Fathoms Below

Part Of That World

Keith had his head bent down as his father stated to reprimand him. Of course, he felt guilt flood through him as Slav was also giving him a look. He had missed the concert and celebration, something that was important to both his father and Slav.

King Shiro, Keith's father and ruler of Altea. Shiro sat on the throne, Slav beside him and his trident on the other side. Shiro had pale skin, grey eyes, black hair with a white tuff. His tail was black with white fins, around his wrists were golden cuffs and on his head sat his golden crown.

"I just don't know what we're going to do with you, young man," Shiro said as Keith winced. Pidge and Hunk were back a few feet from the entrance, under Keith's orders to stay back.

"Dad, I'm sorry, I just forgot, I-," Shiro shook his head.

"As a result of your careless behaviour-," before he could finish Slav jumped in.

"Careless and reckless behaviour!" Keith winced.

"The entire celebration was, er-," Shiro started to forget what he was going to say, so Slav jumped in.

"Well, it was ruined! That's all. Completely destroyed! This concert was to be the pinnacle of my distinguished career. Now thanks to you I am the laughing stock of the entire kingdom!" Keith's head bowed down further as Shiro nodded in agreement.

Hunk had just about of the scolding, and without thinking, he swam up in front of Keith.

"But it wasn't his fault!" Hunk's eyes widened as he realized the tone he used in front of the king. He was to far into the argument now to stop, so he kept going, trying to lighten up his mistake. "Ah - well - first, ahh, this shark chased us - yeah - yeah! And we tried to - but we couldn't - and - grrrrrrrrr - and - and we - whoooaaaaaa - oh, and then we were safe. But then this seagull came, and it was this is this, and that is that, and -".

Keith and Pidge's eyes widened as did Hunk's. Shiro didn't know that Keith ever went to the surface, nor was he supposed to. "Seagull? What? Oh - you went up to the surface again, didn't you? DIDN'T YOU?" Keith winced and Hunk hid behind Keith's back. Keith sent a glare over his shoulder to his friend and turned back to his father.

"Nothing - happened," Keith said trying to see reason with his father. Shiro sighed and got off his throne heading towards his son.

"Oh, Keith, How many times must we go through this? You could've been seen by one of those barbarians - by - by one of those humans!" Keith shook his head.

"But they're not barbarians!" Shiro sighed in frustration.

"They're dangerous. Do you think I want to see my youngest child snared by some fish-eater's hook?" Shiro said as he tried to get the thought through Keith's head. Though, having his mother's spirit, Keith snapped back at Shiro.

"I'm eighteen years old - I'm not a child anymore-," Shiro growled. Hunk jumped at his raised voice and swam back to Pidge.

"Don't you take that tone of voice with me. As long as you live under my ocean, you'll obey my rules!" Keith huffed as Shiro continued to go on.

"But if you would just listen-," Shiro shook his head and backed away to make himself taller than Keith.

"Not another word - and I am never, NEVER to hear of you going to the surface again. Is that clear" Keith was silent for a moment before he nodded softly.

"Yes sir, " Keith sneered the word out like it was a crime. Shiro went to yell again, but when he turned Keith was speeding out the throne room. Pidge and Hunk following sadly.

Shiro sighed and collapsed onto the throne. Slav propping himself onto the arm on the throne. Shiro turned to Slav

"Hm! Teenagers. . . . They think they know everything. You give them an inch, they swim all over you," Shiro nodded slowly.