kiache and quinn???? what???

Jack and Quinn sorry.

The toddlers Jack and Quinn.

oh okay.

sure

Can I start?

yep!

Jack slept often now.

It's not like he wanted to, not really. He just was always so tired. He had no clue as to why, but for some reason his energy was completely depleted by noon more than half the time.

When he wasn't napping, he was often getting lessons from Kiache, who was the only steady thing in this new world. Sure, Quinn was there, but she was always so... distant.. unreachable. He hoped that soon he'd be able to break through her very, very tough outer shell and become better friends with her soon enough.

Today was different than normal though, because Ripley was going to be teaching them the basics of many things. He hoped it would be easy but the tough Mer seemed anything but soft. Jack just hoped he wouldn't pass out in the middle of swimming like he tended to do.

Ripley had Quinn and Jack meet them outside of Kiache's home, in a nice flat sandy area. A perfect place where they could teach the two some basics.

Kiache had decided to join them, and watching silently from a nearby rock, ready to help if Ripley wanted her to.

Quinn had watched Jack and Kiache's friendship grow, and watched with some curiousity as they seemed completely oblivious to what the other felt.

Just thinking about it made Quinn huff. No way would she ever be that stupid.

But now was the time to learn, and Quinn turned her attention to Ripley.

"Okay! So before beginning, I need to know what Kiache has taught you. I'm assuming she's taught you a lot about Mer culture and the do's and dont's but what about movement wise? How are you two doing with that?" Ripley wasn't going to be teaching the two any manners, she'd be teaching them about the dangers of the ocean, movement, and fighting, things that most Mer were taught at a young age.

"I'm having a hard time adjusting to the currents, it's a lot different here than back there, my tail isn't strong enough I don't think." Ripley nodded, then turned more towards Quinn, their scales gently floating from their face to their neck.

Quinn, who normally didn't interact with anyone other than Kiache and Jack, which was only when Kiache was teaching them, felt the tension rise in her tentacles. She had found it easier than anticipated to connect her mind with each limb, "Agreed. I am lacking in strength as well." Quinn felt her face screw up in annoyance at her weakness, but forced a calmness over it. It wasn't expected for her to immediately be a natural at this. (Although she supposed Ripley and ever Mer other than Kiache expected her to know how it all functioned, as they thought she was a natural-born Mer.)

Ripley nodded, their eyes staring at the two foreign Mer. They were strange, for sure, and Ripley was confused by many of the things they said, but she would not question them. The two Mer had brought Kiache back home, somehow, and Ripley would gladly help them with whatever they needed.

"Ah, that makes sense, I'm sure the places they keep us are much to small. Human are.. ugh anyways, it sounds like you both have the same problem. Though Jack, you seem to be considerably more scrawny than Quinn, I assume you were in captivity for a very long time?" Jack looked around for a moment, then nodded his head, he supposed he had somewhat been in captivity under his father's watchful glare. Though, he had to admit, he didn't like being called scrawny.

"That makes sense. Now that I know what you two have problems with, I can fix up a training regimen for both of you. It'll start out easier for Jack and a bit faster paced for you Quinn. The best thing to do is start up with just general movement. Swimming in laps would be best, especially to gain muscle in your core and strengthen your tails." Ripley flashed her toothy grin, she adored training people. She often volunteered to help other younger trainees with new things. The thing was, Ripley definitely did not go soft with the children, and she would not be any different with Jack and Quinn.