18 Part 18

A week passed as the new brothers begin gathering their things from the ship. Coral would one out every now and then thinking of Megan and he would occasionally go to Conch to ask crazy question on what to do when he sees her again.

Conch-

Are you stupid? What are you asking me for?

Coral-

Well you know more about humans than I do. Why wouldn't I ask?

Conch-

First off. I'm no love coach. Yeah I'm the smart one, but come on.

Coral-

What's that mean!?

Conch-

It means you're an idiot. You know what, just go to the eatery to see her. I'm sure she be happy to see you. I'll ask the fishers to help me and tell them you got a date somewhere. Sure they'll get a good laugh out of that.

Coral leaves in embarrassment. Letting conch have time to himself. Conch takes the time to go to his room. He sits on the floor and pulls the clam shell from his shirt and opens it. The pearl was as blue as the sea. He left the Leviathan pearl in the ship. Suddenly the pearl in the clam glows brighter until the light reflects around the room. On the wall, a figure forms. It was Zui, looking through her clam. She looks up in the image and her face turns to shock. She can see him. He can see shes out of the kingdom, so she must be really close by. She stares at him as if hypnotized.

Conch was just as surprised as she. He didn't think he could do this. Zui's enchanted gaze soon turned into a bright, bashful smile. Conch's expression changes from confused to relief, giving her a dimpled smirk back in reply to her cute smile. Zui's attention is taken away in surprise and the connection is cut off. Conch is left alone again in his empty room with only his thoughts. He wonders what she may be up to now that she's got his full attention.could she have wanted to see him as he checking his clam? Or maybe it was like some calling device, which allowed her to interact with him at that moment. If he could, Conch would make his own device just like it to keep in touch with Coral and his new fisher friends during his dives.

His thoughts were soon interrupted by a knock at the front door. When conch goes to check he finds a royal guard standing before him with a letter from the royal family. As he reads it he notices the signature "A. Felsios". The only one he knew from the royals were Masfa and his wife and daughter. He hadn't given the time to remember names yet. He is interrupted again with another letter. This time he recognized the name Masfa Falsios. The king. Then he remembered the daughter's name: Aurora. He read the letters side by side. They were the same yet somewhat different. One was for him only. The other for "the Marine brothers".

He reads them and looks to the guards in confusion.

Conch-

They're the same invitation. So why is one address to me from the princess?

Guard-

You'll have to ask her yourself, sir.

The guard didn't sound to confident about the letter.

Conch-

...What do you think?

Guard-

Honestly? I think she found something she likes. She doesn't take interest in people that often, so congrats on the special invitation. You're a lucky guy.

Conch-

I don't think I should feel that lucky, but I'll take your word for it. Thank you.

The guard leaves and Conch heads to his ship to finish his move.

At the market Coral finally made it to the eatery to meet Megan. He walks in to find it mostly empty with a few guests getting served by a thin, well kept girl with long chocolate brown hair and eyes. She looked like a smaller version of Megan, but not as adoring to him. The girl rushes to Coral to greet him at the door.

Girl-

Welcome to the eatery, good sir. My name is Marilyn and I'll be your waitress today. Where would you like to sit?

Coral-

Anywhere is fine. I just came to see someone.

Marilyn-

Oh? May I ask who? I can fine them for you.

Coral-

Really? Thank you. I'm looking for Miss Megan Foltrie.

Marilyn looks at him in shock and disbelief, but sends him to a seat and goes to get Megan anyway. He watches as she runs upstairs and comes back down with Megan in tow.

Marilyn-

Here she is. Would you like a drink, sir, while you look at the menu? We give free refills.

Coral-

Thank you. I won't be eating so here. I'll just have a brew please.

Marilyn-

Coming right up.

Marilyn leaves him with Megan with a look of unease on her face.

Coral-

Hello again, Megan. I came to visit as I said I would.

Megan-

That you did. Welcome our eatery. That was my sister. She's pretty isn't she?

Coral-

... I find you more lovely to look at to by honest.

Megan-

Huh!?

Marilyn returns with a mug for Coral and gives Megan a confused look. Megan's face was flushed.

Marilyn-

Wow. Two the same day for you, huh? What are doing to so much attention this time of all times?

Megan-

What's that mean? I'm not doing anything.

Coral-

I'm sorry, but may I have some time with her please?

With nothing else to say, Marilyn leaves them. Coral jesters to Megan to sit and they talk the day away.

Coral returned late that night and finds Conch in a chair soaking wet but he wasn't blue. He was sleeping from exhaustion after moving the rest the ship's content into the house with the others. Coral realized he was sweating. It was a first for him to see sweat. Nervously, he creeps to Conch's side and taps his shoulder.

Coral-

Conch? Conch. Wake up.

Conch-

*gasp* huh!? What? Oh... Welcome back. How'd the date go?

Coral-

It wasn't a date. Just a... Get-to-know thing. I found out she has a sister. If you're interested?

Conch-

Nah. Rather not have anything get slippery until I know for sure we're really fine here.

Coral-

Well, you can't deny love my friend.

Conch-

I do NOT want to hear that from you, of all people. Anyway, here.

Conch hands Coral the invitations.

Coral-

Whats this?

Conch-

Invitations to the coming ball. Apparently we're allowed access as well as bring our own dates. So you can invite your new Girlfriend. As a first date present.

Coral-

Oh my god!! Are you serious right now!? I have to do that now!! I'll...!?

Conch-

Tell her tomorrow! Jesus. Calm down.

Coral-

How can I calm down when I might miss my chance to invite her to this!? I have competition, for Christ sake! Someone else has their eyes on Megan and I'm gonna lose cuz she knows the guy from her younger days!

Conch-

Wow... Okay. Not my problem. I'm just gonna say good luck with that.

Coral-

What!? Not even a tip!?

Conch-

Tip? Are you stoned from jellyfish toxin? Look, I don't know the first thing about love and lose, but the least I can give you is this opportunity to ask in the morning as early as you can. Is that good enough?

Coral-

That's good!! I'll do that.... You should shower. You smell like a dead salmon.

Conch-

That's because there is dead salmon in the other room freezing. I'm gonna help the fishers sell it tomorrow morning.

Coral-

Oh.

Conch-

Im going to bed. You should too. Good night.

Coral-

Oh! Wait wait! What do I were for the ball!? I don't have a uniform!! Or wait, is a suit? Tuxedo? What do you call them outfits!?

Conch-

It's the same! Good night, Coral.

Coral-

... Good night, Conch.

Coral blows out the lanterns around the room and heads to bed to sleep.