The Mesopelagic Mermaid

~2 years later

The ocean floor, so vast and quiet. Like that, it was only them in the whole world. It was as if nothing else mattered.

It was just me and Levy--a nickname I began calling the mermaid-- laying there, starring up at the miles of ocean that raised up high above the sand floor engulfed in a conversation

"Face it Levy, that's not going to happen." I laughed at the mermaid who just puffed out her chest, crossed her arms, and huffed. "Pff haha!" I exclaimed as I watched her motion.

"It is too!" She protested, "I don't get it. Maybe I'm dumb, call me dumb but why do you care so much about that. I like you just how you are. My sweet, lovable friend."

Loveable huh?

"Really?" I looked down at myself in much doubt, "All scales and scrubbles? I thought I looked like a daemon, or at least that is what everyone thought."

"And I think you look really cool." Levias smiled at me, "Like nobody will bother to mess with you and say if someone is being mean to me then you can just show up and they will leave me alone!"

"You're just trying to make me feel better," I shook my head and leaned back, "Besides, I doubt that would ever happen. The farthest I gone from the depths is the bathypelagic zone and you know that."

Levy furrowed her eyebrows, "But it is still true." She dabs her finger to me, "So what if I am pretty, everyone is pretty back at home--I didn't miss what you thought of me two years ago when we first met, but with you it's different and I like that. Everyone has beauty and your beauty is the kind of beauty I like."

Wait she knew what I was thinking and saw me staring at her two years prior?!

"Wait... WHAT?!" I felt my face flush and turned so I was hiding away in the sand.

Thank goodness for my darker skin or I'd be even more embarrassed now.

"Oh come on, everyone thinks that. There's no need hiding your face under the sand." She waved it off like it was nothing, "Come on Serpents, snakes, and dragons of the sea thought the same thing. Seahorses, dolphins, and manatees thought the same as well."

"..zozent zradder. Zrill zehbrrazzez." I muttered with my words muffled, still not coming out.

"Alehkzir, come on... Get your head out of the sand and come on." She pushed against my back annoyingly.

"Wha...at?" I finally lifted up, while spitting out sand in the process, "Pef heft!"

"I have an excellent idea!" She gets up with clear excitement written over her face.

I was scared.

"Why do I feel like this is going to be disastrous?"

She hit me.

That mermaid!

"So you know how you haven't been above this zone?" She refered to the bathypelagic zone.

I nodded, "Yeaaaaah....?"

"I know you should totally come to my home!" Levy exclaimed, "It's at the mid to lower end of the mesopelagic zone." She started nodding her head as her eyes began to glimmer.

"Nononono no!" I shook my head, "You know what the sun does to me. Any light I cannot see against."

"Aw why not? It's not that bright. Besides it's all closed up filled with fantastic rooms of coral, sea anemones, and other fanatic fish! Come on and father is hosting this party soon," she turned her face away,
      "Everyone is bringing someone with them. All the higher ups anyways, but then I have no one and I thought it would make me really happy if you went with me. Usually I'm the only one without one and I just feel awkward and it is like everyone is silently judging me."

"Whoa..." I gasped.

I couldn't believe it?

I mean I could, but to her? They were judging and doing that to my Levy?

"I'm coming." I decided, "and if anyone bothers you, then let me know."

"Wait really?!" She blinked twice. "YAAAAAY!" She jumped up in down, well as anyone could do in water. She hugged me and was kissing my cheeks.

She was kissing my cheeks...
It felt nice.

"Levy..." I cleared by throat.

"Oh heh heh," She rubbed her neck sheepishly, "It maybe be in like a day or two.... I only told you now because I was afraid you would back out of it, but I also know it might take a lot to prepare like do something with your hair or nails done and choose your outfit...Yeah?"

"Why in the great seas would I care about trivial matters like that? I mean yeah I want to look nice, but why would I do it just for a day rather than a lifetime?" I turned to Levy who was looking down and nervous. I smiled, "And Levy when I say I will do something, I will never back out of it."

"Oh well..." The mermaid mustered, "I guess that makes sense that you don't care about that. I mean I don't exactly either, but many other mermaids are so particular about everything sometimes it makes me crazy."

"So those rumors are actually true?" I widen my eyes.

"Yeah, in a way." She pulsed her lips, "Lysandria doesn't really though, she's cool."

"Lysandria?" I questioned, "Oh, you're other best friend you're going to replace me with?" I told her in a teasing manner.

Levy giggled, "No silly, that's my elder sister. The only sister I like. These rest of them..." She began to trail off, "Well they are like those rumors you say."

