The Little Neustoid

**The Little Neustoid** is the 14th Episode of Season 1 of the *ZongueBob and Friends Adventures* series. The Loungers are called to Chronicus to help the Fantasy Council again. The Fantasy Council had discovered that there is some ancient secret that the Villain Legion is looking for, and they want them to investigate. However, they get in trouble when Melanie, the daughter of the Fantasy Council's sea princess Princess Hyrdema, finds it for them and loses it. After getting grounded for it, the Loungers find out that Melanie is lonely because her mother has been overprotective on her lately because of the threat they're facing, and she can't visit a human prince she met and fell in love with recently named Sidis, and she thought that finding the map would help prove that she can take care of herself. After feeling sorry for her, they decide to help her, hesitantly since she ends up running away to a sea witch named Valencia, not knowing that she is in league with the Villain Legion and that she's an enemy of Hyrdema, and she tells them that the map had been found by the same human prince Melanie is in love with. Thus they help her get together with the prince so they can build trust and get the map. But they don't realize that Valencia is placing them in a trap to obtain the map for the Villain Legion. Once the truth is revealed, in which the map is blank and can only be visible when held by 'The Astral Princess', Valencia abducts Siri and turns all the others except Melanie, Sonny, and ZongueBob, into grubs. Now it's up to them, and Melanie's prince boyfriend, to stop the Villain Legion from using Siri and the captured Fantasy Council for the activation of their ancient evil-spreading ritual.

## Scenes

#### **Prologue**

Dragon Temple

* Sonny: YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAOW!!!! (Sandy plucked out icicles from her butt) AA-HAYYEE!!!
* Sandy: Guess surfing on Saturn's rings wasn't the best idea, huh?
* Sonny: I never had this problem with Saeturn. \*Pluck\* AAAAHAHAOWCH!!!
* SpongeBob: Ugh, that's going to leave a mark.
* Dodger: Why were you guys ring surfing anyway?
* Sonny: It's a daredevil sport hundreds are good at in our dimension. (As ZongueBob brought ice) ZONGUEBOB, MY BUTT HAS ALREADY HAD ENOUGH ICE!!!
* Chen: You should just get some rest.
* Sonny: Yeah. Maybe we should.

Oxydome

* SpongeBob: (They saw that the environment was flooded and made into a swimming hole)... Did the Oxydome spring a leak?
* Sonny: Oh, no, this is intentional. It's, shall we say, a way for me to get into my natural self.
* Marty: Ew.
* Sonny: Not THAT kind of natural. I meant my aquatic nature. With a command, this place becomes a space swimming pool. It even digitally matches a reef.
* Shenzi: Damn, girl.
* Sonny: I know. Isn't technology great?
* Icky: "Well provided if it's at a convenience and not inconvenient."
* Duke: Seems like someone is a little too obsessed with swimming.
* Sonny: I'm a Hydrocab, what did you expect?
* Duke: No, I mean, REALLY too obsessed. Like, in a gross way.
* Sonny: I'M NOT A GU-... Sorry. Force of habit.
* Gazelle:... Okay, glad to know we're in equally-awkward company.
* Sonny: Hey, there's a LOT of people out there who love the ocean, I'm sure.
* Gloria: No argument here, there's plenty of people who do.
* Sonny: I mean, I haven't seen someone that liked it since Melanie.
* Mr. Krabs:... Melanie?
* Sonny: Oh, yeah. The daughter of Princess Hyrdema in the Fantasy Council.
* Mr. Krabs:... Ohhh yeah. I remember her. Last we met her, she was just an adorable little kid.
* Bongki: Not anymore she ain't. She's gotten bigger... And we had an adventure with her after our Grim Night adventure.
* Icky: "Annnnnnnnd once again, a simple conversation segways into another story!"
* Iago: Wow, how did you NOT see that coming? It’s the LOUNGERS’ show, and we’ve been delving into THEIR Moisode Era.

