ENCOUNTER: Talk (13)

"I figured I'd find you here..."
Mahad turned to see Harry walking up behind him as he stood by the glass of the mer exhibit area. Unlike usual, Mahad decided he wanted to see what the guests saw and watch the two mers inside as he lost himself in thought.

"Hello Harry, do you need something?"

The black haired man nodded and walked over beside him, looking past the glass and into the waters beyond. "Yup. Ishizu sent me down down to remind you that we have two schools coming for a private tour, and that Master Pegasus will be coming in a few days."

Mahad nodded, understanding.

Master Pegasus was the man who funded the rebuilding of the aquarium and had been the reason they had been able to house mers and other exotic life. It wasn't really because he had a love for the ocean, more he wanted to add it to his long list of businesses that he was buying all up and down the coast. Granted, he did seem more interested in the aquarium and how it was doing. The man was nice enough, if a bit naive when it came to the animals and mers here.

Mahad glanced around at the virtually empty exhibit area and sighed. "We could use some more people in here before we open..."

The aquarium technically wasn't finished and was not open to the public yet. Only schools and colleges who paid for the toar could come in currently. This allowed them to have some sort of income besides Pegasus's support and to slowly spread the word about them.

"So what two schools are coming?" Mahad asked.

"A group of 1st and 2nd graders from the elementary down the road, and a group of college marine wildlife students. Rumor has it Ishizu's little brother is going to be tagging along with them to see if he can join us as an intern."

Mahad nodded. He and Ishizu had spoken about her younger brother, Marik. Apparently Ishizu's stories about her work had intruged him enough to make him want to intern here. He would need to see if the boy was up to the challenge.

"They seem to be getting along..." Harry remarked absent mindedly, looking into the tank at the two mers beyond it.

Mahad looked up and smiled faintly.

Mana and their Ebony Royal were getting along well, much better then he had expected. Mana was currently swimming and chasing some of the fish that shared the exhibit with her, while Darky lay nearby, watching her through lazy half closed eyes. Mahad had worried that the two would have disliked eachother or worse. He had a right to worry of course, ever since the last time...

"We really will have to think of a better name the 'Darky.'" Mahad remarked, smirking slightly.

"Agreed... Anyways, Ishizu once you to be the guide for the elementary students in a few days, she or I will handle the college student."

Mahad nodded. "Sounds fair, I know how much to despise children." He said with a chuckle. "I don't DESPISE them! They're just so... Their like little drunk people half the time, and heaven only KNOWS where those grubby little fingers have been" At this, he visibly shuddered. "Ugh.... No thanks... I'm going back to my desk..." And with that, he walked away, mumbling all the while.

Mahad smiled and turned to look back at Mana and her friend.

Mana was still blissfully unaware of him watching, the Ebony on the other hand... Darky's eyes were wide open and locked on him, his spines raised. Obviously he was too comfy to move, but we wasn't going to let Madad think we was growing soft or compliant.

Mahad blinked and slowly walked away. He didn't expect him to ever get used to this place, but hopefully they would manage to get him back to the ocean and his pod again soon...

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So we find out who their financier is! In this one AU Pegasus is one heck of a business man and owns multiple museums, attractions, parks and so on. He also know Mahad's father, so he gives his support to the aquarium. He is a bit oblivious when it comes to mers, but he leaves that to Mahad.


Yugioh/Characters (c) Kazuki Takahashi

Fantasian Mers/Story/Art/Mer Versions (c) Me