Carter followed her movement across the small cavern with his head bowed and form small. He never completely stood up straight, and didn’t feel it was necessary now. He smiled in acknowledgement when she thanked him, but didn’t breathe much into it. He felt he was obliged, for all she had done for him, despite his lingering feeling she had forced him to calm down and then to sleep earlier. It was more, now, than a suspicion as she mentioned a different tea she used to wake up on particularly bad mornings. No doubt rested in his mind that she would have many more for many different things. He nodded when she asked if he would like some, but paused when she spoke of work.

“Oh…” He stuttered. “Um… I… I never… I was never offered a job… No one wanted me near them or their businesses. And… I don’t think I would like being stared at all the time… That’s why I stay out of sight. Or… You know… Stay away from town.” He sighed, sitting where he was and drawing a small design in the layer of sand. He hated showing this weak, useless side of him. Indeed he was useless, to most, but he had his abilities, his agility, his ability to lie, steal, cheat, eavesdrop. But he didn’t have anyone to do it for. Indeed, he was clumsy, but only on land, on flat surfaces. In trees, in water, he was flawless. That was one power he had, at least. To look harmless but in fact be much more. He could be much more, he acknowledged. He could fight if he wanted to. He could be assertive. He could defend those he cared about. If he had anyone to care about.

Aquarius knodded. She figured as much. Maybe he would be willing to work for her. It would give him a goal and direction for his life, if anything then temporarily. Seclusion was what he preferred, she could provide that. Maybe then coming home wouldn't be so horribly lonely for her. Also, if he was around to watch the house then there would be less chances of unpleasant surprises awaiting her unawares. She glanced at him. Maybe he needed more than just waking up... like a good dose of courage. No, that was not a potion to mess with. People did stupid things without thinking of the consequences... like a drunk person only with all their senses still working.

She pour two cups of tea and stood to walk over to him. Bending down she offered it to him, "I need someone to keep an eye on my house. I have a... day job in town. A tea shop that I run. As you can see, sometimes I don't even make it back for very long before I am off again. This time I spent the night here in the ocean. My place is secluded. There are a variety of trees between the house and the road so it is secluded. The house is set a little ways from the road. I have an herb garden that is in dreadful need of water. Though after last night's storm it should be fine. I have a few indoor plants around the livingroom and kitchen that could use some tender loving care. I need someone to look after them. If nothing else, to reassure me that no unwanted visitors are there without some forewarning. It wouldn't take too much of your time. You would have plenty of the free time your used to.

Aquarius paused. Here was the harder part. She should probably admit now that she did have need of some assistance. Leaving the ocean wasn't easy for her. Getting out was a hard learned procedure where she used her ability to cause a strong wind to come, sped fast towards the beach, leaped into the air, transformed, and landed on land if not close to it. Her clothes that returned to her on transformation would be dry, but her hair would be wet and her skin would be damp. The wind soothed the sting and dried her quickly. The hair was often pulled up into a braid before the transformation and only a few stray droplets ever landed on her before the wind took enough of the moisture away. However she wasn't at her best for almost a minute. She could appear calm and collected with effort, but was less able to defend herself. The whole affair was hard on her and she wasn't sure she wanted to admit to it. Yet if it could convince him to work for her as an errand boy or whatever title he wanted, she would take the chance. She was used to that after all... taking chances.

"Um, but, the most important thing you could do for me is just be there when I leave the ocean. I'm sure you figured out by now why that would be hard. It isn't easy, but it can be done. She became really still and waited. Should she mention calling the wind made her pupils glow? No, wait and see. She looked down at him with a carefully arranged face to show no expression. If he was to come, it would be of his own will. She easily controlled her breathing and relaxed her muscles, but the tension inside her was there. She quickly ran over why he would like working for her: secluded... purpose... something to do... protecting her? naw, he wouldn't like that... Now she was rambling. She calmed her thoughts just like she had the rest of her body.

Carter accepted the cup when she approached and crouched down before him. Though on the outside he was no more than a weak, scared little boy hardly able to walk without tripping over his own two feet, but that was only a skin. He could tell she was holding back as she spoke, keeping something from him, but her proposition was something more to focus on. She wanted him to watch her house… Or her plants… Or be around in general. And to be around when she left the ocean. She must have been very skilled to have been able to leave it in the past, but by her reaction not long ago she was paralyzed or halted for a few moments and left to what or whoever was near.

