Hello all! A much happier me doing the intro to this chapter. I'm sorry for the sob fest last chapter, things are still pretty rough but I'm at least feeling a little better now that I've been slipping into the flow of the semester. Thank you for your kind words, they meant a lot. But away from all of that, welcome to Above Surface! This chapter went all over the place, not gonna lie. Also I'm taking suggestions for a name of a certain character in this chapter! Without spoilers, I'm talking about the flying character in this chapter. Haha, alright. Not much else to say, except thank you, and remember, review!
Shirayuki was not sure how long she sat there, watching the sun slowly sink and the sky change. Her tears eventually stopped; she had never cried that much in her life - she was sure. Her eyes burned and her skin felt unnatural under her eyes. The little bumps on her legs also included shivering, so she figured it must be a sign of cold. However, she didn't want to let the sea go just yet. So she endured it and sat, the tide washing back and forth across her.
That's when the pelican arrived. It flew overhead, making her gasp and cower as the shadow befell her. She knew of pelicans, of course. But she had never been close to one. Birds were a lot scarier out of the water, where they had full control of the wind.
The pelican cawed down at her.
That made Shirayuki look up. She could understand sea creatures, but flying creatures that also belonged to the sea? They were in a strange gray area. Shirayuki had a basic idea of what they were trying to tell her – at least most of the time. This pelican seemed to want to help her.
Her suspicions were proven correct when the pelican landed besides her. It made a big show of refolding its large wings, and brandishing its huge gullet. Shirayuki had to laugh at that. "Why, thank you." She responded. As she was pretty sure that the pelican was complementing her hair.
The pelican waddled in a circle then blinked at her with soft eyes.
"I can't. I'm not a human, I'm a mermaid."
The pelican squawked and backed up.
"It's true!" Shirayuki lifted one of her legs. "I don't know how to stand."
The pelican shuffled closer.
"It's a long…long, story." Shirayuki sighed. Another wave washed over her skin, stinging slightly thanks to the salt.
The pelican made an odd croaking noise.
"I-I'm sorry? Did you just tell me to cover myself?" Shirayuki looked down at herself. She still had her shirt on, what else was she supposed to cover?
The pelican moved it's weight from one foot to the other.
"Oh!" Shirayuki suddenly felt very embarrassed and put her hand over the space between her legs. "Well, thank you for telling me. You seem to know a lot about the humans."
The pelican held its head a little higher.
"Really? Can you teach me, then?"
Zen found Shirayuki later on that night when he heard soft singing. He grinned as he rounded a bank and saw the mermaid sitting on a rock, her hair styled differently. The bulk of it was down, and it was curling up. She had twisted two pieces on the side of her face and pinned them back with the pearl encrusted clip she had received Below Surface. The tide had come in, surrounding the rock she was sitting on. Her toes were in the water, and she had altered her mossy shirt to be a half dress of shorts, covering her one shoulder and reaching down to the middle of her thighs. She was staring at the full moon, which seemed closer, and singing the luring song she had first sung to Zen, weeks and weeks ago.
"The Song of the Sea, it sings to you and me.
It sings to all who feel lost.
And even to those who feel found."
Zen was surprised to find himself humming along softly. He stopped though, realizing that this was a kind of version he hadn't heard before. It was slower – and there was something reluctant about it. As if the song didn't want to work. It also didn't seem to hold as much power – or that could have simply been because of Zen, as he wasn't affected by Sirens anymore.
Shirayuki paused to take a breath. As Zen got closer, he realized that Shirayuki had a pelican in her lap. Not the strangest sight he had seen in the past few weeks, but it still made him blink. The pelican had its eyes closed, its huge beak still.
Shirayuki continued to sing.
"The Song of the Sea lists left and right.
The tone is never quite right.
It speaks of love and lost."
Zen took a quick breath and walked forward, singing as well.
"And it speaks of danger and the urge to fight for a cause."
He felt his cheeks heat up at the sound of his own voice. Shirayuki had sung right along with him, not even hearing him he sang so quietly. He had the biggest urge to be louder, to really call out to the mermaid with his voice. He was too nervous and embarrassed to join again nonetheless, until he thought about how it was only fair that he got Shirayuki's attention with his song – since she had done the same to him.
"Soon you will feel to sing the Song of the Sea,
Right here with me.
In my arms I'll cradle you forever,
Right where we both belong."
