When Grynkar made the report that another was coming, Nichole was a bit worried. When Kilnak learned that Grynkar was seen and introduced, he was skeptical.
"The Land Dweller was stunned. It was amusing," Grynkar chuckled.
"As long as Joe can keep him in line," Kep sighed.
"My thoughts exactly," Kilnak growled. "But, he is right. He is only one healer. With another possible healer with him, more may be done. We shall see."
"I hope Dad knows what he's doing," Nichole frowned.
"If I'm insulted, I'll chase his monkey ass back to the boat," Kilnak growled.
"All fine," Tessoo said with a smile.
"You think so?" Annie asked. He kissed her gently and nuzzled her with a small nod. "Um...you still plan to scare those girls tonight, right?"
"Yes," he said with a wicked grin to make her laugh. "I scare bad!"
"Good!" she smiled. "You know, you could scare them with their darkest fears."
"Hmm? Tell me?" he asked. "I want know."
"Well," she sighed. "my darkest fear was that I would get old and ugly."
"No matter," Tessoo said softly. "Always pretty."
"Okay," she blushed. He kissed her passionately and had her continue. "I don't know what fears the other girls have. We sort of kept that secret from each other. To keep the others from using them against us. But, if you could find out what those fears are, you could always bring them up."
"That's evil. And very ingenious," Kilnak grinned. "Tessoo, you should."
"Okay," he nodded. "I will."
"Tessoo, is it true that you felt that Anna-Marie got scared when she thought she wasn't in control? Like when she realized that she lost power over Annie?" Nichole asked.
"Yes," he nodded.
"I wonder..." she grinned. Kilnak looked at her with a puzzled expression. Then he caught on.
"That's her fear. To not be in control," Kilnak grinned back.
"Oh! Yes," Tessoo nodded again.
"Do you think you can find out about the others to prepare for tonight?" Kilnak asked. Tessoo mused at this and thought.
"Kilnak, you'll need to talk for me," his brother said. "Bethany is easy to find. She always likes to look nice. Having the right colors...um..."
"Annie, does Bethany always like to look nice?" Kilnak asked.
"Well, they all do. But, she always took pride in what she wore," she said. Tessoo clicked to his brother, and Kilnak was able to piece it together. Certain words his language didn't have. Clothing was one of those words. Even cooking was another.
"Her outfits. She always has to look her best. She doesn't like knowing she has nothing good to wear. That's her fear," Kilnak said. "Next one, Tessoo?"
"I found Ellenore. She's fixing her head. Trying to make herself look better," he said.
"Her hair. She's working on her hair," Kilnak said. "This is Ellenore."
"Oh, yeah! She always makes sure that her hair looks awesome," Annie nodded.
"Guess we know what she's about," Nichole chuckled.
"What's going on?" Lisa asked. Lotisoo was still resting with her and made no plans to move.
"Trying to find out the worst fears of Annie's old comrades," Kilnak chuckled.
"I know one!" Josh said and rose up his hand. "It's why I said it to Carol. She hates being ugly. It's why I called her trash. I insulted her big time."
"Yes. That good," Tessoo nodded to show he was right.
"I remember one with, um, Sarah," Doug said from where he was. "She likes to be well-known and popular. When I told her that I had no clue who she was, she got pissed."
"Good," Tessoo nodded to him now.
"That leaves Maria. Oh! She always watched what she ate. She kept saying that she didn't want to mess up her figure," Annie said. "So, she hates thinking that she's fat."
"Rather interesting at how obvious their fears were," Nichole smiled.
"I never realized it. I sort of...had a combination of them all, now that I think about it," Annie frowned. "But, my main one was looking ugly. I had to look my best. And I liked being popular..."
"Do you still like all of that?" Kilnak asked.
"No. It...makes no sense to, really. By now, I'd be screaming for a hot bath and a manicure," she giggled. "I love to be pampered and spoiled. Mom's fault in that."
"Yeah, you were the French poodle of the family," Lisa snickered.
"Shut up!" Annie flustered. They all laughed and giggled, but Tessoo rocked her to comfort her.
"We eat?" Sitari asked her husband. Doug stretched and nodded.
"Yeah, I think it's time," he agreed. "How are you feeling?"
"Okay," she smiled. "Not bad. Not good. Just okay."