“I haven’t been away from the ocean in… a couple years.” Carter said at last. “But… I can help you.” He looked up. She seemed to be struggling to clear her mind, ease her body, calm herself. Her eyes had been jumping, almost to where he didn’t even catch them, her heart beating just fast enough to know something was up. She wasn’t telling the whole truth.

“But… I know you’re keeping things from me.” He breathed. “I’d rather you didn’t. I’ve been lied to my entire life, lied to and hurt because of it, things being kept from me because I look different. Maybe you trained yourself not to have tells, but… I can hear it. Your heart. And your eyes aren’t as easily controlled. Sometimes they react without your noticing. But, Aquarius, I’ll do what I have to do. I won’t be useless anymore. As long as you don’t keep anything from me. I’m not completely unable to defend myself anymore. I’ve learned a lot since school. If anyone is after you, or looking for you when they shouldn’t be, I’ll know at once.”

With that, he focused on the cup in his hands. It was especially warm, and he could see the ceiling glowing in the rippling reflection.

Aquarius was surprised. Why hide it. He obviously was a lie detector. That probably meant he knew she had been awake earlier when he first woke up, or at least suspected it. Where was she supposed to start? He had said yes hadn't he? So, he was in. She already started trusting him, to have allowed him to stay here and all. Maybe by talking to him more about herself, she could convince him to trust her. She sighed and thought, how to even begin?

"Your asking a lot of me. You have a point though and I won't contend it." She sat down in the sand and wrapped her arms around her knees with her warm cup in front of her. Staring across the pool of blue water at the far gray wall, she slowly sifted through her memories to attempt to explain to him her life.

Well, I have a tea shop. It is literally called the Tea Shop. When I was young, I couldn't drink normal water like the other girls at school, so I always carried tea. I learned over time that I could handle simple water with a lot of self-control. However salt water is so painful, you have seen for yourself how I pretty much clam up in the pain. A prisoner of my own natural habitat unless a mermaid. Well... as I mentioned earlier, I drank a lot of tea. As I grew older I came to love coffee as well. One Christmas I dried and loved hot chocolate for the first time too. All these drinks are okay, but I wanted a reason for them to be better than okay.

I did a lot of research. I went through anything I could find on plant properties, older cultures and their drinks, myths and legends surrounding the sea. I found areas in the ocean that are hard to get to. Only a few. They grow some amazing plants, each native to their own location. For example, the cove near town that has the whirlpool? Underneath the edge of the pool is an underwater cavern. All the plants there are rare and have one thing in common... they amplify some part of the body. Better eyesight, stronger bones, faster reflexes, quicker thinking... No other location has plants quite like those. I created my own blends of tea that I sell from my store. Each has its own purpose. People can come to my shop and buy what they need and trust that it will actually help them. People come from all over the empire. So strangers are often seen there, and it is no strange or unexpected deal.

That is just my tea business though. It goes deeper than that. Please, please don't freak. Assassins also come. Ones needing poison. Doctors come. Ones who work high in the government and in need of specialty teas. All types of... shady characters... come. They buy my most expensive of teas. I can't bring back the dead. I can't make people fall in love. However my teas are diverse and I am good at what I do. I'm part of something deeper than the black market in that regard. Common people don't know about these things.

That isn't just it though. I'm part of what is called The Council. You can guess I am a good person who helps with town events and supports my local community. I am a loyal citizen of this empire as well. However, kings have a tendency to hunger for power and use anything they can to their advantage. They bully those who don't readily agree with them. They cause problems on the boarders. They send spies into neighboring kingdoms as well as their own towns. The Council works to protect the bullied, guard the weak, stop the major plots that lead to harm, and even work against our own king if he is the one instigating this. The Council has members in all the empires... on land. They are not aware of the world beneath the surface of the oceans.

My part in The Council is simple. I am an informant. I am a spy so to speak, but am rarely on missions. I work locally. This town, this countryside, and I glean what I can from those who come to my shop. I've not been caught or traced yet, but someday bad info will come my way. When that happens, the faction or ... lame as this sounds... bad guy, will send minions or come himself. I'm hoping when that day comes, I'm out of town on an errand myself.

On a more positive note, I try to help the stupid humans that surf or do something stupid like swimming in storms. That was why I was out patrolling last night. Making sure some locals didn't get themselves killed. So some things I do are simple and not really that big of a deal. Some things I do are mind boggling and dangerous. I don't know when I come home if someone is sneaking around the place ready to ambush me. I don't know when I leave the ocean if in that precious little time when I am at my weakest, if someone is going to jump me.

