Aquata Cove

Aquata Cove Epilogue 2

The Aquarius Grotto clinks with the many dishes and silverware as usual. The fine dining establishment is full of fine patrons as they enjoy their gourmet seafood. Jason pushes the bridge of his glasses up onto the front of his brown eyes while he wears his formal uniform as he goes along the trolley to collect the dirty dishes, and having a small smile from picking up the tips left for him from the tables he's waited on.

The teenage young man looks to the sunset from the flawless windows before he looks to check his watch. It's time to clock out. Jason picks up the last plate, and pushes the cart towards the kitchen. "Alright, I'm out guys." He tells his coworkers.

"Alright, good work today, Jason!" Says Olivia, his manager. Jason punches his number in and takes his belongings from his locker before exiting the back door. The tanned young man rolls his neck to crack it before he takes a few more steps.

"Oh hey, Jason."

He turns and brightens up as he sees a taller Asian woman wearing her glasses, wearing a pink and ivory tweed suit and her black hair groomed in a bun, "Oh Mom, hi!" Jason trots over to her and gives her a hug. Yuri smiles as she holds him tight.

"Rrhhh, good to see you, honey." Yuri says as she rubs the teen's back some before patting it.

"When did you get back, why didn't you call??"

"I wanted to sit in at the Grotto and surprise you when you come to take my order." She says.

"How was Nagano? Is Aunt Fumiko doing ok?"

"Oh yeah, she's fine. Where's your father, I wanna say hi."

"I saw him about 10 minutes ago around the corner, fishing. He's probably still there."

"Oh great, lets go." She says as they go around the enormous building; the Aquarius Grotto is side-to-side as a joint business with the Fish House. They walk along the backside of the entire structure along the docks, passing the few fisherman casting their rods and lines over the railing.

"Oh, there he is now." Jason points out as they spot a man talking to the Captain. Captain signs a few things while speaking with the Fish House employee, discussing something before the Captain sits back down.

Yuri slowly grins as they arrive over by the usual spot. "Catch anything good yet?" She asked the Captain just as the employee walks away.

The Captain turns to look at Yuri and Jason with his warm brown eyes. His hand goes up to adjust his navy blue hat with the brass shell-slice embedded into the cap, wearing a full-length coat over his rubber overalls and woolen sweater over his thick build. He kicks back as a smile curls from his finely groomed shallow beard, having let it grow half an inch thick. Captain locks the reel into position before sitting up.

"Well looked what the net dragged in." Adam says with a broad smile. He huffs as he gets up out of his chair after setting the rod down.

"Still haven't bothered with that low-carb diet I sent you, I see." Yuri says as she crosses his arms. Adam gives her a mild frown and a quirked brow as he draws his long coat back and puts his hands on his hips, almost emphasizing his pot-belly hidden in his uniform.

"What're you trying to say?"

"I'm saying that you can't go sky-diving without causing a solar eclipse, that's all. Seriously, did you even look at the diet plan??"

"No, Dad just tossed it into the bin." Jason adds.

"Hey, do I pry in on what you eat, boy?" Adam asks, "Yuri, I'm fine."

"Your blood pressure still has me on edge." She says with a slight frown.

"Yuri, that was six months ago, and I happened to be having a panic attack about the operations at the time."

"Dad, you couldn't breath for 5 whole minutes." Jason tells him, "Seriously, Mom says you have Grandpa's heart problems."

"Half the docks were demolished by a hurricane!" Adam exclaims, "You have ANY idea how expensive and horrendous something like that gets?? And I had to manage almost everything since Olivia was out of town for the month!"

"Adam, you had a freaking heart attack." Yuri persists.

"Would you two stop nagging me?" Adam says, "I've been taking the pills and checking my blood pressure every week like you told me. I. Am. Fiiiiiine."

"Yeah?" Yuri digs in her pocket and takes out a coin. She flips it with her thumb, which clinked to Adam's feet, "Pick that quarter up without wheezing. Go on. I'm waiting. I dare you. Now."

"PFFF, hghghgh," Jason snickers as Adam gives her a sour look.

"... Gee, I would, Yuri. But I'd hate to take away what's left of your other daughter's college fund, despite the fact that you just tossed it my way."

"KHogghhllll." Jason scoffs as he suppresses a huge outburst as his Mom leers at his Dad. "This is great, I love this, this is what I live for, this is a fun time." He says lowly to the spectacle.

"Ok, Adam. This is USUALLY the part where I throw you over the railing. But I might actually KILL you, and I'd hate to make a bastard out of my little boy." Yuri says as she puts her hands on Jason's shoulders.

"Yeah, I'm the best bastard you're ever going to know." Adam smirked, "So you're back, huh? Couldn't stay away much longer?"

"Mhm. Dennis has been whining nonstop, Gintatsu has basically been babysitting her own father since I left. Besides, Merrick and Naomi are due back any day now, right?"

"Oh yeah," Adam nods, "It's been a month since I got their latest picture." Adam digs into his coat, and brings out the photographs he's been receiving all year, "Here are the last few ones." Yuri accepts them and smiles as she looks at them, and also noting the writing on the backs.

"She always looks like, completely different when she's wearing kelp and stuff." Jason says as he looks at the older pictures. He moves one behind the pile, and then sees an elderly woman with long white hair and wearing a simple white blouse, standing next to Naomi, both of them smiling, "Wait, I never saw this one." Jason says as he blinks at it, "Who's this lady?"

"Oh, that's Merrick's mother, Umiato." He says as Yuri looks over it as well. Her eyebrows rise as she looks at the both of them.

"Wow, pretty uncanny." Yuri remarks. 
"Yeah, Merrick says they especially look identical when they're underwater." Adam says as they look at the pictures, some of them showing Brishen, Savarna, a few scenes showing the camping equipment Adam sent Taci to deliver to them, some of them taken during the night.

"Yeah. Great. Glad to know she looks like ONE of us." Yuri says flatly.

"Oh not this again..."

"Come on! These two kids don't look anything like me!" Yuri says as she holds a photo of Naomi with one hand and lightly grabbing the top of Jason's head with the other.

"Oh come on, Yuri! Naomi... KINDA looks like you, and Jason has... Uh... Your personality. That counts, right?"

"Heh, in what way, Adam?" Yuri scoffed.

"Yeah, Dad." Jason says with a smirk as he crosses his arms, "In what way?"

"You know... If she had like, black hair... And uh..."

"And?"

"Hhh..." Adam gives Yuri a dulled glare, "You're really gonna make me say it? ... Ok, the eyes, she doesn't have your Asian eyes, and what is it you're trying to prove by bringing this up for the hundredth time?"

"I just think it's `charming' how she looks like her Grandmother rather than her own Mother."

"I know, Mom, it's just not fair, right?" Jason says snidely.

"And you're not one to talk either, boy. You're just basically Adam from a hundred years and a thousand pounds ago."

"Kkhh!" He snickered.

"Excuse me?" Adam says with his hands on his hips, "You're older than me, Kung-Pao Kitten."

"Yeah, by like one year. And I don't age. I mature." Yuri smirked, "Look at me, I'm like a porcelain Geisha doll." "Geisha doll." "Geisha doll."

Adam and Jason said in sync, as Yuri ALWAYS makes that simile. She gives them both a very sour look.

"Yeah, I know. That's another Asian stereotype we don't seem to have in common." Adam says as he goes to get his rod and reels in the line.

"Come on, Dad, play nice." Jason says as he puts his hands behind his head.

"Buddy, if I wasn't playing nice, there would be a LOT more yelling going on."

"Well if you would've went on that diet like you were supposed to, I wouldn't be giving you a problem, now would I?"

"Yuri, for the last time, I am FINE." Adam says as he attaches the hook onto one of the rings attached to the rod as he also picks up his bucket. "You two are blowing it way out of proportion."

"Alright, fine." Yuri checks her phone, "I'll have to catch up with you two later, Dennis is waiting for me to pick him up."

"Wait, wasn't the point of you coming here was to get dinner, Mom?"

"It's more like I stopped by. I'll be back in about in a few hours or so, it's open house at Gintatsu's school. Afterwards, we can meet up at Kahiko Paku'i BBQ for dinner, is that ok?"

"Sounds awesome!" Jason says as he smiles from the promise of his favorite restaurant.

"Alright, I'll see you, sweetie." Yuri hugs Jason and gives him a kiss. "Adam, let me know when Merrick and Naomi get back."

"Sure thing. And great to see you, by the way." Adam says as they hugged too, "I missed you."

"Debatable, but I'll play along." Yuri chuckled before she turns and walks off.

"Ok, bud." Adam says as he turns to his son, "You want a ride home?"

"Sure, Dad." Jason says before they walk off. They make their way into the office. The room is lined with elegant water and fish sculptures around each corner and has a few nautical themed plywood weapons hung up on the walls; Adam has always been an avid collector of prop weapons. On his desk are several unique seashells, files and books along with pictures of loved ones, including Merrick, Naomi, Jason, Yuri, Jamal, his parents, even one where Adam was promoted by Captain Oliver Grugger himself to succeed the Fish House, with Captain's daughter next to him to take ownership of the Aquarius Grotto as a joint-partnership. There is also a small rainbow flag in Adam's pen and pencil cup. A big white and blue trident is posted upon the wall on the back in the middle, with a thin layer of mist flowing down from the solid ice surface, as it always has.

Adam takes off his sailor coat and hangs up it up on the stylized fishhook hangers on the wall, as well as his Captain's cap, before putting away his fishing rod and bucket alongside several different kinds of fishing rods. "Seriously though Dad..." Jason says.

"Hm?"

"Are you... Ok with your heart thing? You know Mom says..."

"Oh my God, I'm fine!" Adam smirked, "She just loves busting my balls, has for years. If she REALLY thought something was very wrong with me, she wouldn't waste time talking about it. Heck, she'd probably stick me with a needle while I sleep."

"Heh heh, busting your balls. Isn't that Pop's job?" Jason taunted.

"Hey! What happens when I sleep with the fishes is between me and the haddock."

"Pffggh, yeah, right."

"The heart pills are doing me just fine. And besides that, I am NOT that FAT!" He says as he holds his arms about, "Seriously, when are you people going to stop talking to me as if I run out of breath just by blinking?!"

"O-Ok, sorry, Dad." Jason said quickly, "Mom's just always said about your heart problems, and said you should be going on a diet, and..."

"Buddy, I AM on a regular diet." Adam says with an exasperated smirk, "I eat just fine and I still work out 3 days a week, fat is just harder to lose than it is to put on, and I just don't really bother with it. Jeez, I never get THIS much grief out of your Pop and sister." He says as he gets his regular jacket from the coat rack. 
"I just, I worry about you, Dad." Jason said, "You know you really freaked us out when you had that stroke back then. It was scary..."