"I tend to get that feeling every now and then, too," Doug smiled.
"All right. I'm addressing my family. We should all swim really quick. We'll hunt, too, around the surfaces. I can't go too far, but we also need to see how far out Joe is," Kilnak said.
"I'll check," Grynkar nodded and swam off.
"I'll get the pod to hunt. You all swim and stay here," Kep said.
"That's fine," Kilnak agreed. "Doug, Sitari needs to swim. Josh, Kina does, too. It will help our skin. You guys can prep food for us. We won't be long."
"That's fine. Kina? You should swim, okay?" Josh smiled at his wife. When she clung to him, he sighed. "I can't swim as well as you. Just a couple laps and come right back. I'll still be here."
"Okay," she nodded. Her skin needed the rehydration. The humidifier did the job, but it still helped her to swim to keep her muscles strong. He kissed her softly and smiled.
"I'm sure my Mother is bringing shrimp. I'll make sure to have some cooked for you," he promised. "Right now, we'll work with what we have."
"Sweet fish?" she smiled.
"I think we have some salmon left over. I'll check. Go swim," he smiled again. She nodded and ducked through the watery tunnel. Lisa checked on Kessin and Liksee to make sure they were well.
"How's he doing?" Lisa asked.
"Good. Slow to get better," Liksee nodded.
"Dad will want to look at him when he gets here. I think he's bringing a friend. Another healer. He may be able to help more," Lisa said carefully to make sure she got through.
"Okay," Liksee nodded.
"We're still unsure of the new one. Just keep Kessin safe," Kilnak said.
"I plan on it!" she agreed. Kessin was still sleeping quite deeply. She had skillfully wrapped him in seaweed to help keep in the moisture. It was something his pod would have done to help him recover. He had woken once in the night from a little pain, but she and Lotisoo were able to give him a touch of a numbing salve to help him rest again. They had all agreed to try and let the wound heal as normally as possible. None of them knew what modern medicine would have done. If the pain was eased, then all he needed to do was rest and recover. The I.V. bag did help replace much of the fluid he lost, but that was the most they wanted to do.
Under the waves, Kilnak was racing the others around the island. For the first time in a long time, Tessoo swam faster than him. It was expected, though. He was building up more muscle in his chest. It was just like Nichole said. From being on the surface so much, his chest was developing more.
"You could become a hunter for the pod at this rate," Kina said.
"It's true. But, I'm not worried. All the better to protect to my mate," Kilnak smiled.
"That may be true," Lotisoo nodded. "I do hope that Lisa will bear me offspring."
"I'm sure she will. It may take time, though. Everything takes time. I wonder what my weapon will be like. It took a bit of time to see if it could be done," Kilnak mused. "Joe was bringing it."
"Did you really want such a weapon made? Yes, it will help you hunt, but you can't even travel so far!" Sitari chuckled. "You will always be around Nikki."
"It may be needed," Tessoo said gravely. "It will be good defense against flesh eaters. It's doubtful that many will show up, but it will help. If the shine on the weapon is the same as the drawing, then it will confuse them and ward them off."
"Good to know," Kilnak nodded. "I know it's possible to get them from underneath. I saw something on that device they had. The flesh eaters are weak, if they are flipped for their bellies to be up at the surface. They lose a sense of direction."
"Really?! We should test it. That is, if we come across one," Tessoo said.
"As long as Nikki does not know," Kina said softly. "She worries much."
"I don't want her worried. It makes her sick. She finally started to gain weight. Enough to look better. We need more fish with stings and hard-skinned pinchers."
"The pod will bring more," Tessoo said.
"Joe's device is back! There's Sire!" Lotisoo said. "He looks...very amused."
"I think he likes knowing that he can fluster a Land Dweller," Kilnak smirked.
"All too true," Grynkar said when he swam over. "He brought a fellow healer, as you all know. Joe's companion decided to play with him. She told me. It made Joe happy."
"Good to know," Kina giggled. They swam back to the temporary island and settled with their respective mates. Kina told Josh that she had a good swim. Sitari was now eating some fried up crab meat with a hunger that rivaled his own. Lisa sat near the watery pool to give the plate of cooked fish to Lotisoo, but he set the plate aside to pull her into the water to be with him. He was adamant on her bearing him an offspring. Nichole looked over and sputtered laughter.