"What prim and proper and glitz and glam?" I asked as I start to see a figure in the distance coming over.

"Yeaaaah...." She noticed where I was looking at and frowned, "Oh no that's Lysandria coming to find me. I bet father is worried again, argh." She groaned, "I tell him I'm with you and every single time he forgets and ask who you are."

"Sounds like fun," I laugh.

"It's so not funny!" She raised her arms up in the air, exclaiming, "You don't get it. Father going to start giving me royal lessons soon and I'm going to hate it. It will take forever and all day. I know why Lysandria and the others go through."

"Levias?...Where are you?" I heard a voice call from far away.

"Even too busy for little ol' me?" I pretended to be hurt.

"If I could have my way, no... Nothing is more important than you." Suddenly Levi made a devilish look, "Hey could you umm... Could you like freak my sister out and scare her for jokes and laughs?"

This could be fun, "Sure." I shrugged.

"Levithias?!" Her voice came again, "Come on stop hiding, I know you're nearby. Father is in a fussy again."

"Levithias?" I chuckled, "I'm not someone to say whether if it is a more masculine name or not, but dang am I jealous."

"Oh shut up!" She turned her head the other way trying to be mad, but I could tell she was messing with me when she cracked a smile at the edge of her lips.

"Lysandriaaaaa" I called out mysteriously with my rusty voice, "Lysaaaandriaaaaa"

"Levias? I swear to the seven seas Levias I know you are there and this isn't funny!" Her sister called, now clearly freaked out.

"I have an even better idea," I told Levy and began instructing her what to do.

She laid on the sand floor, eyes closed and looked weak. Well I didn't think she was weak-- but like we were trying to make her look weak and dead.

Then I went above her, grinning and waiting.

I waited. I don't know how long I did, but we both held this position for a long time until we both heard a shrill scream.

"L-L-Levias!" She looked totally freaked out.
It was the best thing. I looked down and saw Levy tried her hardest to not laugh so it basically looked like she was a constipated mermaid with an Ardizevepa over her.

"Hey Lysandria, what's up!" I waved to her as if she was some old pal of mine, "I heard so much about you, Levy here was telling me about you and you seemed kinda cool and all.  The name's Alehkzir, Alehkzir the Ardizevepa at your service." I gave her a fake business card just for the affect, "How can I help you?"

"Uhhh... M-M-MY S-S-SISTER!" She stuttered.  Was I that fearsome?

"Oh yeah," I waved my hand off casually, "she mentioned you might be looking for her, so I ate her."

"WHAT?!" She exclaimed, making her hair spike up in fright.

"Yep, but then I didn't want to eat her since she was my friend so I spit her out." I told her, just chilling.

I literally don't know how she was falling for all of this.

I'm so tremendously nervous and I'm making this all up on spot.

At that point Levy couldn't take it anymore and burst out laughing, "Pfff hauh yaha haha Pff!"

So I too joined her in the laughter, "Hehe haha pfffthaha ooh ha!" I exclaimed rolling around in laughter.

Lysandria, however, was not amused.

"What is the meaning of this?" She asked in that don't argue with your mother tone.

"Oh I saw you and knew that you were going to fetch me so I asked my friend, Alehkzir here to scare you." I nodded my head agreeing, "And then they agreed.  Though, in all honestly, I don't know how you fell for that, I mean it just sounded so funny."

"Sorry about that," I grinned, "my name is Alehkzir still though."

"Can you do evil magic and spells?". She suddenly asked.  "Enchantment?"

Ah here it comes.

"Well I wouldn't call it evil and that is from stupid superstition that your kind believes."

"Can you make me a dress then?" She pleaded with her eyes.

"You haven't gotten a dress yet?  If father hears he is going to-"

"Which is why he won't," Lysandria interrupted her sister.  "But you will, right?"

"I.. I don't usually do this, but I guess I will just this once since I did scare you." I gave in, "You don't have any materials with you do you?"

"Aren't you going to use magic?  You're not just going to sew two together are you?" She looked worried.

I laughed, "You can't make something from nothing.  I need something that will help me... A material would work nicely, but if you want it special I need some more personal that you like."

"Personal?" Levi questioned me.

"Yeah," I smiled, "like a chunk of your hair for instance.  Or an eye, those are lovely to work with.  Great possibilities.  Scales work too.  Fingers or arms will do too.  Your tongue and voice does it splendid.  Or some item you possess that you cherish a lot." I grinned while saying this.

They both looked a bit horrified, moreso Lysandria.  "W-w-what no! I'll just give you some material.  It better fit well with the party." She warned.