Aquarius didn't look at him now. She felt so vulnerable... and horrified that she led such a life. She had never really thought about it before and what she just described kinda scared her. Yeah she was strong. Sure she was quick. She wasn't an immortal goddess though, no matter what most who ran into her may have thought otherwise. And there was the ability of her calling forth wind... better say something about that...

And I have an ability... just like cooking or wrestling... I can get a strong wind to blow through. Nothing really devastating, just... strong. And... well... don't freak... it makes my eyes glow? Not the whole eyes, just the pupils...

Carter set the cup beside him. It was empty now. Leaving it, he moved up to his knees and put a little more height to himself. He knew from the start Aquarius was much more than a simple mermaid. But his own secrets were chewing at him, and if he didn’t speak, he wouldn’t be able to think straight.

“Well, Aquarius… You’re pretty complicated. I thought so from the start, you know? I could tell. But… I’m not just this scared little boy, you should know. And I don’t have just a simple life. I was born to parents who tried to be human, but with no way of changing my appearance, not even with surgery, which they tried, I was a burden to them. I learned to swim at an early age, and I became skilled and quick. I listened to others talking, and picked up that skill just as fast. But I was never able to walk well because my feet are flat and a little longer than natural, for a human, that is.”

He sighed. Speaking now would bring back a lot of hard memories. But he bit the weakness back. Now was the time to be much stronger. “Well, while in school, I tried my best to be left alone, learn what I could, try to make up for my… freakish nature. But no one would be my friend. I was always bullied and pushed around, hit, cornered, shunned. Teachers didn’t even want to touch me. So… When my mother became… fed up, she kicked me out. I was… nine, I think. Smarter than average, but I didn’t learn a lot of reading skills…”

“Anyway, I came here. Not that it’s the end of the story. Aquarius, I know where those rare ingredients are, below the whirlpool, in certain caverns, one particular place hidden beneath a shipwreck I tend to go to. You don’t need to mix them into teas and coffees to get the effects, eating them works just as well in giving you the effects of the plant or item in general, but it’s a nasty taste and sometimes hard to swallow.”

“How do I know this? Well… Not long after I started becoming self-preservative, I was approached by some odd characters who wanted to use my abilities to their fullest. They… knew what I was. They gave me coordinates, to where certain things were, and wanted me to retrieve small amounts for them at a time. I figured out what they did after a while, and kept a little for myself every time they came to me. They tried to give me money, but I wouldn’t be able to leave to go to a shop or something, so instead, they would come with new clothes or small packages of food for me, when I hadn’t eaten in a while.”

“But I got fed up. They belittled me, yelled at me, pushed me around. After some time, I just… snapped. I’d already learned to make weapons out of strong, sharp shells, and the next time they sent a solitary out… I… took care of him.” He looked at his hands. “And I don’t regret it. The others… Didn’t do that anymore. They just came with what I needed, and I went to get what they wanted. They called me a retriever. It was as if they didn’t even care I… killed… one of their men. They said it was about time because he was a liability, and actually… actually thanked me.”

“But recently they came to me with a lot more than just gathering some rare plants from various sea floors or caverns or clusters. They wanted me to be their lie detector and disposal boy as well… I didn’t have a good feeling about it, but they wouldn’t clarify. They said they would soon, and I haven’t seen them in a couple days. Not that it’s odd, or anything.”

He gasped. He hadn’t spoken so much in quite a while. But the mention of Aquarius’s extra power had caught him. “Oh… Don’t worry. I know about various ‘extras’. After all, Aquarius isn’t only related to water.” He smiled. “I know a bit.” He affirmed. “Even if I’m young and… uneducated.”

Aquarius gave him a warm smile. "We are similar. Mind you very different, but similar. I wasn't bullied like you in school, but I wasn't friends with those around me. Look at me! Other females are jealous. Men don't have the nerve. I wouldn't be surprised if some of those who you know are the very people The Council is trying to track and kill. Either kill or seriously discourage. Anyrate. Thank you for listening. Thank you for talking. We both seem to have our problems. I know it is still a bit cloudy out, but sunrise is soon. I must get back to my house. You have the energy to come with me? Aquarius set her cup into the sand gently, smoothly stood, and offered her graceful hand.

