08- The Date

--This Chapter is rated "PG" for mild suggestive themes and a moment of intense fantasy violence--

How could a guy consider himself so lucky?  Here he is now- strolling through the Great Mall of the Atlantic, two beautiful mermaids in tow.  Not only that, but they're sisters.
One was attractive in every way, with her golden tail and shiny medium-length black hair.  Often, other young guys would turn and just stare at her great beauty, but she seemed to ignore them, content with her current escort.  But he knew that she enjoyed how they looked at her; she reveled in the invisible spotlight cast upon her.
The other was plain looking, and if you didn't know who she was, you would probably take her for just another ordinary girl.  No ornament to signify that she was unique, nothing that suggested the gentle soul that resided within the body of this girl with the long red hair, bright eyes, and green tail.
But the best part of all of this?  They were both princesses, worthy of great respect.  You know what?  He was a lucky guy right now…
Orion wasn't quite sure how he had ended up on this double-date of sorts.  He guessed that Adella had suggested it, but he wasn't sure.  But Ariel didn't seem to have objected.  And Orion wasn't really in any position to debate it.  After all, he'd promised Adella that they would get together at the mall.  And he'd also promised Ariel to spend more time with her to prove that he wasn't trying to avoid her.  If he didn't know better, he would have guessed that Adella was making sure that he and Ariel did get together!

The Mall itself was an amazing sight to behold to the human eye.  There were at least 4 levels to this thing.  It was partially carved into a giant rock face, partially buried underground.  Any new wings  that were needed were built outside the original structure with different types of sandstone, coral, carved stones, and some sort of paste that didn't weaken in the surrounding ocean water.  Like with the Palace and most larger buildings in the Kingdom, there were large glass panels that allowed light in from above, but prevented people from coming in just anywhere they wanted to.  In the lowest level, buried underground, there was artificial light.  Not electricity, though.  Some light was provided by electric eels that swam within restrictive 'bowls'.  Other lights were from natural elements that were brought down from above after being exposed to light, and they continued to hold that glow for hours.
This great gathering place had stores of a nature similar to modern land shopping centers.  Clothing- though rarely used or needed by merfolk- was sold.  Food, artwork, and home furniture were also sold here.  Each store had at least one cashier and one clerk.  The clerk would help customers on the floor to find items of interest, or would stock the store with goods.  And the cashier would sell the item or stand outside the entryway to promote the store and what he/she was selling.  To Orion, much of this place reminded him of a giant open-air marketplace from Europe's 17th Century.  Except that Europe didn't have crab, sunfish, and dolphins wandering though as well.
Oh, yes- there were other types of life down here that sold items as well.  There was one store here run by a group of oysters & crabs that sold rare and beautiful pearls.  There was even a barbershop- owned by a particularly large and skillful octopus.  He could work on three heads at once, and still have an extra set of tentacles to work the cash machine.  When Orion poked his head in the door of the shop, he hadn't known this, and practically jumped out of his suit when he saw the eight-limbed creature offer an arm of welcome.  When half the mall had stopped looking at him after he screamed, he told an embarrassed Ariel & Adella that he was terribly afraid of octopus.  Ariel was more considerate of his feelings and would warn him if there was another octopus in the area.  But Adella seemed to find this strange fear simply too funny to resist, and would wait to the last second to give him warning, or not at all.  At the end of the day, she managed to get three more screams out of him… and the addresses of four young mermen who were curious about Orion's attractive escorts.

