And the stranger didn’t respond. Just stared. Either at her or at the water that surrounded her. It was as if she was talking to a statue.

“That’s sarcasm, by the way.” Luce spoke more quietly, more judging. She hated being serious.

It was a couple of seconds of silence. I was only the waves breaking behind Luce that gave them any sense of time passing. At last, Luce finally had enough of it. She roughly splashed the water around her, causing the stranger to jump back even though no drop landed near her.

“Hey, what’s your deal!” Luce whined, shaking her head. “You’re not saying a thing!”

And finally, the stranger spoke a sentence. Her voice was low and quite distant sounding. As if she was busy thinking of something else. Awful, because she was right in front of a mermaid! What else could be more interesting! But Luce held her tongue and only listened.

“I don’t...know what I expected from asking that.”

A laugh erupted from Luce. She didn’t bother hiding her mouth this time.

“Uhhh, it’s not obvious for you? I’m swimming!” She sunk in a little deeper into the water with a smile. There was a small smile on the stranger’s face.

“Obviously- I- Huh...I thought mermaids had better eyesight.”

Oh, so you aren't clueless!” Luce laughed again. Finally, something fun! “Well that makes this less awkward! I thought vampires were all evil and scheming and smarter! You really had me grasping at the surface there!”

The now stranger vampire scratched at the side of her face, her eyes now fixed onto the ground.

“...I just wanted to make sure.” She mumbled, but Luce managed to catch it. A warm feeling bubbled up to her chest. She interpreted it as pride.

“I thought vampires had better eyesight too. You definitely saw them.”

“The other…?” She looked behind Luce. There was nothing but blue waves.

“Mermaids.”

“...Yes. And they left you.”

“Not really but okay. They are around.” Luce huffed. “What’s your deal anyways. You want to go for a swim?