It was day two of Seth being human.
In the morning, Seth stretched himself before Josh reminded him about the 'date' as the crustacean called it. Seth immediately bolted up and got himself ready. Caleb came and got Seth when he was ready. For today, Caleb wore his usual attire as Seth went with a blue dress shirt, black trousers, light blue socks, and black lace up dress shoes. He still had his aquamarine necklace on and placed his notepad and pencil in his pockets.
It was a clear dat and it reflected Seth's moods as they departed in Caleb's car. Seth, having never seen a car, questioned what it was. Caleb just chuckled at the 'stranded' boy's knowledge and told him. Josh was able to scurry and stow away on the car, which soon turned out to be a bad idea when the car began to move. Caleb apparently like to go fast and Josh clutched for dear life on the car.
As the car arrived in the town, Seth's heart pounded with excitement. While there was some basic similarities, there were many differences between the usual stores that Atlantis had. Seth was like a child at Christmas as he eagerly went into each store and was curious about what they sold.
Caleb simply found Seth's excitement both charming and amusing, and he liked having someone who was interested in almost anything. It almost made him think he had never been to a town center before.
There was a pier near the town center where the two stood and Seth simply inhaled the air before exhaling. Josh took this time to scurry, as he had been trying to be undetectable by the other humans, over to where they were, only to see not one kiss.
Breanna made her debut as a random dolphin just swimming by before clicking to Josh, "Any kissing?"
"Not yet!" Josh hissed and noticed the princes leaving before hurrying after them. The bottlenose sighed with disappointment before going to tell Haven about the news as she was hidden underneath the pier.
"So..." Haven began, only for her friend to shake her head no. Haven facepalmed at this, this was going to be harder than she thought.
Back in the town center, Seth found himself enjoying everything. There was so much to take in. People were going about their business, whether it was shopping, working, or eating, there was a small fountain of water which Seth partially splashed in, and so much more. It was a mere hangout place for Caleb, but Seth found this as his once in a lifetime chance. Seth even found a few items that he thought he had to have, so Caleb bought them.
Around 12 o'clock, Caleb took Seth to a place called Baskin-Robbins. Seth was unaware of how to order, so Caleb explained how and Seth got the gist of it. "Mmm, this is good," Caleb commented as he took another spoonful of his chocolate ice cream. "How's yours? Is it any good?"
Seth nodded as he took another spoonful of his vanilla ice cream with rainbow sprinkles. It reminded him of a food store that sold Atlantean desserts. Seth then felt his head begin to develop a chilling sensation through it.
Caleb snickered at Seth's expression. "First brain freeze?"
Seth nodded before getting the will to write. How come you don't have one?
"It only happens if you eat ice cream that's too cold or eat it too fast. Must not have any ice cream from where you're from, eh?" Caleb asked.
Not necessarily. We tend to have more... squishy forms of desserts. Seth explained, recalling that in Atlantis, most of the desserts were made from sponges, giving it a springy feeling as one chewed it.
"Oh, so like Jello then?" Caleb realized.
Seth thought about it before agreeing with whatever this 'Jello' was.
"So, Seth..." the brunette began, "Where are you from?"
The former merman was sure how to describe where he came from. The ocean? He doubt Caleb would understand. It's rather hard to explain, sorry. Seth wrote, hoping Caleb would let the discussion die down.
"Oh, I see," Caleb apologized, not wanting to pry into anything deep like the reason why Seth couldn't talk. "So, what brought you here?"
I had a fight with my dad. Seth explained, using the partial truth of his reasoning.
"Yeesh," Caleb winced, "If it's personal, I can understand you wanting to leave." Caleb took his last spoonful of his ice cream, "My dad and I didn't fight much, but he insists on being married though."
Seth nodded along, though he knew the full story that Caleb wanted to marry for love not by force.
"Oh, Caleb~" a female voice called.
Caleb inwardly groaned as Seth tilted his head in confusion. The former merman saw a blonde girl in a pink tank top, jean shorts, and pink converse approaching their table.