The three companions eventually found their way to the entrance of a fortuneteller's dwelling.  Feeling lucky, Orion entered the establishment.  When Adella protested, saying that most fortunes told here were often not even close, Orion offered to pay for all three of them.  Her warning suddenly forgotten, Adella insisted that she go first.  An older-looking merwoman came out of a room at the back of the establishment.  She had a dark blue tail and a clear scarf tied into her long black hair.  Orion was glad no one could see his face; he smiled at the thought of the heavy fortuneteller waddling like a penguin when she swam.  One by one, the old merwoman took each of them inside the closed-off room at the back of the store.  At 20 SandDollars per person, they had better be worth it.
Adella came out of the room with her cheeks pink and something of a grimace on her face.  When Ariel & Orion asked her about it, she said that the fortune was for her alone.  With a quizzical look, Ariel went next.  She came out with a more puzzled expression on her face.  Again, Orion's inquiry was turned down.
Finally, it was his turn.  Orion pushed the bead partition aside and entered the room.  It was warm in here, and smelled of strong incense.  There was a strange "fire" (or at least what looked like one) sitting in a brick hole in the wall.  The old woman was next to it, gazing at the "flames".
"Stop where you are," the woman said without looking at him.  Orion silently looked the room over.  On a table in the middle of the room, there was a clear glass ball sitting on a red velvet pillow.  There were two small benches on either side of the table.  He turned his attention back to the old woman, as she seemed to carry a small flame from the fire pit.  Orion watched as she pushed the flame into the glass ball, which suddenly glowed green; its light filling the entire room.  "Be seated."  Orion sat opposite the merwoman at the table.  She reached for his hands and held on to them.  She closed her eyes, and spoke in a hushed voice.

"In this world, you are a stranger."

"Yes, I-"

"A stranger to all.
You are searching for something.
You are bound to this world by many forces.  Tell me your name."

"My name is Orion."

"You deceive many."  Orion's head leaned back slightly.
You have a purpose here, but only the Greats Ones can know of it."

"I know why I am here."

"You speak one way, yet you go another.  To deceive so many will lead to your destruction one day."

"You mean lying?"

"Yes, and no.  Yours is a fate that is already decided.  What you do in this world… is of no consequence.  What you will do in the next… is of no consequence.  And when you finally return to your home, you will find that all of what you have done… will be of no consequence.  To live an empty life is something that will not be tolerated by the Great Ones.  Your Fate is already decided, young man.  The Fate of others is something that you care for, but theirs is not one that you shall carry forever."

"What do you mean?"

"There is more.  You will be deceived, as you shall be saved.  In this, you must take caution. For the betrayal of another will slay you.  And when the time comes, you will not be able to resist the betrayer.
Yours is a life of balance that must be maintained.  Always with you, a deception must be maintained.  To upset that balance, is to destroy yourself.
But do not think that all you have done is unforgivable.  For you hold, within you, the power of many.  And unlike many before you, what you shall do is both great and terrible.  And when you succeed, you shall be destroyed.  And when you are destroyed, you shall, yet, live on in a life of destruction and loss."

"Is my future going to destroy me?"

"The future is not.  Your future, like all others, is not your own.  It is not yours to command, nor is it yours to test."

"Will my mission fail?"

"Your mission will end, as all missions end.  But what you must ask yourself is: 'Will I be well to see the end of my mission?'"

Orion considered his next words very carefully.  "When all is done with my involvement in this world, will I live as I do now, or will I become something else?"

"When you leave, you will be different."

"The betrayal, you speak of…  Who will betray me?"

"The betrayer is close, but not seen.  Your enemy will see that it is so."

"Do I know who my enemy is?"

"Yes.
"These are my words, not yours.  Therefore they are not yours to share.  They are to be guarded against and for.  When you leave, they will hold all the answers, and none of the answers.  This is my promise to you."

