Namesake

His skin was so soft, so smooth and pleasantly chilled. Such a beautiful Mer, she thought, as he kissed her passionately. He began to lift her dress, his dexterous fingers running along her inner thighs and gently spreading them as he lay her down on the straw mattress. They began to make love.

---

The door burst open as the half-dressed girl fled the master bedroom, tears in her eyes and fear in her screaming.

"He's a monster! He's got...he's not...!"

She ran out into the street, wailing like a crazed hag. The innkeeper couldn't believe his eyes - she was usually such a courteous girl. He decided to confront the Mer who had taken her into his room.

---

He didn't know what to do, panic freezing the golem in place. Mother had told him he was perfect, that he was beautiful - so why had the tavern wench run away with tears in her eyes when he had taken off his clothes? His eyes turned pale as hurt built inside his chest. He just wanted to be alone to overcome this confusion, to understand what had happened. His hands started to tremble and shake.

---

"Oi! What's going on here!?"

The Mer twisted his body to face him, madness in his glowing white eyes. The innkeeper could see sharp teeth glinting in the candlelight, along with a monstrous, dangling tongue, but it was the body of the creature that horrified him. White and hairless and lithe, with a man's abdomen and engorged genitals, but with a woman's dainty breasts and long fingers. A truly blasphemous mixing of the sexes. The innkeeper put his hand to his mouth, disgusted by the creature who had been a handsome Mer up until a few moments ago. He turned and ran into the inn's hall, rallying the others -

"A-abomination! Abomination...!"