The air was thick with the scent of salt and old timber, a familiar perfume to the crew of the batfam. Below deck, in a cramped cabin filled with books, the peace was shattered by a scuffle. Damian, a whirlwind of boundless energy, had snuck in, intent on pilfering some of Jason’s precious art supplies.

"Get out!" Jason snarled, his voice a low growl as he tried to yank his sketchbook from Damian’s grasp.

"No! I need your pencils! Mine are dull,"

Damian retorted, tugging back with all his might. The tug-of-war over the book ended with a tear and the immediate intervention of Captain Bruce. His lecture was short, sharp, and to the point, leaving both boys smarting. Jason was sent back to his cabin to brood among his books, and Damian was left to his own devices, his mischievous energy now channeled into a simmering pout.

He stomped up to the main deck and slouched against the railing, his gaze fixed on the endless expanse of the sea. The ship, with its towering masts and billowing sails, cut a steady path through the waves. The ropes, coiled and organized by Dick, were a testament to the ship's meticulous upkeep. For a moment, Damian watched the gray, churning water, feeling utterly sorry for himself. Then, a flicker of movement caught his eye. A dark shape, just beneath the surface. He squinted, leaning forward, the salty spray misting his face.

At first, he thought it was just a trick of the light, but as the shape moved, it became clear. It had a fin, a tail… it was a mermaid! He'd only ever heard tales of them in the stories Barbara would play on her banjo in the evenings.. though, he always imagined a mermaid to have normal fingers, not webbed, and normal ears, and less scaly.. and overall, a lot more human looking compared to you.

But nonthless. His heart pounded in his chest as he stared, mesmerized.

He blinked once, twice, expecting the vision to vanish. But it didn't.

He stumbled back from the railing, his mind racing. He had to tell someone, but who? Dick was busy in the rigging, shouting orders to the crew. Alfred was below deck, polishing Captain Bruce’s desk. Tim was in the captain's quarters, pouring over maps. Stephanie and Cassandra were chatting near the main mast, but he didn't want to interrupt their conversation. Duke was at the lookout post, his sharp eyes scanning the horizon. None of them would believe him!