#### **Meet Melanie**

* (ZongueBob): Well, since you all clearly haven’t had the chance to meet Melanie at her current age… She’s a happy-go-lucky carefree girl. Or at least she was… Or still is. I dunno. Point is… She grew up beautiful and just like… Like her mother.
* (SpongeBob): No argument here since OUR version of Hyrdema has a daughter who in many ways is like her.
* (Sonny): Hah. Called it. (A human swam across a beautiful AUU reef and breathed deeply without drowning, and came across a massive school of fish as one of them faced her)
* Fish: Oh, hehe. Hey, Melanie. What’s kicking?
* Melanie: Well as usual, my legs.
* Fish: Heeheeheehee.
* Melanie: Hey, uh… Have you seen Dovid? We were supposed to go shell-collecting today.
* Fish: Do you two always do that?
* Melanie: No, not always. We just… Be friends, you know?
* Fish: Still working on people skills, huh?
* Melanie: Look, can you just tell me where he is?!
* Fish: Oh, he’s… Around. You can find him at home.
* Melanie:… PLEASE don’t tell me he’s afraid of going to the abandoned reefs again. I told him he can’t spend his whole life playing it safe.
* Fish: Mmm, from what those nasty gossips are going on about… It’s more personal than just simple cowardice. It’s… Something about you.
* Melanie: Me?… Well… I better go check on him.
* Fish: Just be careful, you might be a LITTLE surprised!
* Melanie: TRY ME!! (She swam as she was surprisingly fast even for her unwebbed feet, and arrived at a grotto meeting a pair of dolphin-like creatures called Turphins)
* Turphin #1: Oh, uh, Melanie. Are you here about our son? Because, this may not be the best time.
* Melanie: Yeah. Gupp told me.
* Dovid’s Father: (Sighs) Stupid fish gossipers!
* Melanie: TELL me about it. He’ll believe ANYTHING! You just tell him a scary story and he’ll believe it.
* Dovid’s Father: Pssh. Fish are so stupid.
* Dovid’s Mother: HONEY!
* Dovid’s Father: IT’S A JOKE, OKAY?! Sheesh!
* Melanie:… Riight. So… What’s wrong with him? And what does it have to do with me? If… Gupp was telling the truth?
* Dovid’s Mother: Ehe… You don’t wanna know. We regret knowing ourselves. Heads up… It’s a little creepy.
* Melanie:… Thanks, I guess? Seriously, what is UP with him?!

Meanwhile…

* Dovid: (He had a cute picture of Melanie and was staring love-dazed at it)… Ahhhh… Melanie, you make going into danger worth it sometimes. I’ll do anything for you…. I… I love you.
* Melanie: OHHHHHHHH! (She spooked Dovid) NOW I get it.
* Dovid: MELANIE!!! Don’t you knock?!
* Melanie: There’s no doors. Also, I hesitate to knock on ANYTHING underwater since sound is more intense down here. Anyway… You have a CRUSH on me?!
* Dovid: NO!!! (Melanie just smiled)… Alright, fine, I admit it, I’m in love with you! YA HAPPY?!? I’ve been in love with you for a while now. A few years to be exact.
* Melanie:… I… Dovid… I’m honestly flattered, but… I’m 14.
* Dovid: I’M 6!
* Melanie:… Touché.
* Dovid: I’m sorry. You can CLEARLY tell why I never told you this. I just went through puberty because of you.
* Melanie:… Did this crop up when I accidentally fell rear-first onto you? Or when I was stepping on you? Any time where I got too close? Which one?
* Dovid:… I dunooooo! Ehehe. (He blushed)
* Melanie:… I’ll go for all of the above from that comment alone. You know what you need? Another good shell-collecting trip.
* Dovid: And how’s THAT gonna help me clear my mind? We’ve been doing that for years. Things KINDA won’t be the same after that. You’re usually the fastest swimmer, even when your… Feet… Aren’t built for it. So you’ll be a distraction. I’m always the one following you from behind.
* Melanie: Dovid!
* Dovid: Melanie, I’m serious. These feelings just got intense and they were gonna now that we’re both young adults. We’re basically growing up.
* Melanie: I’m sure it won’t be a problem if we can figure out how to work it through. We’re friends, and we always will be. Just come with me on another shell round for old times’ sakes? Who knows? You’ll be over me in no time and we’ll both have a good laugh about it.
* Dovid:… I hope so. Just… Be careful how you swim around me.
* Melanie: I can’t promise I’ll be COMPLETELY careful, but you need to get some ACTUAL maturity and NOT the gross kind.
* Dovid: And I can’t promise that I’LL be completely careful.
* Melanie:… Have you been rubbing off on me?
* Dovid: LET’S JUST GO!!

