Chapter Fourteen

As told by Darya and Dylan Paul

Well, hello there sexy! Aren’t you just the cutest thing? You’ll have no trouble finding a likely vi – erm, lad will you?

That stupid outfit I grew into won’t help though. I can’t believe I ended up with a kimono. That’s got to go for a start. It’s a good job we have so much in the bank – I’m sure they won’t mind if I pop out to get myself a makeover, I know I need it. This hair is just not me, and I need some make-up too…

Aw, you wanna play? Don’t you worry; I’m pre-programmed to be gentle, especially with an old timer like your good self.

So long as you promise not to let your claws slip into my bare skin, of course. It’s a little sensitive you know, especially from the salty water I’ve just been swimming in.

I can’t believe those two. All that money they have, and they still say I can only get a change on my own cash. Still, they also said it would be a good chance to get my foot in the door, and I also happened to notice that the University offers scholarships to hard workers… Was I complaining about getting work? Not at all!

We may be well off, but there’s nothing like the satisfaction of earning your own money. Especially when it’s something you really want to do, and there’s extra Uni funds to be had from doing well. Thankfully we both found what we were looking for.

Cats may be cleaner than dogs, but they still make a mess of the litter tray. Mum said she’d toilet trained one of them, but the dumb animal still uses the tray instead. The maid takes too long to clean up too; I’d sooner do it myself.

Whoa! That wasn’t meant to happen! Fixing up a car isn’t quite as easy as I’d thought. I’ll get there though, and I’ll have a nice shiny set of wheels for a fraction of the cost of buying new.

With us now both working, it was off to the shops to celebrate. I bumped into this guy when I came out of the changing booth, who said he’d seen my parents around before.

After an interesting little chat, I got the rest of me fixed up. That’s much better.

One down, one to go! Now the hard part’s over, it’s just a matter of time before this baby looks good as new!

As told by Lorelei and Teddy Paul

I just knew things were too good to be true. During a friendly game of punch-ups, Darya smacked me hard.

I quickly made a mental note to give her some lessons in courtesy when I got a little older. As it stands she’s not taking much notice.

She brought home Steve after school, and he hung around while she worked. Those two get on really well, which is good – they both seem to have something against Dylan for some reason, which isn’t so good. Both of them seem to have got it into their heads that he’s not so manly, which I found to be pretty harsh.

I couldn’t help the triumphant grin on my face when I noticed those two getting cosy in the front room. I decided to leave them to it, and save the “I told you so” for later.

I hope Dylan gets lucky with someone later on; he’s such a nice young man. Jackie seems to think so too, so she tells me…

Our children are climbing the career ladder as quickly as we did, and Dylan soon reached the top; we’re both so proud of them. Time continues to tick by, and as the twins grow older, so, finally, do I.

The last of my powers in the water have now gone. My legs stay legs when wet, and I’m feeling a little weaker than I used to. Overall though, I seem to have aged pretty well; I had no idea what to expect, but so far I feel barely any different to when I was blessed by eternal youth. If anything I feel happier, and that’s the most important thing.

Chapter Thirteen

Dylan brought home this girl called Tina today. Once again it was straight to the chessboard, and it was nice to see him playing with someone other than his family.

Neptune reached the peak of his career tonight. I didn’t expect any less to be honest; he’s just as smart as his parents. Speaking of which, Ariel was looking more like she’d had enough of work, so I decided to retire her. She has certainly earned her rest.

The twins grew older, and again we didn’t have time to celebrate. They weren’t concerned however, they seemed happy enough to age so well.

I was touched when Darya said she wanted to work among the fishes, and that she wanted more insight into my side of the family. I am a little concerned that our growing fortune seems to be getting to her head, though. I hope she won’t allow money to govern her way of thinking.

I had to smile when she found us getting cosy in the kitchen. I suppose it’s to be expected when they reach a certain age, but it didn’t stop me giving her some comeback.

“Wait ‘til it’s your turn, Miss,” I teased with a grin.

“Whatever,” was all she said as she moped off.

I couldn’t help but melt as Dylan grew. I’ve never seen such adorable features in a young man! He looks as lovely as he is inside, that’s the best part. He’s quite reserved, yet deep down he just wants to be liked by people.

Every household needs a techno-whiz, and Dylan’s ours. It wasn’t long before he came crawling round our ankles asking ever-so-nicely for a car, but made it plain that it wasn’t to be a brand new one – he wanted a beat-up wreck he could fix himself. What really got to me was when he said how much of an inspiration I was to him, and that he wanted to follow me into architecture. I was honestly moved to tears.

Occasionally, they tire of the chessboard and seek out other forms of entertainment – like Teddy’s pinball machine. As with a lot of things, it is a pastime they enjoy together. Despite their differences they get on very well, which is lovely to see.

Darya seems very cantankerous for her age. I would put it down to teenage hormones, but she was a pretty mean thrower with that ball when she was younger. Very much the sporty type too, more so than me – and hyperactive with it. She’s going to be a handful, I can just see it…

… although everyone has a good side. I’ve never known a teenager to be such a stickler for cleanliness. It’s almost at the stage where we could cancel our maid and let her get on with it; she loves to clean.

I’m growing concerned about Ariel. Either it’s her age, or that fight with Hydra went to her head, but I swear she’s become more aggressive. I couldn’t believe it when I caught her scrapping with her own son!

Neptune: Okay Mum, be honest – what exactly did I do wrong?!

Ariel: Well, there were those times you kept challenging your Dad when he was just minding his own…

Neptune: Okay, fine, but the punishment hardly fits the crime!

Poseidon began to show his age today. Another cat to retire and let him take it easy – like Ariel, he has truly deserved to make the most of his golden years.

