One of Us, Part 12

Tamara smiled, barely blinking, at the auburn haired gold-fin. "Where are you from?"
"I have never had a school," she replied. "I have drifted about the sea, never feeling at home anywhere.  Thus I cannot say I am from one place."
"I see," replied Tamara. "And will you stay here?"
"With all respect, I doubt it," the newcomer responded with a bow. "I merely ask for a place to lay my head at night with no fear of death, a little food, and in less than one week I shall be gone. I prefer colder waters than these."
A welcoming smile blossomed over the leader's lips. "Who could refuse hospitality to one of her sisters? Please, follow me."

*

Conduirt swam after the leader and they soon came to a hollowed out place in the sand. A few smaller indentations showed where members of the school slept.
"Is this all your school?"
"No. We have rotations of a night guard. And we change places every night between her and some secret places."
The newcomer nodded. "I understand. Safety first. Why don't you use a cave?"
"We have not found one suitable." The leader paused. "These are the questions of one who wishes to stay."
Conduirt paused. "I may return."
"I see."

*

Syrena, in silent and masked fury, watched the newcomer choose a spot to rest for the time she'd be with their school.
She chose Syrena's preferred spot.
"Tamara-"
"No." The blonde cut her off. "I understand your feelings, Syrena. Your anger. But you cannot reveal them. Do you wish to die?"
The brunette gave a glance down. "Not really, no."
"Then pretend you like her. Make friends."
Syrena shook her head. "That I cannot do. I will not show my animosity. But I cannot act kindly towards her." With a swift flick of her tail, Syrena was gone.

*

"Who was that?" asked Conduirt sweetly, slipping up behind Tamara.
"Just a messenger. Some of our sisters made contact with stranded sailors on the island. There's a debate among the school about whether or not they should be changed."
Conduirt let her anger flutter across her face and disappear. "Surely you are against it. Born of the sea or born of death, they alone belong. Even if they're silver-fin. You cannot mean to allow the liaisons to continue?"
Tamara looked intently at the newcomer. "I allow what helps my school to survive. Where do you stand?"
The gold-fin with auburn hair realized she had painted herself into a corner. With a bow, Conduirt drifted back to her spot to sleep.