"Trust me. Your Mother has a habit of making a storm out of a drizzle." Adam gets his Captain's cap back on and gets his keys, "And as God as my witness, I am NOT going on a specific diet with you around again. You have no idea what it's like to have your own son get to dictate what you get to eat."

"That was awesome though!" Jason sneered as Adam walks out and closes the door, locking it promptly after.

"I swear to God, boy." Adam growls, "You may have my looks, but you seriously have your Mother's bitch streak."


Moments later, they get into Adam's car and they drive out of the parking structure and onto the street, "Hey so Dad, any idea when Pop and Naomi are coming back? Did the last picture say?" Jason asked.

"Not really. Supposedly, it takes them a week or two to get to where Atlantis is, a little less than a month tops. It's supposed to be like a maze or something."

"Can I see the pictures again?"

"Sure." Adam hands them over for Jason to look over. Jason smiles as he looks over the various poses Merrick and Naomi assume, and looking at one or two with Umiato in them. He chuckles as he sees the small tent Adam sent them so Naomi can sleep in a sleeping bag instead of underwater, then one of a campfire with a couple of unfamiliar people around it, looking worried over some fish and squid being roasted on an open fire -- probably Merrick's mother, sister or something. Another one is of Naomi petting the erect pectoral fin of a moderate sized whale besides the rock-reef. Jason smiles as he looks at another photo of Merrick in his true form, sitting on a rock like a chair and holding his trident in his hands.

"You've met Grandma before, right? Merrick's Mom?"

"Yeah, a few times, years ago. I've seen her now and then, but we haven't talked since our wedding though."

"What, did you have a fight with her?"

"Oh, no. God no, it's nothing like that." Adam checks his rear-view mirror, "I told you, merfolk aren't allowed to talk to us. I talked to her, but she couldn't actually speak back to me. Just a matter of technicality, that's all. She's actually a very nice mermaid."

"What was she like then?" Jason asked curiously.

"Hm, well... The first time I met her... Yeah, it was when Merrick almost died in an oil spill." Adam answered, "I took him to the house and tried to help, but she had to lure me into the water. Then she um..." Adam chuckled, "Yeah, she threatened to kill me if I didn't help your Pop survive."

"What??"

"It was just a tough front." Adam says as they make a turn, "She was just worried out of her mind about Merrick because neither of us could heal him, and she had to tell me where to take him to get help. After he got better, she was actually very gracious about it. That was when she found out that Merrick was gay, when I accidentally told her."

"Pffff, how did you `accidentally' tell Grandma that Pop was gay?"

"Easier than you'd think." Adam says with a chuckle, "Anyway, in general, Umiato is a very soft-tempered woman. She has a very accepting nature and very understanding. If it weren't for her husband, Merrick could've stayed with them a lot longer before they kicked him out. It was really hard on all of them."

"Yeah. I guess I'm never going to meet her..."

"In my experience, `never' is a very long time. But yeah, I wouldn't put any money on it."

They drive into the old gravel driveway, where the house still resides within a large and broad driftwood fence. "You want to stick around for a while, Dad? Watch some TV?"

"Well..." Adam checked for the time on his phone, "... I have about 35 minutes before I have to get back."

"Ok, cool."

"I'll get the mail." They walk to the mailbox and unlocked it, pulling out several envelopes.

"Dad, I can check my OWN mail."

"Let's see..." Adam says as he sifts through them, "A bill, a bill, a bill, jury duty, eviction notice, overdue Netflix bill."

"Daaaaaad." Jason rolled his eyes. Adam does this EVERY time.

"Overdue bill for the sex-line..." Adam casually jested, "Back order for inflatable doll... Oh hey, we got something from Japan." Adam says as he takes an internationally sealed and stamped envelope.

"What, seriously?"

"It's from your Aunt Fumi and Uncle Arnie." Adam says as he opens it up and takes out the written letter within and looks it over, "Here, it's in Japanese." Adam says as he gives the paper to his son. Jason takes it as he leans on the fence and scans the letter, his eyes starting from the right side and reading downward, and then up, and repeat.

"... Oh it says Uncle Arnaav made it just in time before Aunt Fumi went into labor." Jason says as he raised his eyebrows.

"Huh... Oh, the envelope came with pictures." Adam then takes out a few photographs depicting the young man with the light brown skin, a thin layer of facial hair below his jaw, with Fumiko in a hospital bed holding a newborn baby in in a wrapped blanket, and so is Arnaav. Both of them are smiling in the photo. "What is it about merfolk that they prefer sending letters and photos instead of email?"

"They had twins -- two boys." Jason noted as he reads the Hirogana and Kanji, "Wait, it says Arnaav barely just got there when she started. Wasn't he gone for over a year?"

"Yeah. I guess merfolk babies take longer to develop." Adam says, "Yuri was pregnant with Naomi for almost sixteen months, she didn't even start showing until like seven months in."

"Oooook." Jason says before they turn and go to the front door, "Hey wait, if Uncle Arnaav made it back by now, you think Pop and Naomi should be back soon too?"

"Not a clue; I don't know where their Kingdoms are, Jase." Adam says as Jason unlocks the door to open it, "For all I know, they could..." They walk in, and stop dead in their tracks. 

There they stand, Merrick just putting on the last button of a short-sleeve polo shirt with cargo shorts, and Naomi staring at the door with her hands in mid-earring wearing a cyan tanktop and skirt.

"Oh my God!" Adam ditches the mail on the kitchen table and rushes over.

"Pop!" Jason says as he jogs over to them.

"Papa!" Naomi says as she lets her hair fall without her accessory to come to hug Adam.

"Oh my GOD, you're back!!" Adam says as he bends over and hugs his teenage daughter.

"You made it!" Jason says as he grips Merrick's forearm before his other dad pulls him into a tough hug.

"By the depths, it's been freaking ages!" Merrick says through excited gritted teeth as he pats hard on Jason's back.

"When did you get back?!" Jason asks with high enthusiasm as they scramble amongst themselves.

"We literally just walked through the back half an hour ago!" Naomi answers. 
"Look at you, boy!" Merrick says brightly as he grasps Jason's shoulders, "God, I feel like you've gotten taller!"

"Papaaaaa!" Naomi nearly squeals before Adam hugs her again, even picking her up.

"Ffffff, sweetie, you feel lighter!" Adam says before he sets her down, her giggling with excitement before she hugs him again, "Have you been eating right??"

"Not much to eat except what's on the reef! I was practically living off your care packages!"

"Oh for God's sake, Naomi, there was plenty to eat if you weren't so picky!" Merrick smirks.

"Raw fish isn't exactly what I'd call a steady meal, Dad!"

"Wait wait, where's Sabrina??" Adam asked as he peers over to the door to Sabrina's room, "Is she here too?"

"No, she and Aunt Syrinx are going to be with Uncle Kevin for a week before she comes back." Naomi answered.

"Oh! Pop, hang on, I want to show you something!" Jason says as he then dashes into the hall and into his room.

"Mnnnnhhh, I missed you Papa!" Naomi says as she hugs Adam tighter.

"Me too, honey, it's been too quiet around here."

"I missed you too, Papa Bear~" Merrick says to prompt Adam to stand up straight.

"Need I say the same, babe?" Adam grinned as he and Merrick finally embraced for the first time in a year and a half, "Mmmff! The bedroom's been way too quiet without my-"

"Ack! Don't!" Naomi whined, "Can't we just have a nice moment here, Papa???"

"I'm kidding, sweetheart." Adam says as he goes and kisses her head, "Oh my God, I still can't believe you guys are here!"

"Pop, here!" Jason says as he rushes in with a framed document and something large and silver to show Merrick, "Check it out!"

"Right, what's this?" Merrick asked as he first takes the framed piece, "`Certificate of Top Honors of Oceanography'. Wow, congratulations, Jase! THAT'S my boy!" 

"And look! I was in the International Kendo Tournament in Japan last year!" Jason says as he holds up his glamorous silver trophy.

"Wow, 2nd place in the Internationals??" Merrick raises his eyebrows as he takes the trophy, "Nicely done, I knew you had it in you, buddy!"

"I would've made 1st if you sparred with me everyday."

"Next time you go for the gold, I'll whip you into perfect shape." Merrick says with a grin and hugging Jason with one arm while holding the trophy with the other as they go to the living room couch and coffee table.

"So how's the Fish House, babe?? Anything big happen, Captain?"

"Business as usual." Adam says with a smile, "Olivia is still riding my ass when she has the chance, but she's still awesome with the paperwork. But enough about that, what was Atlantis like??"

"Oh my gosh, I can't even begin to describe it." Merrick says.

"It was really amazing." Naomi says, "It was like living in a city of coral castles. There were all kinds of merfolk everywhere, and all kinds of sea animals!"

"Hahaha, Naomi had her eyes on a few mermaids while we were there." Merrick grinned.

"Oh reallyyyy?" Adam says with a broad smile.

"Yeah, and there were just as many mermen too. I got hit on like a dozen times."

"And I nearly killed every one of them for putting the moves on my daughter." Merrick said with a stone-face.

"Pfff, ha!" Jason snirked.

"Oh please, you were practically giving me away, Daddy." Naomi rolled her eyes.

"I was TESTING you, honey."

"And what about Richard?" Jason said with a chuckle, "I thought you and he were going out?"

"We're just friends, dummy." She retorts, "Richard is awesome, but I'm not sure if he's really my type. There was this really handsome Rain Fish merman who was really shy, but oh, so sweet. And there was this Wave Streak mermaid that was really interested with me, but to be honest her tail looked too much like Dad's for me to really get into."

"Wow, judging a girl by her looks? That's new for you, sweetie." Adam smirked.

"Hey! She was nice, but I don't really want to be with anyone who might remind me of my father. It's creepy!"

"What the hell about me is creepy, Naomi??" Merrick asked.

"You really have to ask, Pop?" Jason asked.

"You know what, Naomi would be lucky as hell to have at me." Merrick says as he pounds a fist to his chest.

"Ok, where are you going with this, babe?" Adam asked with a quirked brow.

"I don't know, your daughter is giving me a complex." Merrick shakes his head.

"What about you, Jason?" Naomi asked, "Is Tracy still interested? Or did you split?"

"Eh, it's a kind of an on and off again kind of thing." Jason says as he wavered his hand, "She and I can't seem to decide if we're really into each other. I mean, I kinda want to see about Felicity, but I don't want to come off like I just want to have sex."

"Easy there, bud." Adam says with a clasp to his son's shoulder, "I don't want people to think my kid is a hustler either."