The same day that Poseidon aged, Ariel died. Teddy was just as distraught as I was; our consolation is that she has lived a good life and seen her children grow to maturity. The twins didn’t have that much chance to grow close to her, but for Teddy and me it was a heartbreaking day.

Just as I thought, Darya’s already starting to throw her weight around. Normally those two get on pretty well, but this was one time she decided to pick on the poor lad instead. We’re going to have to keep an eye on that girl.

Chapter Twelve

Ariel is beginning to show her age. She still seems happy to work for the time being, and is no less hyperactive now than she was before.

The twins remain drawn to the chessboard. Dylan spends almost as much time there as he does reading up on gadgetry. Rather him than me – I never could get my head around these machines, no matter how hard I try.

After what happened with Neptune, I nearly didn’t bother to toilet train Ariel, but with her still being keen to learn new things I wasn’t one to refuse her. I just hope this time it works.

Darya brought home a boy called Steve from school today. He seems a nice enough chap, with just as much interest in the unusual as the rest of us. Given my origins, that can only be a good thing. I have to say, I’m pleasantly surprised at the way I’ve been accepted into human society, despite my obvious differences. The twins appear to keep their legs in the water and have inherited Teddy’s warm blood, but they are still only half human. They are only fortunate they appear normal, although future generations may still inherit a more unusual skin. We shall have to see.

Dylan is such a sweetheart. Not only does he play fair at chess, he always wants to do something with us. He reminds me very much of his father, and that is certainly not a bad thing given what a darling Teddy is.

I made it! City planning here I come! Ah, feels so good to have achieved my goal – nothing can stand in my way now!

I was shocked to find Ariel in a fight today. She’s never fought anyone in her life! I began to peer anxiously into the foray to catch a glimpse of the cat who’d started the skirmish, confident that she was only defending herself.

It suddenly occurred to me what Teddy’s fears had been about Hydra, and my heart sank as I realised she was, in fact, ‘acting like her namesake’ as he’d put it. Perhaps she’s not so good for Neptune after all.

Hydra: I can’t believe I lost to an old woman! How humiliating! I’ll get you for this, mark my words!

Ariel: And I’ll put you back in your place where you belong, child. Let this be a lesson to anyone else who ticks me off!

I never thought I’d be so glad to see Fantasia again. I hadn’t seen her for ages, and with this horrible cat under our roof I couldn’t adopt her fast enough.

I warned her, and I made sure to carry out my threat. Let Hydra make someone else’s pets miserable, I don’t want that creature bearing Neptune’s kittens.

The twins stayed up later than usual, which I would normally have a problem with. They were both so wound up however, there was no way they’d settle if I did send them to bed, so I left them to it and retired for the night.

Dylan: Careful with that thing, you could have knocked me out!

Darya: Ah come on, don’t be such a sissy!

Dylan: Come on yourself, it’s a game! How am I meant to catch it when you throw it so hard!?

Chapter Eleven

I nearly caught fright at the high-pitched, delightful squealing as school finished for the day. I turned round to seek out the source, and was met with a little boy waving a report card at me, proudly proclaiming that he’d achieved the highest grade. I glowed with pride at the sight; this boy’s so smart!

One thing I’ve noticed about twins; they do most things together. Barely had Dylan calmed down before I was faced with another excitable child waving an equally impressive scrap of paper.

Both of them are doing so well, and I couldn’t be happier with either of them. This is certainly one of the best parts about being a mother.

With the knowledge that I would no longer be around forever, I felt some practice was in order – poor Neptune must have got a fright when he found me.

Not really! I was in fact teaching him to play dead – and, just like his mother, he caught on very well.

Incredibly well! He had me in stitches with his antics. If he doesn’t go up in the world after this, I’ll be very surprised.

Speaking of going up in the world, Teddy’s been climbing the ladder at a rate of knots lately. Every time he returns from work, I have come to expect that he’ll bring a large bonus and promotion with him. I’ve yet to be disappointed, too.

I came back to a lovely reception today. Darya flew from the house to give me a welcome hug. These two are really blooming; any fears I may have had about them have all but evaporated. I’m so proud of them both.

The next day, Darya brought home a familiar face after school. This is Jackie Stanley, who I met once while I was a Captain Hero. Lovely little girl, pretty quiet like me – and, it turns out, the twins too. It was nice to see her get on with them as well as she does with me.

I had no doubts about Dylan’s ability to do his homework, but he asked for my help all the same. Darya did the same with Lore a little while later; Jackie was still here, but it needed doing.

There seems to be a strange force emitting from the chessboard; it pulls our children to it like a magnet. They’re always playing it, either alone or together. I saw Darya alone one day and decided to join her – although, despite her cleverness, she wasn’t the most honest of players.

Why she felt the need to cheat is beyond me, unless she just found it funny. I warned her that she wouldn’t gain many friends playing this way, but she just shrugged.

There we have it – proof she really doesn’t need to cheat. Her logic skill peaked while we were playing. Given how much she played with that block puzzle as a baby, I shouldn’t be that surprised, although I did start to wonder if the smart milk lasted longer than we were led to believe.

I caught Dylan scribbling into his diary later on. I don’t know what was more adorable; his reminiscing or the paranoia that his sister would see what he was writing.

Dylan and I have grown very close, and I don’t doubt that it’s because we’re so similar. He’s even been asking about my work, and offering to help out with the building and decorating I’ve been doing here.

While the humans are away, the cats will play… and Hydra receives an unwelcome visitor while her owners sleep.

Not even another cat, but a roaming wolf instead – a sinister looking one, at that.

Hydra: Come on, that was hardly fair! I demand a re-match… with someone my own size, of course.