The park was a bit empty, but she should have expected that since it was overcast, a little humid, and kids were all in school. She didn’t even want to be here, but that dragon guy she had talked to about the apartment last week had let her have some time to think over the offer, and said to meet him here to discuss it further.

What was there to think over? All the other places she had looked at had exceptionally rude people. One person even told her outright to leave when she said that she would need to have the bathroom for a couple hours to soak her tail every few days! And another person kept adding on really stupid expenses with the base rent she would pay, like if they threw out any ruined towels that needed to be replaced after she dried herself off and stuff like that. Honestly, it seemed like this entire city was filled to the brim with morons, and she’d grown up in the Pacific with fish surrounding her!

At least the dragon guy was being reasonable. A low rent amount, very few rules, and within a decent walking distance from her school. Sure, the winter months would suck, but it’d be ok in spring and summer. And she would probably get used to his weird way of talking eventually. But the biggest perk about this was that she was away from her family and their ancient views of the world! Always trying to get her to stop dreaming about dancing and make her be a calm and obedient broodfish for some snobby, rich anglerfish! Like hell she would do that! She’s sixteen and a legal adult in the eyes of Merfolk, and they can’t do a damn thing to make her go back.

The only snag about this entire thing is that Ocean money has a low exchange rate in Land money. So her very large inheritance she got from her grandmother is equivalent to maybe a few thousand dollars on land. Which means she will eventually need to get a job while in school.

This is gonna be a bit of work.

She looked up and saw that there was a group of people on the hill. It looked like they were just standing there with their arms out, but she saw they were just moving slowly, almost like a dance. Maybe they were dancing! She ran over to see if she could ask what dance it was, but she stopped once she saw that it was mostly just a bunch of older people. And dragon guy was at the front of the group. The older people looked like they were following him and miming what he was doing. Wait, hadn’t she seen this in a movie before? It was some kind of fighting style or something? It wasn’t Kung-fu or karate, but something else.

Ah mussels, this was going to bug her until she figured it out. But as she watched, dragon guy brought his hands in front of him and turned to the group. He said something and the group started to disperse in different directions, though a couple stayed behind and began talking to her potential roommate. She waited where she was for a little bit, but the guy saw her and waved off his companions, jogging over to her.

“I’m pleased that you found your way. This park can sometimes even confuse the locals. Now, would you like to discuss the apartment matter here or over some cold drinks in a cafe nearby?”

“How about we talk on the way? Meet in the middle.” She was just being polite, but it seemed like that was the best thing she could have said given how big he smiled. Even the scales under his eyes started to wrinkle, and it looked like his eyes were shining, which was super weird.

“An excellent suggestion. So, we discussed the rent and rules last week, but do you need me to go over them again?” They started walking back the way she had just come, though at a slightly quicker pace with the promise of cold drinks at the end of the journey.

“No, I remember them. Don’t stay out past an hour after dark, no uninvited guests, and if you see a dry plant, water it. Easy to remember.”

“Good. Is anything of yours that you wish to discuss?” She had to think about that one.

“Hmm. Well I already told you about how I’ll need to soak in the tub every few days. Oh, you may have to deal with watching me practice if I can’t find anywhere else. Also my music, it may get a teensy bit loud.” He nodded beside her, face caught in a thoughtful expression.

“The soaking I understand completely, and I can handle letting you practice. The music may be difficult to accommodate. Perhaps you can do that as I am away from the apartment? I teach classes not far from where you will be studying through the week. I am scheduled off for weekends, though I may take trips out of the city occasionally. Is that agreeable to you?”

“That’s perfect! You know, I think we’ll get along just fine...except that I can barely pronounce your name.” Dragon guy gave a hearty laugh then, and it seemed to be contagious since she started giggling, too. He stopped in the middle of the path, and as she turned around to him, he went down into a bow like he had last week.

“Ms. Alamine, I am Jiang Tao, but you may call me River.”