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QueenWerandRa

Something betwixt man and beast
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QueenWerandRa

An interview with Mermaid Katy and Delphin

16 min read
UPDATE: I have a decent group of new watchers, and wanted to remind all the mermaid lovers (the grown up ones, that is!) that one of my dearest friends, Cap'n Bill sirenabonita,  has two wonderful mermaid themed books, with a third on the way. This journal contains an interview with the main characters, and may contain spoilers.



I'm sure you all know about the ever wonderful Captain Bill sirenabonita, a very good friend of mine, and recently the publisher of two mermaid themed books about Katy Leventis. These are intended for a more mature audience, but I enjoyed reading them very much and hope to get more exposure for them for merfolk lovers everywhere!

The story starts out in Monterey Bay, with a young girl raised by the ocean (as well as her Pappous). Her love of the ocean has earned her a PhD in marine biology, but surfing is her true passion. All is going well in life for the young sea lover, until her life is flipped upside down and she begins life as a mermaid, a mermaid on a mission to save the entire merfolk race.


Book one- "The Merman and the Surfer" can be purchased in physical format here, and read digitally here:

Mature Content

The Merman and the Surfer ~ Mermaid's Cut by sirenabonita

Book two- "Around the World in 580 Days" can be purchased in physical format here, and read digitally here:

Mature Content

Around the World in 580 Days ~ Mermaids Cut by sirenabonita


Book three is currently in the works!

Today I have teamed up from the star of the stories and primary author, Katy Leventis, and her merman mate, Delphin, with an interview and a series of questions for the two of them. Hopefully their answers act as an appetizer and sparks interest in the story, which all of us truly hope you give a read. :) Here we see the couple, ready to answer questions!


Mature Content

Mermaid Katy and Delphin ~ Making Plans by sirenabonita




My first question to Katy, of course, would be how do you like your new mermaid body! Does it hold up to what you envisioned mermaids looking like as a child?


For some reason my little-girl expectations were that mermaids had scales on their bodies, and I didn't get them. Go figure.  I didn't have any expectations, other than the scales.

I was a trained scientist, after all, and every good scientist knows that the only Sirenia out there are dugongs and manatees.  No mermaids, anywhere,  None.  Zip.  Nada.  So much for 20 Years of Education and a PhD?

All that said, I never could have imagined that merfolk are as wondrous as they are.  Glowing chromatophores in my translucent skin.  On-demand Electricity from my fingers, and a long and sexy mermaid tail to take me on the most wonderful adventures.  

And then there is the telepathy and melding of souls with your mate.  When I was a human-girl I had no idea of what being in love was; I thought I did, but there was always an empty space left in my heart.  I didn't truly learn about love until I learned how merfolk share souls.




How about Delphin? How does he look compared to what you thought mermen would look like?


When I first met Delphin my first thought was “What? No scales?”   Well, that was really my second thought; my first thought upon meeting him was actually  “Great!  The sharks are gone and now this thing's going to eat me; and face first at that!” 

Like I said a second ago, I didn't have any expectations.  What I did notice that he was a damn sexy guy, and that I felt a completely irrational and irresistible attraction to him from the instant we first touched.




And for Delphin, just the opposite question! What was your original vision of humans or air breathers before you saw them, and how did Airling Katy compare to your idea?


My first contact with humans was as a very young merling, during the War of the Great Ships; WWII, I believe you call it?  A device from one of those ships killed my father and two born-togethers; my brothers.  It was not through malice, they humans didn't even know we were there, but my father and brothers were still dead at their hands.  After that my mother did everything She could to avoid humans.

As you know, merfolk are telepathic, and we can sense each others thoughts and emotions at quite a distance.  But humans were dead to me; that is, without physically restraining them and forcibly touching their minds, I had no way to know what they thought.  Or if they thought at all. 

But The Airling, Katy, was very different.  Her Soul “sparkled”; She reminded me of my Mother in that way, and I was able to sense Her mind and soul at quite a distance.  She was very different.

Katy certainly was not human, even though outwardly She appeared to be so.  But She was not Merfolk, either, and it was difficult to determine exactly what She was.  Not a Merling, but not a human...