"What's so funny? Oh..." Annie said with a hard blush. Tessoo laughed softly and shared a dish of soft lobster tail with her. When Little Star finally appeared, several Merfolk were ready to help unload the tub of shrimp, salmon, and mackerel. Rick was just staring with disbelief at what he was witnessing.
"Remember," Joel warned. "don't tell them you're single. Don't call them fish."
"Right," Rick nodded.
"There is a wounded merman being taken care of. He had a massive shark bite. I was able to patch him up. They are built nearly exactly like dolphins from the waist down. From what I can tell, they don't have a pelvis bone. I think it's there just enough to give an illusion. Otherwise, it's all muscle. I'm not here to make a documentary of them. I am here to help them. I am here for my kids. You can't say anything to anyone. It will be discredited," Joel said slowly.
"I figured that," Rick sighed. "If they're as rich as they are, they likely have the connections to make any news about them false."
"Exactly," Joel nodded. "They are humans. They can feel, joke, get mad, and even learn. They may tolerate you, but only if Kilnak approves of you. Kep is the leader of the pod, but, if Kilnak is pissed, he will tell you to leave. Kilnak is Nikki's husband. He's the one you need to fear. He's the one that killed off Ben in the manner that I told you. He won't hesitate to do the same to you."
"Understood!" Rick nodded again. Joel's kids looked over at the yacht, saw Rick, and waved. He remained on the yacht, though. He let the Merfolk come to him and talk out to him. Even the kids were able to talk to him without an issue. There wasn't much wind or extra sound from the waves.
"Hey, Rick Roll!" Josh grinned.
"Shut up!" Rick growled and pointed at him to show he knew better than that.
"That's not nice," Joel said to his son. Kilnak rose a brow, and Nichole whispered what the joke was. Now Kilnak cracked a grin, but he kept quiet. "He's here to help. Not listen to you."
"Josh..." Kina said in warning. "I know not what say. But it not nice! You be nice!"
"Okay!" Josh cringed. At the warning poke to his gut and another stern look, he sighed. That got Rick laughing and covering his face. He never thought he'd see the day that Josh would get humbled.
"She's pregnant," Joel muttered. He was grinning, though. He had every right to show that. "Anyways, you know that Nikki's pregnant. It's just a matter of time for the others."
"Of course," Rick chuckled. When Ashley appeared with the case of jewelry and Kilnak's trident, Kilnak was the one to appear to take them from her. Only after that was safely on the island did Kilnak regard Rick. The fellow surgeon found himself pausing with a chill of fear at Kilnak's glare.
"I am Kilnak, Nichole's husband. I'm the one that can talk to you the best. My Grandfather, Kep, is the pod leader. But, around here, my word is the law. You get one warning. Don't fuck with me. We are taking a chance with you. Don't abuse it," Kilnak said carefully.
"I would be an idiot, if I did," Rick agreed. "I am Rick. A friend of Joel's and a coworker."
"Fine. I suppose he told you a bit about us?" he asked.
"Enough for him to get a general idea," Joel nodded. "Well, Rick, I hope you brought swimming trunks! If not, your expensive clothes are going to get doused with seawater again."
"Are you serious?!" Rick gaped.
"Don't be such a tight-ass!" Joel grinned. "Why do you think I wear crap clothes?"
"I didn't bring anything to swim in," Rick frowned. Then he yelped when Joel shoved him off the boat and into the water.
"You did now!" Joel said with laughter and jumped in after him.
"You fucking schmuck!" Rick hollered at him. A dolphin was quick to appear for him, and he watched how Joel grabbed onto the dorsal fin of his companion.
"Good thing I know how to swear. Maybe I'll learn more words," Kilnak mused.
"Stop it," Nichole laughed. He pulled her close and nuzzled her.
"Love Nikki," he whispered.
"Love Kilnak," she smiled. They kissed softly and turned their attention to the cases.
"Let's see," he grinned and took out his trident. Nichole's jaw dropped. Kilnak was now going over each part of it with Kep and his sire. The other males in the pod were quick to look over it critically.
"Should I test it?" one of the hunters asked.
"Only if I get it back," Kilnak grinned. That got them all laughing.
"I'll go with him," his sire nodded. "I want to try it, too."
