I'm on my way back to the lagoon after yesterday. Only this time I'm alone and I have a plan. As I approach I hear the water and the laughter and see the sunlight sparkling off the water. I steel my nerves and step out of the shadows and towards the gossiping voices in the water. 

"Oh look, it's the plain girl!" A shrill voice carries over the water coming from one of the younger ones with brown curls and a purple tail. The others laugh and turn to me with this announcement of my presence. Not exactly the entrance I was planning on making, but I can work with it.  

"Come for a swim?" One taunts. Her green eyes sparkle with mischief. She has light skin, inky black hair, and a ruby red tail with a matching top. Part of me is incredibly annoyed that they all have a wonderful natural beauty. It isn't hard to understand why they call me plain. 

I drop my innocent act and give them a sly smile. "No, no swimming for me today. But I may have a suggestion for where you can take a swim." 

They all cackle and screech in laughter at my words. "Oh, the little plain girl wants us to go for a swim." The laughter only grows and echoes around the lagoon after this declaration. 

"Shame we'd have to leave her behind!" Another one of them that is closer to me teases. 

I nod, pretending to agree that it is indeed a shame. Even though nothing would get me back in the water with those water demons. "Yes, a shame indeed. But here's an idea, why bother trying to take me to swim with you when there's already people out in the water? There is that ship out on the open water. You could visit that ship. Maybe they can join you for a swim." 

More laughter ensues at my words. It builds and bounces off the stony walls of the cliffs around the lagoon. "The little plain girl wants us to visit the ship!" 

They call back and forth among themselves mocking my words. I don't take it to heart. I know this is just how they are. And that is exactly why this will be so easy. One of them takes note of my lack of irritation, a difference to yesterday, and swims closer while watching me closely. She looks at me with curious eyes. "Why do you want us to visit the ship?" She has a golden tail and navy blue top that compliments her dark hair and blue eyes. 

I shrug. "I just thought, mermaids, pirates, natural rivals. Am I right?" I look at her slyly, raising an eyebrow with my question. 

The one who approached me shrugs. "Normally we stay out of their way, and they stay out of ours." 

I nod in understanding. After all, relationships built on mutual respect and having clear boundaries is supposed to be very healthy. "But you do interact on occasion?" 

"On occasion." She grins mischievously. She may have figured out where this is going. Or she may just really enjoy the thought of their previous interactions with the pirates. "Sometimes we feel the urge to remind them who really runs the waters around here." The others chatter quietly in agreement at her words. 

This catches my attention. Just the opening I need. "Oh? And if I said I caught a suspicion that a certain pirate captain is beginning to think rather highly of herself and very secure in her position on the water here. Would that get your attention?" 

"It might." The one who has been doing most of the talking comments. Her eyes sparkle with annoyance and suspicion at my words. I just have to nudge it away from suspicion and more towards annoyance. I'm halfway there. 

The others have struck up their own conversations and gossip circles while I conversed with this particular mermaid. We watch each other closely while she takes in my words. 

"Why do I feel like you will get just as much if not more enjoyment from this than us?" 

I blink while I try to think of a response. She is proving to be far more clever than I gave them all credit for. "I'm simply trying to help other strong women exercise their independence on this island." 

"We are not women. We are our own kind." She comments. Her tone suggests she isn't bothered in the slightest. Almost like she is just trying to stall this whole conversation, growing bored of it. I can't have that. I must get to the point. If she doesn't take the bait, I will have to try with another. 

We go back and forth for a little while. She really is quite clever. A part of me knows she's already intrigued at the idea and more than willing to do it. She just needs the right convincing. Which I do my best to provide. I do wonder why she's so curious, why she seems to act like the others will do whatever she wants. And maybe they will. I don't know their social structure. For all I know she may be their leader. It doesn't matter so much to me. Not as long as I get what I want. 

"Alright. We'll go remind mouthy little Vitoria that we're in charge of the waters around here. No need to ask when. I'm sure you'll be able to hear it." A grin spreads across her face at the thought. And something about her tone and expression convinces me she's right. I will definitely know when they act. 

"Vitoria?" I had never heard the name before so it catches me a little off guard. I raise an eyebrow with my question. 

She grins. "Didn't you know? That's her name. The captain's name." Judging from her grin, she clearly knows that this is the first I have heard this information. And she is taking pride in this fact. 

That is a surprise. But also an important thing to know. It could be useful later. I file this information to use at a later date. I'm not entirely sure how I plan on using this information, but I'm cure I will think of something. Even if I don't, it is still good to know your enemies as much as possible. 

I smile at her, trying to brush off my earlier surprise at this news. "Of course." 

She nods and calls over her shoulder. "Girls! We're going for a swim! We're going to pay a pirate crew a visit." 

I smile and nod at her in appreciation. "It's been a pleasure." Not really expecting her to answer, or even hear me. But I am mistaken. 

"I doubt that." She turns and swims away. 

I take this as my cue to leave. Turning away from the lagoon with a victorious smile. I march back in the direction of the camp. This is going to be fun. I can't wait to hear about it. It sounds like it is going to be quite the event. A slight spring joins my steps as I make my way further away from the lagoon and closer to the camp. Possible images and scenarios of what will occur between the mermaids and pirates run through my head. Each new one making me smile even more. I sigh in contentment. I can't think of any way my day could get any better than this.