Carter nodded slowly. “Whatever the case, they may… not appreciate being stood up. Especially since they could, without fail, find me at the beach. I suppose I could stop by later in the day… They had the annoying habit of appearing right when the sun was high, which I assumed was noontime.” He paused when she reached out her hand. It was perfect, so unlike his, which he looked at. Surgery thrice over couldn’t keep the fins away.

“Absolutely.” He affirmed, taking her hand and lifting himself. “But I’ll take leave to the beach around noontime and stay there for a while. Not long, though, I won’t leave your house abandoned.”

He couldn’t believe he would leave the beach after two years. Two years using the sand as his chair and table, the water as his bed. And he would be in a house for the first time in two years as well. And what baffled him was that he actually trusted her, be it with some cautiousness.

Aquarius knodded. Let's hurry. I don't want to be seen if I can help it, and the dawn will definitely not hide me. Inside she felt a moment of exhilaration. She had someone to share this with. This life that had been hers for so long. A life that had no one else in it. Just work, work and more work. Also excited to show off to someone her abilities, she raced and leaped into the air... transformed... and dove straight down into the water. She came up and looked at him with joy on her face and laughter on her lips. Come! My friend! The world, earth and sea, lie before us! Let's go face it! With that she plunged down, carefully slid under the ledge of the huge rock outcropping, and smoothly glided past the coral that guarded her entrance. Coming into the clean water she paused. Eyeing the riptides she knew were in front of her, she turned to look back for Carter. She had an idea, just this one, to help him. He had still seemed a bit tired this morning and she knew how to get him through easily without any work on his part.

Carter wrinkled his nose a bit, as though to say ”How do you think I feel?” but let it slide as she leapt with zeal into the water, transforming in midair, and splashing him as she entered. He couldn’t help but smile, and as she dove out of sight, leapt in after her with heart racing.

It was a new feeling, to swim freely and without secrets, to know where he was going. He darted past the stone, the coral, coming out alongside Aquarius. With a shake of the head, he put a hand up as though to note she should watch. Then he placed his hands together, closing his eyes for a moment, balling himself up. The energy rush had taken over, half from the tea and half from the happiness he felt for the first time in a long time to finally have someone to talk to other than the fish. Then he released the energy, shooting toward the riptide with more than mere haste, flying right through it as though a knife passing under water. This time, it only took him a foot or so to the left of where he started. It felt so good to finally put what powers he knew of to use.

Hanging there, suspended in clear, though dark, water, he turned his gaze to the rip current to await Aquarius.

She laughed as she watched him come out on the other side. With a powerful sweep of her tail, she followed and appeared beside him. She smiled at him and gave him a thumbs up. That was pretty impressive. And here I thought I was going to have to carry you through. Come on! She smiled and headed toward the rocky cliff area, darted among the fallen boulders that littered the reef floor, and followed it until she reached the beach area. The incline was steep. That was good for her as she could be closer to shore when she jumped for it. When he grew up, maybe he could carry her. She reached a hand up to check that the bun he had made earlier was holding. Then took a deep breathe to steayd her nerves. She always got nervous when it was time to go up on land. She looked back towards him, maybe he would be willing to go up first.

“I’m not as weak as I look!” Carter assured her, hurrying after her. “I can easily keep up with the fastest of them!” He wasn’t rushing to move, he easily moved his hands and feet, propelling himself just as easily as her tail did. He kept a bit behind, though, to know where she was taking him. He made his way through the boulders and looked up, finding them close to a rather steep-looking incline that led to the shore. He approached in time to see her move her hand to check her hair, and some small bubbles escape her mouth as she breathed in the water almost nervously. When she looked at him, he took that as a silent request to go first.

And he did. Kicking off the nearest secure boulder beside him, he darted upward and broke the surface, coughing as he expelled the water from his second set of lungs and adjusted to breathing air. Levering himself up and onto land, he turned to look into the water. He waved at her.

Aquarius sighed. Better hurry. Sunrise was coming. She had to time this right the first time. Her ability was more mental. She glared and allowed her eyes to glow as power filled her, then it was gone. Flying through the water at a slant towards the beach, she raced as fast as she could. She felt the wind was on its way as she broke the surface of the water. Flying into the air, she whispered with her hand holding the key "Key in me, unlock the human for others to see." In an instant her body turned to golden energy and reformed her into a human. She was coming back down, as gravity calls all jealously to her eventually. She would make it on the sand, though barely. Nimbly she landed on her feet and twitched as her skin stung slightly from the remaining moisture. The wind was doing its job though and taking the excess off and away.

