When the shark mer returned to Obal’s grotto, he found his prince speaking with Alja - another lionfish mer, and one of Obal’s other childhood friends. 

You’re back! the prince thought upon seeing him, How did it go? Did you find the other mer?

Is Derra’s eye magic? Alja asked, equally excited. Of course, Alja was also one of Wjae’s childhood friends as well. 

Yes, her name is Kopal and she was friends with Derra’s grandfather - Old Derra, the shark mer replied, They communicated using hand signs. No, his eye is just a glass replacement he can’t use to see.

Oh, that’s boring, Alja said, twisting to float upside down. 

Hand signs? Obal asked, flicking his tail over to send the other lionfish spinning. 

I learned some today, Wjae arched an eyeridge at the pair as Alja righted aerself, It will take me some time to use it conversationally. 

But why use a glass eye if it can’t help you see? Alja asked, attempting to flip the prince back. 

Why would I know the answer to that? the shark mer replied. He supposed it was easier for them to be playful with each other - considering they were immune to each others’ venom. 

Well you spoke, right? Obal asked, Oh, were you able to tell him your name?

I was, Wjae said, crossing his arms, But we spent more time going over further hand signs than actually speaking. The most I would count as conversation was Derra explaining watercolor painting.

Watercolor painting? Alja asked, What’s that? 

They have cases of colors they call ‘pigments’, and when they mix them with water, they stain a kind of soft tablet called paper, the shark mer explained. 

None of that made any sense, Alja’s facial fringe puffed out for a moment. 

It would if you saw it, Wjae crossed his arms, In any case, no.

No? Alja frowned - but the way aer tail twisted at the end gave them away

Obal was even less subtle in his sheepishness. 

No, I already told Obal the two of you aren’t going on an expedition together, the shark mer said, glaring at the two of them, You get into too much trouble alone - nonetheless together.

It’ll be fine! Alja complained, Why should you be the only one to make new human friends?

Yeah, Obal jumped in. 

Wjae’s gills flared in the mer equivalent of a sigh - this was what made the two such a dangerous combination, I am not making a friend - I am investigating an anomalous human.

For what? Alja tilted aer head, This all started as Obal’s idea.

Well… the prince shrugged, Derra did help me escape those other humans.

Oh, the other lionfish said, then grinned, So is this a crush?

Excuse me? Wjae asked. 

Obal grinned as well, Oh, I get it! Derra saved me, so you like him!

That’s… that’s not how that works, the shark mer’s gills flared in another sigh. But he knew it was already too late - they’d gotten an idea in their heads, after all. 

Well, Derra is safe, right? Alja said, swimming closer to the shark mer, So we can go with you tomorrow?

No - but it has nothing to do with me, Wjae said, Derra is also a prince, with his own guards - one of which is still getting comfortable with my presence. If he comes to trust me around his charge, then you can come with me. 

So you’re keeping Derra all to yourself? Obal teased, swimming up on the shark mer’s other side. 

I am not romantically or platonically interested in a human, Wjae rolled his eyes. 

But you are interested? Alja grinned. 

I want to know what motivates him to help mer, Wjae said, I would prefer a world where the only danger I have to worry about you two getting into is of your own design.

Aw, Obal said, wrapping his arms around one of the shark mer’s lower arms, It’s sweet how much you care. 

And you said us, so you can’t say it’s just your job, Alja added, doing the same to Wjae’s other arm. 

Are you two done? the shark mer asked, well used to the routine by now, And no, you still can’t go on an expedition together.

Stingy, Alja said, then aer gills flared in aer own sigh, Fine, I’ll let Obal go. Alone. Into unfamiliar human territory.

That’s all I ask, Wjae said, ignoring the obvious ploy. As reckless as Obal could be, the prince was more cautious without Alja egging him on - and vice versa. 

I do actually want to meet Derra though, Obal said, Is his guard as paranoid as you are?

At least, the shark mer replied, using one of his upper hands to flick the prince’s forehead, Don’t get your hopes up.

I should thank him, though, the mer prince said, batting the other hand away.

Me too, Alja added, Or else my best friend would have to be a boring guy like you.

It would do you some good if it would mean you’d listen, Wjae replied, shaking his head. 

Whatever, Alja attempted to reach up to flick the shark mer on the forehead - except aer arm was too short to reach while ae still clung to his lower arm. 

Don’t hurt yourself, Obal grinned, watching his friend struggle for a few moments before giving up.

Shut up, the other lionfish said, reaching over to flick the prince’s forehead instead. 

Wjae swam back out of spine range as the two started play fighting in earnest, shaking his head at the antics. He wondered if human princes were as rough and tumble as mer ones, but couldn’t quite see Derra doing the same. 

Sharks tended to be less rough than lionfish - it was far too easy for a play strike to cause real harm. While not a rule, their general level-headed natures were what made sharks well suited to being guards and protectors. 

But you couldn’t sort humans by temperament like mer. It was what made it so hard to deal with them - not only did they look extremely similar, there was no easy way to anticipate what one was like until getting to know them. 

Of course, it was still safer just to avoid them altogether. Like cecaelias, who also lacked a general temperament. 

Setting those thoughts aside, Wjae decided to look over Obal’s map and try to determine where the prince was headed when he did inevitably slip out.