Jonah and the Mére

SILLY SNORKELER LAUGHED OUT OF CARIBBEAN MARINE BIOLOGY CONFERENCE

He waved the tablet in the air, shouting and gesticulating so wildly, the small boat rocked back and forth, disturbing the otherwise still sea. “I seriously cannot believe how quickly they dismissed me! The proof was right in front of them, and they barely gave it or the ‘silly snorkeler’ the time of day. I mean, come on, how can you deny what’s right in front of you!”

His listener was partially submerged, holding on to the side of the boat so it didn’t rock any further, and floated gracefully next to it. They looked up at the mewling man on the boat with eyes of turquoise firelight, and their gaze burned with an energy that rivaled the warmth of the setting sun.

The wide-eyed creature lifted themselves into the boat, long black hair trailing down their back, and grabbed hold of Jonah’s hand. Jonah's ranting began to slow as the creature pulled him down to sit beside them. The two locked eyes as the orange rays of sunlight kissed the sides of their faces.

Jonah took the creature's hand in his, “I know, I know what you’re thinking. ‘We knew this might happen’, but I wish you could have seen this one guy! After I was practically booed off the stage, this pompous ass of a scientist, tilting his nose up at me, told me I ‘ought to be ashamed of myself for propagating a hoax.’ He accused me of trying to turn a profit somehow. Can you believe that shit?” The creature shook their head in sympathy. For the moment that is all they could offer as a response. If only they could have been there in person, and back Jonah up. But they agreed that they might be too dangerous - you never know how humans are going to react to new things, especially new sentience.

“But still”, Jonah continued, “This is what we wanted right? What we always spoke about: Exposing you and by extension your culture to us, humans.” Jonah pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. “It was hard enough to get over my anxiety about public speaking and actually give this presentation in front of all those people. My heart was pounding so hard it felt like it would leap out of my chest, but I still did it, because this is important, dammit! And I get that this… you and me - it’s fantasy.” He paused, lost for a moment in the turquoise eyes and orange light. “I get how this can be hard to believe. Hell, a year ago I probably would react with just as much disdain towards someone trying to make a case for the existence of Mérefolk. Still, I thought a scientific audience would be more receptive than the Internet.”

Jonah held the tablet up again, wiping a bit off water off the case, “Look at some of these comments though: ‘Images are clearly photoshopped’, ‘Stick to snorkeling and stay away from science before you hurt yourself’, ‘Take a note from clams and clam up!’ That last one isn’t even good.” The mére laughed in response, a sort of strange laugh that sounded just like bubbles when you exhale underwater.

Jonah sighed, threw aside the tablet and its ridicule and said, “I’m sorry. I should have done better for you, Algaea. Been more confident on that stage and in front of those people. I knew what I was talking about, but I let myself get the better of me.”

Algaea furrowed their brow slightly and without warning swiftly craned backwards and dove back into the water. Their lower body, a long tail ending in a dolphin-like fin glistened like stained glass in the dying sunlight as it nearly smacked Jonah in the face. After a few seconds, the mére resurfaced among rippling waters and beckoned for Jonah to come in and join them.

Jonah smiled excitedly and quickly zipped up his wetsuit, put on his swimming fins, and readjusted his goggles before diving in. He was cold on the boat, but the water was warm on the surface and Jonah paused to enjoy the embrace of it. After a few moments of bliss, he took a deep breath and slowly descended. Beneath the surface Jonah expected the water to be biting cold but it was refreshing. Like a long exhale after a big gulp of ice-cold soda.

Algaea swam around him in a slow, spiraling fashion as the screen of bubbles disappeared. The rays of light from the sun pierced through the surface and illuminated the mére like a spotlight. Their smooth gray skin looked like polished silver and their dark hair ebbed and flowed with the motion of the water. They swam closer to Jonah and gently caressed his shoulders. The mere had always admired human physiology from afar but, being able to experience it up close was a true treat. They allowed themselves to be seen, be vulnerable, and Jonah has always done the same in return for them. They embraced, and the mere Jonah squeezed tightly, wrapping their tail around his lower body and pulling him underwater.

“You have nothing to be sorry for,” said Algaea, finally able to make use of their voice. Jonah always had to be extra careful not to lose his breath every single time he heard them speak. Since the moment the two of them met among that forest of coral, their voice always sounded to him like singing. A deep, angelic resonance that embraced him like water. Algaea took him by the hand, and they started to swim together slowly.

