Zak gave the pilot, who turned out to be Francis a glare. He knew the fish boy, Ulraij, was holding onto him because of a lack of another seat/seatbelt, and because they didn't want him running around the small ship. Not like he could do much without getting himself killed. And death was not on today's agenda. No matter who wished it so.
"Seriously? I was just a little weirder out," Zak said relaxing a bit.
"That gives you no right to scream like a little girl," accused Francis. Zak stuck his tongue out.
"At least I can scream mister stoic," he responded. Not the best comeback, but better than none. Francis let out a ghost of a smile. Zak smirked inwardly.
"That the best you can come up with?" asked Francis with more emotion than any grey man had, but less than a child.
"Uh… yeah… kind of… I was just kidnapped and I haven't had too many interactions with people my age, you Colorless Fruit loop."
Francis was speechless. Ulraij was greatly confused. He took a hand off Zak to rub his forehead.
"Ugh, you surface dwellers are so confusing. Can't you just say what you mean?"
"Where's the fun in that?" laughed Zak. Francis was holding back a smile. Perhaps Francis could be of use to him and his dad. He was sure Francis was thinking the same thing.
"We would all understand," grumbled Ulraij. Zak thought that didn't sound very prince like. But then another thought came to his mind. Weren't they just kids?
He was eleven, twelve in a month. How old were these two? They couldn't be older than him. And if they were, only by a year or less. He thought to everyone else he had seen in this dangerous game. Abbey, Argost, Doc, Drew, the grey men, his dad, and paid killers. All who were twenty at least.
Why am I thinking about this now?
Zak knew why. He was with two people who were in similar situations with him. A fish prince. The life of royalty is rather isolated, like a mercenary. But with him even more so. He probably isn't allowed out of the water unless it's something important. And the other, he was raised to do this, with no emotion.
"That's the fun of being a kid," explained Zak. And he genuinely felt that was true. He was Van Rook's kid. One that had a weird power that would probably end all chances of being normal (like he had a chance).
"Wonder what it's like," mumbled Francis. Ulraij and Zak looked at him. A smile appeared on Zak's face.
"Want to know?" he asked. Francis hit auto pilot and turned his seat around it. He looked Zak square in the eye.
"I'm listening," he said. Zak couldn't help but let his jaw drop.
"I thought Grey men were all for following the rules," mocked Zak. Francis glared at him.
"Technically, I'm a grey kid. And I follow the rules. But that doesn't always mean their rules," he answered. Zak wished he could have seen the evil tricky gleam to his eyes that were hidden by his goggles. He could tell it was there by the sound of his voice.
"So we're going to have fun," said Ulraij with a smile. He was finally getting it. They were… almost brotherly.
"Yeah… I know this awesome place we can go to. It's a place where we can really relax. But you'll need to change your clothes," he said pointing at Francis, "And you'll need a disguise."
"What do you have in mind?" asked Francis as the ship made a u-turn. Zak noted they were heading toward a city. Probably for a change of wardrobe.
"I'm thinking you could pass off as a crazy emo-goth kid, Ulraij for a severe burn victim and I can be the normal one," Zak said.
"You? Normal?" said Francis pointing at Zak's hair. Zak sighed.
"I have a rare hair disease?" he said to make Francis happy. He figured this would be the best time to have fun, spy on the 'enemy' and then find his way home.
"Eh, you really are a shut in."
Ulraij smiled. Obviously not a foreign concept to him. Zak stuck his tongue out at him.
"At least I go outside. I have a tan," he replied. Ulraij went back to confused. Of course he wouldn't have a tan. If he did, he might as well have a sign that said 'Fried Fish'.
This has a reason. Just you wait. Review!