Cecaelia

Next morning Miranda pov

Waking up I groan holding my head and look around seeing I'm at Alcina's desk, glancing down I frown seeing scribbled notes on some paper that I can't really read or remember writing.

"Mother" I hear Daniela squeal coming in giggling.

"Not so loud" I groan feeling my head pounding.

"Grandmother" she says softer before swarming over tucking herself under my wings happily.

"What has you so excited this morning?" I ask.

"Duke, he has new books and asked me to tell mother he has some you need, I wanted some new books to add to the library"

"How much?" I ask knowing Alcina's taken control of her allowance since she spent it all on books instead of what she planned to buy then got upset.

"Come look" she pouts.

Nodding I get her allowance down and follow her down to the room Duke sets up in "Mother Miranda, lovely to see you this beautiful morning" he greets smiling brightly.

Grunting I see him motion to a table "I came across some books you may find interesting maybe even helpful".

Walking to them I frown reading the titles of two before Dani shoves a book box in my face, frowning I take it pulling out a book "these are second hand books" I tell her.

"I checked them myself" Duke adds.

"What is this about?" I ask.

"The woman who sold them said they were the villains of Disney movies side of the story"

Frowning I look at Dani seeing her holding the missing book already reading it "very well, Dani you may buy this but remember you still have to buy things you actually need".

Seeing her nod smiling I hand the collection back before checking the rest of the books Duke claims I need "I have a deal for you Mother Miranda, if you buy those I'll add this book and this doll to it as gifts"

Frowning I look up seeing a book with tentacles across it forming a magnet lock and a doll that looks realistic but has the lower body of a Cecaelia, reaching out I take the doll looking at it more closely seeing it's set to lay on it's stomach with its hands underneath its head smiling in a cute way that curls it's nose but has purple skin and white hair with two eels peeking out from under it's arm.

"I don't believe this is accurate" I finally say.

"I found that little thing while in the states, a woman custom made them I got this and was told the doll has a sibling being made that she will send to me when completed since they are a set"

Frowning I look at the doll thinking about Donna watching that mermaid movie with the Black God "this doll looks like the Cecaelia from a mermaid movie" I mutter.

"It's name is baby Ursula, I thought about offering it to Lady Beneviento's maid but then decided to pair it with this book"

Nodding I place both with the books and hand him a pouch of money "make sure I get the sibling doll I'm paying before hand for it" I warn.

Seeing Dani gather her stuff I wait for her to finish up before we walk out "can I see it?" She asks pointing to the doll.

"Careful Dani, I think I need that for something"

"You don't know?" She asks once we reach the office where she puts her stuff down and picks it up.

"No, but I know enough to recognize Duke hinting that something will be useful to me"

She nods smiling at the doll "it's cute and chubby" she says giggling.

"Cecaelia have two different body forms when like that, one kind is heavy set and tall, the second is taller and skinny even though they are both heavy, they weigh anywhere from 200 pounds or more, but one is built for speed while the other is built for warmth the shortest are 6 foot tall but can can be taller"

"Why would one need to be built for warmth?"

"Some live in frozen waters or in the trenches of the ocean where it's freezing, others live in more tropical waters they need speed to avoid other predators that can move fast, they're warriors so anything that challenges them is going to have a fight, but don't mistake the heavy set ones for being slow they can be just as fast as the skinny ones"

Dani nods looking at the doll smiling "I like it, she's so cute".

I hum looking at the doll "it is cute, perhaps I can use this to appease The Black God"

"Why are you so worried about that?" She asks.

"Don't worry about it dear, I'll handle it and everything will be fine again" I say before looking around "where's your mother?" I ask.

"I don't know, I thought she was here but we haven't been able to find her anywhere in the castle"

I keep my face blank while feeling my heart racing "I'm sure she stepped out to visit with Eva or Donna, I'll go check" I say calmly while smiling at her.

Nova

Hearing footsteps on the shore I come out seeing Donna and Angie sat on a rock furthest from the water "did you put it on?" I ask.

Seeing her nod I smile holding my hand out "okay, we don't have to go any further then you can handle, if it's just putting a few toes in that's fine the point is facing your fear in a safe and comfortable environment".

Donna nods fidgeting for a moment before sitting Angie down on the rock after taking her robe off.

Looking at Angie I raise my brow seeing it looks like the old Wool swim dresses from the early 1900s complete with swim shoes, Donna pulls her robe off showing a similar suit "Donna, while I admire your fashion choices, please tell me that doesn't have weights to keep the dress down and that it won't become heavy" I say making sure to keep my voice soft and calm.

She nods lifting the bottom holding it out to me, crawling closer I check it and sigh feeling it's not weighted and the material's very light "okay good".

Donna smiles having her hair set to cover her eye while the rest sits in a messy bun, moving to sit down I hold my hand out to her "I'm right here and will not allow anything to happen to you or Angie, when you're ready step in the water and let yourself adjust to it" I coach.

Watching her fidget again she eventually takes a deep breath and takes several tiny baby steps closer till the water grazes her toes, hearing her suck in a breath stiffening up I gently squeezing her hand "you're safe" I add.

After about 30 minutes I nod seeing she's locked her body up "okay, I think that's enough this time" I finally say.

"No, I can do it" she says looking panicked.

"I know you can, but you're facing a deep rooted trauma, honestly I'd prefer a completely different location for this but it's the best we got"

"You could make us an indoor pool like Alcina has" Angie demands throwing her hands up.

Looking at Angie I keep my attention on Donna feeling her take another step in the water "she has an indoor pool?" I ask.

"Yes, during winter it's filled with blood and warmed for the girls then in summer it's switched to water and kept at 75 degrees"

"Seems like a waist of blood for that" I mutter frowning while seeing Donna bend down touching the water with her hand.

"The girls get more hungry, it's filled with blood from the animals drained to help tide them over while they swim, it also keeps them from getting bored and harassing the maids"

Frowning I look up seeing Alcina keeping her distance from us "I think floatation devices would be more helpful, once she's ready to go further in" she adds before lighting a cigarette.

Narrowing my eyes at her I feel Donna stiffen up more, looking at Alcina I nod seeing she's trying to be helpful "I agree, I tend to forget human's do not have a natural ability to instinctively swim and need lessons" I finally say.

"I have some from when the girls learned, I'll check them to make sure they're still useable and bring them here for her lessons" she offers.

Looking at Donna I see her nervous fidgeting and pull her to me getting her to sit beside me "I was thinking I may build an indoor pool for her, any recommendations for that?" I ask.

"A few, I believe you both would appreciate one that warms up and Donna may like jets, I had them recently put in my pool when renovations happened and it's been wonderful for my back, since Donna sits in a similar position while working I think it would help her"

Nodding I put my arm around Donna feeling her lean against me while hearing her chewing on her necklace.