For a starter conversation about ideas in my fanfic, I thought I'd start with one of my very favorite stories in my fanfic: Mermista's story!

(If you haven't read it yet, I invite you to check it out in our Fan Fiction Archive!)

Mermista is the first one to speak in my fanfic, picking up on her final line of the series: "So, are we all just, like . . . okay with this?"

And that is the starting point of her story in my fanfic! It literally began with me taking that line and imagining: What comes next?!

In SatPoP, Mermista is introduced in the same episode as Sea Hawk, and their relationship is immediately established as practically definitional of their characters! He is the doting and overenthusiastic romantic, and she is the more down-to-earth, aloof, and disinterested one. Nevertheless, they share a mutual understanding and familiarity with the friction in their relationship and an undeniable bond, such that they are practically always together throughout the series.

And throughout the series, they go through a lot together, they grow to understand each other more, and they definitely grow closer, to the point that Sea Hawk declares his love in the final episodes, and Mermista's look in her final scene with him can only (in my humble opinion) be interpreted as a sort of response in kind.

The same dynamic is true in my fanfic, which begins in the first chapter with Sea Hawk taking things a logical step further and attempting a marriage proposal; however, Mermista instantly puts the brakes on that. Too much, too soon. Mermista admits, "it’s just . . . a little complicated, right now." but reassures him with "It’s okay, though. We’re, like . . . working on it."

That unspoken proposal troubles and intrigues Mermista throughout the entire rest of my fanfic. She broods on it while they are on the ship bringing her people back to Salineas, and it distracts her at Glimmer's "Emergency Princess Sleepover." It is the question she whispers to her father in one of the final times he is able to speak with her.

Throughout the story, Mermista calls on Sea Hawk to be with her and to be involved in the tasks she must take on, including rescuing her people, bonding with the Pearl to help save the planet, mourning the loss of her father, and saving Entrapta's life.

Sea Hawk ends up being the ideal companion, keeping things light and hopeful to keep her energized, while also treating Mermista and her people with respect and sensitivity. He shows that she can rely on him and that he is faithful and trustworthy. And gradually, she convinces herself that not only does his style compliment her own and his spirit nurture hers, but she truly cares about him and longs to deepen their bond.

And at the end of my fanfic, things have developed to the point that Mermista is ready to respond with a shanty proposal of her own!

It was also very important for me to explore Mermista's character as a ruler.

She was shown to be somewhat reluctant in the role in the series, seemingly only taking it on because her father was unavailable.

I decided to look into that a little deeper until I determined that there was an additional stress involved.

Nothing in the series convinced me that her father was actually gone.

He was simply incapable of leading and therefore absent.

That's where I came up with the idea that he was alive but suffering a dementia that made it impossible for him to rule and essential for Mermista to take on that burden (as it seemed to be to her).

Over the course of my fanfic, Mermista developed her leadership abilities, learning to become better at public-speaking, embracing the role of being in command, and accepting that her people would be looking up to her.

Then, the natural d*ath of her father was the final thing that compelled her to have to fully accept that position, and she chose to accept it in her own way, which would not be as a solitary ruler, but instead would invite and practically command that Sea Hawk take a place by her side!

And now, I would like to share some of my very favorite Mermista lines from my fanfic:

Mermista: Uhhh, so, we’ve been getting these weird deadly whirlpools? Out of nowhere. Yeah. Those are fun.

(From My Episode 61: Stay Close (Part Five))

Mermista: [non-committal] Yeah. So, I’ve been, like, perfecting my epic-ness for the last half-hour or so. But, to be honest, . . . this is getting a little boring.

(From My Episode 64: Where There Is Light (Part Four))

Mermista: [firmly] Sea Hawwwk! Would you pleeeease stop drowning yourself? It’s super distracting.

(From My Episode 67: Light In The Mourning (Part Two))

Mermista: Uuuuuuuuum, wasn’t there this super-fast ship that Entrapta and Adora had? The one that could go into space and travel, like, a zillion miles an hour?

Catra and Bow stare at each other wide-eyed as they listen.

Mermista: [from the tracker pad] Yeah, whatever happened to that? ‘Cause, that would come in clutch right now.

(From My Episode 76: The True Heart (Part Two))

Memista: And yeah. I’m your queen now. True. [matter-of-factly] But, I mean, there’s really no need to make a big thing about it because I’m literally doing the same things I did before as your princess.

She shrugs and gestures in a casual dismissal.

Mermista: I mean, . . . can we be real? It’s basically, like the exact same job.

(From My Episode 77: First Things First (Part Three))

Mermista: [to Sea Hawk] See this face? [she pauses] This . . . is my shanty mood!

(From My Episode 77: First Things First (Part Three))

And a few of my favorite Seamista moments!

Sea Hawk: And, also . . . are you feeling better?

Mermista: [smiling at him] Yeah. Thanks. The kelp actually helped a lot. [she looks away with the tiniest blush]

Sea Hawk: Ahh, The generous bounty of the sea. The delicacies of the deep. A cornucopia of delicious delights.

Mermista: So, like . . . have you actually tried kelp?

Sea Hawk: Why, yes.

Mermista: [curious] What did you think? I mean, be honest.

Sea Hawk: [smiling, unashamed] It’s terrible.

(From My Episode 54: Just Friends Ship (Part Three))

Mermista: [directly] I need someone to captain my ships, so I’m offering you a job as . . . ”

He interrupts her, striking a gallant pose and facing bravely into the non-existent wind.

Sea Hawk: [with pride] Captain Sea Hawk! Commander of the fleet!

Mermista: [finishing her previous sentence] Yeah, as my driver. So, if you want the job . . . ?

(From My Episode 56: Throne Room (Part One))

Sea Hawk: [humbly, nodding] My lady.

They smile gently at each other for a short time in silence. Then Mermista looks away, her smile fading.

Mermista: [seriously] Okay, so, like, you’re getting a little heavy, and I’ve got things to do.

She immediately drops him.

(From My Episode 63: Welcome . . . (Part Three))

So what are your thoughts?