Crowned

Arc 3, Chapter 89: Out of the Depths, and Towards our Fate.

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Pin stood up from the ground. Her webbed feet collided with the waterlogged floor and turned towards the door. She then unlocked it calmly. The lessons were successful, though it took a day and a half, OJ could somewhat communicate. He watched as Pin stepped out, and he followed behind her, swimming instinctively instead of walking like her. Pin chose to ignore his—or, what was to her,—Strange behaviour.

The halls were nicely decorated, bioluminescent lights, and many patterns in the stone. Pillars which decorated the walls every few meters. Pin noticed OJ's interest, and smiled. 'Impressed?' No She signed with a comforting and soft look on her face.

OJ took a moment, confused... He tried to recall what that meant—But when Pin repeated it it clicked. And he slowly went to sign for himself. 'Yeah, It's cool.'

'Cool?' She made a giggling motion, which OJ rolled his eyes to. OJ's odd choice of 'words' were funny to her. Though she understood he was still learning. Her tail swayed within the water.

His hands raised to reply, 'It's what I thought of.' He bore teeth, resisting the urge to draw a breath which couldn't be drawn.

Pin giggled, placing a hand over her mouth. The water silencing it. OJ huffed and turned away from her, swimming ahead as if to spite her. Pin was more skilled within the sea, however. And OJ seemed upset by her teasing nature. The walk was a quiet one of course, and no more conversation was shared between the two of them. Pin then stepped ahead of OJ as they reached a set of large doors. Her ability slowly opened the door, and she stepped into the left most side of the throne room. Which was intricately arranged. Blue tiled walls... A quartz throne... and Pillars. And a chandelier at the top of the high ceiling. Large windows which revealed the cavern beyond. Teardrop flinched, the disturbance within the water, even from that far, caught her attention. She turned to OJ and Pin.

As soon as Teardrop recognized the two of them, she feigned professionalism. Her hands rested at her side as her tail flicked with interest.

Pin stepped in front of Teardrop, politely curtsying, then beginning to sign as she stood upright calmly. 'He's learnt quite a bit, you should be able to communicate somewhat smoothly.'

OJ took a moment to translate in his head, then nodded in agreement. His fists clenched. He didn't like Teardrop that much.

Teardrop looked between the two, then silently sighed. 'Where did you come from?' She signed, raising an interested brow. Pin turned her head to OJ as if to insinuate it was his turn to speak.

OJ thought a moment, 'The...' he paused, 'Sky...(?)' he seemed confused as to how describe his experience. 'I went through a large door... And fell from the sky.'

Teardrop tilted her head, intrigued, 'You do know what you are, don't you?' She stepped closer.

OJ nodded in response to her question, 'I also know what you are.'

'So, Pin has done well enlightening you. That is good.' She nodded, noting OJ was still slow to understand. She decided to take her time signing so he could better translate. He didn't grow up with sign language after all.

OJ narrowed his eyes, 'yeah... She also did a great job confusing me.' He bore teeth at the smaller girl.

Teardrop betrayed a silent snicker, 'really now?' Her smile smug and teasing.

OJ scowled, Pin and Teardrop may as well been one and the same. 'I was told you could help me.' He signed with a stern gaze. Wanting to get back on track.

Teardrop noticed this, and eased her laugh. 'It is actually you who will be helping us.' She explained with a now—oddly hopeful smile.

'Help you?' He flinched as he realized what she'd communicated. 'How?'