"Make sure no others are around you," Kep said. "We don't want knowledge of this weapon to spread. At least, not right now. It would not be wise. Try to spear a large fish. See how it goes. Compare how one of ours works against it. Be very careful. I may join up with you later."
"We will," the hunter nodded. When they ducked under the water with the trident, Kilnak was musing to himself. The weapon was easy to use. It felt light and durable. He would test it, himself, but he knew that he needed to be with Nichole. At her look, he smiled.
"They're going to hunt down some tuna and see how it goes," he said. "My Dad will be with them. Grynkar was going, too. If it doesn't work well as a weapon, I will use it for respect."
"Josue tried to make it solid enough that it wouldn't break, but light enough to be used," Ashley said. "Do you plan to make other weapons like that?"
"No. It's just for me," Kilnak said. "I don't want to make a big thing out of it. Besides, I need to make sure that the crown is done first for the pageant. After it's done, we can see about something else."
"We need our home built first," Nichole reminded him.
"True. I'm sure the builders are back at the main island?" Kilnak asked.
"I did see their boats there when I passed them," Joel nodded. "They were working on drilling."
"As long as they don't sink it," he said. He straightened a bit when Nichole rested her arms over his shoulders. He looked at her skin and frowned. "You need sunblock."
"Then put some on me," she grinned. He nibbled her neck and growled in her ear. A glance over at Rick had him thinking, but he returned to helping his mate with her skin.
"You need to shave," he muttered. "Here."
"Okay," she nodded and took the razor from him.
"She should wax," Annie said. "Yes, it's messier and a bit more work, but the hairs don't come back for a while. The wax rips the hairs out by the roots."
"No thanks!" Nichole said with a cringe. "I'll stick with razors!"
"Tell me more about this," Kilnak grinned. Nichole gave him a glare, and he just grinned more at her. It was what he always did. After her legs were shaved and the razor was set aside, he started to massage her again. At his intense massaging, she sighed and lost the fight to argue any further.
"A salon would do it best," Annie said. "She'd have to go into the mainland, though."
"No," Tessoo said. "Not safe for Nikki."
"I know. There are products she could buy. Small strips or plucking devices," Annie beamed.
"Ashley, can you get me something?" Kilnak chuckled.
"I'll do what I can," Ashley said.
"No!" Nichole groaned. "I don't need that crap!"
"I want you to have that crap," Kilnak grinned and nuzzled her. "I want you to get as much as possible. Considering that your birthday is tomorrow..."
"You...remembered that...?!" she gaped at him. He grinned even more and muttered in her ear.
"I will remember everything about you," he hissed. "And, I do have a present picked out for you."
"You've done so much already..." she trembled. Rick was just amazed at how Kilnak was with Nichole. It was the same reaction that Ashley gave when she first saw them together.
"Nikki," he said gently. "you are the center of my life. I only live to serve you."
"Okay, where did you pick up that line?!" she scowled at him. He grinned and hugged her tight.
"You know I'm learning wherever I can. Your internet teaches me much," he chuckled. She sighed and shook her head. When he looked over at Rick, he said, "So, you're a surgeon. Okay. You can look at Kessin's tail, but only if Joel is with you. Kessin is still sleeping. We don't want to do too much to him. We may heal differently than you, and we don't know what your medicine will do to us."
"Okay," Rick nodded. As a fellow doctor, he clearly understood that all too well. Joel led him over to the small pool of water. Liksee nodded to him, but she glared at Rick with mistrust. Joel sat down on the damp sand and gestured to her.
"He's my friend. If he does something stupid, I'll hit him," Joel said.
"Okay," she nodded. Joel carefully removed the seaweed wrapping around Kessin's tail and studied the wound intensively. Now Rick looked at the wound and whistled.
"You stitched here?" Rick asked, as he pointed to where a tooth was.
"Yeah. A shark tooth was there. I had to remove it. He had a lot of blood loss," Joel nodded.
"I can tell. The muscle tissue is healing back nicely. An artery was just barely missed, from what I can tell. I'm not sure if his veins are like ours in the legs. With the major arteries, that is. I'm guessing that the fins at the base of the tail are what could have been his feet?"
"Yep."
"Can I see her fins? I want to study the color. I want to make sure there's circulation," Rick said lightly. He was in complete doctor mode. It was much like Joel.
