being in physical contact with a merfolk lets you breathe underwater

they like to play 'tag' with new acquisitions, to explain the mechanics & set the tone before breaking them in

it's impossible for a landwalker to catch a merfolk underwater

they stay out of reach, giggling as panic builds and darting in, touching the foot or the back before slipping away. maybe get handsy, just to rub it in.

The lesson: you don't touch me - I touch you.