"Erin," Caleb gained a forced smile on his face, "to what do I own the pleasure?"
"Oh you know me~" the blonde said before twirling her hair as if she was flirting, "Just thought to come down to the town center for some good all R . Imagine my surprise to see you and this... boy eating at Baskin Robbins just as I enter."
"Oh, introductions," Caleb began, "Seth this is Erin, my... ex girlfriend. Erin, this is Seth."
Seth inwardly gagged at the term of 'ex.' This girl was Caleb's ex? Please, she didn't even look that cute in Seth's opinion.
"Nice to meet you," Erin said in an uninterested tone as Seth just wrote, You too.
"Uh, what's the silent treatment?" the blonde said.
"Seth can't speak," Caleb explained.
"Oh! Is he saving his voice for music?" Erin deduced, "I happen to sing too!"
"No, like he's a mute, can't talk in general," the brunette clarified.
"Awww that's too bad," the blonde said in mock sympathy before ignoring the light skin completely, "So Caleb, why haven't you been replied to my texts?"
"I was at sea," Caleb told her, "Very hard to get cell reception out there. Plus, I think I lost me phone at sea..."
"Don't you have a wifi router on your yacht?" Erin must have remembered, "I've been on your yachts well enough to know that you have wifi routers."
"Must not have international coverage then," Caleb lied, "Well it's been nice catching up but me and Seth have other sights to see! So bye!" the brunette took Seth's arm and left with him, leaving a slightly fuming Erin in Baskin-Robbins.
Caleb led Seth to the plaza with the small water features area. "Sorry, you had to see that. Erin as I told you is my ex." Seth wrote down something, Why did you two break up?
"Well," Caleb placed his hand to the back his neck, "She was rather clingy, preferring to stay on land rather than even so look at the ocean with me. And she knows how much I enjoying the sea."
Seth nodded along with his explanation. Erin hardly regraded his appearance, so he was glad he was able to get out of there. Some music began to play while they were at the plaza and Caleb began to grin and escort Seth onto the plaza. It was a slow like song, like the one they danced to last night.
Only difference was that some people were watching.
Seth heard some chatter from three girls, no doubt jealous that the prince was dancing with him instead of one of them. Seth frowned at their gossip, before making an attempt at some Atlantean magic to splash the girls as they were near the water features. Seth mindlessly and nonchalantly flicked his left hand as if it were a move, hoping to get the girls. A nearby spout gushed over the three girls drenching them completely. Everyone laughed at the misfortune and the two princes snuck away.
"I don't know what happened, but I'm so glad not to be those girls," Caleb joked. Seth covered his mouth, as if he was laughing along with Caleb's joke.
"What do you say I take you to somewhere else?" Caleb suggested, "I know quite the private place." The former merman thought about and shrugged before Caleb took him back to his car.
Marcus, having perched nearby building, watched the two princes enter their... vehicle, from what Marcus could remember what it was called, and flew away towards the pier. Landing on a buoy near the ocean, Haven and Breanna poked their heads out of the water.
"Any kissing now?" The two females asked, hope in their eyes.
"Nope," Marcus admitted, "but they are headed somewhere! And I think I know the place! Quick, where's the crustacean?" The two marine creatures nudged their heads over to the beach before Marcus groaned and took off to find the invertebrate.
It was around 5 o'clock and Caleb arrived to the destination he had in mind.
The location was a beautiful lagoon and Caleb had stored a wooden boat with oars, hidden in various branches of foliage. "I tend to go here to go to be by myself. It's calm and peaceful here, don't you think?" the brunette asked. It is quite peaceful, Seth wrote.
There was a bit of rustling that startled Seth, but Caleb held him in a comforting manner. "It's okay. It's probably just a duck," Caleb said before the two got into the boat. Seth peeked behind at the bush when a red claw waved at him. Seth let out a breath of relief, it was just his friends.
"Marcus! You're blocking my view!" Haven hissed as she pushed the feathers of the waterfowl.
"There's no point in unblocking your view, because nothing's happening!" Marcus squawked.