She shook her head.  The Reader's voice returned to a more normal volume.  "Do you have any questions for me?"
"No, but, thank you for your help."
"I appreciate your gesture.  Now I have a question for you."
"Uh, sure."  The door to the small room suddenly closed on its own, cutting off contact with the outside.  The flame in the back of the room suddenly went out.  Now there was no light in the room except for what little there was from the glass ball.  Orion faced the old woman.  She had on a nasty smile.
"When are you going to deliver Atlantica to me?"
"What?"  The merwoman's grip on his hands suddenly tightened like a vice.
"I have waited for a month now, Orion.  I have upheld my end of the bargain.  When will you uphold yours?"   The craziest of thoughts entered his mind.  He could almost feel those large black tentacles wrapping around his body again.  He was suddenly scared.
"Ursula…?"  He watched in horror as the old woman opened her mouth and a large black tentacle emerged, quickly wrapping itself around his head.  He tried to move his hands, but they, too were being held fast by the woman's amazing grip.  He tried to move his legs, but something was holding them too.  The woman moved out of her chair and slithered next to him.  There was glee in her eyes as she watched the human try to free himself.  She loved it.  His body trying desperately to free itself thrilled her.  She spoke.
"This is a warning, boy.  If you do not give me what I want, I will kill you."  Then she threw her head back and cackled loudly, the long withering tentacle from her mouth still clutching the human's head.  Suddenly, she let go of his arms, and the force binding his legs released.  Then, with no effort, the disguised Sea Witch held onto his head tightly with the giant tentacle, and threw him across the room.  Orion's body was unable to stop.  He slammed into the solid rock wall with incredible power, and slumped to the ground unconscious; his suit unable to completely protect him from the impact.

---

As he came to, Orion could make out three faces.  One was Ariel's, one was Adella's, and one was the fortuneteller's.  Orion clumsily pointed his left vambrace at the old woman- palm down, bent at the wrist.
"Get away… from me… you… witch!"  The heavy woman was shocked.
"I beg your pardon, sir!"
"Orion!" Ariel shouted.  "What are you doing?  Why did you call her that?"
"Yeah," added Adella.  "What's going on?"
"Orion, put your arm down."  Ariel tried to push his black arm down, but it didn't budge.  "She's not going to hurt you."
"Yeah, right," Orion shot back.  He was wide-awake now.
The old woman spoke again.  "You and I have been asleep for an hour.  These two young ladies found us."
"What do you mean, 'asleep'?"
"Something happened.  Just after the reading, something happened.  But I don't know what.  I can't remember anything after the reading.  All I know is that these girls found us asleep on either side of the room.  Can you remember anything?"
Orion slowly, cautiously lowered his arm.  He couldn't remember anything either.  At least, after the reading.  But there were two things he did remember: he had been terrified, and the warning.

If you do not give me what I want, I will kill you…

The girls pulled Orion upright, and they waited outside the shop.  As he was paying for the fortuneteller's services, it suddenly struck him- Ursula must have possessed the merwoman's body and somehow controlled it from somewhere else so that the Sea Witch wouldn't be seen.  But whatever happened after the reading, the old woman wouldn't have been able to remember because her mind was already asleep when the take-over took place.  What happened after that, only Ursula would remember clearly.  But he had to wonder… Had Ursula made any of those predictions?  If not, how much had she heard?  He looked at the woman behind the counter.
"How much of the reading do you remember?"
"All of it."
"What happened after you told me to keep it to myself?"
"Nothing."  So, she had been taken just after the reading.  Perhaps the Sea Witch had been listening in to get the timing right.  As he left the counter, he placed another SDollar on the counter.
"Thanks for everything.  I'm sorry about what happened."
"You're welcome."
"I'll try to quash the rumors that you're not accurate with fortunes."
"Thank you, sir."

