The stage was bustling with sealife as it always did, though no audience was there to view their performance. Despite this they played on, each focusing on their individual piece; adding to the theatre's lively atmosphere. Various merfolk, octopi, turtles, and fish moved about as they cleaned and practiced for their upcoming concert. One of these merfolk, was a young merman freshly 16. His dark blue hair pulled back into a bun as he scrubbed one of the large clams in the center of the stage.
"In the mysterious fathoms below," He sang happily, cleaning some muck off. His name was Skye, and like his kingdom, he enjoyed music— especially singing. In a kingdom where everyone enjoyed and partook in music, only the most gifted were the ones chosen to perform for the palace itself. With so many competing for something that they all enjoyed regardless, Skye never bothered to audition for such things. He was content to work the stage to prepare for the performances. Sometimes he performed with, or for, his coworkers. The princesses enjoyed his flute when they were stressed during rehearsals on occasion.
"Hey, that's one of the human songs, right?" His neighbor asked, the mermaid just beginning to polish her clam.
Skye grinned and nodded to her. Though it was frowned upon by many to interact with the human world, especially since it could land you into hot water with the king, he didn't mind talking to her about it. Yin had been kind to him since they were guppies and was always preferable company for him.
"Yep! I heard it from a passing ship the other night and it's been stuck in my head since," he shared happily. He handed his dirty rag to a nearby octopus and thanked him for the polish he was given in exchange. Beginning to polish the clam, he continued, "I don't where they originate from, but they sang of King Triton with high regard!"
"They must be from the kingdom near ours, they're the only ones I heard call our king by his name. The visitors still think that his father is in charge," She added in. She paused her work, tying her blonde hair into a high ponytail.
"They shouldn't be speaking of our people, let alone our king, at all," A voice snapped.
Skye and Yin turned their heads towards the intruder of their conversation. While everyone was entitled to their personal views and was normally more than welcome to join their many conversations, this mermaid… was as nice as they could say, not the kindest. He'd like to think it was only because of the pressure she placed upon herself, but she acted as such for as far as his memory would allow.
"They weren't speaking ill of us at all, Sirena," Skye responded, "It was praises of his wisdom and might."
"You're a disgrace, truly," She sighed, seeming bored of the confrontation she created. "It's understandable, I suppose. A mediocre merman surrounded by talent. The humans would admire you– your lack of tune would be considered magical to them. It would be a nice trick to show them that you can sing their songs, hmm?" Her ice-blue eyes cut into him, lips settled into a serene smile.
Giggles followed as Nixie, Sirena's friend he presumed from how often they were together, listened in. Skye felt his face becoming red as the clam he polished, refusing to look up at her. If Hades appeared before him to offer a deal for his soul, he'd offer it to him for free- he'd probably thank him honestly.
"It's good that an actual artist like me is singing the solo for tonight's performance rather than a mediocre one like you. Honestly, why are you even here?" Sirena continued.
Skye snapped back bitterly, "If we're lucky, you'll sing so low that we won't have to hear you," as he scrubbed harder than necessary.
Silence suffocated the room, so fast and thick that he felt the hairs on his neck stand. Skye looked up from his work to scan everyone else, most glancing over while others stared at the work frozen, but all listening. Sirena's shocked expression soon morphed into a harsh glare,
" What was that, bottom feeder?"
Skye shrunk under everyone's gaze, his sudden bravery dwindling each second. "You're just-just very proud of your voice and-"
"Is there a problem here?" A deep voice interrupted, their eyes swinging to the older merman approaching them. "Because I don't see anyone doing their prep work, do you want Sebastian to explode?" He inquired, stopping by the pair. "That crab won't settle for anything less than perfection and neither should any of you."
A chorus responded as the majority returned to their work and practices. Skye, Sirena, and their supervisor, Dominic stayed in place. Yin had returned to polishing but her green eyes continuously glanced at the trio every so often.
"Sirena, are you done practicing your notes? Or are you interested in helping your friend clean for the production? What do you intend to spend your time on?" Dominic asked,
The mermaid's face reddened, "Practicing my notes, sir."
"Then start by being where you're supposed to be,"
The mermaid mutely nodded, shooting another glare at Skye. She flicked her tail, swimming back to her singing partners.
The merman sighed before looking down at Skye.
Skye's throat tightened at the attention and he fumbled for his polish to get back to work.
"Be careful, Skye. She's not one to let go of grudges," His boss continued, shaking his head as he swam off to check the others' work.
Skye nodded, a warning he heard before and did not truly heed. Sirena would throw the occasional jab and jeer at him, perhaps it felt daily at times, but she never was truly that cruel. There was no grudge to be had between them.
He settled for humming, polishing his clam until it shined brighter than his orange tail. He scooped up a bucket and scrubber and waved goodbye to Yin as he swam outside. All he had to do was scrape his share of the barnacles off the rocks near the entrance and he'd be good for the day. He went about his work calmly, easily scraping the barnacles into his bucket. Maybe he'd do some extra since he had no other true plans for the day. It was easier for him to clean when he did it because he felt like it at least.
Bucket filled, the merman stretched his arms overhead. He'd fill the bucket once more and then head home. He swam towards the garden, slowing as giggles chorused behind him.
Nixie and Sirena swam into view, a welcomed sight considering Skye didn't see Sirena's brother with them. Sirena set him on edge, but the bigger merman always unnerved him.
Nixie swam close, tail flicking into Skye's shoulder as she circled. "Bottom-feeder?" She sang, pausing as Sirena swam up beside her.
"You better have an apology ready, bottom-feeder," Sirena demanded.
If anyone were to ask, Skye would say that his body had a nervous twitch. But before Sirena could speak further, Skye threw his arms out- tossing all the barnacles and their gunk over the duo.
Dropping the bucket, he flew forward, laughing loudly at his action and fear of its consequences. A shriek came from close behind as he swam towards the Undersea Valley. He made a few sharp turns before dropping into a geyser that skyrocketed him towards the edge of the valley. Without a beat, Skye dropped himself directly under the cave opening where the geyser shot him through down into a patch of seaweed.
Sinking as far into the sand as he could, he quickly pulled some of the dead seaweed over his tail to hide its vibrance. Despite as much as he'd like to watch the opening for his pursuers, Skye bowed his head so that he could blend better with the seaweed.
Two distinct and angry feminine voices shouted into the valley. Their yelling was indecipherable from Skye's position and soon fell into silence.
Skye sat, silently terrified that he'd look up and see Sirena's grin above him. He clutched at the dead seaweed over his tail, hoping the patch was thick enough to mask his presence. He mentally recounted the names of the royal princesses for his sanity. First, in order of age and again in alphabetical order. Satisfied with the passed time, he looked up and sighed in relief to see no merfolk above him.
"Are you playing hide and seek or something?" A voice asked lowly.
Skye felt himself die a little at the question and slowly turned his head. His eyes grew as he took in the leathery face with a mismatched pair of yellow and white eyes.
An eel Skye felt himself rise and move forward.
There's an eel His eyes never left the creature beside him.
An e- His thoughts were cut off as he crashed straight into a rock wall. The last thing he saw was the pair of heterochromia eyes looking down at him.