"Well, I still want to see the progress," the shark-tailed mermaid snapped back before viewing the situation, "Yep, nothing's happening."
"What now? Tomorrow's the last day and that boy hasn't even so much gave a peck on the check!" Breanna realized.
"So..." Caleb tried to start a conversation as they floated in the lagoon, "How about this weather?" Seth gave a weak smile before resting his hand on his cheek at the lack of interaction the two were having.
"Josh, do something!" Haven emphasized.
"Why me?!" Josh whispered/shouted.
"You're the composer," Breanna reminded, "Don't you have experience in writing some romantic elements in your music?"
Josh was about to retort before sighing and agreeing with them about their claim. "Alright. Fine, I'll take care of everything. Follow my lead," Josh dove into the water and took a reed to use as a conductor before taking position as some local wildlife came out for the night.
"We've got to create the mood. Percussion!" Nearby turtles flipped to their backs and ducks began to pat their stomachs, creating a drum-like noise.
"Strings!" An orchestra of crickets nearby began to chirp in rhythm as they rubbed their legs together, creating a melody.
"Winds!" As if on cue, a bunch of reeds and cattails were moved by the wind, creating a soft breeze in the lagoon.
"Words," Josh began to sing.
There you see him
Sitting there across the way
He don't got a lot to say
but there's something about him
And you don't know why
But you're dying to try
you wanna kiss the boy
Caleb heard those last three lyrics directly in his ear, "Did you hear something?" Seth, having seen what Josh was attempting to do, just played dumb, writing down, It must be in your head. "Yeah, yeah, you're probably right," Caleb dismissed as he had a lot of that this week.
In the background, Haven, Breanna, flamingos, some fish and frogs joined in on Josh's music plan and sang along to create the romantic atmosphere for the two.
Yes, you want him
Look at him, you know you do
Possible he want you too
There is one way to ask him
It don't take a word
Not a single word
Go on and kiss the boy (sing with me, now)
Seth leaned for a kiss just as Caleb leaned as he rowed the boat. Caleb briefly went for it... before turning his attention to where he was going. Seth frowned at this before slumping back a little.
Sha-la-la-la-la-la
My, oh, my!
Look like the boy too shy
He ain't gonna kiss the boy
Sha-la-la-la-la-la
Ain't that sad?
Ain't it a shame? Too bad
He gonna miss the boy
Caleb had a question on his mind and didn't want it to sound rude. He ceased his rowing and let the rowboat float across the lagoon. "Hey, Seth?" said the brunette. "I have a brief question to ask you." Seth listened to what the prince had to say.
"I don't want to sound rude, but..." Caleb started, "... do you plan on heading to your home anytime soon?"
The former merman became hesitant at the idea. He wasn't sure how to respond about heading home whether he got the kiss or not. I'm not sure. I'm just giving my dad some... space for the time being, Seth answered through writing. It wasn't a complete lie.
Caleb followed up, "I see. Well, if its any constellation... I kinda... don't want you to leave. If... if I asked you to stay at the mansion, would you?"
Seth inwardly leaped with joy and nodded at the idea Caleb slid his hand into Seth's, glad he was willing to stay with him. The two princes began to intertwine their fingers a give a gentle squeeze.
Now's your moment (Ya, ya, ya)
Floating in a blue lagoon (Ya, ya, ya)
Boy, you better do it soon
No time will be better (Ya, ya, ya, ya, ya, ya)
He don't say a word
And he won't say a word
Until ya kiss the boy
The rowboat floated towards a willow tree and two cranes pulled the leafy branches apart as the boat drifted towards it. Fireflies came out and twinkled in the nightlight, a school of fish swam around the boat, birds were tweeting their sweet notes. All while Seth and Caleb couldn't take their eyes off of each other.