The two mermaid princesses were waiting outside as Orion left the door.  They both moved over to him.  "Are you ok?" asked Ariel.
"Yeah, I'll be fine."
"This is such a drag!" Adella complained.  "We lost nearly an hour because of this.  Come on.  I'll be lucky if I can visit everything before closing time…" She proceeded on, with Ariel & Orion tailing behind her.
"So… did you know that Alana's birthday is in 3 more days?"
"Yeah, I did.  In fact, that's one of the reasons I wanted to come here.  I wanted to know things that she might like, and what I might be able to get her for a present."
"Get a present for who?" interrupted Adella.
"Alana," replied Orion.
"Well, she really likes animals, especially seahorses," Ariel said.
"Now that you mention it, I saw a store back there that had some interesting stone animal sculptures in it.  Maybe I should go back there and get her one."
"What are you kidding?" said Adella.  "She already has too much of that stuff.  She needs to get into more of the things that we like."  She turned around and swam away, looking for a particular shop.  Uncertain, Ariel and Orion followed.  They ended up in a store that sold mirrors and desks.  Adella quickly moved to one of the full-body mirrors.  She struck a pose- putting one hand behind her head and the other on her right hip, and smiled.  "What do you think?  Wouldn't this look great for Alana?"  Orion and Ariel glanced at each other.  "I know that it would look great on me."  Ariel caught some movement out the corner of her eye.
"Oh!  It's Alana!"  The other two turned and looked.  Sure enough, Princess Alana was slowly making her way into the store from across the hallway.  Orion tilted his head to one side.

She was too cute to be an almost-17 years old mermaid.  Cute in a child-like way.  Her small pink crown, seashell top, and tail & fins seemed to add to that image.  She had her medium-length black hair in small ringlets that bobbed up-and-down with each swish of her tailfins.  Like the rest of her sisters, Alana was thin, yet graceful.  Very cute… Orion thought.

The sisters exchanged greetings, while Orion stayed out of the way.  They finally broke apart, and Alana noticed him.
"Hello there, Mr. Orion."  He made a small bow.
"Good afternoon to you, Princess Alana. How are you today?"
"I'm doing well, thank you."  She turned to her siblings.  "What are you all doing here?"
"Oh, uhh…" said Ariel.
"Oh, uhh…" said Orion.
"Oh, uhh…" said Adella.
"Adella was just showing us this new mirror that she was thinking of buying."  He turned to stare at Adella.  "Didn't you…?"
"Uh… oh, right!  Yes.  This mirror would look perfect in my room, wouldn't you say, Ariel?"
"Uh… absolutely.  What do you think, Alana?"
"I think Adella has one just like it already."  Orion had an idea.
"Alana, can you float in front of that mirror for me, please?"  Ariel & Adella looked at him, wondering what he was doing.  Alana complied and moved in front of the mirror.
"Is this alright?"
"Now, what do you think, Ariel?  Who looks better in it- Adella, or Alana?"  Orion moved behind Alana.  He gently took her hands, and placed them together in front of her.  Alana was surprised by his touch, but didn't fight it.  "Better," he said to Alana, then looked over his shoulder at Ariel.  "Well?"
"You're right," Ariel sputtered.  "That mirror is definitely Alana."  Orion released her hands.
"Hey!"  All three turned to face Adella.  She shoved her way past Orion and Alana and struck another pose in front of the mirror.  "I think I look good in it too!"  Adella turned to him.  "What do you think now, Orion?"  Ariel put a hand to her mouth in horror.  Adella was going to blow it!  Alana cast her eyes downward a little.
"Uh, Adella?"  Orion placed a hand around her waist.  "Can I talk to you for a minute?"  He didn't give her a chance to respond.  Instead, he pushed her gently over to a corner.  His voice was a hushed rage.  "What are you doing!?"
"I was jus-"
"I was trying to see if Alana liked it, not you!"
"Why?"  Orion couldn't believe it.  Was she really that dense?
"Because that way I would know if I could get it for her!"  Over Adella's shoulder, he saw Ariel trying to get Alana back in front of the mirror; trying to salvage the situation.  He turned back to the mermaid in front of him.  His voice was normal again, but still quiet.  "For now, I want to have Alana try it out.  This has nothing to do with you for now.  Wait until she's gone, then we'll talk about you, OK?"
"Al- alright."  Orion placed a hand on Adella's shoulder, and led her back to the other two princesses.
"Sorry about that.  What have we missed?"
"Ariel was just telling me that this mirror would fit well in my room."
"Would you like a mirror like that?"  Alana shrugged.
"Not really."
"I would, though," said Adella, placing a hand on Orion's, which was still on her shoulder.
"Well, I have to be going.  I'll see all of you at dinner tonight."  Ariel waved.
"Alright.  Bye, Alana."
"Yeah.  See ya," Adella said, half-bored.  She looked at Orion.  "See?  There was no need to panic.  I knew that she wouldn't go for it."  Orion watched Alana disappear around the corner.
"Yeah, I guess you're right.  I'm sorry."  He looked at the digital display on his left arm.  "Say, uh, are there any other stores around here that might have something that Alana might like?"  Adella thought for a moment.
"No, none that I can think of.  Ariel?"
"I can't think of any now either."  Orion looked up from his arm.
"Well, if that's the case… What time is your dinner at the Palace usually?"
"At 8:00 usually.  Why?"
"Well, it's about 6:45 now.  How about I take you two over to the Food Court and get a snack before we leave?"
"Oh, that's nice of you, Orion.  But aren't you going to get something as well?"
"Naw, I couldn't."  He poked a finger where his mouth should be.  "I can't eat underwater.  And I couldn't eat even if I wanted to because my mouth doesn't open when I'm wearing the suit.  It's ok.  I'll just eat when I get home tonight."

