He used his hands to dig the pit she asked for, scooping the wet sand out until she said it was probably enough. She floated into it with the next wave, shaking her wet hair back and placing her hands in front of her.
Hizashi's mouth dropped open.
<i>If I'm going crazy I'm in good company</i>, he thought wildly.
Laying in a shallow pool of water beside him was what appeared to be the ultimate creature of fantasy for water-loving men like himself.
She looked just like a mermaid. Her top was pale and human, breasts covered by a snug purple bikini. Below her waist, however, she was something out of a dream.
Her tail started out a beautiful shade of aqua and blended into the deep, rich purple of her eyes and hair. The gossamer fins rippling along the sides were a vibrant, lime green and he swore it appeared they were glowing.
Hizashi's eyes nearly bugged out of his head. He absently took his glasses off, cleaned them on his shirt and placed them back on and... yep. Still a mermaid.
The tail was far too intricate to be anything but real or such an expensive prosthetic and makeup effect he couldn't imagine someone paying that amount to trick anyone. Yet his mind refused to believe what he was seeing and he faltered, stammering awkwardly.
"I - is that, uh, wow, dope colors. Kinda like glow sticks. Did you, um, is that ...shit." He rubbed his cheek roughly with one hand. "Where did you get that?"
Elly grimaced weakly. "I was expecting that question, but there's no way to say this without sounding like a lunatic." She ran a hand along the shining scales. "This is real. All of it. I've got gill flaps along my neck and more scales on my shoulders, plus my hands." She held one up and spread the fingers.
"Can I..?"
"Yeah, but please don't try and hurt me?"
"I wouldn't do that," he said fervently. "Look, I promise I won't try to prove anything, if that's what yer scared of." She nodded thankfully but did start to tremble when their fingers touched.
Hizashi reached out and clasped her hand gently in his. It was slightly cold due to the wetness of the sea, but he felt her warmth coming through. Her hand was long-fingered, the nails rounded points of medium size - not claws, just a different way of filing than he'd seen. They were immaculately painted (<i>natural?</i>) in aqua like her tail top.
In between her fingers was where it got strange.
There was a fine but strong webbing, translucent with a beautiful sheen that matched her fins. He couldn't see how something so thin could be tough enough to last in the harsh swimming conditions she had gone through to get to him. Even the best prosthetics would tear off or the glue be eaten away in the salt of the sea.
Hizashi let go of her hand and sat on the sand, near the piles he'd dug out of the hole she lay in. "This can't be real," he groaned.
"I'm sorry," she whispered faintly. "I can go if you want..?"
"No!" The heartbreak in her voice brought him up sharply. He laid his hand on top of hers on the wet sand, frowning with concentration as he thought. "Please don't go. Look, I don't know what's goin' on, yeah? If this is some practical joke or fuck knows what else, even if you're really what you look like." His hazel eyes met hers and he smiled weakly. "I don't care. I just wanna get to know you."
Her smile came back and this time his breathing picked up with how fast his heart began to race.
<i>Shit, I'm done for</i>.
"Thanks, Zashi. I was afraid ...well, doesn't matter. Not now." Elly pointed shyly at the basket. "Do I smell crab? I love crab!"
"Oh. Yeah!" He ripped the stakes up off the blanket and dragged the basket over to set up in the new spot. "There," he said in satisfaction after placing the huge feast in front of them. He brushed off his wet pants to sit on the more comfortable folded-up cloth and offered her a plate.
The conversation turned to other things, first date questions and easy talk that flowed comfortably between them. Hours passed like minutes in discussions about their favorite topics because they shared quite a few passions, though not exactly the same tastes.
Hizashi glanced over at some point to see the fire dwindled down to embers, glowing faintly. The beach was faintly visible in the pre-dawn light, sea birds crying in the distance as they flew in.
"It's early," he murmured quietly. "How long were we sitting here?"
Elly stretched her tail, uncurling it to flop in the water. She'd moved with the tide all night to avoid drying out. "Ugh, too long. I'm stiff as hell."
He laughed, then winced as he tried to sit up. "Ouch. Yeah, I'm not a teen anymore. Layin' on my side on the sand for hours isn't as doable as it used to be."
She watched him with a little smile as he stood, exclaiming as his knees popped. "I know what you mean."
"Hmm. Well, uh." He coughed shyly, staring at his feet. His throat felt like it was closing up and his heart was pounding so hard he could barely breathe again.
<i>It's only the first date, idiot. Don't try anything stupid</i>!
But he wanted so <i>badly</i> to kiss her. Wasn't that a sign things had gone well? Or was it too fast? He'd never worried much, and it did feel right - a little one, maybe, or...
Elly caught his hand in hers, tugging to indicate she wanted him at her level. He bent, and she hesitantly touched his cheek with her fingertips.
"I like spending time with you," she told him seriously.
All of his anxiety slipped away and he brushed his lips on hers in a fleeting kiss that nonetheless left them both starry-eyed and breathless.
"Tommorow?"
"<i>Yes</i>."
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