You advance further through the plains. Finally, you see a crystal clear stream slightly away. The long walk on the prairie has made you thirsty. You bend down and take a long, hard drink. Kaytara stands next to you, looking amused.

Then, something cold and smooth touches your hand, which is held in the water. You jump away with a yelp. Kaytara bursts out laughing.

"What is that animal?" you ask her with a hurt look. Kaytara says,

"It's a water elemental. We have plenty of them  here."

You turn to watch the river. Small, slithery things play in there. They appear to have the tail of a fish, strange alien like heads, and arms, all of a bluish colour.

"Are they mermaids?"

"I said they're water elementals, not mermaids!" Kaytara neighed impatiently. "Mermaids are humans with fish's tail, these are fish with a human's head and arms!"

You realise the difference is not only in the looks, but also in intelligence.

"Would you like to... adopt one?" Kaytara said with a mean laugh.

Look at the baby mer... sorry, elementals