The few following days, Celine and Sebastian met here and there, in a balcony or in the gardens of the palace, whenever he had some break from checking on Melody. They talked about most everything, from music to the chance of a war, to old folktales or the peculiarity of courtly protocols. Celine was amazed with the fact that a crab could be so educated.
"So, you are a musician?"
"That right. I've been signing and composing since I was a teeny weeny little crab in the bottom of the sea"
"Who you played for?"
"Excuse me?"
"You said there was nothing down there, but seaweed and coral"
"Huh... fish. And other crustaceans. Maybe some mussles"
"Oh. I had no idea that sea creatures were so sophiticated"
"Some of us are and some other, wel... You know what I mean"
"Yes", she laughed, "So you simply would stand in an open in the middle of the ocean and sing?"
"I... Huh... I suppose so. Also in caves, sometimes"
"Interesting"
Suddenly her face seemed less happy. She looked at Sebastian, then away and sighed.
"What is it?"
We will probably be leaving soon, once my father agrees on an alliance with Prince Erick
"I'll be a shame", Sebastian said, "parting ways."
"But we'll see each other again, soon"
The crab smiled and nodded. He rarely met a human he liked so much. And as she had predicted, Monsieur Bisset announced he and his step-daughter would return home. Celine made sure she had one last moment alone with Sebastian before she left; he asked young princess Meldoy to arrenge for them to meet in the study cabinet beside the library.
"Celine" the crab's eyes brightened when she came in. "You came!"
"Of course. I could have never left without saying good-bye"
"You mean without saying 'until next time me meet', right?"
"Yes. Yes, of course"
"It was great to meet you. It's been years since I made a new friend"
"I'd say the same, but to be truth, I had never met anyone like you."
"I bet", he chuckled.
"Well, take care of yourself, Sebastian."
"You too, Celine. I'll see you soon, girl."