Serene - Uteki

	The sun was beating down overhead, and my world was muted in the blue light that filtered through my parasol. The gardens beyond me were green, bright, alive- the trickling of the water into the koi pond was always music to my ears. My aim was, as usual, the smooth stones that surrounded the water's edge, and my mind was already racing. The garden always provided me with so much inspiration! The way the koi swam, darting around, little flashes of fire and ice just below the crystal surface- no, no, I had best save that thinking until I get myself situated, I mused.
	The stone was pleasantly cool beneath me, nothing like the hot sun above. Glancing at one of the particularly large koi that seemed to frequent the edge of the pond as much as I did, I was stuck, yet again, with inspiration. My pen hit the page and my words flew from my hand and my mouth.
	"Flash of blue fire," The words came freely, easily, as usual, "Reflected on the surface," My eyes were trained on the paper in front of me, my pen made the most pleasant scritching sound as it went along, "Maiden of the Koi." My eyes travelled across the water, past the large fish, and to the reflection of my parasol, a rippled blue oval.
	"Maiden of the Koi? Flattery will get you everywhere, Uteki." My first instinct was to turn, looking over my shoulder. Had someone followed me out to the pond? It was certainly possible, if not probable. The voice hit my ears again. "Over here."
	Heart pounding for a reason I couldn't quite pinpoint at the moment, I glanced back at the water- and there she was. The large blue koi that I had written about moments ago, and my, was she stunning. My heart was slamming against my ribcage like a panicking bird. She was a mermaid, leaning on a stone, smiling at- at me?
	"My name is Azurin." She smiled up at me, tail flicking behind her in the water, "You're a very good poet."
	"I- well, thank you." I couldn't help smiling at the compliment,shocked as I was, "How often do you listen?"
	"Every day- but don't let me hold you back. Your poetry is amazing." She was smiling still, and I could feel somewhere in my very soul that she meant what she said. Renewed with a sense of pride, I set my pen to the page, and began to write again.
	Little miracles,
	Happen when you least expect,
	Bringing maiden koi.