The voices of the noisy pavilion claimed Lilly's ears, as she stepped into the crowded streets.Families filed in handfuls to make there way across the busy roads.Lilly scrunched her shoulders together to squeeze between a man and woman too preoccupied chatting to notice she was there."Wow!"She exclaimed,staring at the hundreds of people striding towards the small arena."Everyone really DID come!"Lilly had never been one to appreciate crowds,especially not a crowd of the whole Ocagon population!Although,given the circumstance anything was better that having the queen's guards(or one)appear at your front door.So she could partially understand the obedience they possessed."Yes."Mom agreed,nodding her head as she silently calculated the number of Ocagons that had attended the ceremony."Ellasen's urgent decision lead us all in great shock of whom this hero may be."A cold shiver slithered down her spine at her mother's words.Sending a hero on a mission to deceive others in order to gain control and order that no one had cared about for over 50 years!The control to take what rights you want because you know the others fear what you are.That was a kind of twisted,manipulative control that Lilly would rather be stuck in the ocean than have.Wasting away in the soothing deep waters of their kingdom rather than taking away someone else's.Sadly,that was a control that was found in life.That was a control that most seek to find and don't mind when they find it.That,was a control that the queen wanted,no Matter what.
They made their way to the middle of the arena.Crossing the sidewalks scattered with citizens.To proud to listen to the words of Ellasen,they huddled up in cliques around the center.Some knocking in to each other and ramming shoulders rambunctiously,while others played practical jokes on those respectful enough to listen to the event."Got ya!"One laughed immaturely as he snatched a little boy's hat from his head.They all showered him in high fives a snorts.Lilly rolled her eyes.Where were those people's parents?
When the reached the center of the sandy pavilion,Lilly felt a strong grip on her shoulders.She jerked up in surprise.Was she being kidnapped?If so what do you do when that happens?Was she supposed to yell frantically for help?"Boo!"A voice squealed.Lilly elbowed her gently."Seriously?You could have given me a heart attack,Aveyla!"She scolded.Aveyla just giggled and flipped her hair to the side of her shoulders."Oh sea slugs,you were so scared,Lilly Veila the scaredy cat fish!"She exclaimed,erupting in laughter."I thought you were gonna pee your fin!"Lilly nudged her and crossed her arms."Hey,to be fair,who was I to know it was you?"She pointed out,raising her eyebrows for a answer.Aveyla just smirked and linked arms with her."Good point,want to go walk over to the snack bar?"Lilly's eyes must have grown 5 inches at the sound of free food.She knew she should have been questioning why Aveyla had suddenly acted like their situation earlier that day was prehistoric,but couldn't help but shove that fact aside.She followed Her across the packs of hungry citizens smothering the long table stacked with assorted foods.Lilly stared ravenously at the baskets of fried seaweed,juicy plump berries of every kind,boiled sea slug shells,raw crabs,and mermaid mush.She swallowed down the saliva that was seeping through her mouth.Aveyla simple shrugged the scrumptious foods off with a disapproving glare.Stating that she claimed them as only satisfactory."It's nothing that I haven't enjoyed often enough,but I suppose it'll do."She decided gliding gracefully towards the table.At this,she couldn't help but scoff.Just because SHE was privileged enough to feast upon fancier foods as she delighted,didn't mean that everyone else got to!Lilly only got to eat one meal a day!Which usually consisted of cheaper,less filling foods like raw seaweed or a couple of berries!This ceremony however,she was going to take advantage of.She mentally formulated a plan to smuggle some crap,seaweed,and shells into her dress to stash in their cabinet.It wasn't STEALING if the food was originally up for grabs right?
Aveyla stopped abruptly in front of the line,which Lilly gawked at in shock.The line stretched far behind the arena and into the crowded city.Pedestrians carefully walked around the parallel structure,trying not to get caught in the terribly long mess."We can't wait in that."She spoke sternly."Besides,by the time we get up there,the food will be all gone."This incident didn't seem to bother Aveyla much.Though Lilly was too content about it.There went her plans for a surplus in their food supply!