To me She seemed to have the mind and soul of a Mer that was trapped in a human body.  So, I called Her “The Airling,” the Merling who lived out of water.



Another for Delphin, did your mother teach you that with special conditions, humans could be (very painfully) transmuted into merfolk? How did you know how to do it? Years of study, lucky guess, or it's happened in the past?


When the human war was over my mother and I moved back and forth between the islands and the Grotto, and thus began my formal scientific education.  My mother schooled me daily for nearly forty years, until the day She died, on the sciences of the body and mind, and the science of the plants and animals in the Grotto.

The Merclan Culture rose to a high level of sophistication nearly 100,000 years ago, during the recent glacial ages, and we developed a full and rich range of scientific, artistic and cultural disciplines.

My clan, my family, were learned in the chemical and biological sciences, and developed and nurtured vast underwater grottoes, pharmacological gardens in which we created naturally and artificially bred plants and animals.

Merfolk discovered and mastered Bacterial Genome Editing and Engineering while mankind's forefathers were still scratching their fleas and chasing antelope on the plains and savannas of Africa, and we are masters of genetic manipulation.  That said, our credo and mantra was always “Just because you can do something doesn't mean you should.”

As a result, no-one had ever attempted something as radical as the procedure that Katy consented to permit me to attempt, but I was confident that I had the knowledge and skills to control her transmutation to achieve the desired outcome. 




Katy, how do you feel about being the first human to mermaid in history? I would imagine you'd be a celebrity in the mermaid world!


I didn't think about that when I accepted Delphin's proposal, and agreed to become his life-long mate.  At the time it seemed very likely that Delphin was the last mer alive on that planet, and all I knew was that I wanted very much to become his mate.




What about human life do you miss the most?


My surfboard ~ and feeling the sand between my toes.  Short Answer ~ that's all.



If humans and merfolk were able to co-exist peacefully, and we were at a place in history where there were no more refugees, would you try to re-learn how to surf with your new body or continue any of your other endeavours from when you were a human?


No ~ I don't think so.  That was then, when I was the Airling.  The joy I have now is much deeper and richer and those days are just a pleasant memory.  And I still have Carlos and Melissa and Danny with me, so in a way those days live on.




Do you think Pappoús is smiling down on you, in a way, and would approve of the direction your life went in?


Yes, yes, and yes!  My Pappoús and little Neráida set me on the path that led me here, and I'm sure he shares in my joy even now.  Pappoús and Neráida have a place of honor in our Clanhome, and their story has become a cherished part of our Clan Heritage.




And for Delphin, how about your mother? What do you think she'd feel about Katy?


This is a long answer, for that I apologize.

When my mother died it was Her last wish that I would find a way to rebuild the Clan She had lost, and that I do everything in my power to restore the beauty and glory that was Her legacy to me.  She made me Promise with all my heart, and I swore to Her that I would find a way to make Her dying wish a reality.  The years have been good to me, and  I have done everything I could to make my Mother's last wish a reality.  If, perhaps, in not quite the way either of us could have imagined.

I believe that if I had been “lucky” enough to find a “true” Mermaid, and if She had found me worthy and taken me as Her Mate, that it would have done nothing to slow the extinction of my species.  We needed a new world view, a new vision, a new energy and strength, and in First Mother Katy we have found it.

I wish that my Mother had lived long enough to know Her Grandchildren, and my wonderful Mate.  I know in my heart that She would love them all as much as I do.




Katy, do you feel like your human to mermaid genes make you stand out among other merfolk? Does it ever make you feel like you're different and not "up to par", or does it make you feel strong, unique, and one of a kind?


In truth, my daughters and I do not look exactly like mermaids should; close, but not quite right.  Delphin left me with my human nose and mouth and teeth just because he thought they were pretty, and there are a few other subtle telltales that give us away as being not-quite-mer.  I think it's pretty funny he left me with my “Owl Face” since I hated it so much when I was a little girl.

Delphin decided in my transmutation that certain human Katy traits were what was needed to help to create a resurgent mer civilization, and so he left them in.  I am mostly mer  but still part human, now, and those human traits keep popping up as he intended.  

So, we are freaks.  With a few merfolk that has caused us some problems, but in the end that was gotten past and things have worked out.  