"Soon as I can get a straight answer on Tracy, I'll let you know." Jason says as he shrugs off the hand. "I'm not sure if I really wanna girlfriend at the moment though, I still have a ton of classes to get ready for."

"Oh yeah, that reminds me," Adam says as he snaps his fingers, "Merrick, Yuri got in today, she wanted to see if you and Naomi made it back yet. She was wanting to have dinner with us at Kahiko Paku'i BBQ."

"YES! Say yes, Dad! You say it right now!" Naomi nags loudly.

"Ok ok ok, I'll give her a call then." Merrick laughs as he gets up, "You know your daughter has been a total whiner the whole trip. It was like taking a Kardashian on a no-tech camping hike."

"Daaaad!" Naomi growls, "Would you stop saying that please???"

"Well honey, if I am at all wrong, please. Do feel free to correct me."

"Here, I want to call Olivia too, I'm out for the day." Adam says as he gets his phone out.

"Hey, Jase, I want to show you something, come on." Naomi says as she nods too her brother.

"Oh sure." They get up and migrate away to her room.

"I'll be right back, Papa!" Naomi says.

"Ok..." Adam says as he watches them intently, holding his phone to his ear.

They enter into Naomi's room, decorated with Japanese-style paintings she and Yuri did together as well as an entertainment center with a flat-screen TV with two PlayStation consoles and a charming desk with a laptop placed upon it. On another corner of the room, there is very large brass cage with several smooth branches and logs nailed and attached around with the decorative gate open.

A white and yellow bird nods and bobs up and down a few times as the two teens enter, "Hi Pearl!" Naomi says with sugary sweet tone as she holds her arm out. The cockatoo squeaks a few times before her wings open and flap and promptly flying from the few top branches outside of the cage that was right next to the open window, and glides over to Naomi's arm. "Oh my gosh, whose my pretty birdy? You're such a smart little sweetie, aren't you~? Oooohhh missed you so much, Pearly." She coos with puckered lips as she strokes her knuckles into the parrot's head feathers.

"Fucking pigeon was a pain in the ass all year." Jason scowled.

"Eeeaaaoookk!" The white bird squawks threateningly at him as she opens her wings and fluff out her feathers at him.

"Yeah, just try it, I'll still make you extra crispy! I don't give a fuck, Leghorn!"

"Nonononono, eeeaasy sweetiegirl, easy~" Naomi shushes, easily making Pearl's feathers smooth over, close her wings, and push into the petting on her head. "Awwww was Jasey big and mean to my little tweety bird?"

"I opened the freaking cage to feed her and she tries to claw my eyes out! I had to get my glasses fixed like a dozen times!" Jason protested.

"Awwooo she just missed me lots" Naomi coos to her pet. "You let her outside to fly?"

"Yes." Jason said irritably, "Sometimes she didn't come back for a few nights, I was freaking out half the time afraid she was going to fly off."

"She likes to hang out on the roof and trees, it's ok."

"Not when I don't want to look after someone else's flying rat!"

"Hahaha, and Dad says I'M a whiney little bitch."

"Well, you are." Jason says gloatingly.

"Hey, you try going without a bed, friends, social media and processed food for a over a whole year and then talk to me about toughing it out." She then gives two whistles as she moves her arm up. Pearl obediently spreads her wings and flies right back to her beautiful while and brass cage/tree.

"Ok, so check this out." Naomi says as she turns to Jason.

"Wow..." Jason says as Naomi demonstrates a mirror-like formation around her hands, a breeze of snow and frost racing around her hands like a flurry river. The frost then migrates to her palm and grows into a tiny tree. Jason looks closer to note the highly intricate branches; even the leaves are delicate specs of ice.

"Normally, Noita powers are restricted in human form, but Grandma and Aunt Savarna showed me how to slip a few cracks."

"But you can't make like an ice sculpture unless you're a mermaid though, right?"

"Pretty much, yeah. They said my being human makes me flexible with what I can do."

"Why can't I have any powers??? Dad's been with Pop for years, I should have SOMEthing like that!"

"As Dad told me a thousands times on our trip." Naomi then flicks her fingers at Jason. His sister then released a small layer of frost to whiten Jason's face and also completely screening his glasses with a sparkling layer of white "Deal with it."

"I'll deal with you with a freaking hook, Frosty the Snow Bitch." Jason says as he takes his glasses off to rub off the frost from the lenses.

"Oh yeah, look," Naomi then goes to her kelp pouch, and takes out an old fashioned digital camera in a hard plastic container.

"Hah, took a fossil to a ruin? Don't you think that's a bit redundant?"

"If I had my phone, I could have used THAT." Naomi then turns on the digital camera, and selects the album file. Jason leans in to see a selfie of his sister in her mermaid form. She presses the arrow button to move on to the next one.

"I can barely see it..." Jason says as he squints at it.

"Hang on..." Naomi adjusted the settings to clarify the image, showing the entirety of Atlantis.

"Whoa..." The pictures clip to the next.

"This is Aunt Savarna's husband, Aalton."

"Whoa, he looks badass." Jason admired.

"He is. He's like, extremely serious and almost always stone-faced, but he's actually a very open-minded guy." They look through a few more pictures.

"... Oh hold on, go back." They backtrack to a picture of Umiato with her head turns as she drifts in the water, "Is this Grandma? Like, Pop's mom?"

"That's right."

"Holy shit, she looks exactly like you."

"I've been hearing that all year." Naomi chuckles, "And this is Brishen, Merrick's best friend."

"Hahaha, I know, I saw him in one of the photos that were sent, but I haven't seen him like this."

"Atlantis was amazing besides." She says as they go through a few clips of the architecture, "Almost everything was made out of coral." Naomi moves on to a picture she took of a few merfolk, over to an exotic and huge octopus, "Oh and this is one of the Disciples that ran the place." She says as she reveals the image of a unique and stranger mermaid with glowing silver eyes.

"What the... I gotta be honest, that one's kinda creepy."

"They're all like that, despite their species. They're the merfolk who see the truth and literally worship the moon -- like, every night, they stare at it and pray. And the weird thing is, they're all blind."

"Blind?? What, did they need to have their eyes changed to be there?"

"No, they're just born that way. Since they can't see the real world, they basically see everything else, if you know what I mean."

"... Wait, if they're blind, how do they eat or move about?"

"Supposedly, they can see the life force in everything, so when they need to feed, they just draw to what they can find with the auras all around... Either that, or the Ningyo takes care of them."

"The what?"

"Oh yeah, Ningyo." Naomi clicks a few slides forward, and stopped at a picture of a shining golden merfolk statue. "They're basically the police force of Atlantis... Or FBI, executioners, SWAT Team, the Elite Four kind of thing. If a merfolk gets too troublesome, they're sent to put a stop to it."

"Executioners?"

"So I've heard. I haven't seen them kill anyone the whole time I was there."

"That you know of."

"What'cha got there?"

"HAH!" They both jumped from the sudden sound of Adam's voice, "O-Oh, hi Papa!"

"Why so surprised, kids?"

"You just snuck up on us, Dad, the door was closed."

"Uh-huh. Left open a crack." Adam leans on the doorframe and crosses his arms, "Why was it closed though? Got something to hide?"

"No, Papa, I just, I just wanted to show something to Jason, that's all."

"Aaaand what could you show Jason what you couldn't show me or Merrick?"

"Um, it's nothing, just... I took a few pictures of our trip, that's all, Papa."

"Really. Lets see it."

"Uh... Ok..." Naomi says hesitantly as she then brings up the digital camera. She shows Adam a few of the pictures, clicking on the arrow button without being able to see. Adam nods as he raises he brows.

"Wow. Those are nice."

"Yeah! There were all kinds of great things around." Naomi says, still racked with nerves.

"Sounds amazing." Adam agreed before he stands up from the frame and holds out his hand, "Now give it here, sweetie."

"What?! But Papa!"

"I don't want those pictures getting anywhere, young lady. Give me the camera."

"Dad, we're not going to show anyone, I swear." Jason said.

"I know you won't. Give me the camera."

"But Papa, it took me forever to get good shots!"

"And why do you think that is, Naomi?" Adam asked, "Atlantis is sacred beyond words, taking pictures is probably blasphemy for all you know."

"But there aren't any rules against it either, Papa."

"I don't care." Adam says calmly, "If you had to hide it, you know it's not right. Give me the camera."

"But Papa-"

"Don't `Papa' me, sweetheart." Adam frowned, "Would you be ok if Merrick were to find out about this?"

"I, he wou- No, but-"

"Ok, so in THIS case, I'd say you're getting off lucky, don't you think?"

"Dad, it's just a few pictures." Jason said, "Even if anyone DID see them, they'd probably think it's just Photoshop or CGI or something."

"You raise a valid point. Give me the camera." Adam insisted.

"Papa-"

"Are you gonna be smart about this, or is Merrick going to give you the lecture of a lifetime?" Adam says with a calm scowl, "At least with me, I'm willing to keep it quiet. You knew it was wrong then, and you know it's wrong now. You both got a good look, and now it needs to stay out of anyone's record where they don't belong."

"No, I didn't see all of them-" Jason started.

"I don't want to hear it. You should've been smarter about this. Give me the film, or Merrick will have to know about this. Or do I need to tell you the LAST time someone got their hands on this kind of evidence? Because I REALLY don't want to dig up ancient history that WASN'T from your trip."

After a stubborn few seconds, Naomi sniffed as her eyes rimmed with angry moisture as she turned off the camera, and clicked the small compartment open, and she handed over the data chip to Adam's hand.

"Thank you, very, much." Adam said sternly before he turns around and walks out of the room, closing the door behind him.

"... So where'd you hide the back-up?" Jason asked after a minute.

