As Eric formally introduced himself Eden took a moment to pause and catch his thoughts.
Merman. It wasn’t as if he’d never heard of Mermaids - there were tales of mermaids he could recall from childhood - so the fact that this creature here was of that kind should not have surprised him. But it did. He’d imagined the Merfolk to be different, perhaps more whimsical, prettier, and yet this image seemed to satisfy the deepest parts of him.
Silently, Eden lifted a clawed hand. He extended it out to Eric, shook carefully lest he stab the poor thing in the hand with his claws, and when it was done he severed the too formal gesture. “Eden,” he said finally, “Nice to meet you, Eric. This is your place, then?”
He knew it was but it only seemed appropriate to confirm outloud. Eden’s ears twitched and his tail shifted.