So this might be the longest chapter ever. Sorry about that, but it's just one of those sections where if it was split in two, they'd be two kinda boring chapters so instead they're one long slightly interesting chapter...I am not making a good case for reading this. Well, this is what's next; we're getting close to the end! Hope you're "slightly interested"....
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Chapter 16
Despite Aquata’s best efforts, there was really no preparation good enough for what the day would bring. It was one of those surreal days in which events passed so quickly and yet certain images were emblazoned into memory as if they’d lasted forever. Sharing stories over the breakfast table with long absent aunts and uncles who brought the past close enough to touch. Tables full of foods to suit the pallets of anything in the ocean. And that was just breakfast. When the morning’s meal was over, everyone spilled out of the palace and into enormous stands to watch the parade of Atlantica. They were greeted by a surge of life that coiled its way through the marine metropolis as its people paid homage to its king. Towering floats made of woven sea weed, coral sculpted into breathing depictions of past greatness, and the simple yet awe-inspiring sight of so many creatures banding together in celebration.
All of it was enough to leave even the eldest ocean dweller speechless, but for Eric, the menagerie of the ocean spreading before him left him in breathless wonder. For the first time on their trip, Ariel wasn’t besieged with his questions. He’d been overwhelmed into a child-like quiet. So Ariel didn’t interject with explanations; she simply smiled as he marveled at it all.
To anyone watching, it only looked as if Triton’s youngest daughter had been given the responsibility of chaperoning the obscure North Pacific prince through the day’s festivities.
Good, they thought,
perhaps she’ll take to him and come to her senses. It would appear she’s quite enamored with him, they said. So
much for that human of hers! Triton must be so relieved. The few Atlanticans who swore the boy was Ariel’s human were met with staunch resistance; no arrogant human would ever visit Atlantica! So, much to the royal family’s comfort (and Ariel’s peace of mind), Eric’s identity went unquestioned and they were all able to enjoy the day without incident.
After many speeches and dedications around the city, the sea began to darken and the sparkling lights of the palace set the city aglow. The royal family had retired to their chambers to prepare for the ceremony. Of course, in reality that meant everyone was in the common room, the girls laughing and talking over the day and Finn and Eric playing Canyons and Currents as they all waited for River, Waverly, Sheldon, Caspian, and Rip to arrive.
This was interrupted after some time by a knock on the door. As they all turned toward the sound, they saw Triton peeking into the room.
“There’s a group of fairly good-looking merman waiting downstairs. I thought that might interest some of you,” he said as easily as any other father on any other day.
Arista, Alana, Adella, Andrina, and Attina all flew from the room, hurriedly getting out “Thank you, Father” as they left. Triton chuckled and looked to Aquata, Ariel, Finn, and Eric. “You did very well today, Aquata. I’m very proud of you.”
“Thank you, Father,” she said, allowing herself a smile.
“I just hope you were able to enjoy some of it. I know how easily you start to worry about things like this.”
“I wasn’t too worried about this.”
Ariel snorted.
“I can tell,” Triton said, unconvinced. “Eric,” he said turning to the young merman. “I’m sorry that we couldn’t be entirely forthright about you today.” The king looked almost embarrassed by it.
“It’s completely alright, Your Majesty,” Eric answered quickly, sensing the king’s discomfort. “I understand.”
“Thank you, Eric. It will take some time for people to change their minds about humans, but I believe that they will.”
“So do I,” Ariel said swimming up to Eric.
“Until then,” Triton continued, “at least you know that our family has certainly taken to you.”
It was Eric’s turn to be embarrassed. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“Of course, of course,” Triton laughed. “I just hope you weren’t too overwhelmed by everything you saw and everyone you met. It must have been a lot to take in for someone who’s never been under the sea before.”
“Oh, no. I mean, yes it was a lot but, it was incredible! I don’t think I’ll ever see anything like it again.”
“Just wait, Eric,” said Aquata. “We’ve still got to see the Anniversary Celebration tonight!”
“It certainly will be quite the event,” Triton said, excitement coming through his composure. “I don’t know how you all will have the energy for it after spending last night in Eel-ectric City. How was it, by the way?”
