ERIK: Go to the sea weed! *darts in front of the shark to grab his attention*

ARIEL: *swims to the seaweed and hides*

ERIK: *turns complete attention to the shark*

*shark glares at him with hungry eyes*

ERIK: catch me if you can! *taunts the shark*

*shark swims after him with great speed*

ERIK: *dodges the shark's attempts and swims along the shark's side before the shark can react*

*shark senses him and sees his tail, leaving him be, thinking he's a fellow shark*

ERIK: *swims away from the shark to make sure he doesn't keep following*

*shark goes off on his own way*

ERIK: *swims to Ariel*

ARIEL: *smiles and swims out of the seaweed* Is it safe?

ERIK: yes, he's gone. He thought I was a fellow shark.

ARIEL: Your tail...

ERIK: yes, this tail is quite useful. Not only does it make for speed and fast turning but also sharks leave me alone. They don't know the difference.

ARIEL: *swims out of the sunken ship with him, grasping the new necklace on her*

ERIK: *begins to swim back towards the castle* That was an interesting trip.

ARIEL: It was

ARIEL: Yeah... Oh hold on! I think I left something on the ship. Let me go get it

ERIK: *follows her back a little ways to make sure no other shark has returned*

ARIEL: *swims to the top of the water and looks out at land*

ERIK: *swims up beside her*

ARIEL: Wow... I don't see why people think land is so bad. *grins* I think it's breathtaking

ERIK: it is beautiful. And, there are beautiful things on it.

ARIEL: Yes... *smiles*

*a ship is coming their way*

ERIK: *grabs her and pulls her under a little ways*

ARIEL: *gets out of his hold and watches the ship*

ERIK: *watches her and the ship* I would prefer if you're not seen.

ARIEL: I understand...

*ship stops suddenly*

ERIK: *pulls her into the shadow of a rock*

*a net suddenly drops down into the ocean*

ARIEL: What's that..?

ERIK: fishermen. *grabs her and pulls her down deep into the sea* we don't want to be anywhere near that net.

ARIEL: Why? What does it do? *curious*

ERIK: catches fish. That's how humans have fish on their tables for meals.

ARIEL: What!?! They eat fish??

ERIK: yes.

ARIEL: That's insane! I certainly don't eat fish!

ERIK: it is. Now, these are my waters and I don't like these fisherman here. So, I'll be right back. *heads towards the ship*

ARIEL: Wait!

ERIK: what?

ARIEL: What are you going to do to them?

ERIK: cut the nets.

ARIEL: Alright. *sighs in relief*

ERIK: *smiles and swims to the nets and begins cutting them*

ARIEL: *watches to make sure he doesn't get caught*

ERIK: *finishes cutting it and swims back* see, no harm done.

ARIEL: Thank you.

ERIK: you're welcome. I don't like cutting the nets of the smaller fishermen who are just trying to feed their families. But, the big companies can manage the loss of a net.

ARIEL: That's very kind of you. *smiles at him*

ERIK: its not my place to starve a man's family. It is my place to be a thorn in the side to the companies. They almost never come into these waters anymore.

ARIEL: You're truly a caring person. *takes his hand* I like that.

ERIK: *almost blushes* *kisses her hand gently* I'm glad you like some part of me.

ARIEL: *blushes and kisses his hand back*

ERIK: *smiles* the first time you've kiss me... *says to himself*

ARIEL: *grins*

ERIK: *smiles* shall we go back to the palace now?

ARIEL: We shall. *takes his hand*

ERIK: *lightly squeezes it and begins to lead her home again*

ARIEL: Erik? *swims with him*

ERIK: yes, my sea Angel?

ARIEL: You're my friend

ERIK: *looks at her and smiles gently* I am honored.

ARIEL: It's no big deal really

ERIK: its a big deal to me.

ARIEL: Why?

ERIK: I've always wanted your friendship. Also, it means you don't hate me quite as much.

ARIEL: You're not who I thought you were

ERIK: what exactly did you think I was? *asks, curious*

ARIEL: A monster that only wanted things for himself

ERIK: I have been called monster before. Though, not usually for what I've done. *says sadly*

ARIEL: Oh... I'm so sorry... Please forgive me

ERIK: No, it's alright. At least you were thinking of me as a monster for what you assumed how I acted. That is understandable.

ARIEL: Why do others call you a monster though, if not for your actions?

ERIK: What I look like. *looks away*

ARIEL: *mutters* The mask...

ERIK: I wear it for a reason. Not just because it is imposing.

ARIEL: Can I look..?

ERIK: NO! *covers the mask with one hand* Not yet.

ARIEL: *sighs and swims off without him*

ERIK: *swims after her* Please don't make me remove it. Please?

ARIEL: Leave me alone, Erik... I need to think *keeps swimming*

ERIK: *follows behind her* And, as usual, the mask is mentioned and everything falls apart. *swims away towards the throne room*

ARIEL: *swims towards the top of the ocean again*

ERIK: *swims into the throne room and sits down on the throne, scowling deeply*

NADIR: *slithers to his side* Ssssomething the matter?

ERIK: she mentioned the mask again. *scowls even deeper*

NADIR: Perhaps she's not the one...

ERIK: All women are to some extent curious. Besides, we're married. She did say we were friends and I wasn't a monster...but, then the mask came up and we parted ways rather unpleasantly.

NADIR: *sighs* I hope she loves you in the future...

ERIK: I as well. But, I sometimes think I should give up on the theory. This, *removes mask for a moment* isn't the most lovable. *replaces mask*

NADIR: I'm sure someone can see the beauty underneath

ERIK: How can someone see what I don't even see?

NADIR: I believe someone will. Don't give up

ERIK: I guess giving up never did anyone any good did it? But, it hurts to keep hoping...it's hard.

NADIR: I know... But you have to, if not for yourself then for Ariel.

ERIK: For her... *sighs* She told me to leave her alone for a while. I guess I will.

ARIEL: *looks out but doesn't notice as a ship throws down a net and she gets caught in it*