"Liksee, can I see your tail, please?" Joel asked. At her puzzled look, Kilnak gestured for him.
"What do you need?" Kilnak asked.
"I want to make sure the circulation for blood is unaffected," Rick said. "If the color looks the same, then I'll know for sure. I don't know about your bodies, so it's good to have a comparison."
"I see your logic. Study me," Kilnak nodded. "No notes or sketches."
"I know," Rick agreed. Kilnak moved to settle on the beach, and Nikki helped remove the seaweed wrappings around his waist. Both Joel and Rick now made comparisons from him to Kessin.
"Well, his fins look healthy. No discoloration," Joel nodded. "Good idea, Rick."
"Of course," his friend nodded. Kep was watching everything carefully. Even Ashley was concerned, but she helped with the shrimp. Lisa was able to help get them to steam and fry up.
"Do you need to compare anything else?" Kilnak asked.
"Would it be all right if I felt where your bones and joints were? It's only to make sure that none of his bones were damage by the bite," Rick said. "I'll be completely professional."
"I usually only have my wife touch me in such a fashion. However, I'll make an exception," Kilnak nodded. Nichole explained where his knees would have been down to the calf muscles and the ankles. Joel now went through the medical equipment he was given yesterday, but didn't see an X-Ray machine. I'll need the hospital room built before I could get one. He was sure that Kessin had no broken bones, but Rick did have a point. A hard bite could have done more that we can't see.
Rick was able to carefully feel out the bones in Kilnak's tail. He could feel where the bones had fully joined from two separate bones into a whole from the base of the spine. He didn't really feel a pelvis, but he was made aware that they likely didn't have one. He traced down from the base there to where the ankles were joined to the feet. This body was purely designed for swimming. It was fascinating. On a scientific level, it was exciting. But, he also knew that he couldn't share this discovery. Joel had warned him that many would not understand. Kilnak's people would be hunted down and exploited. And, if the media knew that they could find treasure, who knew what else would happen.
The pod was very protective of each other. So was Joel's family when it came to the pod. They were all married into it, anyways. They had every right to be protective. Rick could easily feel the small glances being done by the kids. It was the first time that he felt like an outsider among them. He knew that they trusted him, but, on being around the pod, they didn't know how he would react. It was why Joel was there. He had to keep the peace.
And why couldn't I say that I was single? What was wrong with that? After a moment, it clicked. All of Joel's kids were single. That was until they got introduced to the pod. Joel wasn't sure how Rick would react if he was offered a chance at marriage. It was always a touchy subject with me. My friend was looking out for my best interests. After another moment of reflection, he remembered what he was doing and got back into his doctor mode.
"I think I'm good. Thank you," Rick said respectfully and backed away.
"Good," Kilnak nodded. Kep was still watching everything closely. He noticed that Rick didn't have a ring on his finger. On gesturing to Joel, he leaned over to talk.
"What is it?" Joel asked.
"Does he have a wife?" Kep asked with a small smile.
"Ah..." he sighed at the merman's laugh. "I really didn't want him to do this."
"Why?" Kep asked.
"Well, granted, he's another respected doctor. I just don't think he has what it takes to have a wife from your pod. Nothing against him, but it would be too soon. You should judge him more," Joel said slowly. "You need to understand what he wants."
"How do we know, if we do not ask?" Kep replied with a shrug. Joel groaned.
"Dad?" Doug frowned. "What's wrong?"
"Rick," Joel sighed. "Um...they want to ask you a few questions. Kep does, at least..."
"What? Why?!" Kilnak asked with a look of surprise. "Elder, I do not understand! Why do you want him to have a mate? We just met him! He must prove his worth!"
"He is a skilled healer. That is why," Kep said sternly. Kilnak muttered and pressed himself into Nichole to whisper. She looked at him with surprise. He was clearly not happy. As he let her comfort him with a good back-rub, Kep looked at Rick. "Are you without a wife?"
"Ah..." Rick blinked at the question.
"Dad...?" Josh asked with a raised brow.