"Don't worry."Aveyla assured stepping towards the booth."I have a plan." Aveyla raised her hand and and positioned her pointer finger in the correct order.Oh no,she thought.This couldn't end well.She followed the exact movement of Aveyla's fingers as she pointed them directly at an elderly man's shoes.With a quick jerk of her hand,he flew backwards.The whole line fell to the floor like dominos.Sand spread heavily throughout the aquatic landscape,sending the fallen Ocagons hacking away.Lilly's eyes grew wider than the plump berries on the table.Those who had not been trampled,stood gasping.Thoughts running a mile a minute in each other's heads.Aveyla's wicked laughter broke the silence that had grasped the room."See."She giggled,leading her to the table."Works like a charm!"Lilly stood in utter shock at her horrid actions as Aveyla shoved some what of a feast in her purse.How could she just prance around using her gift with no regard of her own mischief whatsoever?But she had no time to resume the thought,for the vibration of a loud instrumental chorus echoed through the area.Aveyla quickly shoved a plate of food into her hands and drug her towards the stage."Hurry,it's starting!"She urged,pulling her across the sand.Part of her should have been disgusted to even be seen in her company,but felt obligated to follow.
They stopped when they reached the row only 3 lines from the front.Of course,that was after Lilly had to wrench Aveyla away from attempting to shove her way up."Seriously?"She whined."I was just about to get us to the front row before you ruined it!"Lilly groaned and rolled her eyes.She opened her mouth to let out a domino comment,but quickly thought better of it."It's fine."She assured her."I can see perfectly from here."Fortunately,Aveyla didn't bother to argue,which sent relief showering over her.She'd never admit it to Aveyla's face,but she had always been frightened of her!After seeing that she could send about a hundred people(at the least)all toppling over each other,she was careful not to strike one of her nerves farther than she already had.
Soon,a women in a long,elegant gold gown emerged from backstage and took the center of attention.The arena was devoured in silence as they patiently waited for her speech.Lilly tapped on Aveyla's shoulder,not daring to leave the woman's gaze."Whose that?"She whispered in her ear.Aveyla turned her direction and gawked in disbelief at her question."The queen,of course!"She exaggerated ,then groaned in Lilly's realization.So that's the one whose fighting the law,she thought.The women who was willing to risk their lives so she could walk on land.She sent the queen a repulsive scowl,secretly hoping she didn't notice.Though,by the way Aveyla was gushing over her,it was obvious they didn't share the same views on the ceremony.
"Hello fair people of the Ocagon's Oceans!"She started grandly."As you know,I have been looking forward to this day for a very long time."Unlike some...Lilly thought,crossing her arms over her rough-with-age seaweed dress.
"But,finally the time has come!The time we stand as one and take back the rights that humans have taken from us!"The room erupted in a chorus and cheers that Lilly couldn't even begin to comprehend."So stand with me as we choose a brave and heroic soul to represent our rights and win back our freedoms!"
Aveyla threw her thin arms up in agreement and joined the voices that echoed across the sea.Ah,just one more thing to scold her friend on.Luckily,Aveyla didn't dare waste a glance on her,for who knew what the queen may say next.
"So."She began,clasping her hands together to die down the commotion."I currently have slips of paper with every known Ocagon's name between the age of 9-50.I will draw a slip of paper to decide who will march with courage to fulfill our destiny of mingling with humans once again!"Lilly wadded up her cloth in her fist and pitied the poor soul that was stuck doing the orders Ellasen wouldn't do herself.That was,if their beliefs resembled her own.
The queen studded towards an antique glass jar.Inside,Lilly could see small white slithers of paper,just wide enough to fit a identity.She reached her hand inside,and Lilly held the water in her lungs.Consealing it where it'd be forever safe.As she lightly took her hand out of the shaped glass,Lilly felt ever breath being held too,every heart racing faster than she ever thought it could.But it came to an abrupt stop when the name was revealed.
"Lilly Veila?"