Delphin, the same question. How do you feel about having Katy as your mate? Do you ever worry that she won't be accepted by "organic" merfolk?


I knew in my heart that Katy Leventis would overcome any circumstance that might arise.

At the first official Clan Meeting in our new Clan Grotto at L'île de Neráida we voted on what sort of society we would have.  It was an open “Town Hall” style meeting; any of the Merfolk could present their thoughts to the gathering and most did.

A number of historical merclan social models and systems of government were presented, discussed and debated, but Grandmother carried the day with an impassioned argument for “Honor and the Old Values”.

The decision went in a lop-sided vote in favor of Grandmother's proposed society that would inculcate the Merfolk “Five Precepts” of “Wisdom, Honor, Equality, Truth and Education” in its citizens, with a Matrilineal Society and a Hereditary First Mother.

A final vote overwhelmingly affirmed Katy as Clan First Mother.  It is a lifetime appointment, and it is hereditary; one of our daughters or granddaughters will be the next Clan First Mother after Katy.  

Once Katy was chosen Her greatest responsibility was to set out a vision for the future of our Clan, and then to help everyone work together to make that dream a reality.  She is now officially responsible for the welfare and prosperity of everyone in the Clan.




For both of you, how do you think this will impact your children and generations to come? Either physical or mental differences.


I suppose that the thing that has surprised us most is our Daughters.  As a result of her transmutation their mother is now perhaps 35% human and 65% Mer.  Our Daughters are, in theory, half Katy and half Delphin.

But gene expression has proven to be a more tricky thing than we had imagined, and fortunately in the best of ways.  All of our girls seem to be much more than the simple sum of their parents.

At every stage of their development our daughters have greatly surpassed both children and merlings of a similar age in physical and emotional maturity and in their intellectual capabilities.  They have all turned out to be truly the most miraculous and spectacular individuals.  

We are pleased that our daughters and grandchildren were readily accepted by the full-blooded Merfolk and are, in fact, highly sought-after as companions and mates.



Like any culture, merfolk culture is vastly complex. Katy, what do you feel is the biggest difference, and do you like it or not compared to the what you're used to?


Merfolk live a very long time, and have a mostly egalitarian society that plans for the ages.  In my opinion, human society has not proven to be nearly so durable, and inevitably seems to devolve back into long stretches of tribalism and chaos between brief periods of progress and enlightenment.




And lastly, what do you both feel on the topic of merfolk/human peace? Do you believe at any point in the future that it will ever come about and the two races can co-exist and take care of the sea together, or do you feel it will be a constant battle and merfolk will have to hide forever?


I think I want to answer you with an illustration:

When my first-borns, Nerie, Eva and Genie were about 10 years old the chanced across Internet Pornography, and made Captain Bill's life a living hell for weeks after that with questions about human love and sexuality.  The more porn they found the more disgusted they got with human mores and morality.

Remember that a mermaid mates for life, that Mer-courtship is completely non-sexual, and a Mermaid and Her squire will become the best of friends long before She makes the decision to ask Him to become Her mate.  The first time a couple is permitted to touch anything other than fingertips is after She proposes to Him and He accepts.

My girls couldn't fathom what they saw as the random, pointless and promiscuous human attitude about sex.  Especially sex outside of a permanent and meaningful relationship. They were utterly appalled and dismayed when they realized that human couples could be and often were unfaithful to each other.

This led them into even more intensive research into sex and sexuality, and that was when the girls stumbled across Bonobo Chimpanzees and their highly sexualized society.  After a bit of study the girls declared that the Bonobos explained everything they needed to know to understand humans.  From that point onward they unkindly started referring to Human sexuality as “Chimp-man Sex”.

Nerie told Captain Bill that she and her Born-Togethers had decided that humans weren't Merfolk with legs, as they had originally thought.  Humans, they decided, were just tall over-sexed Chimp-men with big brains.

And that, I'm afraid, is the point.  Humans will cut down the very last tree, kill off anything that you believe competes with you, fish out the very last fish, pump the aquifers dry and till the soil until it is nothing more than dust in the wind.  Humans take the short view, the quick profit, and they leave it to their children and grandchildren to clean up the mess.  It is how most of them are wired.

