[Voice]

[by_heart]

Okay, clearing something up for a friend of mine who insists he's not scared of the ocean.

List of Scary Things About The Ocean:

1. Giant spider crabs

2. Giant spider crabs

3. Drowning

4. Smaller spider crabs, I don't know. Now someone else list things.

[Yes, he did just make a list out loud instead of writing it down. Don't ask. He likes the sound of his own voice.]

Comments

[voice]

[by_heart]

Because they're creepy. Pure nightmare fuel. All huge and spindly and nasty.

[Says the tall, spindly guy.]

[voice]

[legsarerequired]

Huh. I never thought they were that bad. When I was younger, to keep us from being bad, me and my sisters had a nanny that used to tell us about a sea witch. That's scary. Well, when I was a kid it was. Not so much anymore. I was scared of it only because I didn't know what it was.

Oh but... why the list? I mean, the ocean isn't that scary once you know it.

[voice]

[by_heart]

I was kind of working on an analogy and you're kind of busting it...

[voice] 1/2

[legsarerequired]

Oh! [Sounds like she clapped her hand over her mouth.] I'm sorry! Um... ah...

[voice]

[legsarerequired]

Sharks!

[those are scary. She's ran into those before]

[voice]

[by_heart]

Right? Did you know there's such a thing as invisible sharks? I think I'm gonna cry.

[He's just learned about this and he wishes he could unlearn it.]

[voice]

[legsarerequired]

Invis--wait, really? I... don't think I've ever seen one of those.

[Ariel, if it's invisible, of course you haven't seen it.]

[voice]

[by_heart]

Yeah, I bet no one does until it's too late. Man, why did I even ask about this stuff? Now I'm gonna end up being the one getting scared.

[voice]

[legsarerequired]

You... you just need to learn the ins and outs. The Undersea is the same as the Abovesea. You already know how to handle the above world, right? And it has dangers too. But you don't know the ocean so it all seems wrong. It can be really beautiful if you know where to look.

[voice]

[by_heart]

Yeah, I'm sure parts are really pretty, but parts have spider crabs and invisible sharks and fish that swim up your orifices and eat you, so...my point still stands.

[The whole analogy thing is kind of getting away from him, though...]

[voice]

[legsarerequired]

I... I don't think those things are all in the same place at the same time. Look, if there is ever a chance that you can go swimming with me, I'll make sure to keep the spider crabs away and show you something to make it worth it. Yes?

[voice]

[by_heart]

Yeah, okay, but...

[His poor analogy. Goodbye, analogy. You were a good idea while you lasted.]

Right. Okay. Fine.

[voice]

[legsarerequired]

[can you hear the happy tone on her voice? She's smiling!]

You'll see! There are scary things down there, but there are good too.