"Where do you think? At the back of my sock drawer. I put it away after me and Daddy got back, they were already in my laptop when Dad went to take a shower." Naomi answers as she wipes the partially fake tears, not even sounding upset. 


~~~

Adam walks into the garage, and approaches the fly-fish hook table. He puts the camera chip onto a vice and turns it tight, "I'm sorry about this, honey..." He says as he takes a pair of needle-nose pliers and snapped the chip in half. He snaps it into several pieces before letting them fall into a trashbin.

"Hey, stud." Merrick says with a knock on the door. Adam turns and grins as his husband approaches him, "What're YOU doing here all by yourself?"

"Oh just ditching some evidence." Adam said with a cocky smirk.

"Oh? What kind of evidence?"

"Ahhh, your son dug up some pictures I took when I ah," Adam adjusted to look aloof, "Fucked the mayor's son while you were gone."

"How's that again?" Merrick snickered.

"Well, got bored." Adam shrugged, "Got lonely. And he was tight, baby," Adam smirked, "Sure, he kept calling me `Mommy' every time I spanked him, but I didn't mind."

"Hahahaha, sooo... Let me see if I have this straight. You cheated on me... With a 12 year old." Adam scoffed and snickered, "Who OBVIOUSLY has mother issues. And you're just NOW getting rid of the evidence after an entire year just when we got back?"

"I- whu- you- Ahhpfff, pssyaa," Adam stammered, "I-I-I-In my defense, he was really good. Like, I saw God every time we banged, and he does this thing with his ear when it touches my-"

"PFfffhghghghghgh! You are so full of brine, babe." Merrick smirked as he comes in and kisses Adam again, this time a little more slowly and affectionately. Adam rests his rump on the large wood table as Merrick puts his head on his shoulder. "Hahhhh... You know what I kinda regret?"

"Forgetting to brush your teeth when you got home?"

"No, smart-ass." Merrick slaps his back, "I just wish I had a camera that works in the water."

Adam's eyes widen slightly, "What?"

"Well, there's only so much Naomi and I can describe, but more pictures of Atlantis would've been great." Merrick says as he walks around, fiddling with a random item.

"Ah-I-Uhm... But I thought you weren't allowed to bring electronics with you?"

"I know. But still, being able to show the others about our trip would've been easier."

"But, babe... It could have been sacrilegious for all you know."

"If it was, the Disciples would've been all over it immediately." Merrick said as he points a tool casually at him, "You'd be surprised what those blind eyes can pick up."

"But wouldn't you get in SOME kind of trouble?"

"Mm, there's no laws that says we can't."

"Wouldn't you feel guilty about it??"

Merrick shrugs, "Felt a lot less for a lot worse."

"What about... You know, the government? What if somehow they got ahold of these pictures?"

"Why, were you planning on going E.T. on me with a bunch of white HAZMAT guys?"

"Ah, pff, no!" Adam scoffed.

"It's not like we'd send the pictures to the news papers, hun." Merrick conjectured, "We'd just show them to close people, Yuri, Jamal, you know. Besides, anyone else would just debunk it as Photoshop or something. Humans have been in denial for centuries about evidence like that, haven't they?"

"Yep... We suuurrre have..." And now Naomi is probably going to hate Adam for the next while for no good damn reason.

"Like, not even joking." Adam says as they finish what's left of their meals, "Debbie just kept trying to pick up the octopi just over and over again, even when I kept telling her to just, `chill out, calm down, we can't sell them now anyway'."

"Well it sees kind of wasteful don't you think?" Dennis asked, "They just fell on the floor, couldn't you just rinse them off?"

"Doesn't work like that." Adam answers, "And she just, she freaked out after the whole thing just fell apart and walked out on the job."

"Are you serious??" Yuri asked, "What are you going to do?"

"I gave her a call, but she says she can't handle working at the Fish House," Adam shrugged.

"Hey, everybody!" Jamal says as he walks up to the booth wearing his casual clothing instead of his chef's coat, pulling up a chair, with his previously injured hand now wrapped in bandages.

"Oh hi!"

"Mmm! Wow, Jamal!" Merrick says as he gets up and hugs Jamal, "Great to see you!"

"Shit, man, freakin missed you, man!" He responds before settling back down.

"Oh hey, is karaoke on tonight?" Yuri asked.

"Sure, we just gotta head to the Party Room's all." Jamal says.

"Ooh Naomi, you and Adam should do a song!" Yuri suggests eagerly

"What?" Adam scoffed, "Nooo, it's too sudden, she just got here."

"Mmmhh!" Naomi says after taking a drink from her glass, "Yes! Come on, Papa, lets do it!"

"Naw, I just, I don't feel like it, come on." Adam whined with a smirk as he's tugged and pushed forward.

"Come on, just do it."

"Go on."

"Just one, just on." They insisted as he chuckles and pulled up to his feet. 
"No, I'm not gonna." Adam protests pointlessly while smiling and lazily lets himself get pulled up, "I want ice cream. I don't wanna sing. I don't feel like it. This is a form of vocal abuse." He jokes as Naomi takes him. Adam picks things up and walks with her into a partially empty hall in the restaurant -- the Party Room, as they call it, is mostly reserved for catered and special occasions such as birthday parties, meetings, etc.

The rest of them walk through the restaurant to join in on the room while Adam and Naomi go to the idle D.J. booth. Jamal walks to it, and accesses it with his employee code number.

"What're you up for, honey?" Adam asked as he rubs her arm.

"Um... I dunno, same as usual?"

"I don't know what that is."

"Ok um... Make It Shine? Wanna go for that?"

"Hang on, which..." Adam thought for a moment as he tries to recall the lyrics of the song, "Deh dah dah... Yeah, I think I remember, from Victorious, right?"

"Yeah!" She nods before turning Jamal, "We're going for Make It Shine, by Victoria Justice, Uncle Jay-Jay." 

"Aight, you got it..." Jamal says as he looked a few things up on the computer attached to the speakers and other equipment, "All set!"

"Awesome." Adam smiles as he takes a stool, as well as a microphone and a Psytar -- a pseudo toy of an advanced-looking guitar that plays various kinds of tones and sounds. It has a sleek and fantasy-sort of look to it, curved as to look like a cross between a harp, a piano, and a guitar. They're relatively easy to operate, though enough practice and interest can make it into a great addition to any sort of music. Naomi takes another mic with her, before she stands next to Adam, letting her hair loose, and the small plasma screen placed at the front of the stage prepares the lyrics.

The music rings a rising guitar song, a warm and energetic melody, feeling like a sunrise as the lights around the medium-sized stage turn yellow with a hint of pink.

"~Here I am, once again~" Naomi sings, "~Feeling lost ~ But now and then ~I breathe it in ~To let it go~" She serves in place as she looks at her Papa. Adam smiles as he starts to make complimenting music as the song goes. 
"~And you don't know where you are now" He sings to the mic posted at the stand in front of him "~Or what it would come to if only somebody could hear~" 
"~~When you figure out how~~" They both sing simultaneously, "~~You're lost in the moment ~You diiiiisaaappeeeeEEEEAAAAaaaaarrrrrrrr~~" Both of them gracefully extends the harmony as the music bounces on. Adam cranks a knob on the Psytar and proceed.

"~You don't have to be afraid to put your dream in action ~You're never gonna fade you'll be the main attraction~" 
"~Not a fantasy~" Naomi wags her finger, "~Just remember me ~When it turns out right~" 
"~~'Cause you know that if you live in your imagination~~" They harmonize again, "~~Tomorrow you'll be everybody's fascination~~" 
"~In my victory ~Just remember me ~When I make it shiiiiiiine!~" Naomi's beautiful voice rings across the hall. The rest of the family dances in their seats as they clap to the beat. 
"~Reaching high~" Adam stands up from his stool, rocking the Psytar as it lights up in response to his hands, "~Feeling low ~I'm holding on but letting go "~I like to shine
I'll shine for you~" He says as he affectionately strokes Naomi's cheek, to which she giggles and rubs his wrist before he lets go. 
"~And it's time to show the world how~" Naomi reaches forward and dances as she sings, "~It's a little bit closer ~As long as I'm ready to go ~All we have is right now
As long as you feel it inside you knooOOWWW~!"

"~~You don't have to be afraid to put your dream in action~~" They sing at the same time as they match their footwork, "~~You're never gonna fade you'll be the main attraction ~Not a fantasy ~Just remember me ~When it turns out right ~'Cause you know that if you live in your imagination ~Tomorrow you'll be everybody's fascination~~" 
"~In my victory~"

"~Just remember me~" 
"~~When I make it shiiIIIInnne!~~"

The music goes into a short interlude as Adam dances with his daughter, twirling her and switching places in movements before they go back to the mics.

"~Everyone can tell you how it's all been said and done~" Naomi sings.

"~OowhoaOh~!" 
"~That harder times will change your mind and make you wanna run~"

"~But you want it~" Adam chimes, "~And you need it~

"~~Like you need to breathe the air~~" 
"~If they doubt you ~Just believe it~"

"~~That's enough to get you theeeerrre~~"

Adam strums the electric instrument in a fast and hard swing to ring in a shot of melodies, "~You don't have to be afraid to put your dream in action ~You're never gonna fade you'll be the main attraction~"

"~Not a fantasy ~Just remember me ~When it turns out right~" 
"~~'Cause you know that if you live in your imagination ~Tomorrow you'll be everybody's fascination~~"
 "~In my victory~"

"~Just remember me~"

"~When I make it SHIIIINNNE!~~" They finish off with a bang, and earn applause from the others as well as a few local diners. Adam puts down the Psytar and takes Naomi's hand, they raise their arms up and take a bow before getting off stage, just as a few more patrons start to come in, curious to do some karaoke too.

"I haven't been early all year, I finally got to hang out." Jason says as he and Merrick walk into the dojo, both of them wearing seishin robes -- the difference being Jason wearing a white one with a black belt, with Merrick wearing a royal blue one with the white kanji for `moon' printed on the back of his and wearing a white belt with black tips, as well as Merrick's seishin top being longer so it reaches a little past his knees.

"Yeah. I hope you had fun catching up on sleeping, cause I'm back and so is your preemptive practice." Merrick tells him as they set their duffels down. Merrick's room is more ocean-themed than the other dojo rooms, having wall-scrolls depicting either koi fish and lily pads or else ocean waves or other various water mythical creatures, aside the merfolk and seabed décor around, "Glad they haven't changed my room at all at least."

"Yeah, I- Wait, Pop, why'd you bring THAT?" Jason asked as Merrick takes out his trident -- formerly a harpoon, it's now a polished wood with synthesized stone-based metal of the ornate and symmetrical 3-pronged top and the elongated diamond-shaped spear bottom as he clicked the two pieces together.

"Well why not?" Merrick asked, as if it's completely normal to include a trident in a Mixed Martial Arts dojo, "It's my weapon of choice by birthright, it'd be inappropriate not to have it."

"But you never had it before, Pop. People'll think it's weird!"

"You make a very good point. Good thing I'm not actually people." Merrick said with a smirk. 
"But are you going to teach the others how to use a trident??"

"Of course not! They're not Tritons. If they want a trident, get their own."

"Then why bring it??"

"Because I am and I have a trident."

"Pop, I- Ugh, we're just going around in circles." Jason rubs the corners of his eyes under his glasses.

