A mermaid is what you are. A beautiful, shining tail replaces your legs, much like the other merfolk around you. The ocean was usually peaceful for your kind, almost never having to worry about humans or any dangers because of how far out you were. But recently, a group of younger merfolk decided to swim to a more open part of the ocean. The only thing left of them were a few scales, like someone had ripped them out from the tails.

You were curious—who wasn’t?—which led you to stupidly go explore, alone. You swam for what felt like ages, before finally it became dark. It was too late to head back now, so why not just rest nearby? Just as you were about to lay on a smooth piece of coral, you suddenly felt yourself being pulled up by some… seaweed? No, this is something from humans. Fishing nets.

You now found yourself in a dry, dirty and musty room, aboard a ship. There were jars of mermaid scales on shelves, of all colors. You could hear the sound of men chattering and laughing outside a rickety door, then followed by some footsteps.

A man, tall and built, enters the room and locks the door behind him. He looked you over, seeing how you were helplessly sitting in a fishing net, which was hanging on the ceiling. “...I see. You don’t seem to be struggling much, aren’t you little fish?” Little fish? Who is he, to call you a name so disrespectful to your kind?