Hope Terra is the tiny island where mermaid Hope Merez climbed onto firm land, to live together with the human Sailor Rasmus Klinge. They had four children, then Rasmus disappeared on sea. Hope's father would love to see his grandchildren grow up, because the Mersea group of the Mer People could benefit from climbing onto land, by marrying those four. It might be the only way for the Mersea Group to avoid the horrible toxics that spreads on the sea ground.
Hope and here teenagers have upgraded the house further.
They built walls and fences to protect themselves from the evil Mudder Group - those black Mer People that did bad things to the Mersea group in the past. Hope can feel that something bad will happen, but shouldn't they feel safe on land?
Every day Hope, Aquid, Davitor, Animere and Shimmerita walk down to one of the two tiny beaches. All of them, except Animere who was born without a mermaid's tail, need to be in water regularly, or their scales will dry up.
It's been a while since Hope visited the Mersea Portal, where her group used to stay before they were forced to move. Hope was very young back then. She no longer talks the Mermade language, so although she recognize a few members of the Mersea Group passing by, she can't communicate with them.
She feels cut off, it would be better if she knew what is going on! Too bad that her father most likely swam away to die. Hope's sister should be out there somewhere, still. They lost contact when Hope and not Myrnah got the family's orange ring.
Occasionally the group of five gathers at the little field they call Court Garden. That's where they talk about routines, rules and what the future might bring.
Hope tells them again about the many rings that the Mer People holds. There might be as many as fifty! She holds the orange ring, which should bring them growth, which can lead to food and control. She tells them that if they were several families on Hope Terra, their family, the Merez family, would probably have been head of certain community matters. The Orange ring is a good one, but there also exists a few rings with evil powers.
Hope warns them all, now that they are looking for spouses among the Mer People: Don't fall in love with someone offering a very dark ring!
Soon it's Aquid's birthday! He is the first to grow up. Now that he is a young adult, everyone worries a little - what will happen when Aquid starts his own family? He gets this house, right, what about the other three?
Aquid's brother Davitor will be next, he already wonder where to build his new home.
Hope always kept an eye on Animere, the girl with human legs. She was the different child, and she learned to keep to herself. She hates to swim, and she is not even safe from the sharks. Hope knows that Animere is the best heir mindwise, even smarter than Aquid, but she just couldn't leave the ring to a daughter who can't even dive properly.
Most of his teen years Aquid had a good eye to a mermaid girl named Clammensa Scalor. Her skin is a little pink, and her scales are lovely shades of blue to purple.
Now that both Aquid and Clammensa are young adults, they meet often. But They don't talk each other's language, and it's very hard to communicate. Aquid knows that he is in love, and that he somehow needs to make Clammensa climb onto Hope Terra.
They dive together, and Aquid is surprised that they hardly see any young members of the Mersea Group. Only a few elders are left. He wish he could ask Clammensa, she must know what's going on!
Davitor is also in love. He met a beautiful teenage girl, she comes to him at the southern beach.
They can't talk, but he think he understands what sound is her name, and she laughs when he tries to say it with his human voice.
Davitor will grow up soon, but will she grow up too? Hope has explained that Mer People live longer, so maybe this girl will stay a teenager for as long as Davitor lives?
At the next meeting at Court Garden, Hope makes it clear that she is head of the house until Aquid gets married. Later on Aquid will lead the short meetings.
At this meeting, Aquid wants to debate space. Hope Terra is very tiny, and there are limited room for three more houses! If Davitor builds a house here, at Court Garden, they will no longer have a neutral place to meet. Aquid suggests that houses are built elsewhere. Besides, when they no longer are five persons, but perhaps twenty, they will need the ground for growing food.
The main house should not be expanded on the cost of their vegetable garden. It's indeed a big problem! Then Hope gets an idea!
She shows them the southern rocks out there. A small piece of ground just about breaking the surface. It's not far from Mersea South, where Hope lived before she moved to Hope Terra. She knows that rock, and thinks it would be possible to build a little shed out there.
But later on the girls will need ground, too! There are a few rocks like that, to the west and the north. Animere and Shimmerita are the youngest, they won't grow up quite yet.
One day Clammensa meets Aquid at the southern beach, she decides to climb on to land. She grows legs, just like Hope did long ago! She can walk!
Aquid is thrilled, and Clammensa looks like she just made the right choice.
Aquid gives her some hours near the water, in case she suddenly wants to return to the sea. She learns to breath, to walk without being dizzy, and finally Aquid brings her up to the house, to meet his folks.
Clammensa isn't a very social mermaid. It doesn't help that she can't talk their language. Hope recognizes the sounds, but she can't respond to them. Clammensa looks lovely, and Hope is glad that Aquid found a girlfriend so quickly.
He shows her how he tends the plants. Then he remembers that Clammensa needs Kelp. She can probably dive for what she needs, if the toxics didn't already kill most plants. If they only knew where granddad Aquatore Merez had his secret Kelp Farm!
Some weeks later Clammensa has learned to talk a little, she helps more with the garden, and they think she likes it at Hope Terra although she obviously misses her folks. She marries Aquid in a simple ceremony.
He hands her the orange ring! Tradition says the ring shall be carried by the bride on weddingh day, then be put aside until she becomes elderly, and carries the ring all through her last life stage unless there is a new bride getting it. Hope is glad she won't be wearing the ring as an elderly woman.
Still, watching this pink woman with Hope's orange ring, brings weird thoughts. Hope realizes that she hardly knows Clammensa Scalor, although she used to know her mother, Nesla Scalor. Clammensa is sweet, but seems rather grumpy at times. Hope can't help thinking that her son's wife is unhappy about something.
When she can talk better, they will learn what is to learn.
Next update July 10th
Aquid had a birthday, he is now a young adult, so below is his new fact card. Also Clammensa got a card as she now belongs to the household. On the Hope Terra main page you will find all the household members' current cards :)
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