She noticed that the night's storm had some mist still sweeping through the air. It wasn't salt water and therefore more bearable. Gritting her teeth, she slowly started walking forward and mentally pushing what little pain there was into moving her body. She glanced at him hoping he would understand that she really didn't want to try talking, and nodded towards the sandy path that went into the treeline and beyond. At least there she would be protected from the water elements sweeping in the wind.

Wind started picking up as he stepped away from the edge of the water, giving Aquarius whatever room she needed to land or react. It brushed his hair back as it whipped past his eyes, and the sand started flying past him, stinging sometimes. The water exploded in front of him, spraying everywhere, and Aquarius returned to human with the same grace as always, the gold glow fading. He saw her twitching, shifting as the remaining salt water dripped off her and the mist of the long-gone storm irritated her, but seemingly not quite as much as the ocean water. Of course, he knew, they were of different properties and origin, though the mist would have traces of salt water in it from lingering over the ocean itself.

They had returned to the surface. The glance given to him by Aquarius probably meant not to speak to her, as she wouldn’t easily be able or willing to respond. But he had reverted back to his quiet state, the sand bringing it back up. He willingly followed quietly, giving her what time she needed.

As they entered the sanctuary of the sheltered sand path, Aquarius started to breathe easier. Looking back at Carter she offered a small smile, "Hey sorry I wasn't more talkative. I don't like speaking when I am in pain. Harder to maintain that calm expression I like so much. She winked at that.

The trees were what one could call ancient. The trunks were thick and solid with swaying limbs high above. Between the numerous limbs and countless leaves, there was plenty of shelter here from most storms. It sucked for the person beneath the day one of the highest limbs came down. It would probably bring other branches and limbs down with it. She carefully started making her way up the path. "So I was thinking, we are friends now right? I don't know what a friend does or is like since your pretty much my first. Unless you consider yourself just my employee. I have two employees at the Tea Shop, but they have no idea of what that place is or who I am beyond the person who sells amazing tea to a lot of diverse people.

Carter was silent as he followed behind, and smiled when Aquarius offered an apology and little-needed excuse for her quiet demeanor. It gave him time to look around, at the trees, the shade they would offer, the sandy path beneath his bare feet that offered little traction and made him slip up more than he would have liked. But he would get used to it, as he did with the terrain of the beach he had called home so long. As they moved, Aquarius seemed to get her more talkative nature back.

“I… guess we could consider us to be friends. I define friends as someone you appreciate, someone you like being near, someone you can get along with. And you might fight with them a little, but you can get over it, and move on with your life. And in times of need, or hardship, you lean on each other for support and trust them with your life.” Carter felt something coming up, a bit more powerful than any form of sadness or past memories. An emptiness he had uncovered, at the realization that, throughout his life, he had never been able to have a friend, even though he wanted one. No one would look past his oddities, though, to see what else there was. He hoped Aquarius could see him as a friend.

Aquarius thought it over and began to check off the list he had created. It seemed like they could be friends. They had never really fought before though so she didn't know if missing one requirement would be okay or not. "We haven't gotten into a fight with each other, but we could be friends anyway right? She kept her face forward so he wouldn't see the wistfulness on her face. She was just so open with him that it bothered her. She never was open with anyone. And this kid had somehow gotten her to open up more in the last 12 hours than anyone had in the last 15 years.

They finally reached the end of the sand path. It ended at the road, but there was a smaller path onto her property next door. She turned and followed it there. Quickly casting her eyes around to make sure things were as she left it, which wasn't hard. No one who was waiting for her would have left too much disorder. "This is my home. From the road to the cliff is my property. A good stretch. From the other side of the sandy path to the trickling creek on the farside, we can go go find it later, is my property. A nice large square that is just under a mile long on either side. Nothing fancy." She started to walk towards the house and glanced back at him to see how he was coming along.

Carter held back a small laugh. “I wouldn’t want to fight with you at all.” He said. “Sometimes, though, it can’t be avoided. Personalities and mirroring ideas clash, and a conflict occurs. We might fight, but I hope we can get over those fights and still be friends. So I’d like to consider us friends.” He wasn’t going on experience, but what he thought a friend was, what a friend could be. He had watched a lot of friends in his time, how they interacted with one another, how they fought sometimes, how they got over it and it was all a memory for the past. It put a faraway smile on his face.

