A scar.

A large one. Or many many scars making one continuous one crisscrossing over itself.

The main band of which wrapped right around Marina's sender ankle; just above where ribbon had looped. Like an ugly old welt; raised and Thick and Pink and blue. It's edges were not neat either. They were all jaggered and warped, pulling a taunt stark white on creme skin. A hazy Web fractionating the mermaid's skin, and running up under the fabric of the green tights.

"Marina what-?!" Atlanta murmured decoration forgotten. (She supposed later she had meant to say something along the lines of 'what happened' or 'what did you do?' But words failed her.) Almost unable to tear her eyes way, she looked up at the younger aquanaut for an answer.

Marina blinked back over her arm full of fake flowers, frowning slightly in a mildly confused way. Then Marina's eyes went wide in mute horror looking from Atlanta to the ridden-up leggings and seeing what Atlanta had seen.

With a jerk Marina shook Atlanta off, pulling her foot away and under a sudden flurry of skirts around her.

Unfortunately, it was jerk that also knocked the little step wobbling then tipping over with a clatter between them. Marina lost her balance further and stepped backward into the large disc player with a bump, paper flowers scattering. Atlanta herself jumped back but being already on one knee went over her own feet. She landed ungainly, and rather sharply on her backside with a cry.

"Hey now!"

Phones had dropped the vac and rushed over, skidding to his knees on the carpet next to Atlanta. There was also a shout from out in the corridor and sudden running of footsteps.

The whole incident from start to finish was over in around seven seconds if that.

"Atlanta. What's wrong?"

"No, no nothing Phones." Atlanta lied, scrambled up.

"You fall or something- Marina? Hey there, easy? Something up?"

Phones had been trying to help Atlanta up, then tensed himself; one arm out as if he'd just seen a deer and trying not make any sudden movement to spook it. Which was rather fitting given Marina looked like a deer in the headlights ready to Bolt.

It was a look of sheer panic and anxiety. All wide eyed and gripping the edge of the furniture behind with a white-knuckle squeeze.

It was only made worse the door snapped open as Troy burst into the room at a run making Marina flinch.

"You three okay?" Troy demanded. he had in one hand a paper tray of the plastic cups from self-serve coffee machine. but most seemed to have sloshed over the lids. "What was that crash?"

Phones shushed him.

"Easy Marina. What's gotten into you?"

Atlanta had never seen the girl look so scared. Not in Marienville at least. Never of them, not afraid of the terrainians. Marina's eyes darted between them. She'd let go of the disc player table at least, shaking herself out of it. Troy frowned setting down the Four coffees. Atlanta didn't have to ask to know it'd be one black one white one mocha and one decaf double double mocha. Then put an arm around Atlanta's shoulder. And Atlanta was shocked to realise she was shaking.

"Everything okay?" He repeated. "What goes on?"

"Yeah Troy. The crash was the ladder going over. Guess Marina a fright and Atlanta had a bump?" Phones supplied. He'd cautiously and very slowly approached Marina. "hey now. you're okay yeah?" he then relaxed as Marina slowly nodded.

"Neither of you were up it were you? No bones broken?" Troy asked.

"No." Atlanta started. Marina shook her head slowly. "Marina was just getting down from it. And then- well it just accidentally went over."

"Went over? By itself?" Troy asked.

Atlanta could feel Marina's eyes boring into her. And when Atlanta risked a glance Marina shook her head again. And again. And again.

"No… Marina knocked it but that was my fault. I think I just spooked her." Atlanta told him. She held her hands up in an apology. Along with the offensive bit of ribbon. "She had this snagged about her ankle. I was just trying to untangle it. Gee I am sorry Marina dear. I didn't mean to make you jump. I didn't want you trip is all."

It wasn't a lie as such. But it was hammed up like a roast. Still, it seemed to smooth things over.

Marina hesitated then nodded, and gave a little tight smile. And relaxed. She gave bashful embarrassed nod and a hand flip of thanks. Then made to pick up her scattered decorations.

"Did it scratch you, is that it?" Troy asked.

Marina nodded not looking at him. "Well there we are then. No harm done."

He smiled gave Atlanta's shoulder a squeeze; before letting go and righted the step ladder.

"Maybe she's ticklish." Phones grinned, bending down to help pick up flowers. And then teasingly goof naturedly to Marina. "You got them funny lil' flippers ain't you? Guess they could be sensitive to like jelly fish and anemones."

"Can't be that sensitive if she'll walk about with no shoes on!" Came a blunt growling voice, making them all jump again. And causing Troy to drop the ladder.

"And what's all the dang noise about?" Commander Shore complained, whirring into the room. "get a move on, will you? Stingray is meant to heading out on patrol in an hour and not one of you hoodlums are even in the correct uniform yet! Quit fooling around in here, parties over!"

Marina Phones and Marina leapt in a flurry of action; Marina packing the flowers into already over flowing boxes. Phones hurried back to the floor sweeper and Troy starting hefting the stacks of chair back to line the walls as normal. Atlanta still found herself rooted to the spot.

Her father looked over her with a frown.

"Say… You okay there, honey?"

"I- I'm fine." Atlanta said. and added. "Sir."

Atlanta cursed herself when Commander Shore frowned even harder, now concerned. Even more concerned when he noticed the sideways step ladder. But keeping it gruff he asked. "Neptune's beard, none of you have been jumping off that thing, have you?"

"No sir. Just a bit of tinsel trying to act as a trip wire." Phones replied. "No harm done."

"Good." The commander huffed. "Maintenance are already tetchy about lending out their precious ladders. Hate to hear what they'd say if one of you knuckle heads had broken it!"

"Hey-!"

"Why thank you for that touching message of concern, father." Atlanta drawled, righting step ladder, seeing as nobody else was going to.

The Commander chuckled misreading the scold as sass. "Heh. Okay then. see you all promptly at your posts." He said and about turned in his chair, waving off the 'Yes Sir's'.

"Someone find Fisher too will yeh?" He added as he left. "Sent the lad to fetch the data sheets for clearance about half hour ago. Think he's fallen asleep standing up somewhere!"

The crew did as they were ordered, hurrying up in their work. Troy and Phones light-heartedly so, blissfully unaware of any problem under their noses.

But Atlanta did so, still feeling shaken. And when she tried to catch Marina's eye, the mer-girl looked away.