The mermaid half smiled as she floated in the water.  "You may call me Inari if you wish.  I am one of the guardian folk."<br/><br/>A splash behind Reimu told her that another merfolk had just surfaced somewhere behind her, but because of the position she was in the depression she couldn't turn her head enough to see.  The pier blocked her view, but a moment later a clicking sound followed by a small splash was heard again out of sight.  Inari smiled at Reimu, "Your tribute is generous and accepted.  The folk are pleased with your offering."<br/><br/>She floated closer, her body now only a foot or two from Reimu.  Reimu could feel the turbulence in the water of Inari's tail moving in the water near her legs.  She smiled again and said softly, "Tell me your name land walker, and your request, then I shall take you to see prince Nelen."<br/><br/>She held up out of the water two items.  One looked like a simple leather strap, beaded with a single silver shell.  The other was a simple metal hoop with a ball, obviously a piercing.  "Choose your reward for an appropriate tribute.   The leather strap you can take off easily if you wish, but is not as powerful.  The ring must pierce your flesh and stay in place, wherever you choose.  Both will allow you to breathe under water and keep your body, used to the temperatures above, comfortable.  Both will let you understand and speak our speech.  But the piercing will allow you to swim much faster, and more importantly, can't be removed."<br/><br/>Inari grinned, "A leather thong can be untied and taken away from you.  A prospect which should frighten an air breather when at the bottom of a lake."   She waited holding both items up for Reimu to consider.<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">safe for work images</div><div class="spoiler_body"><div align="center">(http://img3.etsystatic.com/il_570xN.73002303.jpg) OR (http://www.discount-piercing.de/contents/media/bcr_klemmkugelring.gif)</div></div></div>