"We're not like everyone else. We are different from other humans."
Delphine's heart quickened, her mind struggling to understand what he meant.
"What do you mean? How are we different?" she asked, as impatience consumed her.
Ethan reached out, gently taking Delphine's hand in his.
"Delphine, we are not merely humans. If we want or need to, we can be. But we're more than that" he revealed, his voice calm and reassuring.
"I did not lie when I said that we share the same heritage. But our heritage goes back to Atlantis, not some random European country."
Delphine's mind raced, her thoughts swirling like the currents of the sea. "Atlantis? The lost city?" she whispered, her eyes searching his face for confirmation.
Ethan nodded, a bittersweet smile playing on his lips. "Yes, Atlantis, the ancient advanced civilization people believe didn't actually exist" he confirmed.
"Our ancestors and our families are from there, and the blood of the mermaids flows through our veins."
A mix of emotions flooded Delphine's being—astonishment, disbelief, and at the same time a profound sense of connection with Ethan.
She looked at him, seeing him in a new light, recognizing the unspoken bond that had drawn them together from the beginning.
Ethan's gaze held hers, his eyes sparkling.
"Delphine, my dear, you are a mermaid. And so am I" he declared, the truth now laid bare between them.
Finally, he breathed a sigh of relief.
Delphine's eyes widened in disbelief as Ethan's words sank in.
She blinked several times, trying to process the astonishing revelation.
Her feelings were a mix of curiosity, confusion, and a tinge of excitement.
She couldn't help but wonder if Ethan was just playing a prank on her, but his sincere expression suggested otherwise.
"You're... you're saying that I'm a mermaid from Atlantis?" Delphine stammered, her voice trembling.
She instinctively touched her own skin, half-expecting to find iridescent scales beneath her fingertips.
Of course she didn't, but she furrowed her brows, trying to make sense of it all.
"How... how is that even possible?" she finally managed to ask, her voice showing her suprise and disbelief.
Delphine had always been fascinated by tales of mythical creatures and lost civilizations, but, naturally, she only considered them as myths. s
She had never imagined that she could be a part of such a fantastical world herself.
Ethan took a deep breath, and he was ready to keep speaking up.
"I know it sounds unbelievable, Delphine, but there's so much I need to tell you" he replied, his tone filled with conviction.
"There's a whole underwater world out there, hidden from human sight. And you and I, we're a part of it."
Delphine's mind whirled with questions and she just wanted to ask all of them in a row and get a straight answer.
How had she not known about her true nature all this time?
What did being a mermaid actually mean?
And why had Ethan chosen this moment to reveal their shared secret?
She still found herself torn between skepticism and a growing sense of excitement.
Part of her yearned to learn more and more about this new reality, to explore the depths of her origins and unlock the mysteries of Atlantis.
Yet, another part of her was scared of looking for something that was far from the familiarity and safety of the world she had always known.
Then, she mustered the courage to continue the conversation.
"Ethan, this is a lot to take in" she admitted, unable to look in his eyes.
"But if what you're saying is true, then I want to know everything. How did you find me? And why now? And…"
Ethan smiled softly, understanding the flood of emotions that Delphine was experiencing.
He understood the weight of the revelation he had just shared and knew that accepting such a profound truth required time and reflection.
He really wanted to tell her every detail of their shared heritage and the wonders of Atlantis, he also wanted to respect Delphine's journey of acceptance.
Ethan took Delphine's face in his hands and lifted it slightly, so that she looked at him again.
He said "Delphine, there are indeed many things I want to share with you, but first, I want you to fully accept this part of yourself."
Then he reached out again and gently took Delphine's hands in his, feeling the warmth of her touch.
"I know that it's overwhelming and you have a lot of questions. It's important that you take the time you need to process it all and come to terms with this truth."
Delphine nodded.
"I understand, Ethan" she replied, still uncertain of what she had just been told.
"This is all so new to me, and I'll need time to let it sink in."
Ethan's smile widened, his eyes filled with genuine appreciation.
"When you're ready, I'll be here to guide you, answer your questions, and help you in this journey."
Delphine gave a small nod again, her determination shining through.
As the reality of being a mermaid from Atlantis settled into Delphine's consciousness, her mind became a whirlpool of curiosity.
Questions bubbled up like restless waves, crashing against the shores of her thoughts, each one demanding attention and answers.
Delphine found herself contemplating the implications of her newfound identity.
Just as Delphine and Ethan were having that intimate conversation in a quiet place, their moment of peace was abruptly interrupted by the insistent vibration of a phone.
Delphine reached into her pocket, retrieving her device.
She found a message from Dorian that read "Sorry, I was at sea and there was no signal. Do you want to meet?"
Caught off guard by the unexpected message, Delphine's mind raced, uncertain of how to answer in that moment.
She turned to Ethan and briefly explained "Sorry, it's my best friend reaching out."
Ethan nodded and then turned his gaze towards the expanse of sky and sea before them, silently absorbing the beauty of their surroundings.
As Delphine composed her reply, Ethan's voice broke the tranquility.
"Do you have to go there now?" he asked, a tinge of curiosity in his tone.
Delphine hesitated for a moment, her eyes lingering on Ethan's face.
"I'd rather not" she responded, her words filled with a mixture of hesitance and a desire to continue their conversation.
"You know, after this conversation..."
A warm smile tugged at Ethan's lips, but he didn't say anything.
The sky gradually deepened into shades of blue and darkness.
"Look, it's getting dark. It's best for you to head home" he said, showing his concern and care.
While he was saying it, he kept his gaze fixed on the evolving sky, the fading light reflecting in his eyes.
Delphine nodded in agreement, realising that it was getting late and that she had to go back home alone.
"You're right, riding alone in the dark can be quite scary" she replied, rising from her seat and adjusting her dress.
Observing Ethan doing the same, she understood that their conversation was coming to an end.
In a moment of instinctive curiosity, Delphine asked "Where will you go now?"
Her voice carried a sense of genuine interest, and at the same time she was curious to know where he lived.
Ethan's response was gentle yet enigmatic.
"I'll let you know when we meet next time" he replied, leaving a hint of mystery in his words.
There was a palpable sense that there was much more to be revealed, but the timing was not yet ripe.
A hint of impatience colored Delphine's voice as she replied "Okay, I'll wait... I have too many questions to ask you."
Ethan's reply carried a reassurance that spoke volumes.
"I know, I'm here for that, too." he assured her.
Delphine was ready to head to where she'd parked her bike.
She looked Ethan in the eyes for the last time and said "So... let me know when we can meet again".
Ethan's response was laced with comforting reassurance.
"Don't worry, we will meet again very soon" he replied, his words aimed at soothing any uncertainty within Delphine.
As she turned away from their spot by the shore, her gaze followed Ethan's form until he became a silhouette against the twilight sky.
Taking a deep breath, Delphine walked towards the spot where she's parked her bicycle.
Adjusting her dress again and brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear, Delphine mounted her bicycle with a renewed sense of purpose.
As she rode through the twilight, the world around her seemed to mirror the internal landscape of her thoughts.
Delphine's mind buzzed with a myriad of thoughts and questions, but she knew that she had to wait for the next meeting.
The realization that she was a mermaid from Atlantis had sparked a curiosity that was already consuming her thoughts.
But for now, she wanted to take her time to accept what Ethan told her and make a little of introspection.
The journey to understanding her heritage was just beginning, and she needed time to process it all.
With each turn of the pedal, Delphine gradually distanced herself from the shoreline and the echoes of her conversation with Ethan.