"I already cleared it with Kahuna Hokulani, and she understands -- she's actually intrigued with the concept of learning and teaching combat with weapons with a hook-appendage, like a Keyblade or a harpoon. Or otherwise using a kind of weapon that can pin down an opponent."

"Ok, so are you going to explain that to the other students?"

"Naw, I'm just gonna let them guess." Merrick said with a snicker as he spins his trident a few times while Jason gets his Kendo sword out, "Alright, now show me why you got the silver at Internationals."

"Yessir..." Jason says after he puts on his protective goggles and equipped the required practice pads, while Merrick is just wearing his blue uniform.

"Now."

Merrick dashes forward, flying with only a few steps touching the floor, right before he was right in front of his son. Jason's weapon appears in front to block the trident's shaft. Merrick whirled around and swung his trident, only to get blocked by the sword again. Merrick deals a fast barrage of strikes against the practice sword for a couple of minutes.

"What's wrong, old man?" Jason jeered playfully through his helmet, "Rusty?"

"I'm a fish, kid. Testing the waters is what I'm supposed to do." Merrick replies right before his trident whips around and strikes Jason's sword down harshly.

"Ah!" Jason swerves away before Merrick lunges and spins a kick towards him before the sharp end of the trident's bottom sends up an uppercut, before he turns and launches his palm forward, which is hit aside by Jason's sword, "H-Hey! Whoa! Slow down! That's sharp!"

"You think MY Father would've let me ask him to slow down?!" Merrick replies as he grapples the sword off of Jason's hands, and forced him down with his hand.

"Ow!" Jason topples back, before Merrick flips the rounded weapon with his trident, and offered the handle to the teen. Jason grabs it and gets up.

"Again." Merrick instructed. Immediately, Jason knocks Merrick away with his arm, and the sword flips back before being swiped up towards his parent, "Not fast enough! I'm not feeling your strength!" Merrick almost yells as he fights with Jason again. Jason's eyes transfix on the trident's hook-like function as Merrick prepares to make a grapple at him again. This time, Merrick's trident swings down towards Jason's armored ankles.

Jason feels the weapon pull his balance away and he falls to the floor. His arm takes the brunt of the fall before his foot plants onto the floor. He maneuvers himself around and strikes out Merrick's foot!

"AH!" Merrick knocks down, and rolls with the tumble, just as Jason whips around, and hits the trident, with the sword pointed at Merrick's face/throat, panting. "Now where the hell was that if you only won the silver?"

"It was only Kendo." Jason panted, "I can't exactly get away with moves like that. There's only so much I-" Before he can finish his sentence, Merrick knocks the sword down, and grabs for Jason, "Ah! HEY!" Jason guides Merrick's arm aside and turned, yanking the trident back to make Merrick stagger back. Their backs touch as they whirl around, Jason tumbling and rolling to get his weapon, while Merrick throws a hard foam dagger-like blade at him, "WHOA!" He blocks it off, but Merrick is already hooking onto his wrist with the trident, and making him stagger forward and landing on his side.

"Pop! I wasn't ready!" The trident then points at Jason's face.

"You'll have to forgive me. In the sea, there's no such thing as ready'." Merrick tells him with that superior smirk, "There's only if' and `when', and this isn't just-" In an unexpected move, Jason yanks the trident, forcing Merrick to jerk forward, before Jason lands a hard jab of an open hand onto Merrick's chest, and forces him down and pins him down with his other hand pinning Merrick's left wrist down. "GHH!"

"IF you talk too much, Pop, I'll get you WHEN you least expect it." Jason gloated.

"Now you're getting it." Merrick consented, "Bear in mind though, the first time I got the upper hand on your Grandfather, he came at me even harder on the next sparing session."

"Yeah yeah, I know, `don't get cocky'." Jason says as he lets Merrick go and gets up, "Are you going to say you were going easy on me this time, Pop?"

"I was." Merrick picks up his trident, "It's been over a year, and I can see your Kendo has gotten a little sloppy, but your other moves have been maintained. I want you to talk to Kahuna Hokulani for more Kendo practice with Rissun Sensei and only pick one other course."

"Just Kendo?? What if I want to compete with a different MMA?"

"Well, that's something you're going to have to discuss with either yourself or Hokulani." Merrick tells him.

"Ok, but for now, can I just take your class today?"

"Of course, Son, not a problem." Merrick smiled as he and Jason gripped each other's forearms and pulled into a hug, "I missed you, buddy."

"I missed you too, Pop, I missed this... Mom's not as flexible at this as you are..." He said in the hug.

"Heh, well." Merrick backed up and walked to his seat, the clock reading that it's just about time for class, "Yuri only knows a handful of rules. I only know how to get by, really." He says as he watches Jason take off his Kendo equipment, take his staff-like weapon for this class and stood up front with Merrick, and watch as the door opens and several students filing in, all wearing lighter or alternate shades and tints of blue, aqua, or cyan seishins. Most of the students are in their late-teens and young adults. Two other people wearing black belts and white seishins walk up to the front and line up, each of them, like Jason, are holding padded staff weapons.

"Alright, good to see the pod back." Merrick says as he gets up, "Half of you I know, a few I don't recognize. For those of you who are new, my name is Merrick, but as the master, you will address me as `Triton Merrick'. I specialize in a different and stylized form of combat that's come to be known as Kaiyojira... Which literally translates to: A word I just made up for the sake a names." A few people chuckle quietly.

"My style is based on the philosophy and respect and the wonders for the ocean. Unlike most martial arts, such as Jujutsu, Aikido, or Karate, Kaiyojira doesn't have any specific stone-set rules or too many statements of etiquette. For the most part, fighting as I do establishes your own creativity as I teach you about adaptability, honor, your sense of conduct on how you fight. In other words, Kaiyojira can loosely mean to fight in improv. But let me be clear: That does NOT justify the principal of `doing whatever it takes to win'. My style is meant to inspire you to prevail, not win. Cheap shots or cheating will not be tolerated, because this also isn't about finding your opponent's weakspot -- that much is just a bonus if you're lucky."

"Now, for the most part, I specialize in fighting with a staff or spear, allowing for throwing and my personalized combatant movements. However, until recently, from now on, I will always be using my trident here," Merrick says as he picks it up, "It's... Well, suffice it to say, it's a part of my very deep heritage. Just so you know, I wanted to go ahead and clear that up for my son's benefit, because he thought I would look weird walking around with a big fancy fork." Merrick says as he slaps Jason's shoulder, making a few of the students chuckle.

"Alright, Theron Jason, Theron Quinn, Theron Eric, lets get started." Merrick says as he indicates for them, "We're going to get going with a few warm-ups."

This building is known as the Ring of Ke-Kaua: Institution of Mixed Martial Arts. A very diverse establishment where many styles of combat and practices of different cultures are taught, each having one or a few masters or teachers. Being the only one who teaches the relatively enigmatic Kaiyojira, Merrick exclusively dubs his top title as Triton', with Jason having just reached the title himself several years ago, with lower advanced students being called Therons', in secret reference to `Theros'.

Jason takes his padded sword and hard sheath and selects a student to spare with him.

---8 Years Ago---

Adam huffs as he parks the car in front of the school, feeling rather nervous about this. "Shit, it's almost like déjà vu..." He says as he and Merrick climb out.

"I'm not worried so much as ready to throw down." Merrick tells him as they lock their vehicle.

"Easy, Merrick. This is a school, not an arena."

"We'll see about that." He frowns as they enter. They head straight for the principal's office, where they see two little boys seated opposite of each other under the supervision of a teacher. Jason turned and looked up as he sees his dads enter.

"D-Dad, Pop,"

"It's ok, calm down little buddy." Adam says as he pats his shoulder.

"We'll get to the bottom of this." Merrick tells him.

"Pop, I swear, I didn't start it!" Jason hastily said, "I'm sorry, Pop, I-"

"Shh shh, hey, calm down, it's alright, it's alright." Adam hushes.

"Save the apologies for AFTER we sort this out, Son." Merrick states with his strict but reasonable leer.

"Ah, you must be the Bryants." Says a man behind them. They turn to see a balding man with a field of short and prickly beard of pepper grey, and along with a woman with curled brown hair and wearing office attire coming into the office, "My name is Hank, this is my wife Moira, we're Tommy's parents." He introduces.

"Right. I'm Adam." Adam shakes his head for formality, "This is Merrick."

"Now look. Before anything, I want to just start off by saying I'm willing to listen." Hank says as he keeps his hands open, "I have nothing against you or anyone else from the rainbow flag or-"

"Yeah, that's fine." Adam says, "No need to bring that up, sir. We're here because we were called about our kids."

"There has been a lot of words against his, and we're ready to have it sorted." Moira says.

"For the record, I apologize in advance if my attitude gets abrasive." Merrick says as he leers at them, "In all honesty, I am very temperamental."

"Hello?" Says the principal as she looks in; a mid-aged woman with a maroon tweed suit and brass-rimmed glasses. "Everyone here? Alright, lets get started." They all walk into the office, where 7 seats have been provided. Hank, Moira, and little Tommy take a seat between them, and Adam, Merrick, and Jason take the three on the other side with him between his two parents, "Hold a moment, we're missing someone."

"No, we're all here." Merrick says, already knowing what she's going to say.

"Will Jason's mother not be coming then?"

"We are his parents." Adam tells her, "I hope that's not a problem."

"I see. We'll begin then." The principal says, "Mr and Mr Bryant, I am sorry to say this is yet another incident that your son has been instigating-"

"Our son isn't instigating anything." Merrick says firmly.

"Merrick..." Adam mutters firmly.

"Please let me finish." She tells him, "As you well know, your son has been fighting on multiple occasions, and I decided that we need to make a few calls on this."

"And when did you decide to take this seriously?" Merrick asked.

"When... Today, Thomas and Jason were in a fight, and Thomas was bleeding from the nose."

"Mrs Gyner, I agree this has been happening too many times to count," Adam says, "But as Merrick says, you should have brought this to order to begin with."

"I assumed you would have heard his version of what happened from him."

"And more importantly," Merrick says as he leans and turns to the other two parents, "I want to know just how and why your son learned the kind of words I've been hearing from this."

"We've heard a few things, Tommy has told us a few things." Hank says, "And I assure you, none of the things that are being..."

"Implied." Moira says after a second of her husband trying to find the right word.

"Implied. And-"

"Don't try and walk around the topic." Merrick says as he glares at them from his seat, "And don't even-"

"Hang on, I think what Merrick means to say," Adam says, "Is that if Tommy didn't hear these things from you, then he might have heard it from the other kids, or even from their parents. But Tommy has been the one provoking Jason."

