Day at the Beach

Nick changed into the clothes that Amber bought for him. He noticed the small flat, rectangular object she used to pay for the clothes. After he changed they went to the park.

Amber stopped by a food truck and ordered some hamburgers and chicken strips. She wanted to share the food of her world with Nick. They went to an empty picnic table away from people. It wasn't busy due to the time. It was almost 10 in the morning during the school day.

Most kids were in school and most adults were at work. A few workers were cleaning the beach and a few people were strolling outside enjoying the weather. It was a beautiful early fall day.

Nick smelled the food and was intrigued. Every new thing that Amber introduced to him was amazing. He was excited to try the food from this world. It looked nothing like the food in his world.

Amber noticed Nick's hungry gaze and laughed a little. "Here try the burger first. It is meat and bread. I ordered it without any vegetables or condiments. I know you don't like vegetables and I didn't want to overwhelm you with the sauces. I got some ketchup on the side if you want to try it with the chicken strips."

Nick took a bite of the burger and his eyes widened in surprise. It was delicious! The bun was soft and the meat was juicy. It was saltier than he was used to but very good. He finished the burger in 3 bites. 

He eyed the chicken strips suspiciously. Amber had called the short birds in the beast world chickens before. These golden brown strips did not look like the short birds they had eaten at home.

He was curious about the red sauce she called ketchup. He asked, "What kind of sauce is this? Is it blood?" Amber laughed and responded, "It's made from tomatoes and vinegar. It tastes sweet and sour."

Nick tried the chicken strips plain at first and then dipped one in the ketchup after he watched Amber eat one that way. It was crispy and juicy. He loved them!

The ketchup was a little too sour for him and he didn't eat tomatoes usually, so Amber wasn't disappointed when he didn't like the sauce. She just wanted him to try it.

They finished lunch and went to the seashore to look for Blue Tang. Amber could vaguely feel a pull in a certain direction when she thought of his location. She wasn't sure, but it was worth a shot. They didn't have cell phones or any other way to communicate across long distances.

Nick followed Amber and was interested in everything different about this world. The last time he came here, he was so focussed on finding Amber, that he ignored his surroundings. 

There was a large park made of wood and rubber to the right and a large stone wall to the left. They walked onto an old wooden fishing pier that went into the water. 

Nick let out a low waning growl when he noticed a man jogging past them staring at Amber. The man quickly ran away. Amber shook her head and placed her hand on Nick's arm.

Nick changed his upset expression to a quizzical one. Amber smiled at his innocent face. "Don't growl at people here. They are not beastmen. They will think you are crazy."

Nick looked wronged and defended himself, "It was only a warning. He was staring at you. I will not allow any inferior men to claim you while I am here to protect you." If it were up to him, he would be her only mate.

He started to imagine staying in this world with Amber. She told him that men and women here usually only had one mate. He wished he could stay here with her. For now, they had to deal with Blue Tang.

Blue Tang must have felt his mate nearby. He swam over and climbed up onto the pier while no one was paying attention. He transformed into his 2-legged form and was partially covered with his sea silk wrap.

Amber turned around and noticed Blue Tang. She quickly looked around and sighed in relief when she noticed no one was around. She greeted him, "When did you get here? I was looking for you."

She handed him the clothes she bought for him and instructed, "Your clothes stand out too much. You can go into the bathroom and change into these clothes for now."

Amber thought about his blue hair and decided to tell people he dyed it and was an artist if anyone asked. Artist was a vague job title and anything could be considered art, so she felt this would be a good explanation for his colorful appearance. 

Blue Tang nodded at her and accepted the clothes. He went to change and came back carrying his sandals. He was not used to wearing shoes. Amber sighed and reached out to help him. She sat down on the wooden bench and patted it to motion for him to sit next to her.

Nick looked jealous but stood guard nearby to see if anyone else would notice them. Amber explained, "I know you guys don't usually wear shoes in your world, but here it is required in most places outside. Since we are at the beach, it is not as strict, but if we go to other places it will look strange if you don't wear them."

Blue Tang held Amber's hands to stop her and asked her, "If I only stay in the water and on the shore, will I still be required to wear these?" He did not like wearing shoes. He was used to his fins or barefoot. 

Amber thought about it and replied, "It will be ok for now. Be careful not to step on anything sharp. This pier is used for fishing and may have some metal hooks or broken glass." Blue Tang nodded and decided not to wear the shoes.

Nick didn't like his shoes either, but he would wear any uncomfortable thing to stay closer to Amber. He was happy that Blue Tang did not want to stay away from the water. Amber's house was in town and not close to the water.

Since they did not know how much time they had left in this world, Amber decided to discuss the plan with them for the return to the beast world.

"We should talk about what happened before we came here. Are you hungry?" Blue Tang responded, "I ate some fish in the sea. They are smaller in this world, but still edible. Before I left, I gave instructions to the others to take care of the cubs. Gennita should not hurt them with you in this world. She will most likely give up searching and go back to the sea."

Amber was relieved that someone thought to take care of her cubs after she disappeared. It wasn't the first time, so the others should know what to do. Nick nodded at this information. He knew how much Amber would worry about her cubs.

Blue Tang continued, "I will stay in this world and wait for you to return. Without me in the beast world, Gennita should not feel threatened that our child will take over her throne. I have found an old underwater cave that used to belong to an ancient race of mermen. I hope to rebuild our tribe here in this world if you ever remain here."

Amber silently digested what Blue Tang told her. She didn't know the reason Gennita hated her and wanted her dead was because she felt threatened. The sea was so big, and beast men only mated once. Amber didn't want any more mates, let alone hundreds of mermen!

If she went back to the beast world, she would try for a truce with Gennita. Amber would stay on land and Gennita could stay in the sea. The beast world was big enough for both of them to be queens of their areas.

Amber felt bad for leaving Blue Tang behind, but Nick felt this was a suitable solution. It would keep Amber safe, If Gennita didn't accept the truce, he would kill her and any other beastmen who threatened Amber. He voiced his approval of this plan.

Amber asked, "Won't you be lonely by yourself in this world?" Blue Tang shook his head. His long blue wavy hair fell down his shoulder. He responded, "It is usually only a day here and a year in the beast world. I will not be lonely for a day. I intend to scout the area and find the best place for you to give birth to a female mermaid. If you give birth to males, we will keep trying until you have a female."

Amber blushed at the thought of the night she shared with Blue Tang, he was cold but respectful to Amber. His devotion to his tribe was admirable, and Amber had already promised to help his tribe not go extinct. She wouldn't allow her children to mate, but she thought about starting a new rule that allowed mermaids to find mates outside of their tribe. The mermen would be her guards. 

She explained her rules to Blue Tang and he agreed with her after some consideration. They talked until more people started to come to the park after school. Blue Tang waved goodbye and went back into the water when no one was paying attention.