"This is all Kep. Not me," Joel said. Ashley put a hand to her mouth and giggled hard. Lisa sighed and rested her head on her husband's shoulder. Lotisoo gave a mild glance over at Rick and smirked. Even Kina was shaking her head at her Elder. She whispered to Josh, and he looked at her like she was crazy. At her nod, he rolled his eyes. Sitari sighed and grumbled to Doug. He bit back his own form of a chuckle. He found it amusing.
"Tessoo?" Annie frowned.
"Elder talk to Rick. May give mate," he whispered. She looked at him with her jaw dropped. "It good. If happen, good. If no happen, good. Not bad."
"You think so?" she smiled. He nodded and looked over at Kilnak. At his brother's positive look, Kilnak nodded. If there was no malice felt, then I'll trust the decision made.
"Tessoo, you think it's a good thing?" Joel asked.
"Yes! Very good!" the merman nodded. "I know."
"Okay. We'll go with what you feel," Joel nodded.
"What he feels?" Rick frowned.
"Tessoo is Kilnak's younger brother. He has the ability to get premonitions of the future. Dolphins can do the same thing at times. Anyways, Kep, the pod leader, would like to ask you a few questions. He thinks you may be worthy of becoming a married man," Joel shrugged.
"What?" Rick blinked.
"It's up to you, though. Just answer his questions," he said.
"So, Rick," Kep said, as he swam over. "You can swim?"
"Yes," he nodded. "Quite well."
"Okay. Can you hunt?"
"Hunt?"
"Ah, fish? Bring food to us?" Kep asked.
"Oh! Well, I did a bit of fishing when I was younger," Rick said.
"He's a healer, too," Kilnak said.
"Yes, I know," Kep nodded. "Can you cook?"
"Me? Cook? Well, if I need to make something for myself really quickly, I could," Rick shrugged. "I'm not a huge cooking fanatic, but I get by."
"As a healer, he should bypass those questions," Josh said.
"I know," Kep nodded. "It is something I need to ask."
"Of course," Josh chuckled. "So, eh, Rick. How would you feel about having a mermaid wife? To me it's like I found my soul mate."
"It was like that for me, too," Annie blushed. "Tessoo is even able to help me get revenge on the girls that used me like garbage. I had no idea!"
"Wait, what?" Rick blinked. As they told him what was going on with the pageant, Kep dove under the water to call for the oldest females of the pod.
"A healer may be able to join us. He is single. And, yes, a Land Dweller. Of the two of you, would you like to look at him? He is older. I think as old as Joe. What do you think?" Kep asked.
"Well..." Kilnak's oldest sister frowned. "I can see. I think I am too young for him, though."
"I am not as old, either," Lotisoo's older sister said. "Liksee just got mated to Kessin. All others are too young. I am unsure."
"Rick!" Kep said, as he emerged. "I do have two here willing to see you. However, they are both quite young to you. Around Kilnak's age."
"And I'm almost twenty-one. Nikki will be older than me by a few months, as of tomorrow. My younger sister under me is twenty. Lotisoo's older sister is twenty. Same age as me. His oldest sister is twenty-two. That's Liksee. Most of the pod girls are around my age. It's rare to find an older female that is un-mated," Kilnak explained.
"How old are you, Kep?" Joel asked. "I'm roughly in my early forties."
"Ah..." Kep thought.
"He's in his fifties," Kilnak grinned. Kep splashed at him to keep quiet. "My Dad is about your age, Joel. Same with my Mother. I'm a bit worried that she's pregnant again, though. There could be complications. I think it's the same with your people?"
"Yeah. There could be," Joel agreed.
"I am an expert in prenatal care," Rick smiled.
"I told you before, but I plan to have a hospital room built in their new place. You know more than I do about that stuff," Joel grinned.
"Nikki, how fast did you get pregnant?" Rick asked out of curiosity.
"Within two days of being with Kilnak," she blushed. "It seems to be longer with everyone else. I had a menstrual a week before I got out. Dad thinks I was caught at the right time."
"It's possible. But, I still find that odd," Rick admitted.
"The dolphins confirmed that she's carrying," Kilnak said, as he held his wife.
"Okay. I get that. I just don't know why it was so fast," Rick said.
"She even started out the same way I did with Josh," Ashley smiled. "She had a bleeding right when she showed the signs. And you thought I was weird!"
"You are weird," Rick grinned and endured a small slap on the shoulder from her. Joel sighed and chuckled, as he put a fresh seaweed wrap on Kessin's tail with Liksee's help. Rick returned his attention to Kilnak when a webbed hand was waved at him.