All four of them jumped as if their hearts might have exploded. Aquata was just going to say something to blow off their father’s question when suddenly from out in the hallway came a thick Jamaican accent. “Ariel! Aquata! Where are you two?”
“They are in here with me, Sebastian,” Triton answered coolly.
In a second, Sebastian appeared in the door frame flanked by the rest of the princesses and their respective dates for the evening.
“Oh,” Sebastian cooed. “Of course, Your Majesty. I was just looking for da girls because it’s time for dem to get ready for da celebration.”
“Well then girls, I guess I shouldn’t keep you all.” He turned to the boys in the hallway. “As for you lads, I’m leaving you to Sebastian and Finn. They should be able to get you ready and seated for tonight’s festivities. Now then, there are a few things I should look into before the celebration, myself. I’ll see you all in the Concert Hall.”
After Triton took his leave, a small murmur of excited voices started. But, never one to let a situation get away from him Sebastian started to wave his claws for some attention.
“Girls…! Boys…! Everybody!” Everyone snapped and looked to the over excited crustacean floating above them. “T’ank you. Now, boys, you’re going to go to da Sargasso Sea Room to get ready. Dere are official sashes in dere for each of you.”
“Cool!” said Rip. “We get sashes!”
“I know, Rip,” Waverly said gingerly, clapping him on the back. “It’s exciting.”
The rest of the guys hid their laughter as Sebastian turned to Finn. “Finn, could you show dem de way, please.”
Finn nodded and swam in front of the boys as they said their goodbyes to their princesses.
“And girls, as for you: To your changing room immediately and get ready as soon as possible! Dis event will start on time no matter what state your hair is in! So go! Go, go, go, go, go!”
With a few squeals and a few laughs, the girls were out of the common room, hurrying to get themselves ready before Sebastian boiled in his own shell.
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In what they thought was a ludicrously small amount of time (thirty-five minutes exactly), the girls had readied themselves for the evening. They each wore delicate headbands of pearls as tiaras; Aquata’s was slightly more ornate to distinguish her as heir apparent. They were each wearing a variation on their normal shells. Their respective colors were the same but a string of matching beads and pearls acted as sleeves, draping over their arms. Now changing clothes was easy, the hard part was cornering Ariel and getting her to put her hair up for the occasion. Ariel was never really one for excessive primping, so she was never interested in elaborate hair designs. But tonight was too important to let their little sister go out with her hair looking all current swept. After much cajoling, they’d gotten most of Ariel’s hair pulled up into a teardrop-shaped mother of pearl ring with the rest falling about her shoulders. It was too simple for Adella and she was sure that she could have done much more with it but time and Ariel’s waning patience wouldn’t allow it.
When they were finally ready, Sebastian led the girls to the Sargasso Sea Room to meet up with the boys, whose conversation stopped immediately upon the princesses entering the room. The boys looked particularly handsome with their blue sashes draped over their left shoulders pinned with half a clam shell over their hearts.
“Now,” the crustacean started with aplomb. “All your guests are already in da Concert Hall. You’ll make your entrance with da King when de orchestra starts dere beautifully composed fanfare,” he added with pride. “Girls, your fadda is waiting for you all outside of da royal box. You know your way dere. I have to go and take my place wit de orchestra,” he said straightening his shell. “Good luck, tonight and enjoy da show!”
There was a small chorus of “Thanks, Sebastian” as the little crab rushed off in a streak of red. Aquata turned to group who were in a rare silence, the electrified kind that’s induced by anticipation. “Alright, guys,” she said simply, “let’s go.”
Excitedly, the princesses and their escorts made their way through the winding seaways of the palace. The closer they got to the Concert Hall the busier the activity became. Little sea horse ushers were zipping through the water, speaking to each other in nods and gestures. Not only did the guests in the Concert Hall have to be seated and made comfortable, but there was also the matter of the gala that followed to attend to. So while some staff were organizing the event in the Concert Hall which included the guests and the many different entertainers and speakers for the night, the rest were carrying trays of food and decorations into the ballroom for the gala. Gilliam was trying to organize the mass of valets and staff as best as someone can who’s the size of an orange. Upon seeing the princesses, the little sea horse gave a quick yet reverent bow, but was quickly absorbed in directing a large ice sculpture of the trident down an adjacent hallway.