We will avoid humans at all costs and do what we can to survive the mess they make.  When you are gone we'll see if there is any future for us and for the planet.
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QueenWerandRa's avatar
QueenWerandRa

Stock and Resources PE: Requests vs Commissions

19 min read
:iconprojecteducate:
:iconprojecteducate:


Hello everybody! :wave: I hope you're having a lovely day. 
There are lots of new and rising stock models trying to jump start their profiles on Deviantart, and if you're one of them, this article in ProjectEducate is for YOU! 

  If you're one of the newer users, you might be confused about the difference between "requests" and "commissions". These terms are used throughout Deviantart, but today we'll concentrate on how the terms apply to you, as a stock model. :)

  In short, a "commission" is when a stock model is paid to take a photo or series of photos directed by the commissioner, an artist who needs something specific for their art. Depending on the artist and the model, it might be a reference picture used for a drawing, or a photo of a model that will be used for a photomanipulation. The details vary widely, but the bottom line is that an artist pays the model for their time and resources, or may pay for the use of their image, depending on the situation. 

Examples of stock that might be similar to pieces commissioned for drawing references:
  Fate Is So Beautiful [Pose Reference for Drawing] by AdorkaStock  <da:thumb id="533794851"/>   Sailor Sakky Reaching 6 by AdorkaStock
<da:thumb id="493870377"/>
 


  A request is similar to a commission...but done for free. Since there's no monetary profit involved, requests can be compared to very specific suggestions. The major difference is that the requester generally expects the model to follow through with their request, whereas suggestions tend to be more to the tone of "if you feel like it". "You should consider posting some pictures holding a rose", would be a suggestion. "Can you take a photo of you holding a broom above your head, yelling triumphantly?" would be a request. 

Basically, requests are like free commissions, and commissions are like paid requests. :)



Here are some questions to take into consideration when pricing your commissions:



:bulletpurple: Am I paying a photographer to take my photos? If so, how much do they want to make vs how much I want to make?
If you want to earn $50 from your commission, but your photographer wants $25 to take the pictures, you're going go have to charge $75 for the commission as a whole. If you take the photos yourself with a tripod and timer or have a someone else take them for you for free, you could charge the flat $50. 


:bulletpurple: Do I need to buy a new costume/prop for the photo(s)?
If you don't have a certain costume or prop that the commissioner wants, factor the cost of it into the price of the commission. If a commissioner wants you to hold a soccer ball, but you don't own a soccer ball, the cost of you going out and buying one must be added into the price. Same for clothes or specific costumes, especially those you have to make yourself.


:bulletpurple: What are other models at my level of experience charging?
If you're just starting out, you probably don't want to immediately jump into the same price range as models who have been modeling for a decade and have a $10,000 cameras. On the other hand, you don't want to sell yourself too short, either. Getting an experienced financial manager can help eliminate this kind of worry, but if you're on your own like the majority of us, your best bet is always to talk to other stock models to get a general price range.


:bulletpurple: How "in demand" are the specialties I can show off in photos?
If you're the only stock model out there that takes reference pictures hanging off of a cliff by their left hand while on fire (please, don't try this), your prices can be higher because you're a source for something not everybody can do. A more realistic example would be someone wanting ballet references. There are quite a few ballet trained stock models out there, but not EVERY stock model can do it, so it's a little more difficult to find a model able to take a ballet pose commission as opposed to something just about anybody can do. For example, sitting on the ground in a T-shirt and looking to the right.  In the same vein, if there's anything that physically sets you apart from the majority of other stock models, use that to your advantage! :)


  If you're getting no commissions, maybe lower your price, if you're getting a ton, perhaps test the waters with raising them a little. Some newer stock models might consider taking requests to get some experience, get known, or help fill up an empty profile without feeling pressured trying to find a buyer. 


 Don't be afraid to reach out to other stock providers or volunteers to ask them questions, especially if you're feeling uncomfortable about something or unsure what to do in a situation. The community volunteers are very friendly and always eager to help. :) :heart:



Good luck, new stockers!
:blowkiss: 



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An interview with Mermaid Katy and Delphin by QueenWerandRa, journal

Stock and Resources PE: Requests vs Commissions by QueenWerandRa, journal