Chapter Three

A/n: I own only Percy.

Triton: Do you, er, think I - I was too hard on her?

"YES!" Melody and Percy shouted.

Sebastian: Definitely not. Why, if Ariel was my daughter, I'd show her who was boss. None of this "flitting to the surface" and other such nonsense. No, sir - I'd keep her under tight control.

"Yeah right," Percy scoffed.

Triton: You're absolutely right, Sebastian.

Sebastian: Of course.

Triton: Ariel needs constant supervision.

"Fun," Melody groaned knowing that if she was this Ariel that she'd go insane with constant supervision.

Sebastian: Constant.

Triton: Someone to watch over her - to keep her out of trouble.

Sebastian: All the time -

Triton: And YOU are just the crab to do it.

Cut to Sebastian walking down corridor.

Sebastian: How do I get myself into these situations? I should be writing symphonies - not tagging along after some headstrong teenager. [Sees Ariel and Flounder sneaking off and follows.] Hmm? What is that girl up to? [He barely makes it into cave and sees Ariel's collection.] Huh?

Flounder: Ariel, are you okay?

"No," Melody drawled. "She's only crying. But why shouldn't she be alright?"

Ariel: If only I could make him understand. I just don't see things the way he does. I don't see how a world that makes such wonderful things - could be bad.

Look at this stuff

Isn't it neat?

Wouldn't you think my collection's complete?

Wouldn't you think I'm the girl

The girl who has ev'rything?

"It's not that impressive," Melody grumbled.

Look at this trove

Treasures untold

How many wonders can one cavern hold?

Lookin' around here you'd think

Sure, she's got everything

I've got gadgets and gizmos aplenty

I've got whozits and whatzits galore [You want thingamabobs? I got twenty]

"Thumbscrews," Melody told Percy, who was wondering what the thingamabobs were.

But who cares? No big deal. I want more

I wanna be where the people are

I wanna see

Wanna see 'em dancin'

Walkin' around on those [Whad'ya call 'em? oh - feet]

Flippin' your fins you don't get too far

Legs are required for jumpin', dancin'

Strollin' along down a [What's that word again?] street

"Not that great," Melody muttered. Swimming was so much better.

Up where they walk

Up where they run

Up where they stay all day in the sun

Wanderin' free

Wish I could be

Part of that world

What would I give

If I could live

Outta these waters?

"Who'd trade the ocean for land?" Percy asked in shock. "The ocean's the best!"

What would I pay

To spend a day

Warm on the sand?

Betcha on land

They understand

Bet they don't reprimand their daughters

"Yeah right," Melody muttered, thinking of the reprimand her mother had given her.

Bright young women

Sick o' swimmin'

Ready to stand

And ready to know what the people know Ask 'em my questions

And get some answers

What's a fire and why does it [What's the word?] burn?

"A fire is a heat source," Melody told Percy, who had opened his mouth to ask. "I don't know why it burns."

When's it my turn?

Wouldn't I love

Love to explore that shore above?

Out of the sea

Wish I could be

Part of that world

Sebastian has been struggling around and now comes crashing down making a lot of noise.

"How could she not notice him before this?" Percy asked.

Ariel: Sebastian!

Sebastian: Ariel - what, are you mad? How could you - what is all this?

Ariel: It, err, it's just my - collection. . . .

Sebastian: Oh. I see. Your collection. Hmmm. IF YOUR FATHER KNEW ABOUT THIS PLACE HE'D –

"He'd what?" Melody asked. "He wouldn't do anything too bad. Would he?"

Flounder: You're not gonna tell him, are you?

Ariel: Oh, please, Sebastian, he would never understand.

Sebastian: Ariel. You're under a lot of pressure down here.

"What pressure?" Percy scoffed.

Come with me, I'll take you home and get you something warm to drink. [A ship passes by overhead.]

Ariel: What do you suppose?. . .

Sebastian: Ariel? Ariel!

"She's not going to listen!" Melody predicted in a sing-song tone. Just then her stomach growled.

"Don't think humans eat kelp do they?" Percy asked.

"No, but I'll be willing to give it a shot," Melody said. Percy dove down and grabbed a piece for her.

"Not bad," Melody said, eating the water plant. "I prefer lamb though."

"One more before the human's bed time?" Percy teased. Melody splashed him with some water.