It turns out what I needed all along was breakfast, because after I’d consumed a bowl of rice and tilapia, I was square to do whatever stuff Commander Lori had in mind.

“Want to go play before class?” Tima asks as she finishes the rest of her fish. We drifted with a small wooden table along shallow water. The mess hall was near the docks and underneath a series of bridges that connected the towers. A cut of rock blocked us from wandering into the deeper seas.

I shook my head. “Nap.”

“You sure? Cal’s going to play the drums with some of the kids from Summer Troop!” she teasingly kicked me under the table. I blushed, tempted at the idea of going dancing with someone I liked...but when I touched my chest, I remembered my lack of legs.

“I’m sure,” I replied, “PT totally killed me this morning.”

Giggles flittered from a table drifting nearby. I lowered my head instinctively. Was it me? What did I say?

“How...pathetic...daughter of a captain?” I heard murmured. I strained my ears to hear more.

“Right?...so full of herself...”

“She thinks she’s...special treatment...”

I craned my neck around, trying to figure out which table was talking. I met several eyes throughout the mess hall, but I couldn’t find the source. Tima didn’t appear to notice the whispers either.

“I’m going.” I announced louder than I meant to. The chatter dips.

“Oh. Okay,” Tima shooed me off innocently. “Don’t be late for class.”

I nodded and dove under. I quickly escaped passed the white sands and rock to a deeper area of water. I passed mermaids and mermen gathered at courtyards, laughing and signing who knows what. I neared a hill beaded with thick glass portholes. These were the underwater dorms, and most of my troop, Spring Troop, lived in the same hall. I spotted one of my teammates floating at the hall opening and sought for a new napping place.

I spotted a narrow crevice between two hills and climbed to the surface. There was a perch a few feet up, and it looked nice. I scanned the area, looking for access...but the only possible way to reach it was through wooden ladders and rope bridges, all of which I couldn’t use. But the hill itself wasn’t totally smooth...

Hmm...

It was stupid, but I scaled it. I scaled that darn, small little hill, digging my poor fingers in the rock and hoisting myself up. Curse this feeble tail. There’s no such thing as a tail-hold. I struggled up, just for a moment wishing my hands were covered in scale so this wouldn’t pinch so much.

But even if they were, it wouldn’t have mattered. My scales aren’t like ma’am’s. They aren’t chainmail, they’re thin and useless...

I heaved myself onto the small nook, tired and all deserving of the nap. And score, there’s a bushel of huge banana leafs above me! Perfect for shade. Now I can just...

“Good morning Captain Valle.”

Coraline’s voice jolts me from my daze, and I cling to the back of the cliff. Another voice answers her, one I’d never heard, one that sends chills to my tail fin. I quietly pulled my tail towards me and stretched down a leaf for cover. I prayed my tail matches the color of the leafs from where Coraline and the captain were standing.

“Good morning Coraline. What brings you here so early?” The voice of our captain was softer and more polite than I’d expected. Perhaps I’m too used to Lori’s vulgar brutality.

“Can we discuss the weekend assignment?” she asked.

“Hmm. I believe I was clear that the pod commanders have complete control over the activities.” the captain replied. Oof, he’s so clear and cold. I begin to wonder what this man looks like—he was absent during orientation, and he’d yet to visit us or make an official introduction during our training sessions.

“...Yes, I’m aware.” Coraline replied. I know she must be sweating. She’d never been that great at talking to people who aren’t swayed by our mother. “And I trust Lori has great plans for the event, but...”

There’s a pause. Come on Coraline! You can do it!

“...It’s tradition to do the hike, you see. A pod treks during the first week to officially learn how to use their legs. For most mermaids that first enter the Ocean Guard, they’ve lived their whole lives under water. And so this hike, it’s supposed to be their first steps, and everyone as a team bonds over that and learns to hunt and other survival skills...”

She drifts off, likely believing she’s lost him. What is he thinking? I stay still, careful to be quiet, but I’m too curious. I want to know what our captain looks like.

“...I see.” he replied. “...The other commanders did sound excited over the hike. I didn’t know it was that important to you all.”

“It is.” Coraline supplies, relieved.

“Very well. I will mention it to Lori when she comes by later.”

“Yes sir. Thank you.”

The captain hums. “So then, does the whole troop go together? Shall I also attend?”

I don’t know if it’s some kind of sister sense, but I can feel the prickling chills reflected in Coraline’s hesitant reply.

“I-it’s up to you, sir! The commanders generally pick their own hiking paths, but we usually meet up in the same area...”

“Splendid. We’ll have to discuss this at the next meeting.”

“Yes sir.”

The two bid goodbye, but even after their footsteps trailed off and silenced I remained glued to the corners of the cliff. It occurs to me that...I’m literally sitting underneath the captain’s house-office.

Ah, sheesh. And there’s not much time for my nap either.

* * *

Dear Rocca,

I am thankful to hear from you. Please keep me updated on mermaid school.

Do not lose heart on your training. Your eldest sister was not molded in a day and your first few days do not reflect your next four years. What you are seeing right now is the gap you must bridge. I believe, even in the short time of our acquaintance, that there is initiative and drive in you. I know what I saw. And I know someday you will see it too.

You will find your place. It won’t be the same path as your sister, or your mother, or mine. It will be your own.

Forge steadily, young pupil.

x E.