| Lustrous Seas |

{} Chapter 1 - King {}

Pearl and Lochi walked through the crowds, arms interlocked. As Lochi pointed out decorations and food stalls and cute boys, Pearl just stared at her. She's grown so much in so little time. Where has the time gone? Pearl smiled.

Lochi noticed and looked at Pearl "What're you lookin' at?" She sneered.

"No need to be so meann, just looking at you. I remember when you were just a little kid, about this tall." Pearl lowered her free hand down.

Lochi's cheeks flushed with a deeper blue from her pale blue body, "Oh hush! You say that every year!" 

Pearl chuckled and looked forward. How time flies. "It's true, though! You were such a cute little kid. Especially when you insulted me." 

"Quit callin' me cute! I-" Lochi shut up and tugged on Pearl's sleeve, then pointed ahead.

Pearl followed Lochi's finger to see a large float, decorated with beautiful coral and intricately designed kelp flowing off of it. Sitting upon this beautiful float was the lustrous King.

Then, a familiar voice from within the crowd called out, "Pearl! Lochi!  Over here!" 

The two looked, and saw Jorunna towering over the crowd. Pearl and Lochi pushed through the crowd, and like tradition, Jorunna used his tentacles to lift both Pearl and Lochi above the crowd to get a clearer view. 

Pearl's never seen the King before. Probably no one has in this small village. The King resides in Tsunata, the capital of this region. To come this far out to such a remote village.. What's going on?

Everyone was cheering and waving handkerchiefs. King was beautiful. She had a veil covering her face, and her body was a ruby red color. Being red was rare in this village, Pearl recalled. The last red bodied Admirabilis was two generations ago.. The King's dress was beautiful. It was adorned with shells, coral, and.. pearls. Pearl cringed a little, but it wouldn't be the first time.

Pearl looked over at Jorunna and Lochi. They both seemed to have the same question on their minds. What in the world is the King doing here?

As the float passed and several smaller ones passed, Jorunna set Pearl and Lochi back down on the ground. Pearl and Lochi looked up at him craning their neck. Jorunna looked down at the two, making his neck a bit sore.

Jorunna gave an uncertain smile, "Well, we have company."

"No duh we have company! The King is in our village! The King!" Lochi's voice was ear-splitting since she was flustered, but not loud enough to be heard across the crowd. 

Jorunna's sea bunny ears flicked, and he shook a little in response to the sudden screaming, "Relax, she must be here since she was just passing through. The village is on the way to the next region. That'd be reasonable."

Pearl thought for a bit. Yeah, that did make sense. Why else would King be here? He spoke up, "I agree with Joru. It might just be foreign affairs, y'know?"

Lochi's cheeks flushed, "But, but what if it isn't? Could-"

Jorunna put a hand on Lochi's head "It's all okay, girl. Just enjoy yourself." 

Jorunna's hand must've had some sort of calming spell, as Lochi simmered down quickly. "Alright.. Shrimp, anyone?" Lochi asked.

With that, the group set off to the food stalls. Pearl noticed there were actually less food stalls than last year.. Way less. Did some people move out over the winter..? Pearl shook his head. No need to worry, and if he looked worried then he'd worry Joru and Lochi. It's going to be a fun day, Pearl told himself.