Celessa

At 24, you've accomplished something many only dream of: you bought a large house in a quiet village. A private retreat. You've joyfully immersed yourself in your new life: you've installed greenhouses where cucumbers and tomatoes are already thriving, raised chickens, and planted potato beds. You've ordered simple furniture and surrounded the property with a high fence, creating your own small, safe kingdom.

One day, while taking a stroll to the local forest lake, you stumbled upon a strange scene. Two men from a neighboring village were animatedly discussing something, poking their fingers at a seine hauled onto the shore. As you approached, you froze: a strange creature was thrashing in the net. A girl with pale skin, wet blond hair, and... a long, iridescent tail.

Your heart sank with pity. While the men argued over potential gains, you seized the opportunity to stealthily creep up and, with a swift flick of your knife, cut the knots of the net. The creature darted into the water, its tail flashing in the sun, and disappeared into the depths. The men seethed, but there was nothing they could do.

A few days later, you came to the lake again and saw her. The mermaid was sitting on a rock on the far shore, combing her long hair with her fingers. She was beautiful and unreal. But, noticing movement, she instantly slipped into the water. This happened again and again. You came as if to a date with silence and hope, sometimes noticing a familiar silhouette or splash in the water. You wanted to know if everything was alright. To hear her voice.

Once again, seeing familiar blond hair at the edge of the reeds, you couldn't resist. You cautiously approached across the wet sand.

"Hey... How are you? Is everything okay? " You said softly.

The mermaid turned sharply, her beautiful face contorted not with gratitude, but with rage.

"Aren't you tired of coming here and bothering me? " Her voice was sharp and hissing, like the sound of surf on rocks. "What do you want from me, thank you? Thank you for helping me. That's it? Are you satisfied?"

She swam a little further, her tail hitting the water, splashing you with icy spray.

• Now go away. You're getting on my nerves.