Snippet #2387258

Floralia had watched the whole scene unfold as a giant fish had swum into a net and the whole boat was full of cheers about a mermaid. She quickly stood up and looked around for the elderly fisherman, but remembered that he had already gone. She ran down to the end of the dock, unsure of what to say to everyone there because she knew there wasn't much she could do. However, there was a moment in which she truly saw the beast and it certainly was a mermaid. A live one. A real one.

Floralia caught her breath as the creature flailed about in the net, making strange noises and calls. She didn't have enough time to think about the problem at hand and as a little girl what could she do? "Stop!" She called out in a strong child's voice. "I am princess Floralia of Adacia and I pray that you stop hurting it." She wasn't even sure where her voice had come from because normally she wouldn't speak to adults in such a way. "What if that beast calls for its friends and they destroy our pier? What then? We will have no trade and no wealth in our beloved city of Corell, so you shall stop!" Floralia was truly shocked by how many people had become quiet, but was even more confused by the beast itself. She hadn't believed them to ever exist. What other creatures and beings exist in their grand realm?

Steadily, the little princess made her way through the crowd of men, women, and children who had gathered. She wanted to view the beast for herself. They parted and made a path for her, more likely out of curiosity than truly being aware of her status, for they all knew, even then, that a child cannot actually wield the power of a kingdom. "Hello." Floralia murmured to the creature as she sat down next to the netting it was trapped within. "I am the Princess of Adacia. I can help you." She continued, peering into its human-like eyes.