As Zen got closer, Shirayuki started to look around. The pelican on her lap stirred with a low clucking that Zen could barely hear over the ocean around them. The water rushed between his toes, a feeling that still made him take a deep breath in appreciation.
"This is the Song of the Sea."
Zen started the next verse first. Shirayuki stopped and jumped. The pelican hopped free of her lap and stared at him. Shirayuki stood as well, turning to face him with a shock and relief written clearly across her face and in her green eyes. He had to smile at her expression, although he was blushing mightily.
"I want to keep you forever,
Until the moon fades away and until the stars vanish into nothing.
Right here with me.
Right where we both belong.
The Song of the Sea.
It sings to you and me.
It lists left and right, the tone is never quite right."
Zen made it to the base of the rock, and lifted his hands towards Shirayuki. He wasn't sure where he was getting the words, as he had never heard the song in full before.
Shirayuki smiled and grabbed his hands. She joined him in the last few lines.
"And together, we shall be
Singing the Song of the Sea.
Just you and me."
They held the last note, until Shirayuki had to laugh.
Zen smiled sheepishly. "Sorry, that was really bad."
"Bad? Zen, you have the Siren's gift!"
Zen shook his head and let go of her hands. "I'm glad you're okay."
Shirayuki knelt and brushed her hair back, wiping her face. "I'm glad you're okay, too."
Zen wiped one of her tears. "I'm sorry I couldn't find you earlier. I hope you didn't think I abandoned you."
Shirayuki shook her head. "You wouldn't."
Zen smiled. "No, I wouldn't." He agreed.
The pelican squawked and shook its wings out at Zen.
Zen stared at it. "Uh…what's with the bird?"
Shirayuki laughed. "He helped me learn how to walk."
Zen blinked. Then he snorted. "Okay, sure. Ready to come down now?"
Shirayuki looked out above Zen, over towards the land. The mountains behind them were dark masses blocking the millions of stars. Beyond them, they didn't know what awaited.
But she grabbed Zen's hand and gently stepped off the rock, her ankles slapping into the water. "I suppose."
Zen led Shirayuki into a small fishing town. The hard wooden docks were uncomfortable under her bare feet, and she felt like she was purely dripping sand everywhere. Even though it was the dark of the night, humans milled about everywhere. Lights hung in lanterns and smelling awful illuminated the docks, although people were still shouting as they bumped into one another.
Shirayuki lunged for Zen's arm and wrapped herself around it tightly. "There's so many." She whispered.
Zen squeezed her hand. "Don't worry." He whispered. "Stick close to me, we just need to find a place to spend the night."
Shirayuki's pelican squawked. She turned, still holding Zen's arm. "I'll meet up with you again tomorrow morning." She promised him.
The pelican blinked, then spread its wings and took off into the night. Shirayuki watched it fly over the ocean, her mouth parting with want.
Zen tapped her hand sympathetically. "Come on, we need to find a place to sleep."
Shirayuki nodded numbly and clung to him so tight she thought he must be in pain. But Zen didn't say anything, just held her fingers and lead her past men with odd white things between their lips, a foul smelling odor rising from their glowing ends. They moved past a field of lifeless fish, and into the actual streets of a town. Shirayuki felt grateful for the dimness of the world, as she wasn't sure she could take it in the full light of the day.
She eventually minimized her focus to just where she put her feet. Zen never let go of her, and soon Zen halted her. "Here. Let's try here."
Shirayuki looked up to a building. The walls were white, peeling, and brown X shaped pieces of hard wood seemed to be holding up the entire structure. Lights held by black lines of who knew what shimmered, illuminating a old wooden sign with words carved into it.
"'The Shimmering Sea'." Shirayuki read.
"You can read English?" Zen blinked at her, speaking softly.
Shirayuki looked up at him. His blue eyes seemed the only familiar thing, even the sky was much closer than she was used to. "Yes. Is this a joke?"
"It's the closest inn I can find." Zen looked offended. "I would never make a pun."
Shirayuki stared at him. "I'm going to punch you."
Zen laughed and opened the door with a heave. He looked at her to enter first, but Shirayuki shook her head sharply. "No, after you." Her voice shook.
Zen nodded in understanding and stepped up the stair into the inn.
Shirayuki followed.
