the water is too warm. nova sits at the bottom of her tank, watching human after human gawk at her. she used to lunge and try to break the glass, but she doesnt anymore. shell be punished for scaring the humans.

shes just another attraction, after all. shes a mermaid, something theyve never seen before. theres nothing in her tank to keep her company. its her, and the wretched beings that tap on her glass to get her to move. her blank eyes gaze out into the crowd.