"If there has been any harassment, Jason has been instructed to let the nearest teacher know, Mr Bryant" Mrs Gyner tells him.

"I realize that, but-"

"That doesn't work." Merrick tells him, "If the teachers were able to put a stop to this, we wouldn't be having this conversation."

"Mr Bryant, please," Mrs Gyner says, "We're-"

"No. I'm cutting to the middle of this. Right now." Merrick says as the tension grows, "Several of these kids have been throwing around some very nasty words around, and this kid here is making the most noise."

"Hold on, hold on." Mrs Gyner says as she holds up her hands, "What things?? What are you talking about?"

"You really don't know?" Merrick asked, "Your own school, your system, your students getting into trouble, and you're just clueless?"

"Alright, I'll step up..." Hank says with a huff, "Couple of times... When I'm having the guys over, I tend to make a few jokes, about everyone, and... I probably said a few things about Jason's dads that Tommy may have overheard..."

"Oh, so this is about... You two?"

"Jason's gay dads, yes." Merrick said sharply, "Don't tell me this is the first you're hearing about something like this. Jason isn't the only kid in school with gay parents."

"Wait, so what are these words the kids have been saying?"

"Hhh..." Hank huffs as he gathers up the petty courage. Adam rolls his eyes as his arms crossed.

"Fudge-Packer. Flamers." Adam says with an agitated tone, "Ass-Pirates. Molesters. Cock Suckers. Oh, and a new one, Petri-Dick."

"Mr Bryant, please don't..." Mrs Gyner gives an impatient sigh, "Don't say those sorts of things-"

"Why? Are schools still pretending the topic doesn't even exist?" Adam inquires, "God forbid anyone should be aware at some point in time, right?"

"Now I didn't use most of those terms, I promise." Hank states.

"Doesn't matter. The reason Jason keeps getting into fights is because the other kids are harassing him for having two dads. And I've heard other kids getting the same kind of treatment throughout the semesters." Adam says, "And I've reported this before, I want to know why we're barely doing something about this now." 

"Look, Jason is the one who is starting the most fights." Mrs Gyner tells them, "As far as I have been told."

"No. Not Jason. He knows better than that." Merrick states.

"Excuse me?" Moira speaks up, "My son was bleeding today!"

"Yes, and I'm sorry about that," Adam answers, "But Jason's been taught better than to go around and start fights."

"Hang hang, hang on second." Mrs Gyner intervenes, "You two have taught your son to fight?"

"I teach him how to defend himself." Merrick answers, "Me and his mother both. I teach at a mixed martial art institute, so naturally he attends my classes. And his mother grew up learning traditional Japanese practices, so she also has taught him several self-defense sessions."

"So you're teaching your children how to fight like thugs??" Moira raised.

"Hey, hang on now," Adam raises, "Let me explain-"

"Honey, honey, take it easy," Hank tells his wife, "I was taught to fight when I was their age-"

"That's different!"

"Well seeing as how your son gotten into this," Merrick rambles on, "And if you want know what a thug is, you should take a good look-"

"Merrick! Don't start saying-"

"Let's all calm down-"

"Alright, alright, quiet PLEASE." Mrs Gyner calls over them. Once they settle down, she continues, "Regardless, it's been stated that Jason started the fight and he injured Thomas to a degree where blood was drawn."

"He was provoked." Adam leans forward, "This isn't the first time this has happened! Did you even bothered to ask for the details??"

"Look, I want to be fair about this." Hank says before he looks at Adam and Merrick, "Now, Tommy says he didn't start the fight. But Jason did. But, uh, you Mr Bryant? You say Jason doesn't do that. Can you explain further?"

"Specifically," Merrick says, "Only myself and Jason's mother, Yuri, have taught him a couple of martial arts. Where I come from, self-defense is essential to everyday life, so that is what I established."

"So he doesn't go around picking fights?" Hank asked.

"Only for 3 times has he done that; trying to show how tough he is when a kid starts bothering him. I do not tolerate that sort of conduct, and I can assure you, I am a lot stricter than his mother when it comes to discipline. After the third time he pulled that nonsense, I put an end to it."

"Ok. I'll buy that, fair enough." Hank continues, "But, is it possible, and hear me out, that Jason MIGHT not be telling you the complete truth?"

"He's a horrible liar, just like Adam." Merrick tells him, "His tells are too easy to read."

"And we're just supposed to take your word for it?" Moira nodded with anger.

"Honey, please," Hank hushed her, "Let me handle this." He turns back to the others, "Listen, I think we are all getting mixed up over each other, and I think we should at least hear the kids out."

"I agree." Adam nods. 
"Alright, we'll start with Jason." The principal says as he turns his gaze to the boy, "Now Jason, did you or did you not, start the fight that happened today between you and Thomas."

Jason shakes in fear as he shifts in his seat, "... Yes... Yeah... I mean, kinda, I-"

"What?" Merrick turns to look at him.

"Jason, is this true?" Adam asks. Jason sniffs and nods.

"Jason, why did you start a fight?" Merrick asked him sternly as he grasped the boy's shoulder, changing his position on the seat and giving Jason a harsh glare, "What have I told you about that?? You never EVER start a fight!"

"I-I know, Pop... `S-s just that he was making fun of Naomi, and I..."

"Wait, what? What was he doing to Naomi?"

"He and... He and a few other kids were making fun of her and Tom pushed her down, so I pushed him back and..."

"Naomi? Who is that?" Hank asks.

"Our daughter, his little sister." Adam answers.

"What??" Moira looks at her son, "Thomas!"

"I didn't though!" Tommy defends loudly, "She started hitting me so I just moved her back!"

"He made her fall down!" Jason raises up, "H-He-"

"Alright, alright!" Mrs Gyner speaks up, "Alright, now, lets say Thomas was harassing Jason's sister. Jason, you should know to go to the nearest teacher and let them know."

"Mrs Gyner, we just told you, that can only do so much." Adam speaks up, "At best, it just stops it for one day, but then it just happens all over again."

"Alright, but even before Jason pushed Thomas, we've just heard that his sister was-"

"Let me put it this way." Merrick interrupts, "Say you're in a zoo. And you pick up a stick, and you start poking a tiger in its cage. Is it the tiger's fault that it's lashing out at you afterwards? I mean," He cuts off the principal before she can talk again, "Sure, you can go running to the nearest zookeeper and whine about how the big bad tiger took a swing at you. But then what does that really accomplish? My son and my daughter were taunted and provoked, and you are barely even aware of it?"

"Thomas, I want you to tell me." Moira says to him, "Is that boy telling the truth?"

"No, I didn't like push her like-"

"Thomas, don't lie to me now." Moira gets up and looks at the kid directly in the eye, "Did you actually harass and push down a little girl that was smaller and younger than you are? Answer me, Thomas." 

"Wuh, no, she was hitting me, so I pushed her, and..."

"While you were making fun of her." Moira continues, almost accusing the kid. A pause goes by while the kid does little for his own case. Hank sighs as he rubs his brow.

"Hhh... I will give Jason a warning." Mrs Gyner, "Due to the subject of injury, I will have to put him on a probation-"

"What?? That's-"

"Merrick please," Adam tells him, "We understand, Mrs Gyner. Thank you."

"Alright. You and your son may go now." They get up out of their chairs, but Merrick gives her a cold glare. Before leaving, he goes to the principal's desk. 
"Alright, I am going to say this nice, and once." Merrick starts.

"Merrick, don't-"

"Adam." Merrick stops him, "Mrs Gyner, this all happened under your watch. Jason is not the only student in your school with same-sex parents, and he is sure as hell not the only kid getting bullied for it. I was led to understand this school was more innovative and tolerant than all of this."

"Mr Bryant, I can assu-"

"No excuses." Merrick shoots, "This is the last time I want to hear about my son getting singled out like this, and it's the last time I want to be called here for this specific reason. So with all due respect, get off your a-" 
"Merrick!" Adam cuts him off as he takes his arms, "I am very sorry, Mrs Gyner, thank you for your time."

"Yes, have a nice day." Mrs Gyner says sharply as they leave. Once the door closes, Adam gives a hard huff to his tense spouse, still staring daggers at the principal's door.

"Merrick, calm down, it's over now. I'll get in touch with PFLAG and see if we can set something up." 

"Fine, fine, I got it." Merrick says as they go, forcing himself to walk away from the spot; he still has the urge to have it out with that crone behind the desk.

"How about you, little buddy?" Adam says stops to kneel down and puts his hand on Jason's shoulder, "Are you doing ok?"

"Yeah, I-I'm ok, Dad. And Pop?" He turns as he looks up to Merrick, "Am I in trouble...?"

Merrick glances at Adam, who gives him a raise of the brow and a nagging nod-gesture. Merrick sighs before he answers, "No, I'll let it slide this time. You had a good reason for starting it this time. But you drew blood this time, and that's not ok." He tilted his child's chin to look up at him, "Fight to PROTECT, not injure. Understand?"

"Yes..." Jason answered.

"Ok, that's enough for today, Mr Miyagi," Adam says as he stands up and slaps lightly at Merrick's shoulder, hearing the bell ring out at the stroke of 3PM "Let's just pick up Naomi and head out."

---8 Years Later---

As the class has proceeded within the last hour and a half, Merrick watches as Jason evades his sparring partner's swings and attacks, whirling around in side-steps in an almost casual way of movements. He's just toying with this student. "Alright, Theron Jason." Merrick says, "Time to get serious with Nohea, then we're calling it a for this class." 

"Yes, Triton." Jason nods before he turns to the young woman before him, "You ready?"

"Yes." Nohea says.

"Right. Remember, I'm coming at you seriously." Jason says before he takes his katana-like padded weapon along with the `sheath' it came with. With his left hand, he holds the sheath at the base backwards style while holding his katana with his right hand parallel to him after he widened his stance.

"Now." Merrick clangs his trident against the full-moon designed chime above his nautical throne. 
Jason bolts ahead and hits down hard on Nohea's staff-like pole. She shoves it back, but it's knocked out of the way when Jason swings his left arm to clash his hard sheath into the pole as he whips around in a full circle to swing his weapon at Nohea. Nohea dodges just barely while whirling around and stepping back as Jason steps at her with his inverse duo wielding style.

Merrick smiles as Nohea does all she can in the circle just to avoid getting hit whole Jason kept attacking her with his elaborate melee.

It's clear she's getting frustrated just looking for an opening,' Merrick thinks to himself as he watches Jason whip around in a double-swing with his blade and sheath before the sheath his switched back along his arm like that of a mantis claw, Heh, but no way Jason is going to let anyone get at him. Just like Yuri, he's borderline ruthless in how he fights. He wastes absolutely nothing in his movements, just like I taught him.'

Nohea steps and switches to the side while swinging her pole, and finally landing a hit right on Jason's face. "Ah," Merrick starts. Jason frowns as he takes a few steps away from a few following swings from Nohea before he retaliates with a very hard uppercut of his sword, and sends Nohea's staff flying. 
