[ She hesitates, glancing over at Gina. The girl does realize this is just a child's fable, right? It's not real?

... Then again, the cat hasn't moved from its spot. This story seems to be real enough for the cat. She shakes her head, and begins to wrap up the tale. ]

The pearl gave the young man tremendous wealth, and he never had to worry for anything again. He could send ship after ship across the oceans without ever going on the seas himself - instead, he enjoyed his newfound success safe at home, forgetting all about the gem mermaid who had blessed him with her kindness.

And as for the little gem mermaid... when she saw ship and ship invading her waters, with no sign of the young man onboard any of them... she slowly began to understand her precious memento was lost forever, and her heart dissolved into soda sea foam. She never trusted anyone ever again, and was shamed by all the other gem mermaids for losing her special treasure. They say on the darkest days on the water, you can still hear her cries, off in the distance, of a love that was never meant to be.