ERIK: *swims over to her* Ariel? Are you alright?

ARIEL: *doesn't say a thing and swims to her room*

ERIK: *follows her*

ARIEL: *sits on the bed in thought*

ERIK: *watches her carefully* Ariel...?

ARIEL: Go away

ERIK: What did your sister say? What happened?

ARIEL: I SAID GO AWAY!!

ERIK: Not until you tell me what's bothering you. *crosses his arms* We were doing just fine before you had your talk with your sisters. I'm going to have to think twice before they come back.

ARIEL: *turns away from him, giving him the silent treatment*

ERIK: *rolls his eyes* *moves in front of her*

ARIEL: *turns the other way*

ERIK: *moves in front of her again and grabs her shoulders, holding her in place* What horrific act have I committed in the past five minutes that has made my pretty wife who was trying to become friends with me to hate me?

ARIEL: Let go of my shoulders. *growls at him*

ERIK: well, at least you said something. Now, tell me what she said. *says firmly while holding onto her shoulders just as tightly*

ARIEL: No.

ERIK: Why?

ARIEL: *is silent*

ERIK: *stares into her eyes*

ARIEL: Because you're the one who's already been with so many mermaids....

ERIK: what?

ARIEL: I heard about what you did

ERIK: what did I do that I don't seem to remember doing?

ARIEL: You slept with other mermaids while you were observing me... And gave them my name as you... *eyes water*

ERIK: when did your sister begin telling such boldfaced lies?

ARIEL: I trust my sister

ERIK: I'm sure you do. Let me tell you this, in my whole life I've only had one mermaid in my bed. It was a short fling which ended the moment she saw beneath this. *gestures to the mask* That was the first and the last. How would your sister know anyway? Anytime I was around you, I was very well hidden. You know I can hide very well.

ARIEL: She says you did that to h-her...

ERIK: *looks completely and utterly confused* My dear, I've never had any contact with your sisters! I haven't slept with a one of them. I wouldn't either.

ARIEL: Why would she lie, Erik!?

ERIK: How am I supposed to know!? Just, believe me. And, think about...would any of your sisters willing lie with me? No. They would have screamed their heads off the moment I appeared.

ARIEL: Maybe you lured them...

ERIK: How? I don't dabble in that type of magic and seduction.

ARIEL: *slaps his hands off of her shoulders* I'm going to bed. *gets under the covers and huffs*

ERIK: *sighs* Let me just end with this, my sea angel, if I was the kind of man that your sister said I am, then you wouldn't be laying in your bed right now. You'd be in my bed and you wouldn't be sleeping. *turns to leave*

ARIEL: *shuts her eyes, trying to sleep*

ERIK: *decides not to leave and makes himself comfortable nearby*

ARIEL: *soon falls asleep*

ERIK: *stays awake all night watching her*

ARIEL: *wakes up the next morning*

ERIK: *watches her wake up* Good morning, my sea angel.

ARIEL: *hears the name and flinches*

ERIK: still upset with me? You used to like that name.

ARIEL: *gets out of bed* Did you watch me?

ERIK: I watched over you, yes.

ARIEL: *swims to the vanity and sits down in front of the mirror, yawning*

ERIK: *swims over to her* May I brush your hair?

ARIEL: *nods* I guess you can

ERIK: Thank you. *picks up the brush and begins to brush her hair*

ARIEL: For what? *sits up as straight as she can*

ERIK: letting me brush your hair. I do enjoy it.

ARIEL: *sighs* I'm still upset... I don't know who to trust

ERIK: I know you're having trouble believing me but I haven't raped any of your sisters. Ever. Believe that.

ARIEL: *looks down and yawns*

ERIK: still tired?

ARIEL: Yeah... I can barely stay awake

ERIK: why don't you go back to sleep?

ARIEL: B-But it's morning... *rubs her eyes*

ERIK: and there is nothing pressing for you attend to.

ARIEL: *sighs lazily* I don't know...

ERIK: if you feel like you must stay awake we can try to find something for you to do to keep yourself occupied.

ARIEL: *nods* Like what?

ERIK: whatever you want to.

ARIEL: *slumps in her seat*

ERIK: *finishes with her hair* We could go looking for more sunken ships?

ARIEL: *brightens* that sounds like fun

ERIK: in fact...I know where there is a ship that you haven't found yet...

ARIEL: *grins and is awake* Id love to explore it!

ERIK: alright, shall we go after breakfast?

ARIEL: Yep.

ERIK: *holds out his hand for her* shall we go to breakfast now?

ARIEL: *takes it* We shall

ERIK: *gives her hand a light squeeze* *leads her to breakfast*

ARIEL: *sits at the table^

ERIK: *sits beside her and has breakfast brought*

ARIEL: *eats only a small bit*

ERIK: are you alright?

ARIEL: I'm fine

ERIK: you're not eating much.

ARIEL: I'm just trying to lose a few pounds

ERIK: you don't need to lose weight. You're perfect just the way you are.

ARIEL: *rolls her eyes* I'm overweight

ERIK: *looks absolutely shocked* You are the farthest thing from overweight!

ARIEL: *sighs* I know I am big and it's okay... You don't have to lie

ERIK: I don't lie to you. You have a figure to kill for!

ARIEL: *gets out of her chair and swims to her room*

ERIK: *follows her* Ariel?

ARIEL: I'm getting ready

ERIK: *nods* Very well. I will be waiting outside.

ARIEL: *gets ready and goes out to him* Hello.

ERIK: *smiles at her* Hello to you as well. Come on. *holds out his hand for her*

ARIEL: *takes it and swims out of the palace*