"Hey-" Before she can go and get it, Jason jabs at her side with his sheath before he whips around, his padded katana weapon flipping so he holds it backward, while his sheath switches from its usual position, and the katana is held behind Nohea's back while the sheath blocks her from the front. Checkmate.

"Alright, match is over." Merrick says as he gets up. Jason backs off and puts his sword back into its sheath, and walks to one side of the fighting circle while Nohea walks to the other after retrieving her pole. "Jason, you were a bit aggressive."

"Yes, Triton."

"Nohea, your reflexes are sharp, but you're too defensive. You can't be afraid to take a hit, or else you won't get better. I want you to practice on your approach before I consider passing you."

"Yes, Triton."

"Alright..." Merrick looks to the clock, "That about wraps it up for today. I will see you next time." With that, everyone goes to collect their things and files out of the class. Jason comes over to Merrick as he replaces his goggles with his glasses.

"Too aggressive, Pop?" Jason asked with a smirk.

"Honestly, yeah." Merrick smiles back before he pats his son on the arm, "Didn't say it was a bad thing."

"Ok, but really, since everyone's leaving..." He says while looking to the migrating students before turning back to Merrick, "How'd I do, really?"

"If you fought like that in our sparring session today, you would've been able to keep toe-to-toe with me for a long while."

"Seriously?" Jason asked with his eyebrows raised, "Thought you said I was sloppy."

"Of course you are." Merrick gives a few playful non-impactful slaps to Jason's face, making him snicker and knock his hand off, "Now head out, I've got another class coming soon."

"Hahaha, alright, Pop. Later." Jason says as he picks up his gear and leaves.


---Several Hours Later---

"Alright, that was great." Merrick says as the time rings out for the last class of the day to end; it's in the late afternoon at this time. Everybody goes to pick up their personal effects and walk about. He rolls his neck a bit to crack a few stiff spots before he goes to attend to some of the windows.

"Pop?" Jason knocks on the door from the outside.

"Jason? What are you doing back?"

"I'm still a little wired, could we spar again?"

"That's what I like to hear." Merrick says as he picks his trident up.

"Except..."

"Hm?"

"I wanna do it, like... Hunt and Pray." 

Merrick's smile fades a little from that, "Are you serious?"

"Yeah. Like, I wanna do this freestyle, you know?"

"You realize what you're asking for, Son." Merrick says sternly as he sets his trident's spear end onto the floor, "It's been a whole year since we've trained."

"I know, but I can handle it." Jason smiled.

"Need I remind you? Hunt and Pray is very dangerous, even MY Father stopped doing it after a third time when I was an Adra, and my Mother didn't even consider trying it. Besides, you have any idea how pissed Yuri would get if I hurt you?"

"So we don't tell Mom." He shrugged, "C'mon, Pop."

"I've seen your Kendo, Son. It's not enough to stop me."

"Well, I'm not using Kendo. I'm doing Kaiyojira, right?" He said with a cocky smirk. Merrick sighs as he thinks about this.

"You brought your Hasukiba then?"

"Yep, always." Jason pats at his duffle.

"And you're SURE about this. Once we start, I can't stop until the time's up."

"I know, you told me a hundred times, we've done this a LOT."

"Even then, I was able to hold back." Merrick tells him, "Hunt and Pray is not something I can trust anyone with, including myself."

"I'll be FINE, Pop. I've even got my armor-arm." 
"Hhhhhh... Alright. You better know what you're doing." Merrick says as he turns and walks to his pack and takes out his iPhone.

"I got it." Jason says as he takes out a sleeve clinking with plates of metal along the arm, over the hand and fingers. 
Hunt and Pray is a very old and brutal method of training among merfolk. It used to be widely used by anyone, but within the last couple of ages it became exclusive only to Noitas and Tritons. Every merfolk has the capacity to reach down deep inside their being and their mind to tap into the very fundamental boundaries of their nature -- namely, to tap into their instinct, and turn off their consciousness in exchange for the deadly option of survival. In this bout, it all becomes a manner of which one of the individuals is hunting, and which of the other one must pray to be alive.

Merrick taps a few things on his phone, and turned on a specific audio file. A slow, rolling melody plays before he puts it down; Merrick and Jason has practiced in Hunt and Pray many times in the past in the forest near the house in secret; not even Yuri, Jamal, or Adam knows about this.

Merrick rolls his neck as a few of his internal organs shift inside him. He shrugs off the top of his seishin and tosses it aside, his flawless muscles loosening up as he clears his mind. Jason watches carefully as he takes his Hasukiba sword out of his pack -- a sheath that is reinforced with metal sides with a grip-shaped top at the upper base where the handle is located. He takes the handle and slides the very straight katana out of it, the base having the engraved kanji for lotus' and fang' on it.

Jason's legs spread as he keeps his goggle-shielded eyes locked on his parent, watching as Merrick's ripped body primes itself while the music plays from his phone. Jason keeps a hold of his sheath backwards style along his armored arm, while his blade is held out before him. He can detect the faint feral rattle coming from Merrick's throat, that sound always making the hairs on his neck stand on end. The sound that alerts a target when its enemy is lurking near...

Once in a pose, Merrick's eyes open -- his beautiful sapphires have transmuted into a pair of icy opals with small pupils piercing right at Jason.

"Now." Jason says. 

Merrick immediately jets forward. His voice completely gone, Merrick whips around and gives a hard swing. Jason's sword spouts sparks as it slides down before he turns and hits Merrick's arm back with the steel-embedded sheath. Merrick tucks and rolls as his trident swings at Jason's legs, right before Jason rolls along and slices at Merrick, nearly missing him by inches.

In the hall, an old Hawaiian woman in beautiful floral dress walks along, her silver hair tied in a bun while she holds a carrier for her own sparring weapon. She glances to the side but double takes when she sees Triton Merrick's room.

Her eyes widen slightly as she sees Merrick whipping around and throwing strikes against someone else. She soon recognizes the opponent as Merrick's son, Jason. Hokulani raises her eyebrows and flinches a few times from some brutal and vicious blows from both fighters.

"... Oh my, they're fighting for real! Are those ACTUAL blades??" The Kahuna says to herself. She hisses as Merrick's semi-feral face spritz with blood from a lightening-fast cut of Jason's sword "Oh I am not missing this." Hokulani quickly draws a nearby chair and hurriedly steps back to where she can see the fight. Normally, as the Kahuna of the Ke-Kaua MMA, Hokulani would have to step in to inquire about using actual sharpened weapons, but Triton Merrick strikes her as too interesting to interrupt. She's always found Merrick a very fascinating individual in many ways -- almost mystically exotic -- especially when he shows something so out of the ordinary like this.

The trident hums and sings as it swings circle after circle at Jason while he attacks in kind, whipping his katana side-to-side and whirling in half circles before he uses both the sword and sheath as dual weapons. The trident and two weapons clash before Jason grunts and gives a hard thrust. Merrick staggers back and melees dangerously close in with Jason. 

The two of them swing hard and fast in a very tight position, both of them huffing very sharply, both of them trying for lethal hits -- Merrick operating on his fabricated instinct to kill while Jason focuses his fighting as if he is up against a refined wild beast rather than his parent. The trident clanks with the sword and sheath forcefully before Merrick's foot launches at Jason's chest!

"Ghhh!" Jason huffs as he's knocked back several feet on his back. He rolls backwards with the force and hops back on his feet just in time to jet forward, and slash up just in time to parry an incoming attack from that trident. Jason's eyes lock to Merrick's hand as it flies at him, locking their hands and fingers together. Jason's brown eyes look into those orbs of vicious crystal staring back at him as Merrick's teeth bare, his voice ragged as their joined fists shook before Jason whips around to strike his sheath at the trident, and then jabs Merrick hard with his elbow!

"RrrrrrRRHHH!" Jason's attack sends Merrick afar several feet. With those savage eyes still locked onto Jason, Merrick sprints around in a half circle and lunges forward, hammering his trident right down onto Jason. Jason sends his sword and sheath up and parries the trident with an X block, and then the metal rings as the weapons race against each other.

Jason flips his katana in line, and slices through the air to meet with the ornate fork of Merrick's trident. Sparks fly from the clashing weapons as they fight to the death.

---Some Time Later---

"Sometimes I honestly wonder if you're Adam's son." Merrick says with a smile as he and Jason sit together shirtless at the edge of a small cliff at a local beach near the MMA institute, both of them having exotic fruit icys as they watch the sunset.

"How do you mean?" Jason asks. He has an icepack strapped to his leg to quell a nasty blood wound as well as having a gauze pad taped to his side and a sprain brace on his wrist. Merrick sports a red cut on his cheek and a scrape on his right pec and a deep cut on his hand, even having several parallel scratches on his left torso. "I mean, you say that half the time, but I still don't get it."

"Adam never fought like you and I did. In fact, your Father never fights at all for as long as I've known him."

"Yeah, Dad was always a pacifist, right?"

"Exactly, he's always been a sweetheart. He's also been the voice of reason and stability between us, while I was always the confrontational type. Naomi is the same way as he is, she really doesn't like having to fight."

"What're you talking about? I've seen her get medieval with her ice magic all the time in the water!"

"That's different. She knows self-defense with her power, but she doesn't actively use it like you do with your skills." Merrick tells him as he drinks his cyan-blue elixir of flavorful slush.

"Pop, she's like, I don't know, savage. You just don't see it." Jason snickers while slurping.

"She's like my Mother that way. She has so much power and a huge array of light racing inside her, yet she will resort to protection rather than victory. She's just like Adam though; she'll always start with reasoning and compromise above anything else."

"Yeah and the fact that they both worship Lady Gaga and Kesha certainly makes a difference."

"Heh, I also wonder about her too, if she's really my Daughter."

"What, you serious?" Jason scoffs after sipping his orange-yellow icy.

"Oh don't get me wrong. She came out of my balls just as you jumped out of Adam's penis."

"AWHL, Pop!! Dude, no!" He exclaims with abrupt disgust, spraying his flavorful beverage out, "MUST you?? Oh my GOD."

"You asked." Merrick snickered as he slurps his icy, "I mean, she's mine, and you're his, but sometimes it's like it's the other way around. You take after me a lot, and Naomi is more related to Adam."

"Yeah, so? What's that got to do with it?"

"Ah- Hey, now. Any reason why you're giving me attitude just now?

"No," Jason shrugged, "I wasn't giving you attitude, I'm just asking what brought it on."

"Pfgh, you're also blunt, just like MY Father."

"Heh, yeah." Jason drinks his tangy libation as the sea shimmers with the radiance of dusk.

"I think he would've liked you, you know..." 

"Grandpa, you mean?"

