It's colder the deeper down you go. Darker, too, because the sunlight only reaches so far.

[She gently ruffles the top of Mary's hair.]

Don't worry. If it's scary, we'll take it slowly. There's no rush after all, right?

[It's not like there's a deadline! First, she'll take her shopping one of these days to buy her a swimsuit, and a Mermaid Necklace and swimming lessons can follow. But first of all, they'll read together!]

For now, let's go home.

[If nothing else, spending some time with the cute little girl helped her forget about her troubles.]