"Zeth Zykrula does this all the time.  I learned from the best." I grinned, "Besides I'm going to have to do this for myself anyways since Levy invited me."

"Wait what?" She turned to Levy and seemed to be having a silent conversation within their eyes and eyebrows.  "Well if that's the case... Levias are they your plus one or just as a guest?"

"Oh p-plus one," she muttered nervously, "But we're just friends!" She waved her hands across and in front of her as if to say we weren't anything more.

Friends... Whenever she reassured anyone that, it always left a bitter taste in my mouth.

"Well since I don't have any materials with me I suppose you should come along to well... the palace." Lysandria Lysandria suggested.  I nodded my head.

"Alright, it's not too bright is it?" I asked as we made our way there, only a bit worried I won't be able to handle it.

"Oh I didn't actually think of that." Lysandria admits, "You are from the abyssal zone, right?"

"Yep, that's me.  Beautiful place though, I totally recommend 10 outta 10.  I could even give you a tour sometime.  I explored every nook and cranny you could for sixteen long, beautiful years." I told her while swimming on the way.

I noticed Levi has been a bit quiet.  I furrowed my eyebrows in thought, I'll ask her about it lately.

When we arrived, she took a side entrance, telling me that it will draw less attention.

"Materials!" I stated and she handed me several red and white cloths.  I smiled this was going to be fun.

The thing about enchantment that I love is just making it.  It is so fun and wonderful.  Especially when it involves special properties like someone's eye and or hair.  But with magic, nothing is free.  Something cannot come from nothing.

I spun my fingers around touching the tips of my nails to the cloth and spelled out ancient words that only an Ardizevepa would understand.

A red gown came from the spell with sleeves and overlays that were silvery white.

It was nice.

Lysandria widen her eyes, "Oh wow!" She beamed, "Thank you."

"Ah, well you're welcome." I nodded my head.

She took the gown and nodded her head in goodbye.

"Levy?" I asked, "You've been quiet ever since we'll for awhile.  Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I just..." Levias looked down a small smile on her lips, "You didn't have to do that."

"Nonsense, I wanted to.  Besides I always liked doing spells and whatnot." I leaned my head back as she led me to her room, "You might not understand but it is like a thrill to me.  There is so much an Ardizevepa can do and it is just fun I guess.  And if you really wanted me to do something for you I would because you're one of the closest ones around me.  But only once." I told her.

"What do you think?" She suddenly said.

I turned around to look at her and wow.

"Levias...Y-you.."I cleared my throat, "I mean wow that dress on you is so beautiful.  It makes you look so wow..." I muttered, I must have sounded like an idiot gaping.

It was just she wore a deep blue gown that flowed beautifully around her.

"Oh I'm glad you like it," She smiles at me, "Now what are you going to wear?  You don't have to make it with magic.  I have plenty of fancy clothes to choose from.  Have you worn a dress before, wait do you wear them?  Because if you are wearing one, I have some that would look amazing on you, but if you are not I also can find you some suits or-"

I put my hands up, "I worn dresses and suits before.  I'm not against you choosing some dresses for me or anything I'm going to wear, but I was feeling a little more masculine lately." I pursed my lips.

"Oh?" She tilted her head, "What do you have in mind?  I'll help you regardless."

"You're willing to do this without being uncomfortable with how I am?" I asked referring to my sex identity, "I just.." I sighed, "Not many would really do that for me."

"Of course, I would." She eagerly told me, "Come on tell me what you are hoping for and I'll try to find you something that is the closest to that."

"I was thinking more of the lines of tux or any fancy jacket, but with a skirt flowing from it." I looked down, not believing something like this is actually happening.

"Alright close your eyes!" She suddenly put her hands in front of my face.

"Hey!" It suddenly got dark, "Now wait a minute what do you think you're doing?" I felt a material being put around my face.

"Don't worry, it will be a surprise." She told my calmly, yet her voice-- with every word she spoke it was always filled with such sweetness.

"Surprise?" I asked, now unable to see, "What are you planning?"

"I'm going to make you look pretty." She told me, "You already look pretty, but I am just going to make you look even more pretty."

I laughed, "Alright.  I'll lay here and relax." I laid down and felt her touch over me.

It was strange.

I bit the inside of my mouth to stop myself from saying anything.

I suddenly just felt so awkward and nervous.

What was with me today?

Then I felt Levy touch my hair.  She was doing something with it.  I wouldn't mind if it was her.

I just laid there with my head in my arms and my back serpent like form curled up.

