Desert Dessert

“Tell me of your trip to the DESERT!”

“I’ve just gotten here, I haven’t even unpacked our picnic!” the gorgon replied coyly as she settled into a comfortable position on the rocky overhang. With extended slowness, she removed a blanket from her wicker basket, then set about the dishes. She contemplated each of the various small condiment pots, cutlery—-

“Des-ert!”

“Start with dessert? But we haven’t even had—“

“DESERT!”

Laughing, the gorgon turned her full attention to her watery companion. “Imagine a sea of sand instead of water, with air as crisp as it is soft here on the beach. Hot as a furnace during the day and as cold as the depths at night…”

The mermaid’s eyes grew wide with rapt attention.