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"Here, I brought you something to do." Eric said, smiling weakly at Ariel.
Ariel cupped her hands around some bubbles and blew them at Eric.
"I got you some pencils and erasers and markers and canvas. It's probably not the best thing because they'll get a little…wet, but I can't think of anything else."
Ariel smiled at him and spun a pencil around her fingers.
"I'm sorry." Eric said, sitting on the edge of the tub. "I want to spend more time with you but I have, something, that, just, I have to work it out."
Ariel scooted forward and raised an eyebrow, resting her hand on Eric's.
Eric looked into her eyes and shook his head. "I can't tell you yet. I'm sorry."
Ariel sighed and leaned back, still holding his hand.
"Careful, you'll pull me in!" Eric laughed.
Ariel bit her lip and smirked, giving Eric a quick tug and sending him toppling into the bathtub.
"Hey!" Eric sat up and shook his head like a dog. He laughed and lightly splashed Ariel. "No fair, if you get wet it barely even counts."
Ariel tapped him with her tail and then tucked it underneath herself.
"Eric!" A voice called up the stairs.
"I hate this." Eric mumbled. Ariel took his hand again. "Sorry." Eric apologized. "I shouldn't be pessimistic. Even if it's not an ideal situation, you're still here!" He ran a hand down her cheek.
"Eric!"
Eric sighed. "I should go. I'll be back, I promise."
…
"Eric!" Margaret clapped her hands together and threw them round the prince.
"Margaret, what?-"
"Eric, I relayed your proposal to the ma'am and she very kindly agreed." Grimsby nodded, raising an eyebrow and instructing Eric to play along.
"Agreed! I'm overjoyed!" Margaret threw her arms around Eric again, despite his obvious displeasure. "Why, we must get to know each other a little better." She walked her fingers up Eric's arm and he backed away.
"How about a day around town?" Grimsby suggested, giving Eric a look that suggested that he had no other option.
"Sounds lovely!" Margaret cooed, draping away from Eric but letting her arm hang around his neck.
"Great idea, Grim." Eric said flatly.
"Oh, you do have a covered carriage, right?" Margaret asked, pursing her lips. "I simply can't stand to be out in the sun for long periods of time. I freckle."
"God forbid." Eric sarcastically quipped, shrugging her arm off his shoulder.
"I'll go pick out a dress, dear." Margaret sighed, leaning in to kiss Eric. But he turned his head at the last moment, and she only caught his cheek.
"Eric, you must not resist so." Grimsby said as soon as Margaret was out. "Arraigned marriages have been around for a while, and there's a reason for that – they work! They're not founded on simple fancy, but a long history of family ties or commonalities."
"We have nothing in common, Grim." Eric snorted. "She's boring. I hate to say it, but I'm past the point in my patience of putting it lightly. She doesn't like to go outside or stay inside. She doesn't like books or plays, she isn't artistic or adventurous or funny or clever or smart or nice or charming or anything. She's just there. I'm sure some man will find her perfect, there's someone out there for everyone, right? It just isn't me."
"Well you're going to have to make it you. Try a little harder, Eric. She could surprise you."
…
Urchin knew this was bad. This was very, very bad. He shouldn't be here, he had learned his lesson, right? Well, clearly no. This was bad.
But then why did he swim closer?
Ursula's lair was looming scarily in the distance, and despite his common sense, despite the fact that every fiber of his being was begging him to turn around – swim the other way!- Urchin grew closer.
"My darling helper, back so soon?" Ursula leered, pursing her lips into a hideous pout and leaning forward.
"I need your help." Urchin gritted his teeth. There was no other way to do this.
"Yes, of course, what is it?" Ursula smiled.
"I need you to make me human – just for a couple days! Then we'll go from there."
"What happened here?" Ursula smiled wickedly. "What happened to young Ariel?"
"I was an idiot." Urchin mumbled. "I liked her, I've always liked her. She's pretty, I've always known that. But I was never in love with her, and I kept trying to trick myself into thinking I was. But," he smiled now, "when I was up on land, I met this girl, Cassandra, and she's just-"
"And now you want to be with her, yes, yes, yes." Ursula flicked her hand. Her face split into a smile. "I'll tell you what. If you can get Cassandra to fall in love with you, and agree to become a mermaid, in no more than three sunsets, then you two can live happily ever after. In return, you must sacrifice Ariel to me, tell no one, refuse to protect her, and lead me to her however I see fit."
Urchin gulped.
"And of course, you understand that if you fail, I will be bringing Cassandra back with me down into the ocean and leaving you up on the land. I'm not going unrewarded here. It's a tough deal, I know, but how much do you really love her? Enough to take this leap? Enough to give up Ariel?"
Urchin floated in silence for a moment. Looking up powerfully, he nodded his head and said "You've got a deal."
Ursula grabbed and nearby bottle, gleaming. "You better hurry up and drink it, sweetie!" she exclaimed. "Your first sun is setting!"
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