"Hey Levy, you mean the world to me, you know that right?" I muttered with my head in my arms.

I heard Levy laugh, "Well I did hear you say once that before you met me you life was meaningless and boring.  Now that you met me, you have fun on all these adventures." She was probably smiling, "You mean a lot to me too."

"So when is this blindfold coming off?" I changed the subject.

"Haha just you wait." She giggled,  "I have to get something and then I'll be right back and-" Levy gasped, "I need to talk to father!  Don't you go anywhere. I'll talk to father, then I'll get that thing and I'll come back right afterwards."

She pointed at me.

I shook my head, "I couldn't leave even if I could." I whispered to myself.

She was gone for several minutes already.

Suddenly I heard a voice.

Is she back?

"Sissy Levias?" That was not Levi. "I'm doomed! It's Lilac, you must let me have your best dress for tomorrow.  One of the ugly servants touched the one I planned to wear and now it's absolutely unwearable!" The female voice exclaimed in such a posh manner,  "Unwearable I tell you!"

She finally opened the door and I just looked at her and smiled.

I nodded my head, "Sup, Princess!"

She screamed.

She was a princess I think...

"THERE IS A HIDEOUS MONSTER IN LEVIAS' ROOM!" I turned over sadly.

Monster...

Was Levy just trying to make me feel better?

"LEVIAS DID YOU KNOW THIS?!  HELP!" She cried and yelled for what seemed like miles away.

"Lilac get ahold of yourself." Another posh voice spoke up, "Monsters don't exist remember?  It's like saying humans exist.  It's like a myth." She laughed with good natured.

"But Luz-Luzamine, I'm being honest.  There is a freaky thing in her room!" The first voice complained again as I felt their voices get closer.

More screaming I thought.

But then I heard the familiar voice I've been waiting for.

"What are you doing in front of my room?" She sounded annoyed.  Almost mad and upset.

"I need a new dress." She told Levy as if it was just a casual thing, "And you're going to give me one of yours."

"What happened to your old one?"

"A servant touched it.  One with an ugly face breathed on it."

"Are you serious," The other mermaid, Lusamine I think was her name exclaimed.  "They know they are not supposed to touch any of our nice clothes.  No breathing just gossiping on how beautiful we are!"

Lilac scoffed, "Yeah, like I'm going to be using it after they dirtied it.  Now it has all of their poor poverty germs all over it!"

From all my time knowing Levy, I knew she couldn't believe what was happening.

She crossed her arms and went inside her room as they forgot about her presence, for they were too busy arguing with themselves to notice her disappearance.

"Hey..." She leaned down to look at me, "They weren't bothering you were they?"

"No," I lied, "They only screamed when you weren't there because I'm just a-"

Levy released the blindfolds, "No, you're not!"

"What?" I looked at her dumbly, still adjusting my eyes, "I didn't say anything..."

"You don't have to." She shook her head, laying next to me, "I know you.  And I know what you are thinking, but look at yourself."

I stared at my sharp nails and scaled up skin.

Pretty, she says.
I don't deserve her attention

"I think you should stop comparing yourself to others and see what you have that all of them do not." She put her arms to the side and eagerly exclaims, "A forever blind fool will never open their eyes until it's all gone if they cannot see what they truly have and what you have, my friend, is special." Levy tapped the cloth around my chest lightly.

I looked at my reflection.

Maybe I'm not bad after all.

Levy sees good in me so why can't I?

She even fixed up my hair and brought me some clothes that looked nice.

"Levy," She turned my way when I called her name, "Thank you." I closed my eyes and lowered my head.

"Since you are here and it is late... You should totally sleep over!" She exclaimed making me jump, "Yes! Yes! Yes!"

"Nononono!" I shook my head.

Bad idea, my brain was telling me. Abort mission

"Oh come on Alehkzir." She frowned, "What's the big deal anyways?  Plus it will be easier if you're here already since it's tomorrow."

She had a point... but-

"Look I don't know if anyone would like that," I shook my head, giving a valid reason, "besides there can't possibly be any room for me to stay, I'll just meet you like we always do and that wa-"

Levy put her hands on my shoulder, "Right here.  Call it a sleep over if you must!" She nodded her head and grinned."

Sleep over friends one day, +1 partner dates the next.

"Alright, I'll stay." I sighed, giving in. "Now how does this sleep over thing work exactly?"

She grinned, "Don't worry, I got this..."

And we began talking through the rest of the evening until, we both felt the drowsiness of our eyes kick in before falling asleep.

 //Legend here,

I can't get over how when I read this when editing it, it is actually really loud sounding with their voices.\\