"The dolphins said that she and I were to bridge a gap," Kilnak explained. "That we are a very special couple. We can't be broken. We can't even be apart from each other for too long."
"It's different with us," Lisa smiled. "We're just fine."
"That's...an interesting way to put it," Rick said.
"Yeah. Anyways, do you want to see if either of our pod females would work for you? If not, tell my Grandfather. The choice is yours," Kilnak shrugged.
"Well...I suppose I could see who's interested in me," Rick shrugged. He didn't want to appear rude. He also wasn't sure if he was ready for a possible permanent relationship on such a short notice.
"Kilnak, I'm curious," Nichole whispered. "You said you had eight siblings?"
"Yes. Kina is my youngest sister. Oldest of the youngest, I should say. All the rest under her are brothers, save one near the middle of them at thirteen. She's technically the youngest. The whole pod takes care of each other. My youngest brother is eight years old. They stopped after that, but I am wondering if I'll have a sister or a brother now," he smiled.
"You have a rather big family," Nichole chuckled. "Where I'm from, only those that don't have to pay much tend to have large families. Or they adopt others in, if they do have the money to support them. Currency is everything to us."
"As I can tell with the treasure," Kilnak muttered.
"So, who are the two interested in Rick?" she asked.
"Okay. Sarissa is my other younger sister just under me. Kina is younger than her. Missin is Lotisoo's older sister above him, but younger than Liksee," he said carefully to explain.
"Gotcha," she nodded. "Really big families!"
"Yes. The more to keep our race going," he grinned. A kiss was pressed to her mouth, and he turned to watch his sister and cousin. Sarissa greatly resembled his matriarch, but held her sire's eyes. Missin could have resembled Lotisoo, but she was far more slender to show she was clearly a female. As Rick studied them, he found himself nervous. For some reason, his eyes kept straying to Sarissa. He growled at himself and looked away. I could be her father!
"You look like someone just pissed in your coffee," Joel said with a small smirk. "Which one do you like? Oh, don't look at me like that! I know you too well!"
"Damn it," Rick sighed. "The one on the left has my interest. Apparently..."
"That's Sarissa. My younger sister," Kilnak said with a small glare. Rick paled. "If she shows that she likes you back, then fine. Sarissa? He says he thinks he likes you."
"He thinks? Well...he looks like he can be nice. But, how do I know?" she frowned.
"Can you swim with her?" Kilnak asked. "Treat her nicely. Okay?"
"I wouldn't know where to start!" Rick flustered. Sarissa reached out to lightly touch his hand. He looked at her with complete surprise. His jaw dropped at her soft smile.
"Nice? Please?" she said gently. She was trying to learn to talk, but it was very hard for her.
"Okay," Rick nodded, and he cleared his throat. "I'm older than you. Way older."
"It okay," she smiled again. "Swim?"
"Just talk slow with her," Kep advised. "She will get better the more she listens."
"It's how I got along," Kilnak nodded. Rick glanced down at what he wore and groaned. His clothes were clearly ruined from the saltwater, but he'd live. It was a silk set with pale green tones. Now the green looked more blue from the algae and salt.
"This is all your fault," Rick muttered to Joel.
"Who was the one that decided to come out here?" Joel replied with a grin.
"Shut up!" Rick snapped. Sarissa slapped her hand on the water for his attention and gestured to swim. He actually found himself going along with her. That shocked him. Josh died laughing. Lisa was just as surprised. Doug pointed with a gaping mouth. Ashley and Nichole were barely able to suppress their laughter. Even Annie was a bit amazed. Rick never followed orders like that before.
"See? All good!" Tessoo grinned widely.
"You saw this?!" Rick gaped at him. Tessoo nodded and crossed his arms over his chest.
"Go swim," he said. Rick was still in disbelief, but he found himself listening to the merman, anyways. Joel was now dying with laughter. The shrimp was done, and a snickering Ashley was helping to serve it. Kina was able to get a slice of the salmon she wanted. Now that the afternoon was dying down, Tessoo started to focus on the girls he had to keep track of. At his small grin, he knew it was just a matter of time for them to settle in together. Then the fun of revenge for his bride would truly begin.