Quinn nodded solemnly. She was indeed muscular, which came from fighting for every scrap of food, or right to walk somewhere, especially without her powers. Whenever Quinn found a moment alone, she would find a bunch of objects and either throw them and catch them with her tentacles, or drop them in the sand and fish out a particular item with each tentacle. It extended her control of her body parts, and heightened her reaction time.

Quinn had also found out recently that she could squirt ink, but she had yet to tell anyone. The way she found out wasn't exactly the most proud moment for her.

Kiache got up off of her rock and stretched, flashing a grin at Ripley, "Mind if you tell me what you plan to have them do so I can do the same? It's pathetic how slow I am compared to before."

Ripley nodded at Kiache, their eyes lighting up at the chance to help someone get in shape. "Today I'm just going to have them swim a hundred or two laps, with a few breaks of course. Jack is going to go slower while Quinn can push herself a little and you can swim quickly for three laps, slower for two, and repeat. This is just for now though, next time I'll have more things for you guys to do." Jack nodded, his tail already hurt and he hadn't even moved yet. He felt so sluggish and tired and it was only morning. Jack couldn't quite understand why his body was being so difficult with the transformation, he just knew he hated feeling weak.

Kiache nodded, "Around the marketplace? The same as when we were little?" She had a vivid memory of racing Ripley around the market when they were too small to go far, but old enough, or rather, loud and annoying enough, to be able to go just outside the town, so that they were still in view.

Ripley smirked, "if that's where you wanna go then yea! I remember I used to always beat you in our races." That was a lie, Kiache normally won, as she was smaller and faster than Ripley, but they would never admit that.

"Suuure you did, Ripley..." Kiache laughed, bubbles escaping her mouth, "Remember that time we swam straight into Lenoras's shop? We toppled all of the kelp wraps, and Pater made us collect all of them?"

Ripley giggled softly, bubbles escaping their mouth as well, sharp teeth exposed for a moment. "Oh yes, I remember it vividly, Masie almost killed me for causing trouble, but she always did love you." Masie had been Ripley's caretaker after their parents were captured, the Mer was kind but stern and stuck on old ways. Ripley had no idea why the old Mer had taken them in, but Ripley was still so grateful.

Out of the corner of their eye, they noticed Jack watching Kiache silently, as if he was just enjoying seeing Kiache happy. He obviously liked her, Ripley found this rather obvious. They just couldn't understand why he didn't say anything about it.

The young Mer grinned, remember the old times, "I missed her... and you... and everyone. It's... really good to be back."

Kiache got quiet, like she was afraid to ask the question, "How is Masie? Is she... still here?" Kiache wasn't sure if the mer was still alive, or if they'd passed away with the tides, or in the worst case, gotten taken by the humans on one of their Mer capturing raids.

Ripley smirked, their eyes widening as their scales shifted in excitment. "Oh the old eel is still alive, just as crazy and cranky as ever, with a little bit grayer hair and slightly slower. Fortunately, the food she makes is completely intact from her angry old age." It was well known that Masie was one of the best cooks in the kingdom, it was actually her job.

And of course she was still doing it.

Kiache's body instantly relaxed, happy to hear that her old motherly figure was still around, "I'll have to see her soon..." She said, more to herself than anything.

Kiache slapped her tail against the ground, "Well! Now that we've indulged in the past - it is about time we get to exercising!" She grinned, her sharp teeth also glinting, as she glancing at Quinn and Jack.

Jack quickly averted his gaze, not wanting Kiache to realize that he'd been watching her smile like a creepy stalker or something. He instead stared at a passing fish, who gave Jack one look and decided he wasn't a threat and swam right past his neck. The Mer jerked his head back awkwardly trying to not get grazed by fish scales, but only succeeded in getting slapped by the fish's fin. He released a heavy sigh as leaughter bubbled from Ripley's gills and bubbles rose up.

Ripley had been watching the interaction between Jack and the fish and couldn't help but laugh a little when he got slapped by a fish. "Yes, let's hurry and leave before Jack gets attacked by seaweed. Though, by the time I'm done with him he'll be able to fight a shark and hopefully win." Ripley smiled before leading the way towards the market, going slow enough to where the others could chat a little and Jack could keep up.