Keeping his balance on such an unfamiliar terrain would have taken more energy by now, but he had become stronger. Whether from the tea blend Aquarius had given him or his own discipline, he didn’t care to pinpoint. But he let himself look around the area she deemed her own property, finding it about as large as the stretch of beach he had lived at. And vaguely, he could hear the singing of water gentler than the ocean’s rush. As he was getting lost in the noise far away, he lost concentration and his feet crossed one another, tied, and sent him down just as Aquarius looked back at him. “Ow…” He shook the sand from his face and put himself back up. “I’m good. I’m fine.” He said, a bit embarrassed but unwilling to show it.

Aquarius was startled as he fell and not quick enough to catch him. She knelt in front of him and looked at him with worry in her eyes. Maybe having him up here was a bad idea. He was meant for the sea. There wasn't enough water here for him... just lots of earth and trees. We are almost there. You okay? She remembered back to when she was learning more about herself and her abilities. In grade school when a kid was bullying another, she had grabbed his arm and promptly cracked his bone. It had been an accident, and gratefully the bully wasn't willing to tell anyone what happened, but the kid being bullied had avoided her as well. It had been art class and working with clay where she learned to handle things with gentleness and understand herself enough to not make such ready mistakes again.

The sky was clearing as the last of the clouds finally were gone. An gentle breeze was blowing through bringing with it the scents of her herb garden. The soon coming dawn was lighting the eastern sky in gentle colors of blue, pink, and yellow. The promise of a beautiful day and a fresh start was upon the land. Birds cheerfully sang their morning greetings and melodies. Blossoms began to unfold and welcome the new day.

Carter nodded, mostly to reassure Aquarius, who seemed worried about him. “Like I said,” he noted, returning easily to his feet, “I’m not as steady on land.” He couldn’t hear the ocean as well from where they were, and where they were going as the sky started to clear and brighten for a beautiful morning. It was too quiet, even with the muted noise of trickling water from the brook she mentioned nearby, but as he had gotten used to sleeping underwater a couple years ago, he would get used to the quiet, for Aquarius.

He brushed the sand from his hands, studying them for a moment as he returned to following Aquarius. This time, he would observe where his feet were going and not let his mind drift until he got used to the land beneath him.

She showed him the house. Downstairs was simple. The door opened up to a livingroom. Across from the door at the back of the livingroom was the bar seating with a kitchen lit up with sun through the windows. The dining area was also on the other side of the livingroom and seperated from the kitchen only by a counter. The sliding glass door from there led to the patio. She took him to the right where a hall went to the back where the laundry room, furnace closet, and office were. All the windows had the morning sun warmly spilling in.

The hall was double wide to allow a white carpeted staircase to the upstairs. In fact the whole house had white carpet except for the tiled kitchen and wooden-floored diningroom. At the top of the stairs on the left and overlooking the back garden was her bedroom. Across from her room was his bedroom that overlooked the front yard. Both could be called masters bedrooms. There was a bathroom connected to each of them. Hers above the kitchen, his above the livingroom. Between their rooms was a sitting area with book shelves. It was a guest room, but no one ever came over. I don't have what you would call friends except for yourself. So the room is yours. If anyone ever claims to be my friend, they are lying. Those who know me and get along with me know better. The password for those on The Council this month is Balloons. If there are obviously no balloons in sight and no reason to be saying the word, then it is the password. Previous passwords are golden sunlight, silver moonlight, and dusty clouds. If those are used, the person is a spy with old intel. And dangerous. We switched our passwords as you can tell. She smiled at some memories, then came to with a start as the grandfather clock in the livingroom chimed the time. She flew into her room and turned on the shower to start filling up. She had a special shower that was water... with a special scented oil in it. Since it was no longer pure water, it didn't bother her and the oil both scented her skin and moisturized it. So she always seemed unique. At work her employees giggled that it was the Aquarius scent and they longed to get a hold it themselves someday.

Quickly she cleaned up as best as she could, stumbled out and threw her hair into a french braid. Folding the tail of her braid under and securing it with bobbypins, she hurried to her walk-in closet and chose a navy blue skirt and matching jacket. With a white blouse underneath and black calf high boots pulled on, she was ready for the day. Stopping at her desk to touch up up some make-up, she sped downstairs and into the kitchen. Dropping a bagel into the toaster and spinning to make some instant coffee she called out to wherever Carter had gotten to, I'm off to work! If you need me my work number is on the fridge, I'm one of the first buildings on the edge of town if you take the road, and anything you want to eat is yours! We can talk more later! Bye!! Grabbing her bagel and coffee she sprinted out the door and down the path. Reaching the road, she slowed to a more calm pace and gracefully walked towards town as she always did. Head held high. Face calm but otherwise expressionless. An air of sophistication and business grace surrounding her.

