17 Part 17

Conch looks inside the clam shell. The little pearl was glowing in sync with the leviathan pearl. She's been watching him. But for how long he wondered. He blushes thinking about it and lies down to sleep.

Nightfall. Conch drops an anchor weight at the base of the island as coral guides them to a dock near their chosen home on the land. A crew of fishermen, both human and fishmen, walk to the dock to greet them as if they were simple visitors.

Fisher-

Welcome. If your visiting to see the sights you'll have to dock on the other side, boys.

Conch-

Hello. No, we're not here for the sights. We're here for that little bit of land up there.

Fisher-

Oh! You plan to stay? Well, I'll take you to the seller, then you can go to the king for your lease. How long you planning on staying for, if I may ask?

Coral-

A lifetime. We don't plan on leaving once we settle.

Fishman-

Really now? New locals? Then welcome to your new home in Belsoré, boys. Hope you like it here. If you ever want a tour we'd be more than happy to give it to you. Lets go get the seller and get you two settled in.

Conch-

Thank you.

They follow the fishers to the city and into the castle on the hill. They could see the whole island all around them from the front gates. They stop before the king, Masfa, his wife, Linda, and his daughter, Aurora.

The fishers line up next to Coral and Conch kneel before them. The two follow suit.

Masfa-

Welcome, fishers. What brings you to me?

Fisher-

These two, good king Masfa. They wish to be local residents here. Permanently. They also want the old cabin at the south end.

Masfa-

And who might these fine gentlemen be?

Coral-

Good day, your majesty. We are the Marine brothers. I am Coral.

Conch-

Conch, sire. It an honor to meet you in person upon arrival.

Masfa-

Very fine indeed. The pleasure is all mine, gentlemen. So, how would you like to take this cabin?

Conch-

We will take it as is and make the repairs ourselves.

Masfa-

What?! Nonsense! I will send you a group to help you. Simply ask them how to make your repairs. After all, you will need to sign the legal documents of the island to be a resident here. Trust me those papers are a handful themselves.

Coral-

We understand, sire. Shall we get started on that then while they repair the cabin?

Masfa-

Ah, but of course. There will also be a job requirement to keep your new home. If you've yet to decide, you will have time to find one and report back. If anything the fishers could use more hands.

Conch-

I can fill that part. What will you do, Coral?

Coral-

I'll see what I can find in the market. There so many places to look at.

Masfa-

Then I welcome you both again. Welcome to Belsoré. You new home. You may go.

They leave. After getting their paperwork done and returning it to the king, they went their separate ways to find jobs. Conch went with the fishers to learn what job he could do as a basic. Coral walked around the market to ask the locals if they were looking for an extra hand, but without much luck.

Coral decides to take a break in the town square from walking around for so long. He still wasn't use to his new legs, so he felt more worn out than he would at sea. As he sat and watched the croud pass him by, a flower girl holding a basket of lilies had cought his eye. She was a largely built woman with pale fare skin, short burgundy hair, and chocolate eyes. Her dress didn't fit well, but she was pretty nonetheless. Unconsiously, Coral weaved through the croud to her to get a better look at this flower girl. The closer he got, the prettier she seemed to him. He was completely enchanted.

Soon Coral was close enough to hear her deep, soft-spoken voice. His ears were now filled with with it, slowly emptying his mind.

Coral-

What a lovely flower.

Woman-

Oh! Goodness! You scared me!

Coral-

I'm sorry. I just never seem such a lovely flower before.

Woman-

Oh! These? These are lillies. Would you like one.

Coral-

Wha? Oh no. Not those. I meant you.

Woman-

What!? Uh...

She drops her basket in shock.

Woman-

Oh! Oh no!!

She dives for them and coral drops down to help her.

Woman-

T-thank you. You don't have to help, really. This was my fault.

Coral-

What's your name, miss?

Woman-

Ah? Oh. Megan. Megan Foltrie. ... And you? If I may ask?

Coral-

Coral Marine. I just move to the kingdom today with my brother.

Megan-

Oh my! Welcome to Belsoré, Mr. Marine.

Coral-

Coral is fine, thank you. How much?

Megan-

Eh?

Coral-

The lillies. How much?

Megan-

Oh! Uh...! 2 shillings.

Coral-

I'll buy two.

They make the exchange and Coral puts one in her hair away from her eye revealing plump, round, rosy cheeks.

Coral-

That's better. Now I can see you properly. May I meet you again? I'll threat you to lunch.

Megan-

I-I'm sorry. I work most of the time. So I'm... Not sure...

Coral-

Where?

Megan-

Here at the eatery. I'm selling lillies for the market since business is a little slow today.

Coral-

I'll come by some time. Thank you for your time, Miss Megan. Until next time.

Megan-

Uh... Yes! Of course!

Coral leaves with the lilly in his hand smiling to himself from ear to ear. Megan is called into the eatery for her shift.

That afternoon, Coral had made it to his new home where Conch sat patiently reading and waiting for him.

Conch-

Hm? Welcome home. Seems like something nice happened today.

Coral-

Indeed, so it seems.

Conch-

Oh? Get a job you like that much already?

Coral-

Ah. No, that I failed miserably.

Conch-

Then what's with the creepy smile?

Coral-

Wha!? Creepy?! I just happened to meet a lovely lady, that's all. She was really pretty with her dark hair and eyes contrasting her soft, creamy skin. Such a cute figure, too.

Conch-

Yeah, okay, loverboy. Knowing you, probably said some super cheezy lines to get her attention.

Coral-

Hey! ... Well accually. Come to think of it...

Conch-

Ah, Zeus. I'm kidding. Did you really say something weird?

Coral-

... Maybe.

Conch covers his eyes in shame.

Conch-

Ugh... Well you dug your own grave. I ain't getting you out of this one.

Coral-

What makes you think I wanna get out if it!?

Conch-

You wanna fall in love go ahead. But are sure you wanna make a move now of all times. I mean, we may look like this now, but once we get wet, even a bath, how do you think she might react when I'm not done with a permanent solution for you yet?

Coral-

I'll wait to confess since I still need to know who she is and all that. I'm not that stupid.

Conch-

But for how long?

Coral-

... I'm gonna look around the cabin.

Conch-

Haah~... Oh boy.