"Aww poor baby," Lotus teased as she nodded to one of her girls coming in for her shift.

"It would be like Elea bringing home four guys and hosting a football party or something." Rory shrugged.

Lotus considered that for a moment, and shrugged.

"I suppose," she said. "The four guys might bother me more than the football."

"But it's the same principle," Rory pointed out. "See what I mean?"

"Sort of," Lotus said. She waved a hand quickly when her girl came closer, letting him know not to give anything away. She worked hard to keep her secret from her girls.

Rory just grinned. "Well, I can see you've got work to do here. So I'll see you soon?"

"Sure," Lotus replied. She grinned. "Maybe next time I see you I'll have finished the shirt I'm making." She grinned. "I managed to find silk in exactly the right color to compliment my particular shade of indigo." She knew he would understand she meant her scales. "I'm attaching cast-offs to it, to see how it comes out."

Rory grinned. "You'll have to show me once it's done." He winked at her before he sidled out of the shop. He figured he should get home anyway.

Lotus watched him go, and then turned her attention back to work.

Elea got home a little earlier than usual, still working off nervous energy. She was still worked up over the whole harem thing.

Lotus got home a little late, having had to clean up after a late rush. When she finally got home, she immediately set down her bag, toed off her shoes, and went to find Elea.

Elea was currently walking around the house, still trying to work off energy.

Lotus finally found her in the kitchen.

"Hey," she said. "I'm home for the night now."

Elea nodded. "Okay. So Tristan has a harem. That's the thing to do with selkies, apparently. Because there are too many selkie women and not enough men."

"Rory mentioned that," Lotus replied, nodding. "What happened today?"

"Tristan came to visit me again today. But he brought one of his girls, as he called her." Elea shook her head. "One of his girls! And he said he wants the same thing from me!"

"I can't say I like the idea, either," Lotus said. "But... maybe he thinks it's normal. I mean, you did say it was a selkie thing, right?"

"Yeah. He said it was normal for selkies. He said it like it's totally normal and acceptable." Elea shook her head.

"Maybe it is, for your kind," Lotus replied. "I can't say I like it, but I'm not a selkie, either. Well," she added, "a colony-raised selkie. I know you don't like it either."

"No, I don't. It's... crazy. I mean, I'm too human in my thoughts, perhaps, but I don't like the idea of sharing my guy with four other women."

"I don't blame you," Lotus replied. She was quiet for a moment. "Maybe you should look into it, though. Maybe just go and meet his 'girls'? I'm not saying join his harem," she added hastily, "I just mean maybe see if you can figure out what the deal is."

Elea bit her lower lip. "I don't know," she said quietly. "Maybe. I'd need to think about it for a bit first."

Lotus nodded.

"I figured," she replied. She put an arm around Elea's shoulders and hugged her. "Go get your skin, we're going for a swim. It'll help clear your head."

Elea nodded, just staying there for a moment before she slipped away to go get her skin.

She was in the water again in record time, swimming out to the open water quickly. She surfaced for air, slowly calming down.

Lotus went out with her to keep her company.

"Little better?" she asked.