[It's easy to tell she doesn't quite believe his claims, so he confirms,]

Merfolk. They aren't quite the same as traditional myth describes them, but it's what most of them prefer to be called.

[And he laughs again.]

Not as bad as a root canal, but... maybe getting a tooth pulled.

[After all, they were never really malicious like other creatures could be. But they could be major pains in the ass.]