Linus gasped and took a step back when his eyes caught sight of the figure before him. It was a lady in the water. What was a girl like her doing in such a dark place as this? And in the water out of all places? Surely she would have taken refuge on land! Reviewing her question and trying to hide his shock, Linus spoke. “I…I followed the footsteps left behind by my sister. She visits here often and I wanted to…make sure what she was doing was in her best interests. I wasn’t expecting to find you here…m-my apologies.” He felt incredibly nervous and frightened of the strange woman to whom he spoke.

"You’re a brother of Ara?" She asked tentatively, sensing the man’s nervousness. "She’s my best friend. I’m not going to hurt her or anything…we just swim…"

He caused. Ariel to be nervous herself, would he tell his parents about what Ara had been up to? Would he tell them of the mermaid that dwelled in the cave?

"Please, you have to promise to tell no one of my presence here." She finally pleaded, her blue eyes filled with worry.

Still studying the strange woman, Linus became confused at her words. She was Arabella's best friend? But how did she even find this strange girl? The real question was why she was even swimming in the ocean. How was it possible for a human to live underwater? Or did she live somewhere nearby? Was there even anywhere to live nearby? He sighed, getting a small headache from so much thinking. Deciding to give it a rest, he nodded. "I won't tell a soul..." he promised, giving her a baffled look.

"Liam!" Linus tried to calm his friend down, wondering why the rat had ventured into his brother's room in the first place. Perhaps he felt that something wasn't right, just as the rest of the family had. It wasn't like Drew to miss dinner. His father had suggested that he could be in his room getting "carried away" with a little something he didn't describe that well. Maybe that was what his rat had seen? Linus listened closely to his choruses of frightened squeaks and gasped at what he made out. "Liam, how dare you speak of my brother in such a way!" he scolded the other. "He may show hints of brutish intentions from time to time but he is by no means a monster! Did he attempt to harm you?"

"See you tomorrow," he responded, nodding to her.

Arabella? Linus looked to Liam, confused. Was Arabella hiding someone here? Had she taken a liking to one of the prisoners and bailed them out? No, she wasn’t like that. But…Linus couldn’t imagine anyone who could live under the conditions of where he was now. However, reminding himself that he lived in a dungeon with a bunch of rats made him feel more accepting towards the subject. He finally decided that he should find out who was speaking to him. Shakily stepping further into the strange hollow, he gulped nervously and braced himself for the worst.

The mermaid swam backwards into darker waters, keeping her tail hidden as much as she could. The figure who entered the cave wasn’t Ara, and Ariel’s heart started to race at the thought of what someone else may do if they found a mermaid.

But the cave entrance was small - or so Ara had said - how could someone else fit through? It didn’t matter now, there was a man standing before her, and she had nowhere to hide.

"W-who are you?" She asked shakily. "How d-did you get in here?"

Linus gasped and took a step back when his eyes caught sight of the figure before him. It was a lady in the water. What was a girl like her doing in such a dark place as this? And in the water out of all places? Surely she would have taken refuge on land! Reviewing her question and trying to hide his shock, Linus spoke. "I...I followed the footsteps left behind by my sister. She visits here often and I wanted to...make sure what she was doing was in her best interests. I wasn't expecting to find you here...m-my apologies." He felt incredibly nervous and frightened of the strange woman to whom he spoke.

"Well just because you want something does not mean you’re going to get it!" Linus answered. "Now please do us both a favor and leave me alone."

"Ugh." Moana groaned. “Fine. Now I’m going to have to spend the rest of my life wondering what these metal circles are, and when I am dying, my last regret will be that I never found out. Thanks a lot, Linus.”

"You're welcome," Linus replied. He had tuned most of what she said out. All he could remembering hearing was a "thank you" for whatever reason. "Now leave."

"That doesn’t mean you absolutely have to be enlightened!” he sneered.

"But I want to be lighted!” Moana threw her arms out for emphasis. “Linus. Just tell me. Please.”

"Well just because you want something does not mean you're going to get it!" Linus answered. "Now please do us both a favor and leave me alone."

Linus replied quickly to avoid another pang of guilt. "Yes but that can't be done so let us avoid past arguments and get to work, shall we?"

"I’m glad you seem to think so…" Linus replied. He assumed the ‘mostly’ was directed at either Nikolaus or Robert. Hopefully she meant Nikolaus, for the eleventh brother had a soft spot for Robert and wished others would see him as the man he was underneath his rough exterior. "Hopefully your stay here will be quite pleasant." 

"It has been, so far," she said as they reached some of the dungeon’s upper levels. Jasmine took note of the many rats who, rather than scurrying away, seemed to bow to the prince. She’d be lying if she said Linus wasn’t odd, but he seemed nice enough so far. 

Linus beamed with acceptance. He loved it when others treated him like a normal human being despite his odd behavior and lifestyle. "Anyways," he continued speaking to her, "are you here forever or do is your visit temporary?"

He grinned, though a bit sad to see his sister go even if it was temporary. "Alright! I'll see you around, Arabella."

Following his sister’s footsteps was harder than he’d thought it would be. However, Linus had managed to make his way to a mysterious place that he’d never seen before. It was making him slightly uneasy and he had no idea why. The dark never seemed to bother him.

A voice alerted him from his daze and he stopped in his tracks. He leaned into Liam, who sat on his shoulder. "Did you hear that?" he whispered, frightened.

Ariel started to get nervous when Arabella didn’t show her face, her friend should have easily climbed through the cave entrance and gathered whatever item she had left behind. But if it wasn’t Ara, then who else was it?

"Arabella? Is that you?" She called out again.

Arabella? Linus looked to Liam, confused. Was Arabella hiding someone here? Had she taken a liking to one of the prisoners and bailed them out? No, she wasn't like that. But...Linus couldn't imagine anyone who could live under the conditions of where he was now. However, reminding himself that he lived in a dungeon with a bunch of rats made him feel more accepting towards the subject. He finally decided that he should find out who was speaking to him. Shakily stepping further into the strange hollow, he gulped nervously and braced himself for the worst.