Chapter 4

It was spacious his room. The crab, Sebastian, claimed it was one of the many suites the palace offered. It overlooked the courtyard and had a wonderful view of the city. Plus a small bonus it was near the kitchens and the dining hall. He couldn't wait to chow down on the finest Alantian cuisine.

"So when's diner with the king?" Xigbar asked turning towards the crab.

"In a quarter hour, please call if you need anything." He said swimming out of the room. Xigbar again scanned his room. He looked through the small bookshelf deciding to take a closer look in a while. For now lying down on the soft bed sounded nice.

He wished Edym was here. It would have been nice to know the blonde was there to correct any mistakes he made. The freeshooter was not the best when it came to manners let alone all the rules accompanied with noble life.

There was a slight knock on his door, "Umm… Xigbar are you in here?" Someone called from the hall.

"Yeah, come in!" He sighed, setting up for his guest. The door opened and a young mermaid swam in, actually make that two.

"This is my sister Aquata." Ariel introduced the freeshooter. "She wanted to meet you." The red head explained.

"That's alright. The name's Xigbar." He said extending his hand.

"Nice to meet you, thank you again for saving my sister." She said shaking his hand. Then looking at Ariel she whispered, "May I ask for a favor?"

"What is it my lady?" He returned the quiet moving her towards the balcony, Ariel starring at the freeshooter.

"Will you see my sister has been known to break the rules." She began nodding towards Ariel. "I'm sure she will leave the palace. So I was wondering if she dose could you please watch her. I've already asked Flounder to inform you if she does."

"I guess I could though I may leave the palace myself." Xigbar said confused how exactly this was going to work.

"That's no problem I can understand that. I've also in listed Urchin and I'll get Edym latter for Ariel duty. I just figured the more help the better, you'll help right."

"For you of course, I'll do my best." Xigbar said starring at the red headed princess. Wondering how he kept getting stuck playing her baby sitter.

"Edym, your home!" His mother called rushing to her baby, whereas his father smoothly swam towards his son.

"Mom, your crushing me." He said looking up at his mother. She was petite, but still had the death grip of an octopus.

"Where have you been? We've been worried sick about you?" He's father asked ignoring his son's cry for release from his wife.

"Umm… you know here and there." He said finally pulling his mother of, they both glared. "Will I went to coral reef and ended up at the palace when the creatures came." He finished trying to escape to his room, sadly they followed.

"Pearl, we think it's wise if you stay near home for a while."

"Mom, come on please. I only have a few weeks left before I have to go back. There's so much I want to do." He turned around pleading.

"He has a point." She whispered to her husband. Edym starred trying to plead with his eyes. It seemed to work on his mother. "All right, pearl but can you at least take someone with you? I'd feel much better if you weren't alone."

Edym rushed over to his mother sweeping her up in his arms twirling her around. She laughed while his father shook his head. Edym looked at his parents he loved them so much, his mother with her bubbly laughs and his father with his all business attitude.

"Edym put me down!" She laughed. He complied gently placing her back down.

"Oh, mother I nearly forgot we've been invited to the palace."

"Will that's nice but…" She turned towards her husband.

"Edym we thought it wise to stay home for tonight, maybe next time." His father finished while his mother nodded in agreement.

"I understand." Edym said serious, "So what's for dinner?"

Xigbar stared at the food he was meant to eat, trying his hardest to will it all away. It didn't work. He still had on his plate mudpie, hushpuppies, treacle, seaweed salad, escargot and numerous other supposed delicacies.

Uhggg…. I'd rather eat Xemnas's cooking. The freeshooter thought bringing a spoonful up and then dumping it back on his plate. Yep, Xemnas or even Axel could do better than this.

"So how do you like the palace Sir, Xigbar?" The King asked bringing Xigbar out of his dream of cooked food. Though I guess they wouldn't have stoves being underwater and all.

"Oh, it's delicious." He replied lying through his teeth.

"Wonderful I'll pass the praise on to Octia." The King said pleased. Xigbar just stared thinking he'd stop by the gummi ship and pick up some edible food.

"I must ask though which Kingdom do you swim from I don't recognize your accent?" King Triton suddenly asked moving towards the serious stuff.

"Ummm, I'm a merchant so uhgg… throughout my travels I've picked up a bit of my host cities accents." He began trying to think up a reasonable solution.

"You're Piscesean, right." Ariel suddenly jumped in giving him a wink across the table. Xigbar nodded his thanks deciding he had misjudged her.

"Yes, your right, though it's been ages since I saw my home." The freeshooter finished happy to have successfully answered the question.

"Will Pisces is quite the lovely city I especially love the star festival remember girls I took you when, oh how old where you?" King Triton asked lost in memory while shouts of random ages where made across the table.

"So is this your first time in our waters sir, Xigbar." One of the blonde haired princess asked.

"Yes, actually any spots I should look at while I'm here?" He replied sending a smile to turn her cheeks red.

"I'd suggest Gorgon's Canyon but watch out for the whirlpool." Ariel smiled while her family all shook their heads.

"Sightseeing can wait until after you've finished your sales by the way how long will we enjoy your pleasurable company?" The King asked while the servants rushed in to clear diner as everyone had eaten their fill.

"Oh, just a few days if those creatures don't come back." As the king gave him an imploring look Xigbar quickly followed up with, "I wouldn't want to find myself killed on my journey home."

"Yes waiting tell the danger has passed is wise girls I think you'd learn much from this merman's company." His majesty said looking directly at his youngest daughter who stared off into the courtyard.

"Please enjoy the rest of your evening and feel free to explore the city but I do ask for now if you'd remain at the palace for a few nights." King Triton stood up dismissing him and his family.

An: I figure this won't be continued but I found this section on my computer so I decided to post it. This was the 2nd fanfic that I ever wrote and definitely better than the first one I attempted. If someday I start writing this again, I promise I'll post it.