"Mm..." He nodded, "Father never liked humans at all, he was on the bandwagon for dismissing them as monsters. Except when he knew about Adam, then he started to consider them as not so bad. He'd need to take a little time at first, but if he were to spar with you at least once after I taught you underwater combat," Merrick turned to his son, "I think he'd be impressed by how much his grandson can bring to the reef."

"Think it'd be easier if he could walk and fight me like you do."

"Naw, Father also hated having to go on land; the air and breeze irritated his skin, your Uncle Cotei has the same ailment."

"Still I don't think I'd be able to beat him, Pop."

"Mmm, you'd be surprised." Merrick says, "He would've been old and not as fast as he once was, and you would be the only human who can put up a fight under the water. I think he'd be impressed how a specimen who isn't adapted to the sea at all would be able to fend for himself."

"I get it... And gotta be honest, I wish I can find out." Jason holds his slurpee down in his hands looking down, "I really would've liked to show him how good I am in martial arts..."

"Father swims in the Shores of Light now. If what we believe is true, then he is already watching over us from the light that reflects off the surface." They both look at the wavering surface as the surf washes long the rocks below them.

"You miss him, huh?" Jason asked.

"Yeah... There was so much I wanted him to know... So much I wanted to tell him... And he didn't even know about you and your sister all these years..."

"I'm sorry, Pop."

"It's fine... It's fine." Merrick pats Jason's arm, "My Father would have been proud that I have a worthy successor."

Jason's door opens as he walks out and around the corner, with Chance dashing over to the kitchen with his tail in the air. Naomi chops a few items on board before the cat starts to duck in and around her ankles, "Reeerrr! Reewwwaarrr! Rwwrrrrrrr!"

"Hold up, hang on, Chancey." She says as her brother comes in and slumps on the table, "Will listen to him?? Your cat is starving!"

"I fed him a can last night and his kibble bowl was full. I keep telling you, we're getting raccoons again."

"Right, uh-huh. Just astounding Pearl is still alive." Naomi pours some homemade feline gravy into a bowl of fish tartar while Chance keeps meowing nonstop. As soon as she placed the bowl on the floor, the cat immediately starts eating.

"I keep calling animal control, but all they ever find is tracks and shit." He grumbled before Naomi puts a plate of eggs and cheese-covered ham in front of him, "Ah- Naomi," He snickers, "Why are you just wearing a towel??" He asked, just realizing his sister has a towel wrapped around her breast.

"Because I literally just got back from hunting for Chance and waking YOU up." 
"And your bathrobe was out of the question?"

"Hey, I just spent a whole year without any clothing whatsoever, I still need to adjust." She says as she sits down with her bowl of fruit.

"Adjust fast, I don't want to find out you accidentally went to school nude, ok?? Not again."

Sometime later, Jason is more awake as he gets a few finished assignments in his backpack. 
"You have class today?!" Naomi called from the bathroom over the roar of her hair dryer, now wearing some regular clothes.

"No! Just practice with Pop and probably a shift at the Fish House or Grotto!" He called back.

"Good! We need to go shopping, like yesterday!" She turns off her appliance and ties her hair back into a ponytail of a light-gold waterfall before she blinks. A soft, quiet song starts to ring in the air. She turns around, and steps out of the bathroom.

"Ok, lets go ahead and-"

"Shhh!" She shuts him up and listens closely.

"Uh... Naomi?"

"You hear that??"

"Uh... Hear what?"

"Someone's singing, bit it's like, weird. Like a ghost."

"Yeah. I see dead people too. It's called college."

"No, shut up, shut up," She listens, and walks around to the back porch, and then exits.

"Naomi? Ooook, I'm in no rush." Jason follows her out into the yard, trying to listen for whatever she might be hearing, but can only sense the sound of waves splashing.

"Don't you hear that??" 

"No. I don't hear anything." Jason tells her, but his eyes catch onto something. He peers behind her before patting at her arm, "Hey, look."

Naomi turns, and beams as she sees two women in white and light blue blouses standing by the shore, along with a man with black hair and using a spear as a cane, "Oh, it's Grandma! Come on!" She tugs at him and they jog over; the singing in her head stopped just as they started running. "Grandmother, hi!" She says as she comes up to hug her.

"Naomi," Umiato hugs her back, right before Naomi goes to hug Savarna, "And..." Her silver eyes go to the 19 year old young man before her. She sees his aura carrying a singular attachment to Naomi's aura, with his appearance and his wavelength resembling someone very familiar, "You must be her elder sibling." She says with a smile, "You are the son of Adam, yes?"

"Yeah, I... Wait, I-I thought you can't talk to me," Jason said hastily, "Naomi, can she talk to me?? I'm just a guy..."

"Much change has been brought to our world." Umiato says to the both of them, "While our kind still may not connect with yours, allowances have been made."

"So... You're still not really supposed to, like..."

"The both of you are children of the same mother." Savarna says as she looks at them, "Yes, human association is still against the rules, matters such as this has become debatable."

"Ah I see." Jason nods, "Around here, that's kind of what we call a `Grey Area'. Not good, not bad, not worth getting into. Hey so, you're my Grandma?"

"`Grandma'?" Umiato repeated with an estranged look.

"It's another word for `Grandmother'. Humans take a lot of shortcuts when it comes to words." Naomi smirked.

"So, I'm guessing you're Pop's sister, right?" Jason asked Savarna.

"Pops? What?"

"He means you are my Father's Sister. Again, humans have different words for most things."

"I see." Savarna chuckled, "Yes, I am Noita Savarna, I am Merrick's Sister. And... What was the word you had for me, Naomi?"

"Aunt, you're our Aunt Savarna."

"Heh, I think I would prefer it if you stayed with `Noita'."

"Fair enough." Jason nodded, "Hey, does this mean that you can talk to my Dad now? I mean Adam, right?"

"I am willing the wager for that." Umiato smiles.

"Except I still will probably have to avoid talking to him..." Brishen pointed out, "Merrick is only my closest friend, he's no relative of mine."

"We'll work something out." Jason says as he looks at Brishen, equipped with weaponry and holding onto a spear, his body trembling as he tries to maintain his balance, "Hey, are you ok? You don't look so good."

"What do you mean? I am in perfect condition." Brishen says.

"This is Theros Brishen. He teaches hunting in Brother's pod." Savarna tells him.

"And is he disabled? Is he ok?" Jason asked, "I only ask because he looks like he's about to collapse. I know a little about medical stuff from Mom."

"He is merely tutoring himself on how to properly walk in two legs." Savarna answers.

"I have almost mastered it..." Brishen says as he trembles in his stance, prompting Jason to look down to see Brishen's legs and feet.

"Theros Brishen? If I may, I'd like to see about giving you some tips." Jason asks.

"What do you mean...?" Brishen asked, a little suspicious.

"First of all, you're working against your posture." Jason comes to him and puts his hands onto Brishen's back. Brishen irks, uncertain if he should even allow this human to touch him at all, "You're putting too much weight on either leg while letting your upper body lag forward."

"I can't make much sense of what you're saying."

"Stand up straight when you walk." Jason answers before kneels down, "And your feet should be angled forward." He turns his feet to the right direction.

"I-I tried that, I kept falling until Merrick told me to use my spear as another leg." Still feeling uneasy about this boy manhandling him.

"You're supposed to fall down, Theros."

"What?"

"Yeah. It's how you learn to walk." Jason says as the girls giggle, "Like Uncle Hatomu once said, Pain is basically God's way of saying, You're doing it wrong'."

"But falling is the same as failing, isn't it?"

"How do you know if you've done something wrong if you don't find out how you're not doing it right in the first place?" He asked. Brishen paused and pondered about that.

"You raise a fair point..."

"Hey! How about we take them to the house??" Naomi says, "He can walk on the floor, right?"

"A... House?" Savarna asked.

"It's where humans live." Jason says, "Is that ok?"

"I... I am not sure." Savarna says, "We've never ventured anywhere away from the sea before..."

"How far is your home?" Umiato asked, as concerned as her daughter is.

"It's that over there." Naomi turns and points.

"Oh, that place..." Umiato dawns as she looks at it, "I remember it, yes... That is where I first met Adam. He still resides there?"

"No, Dad and Pop moved somewhere else." Jason answered, "But come on, I wanna show you." 
 "... Oh yes! I remember, Brother showed me the house a very long time ago." Savarna says as the memory suddenly occurs, "By the Sea Mother, I can scarcely remember."

"If there are no other humans in your home...?" Brishen asked.

"No no, there isn't, just me and Naomi."

"Alright..." Savarna nods as they cautiously agree.

"Here, I'll help you out, Theros." Jason says as he tucks Brishen's arm over his shoulders.

"A-Ah, hah..." Brishen staggers a bit as he allows the human to guide him.

The five of them walk towards the house on the beach, the merfolk and humans in peace. After eons of hiding and hurting, scorning and fearing, one of a few families have reunited as they have always should.

Adam unlocks the door to his office, his eyes going right to the ice trident hung up on the back wall. He walks to it, putting on some thick gloves before he deftly removed it from its display plague. The crystalline lance glimmers in the light while soft mist wafts from every inch of its surface.

He smiles softly as he holds it in both hands... Even after all these years, it has never melted or chipped. It is still freezing even through the gloves. 

His smile faded as he puts the mystical weapon back up. He takes a good long look at it with a small frown. Adam feels a dampening ache inside his chest and stomach the longer he gazes at the ice. Something about it seems wrong...

Adam takes his hat off and hangs it up along with his long coat. He sits down at his desk and clicks out a pen before he pulls out a form.

The waterfall cascades as it always has in Aquata Cove, outlined by a radiant rainbow in the spray of the ever rushing column. Hidden beneath a camouflage tarp right next to where the rocks meet the dirt and roots of the woods is a pile of clothing and two pairs of shoes, folded neatly in air-tight bags and stowed well under a bush.

Within the old cove is the orange-pink light of the naturally glowing crystals in a secluded grotto in a freshwater pool of lukewarm. The stone has been carved and smoothed into shallow basins where one can rest gently upon as if they are lying upon a bed of comfortable rock.

Completely naked, Adam's head rests on a waterproof pillow while his muscular and chubby body is submerged in the gentle hotspring. Snuggling right on him is Merrick, the lower half of his body wafting slowly in the water with his long and beautiful blue and wavering fish tail, while his upper body retains its peach colored complexion -- after countless years of using the enchanted scales Atarah makes for him, Merrick has learned how to retain his human appearance from the waist-up even underwater.

Merrick gradually rubs his lips against Adam's as the two lovers cuddle and hug each other in the comfort of their secret paradise. Much like the first time they have ever met, when a young bullied human met with a curious and emotional Adra. Through the years they arrived in this one place to share their time and love for one another.

Here in this secret place of Aquata Cove. 
~Fin~