Kiache seemed so... at ease. It was quite different from the small, nervous human that Quinn had met and helped escape. Jack would have known her even better. Quinn wondered if he was shocked by all of this as well, although based on the look on his face, he was already reeling.

"I agree," Quinn's face was grim, "That world up there is barbaric in ways. Powerhungry and willing to destroy to be higher up in the ranking. The way the... uh... human.... system works is stupid."

Ripley nodded in agreement, of course humans were barbaric, they were basically more advanced clams. Annoying, invasive and rising in population. "Of course it is, they're humans. I would rather be killed due to fighting them off than ever be stuck in once of their cages." Ripley shivered at the thought, their whole family had been captured after all, and even though they acted strong, they were kind of scared of humans.

What Mer wasn't?

"Ah sorry, we have strayed to a harsh topic, I'm sure neither of you want to hear about humans after what they did to you. I'm sorry." Ripley winced at their own blinded rage, humans often fogged their mind, as only a primal fear and anger kicked up when they thought of the humans.

Quinn nodded. Although she hadn't been hurt by humans in the way that Ripley thought, her own kind had still torn away parts of her soul. This conversation reinforced that her and Jack could never reveal that they were humans. If they did... Quinn had a feeling they wouldn't just be able to swim away from that topic. "Yeah..." Quinn had been about to go on further when there was a loud mental gasp from Kiache. Quinn had figured out by now that when there were high emotions, it was difficult for a Mer to contain a mental conversation with just a few people. Something must have surprised her, as it didn't sound like a gasp of fear. It sounded... joyful. There wasn't any conversation that she could hear after that, but the crowd soon dispersed to let Kiache through, and in her hands she held a small circle of shells and underwater flowers and sticks. Kiache formed a mental conversation with her, Ripley, and Jack, "They... made a new crown... for me. My old one..." Kiache blinked hard, and Quinn swore she saw blood welling from Kiache's eyes, but she wasn't sure.

The Mer Princess placed the crown on her head and turned to her people, and smiled broadly. There was a loud, rumbling cheer, and Kiache looked so.... at peace.

Quinn made a small comment to just Ripley and Jack, "Dang."

Jack had been listening to Ripley's and Quinn's conversation. He found that Quinn was much more comfortable with talking than he could ever hope to be. Though he was pretty sure it had something to do with the whole isolating himself from other people for as long as he could for a long time. Perhaps one day he'd be normal but that day had not yet come. Although he acted like he didn't notice, he knew that sometimes Ripley stared at his weak form in confusion, and asked questions about him to Kiache. He knew that they questioned his mental state, and he understood why. Jack was distant, and although he was trying not to be, cold. Kiache was the only one that truly got him to open up, and Quinn had begun to grow on him as well. Though he wasn't quite sure how she felt about him. She had to like him at least a little bit, she'd saved his life after all.

Jack was pulled from his thoughts when Kiache gasped with delight. He wasn't quite sure what had happened, but he found out quickly. She had a crown. Her people had made her a new one, and she looked absolutely delighted to have it back. He gave her a small grin, while Ripley beamed with pride. She'd heard about the people making Kiache a new crown, and of course they had. The people were good like that.

"I told you Kiache was meant for this life," Ripley's words were soft and kind, even mentally you could feel it. They gave Quinn a smug wink and watched as the princess was celebrated. Jack was frozen, obviously staring at Kiache with that boyish look that Ripley knew was associated with his liking of Kiache.

The crowd eventually diapersed, having decided that whatever the Princess needed to do, they had kept her away from it long enough. Once the prying eyes were gone, Kiache turned to her friends, and swiped a hand over her eyes, flicking away the blood that had formed there.

Mer couldn't cry like the humans - they were already in water - so the closest association to human crying was leaking blood from one's eyes.

Kiache's face was rosy and kind of hurt from smiling so much, "I know that took longer than what you wanted, Ripley, but..." Kiache trailed off, and her hand unconsciously touched the crown on her head lovingly, "..... I think it just sunk in that I'm home again."

The Mer gave a small shrug before replying, their mental voice cool and light. "That's perfectly fine Kiache, take as much time as you need. Remember that the people love you dear, and so do I, and the rest of your family. And I'm overjoyed that you are back." Ripley flashed their teeth in a grim smile, careful to not cry or anything silly like that in public. Their other acquaintances would never let them hear the end of it if they started crying.

Kiache swam closer to Ripley and intertwined her tail with their's for a moment, "I love you, too, Ripley. And I am very happy to be home." The princess pressed her forehead to Ripley's and made eye contact, trying to convey the deep emotions she was feeling.
After a moment, Kiache pulled away and did a small flip, "Now! It is important to exercise so... let's do that!"

Ripley smiled softly as Kiache pressed her head against theirs. It was so odd to be around Kiache again. They had missed her so much, and had accepted that they'd never see each other again. Yet here she was, back in all of her amazing-ness. "Yes, exactly, it is very important. So all of you get to your laps. I will speak to you all when you should stop. Get going, I'll join you in a moment, I just need to talk to someone." Ripley grinned and gently pushed Kiache along, before swimming over to a rather handsome Mer. They had been staring for awhile, and once Ripley greeted them, the two launched into a private conversation. Ripley's brows furrowed and she was obviously not very happy with this mystery Mer.

"Ripley really seems to like torturing people." Jack's words were directed towards Kiache and Quinn as he began to swim forwards. His bones aching with each stroke of his tail.

"Their drive has turned them into an amazing warrior - one that any kingdom would be happy to have," Kiache replied, but she was smiling. Kiache was incredibly proud of the person Ripley had become.
"I'll see you guys in a while, then! I believe in you Jack - you can do it! And Quinn -" Quinn had the most serious and stern look on her face, "Quinn," Kiache continued, "I think you are more motived than even me. Nice work!" With those words, Kiache did a flip, waved goodbye with her tail, and shot off, starting with a fast lap.

Jack nodded at Kiache's words, despite the fact that Ripley seemed intent on torturing him, they did seem like a good warrior. Even now, as they seemed to be arguing fiercely with that other Mer, Ripley looked every bit a warrior. Especially with that armor on, he had to ask them how they made it. He hadn't ever read any books on Mer armor, it would be cool to know how they made it.

Jack smiled at Kiache as she swam off, then set himself on his own laps. He wasn't going very fast, but he was working on it. He had to admit, this was probably the best way for his body to get used to swimming. Perhaps one day he'd be as fast as Kiache, or at least be able to kinda keep up with her.