Ariel's feet hung above the water, her toes never quite reaching the dark water below her. In it, she could see her reflection looking back at her. The image was not quite as clear as it would be in an amazing mirror (no wonder, Ariel now knew, humans had so many) or in a photograph. Still, it was enough for Ariel to see what truly mattered.

The lower half of her body wasn't the only part that had changed. Her hair was held back in a right bun, showing off the sharper edges of her face that had once been hidden behind red locks. Her eyes seemed wider than before, as if they had grown from looking at everything the human world had to offer.

Ariel smiled. There certainly were many wonderful things to see.

When her toes finally touched the water, she bit her lip. The water was thicker than ocean water and colder. The sensation spread through her entire body; she could only imagine what it would feel like if she jumped in completely.

Not that I could, Ariel thought. Not any longer.

She wasn't a carefree child any longer. The closest that she got to water most days was in a bath tub.

And I'm all the better for it, Ariel reminded herself.

Still, as her eyes gazed over the water's surface, she couldn't shake away images of the world below. In waters further east, far below the surface, mermaids must have still lived on.

"Ariel!"

Ariel's eyes widened, and she turned her head.

"There you are!" Tiana ran forward, her shoes clacking on the wooden dock. "I've been looking all over for you!"

Ariel stood up, pulling her foot from the water. She turned to Tiana and opened her arms. Tiana quickly returned the hug, leaning her head up and pressing a soft kiss to the side of Ariel's neck.

Ariel closed her eyes. The smell of Tiana, a mix of the scent of beignets and the lavender soap she used, filled her nose and her warm body pressed into Ariel's own. Ariel's mind went blank, her worries melting away.

I never knew anyone who made me feel like this undersea. Ariel thought. But that's why I left, didn't I?

Tiana pulled the hug apart. Ariel pointed ahead and began walking forward.

Tiana grabbed her hand. The wooden dock creaked under their feet as they walked.

"To my restaurant?" Tiana asked.

Ariel nodded. It was always warm and full of happy people, the kind of people who always had a story to tell or an incredible trinket to show off.

The two walked on, hand in hand, even long after they had left the dock behind.