Two Differnt Worlds (Lori/Ariel)

[Lori]

It was a draining task being Queen. Lori didn't know how her mother was able to do it for all this time, but she did. Lori felt like she was a failure of a daughter. Complaining about things that came so simple to her mother. While her mother tried to prepare her for this day, there was still so much yet to learn that Mother never had the chance to teach Lori. And now it was too late.

Queen Lori was at the docks overseeing a shipment from Jherrazad when she noticed something at the end of the docks. A splash. Did someone fall overboard? As far as she could tell nobody did or there would be more movement on the ship, but this prompted Lori to investigate further. As she came to the edge of the docks and looked within the water's surface.

"Hello? Is someone there?"

[Queen Ariel]

Ariel tried to submerge herself back underwater before anyone on the surface world could see her, but it was too late. One of the women who were there at the docks spotted her and Ariel was afraid what would happen next. If what Father said about the humans were any bit true. Ariel hovered underneath the surface of the water looking up at the woman now looking down where she was. Could the woman see her? If Ariel could see her then surely the woman must see her too.

Ariel knew she should just swim away and not look back, but this was a chance to interact with someone from the human world. Should she give it up just out of fear? No! Ariel was going to talk to this person and learn more about the human world. With little regard for her own safety, Ariel came up to the surface of the water and revealed herself to the woman. Now leaning up against the edge of the docks.

"Hello. I'm Ariel."

[Lori]

Lori backed up a few paces when the woman emerged from the water and introduced herself to the Queen. Lori wasn't expecting anyone to actually be down there. Let alone a mermaid. It made Lori intrigued, but also cautious.

"You're a mermaid," said Lori stating the obvious. "I didn't know such creatures even existed."

[Queen Ariel]

Ariel nodded her head up and down with a friendly smile plastered on her young face.

"Yeah, I am."

Then the woman stated she didn't know mermaids existed. It didn't surprise Ariel too much. With how Father was about humans he probably liked it best that their race was considered only mere myth to the human race. Boy, would he be upset now if he knew she was talking with a human.

"We don't normally make public appearances like this. I was just curious. What's your name? I see a crown on your head. Are you a Princess?"

[Lori]

"I was. I am Lori Queen of Hallowton. I have heard stories about mermaids such as yourself, but that's all I thought they were. Stories. Are you truly able to breathe underwater?"

Mermaids and merman tended to be part human and part fish, but capable of breathing both on land and underwater. Being part of two worlds in a sense. It was somewhat romantic. Queen Lori wished she could've been transformed into a beautiful mermaid and leave the stress of castle life behind. But that seemed impossible.

[Queen Ariel]

"You're a Queen? That's amazing! I always wanted to be a Queen. And human. And have legs. And learn all about your culture, but... that seemed impossible."

Ariel was sad for a moment. As much as she loved the human world she could never be a part of them. She was a mermaid. Limited to the sea and the water. Not able to walk on land and stay on it for long periods of time. What could she do if she wanted to be on land so?

[Lori]

"Perhaps it's not as impossible as you may think."

Queen Lori was starting to get an idea that would benefit both of them. Yet it would've disappointed the likes of her deceased mother and friend Sazan, but what they didn't know wouldn't hurt them.

"Have you heard of the legend of the Genie?"

[Queen Ariel]

"Legend of the Genie?" repeated Ariel intrigued. She had heard many things about the human world. From woods that brought forth fire and horses that they rode on. But she hasn't heard of this legend of the Genie that Queen Lori was speaking of.

"What's a Genie?"

[Lori]

"A genie is an all powerful magical being who lives inside a lamp. Once you rub it and free the genie he or she will grant you three wishes. If we could find a lamp we could wish for the genie to switch us places. For me to be the mermaid and you the human Queen. What do you say?"

Queen Lori thought it was a sound idea. She had an ulterior motive however. This plan would free her of the responsibility of being royalty and allow her to be truly free as a creature of the sea. But it would leave Ariel with having to run a castle and a country. Not a fair trade, but Lori didn't care. She had become selfish.

[Queen Ariel]

Ariel's bright blue eyes grew even wider as Lori explained what a genie was. It sounded exciting and amazing.

"You mean I could be a Queen?"

The concept definitely appealed to her. Not only being able to have legs and be human but a Queen on top of that? That meant she could do anything she wanted.

"Where can we find this genie?"

[Lori]

Queen Lori hid a sly smile as Ariel was hook, line, and sinker for her plan.

"They say a genie sleeps deep within the sea, but I haven't the means to explore the blue depths, but you on the other hand might be able to?"

Lori hoped Ariel would catch the hint. She was a mermaid, could breathe underwater, and swim to places that nobody else could swim. Lori was sure if she had the submarines of Isafaro that she could find the lamp herself, but for right now she would have to rely on other means.

[Queen Ariel]

Ariel's face lit up at the notion that she could find the lamp they both sought.

"I can find it! Leave it to me!"

Ariel sunk back underneath the water's surface, but then came back up to speak to Lori further.

"Meet me back here this time tomorrow. I'll get it for us then."

Ariel then dived back into the water and swam away to search for the lamp.

[Lori]

The Queen smiled and almost felt guilty at how easy it was to manipulate this girl. But it was a means to an end. The end of her life as a slave to Hallowton. She would be free soon and free to explore the ocean and see all that lives deep underneath its surface. Queen Lori nodded her head to Ariel and then took off before anyone else has seen her lingering.

[Queen Ariel]

Ariel was more than confident that she could find the genie lamp and bring it back to Queen Lori by this time tomorrow. She had found so many wonderful artifacts before from the human world, so why would this be any different? And then finally her dream would come true, and she would only have legs.

But she would be a Queen as well.

End Thread!