Alastor was quite surprised by his behavior today. Not only had he gone so close to the water but not too close, but he was actually opening up to someone about his past and his fears. Something which had never done with anyone, not even Beth. True Beth knew why Alastor was scared of the water but he never really told her all the details. Nor did he ever really talk to her about the love between his parents. He just didn't feel comfortable talking about personal things to anyone. Anyone except Charlie for some reason.

For reasons he couldn't explain, being around her made him feel safe and no longer afraid. With her, the ocean didn't scare him and talking about his feelings didn't scare him. Nothing really scared him when he was with her. But why? Why had this young woman whom he had only known for a short time, help him lower the barriers around his heart? Something that not even his best friend or his own sister could do?

He then turned to side and saw a troubled expression was on Charlie's face.

"Is something wrong?" He asked her.

"Nothing." She said. "Your story is just so sad."

"I know. That's why I don't like to tell it."

"Still it helps to talk about things like that sometimes." She carefully placed her hand over his. "And I'm glad you feel comfortable around me enough to talk about such things. It makes me feel like you consider me a friend."

He looked down at her hand. Normally he wouldn't permit anyone to touch him first, whether or not he was fond of him. But just like with being near the sea and speaking of his feelings, it was different with Charlie.

"I do." He turned his hand to gently grasp hers. "I do consider you my friend. Though I am curious about something."

"What?"

"Did you have any friends back in this commune of yours? Anyone you probably miss now?"

"No. No I never had any friends back where I came from."

"Why is that?"

"I was very strange compared to everyone else. My hobbies and interests, they weren't normal. I would try so hard to fit in but I just couldn't, and my peers would always mock and belittle me." She sighed and looked out at the ocean, thinking of her previously life. "That's another reason why I left, because nobody wanted me for a friend and nobody respected me. I was just my father's misfit daughter."

"Your people must've been blind then my dear."

"Blind?"

"Yes blind, because they couldn't see how remarkable you are."

"That's very kind of you to say Alastor but we both know I'm not anything special. I'm terribly odd. You've seen how people stare at me when I do things differently then what's expected. Some even laugh."

"Well there's no denying that you are different from most people and that you can behave very peculiarly, but I don't see anything wrong with that. As a matter of fact I like your quirks."

"My quirks?"

"You know, the way you're moved by small wonders. The way you see beauty everywhere you look. The way you bravely express your emotions without self-consciousness. I can't imagine anyone not adoring you at first glance."

"Do you really mean that?" She faced him.

"I do. You're one of a kind. The most charming belle I've ever met."

Charlie gazed upon his smiling face and she could not help but wonder, how she could have not recognized him sooner. That exact smile on his face, brought the image of the smiling boy she had saved back into her mind. The same dark-brown hair, the same cheerful brown eyes, and the same sweet smile that had filled her with such happiness. That first time they met, oh how she had wanted to be with him always. She had so wanted him to come back with her to her father's palace and be her playmate. To be the friend that no one else in her life had been because of how different she was.

But he was pulled away from her and had to return to his own world. She could only tearfully watch him from the ocean's surface, unable to follow him and too afraid of the other humans to call out to him. She had spent one year dreaming about seeing him again and during that year she would occasionally rise up to the surface to look for him, but she never found him that year. And when that year ended, she spent the remainder of her childhood trying to forget him. But deep in her heart, she just couldn't.

That's why she felt immediately drawn to Alastor when they seemingly just met. It was because she had formed a connection with him years ago. God she wanted to tell him. The desire to do so was almost unbearable and her heart was just screaming for her to confess. But her brain was sternly reminding her of the consequences that could arise if she didn't keep her mouth shut.

Luckily the battle between her heart and mind were interrupted when the wind had picked up suddenly, followed by Beth quickly coming out of the water and proposing that they now try to fly the kite that they had brought along. She and Charlie ran across the beach holding the kite string while Alastor followed behind, taking pictures of them with Beth's camera.

Charlie was completely wonder struck when she saw the rainbow colors fly with the wind. It was so simple to most yet incredible to the mermaid. That kite was just one of the many lovely things she had seen and admired in the world above. But what she found to be most lovely of all things above, were the emotions she had been feeling since she came here. Especially today. Oh what a wonderful day it was. This trip to the beach with Alastor and Beth had made her happier than she had been in so long. Dare she say, she had become happier today than she had ever been in her life under the sea.

"Are you having fun?" Beth asked her.

"I am." Charlie answered. "More fun that I thought I would when I first came here."

"If you tell your parents about this then they have to realize that there is some good in humanity."

"It'll take a lot more than one day of bliss to convince them. Especially my father, who's as stubborn as a bull shark. But this will at least get them thinking about peace."

"Are you going to talk to them tonight?"

"Yes but I have to go to my grotto to do so. You think that you can keep Alastor distracted long enough for me to do that?"

"That won't be a problem. He's working tonight. As long as your back inside before he comes home, he won't suspect a thing."

"Good."

"And just so we're clear, your parents don't know where you are."

"Sort of. They've figured out that I'm in Southwest waters but they don't know my exact location."

"Any chance they'd come for you?"

"Not after the deal we made."

"But if they'd did come, they wouldn't like try to drown me or Al, would they?"

"You? Probably not. My father may detest all humans but my mother always had a soft spot for human young. She wouldn't allow my father to harm you."

"What about Alastor?"

"I'm afraid neither one of my parents would hesitate to drag him down to a watery grave. But they're not going to come here and even if they did, Alastor won't go in the water so my parents can't do anything to him."

"Your parents are scary."

"I know. But once you get past the whole hatred of humanity, they're actually very nice. Most of the time."

Beth gave her a disturbed look, then the two of them burst out laughing.

"What's so funny?" Alastor asked, once he had finally caught up to them.

"Oh nothing." Beth said. "An inside joke."

"Hey I have an idea. On the way back, why don't we stop by the little ice cream parlor that's just two blocks from the beach?"

"But Alastor you hate ice cream." Beth said.

"I know but you love it and it is essentially your day, so I think you deserve a special treat. Also Rosie says this parlor makes the best ice cream there is and they have your favorite flavor."

"Peppermint?"

"Yes indeedy."

Beth jumped and embraced Alastor tightly.

"Thank you Al."

"You're welcome." He chuckled. "And what about you Charlie dear? After spending a day in the hot sun, would like to cool off with a little ice cream?"

"I don't know what ice cream is."

Beth looked at her as if Charlie had said she didn't know what salt was.

"You've never had ice cream?"

"No. What is it?" Charlie asked.

"Al when we get to this parlor, ask if they have a sampler. I need to educate this woman in what real sweetness is."

Alastor was disgusted at the thought but laughed at his sister's reaction. Then Charlie laughed and finally Beth laughed too. They just laughed and laughed all the way to the parlor.