Violet slept underwater, her breathing causing bubbles to rise up to the surface of the ocean. She couldn't help it. The rhythmic rising and falling of the waves tended to lull her off to sleep sometimes. According to her mother, she had always been quieted by their bluish green home. It was just how it was. Unfortunately, this little quirk of hers irritated Dive, her fraternal twin brother. He was sixteen, the same age as her now, but he often received less attention in the family since he was rather timid and unwilling to get involved in any sea sporting events. He fixed his dark blue eyes on his sibling, and then poked her side. When she didn't stir, his annoyance got the best of him, and he grabbed her arm, jostling her rather roughly. Violet's golden eyes flew open, the dullness of sleep going away quickly. "What...Dive? What's wrong?" The young merman sighed. "Nothing. I just thought you might like to go up top and see the world for once." Violet's eyes widened at that. The term "up top" meant up to the surface of the ocean, and her parents never usually allowed it. "Really? You'll bring me up there?" Dive nodded, and was then given a giant, jubilant hug from his sister. "Thank you, thank you, thank you," she practically shouted into his shoulder. Dive felt flattered. When she released him, he spoke again to her. "Yes! Let's do this!" He pumped a webbed fist up in the air, sending bubbles spiraling upwards. Worry passed over Violet's face briefly. "Wait, what about Mom and Dad? They'll notice if we leave." Dive smiled smugly. "I've already handled that. Let's go!" With that, the boy took his sister's hand and began to swim, his blue scaled tail propelling him up towards the surface.

Violet laughed cheerfully. The view from where they were was fantastic. She knew that she had never been this happy before. Well, maybe on her birthday...but this surpassed even that. Dive was giddy too, his eyes taking in the man made structures that lined the beaches. "Before you thank me again, I just want to let you know that we've been missing out on something," he explained. Violet's smile got bigger, and her eyes brightened in her face. "What? Are you serious?" The boy nodded, looking a little bit uneasy. "Yep. Um, before today, I was kind of scared to tell you about this, and Mom told me not to, but...I will anyway. You'll like it, I think." He straightened up, trying to seem taller, somehow. He pushed out his chest and released a breath he'd been holding. "Merpeople can-if the time is right-change their tails into legs. Human ones." Violet was still, but then began to swim in circles. "Cool! I want to try it right now!" Dive held out one hand. "Wait-there's a rule for this, though. We have to be back in the water before sundown." His sister raised an eyebrow. "Why's that?" "I don't know, Nana never told me the rest." He looked at her seriously now. "Remember that, okay? Be careful, and wait until the coast is clear." "Coast is clear! Got it!" Violet hurtled up out of the ocean onto the nearest bank, her tail waving wildly. Dive followed her, but a string of seaside curses soon emerged from his mouth when he saw the human fishing boat coming up. He had no time to warn his sister, for a net came down over her in a matter of seconds. Sheer terror flooded him like a torrential storm might flood a valley, and he screamed. "Violet, no! Violet!"