Carter let himself wander freely through the house he would call his sanctuary for the time being when she left him. It was Aquarius’ house, so he didn’t want to take too much advantage of what he was allowed so easily to do, which seemed to be anything. But of course, anything would be limited to exploring, looking at the plants around the house, and running back to the beach a bit before noon. In the back of his mind, the proposition that was given to him weighed him down and kept him from fully appreciating the beauty of the house Aquarius called home. Wandering as she readied for work, he inspected the dining room and kitchen, the airy living room, and the closed doors that led to the laundry, furnace room, and office. Then he climbed the stairs on all fours in case he were to stumble, not entering Aquarius’ room but going to look about the one she let him inhabit.

A bright, lightly-colored room, it was. A tall bed stood against the far wall, between two tall windows framed in white, opaque curtains and bedside tables. A dresser stood by a closet to the left of the door, a lush, green plant sitting on it and filling the room with fragrance. To the far left sat a desk and chair, a shelf above the desk holding some books. To the right was a door leading to a bathroom. Before he could move to inspect that room, he heard Aquarius calling to him. Returning to the top of the stairs, he listened to how to contact her and where to go to find her, and promising to talk later on. Then the door closed, and he was left by himself.

Returning to the second bedroom, he went into the bathroom to look around. The only thing he wanted to acknowledge was a bathtub, which there was one, deep and a bit wider than average with a sliding glass door. With the presence of something that would hold water in close relation, Carter left the second floor and sat on the floor. His clothes were less than clean, and even if Aquarius gave him the OK to make himself at home, he didn’t want to take advantage of that to the point where he dirtied her furniture. At least not with the clothes he had on. They were old, containing dry ocean water and powdery salt would puff off the fabric when he moved too much. He would stay on the floor, and watch the grandfather clock as it ticked toward noon. For a moment, he let his eyes close…

The clang of the grandfather clock startled him awake, and he snapped his head up. Squinting to see what time it was, his heart skipped a beat when it read noon, exactly. Scrambling up, he raced to the door, making sure to secure it as he left and skidded down the path as he ran to the beach. If the men had arrived early, they would wonder where he was, and wouldn’t wait around long. They had also promised to bring new clothes.

His feet met soft sand quickly, lungs working for air instead of water, and instead of seeing no more than a long stretch of sandy beach ending in a rocky, earthy cliffside, he found two forms standing side by side, one with a bag in his hand, wearing light short-sleeved shirts and khaki pants, sandals. Both were wearing sunglasses, and both had brown, short hair. Normal. Carter breathed out, steadying his heartbeat and cupping his hands behind his back.

Aquarius noted into her accounts the last of the purchases from the morning. The girls would arrive anytime from their lunch break. Until then, she had the shop to herself. Hearing the door open, she straightened on the stool where she sat and gave the man who entered a long, cool look. She knew who he was. He walked casually around the store looking at different teas. Finally, he came over and knodded to her, "The store is clear. No customers left any bugs. Good thing too or else I would have jumped into a hot air BALLOON and never would have returned. Do you have any good tea for me? She knodded and reached for a package of simple mint tea, "Always. Listen close, there is a man hanging out at the market. He wears a trenchcoat and is currently drinking a tea that allows him to stay alert. I added an ingredient that will cause a reverse reaction. He should be in about ten minutes tired and unable to lie. I trust you can handle him. He has information The Council will want to know. Without another word, the man spun and left the shop. She sighed and settled in to read her book. This was going to be her only free time for awhile. When the girls returned, she was going to leave early. This time for some shopping.

Carter nodded to the men as they approached. When about twenty feet separated them, Carter called out: “How long were you here?”

“Not long.” The one with the bag said. “Thought you were in the water, where were you?”

Carter laughed. “I wouldn’t tell you if my life depended on it. What I want to know is your proposition. What you meant by offering me the chance to be a lie detector and… whatever else you mentioned.”

The second man stepped forward. “Well, considering how easily you pick up on lies in someone, like a change of voice structure or very slight altercation in their movement or behavior, you’d make a very good human lie detector. Regardless of what you look like, you’ve got potential, kid. You’d be able to worm out the liars we’re looking for in the people we work with and go to for intel and the like. With you around, we’d get the rats before they can go to their bosses and get our secrets out.”

