"What if-" Arieshell said while walking back to Jacques's cabin.

Hours went by, and Arieshell fell asleep. She jolted up. A man was yelling, "Land Ho!" Jacques came rushing in. He had a big smile. Arieshell was confused. She shook her head to Jacques that she didn't understand.

"We're at land!" exclaimed Jacques.

"Land?"

"Come on! I'll show you."

Jacques gave Arieshell his hand. She hesitated for a moment. Arieshell was still worried about people seeing her and how they would react. Arieshell decided to follow Jacques's advice. She put her hand in Jacques's and walked with him outside.

Arieshell was amazed at the sight she was presented with. She has never seen the Motherland up close before. Jacques's ship was placed between two loading dock areas. Seagulls were gliding around the boats. Arieshell saw Men and women walking on the streets. The smell of the area was like a lovely breeze for Arieshell. She smelled anything like it.

Jacques's crew unloaded multiple crates of fish and sea life. This was usual for Arieshell. She's watched boats of fishermen on the sea hunting for fish. It was life, and that is how it is. She learned that the hard way.

"Well, Jacques, another successful trip," Gus said proudly.

"Indeed!"

"However, what about her?"

"What on earth do you mean?"

"Well, I was wondering what's the plan," Gus exclaimed.

"I am going to show her around," replied Jacques.

"I know that, but people haven't seen a person like her before," Gus added.

"Nonsense! I have seen people similar to her on multiple occasions."

"No, Jacques! I," Gus looked at Arieshell then, back at Jacques, "She has bright red hair."

"Gus, they would have to learn to deal with it," Jacques stated.

Jacques walked towards Arieshell. She was gazing upon the townsfolk. Jacques noticed her uncertainty about walking along with humans. It wasn't like she could control how she presented herself. The only part of herself she could manage was turning her fins into legs. Jacques laid his hand on her shoulder to comfort Arieshell.

Arieshell smiled. They both started walking down the sidewalk. Carriages, people, and animals strolled along the roads. Arieshell saw dozens of shops and restaurants. She saw nothing like it. Jacques and Arieshell continued walking down the streets until they came across a bakery.

"Ah! Let's go in here," said Jacques.

Arieshell looked up at the sign, "O-okay."

Jacques opened the door for Areishell, "After you!" he gestured.

A tall man stood behind the counter. He was packaging pastries for another customer. The clerk finished ringing up the numbers, placed them in a bag, and handed them to the customer.

"Ce sera tout?" asked the clerk.
Translation: "Will that be all?"

"Oui," replied the man.
Translation: "Yes."

The clerk smiled and handed the man the bag of sweets, "Ce sera Vingt-cinq euros."
Translation: "That will be Twenty-Five dollars."

The man grabbed his wallet and brought gray and blue pieces of paper that Arieshell couldn't recognize. What's that? I've never seen anything like it. As the man placed the money on the counter, he took the bag and gestured to the clerk.

"Prenez soin de vous."
Translation: "Take care."

"Merci, revenez nous voir."
Translation: "Thank you, come again."

As the man walked out, the clerk noticed Jacques and Arieshell. An immense grin came to his face. Arieshell backed up behind Jacques.

"Ha! Jacques, mon vieil ami, comment vas-tu?" The man asked.
Translation: "Ha! Jacques, my old friend, how are you?"

"Maurice! Je vais bien et toi?" asked Jacques.
Translation: "I'm good, and you?"

Maurice waved his hand, "Ha! les affaires ont été lentes mais nous avons travaillé dur."
Translation: "The business has been slow, but we've been working hard."

Jacques smiled at the man. There's a lot to say about Maurice Millet, but above all else, know that he's calm and leaderly. Of course, he's also courteous, hardworking, and fun-loving, but in a way, they're lesser traits and trained by behaviors of being power-hungry as well. His calm nature and delectable sweets are to die for, and that's what he's the most popular for.

There are many times when friends count on this and his reliability when they require support.

Nobody's perfect, of course, and Maurice has a fair share of lesser days too. His predatory nature and self-indulgence don't make for the most excellent company and could ruin plenty of evenings. Fortunately, his leadership is usually there to help mend things when needed.
Maurice glanced over Jacques's shoulder and noticed something red.