Inside, the inn was small. The living room had the softest fabric Shirayuki's toes had ever felt – which probably wasn't saying much as she hadn't stepped on many things yet. The inn smelled faintly of some kind of herb – something sharp and something sweet blending to make a fragrance that her muscles relaxed too. The lights were brighter, and they didn't smell this time. She had no idea how they worked, but she wasn't exactly willing to find out just yet. A few paces away there was a long desk with holes in the wall behind it. Then there was a something that must have been a seating arrangement a little ways away as well.
Zen tapped Shirayuki's hand. "Will you sit over there for a few minutes?"
Shirayuki took a deep breath. "Yeah, sure." She slid off of Zen's arm, and forced herself to move away. She sat down on one of the chair's softly. The cushion practically melted underneath her and she had to relax. It was like a seaweed bed, only with her head facing up. There was a sharp ding, and Shirayuki looked up in surprise.
Zen smiled at her, and pointed to a little silver bell that was vibrating slightly.
"Oh." She mumbled, nodding.
A woman ran out, her shoes clicking on the floor. "Goodness me, it's far too late to take any patrons now." The woman had her hair in a high bun, and wore an odd dress with patterns…flowers? Shirayuki almost fell out of the chair she was trying so hard to see the dress.
The woman caught her looking and pursed her lips.
Shirayuki straightened and looked away, instead running her hand up the long pole that held the strange light. It was curved…metal, but not iron, otherwise Shirayuki would have avoided it like dodging a Great White.
"Ma'am, I am terribly sorry to have to impose on you at this late hour." Zen said, waving his hands apologetically. "I know we may not look it, but if you can grant us a room for the night, I can have you paid back in-"
"Pardon?" The woman interrupted. Which made Shirayuki scrunch her eyebrows in disapproval. That was rude. But the woman kept speaking. "I cannot give you a room if you do not have a reservation or at the very least some pay up front."
Zen was nodding. "I understand. But ma'am, you are the only inn in this town. Please, it would only be for tonight, and again – I will get you your pay back, with interest."
"All due respect, but that is simply heresy. You cannot promise me anything, especially when you are dressed half naked in my lobby."
Shirayuki was starting to dislike this woman more and more.
"Ma'am, I apologize profusely for my state of undress." Zen dipped his head. "However, let it just be a statement to my troubles. We would both appreciate it if you just supplied us with one room-"
"Absolutely not!" The ma'am shook her head. "Sir, I would request that you please leave."
Shirayuki stood. "Are all humans this rude?"
The ma'am looked over at her in surprise. "I beg your pardon?"
Zen put a hand out her way. "Shirayuki-" He warned.
Shirayuki walked over to the desk. "He asked you politely, and you are insulting him?"
"This is not a place for vagrants like you." The woman held her chin high, though there seemed to be a slight quiver in her lips, as if she was afraid.
Shirayuki looked at Zen. "What's a vagrant?"
"I'll tell you later." Zen looked back to the woman. "Please, is there no way you would show us some mercy?"
"Get out of my inn." The woman responded.
"Honestly!" Shirayuki rolled her eyes.
The woman leaned forward. "I'll have you know that this is my home as well as my business. I have children that need protecting. I have a household to run and hotel guests to protect."
"To protect from their own Prince?" Shirayuki shook her head.
Zen stiffened, and she immediately wished she hadn't said that.
The woman stopped. "Prince?" The woman turned very slowly, and looked at Zen up and down, impending horror slowly stretching over her face. "Prince." She repeated. "You…You are Prince…Prince Zen!" The woman covered her mouth and tears watered in her eyes. She stepped back rapidly. Shirayuki was impressed that she could recognize Zen that quickly.
Zen took a breath and looked down. "Please, I'll ask you to keep my presence quiet."
"But you-you've been missing for-for weeks!" The woman ran around the desk and to Zen's side, stopping and grabbing her dress. Shirayuki tilted her head at how she pulled the skirt out to the side, dipping down by sliding her leg behind her other leg across the floor.
"Please, ma'am. No need for that."
The ma'am rose and wiped her eyes. "Where on Earth have you been? Who is this beauty?" She regarded Shirayuki.
Shirayuki blinked at the sudden change in attitude.
Zen waved a placating hand at the woman. "Please. I will supply you with all your answers if you just give us a place to stay, and keep our presence on the downlow."
"Anything, you're Highness!" The woman reached over and hovered her hands over his face, eyes watering over and tears spilling down her old cheeks. "We've missed you, so, so much."
Zen's eyes flashed with impending tears. He grabbed the woman's hand and kissed it. "It has pained me to be away, as well."
