I have no idea where Meenah got ahold of these clothes, but considering they're dry and covering I don't really think I care. There was a wallet as well, and after realizing she stole from one of those working under Dualscar I promptly stopped giving a shit about taking them. I had to tie the shoes as tight as possible to keep them from slipping off and the hoodie was big, but at least the pants fit me.
I had to scope the aquarium out before my daring rescue, so there goes twenty bucks. I don't think the person at the door recognized me, but my eyes were covered by 3D glasses I managed to get at the thrift store as part of my disguise and my hair was a bit of a mess from spending so long out in the water. Either way, I was in the aquarium.
The first area was smaller fish in little tanks in the walls. There was no way Eridan or Feferi would be over here because I knew from helping my dad that there weren't any tanks big enough over here for them if they were here at all. I heard the word mermaid a few times, but I didn't catch what people were saying. I walked on to the next area.
Tanks were bigger, with more fish and some cylindrical tanks in the center of the room. I didn't spot Eridan or Feferi, but I did see schools of fish swimming idly. There was a shark as well, but I didn't see anything out of the ordinary. Someone mentioned there was a mermaid here, another saying the think it's a gimmick. I decided to walk down a tunnel way through a tank to the next area of tanks.
Of course, the next area had a shallow tank so people could touch rays and sharks and the occasional other fish. There wasn't much else over here except signs explaining the rules of touching the fish and some other stuff talking about fish. People were definitely talking about a mermaid with fuchsia scales. I quickly started rushing through to find where she was, not lingering in rooms looking at tanks. Of course, no running in the aquarium so I had to walk all the way through the aquarium to where she should be.
Each step I took seemed to make it seem like I was farther and farther away. Maybe it wasn't Feferi but a girl dressed as a mermaid in the same style? Maybe it was Feferi, but did I want to see her trapped in a tank with people gawking at her?
Quickly I was swept into the next room, and while I couldn't get up close to the tank I could already see Feferi trying hard to ignore everyone. It must be hard with the flashes going off from cameras and kids getting up to the tank just to pound on the glass and all eyes on you in a fish tank in the center of the room. I remember that they had beautiful glittering schools going in circles around the tank just days before now when we still thought we could shake off Dualscar and Feferi thought she wouldn't get caught.
I don't know what's happened the past few days, but for her I can only imagine that it's been a nightmare for her and Eridan. I couldn't find Eridan, and this was the only room with tanks left besides the jellyfish room, and I doubt he would be there. Alone for days, Eridan gone, no clue if I was alright either, everything she had taken away and shoved into a tank for people to stare at her, it's a relief she isn't one to panic. She looked at the sand, refusing to look up at anyone and acting like no one was there.
How would I bust out the most public exhibit here? Sure, I could punch threw the tank with my powers, but it would be to obvious. To many people for broad daylight to be an option. I could sneak in after hours, but with the amount of people she drew in she would probably be guarded. I would definitely be caught on camera, maybe even shot full of tranquilizers, then my dad would get involved, then this would probably get blown out of proportion. I needed someone to help keep me under the radar.
A whistle squealed sharply, grabbing people's attention along with the guards as the tried getting threw the thick, packed crowd. "It is unethical to do this!" I immediately recognized Aranea from where she was standing on Kankri's shoulders, whistle in his mouth and tight grip on her ankles. "Humans find mermaids, majestic and amazing people of myth and legend and we trap this poor girl in a tank?" Kankri started trying to slowly get further from the guards as the tried making their way towards them. "We should free this girl from the plastic water prison we have forced her into! Will we let this horrible place keep her from fre- ahhhhhh!" Aranea fell over with Kankri as a guard pushed them to the ground. The other guard fell upon them soon enough and the two were dragged out kicking and screaming.
As much as I hate to go to team social-justice-chatter-boxes, they might be the only people who want Feferi free as much as I do. Also, they were fucking bat shit crazy enough to attempt a rescue for Feferi, so since I lacked options I headed after them. It wasn't hard to miss two face planted teens to the side of the aquarium. "Are you guyth theriouth about helping her or jutht going to uthe wordth?"
Kankri looked ticked, but he was busy trying to stop his nosebleed so he didn't say anything, at least for now. Aranea sighed," Of course we want to he..." They both looked over, surprised like I was a ghost or something. "... Sollux? You're okay."
"How'd you guyth know I wath gone?"
"Mituna was a mess when you disappeared, and he hasn't stopped crying since they found just your shoes washed up on the beach. Your family thought you drowned!"
"I didn't though."
"Then why didn't you go back?! Your dad and Mituna are crushed!"
"I thhould have, but I can't anymore. I have to thave Feferi and Eridan, but if I get caught it'th over for me. I need your help."
Aranea looked confused. "Help? You shouldn't be rescuing a mermaid, you should be going home to your family. Sollux, this is crazy! We can handle this."
"I jutht need you to help me."
"How could you help?"
I looked around, and when I couldn't spot cameras I took off my shades before gently lifting them both back to their feet. They were even more surprised than when they saw me, and when I let go they swayed a bit. "I could punch a hole through the tank, but if I got caught- you know, problemth and a bunch of utter bullthit I don't need to deal with."
"How did you do that?"
"I'll explain later. Will you help me or not?"
"You're busting the mermaid girl out?"
"Yeth."
"Alright, we'll help. What's the plan?"

The lock was trick, but soon we were in the back way and the power was out. My powers and flashlights lit the way and besides running water, skidding wheels, and our footsteps the aqarium was silent. I looked back to see Kankri was doing fine dragging along the wheelchair. I was in the lead, but only because I've been here before. Slowly we found our way over to where Feferi's tank was.
"So, how do we wake her up?" Kankri asked. "While I am more than willing to assist, we don't have dive gear nor does she seem a light sleeper. Would your powers be of use?"
"Going to have to, but I can't thee her very well tho hold on." I focused on her, bringing her up to the surface before letting her fall into Aranea's arms. Quickly we had a blanket covering her and a hoodie on her before putting her in the wheelchair. We raced off for the exit in hopes that no one noticed us during this adventure.
"Sollux?" Feferi asked, slowly starting to wake up.
"FF!"
"What?!" Aranea almost slowed down, but along with me was ahead of the wheelchair, so slowing down wasn't much of an option. "You know her?"
"I'll explain later. FF, do you know where ED ith?"
"He isn't here, he's at his house."
"Ith that good or bad?"
"Bad."
"Do you guys know Cronus' house?"
"Yes, why?"
"We need to go to there."
"Why?"
"Some is there that needs help as well."
It was surprisingly silent the rest of the way back to the minivan. The door was slid open and we worked together to get Feferi into the car before heading on our way.