True to his word, Orion ordered two Seaberry Floats for Adella and Ariel.  They sat at a table for a few minutes while the princesses enjoyed their drinks.  Though he said nothing, Orion still found it interesting that their drinks didn't mix with the water.  There were other young mermaids & mermen sitting around, enjoying various foods.
Orion watched them interact.  It was almost like home, he thought to himself.  Teenagers having a good time, laughing, teasing, and just enjoying each other's company.  One group of teens seemed to have started a small food fight among themselves.  For a brief moment, the human under the smooth black armor thought of his own home far from here.  Another lifetime ago.  A time that was never going to leave him no matter what he did.  How could it have gone differently? he wondered.
The girls finished their drinks, and the three of them left.  About ten minutes from the Mall, Orion had to depart for Aqua Base.  First, he took Adella's hands in his.
"Thank you for getting together with me.  I liked this time."
"No problem.  Maybe we can do it again without the kid hanging around, huh?"
Ariel turned on her smiling sister.  "Hey…!"
Orion let go of Adella's hands, and reached for Ariel's.  "At least in my mind, you're not a kid."  That got her to smile.  "I had a good time with you too, Ariel.  I hope that I proved to you today that I want to be around you."  He looked at Adella.  "Both of you, for that matter.  I like being around both of you."  He leaned down over Ariel's hands, then released them.  "Good night to you, Princess Ariel.  And good night to you, Princess Adella.  Sweet dreams to both of you."  He watched them wave good-bye as they swam away.  Orion smiled under his mask.  That was interesting, buddy.  You scored better now than you have in a long time.  The two mermaids finally disappeared around a rock.  Orion turned and deployed his thrust wings.  It was already beginning to get dark, and he wanted to get home before nightfall.  And his stomach was growling through his suit.
Orion put on a burst of speed, attaining a comfortable 30 mph in just a few seconds.
"Computer/Aqua Base: begin new Mission Log entry"

--Ready--

"Uh, computer, belay that.  Instead, begin new Personal Log entry."

--Ready--

"I just sent Adella and Ariel home after a good 4 hours at the Great Mall of the Atlantic Ocean on a-- AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!"

Orion's entire body convulsed hard.  The pain was immeasurable.  He couldn't think, he couldn't move.  The pain seemed to go on forever.  Then it ended just as suddenly as it had begun.  Orion's limp form slowly drifted to the seafloor, his pleasant words left unsaid.
Three dark shapes moved over the human's motionless body; one of them carrying a long staff that glowed with energy.  The other two reached down with their long powerful hands, and lifted him.  Then, together, they headed out of the area.  They took Orion away from where they had captured him…

Away of the City of Atlantica…

Away of the Kingdom of Atlantica…

Away to a placed feared by all but the lone inexperienced human…

To be continued…