"Now you've done it," she said, suddenly spasming on the ground, holding her hands to her throat. "Don't you know that not believing in mermaids means they die?"

She let out gagging noises.

"You've just killed me." She rolled around slightly. "Now you have to clap your hands and say you believe in space mermaids. It's the only way I won't die."

That was how it was for space mermaids. Totally. Not fairies.