“Honestly, I’m just as perturbed as you are”, they continued. “I also thought that there could be no denying those photographs you took. Plus, we worked on that presentation for a long time and explaining my culture in a way to make you understand was hard enough so, I’m not all that surprised the crowd you spoke to wasn’t receptive. Think about it Jonah: When I first told you that we live in homes made of superheated sand and have sharks as guard animals, you were having trouble wrapping your mind around it too.” They stopped swimming to turn and face Jonah. “The difference is that you listened, Jonah. You’ve always listened and did your best to understand.”

Jonah ushered for the two of them to resurface. They raced to the top both knowing very well who the faster swimmer was. Jonah popped his head out of the water as the mere was miming a yawn of boredom and tapped on their imaginary wristwatch.

Jonah laughed, “Sorry to keep you waiting so long.” Algaea gave a bubbling giggle as a response.

“But seriously”, he continued, “I really wanted this for both of us. It would be so much easier for us to be together if I could have convinced that crowd of the truth.”

Jonah placed his hands on either side of the mere’s face, “And, for the record, Algaea, thank you for sharing so much of yourself and your culture with me. I never would have thought in a million years I, me of all people, would get to know someone as amazing as you.”

The mére gestured for them to dive under again, and Jonah took a deep breath before submerging. He was an accomplished swimmer in his youth and could hold his breath for a decent time, up to five minutes, but he was getting tired. Algaea looked back at the sluggish man and offered their hand again to help them along. They pulled him along gently, keeping him near the surface so the breathing tube of his mask could stick out.

“You are too hard on yourself, Jonah, and it makes me sad sometimes when you won’t see your worth”, the mére began to speak, their words wafting in the waves around them. “You’re more than a ‘silly snorkeler’. You’re smart, courageous, and ambitious. You didn’t run when you first saw me, and I didn’t either. We were drawn to each other like the tide to the beach. Despite what you may think, you are just as remarkable to behold.”

Jonah pulled his hand away and began swimming to the surface. Algaea was confused and hesitated long enough for Jonah to break the surface before them. They popped up shortly after and gave Jonah a questioning look.

“I don’t think anyone has ever said anything that nice to me before”, Jonah said looking off to the dimming orange on the horizon. Algaea turned his face towards theirs; the soft features of their face amidst the purpling glow of the twilight sky brought peace to Jonah’s mind. Their skin felt like wet marble and was just as smooth under his fingertips. The cold air of the ocean was nothing compared to that moment. Everything that happened at the conference and the comments in the article withered away with the lapping lullaby of the waves. All that mattered was this, right here, the two of them, above the depths and beneath the stars, lost in each other’s presence.

Jonah gently pulled away from that hypnotic embrace and said, “Man, switching between swimming and treading so quickly is hard. Would you like to sit on that rock over there?” He gestured to a small, craggy plateau not far from where they tread. Without looking away from Jonah, Algaea nodded in agreement.

They swam side by side towards the rock that waited for them; a small place among this tumultuous sea, a beacon of escape for them to share. They took a more scenic route through a forest of kelp and kingdoms of coral. Reaching out occasionally to gently pass their hands by the budding sea life that called this home.

“I just want to say”, said the mere as they swam, “I don’t need our cultures to merge. I really do feel bad that your presentation went terrible but, it isn’t the end of the world, and it isn’t the end of us if that is what you’re afraid of. The land and sea can stay separate for all I care. We will figure it out.”

Jonah pulled himself out of the water and onto with a heavy, exasperated sigh. Algaea emerged from the other side and sat next to him. The sun was disappearing behind the sea now but there were still a few precious minutes left of light for them to share.

Jonah turned to face his partner, the last bits of sunlight reflecting off their hair, eyes, and lips.

“Yes, we will,” he said softly.

Almost in perfect unison they pulled each other in close. They’ve kissed before but this time was different. They pressed into one another, like a rogue wave crashing into the land. They both smelled of the sea, salty and sweet in each other's arms with nothing between them. Relief washed over the mére as they kissed. They were relieved that despite what Jonah’s peers, his species may believe, he believed in them. He cherished them and this moment with the same affection and adoration that he would give any human, maybe more.

As they pulled apart Jonah said, “This was nice. This has always been nice.” Algaea emphatically agreed and placed another small kiss, like a signature, on his lips.

“See you tomorrow?” Jonah asked.

The mére slid back underneath the water as Jonah looked down at them from the rock. Their eyes linked through the wavering waves and the mere spoke released bubbles up to the surface before swimming away with a smile.