Sha-la-la-la-la-la
Don't be scared (Sha-la-la-la-la-la)
You got the mood prepared (Ya, ya, ya, ya, ya)
Go on and kiss the boy (Whoa, whoa)
Sha-la-la-la-la-la
Don't stop now
Don't try to hide it how
You wanna kiss the boy (Whoa, whoa)
Caleb couldn't describe what he was feeling with Seth. Part of him still wanted to find his savior but Seth... Seth made him feel a different way. Like he didn't need the voice. Seth was here rather than mysteriously vanishing. And for some reason, he liked it that way.
Sha-la-la-la-la-la
Float along
And listen to the song
Song say kiss the boy (Whoa, whoa)
Sha-la-la-la-la-la
Music play
So what the music say
You gotta kiss the boy
Caleb reached his hand out and caressed Seth's cheek, which he unconsciously pressed his face into the palm of Caleb's hand. Caleb wasn't sure what it was, whether it was the magic of the night, the attraction between them, or the both, but he found himself leaning towards each other. Their eyes were closed and lips puckered up as they went to kiss. Seth's friends were beyond excited, Josh almost began to strangle Marcus' neck with his pincers.
Kiss the boy
You want to kiss the boy
You've got to kiss the boy
Go on and kiss the boy!
They were inches away from each other...
Before the two boys fell into the lagoon as the boat capsized. Seth's ocean friends facepalmed, some to the best of their ability given how Breanna's flippers couldn't reach her face.
"Hang on, I got you!" Caleb said as he stood with a soaking wet Seth. The part of the lagoon they had fell in was shallow, so they could stand.
"Are you okay?" Caleb's voice sounded concerned. Seth weakly nodded but inwardly upset about the boat choosing the right time to fall over and ruin their one moment. Caleb flipped the boat and helped Seth climb in. Caleb looked at the sunset, "It's getting late. We should head back. No doubt, Alex is wondering where we are."
Seth reluctantly shrugged. Figures things go well for him for a change and faith decides to mess with him.
It wasn't faith though. Jonathan and Terry were the true culprits. Both eels raised their fins and made a pumping motion at their attempt to foil the kiss.
"Excellent work boys," said Addison from his cauldron before grumbling in displeasure, "That was close, too close for my liking." The sea warlock had been keeping a watchful eye on Seth since their deal. "Ugh, he's better than I thought."
The sea warlock began to swim up to his cabinet, naturally irritated at the image he had seen, "At this rate, he'll be kissing him by sunset for sure! Well, it's time I took matters into my own tentacles." He began to fling various ingredients into the cauldron, creating explosions the sea warlock was too busy scheming to care about.
"Poseidon's lovesick son will be mine! And then I'll make him writhe. I'll see him wriggle like a worm on a hook!" Addison hissed before erupting in maniacal laughter that echoed through his lair. He clutched his seashell and began to transform.
Back on land, after their 'date,' Caleb found himself lying in his bed, recalling the events today.
Seth's smile, the way he looked on the lagoon, their whole day together. It made the prince happy.
"So, how was the date?" Alex chimed in as he entered.
"Well, considering how we were both soaking wet on the ride home," Caleb said sarcastically, "Just peachy."
Alex rolled his eyes at his friend's sarcasm, "Whatever, just letting you know that the contest is set to happen tomorrow."
Caleb's eyes widen at the mention of the contest. He had forgotten about it! "Oh... that's... nice..."
"Unless..." Alex started, "you already have your eyes on someone."
"W-what?" Caleb blushed at that claim.
Alex sighed, "I won't deny it. I have seen your interactions with each other. Seth does seem one of a kind whether he can talk or not."
Caleb frowned, "But the voice..."
"Caleb," Alex started with a firm tone, "If it's any constellation, a real someone is better than a make believe someone."
Caleb just nodded along. The voice had been elusive to him, he only heard it a few times anymore. But Seth... Seth is real. Not some trick his mind is being played on.
"So, I could call off the wedding boat tomorrow..." said the royal advisor.
"No," Caleb finally said and with a determined look in his eyes, "One more chance... if not then... I'll marry one of the contestants."
Alex nodded and said good night, leaving a conflicted Caleb in his bed.
Tomorrow, he was marrying someone...
Whether it was the voice or not, only he could decide.