You long for fresh water

You tell the meman that you find the salt water uncomfortable against your scales and wish to make your way as soon as possible You tell him that land-dwellers have always attracted you with their differentness, especially the humans. You have read so many romance novels about them and would love to see and learn about them through first-hand experience.

The Elderly turtle merman strokes his white mustache whiskers. Then shakes his head gently, his white hair rippling like a cloud of steam behind him.

"Ah... Called too fresh waters are you." He sighs.

Then he raises his peach-blossom eyes and looks you straight in the eyes.

"Then let me share a few suggestions, young mermaid." He coaxes gently.

"The main way of reaching the rivers and lakes is to find estuaries. The water is brackish and often polluted but it leads to fresh water rivers and eventually lakes. You will have to travel upstream, however , and it may be an arduous journey."

The turtle-merman gestures towards the direction of the shore, but the gestures in the other direction towards the open ocean.

Slowly his massive turtle body floats closer long black flippers gently tread the water as parts of the black ridged shell is revealed.

"I have heard of a short cut to fresher waters. It is somewhat unconventional, and requires some margin of luck. However your kind are blessed with luck so I have no doubt that you will make they journey safely to fresh waters through that path."

Curious, you question the merman about this second path. The merman smiles kindly approaching even closer.

"I've heard of an ancient mermaid sorcerer close by. Now normally I would caution you to approach such individuals, however, she is an individual belonging to the Sea Lilly species, they are particularly docile and even tempered. It is said she has a mastery of a strange portal magic which may transport individuals to a chosen destination. Perhaps it would save you an arduous journey."

You fall into thought as you reflect upon your options. You don't consider yourself much of an athlete so you understand the journey up river will be hard, your intellectual side is also piqued at the mention of magic. However it would require you to venture into deeper waters. You'd never heard of sea lilies before so they must not be local to shallower waters that you remain in.

"I would take the opportunity to caution you, regardless of the path you chose..." The turtle merman's smile melts away, replaced by a severe look. "I would advise you to find a companion for your journey. But chose your companions wisely, the hearts of merfolk are not always so easily seen through. Perhaps they might snatch your opportunities, or perhaps they will lay their eyes on you instead.

Then the elderly merman smiles warmly again, his eyes crinkling. Not a sign go his previous severity.

"Of course. You are an adult now. What you decide to do is entirely up to you, and you need not follow any of the advice from this old merman."