side compared to the other Mer species. But what we lack in size we... uh... make up for in having a really nice place to live?
(Moon snorts in amusement. A glance at the timer shows that the sand is nearing the halfway point)
Moon: Tell me about Shark Mer
Celeste: Oh you do not wanna mess with a Shark Mer. They're one of the biggest types of Mer and can be just as vicious as their non-Mer counterparts. They’re fine if you leave them alone. But as soon as you upset them and interrupt their hunt it becomes another matter entirely. You don’t want to get on their bad side - trust me.
Moon: And what about Sirens? What are they like?
(Celeste scrunches her nose in disgust)
Celeste: Sirens are very vain and don’t respect the rules. Out of all the Mer, they've had the most interaction with humans. I've even heard that they seek them out on purpose! Apparently it started with a game where they lured humans into the ocean - which is dangerous for everyone involved. But since Sirens aren't very common in the Reef, we only have to deal with them in the summer months. It's lucky really, since they can cause a lot of trouble.
(Another glance at the timer reveals that the sand is about to run out. The newcomers are on the edge of their seats as they wait to see what happens next)
Moon: Okay, this is the last one for now… what do you know about Octopus Mer?
Celeste: This species are notorious for how much they eat. Though to be honest, I don't think they eat that much at all. Do you remember when I took you and Sun on your first treasure hunt? We met some Octopus Mer on the way home and I joined them in an eating contest.
Moon: I don't think I could forget that if I wanted to...
Celeste: Everyone kept saying that I’d lose, but then I won! And I didn't even have to try! I think they make up those stories just to sound cooler than they actually are.
(Moon mutters something that sounds suspiciously like “or maybe you’re just a bottomless pit”, but Celeste doesn’t hear him. An audience member announces that the timer has finished, meaning that the challenge is over.
While it was a close call, Celeste has managed to win the bet. She's delighted by the news and proves to be a very gracious winner)
Celeste: Ha! I told you I could do it. Now you owe me five octopus.
Moon: That is not what we agreed on.
Celeste: Yes we did! And you said you’d catch me some Sweetfish too!
(Unsurprisingly, this sparks another argument. And the newcomers watch as the pair start to swim in the direction of the Hunting Grounds. No one says anything and no one tries to stop them. Moon and Celeste are unlikely to listen anyway.
The newcomers feel just as confused as they did when this first started. But also agree that it was fun while it lasted. As Moon and Celeste disappear into the distance, everyone else decides to continue with their day. Hopefully their next lesson won’t be as chaotic as this one. But only time will tell...)