Irida "Hello. Are you looking for something...?"
Talia "Whoops. Ma'am, I didn't mean to trespass!! I thought I saw a butterfly over there, but that can't be since the nights are already so cold, so I got curious and went to look..."
Irida *hums* "Your observation was correct, very likely. Some butterfly species seek shelter from cold underneath leaves and such."
Talia "Ooh, I didn't know that!! And—oh my watcher, are those scales? That means you're-"
Irida "I'm a mersim, yep. Name's Irida Brine, it's a pleasure to meet you. Miss...?"
Talia "I'm Talia. Oh, I have a million questions! Do you grow a tail? Do you really live in a lake? Can you breathe underwater?"
Irida *chuckles* "I have a tail while submerged, but despite the scales, I'm a mammal. So breathing underwater won't do-"
Talia "Like dolphins? They only hold their breath, right?"
Irida "Just like them; all aquatic mammals have that in common. You're interested in biology?"
Talia "It's one of my favorite subjects! My grades might be even good enough to go study it. Ugh. I need to decide on the major, soon."
Irida "Ah, I can recommend biology. Though I'm quite biased, being a marine biologist myself."
Talia "Oh my watcher, that's so cool! Do you work in some fancy laboratory?? I've only been in our school's lab, and it's crappy."
Irida "If you wish to see it yourself, my lab happens to be in that trailer."