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.