"Pardonnez-moi, mais qui est-ce?"
Translation: "Pardon me, but who's that?"

"Oh, c'est Arieshell, c'est une invitée," replied Jacques while revealing Arieshell.
Translation: "This is Arieshell. She's a guest."

Maurice's eyes widened, and then he started shakily to back away from her, "C'est une bête! Un Sauvage!"
Translation: "She's a beast! A savage!"

"Maurice, écoute-moi, elle ne te fera pas de mal. C'est une amie," Jacques exclaimed while holding him.
Translation: "Listen to me. She's not going to hurt you. She's a friend.

It took a minute for Maurice to compose himself. He looked at Arieshell, frightened but with curiosity. Arieshell wondered if she could run or try to stay to witness the man's response. Maurice took a step forward towards Arieshell.

"She doesn't speak French, so try to talk in English," exclaimed Jacques.

 Maurice gulped, "I have never seen a woman or person like this before. That hair-Those eyes."

"Yes, she's pretty. Isn't she?" asked Jacques. 

"Where did you meet her?"

"The ocean."

"The ocean," Maurice's eyes widened, "that only can be possible if she was a-,"

"Siren? Yes, but she's not going to hurt you," exclaimed Jacques.

Maurice glanced at Arieshell. Then turned to Jacques, "Did she use her siren song to control you?" 

"What, no!"

The man crossed his arms in disappointment, "I need to hear it from her. No, you," Maurice turned to the girl, "Tell me the truth, did you use your song on Jacques?"

Arieshell tensed up for a moment, then relaxed. She didn't like the confrontation that the man placed before her. Her mind wandered off as if it was protecting her from getting hurt. Arieshell took a deep breath.

"If I may be frank with you. Jacques was on his ship, and he caught me in his nets. He decided to take me on land and show me around. That's the truth."

There was nothing but silence in the shop. Jacques and Arieshell watched Maurice's expression of disgust fade. The man turned back to his counter. Jacques rushed over to reconcile with him. Although Arieshell was not used to this, she waited to see how this played out.

"Maurice, please. She's a guest. She is here to look at the town. Arieshell doesn't have any bad intentions."

Ignoring Jacques's comments, "Do you want to buy something?"

"Maurice," Jacques pleaded.

Maurice didn't respond. He unlocked the cashier and began to count the money. Jacques crossed his arms in frustration. Maurice clicked his tongue in defeat. He stopped his actions and stared at Jacques for a prolonged period.

"Poor Belle."

Jacques's eyes widened, "Belle?"

"She's been absent from the town," exclaimed Maurice.

"Where is she?" asked Jacques in concern.

"She's been in that bizarre man's house. No one has seen her come out of that for months. People are beginning to worry about her. It's gotten to the point that the townspeople believe something immoral has happened to her."

Jacques took a minute to process the information Maurice had given him.

"It makes me wonder how his son would react if he knew what was going on," Maurice added.

"William?" inquired Jacques.

"Yes!"

"But-"

Maurice cut him off, "William's her best friend. He won't let this happen."

"He's not here. He's somewhere in England," exclaimed Jacques.

"Not quite," Maurice said while placing an old newspaper on the counter for Jacques to examine.

Jacques glanced at it and looked back at Maurice, "This can't be right. People were led to believe he was dead or in England having a family."

"That's far from the truth! That man and that asshole of a King is up to this. I know it! It won't surprise me. If they were brainwashing Belle to think so."

"You're asking me to go see Belle?" asked Jacques.

"Why wouldn't you? She's your family, after all," suggested Maurice.

"Alright, I'll go."

"Great! Oh, I need you to give her this," Maurice said, giving Jacques a bag.

"What's this?"

"They're sweets. More specifically, they're chocolate cornets. She and William love these."

Jacques nodded, "Do I need to pay?"

"Oh no. They're a gift from me," replied Maurice.

"Thank you. We better get going then," suggested Jacques.

"Of course, save travels and have a good day!"

"You too!"