Chapter 6: Sky and Sea in love
Approaching the ballroom, Kai could already hear Cori and Miriam's laughter. He smiled to himself, before passing Allura and giving a little wave. She was polishing her throne, but turned and gave him a radiant smile before he entered the marbled ballroom, where Cori and Miriam were dancing to a song the nymphs were singing. Quietly closing the door behind him, he watched as they drew close, and Cori gently kissed Miriam on the cheek, Miriam looking surprised for a moment before continuing to dance. The two then spotted Kai watching and waved him over, despite his reluctance to dance. Laughing, the girls dragged him in nonetheless, and spun him round, before the nymphs led them out into the sunshine. Kai took the opportunity to talk to Merlie, who seemed to have the most knowledge of the city and could probably help him. "Merlie? Would it be possible for me to borrow a boat?" He asked, and the nymph instantly gave him a sweet smile. "Of course, little one. A rowboat?" She asked, and the boy nodded eagerly. "If possible, one with two seats." He explained, the nymph heading toward a nearby vendor and conversing with him for a moment. Meanwhile, Stelle led the children toward the ocean, since Miriam and Cori wanted to swim and Kai wouldn't mind passing the time that way either. Diving into the sea, the three of them floated for a while, before clambering onto some stray rocks and chatting together. "So, what should we do about Lucia?" Cori asked, Miriam and Kai both shrugging. "Allura will send out her best mermaids to search, so let's wait until they get back. If she doesn't appear, we can search all of tomorrow, since I'm sure Allura will get them to patrol both in day and night." Kai offered, both girls nodding in agreement. The plan was good enough, and would make sure that their friend was found, but it was also best not to get in the mermaids' way.
After drying off in their rooms, the trio headed back out into the city, where Stelle and Emilie approached the girls, offering to let them try on some of the traditional wear of Atlantis. Enthusiastic, Cori and Miriam agreed, Kai explaining he had some plans that night. He then entered the castle, seeing Fiddle eating dinner, and silently pointed to Allura where he was going. The nymph didn't say anything, but he could tell she understood immediately. He then headed back up to his room to put on some nice clothes the nymphs had prepared for him, and found his way to the docks. Then, he waited.
Fiddle stole out of the castle, cloak shrouded and covering almost her entire face. The same numb expression crept onto her face, but she seemed to have an air of discomfort and fear outside. Gently creeping toward the docks, she found Kai sitting in a rowboat, her face changing slightly. She tensed up.
Kai noticed the change and gently smiled to try and reassure her. "Hey…if you're scared, I'll keep you safe! I use these rowboats all the time." he explained, Fiddle nodding slightly. He held out a hand, and the girl took it, before squeezing it tight as the boat tilted when she entered. Quickly, she sat down, and Kai took the oars. Merlie had explained that the easiest route out was through the old Itarian channels, which used to direct the sailors to the island they wanted to sail to. With a push off the side, Kai sent them down the channel, into the dark, where the familiar sandstone and turquoise ceilings were integrated even still. Due to them being above sea level at the docks, he knew there was a drop, and warned Fiddle to hold on tight. Suddenly, he moved his oar in the water and noticed something amazing. The area where he moved it glowed in bright colour, blues and golds sparkling under the few waves he created. Fiddle suddenly looked up, the roof of the dark channel lighting up with millions of previously dormant fireflies. The two slowly floated through the gentle currents, both taking in the beauty all around, Kai watching as Fiddle looked curiously down at the bioluminescence. He then had an idea, since she seemed like she was enjoying the light show. "Hey, Fiddle? Come sit here for a moment." he whispered, the girl moving next to him. Kai ended up sitting behind her and gently placing her hands on the oars. She seemed a little scared, but he kept his palms on hers, gently guiding her. The two leaned over and began gently moving the oars, tracing them in patterns around the channel to see the trails created by the bioluminescent creatures. Suddenly, the boat tilted back, Kai remembering the drop and quickly moving to hold Fiddle steady, who clutched the oars. Strangely, though, she didn't seem very afraid as they tumbled backwards down, instead her neutral face and body seeming to relax as she leaned against Kai when they fell. Perhaps, then there was no reason to be afraid. Kai let go of her and gently began guiding her arms, showing her how to row as they reached the end of the drop. Using his navigation skills based on the light flooding down the channel, he began turning her away from the horizon, instead giving her a view of the entirety of Atlantis, gleaming above the water. Fiddle's lips parted slightly, a small expression of her awe and curiosity. Kai turned around, before smiling and pulling something out from under the seat- the Blue Horizons book. He opened it to the page with the beautiful sunset, before gently taking Fiddle's wrists off the oars and having her hold the book in front of her eyes, obscuring the view. She was surprised by this, but didn't remove it and waited patiently as Kai turned the boat around toward the horizon, where a glow surrounded the edges of the pages. Gently, Kai positioned them perfectly facing the horizon, and lowered the book, so Fiddle could see the sunset.
The orange glow of the sun spread over the empty horizon, Fiddle almost dropping the book in awe. The sea glowed and sparkled in the light, the view absolutely stunning. The sky was dimmed by the brightness of the sun, yet was somehow painted by the rays all the same. Fiddle trembled slightly, before hearing a strange noise. Under the boat, a dolphin passed, and above, a scarlet macaw flew, both creatures seeming to move in sync. Staring, Fiddle stood up near the edge of the boat, Kai following, and both watched in amazement as the sun set, silhouettes of a dolphin and parrot playing together occasionally visible on the horizon. Gently, for the first time, Fiddle took Kai's hand, and with the other, removed her hood, revealing beautiful brown skin and dark brown hair, little patches of blue scarring present on her face. Her eyes were a beautiful hazel, sparkling as the rays hit them, and, for the first time, Fiddle smiled, meeting his eyes and then hugging him hard, grateful for everything. Though they were from two different worlds, she knew she was the Delphis to his Aurora, and loved him in much the same way. Holding hands, the two watched as the sun disappeared into the sea, and stared at each other, both finally smiling together.
On the way back, Fiddle pulled out some pan pipes and gently began playing a melody, one which reminded him of the bird and dolphin, Aurora and Delphis, and himself and Fiddle. It was gentle, but could be intense where needed, and reminded him how much he cared for Fiddle. As they rowed upward together, Fiddle gently pulled up her hood in the dark, and leaned against Kai again, now more confident in rowing and the two moving as one. Finally, they reached the docks and Kai tied the boat with rope, helping Fiddle to climb out by holding her hand. Merlie approached them, clearly checking if they were alright, and was surprised to see Fiddle with a smile, but gently touched her shoulder, ready to take her home. "Do you know the way back to your quarters, Kai?" she asked, and the boy nodded. It was a simple few turns, but he imagined it may be tougher to find the way back to the palace for Fiddle, especially in the dark. He clambered out of the boat, and gently took Fiddle's hand in his own. "Did you have fun?" he asked, and she nodded, Kai giving her the book back with a smile. "Goodnight, then, Fiddle." he whispered, and she gave a little wave, before walking off into the night with Merlie, Kai going home and dreaming of soaring through the air, following the trail of a dolphin and dancing in the sunlight.