Shirayuki felt as if she was watching this exchange from across the room. She suddenly felt extremely, sullenly guilty.
The room that Gladys had provided them was at the uppermost floor. The rom had one Queen sized bed, a giant window that the moon peered into, and a slanted roof. There was another door for the bathroom, which almost made Zen cry – seeing a real toilet with a real bath and a pump for a bath – oh it was too much.
Gladys promised to speak to nobody of their presence and refused to hear Zen even speak of repayment. She lied fresh clothes on their bed. "A nightgown and a dress for tonight and tomorrow." She told Shirayuki, who looked on blankly but attentively. "And some undergarments my daughter left here before she went to university. Proper pants and a shirt from my husband's old collection." She said, patting down the clothes. "Please, sleep well."
As soon as she left, Zen grinned and ran at the bed. He leaped into the air, and fell flat onto the mattress. The mattress springs creaked in surprise and protest and tossed him slightly up again, before he flipped around and landed on his back with a happy laugh and a sigh.
"Um, am I supposed to do that too?" Shirayuki half laughed.
Zen squeezed one of the pillows, hugging the downy feathers close to his chest. "Only if you want to." He breathed, relaxing. Then he sat up, not allowing himself to get too comfortable. "I'm going to take a long, hot bath. Would you like one?"
"I…I don't know what that is." Shirayuki sat down on the bed in a heap, pulling at one of the dresses blankly.
Zen's heart went out to her. He leaned towards her and grabbed her shoulder. "Are you doing alright?"
Shirayuki thought.
"I know it's a lot, but –"
"I'm so sorry." She interrupted him.
Zen blinked. "Why?"
Shirayuki took a shaky breath. "When you lost your legs…I was cruel. I was harsh and mean and awful, and I didn't help you. I let you flounder around on your own. And you…you've done the opposite for me."
"Oh." Zen leaned back, letting go of Shirayuki's shoulder. "I-"
"I'm so sorry, Zen. I now know what you felt like, and I've grown to know you so much and I've seen that you're one of the most amazing people I've ever met and-"
"Okay!" Zen laughed, cutting her off. "You're going to make me blush. You're just as wonderful a person as me, if not even more."
Shirayuki scoffed. "I treated you like scum."
"And then you treated me like a friend. That's all I could ever want from you."
Shirayuki shook her head. "Just accept my apology and be done with it!"
Zen laughed, but he felt a warm blush at his cheeks and a little embarrassed. "Apology accepted, and you're welcome."
Shirayuki sighed with relief and nodded.
Zen fell asleep faster than Shirayuki. She was lying on the opposite end of the bed, too scared to be embarrassed over sharing the "mattress". The blankets were smoother than the back of a dolphin, and she clutched them tightly to her chest. Zen snored softly which was a little surprising. Gills didn't snore like human lungs did. But Shirayuki didn't mind, she liked hearing that he was so close to her.
Zen muttered under his breath. She turned around to stare at his back. He was wearing something he called a "tank top", which was just a shirt without sleeves apparently. He seemed so relaxed, so at ease. Shirayuki had seen him sleep underwater – even then he was always so tense. Here, he was completely limp, truly relaxed.
Shirayuki sat up slowly. She didn't appreciate that the mattress was a little too comfortable, it made it really hard to not disturb Zen. But the Prince didn't falter in his snoring, so she sighed in relief and stood. She stared down at her legs. The nightgown had been a challenge at first, before Zen had told her through the closed bathroom door to just throw it over her head like she would a shirt. It hung down just before her knees, and was a lovely shade of pink.
Shirayuki gently walked around the room, touching the walls and trying to find some way to get herself to rest.
There was a gentle peck on the window.
Shirayuki jumped, then relaxed when she saw the familiar shape of her pelican friend. She struggled for a minute, before managing to open the window. The sea glimmered not too far away, and he croaked softly at her longing expression.
"I'm okay." She whispered. "Just…just a little overwhelmed."
The pelican tried to push its way into the room, but Shirayuki pressed a hand against the top of its bill and kept it back. "I don't want to wake up Zen." She whispered.
The pelican blinked at her.
"I'm here…it's a long story."
The pelican made a small whirring noise, fluffing it's feathers.
"Yes, I know I said that earlier." Shirayuki sighed. "Let's just say the fate of the ocean is at stake." Shirayuki thought she felt a whisper tickle her ear. Her eyes were drawn to the moon, which seemed to be staring right at her.