The boys and the princesses found themselves pressing up against the wall as a caravan of sea lily center pieces were precariously swept past them by tiny sea horses.
“Are they going to be alright with those?” Eric asked, watching their progress down the sea way with trepidation.
“Yes, Eric,” Ariel answered, playfully pulling him along.
The closer they got to the hall, the better they could hear the murmur coming from the crowd inside. There were even more people in there than the guests who were staying at the palace.
“There are so many people in there,” Alana said nervously as they were climbing up the winding sea way to the royal box.
“It’ll be alright, Lana,” River said, squeezing her hand. “All you have to do swim in there, sit down, and watch everything.
That’s not so hard is it?”
“No,” she answered calmly. “But…what if I swim in too quickly and knock Adella over. Or I swim into my chair and it falls over the ledge and lands on Aunt Adriata. She’s too old to recover from an injury like that! Or what if I sneeze in the middle of someone’s aria and everyone just stares at me!”
Everyone’s giggling at Alana’s anxiety stopped abruptly when Arista halted and turned to her sister. “Lana!” she said pointedly. “None of those things will happen. You always get nervous and nothing ever happens!”
Alana crossed her arms and pouted.
“Hey, hey, hey,” said Andrina swimming down to both of them. “Arista: chill out. I think we’re all just a little jumpy. Alana: Sweetie, really, it’ll be fine. River’s got quick reflexes; he won’t let that chair crush Aunt Addie, ok?” Alana gave a small laugh and nodded. “Alright, then. Father’s waiting for us, let’s go.”
She swam back to Sheldon and they all continued to the royal box. After a second though, Eric turned to Ariel. “I love your sisters.”
“I know,” she said knowingly. “So do I.”
A moment later, they had reached the floor of the royal box. There was a hallway with a large doorway covered with a lush purple curtain. The ornate coral molding around the opening culminated in a large open clamshell with trident resting across it. Two little sea horses were at the sides of the curtain ready to draw it back. King Triton was waiting there with the trident, himself wearing a red sash affixed with a seal with same symbol that crowned the opening to the box. He beamed at his daughters. “You all look wonderful.”
There was a chorus of “Thank you, Father” and “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“Before the night gets too far ahead of us, I just have a few things to say. First, boys: I’m so glad you all could be here tonight. The girls care very much for you and it means a lot to all of us that you could share this with them. And my girls: I am so proud of you all. In all my fifty years of ruling these seas, you are the things I’m happiest to be remembered for.”
“Thank you, Father,” answered Aquata, the only one of the princesses who was able to find her voice.
Triton smiled as the fanfare began. “Oh, that’s our cue!”
He turned to the curtain and straightened into the perfect image of the Great Sea King wielding the Awesome Trident. He glanced over his shoulder and asked, “Ready?”
“Yes, Father,” Aquata answered after quickly looking to her sisters.
“Then, if you would, please,” he said to the sea horse attendants.
They drew back the curtains and there was the life of the ocean, rising at the sight of its royal family. Triton’s arms spread wide to welcome his guests who erupted into cheers that drowned out the sound of Sebastian’s magnificent orchestra. The princesses and their escorts filed in behind the king, the princesses in a row of chairs in line with their father and the boys’ in a row behind them. For the moment, they all floated in front of their chairs and took in the sight of the many different kinds of life who were there. Merpeople, fish of every size, shape and color, crustaceans, turtles, squid, jellyfish, sting rays, eels, octopi, and dolphins. They were all there and all showing their reverence for King Triton. It was overwhelming and wonderful.
Finally, after what seemed like forever, Triton gestured for all of his guests to sit. As they did, he turned to his girls and the boys who did the same. And then, as the king took his seat, the lights of the great hall dimmed and the evening began.
Seriously, this was amazing, and I just got reading some BAD Ariel characterization xD. Perfect brain bleach 