“The second thing we need…” The one with the bag stepped forward, alongside his partner. “Your hearing. You can hear whispered conversations from fifty feet away. You can hear talks when two rooms separate you. We need that ability of yours. They wouldn’t expect anything, not through interrogation, not through random confrontation. That way, they wouldn’t be able to figure out we’re suspicious.”

Carter nodded, observing his hand. “Hm. You an interesting talk make. I’ll have to think about it, though.” He eyed the bag in the second man’s hand. “You’re thinking about taking me away from this beach, and everything I’ve grown to know. You used me for what you needed because you couldn’t get them yourselves. Now, you’re dropping this on me.” He turned a powerful gaze on them both. “I want a week. Give me time to think, and figure out what side you’re on. But I want what you have for me in that time.”

“Not until you give us an answer!”

Carter stepped forward. “I want what’s mine! I planned my day around this stupid meeting, and I’ll take what belongs to me because of that!” He snatched the bag away and stepped past the men, between them. “Go away! I got a lot of better things to do. Come back here at noon in seven days, and I’ll have an answer by then.”

When he glanced back, they were leaving the beach. Sprinting to the cliffside, Carter inspected the contents of the bag. A black short-sleeved shirt and light blue jeans, even a black-banded watch with the correct time on it, various extras. With no one around, he quickly changed into the new clothes and put his old ones in the bag, burying them in the sand a few feet down. Feeling much better in well-stitched clothes, he took off again. Though he may have to explain the new clothing change to Aquarius, he didn’t want to lie. He would tell the truth, since she had been so open with him.

When he returned to the house, it was in the same condition he had left it in, and was glad for that.

Aquarius left the last store she had visited at the outdoor mall and headed back towards home. She carried a bag in each hand. It had been fun finding several jeans and t-shirts for him. She also had a pair of pajamas, sweats, and a nice suite. Never know when they might come in handy. The last shop she had gone to had towels, combs, toothbrushes, etc. Feeling better stocked and hoping he liked what she had picked up, she headed confidently back home. It had amused her the salespeople who tried to help her but ended up stammering to silence. She was an imposing presence that few seemed to be able to handle.

Lifting her chin, she walked calmly down the road out of town. Always a picture of perfection. Always calm, cool, and collected to the outside world. She was almost back when she realized she was being followed. Annoyed and cautious, she kept up her cool front and kept walking. Let them make the first move. It would tell her a lot about who they were that way. She reached the path to her house and kept her business appearance as she walked towards the house. She didn't break stride or smile. He had good ears, let him hear her anxious heart. Maybe he would see them. She prayed so as she approached the house.

Now clean and feeling much more freedom, Carter let himself sit in the living room, resting on one of the chairs. It was cool and quiet, something odd since he had not been away from noise in quite a long time. He found it odd that he could hear his thoughts perfectly, with no interference. Nothing but the clock ticking, as well as his watch. His heart was loud, as was the rush of blood through his veins, but he could block that out well enough. The cool, dark room lulled him, a bit better than usual. But he felt he would miss the sun and rushing of the waves if he stayed away too long. He would have to visit a lot, swim with the marine life, go back to those hard-to-get-to places and find those ingredients that Aquarius needed for her teas. He knew just the places, and, perhaps places that she didn’t even know about. On his first visit, he had found no signs of life, nor any indication something larger than a squid had floated by in recent years.

He looked at the clock, and found it was well past three in the afternoon. He seemed to recall either reading something or hearing something that related to Aquarius leaving her shop around three, but she wasn’t back yet. Sitting up, he cleared his mind, focusing carefully on the noises that weren’t the norm in this house. The ticking of the clock, his watch, and the wind whistling through microscopic holes here and there that every house was destined to have. Sometimes a creak of a settling floorboard upstairs, birds singing, plants rustling and brushing against the house. And footsteps. And a heartbeat that was faster than simply calm. Lifting himself up, he went to the window that overlooked the path and found Aquarius was nearby, walking with bags in her hand and looking confident though she seemed to be attracting unwanted attention.

He wouldn’t have that. He felt Aquarius knew she was being followed, her heart wouldn’t be sending such quick vibrations otherwise. Going to the door, he opened it and slipped outside with an inviting look on his face, ignoring at first whoever was following behind.