CannibalCrab

It's funny how love works, you know?

One moment you're weightless and the next, it slaps you in the face and leaves you for dead.

Headless Merril was someone I had my eyes on for a long time. She was beautiful and strong, both mentally and physically! To me, she was perfect in every way and though she could be a bit blind to see some things, I didn't really care, I loved her.

But I waited too long and missed my shot before I could even take it. I should have known that ladies as perfect as her never stay single for long.

It happened at the worst time too! I was just getting ready for a grand gesture to show my love! I had flowers, a well cooked meal that both of us could enjoy, and even some entertainment from some guys! We were going to watch some of the other Tide Changers fight while we bet food on who would win. All that had to fall into place to set it off was a simple "Yes"!

A yes that I didn't get.

Merril was in the Situation Room, talking with Gnash about patrols when I found her. Their conversation soon ended, and I was able to get a private talk with her. I smiled nervously as I approached. "Hey Merril! Nice day, isn't it?" She blinked and nodded.

"I suppose it is." She shrugged. "To be honest, I've been working all day and didn't even notice."

I nodded along, slowly figuring out how to casually ask her out. "Ah, too bad... Hey, are you busy tonight? Maybe we could go get some dinner and enjoy the- uh- nice day?"

Merril huffed. "That sounds wonderful," My heart sped up until she uttered the word "But," And then it hit a wall. She sighed, rolling her eyes playfully. "My boyfriend and I were going to go out, he insisted on tonight because both of us will finally be free from work."

My feelings got put in a blender and turned into gush as soon as one word hit my ears. "Boyfriend?" My words became empty and hallow, but she didn't seem to pick up on that. Like I said before, she was a little blind sometimes.

"Yeah." She nodded before realizing something. "Oh wait, you haven't met him yet, have you? He's the Chief of Surgery in Atlantis. Normally I wouldn't date an Atlantean, but he's charming, you know? He treats me good. Maybe another time?" She prompted, but my heart couldn't seem to bounce back.

"Maybe... I'll see you around then..." I said halfheartedly and left without a second word.

My steps were heavy and slow as I wandered down the stairs and into my cousin's restaurant and out on the balcony before finally plopping down. I heard shuffling behind me and soon, a plate of freshly cooked crab came to my senses and filled up my nose. I glanced over to see CrankyCrab, giving me a sympathetic look as if to say, "Better luck next time." And left to run his business.

The light started to fade around me. It was getting dark, slowly but surely but I still couldn't move from my spot, even after twenty or so minutes. I had already devoured my crab but still felt a little empty inside, though I suspect that wasn't because of the crab.

My eyes stared straight ahead until I noticed a moving figure in the distance, coming from the tunnels and following the trail to the Conch Command. Though they started to leave it and go off to the side, the paused for a moment before choosing to change course and made a beeline for me. I didn't fully see who it was until they were right in front of me.

"Cannibal." Tanith greeted, giving a nod of her head in acknowledgement. "You wouldn't happen to know where KK is, would you?"

I shook my head, sighing. "He's out with Blooper. They're fishing or something."

She clicked her tongue in disappointment. "Dang. Oh well, tell them I hope they had fun!" She turned to leave, but then a spark ignited in my brain.

"Wait!" She paused, turning back to me with interest. I took a deep breath before admitting it. "I need some advice." That sentence got her attention.

Almost as if it were instinct, she strolled over and sat herself down next to me, letting her tail dangle over the side and careful not to let the weight of it pull her down. She nodded at me, giving me a signal to continue talking. "Love advice." I clarified, now creating an uneasy look in her eye.

"I'm really not the best person to ask for this." She told me sheepishly. "I've never been successful in romantic love and haven't been in a relationship yet."

I huffed. "Well, have you ever fallen in love?" She gave a small nod. I couldn't help but feel interested. "How many times?"

She tensed, blinking a lot until finally stuttering out, "O-once." As if she were unsure of herself. I raised an eyebrow but decided not to question it any further. Once was still good, meaning she had to know something about it. "But I threw away my shot and he got together with someone else. Someone he'd never leave." She said the last part a little softer, but then shook her head. "But maybe it was for the best. People come and go, but the ones you're meant to stay with are always there."

I chuckled lightly. "Maybe, but what if I'm meant to be with her and this guy's just an obstacle? Or if he's her true "Soulmate" or whatever?"

Tanith hesitated before simply answering, "You don't. What happens in the future is often shadowed to all, even seers! It could go anywhere, and you'll never know until it happens."

I sighed, realizing she was right and gaze out onto the terrain. "What does love feel like to you?" I asked, surprising even myself. I must've been in a really sappy mood to ask such a question, but then again, I did lose my current chance with Merril so I wasn't in the best state of mind.

"To me?" She asked, a questioning tone in her voice. As I nodded, she paused before smiling. "Well, it never happened immediately. Never in my life have I fallen in love at first sight like others do, but rather it was gradual. It always happened after I became good friends with them. At first I thought I was just feeling friendship, but then it started to feel... Different. I wanted to be with them all the time and become closer- closer than friends! I started to love them for more than the good traits, but their flaws as well. I started to linger whenever I saw them, get worried about them even when I had no reason to be and just generally turn to them, even when I had no reason to." Her eyes started to drift the more she spoke, slowly turning around. "It would always take me a while... To figure out I loved them but... Once I did..." She kept pausing in mid sentence until she went silent all together, staring at the Conch Command, mostly the top of it. "Oh crap." She said under her breath.

"What?" I asked, confused.

"Nothing!" She insisted a little too quickly, whipping around and back to me. "Just lost in thought."

I decided to let her strange behavior go and started to think more myself. That's when it hit me: A small ray of hope. "Wait... Merril's in a relationship with an Atlantean!"

Tanith blinked. "Okay?"

I laughed. "That's not going to work!" I faced Tanith, seeing blood drain out of her face but I dismissed it. "I don't want to see her get her heart broken, but all Tide Changers HATE Atlantis! Eventually, those two will have to chose where their loyalties lie (Isn't that a chapter title from An Atlantean's Journey?) and knowing Merril, she'll choose us! Plus, if they ever met each other on the battlefield, they'd have to fight each other and who wants to be in a relationship like that?"

Her blue eyes widened but words couldn't exit her mouth. Though confused, I figured I probably just blew her mind. I stood up and started to make my way towards the stairs. "Great talk Tanith! You made me realize something important."

"The feeling is mutual..." She muttered, still shocked.

As I left, I heard one last phrase from her.

"Oh crap..."

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Isn't it funny how love works?

A shorter chapter but it wasn't meant to be that long anyways so that's okay. Updating a little earlier than normal too! Anyways, I'm probably updating this one a little fast but HOLY CRAP I'M SO EXCITED FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER "TEXTING"! IT'S GOING TO BE SO MUCH FUN!

Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this somewhat! Be sure to comment what you thought of this chapter, and I'll see y'all later! Bye!

--JustAnAtlantisWriter