Later…

* Melanie: (She approached a giant kelp forest with a reef of wrecked ancient ships)…
* Dovid: Melanie! Wait! UGH!
* Melanie: Dovid, you’re beat already?!
* Dovid: Ugh! You know I can’t swim that fast when I’m distracted.
* Melanie: Well neither can I, I’m half-human so- wait, distracted?! (Sighs) Have you been-
* Dovid: NO! I definitely wasn’t looking at your… Bubbling… Almost sweaty… Pretty slim… Legs. Why are bubbles even showing up with our movement? There’s no air around us.
* Melanie: It’s water with a high concentration of oxygen. Bubbles are gonna crop up a lot.
* Dovid:… They look good coming off of you, though.
* Melanie: (Sighs) This REALLY had to be a problem?
* Dovid: I’m sorry, okay? When your friend is a girl, you usually want to fantasize her as you grow up. I DID say I wasn’t going to just ignore it-
* Melanie: Just do SOMETHING! This is gonna be embarrassing for both of us if you don’t. Alright. Here’s a nice spot. (They saw a massive reef patch with a derelict ship)… Neat, ain’t it?
* Dovid: Yeah, nice. Now let’s go.
* Melanie: OHHO NO YOU DON’T! You are NOT getting cold flukes on me NOW! (She got on his back) Let’s ride! (Dovid paused blushing wildly)… Dovid?… Oh… Ohhhhhhhhhhh! Yeah, this DOES feel awkward now, doesn’t it?
* Dovid: Ehehehehehe! (He blushed)
* Melanie:… Alright. Guess we’re swimming there the hard way.
* Dovid: Yeah… I… I’m so sorry.
* Melanie: Meh, water under the bridge. I could always afford to stretch my legs. (She swam towards the ship and Dovid picked up the pace)
* Dovid: If I don’t look at them, they can’t distract me! If I don’t look at them, they can’t distract- (He comedically hit a ship mast)…… AHH- (Melanie covered his mouth)
* Melanie: SSSSH!!! That shark COULD be here!
* Dovid: I… I know, I just-
* Melanie: Now, I’m going inside. You just keep a look out in case Brugo IS around.
* Dovid: Wait, THAT’S the shark’s name?
* Melanie: Yeah, he used to chase around Mom and Jlounder when she was collecting human junk here.
* Dovid: And you’re SURE he wouldn’t stop jumping at the thought of getting at you to get payback for the humiliation your mother put him in?
* Melanie: Oh I picked up a LOT from my parents. My Dad especially. Like he always said: “You don’t take CRAP from bullies. Not even the non-sentient ones!” Besides, YOU could use some courage for once. So don’t be such a juppy.
* Dovid: Hey, I am NO juppy!
* Melanie: Not with THAT attitude… I mean, MAYBE with that attitude, but… Just try, okay? (She swam through a porthole as Dovid was looking at her lower body as she got stuck slightly)… STOP LOOKING, DOVID!!
* Dovid: I-I-I WASN’T!!!
* Melanie: Then what’s taking you so long?! URGH! Mom said these portholes were EASY to swim through!
* Dovid: I WAS JUST WATCHING FOR SHARKS LIKE YOU SAID!!! (He helped push her in as a shark silhouette went right above them, but then got stuck himself)
* Melanie:… (Giggles) Typical Dovid. Always swimming yourself into tight spaces. (She pulled him in and found a few shells putting them in her bag) Wow! These shells are among the rarest around!
* Dovid: What do you collect them for, anyway?
* Melanie: Just to give my home some sea decor. I mean, last time, it was to donate to shell-less shellfish, but you can use shells for anything, really.
* Dovid: Okay, I guess. I just… Now that things between us have been shattered by awkward feelings, I want to get over this as quickly as possible. I want things to be back the way they were, or to at least hope you have a boyfriend.
* Melanie: Mmm, he’s out there somewhere, I’m sure. I’d be delighted if it was someone just like me. Someone who loves the sea like me…. I just hope I find him quickly. Speaking of finding, I found a good one. (She found a shining seashell and put it in her bag) I’m sure it would’ve made a good gift for Mom on her birthday.
* Dovid: Maybe. (A shadow loomed over him and he slowly noticed)
* Melanie: Mmm. This one isn’t that bad-
* ???: EYA, MAMMA MIA!!! (The shell was already occupied by a small crustacean) ISSA OCCUPADA!!!
* Melanie: Sorry!
* Dovid: Uhh, Melanie?
* Melanie: Relax, Dovid! Nothing’s gonna happen. I checked Brugo’s routines and he’s outside the ruins hunting.
* Dovid: T-T-Then explain THAT!!! (Melanie saw the open jaws)
* Melanie:... Ahhhh, FISHPASTE! (Brugo the Shark burst through the window and attacked them)
* Brugo: OOOOOM NOM NOM NOM NOM!!!
* Melanie: UGH, IT'S SOMETIMES AMUSING THAT'S ALL HE SAYS!! (They kept swimming from him as Melanie had to ride on Dovid)
* Dovid: GYYYYYAAAAHHH!!! (Brugo plowed through the floor)
* Brugo: HeeeeEEEERE’S BRUGYYYYYYY!!
* Melanie: Oh hey, you’re speaking more words, good for you- (Brugo chomped at her) WHOA, SHARP TEETH!!!
* Dovid: AAAAAHHUUAAAAAAH!!! (They swam off as Melanie dropped her bag. Melanie got off Dovid to get it back) MELANIE, NO!!!
* Melanie: (She punched Brugo in the gills as he roared in aggravation, allowing Dovid to rush in and get her) Whew!
* Dovid:How did you know that would work?!
* Melanie: It’s Survival 101. You can punch a shark in the snout or eyes, but underwater that risks literally sending your fist into the mouth. You just get to its gills. It’s like the feeling of being tickled, only the fear impulse is legitimate.
* Dovid: Heh. I like how full of surprises you- (They plowed through a wooden wall)… OW!!
* Melanie: SWIM!!! (Brugo continued chasing them)
* Brugo: OM NOM NOM NOM!!!
* Melanie:… Wait, I got an idea! Dovid! Get to that anchor!
* Dovid: Why?!
* Melanie: JUST DO IT!!! (Dovid swam to the anchor and peek through the hole and caused Brugo to get his head stuck through it)
* Brugo: OM NOM NOM NOM NOM NOM NOT AGAIN!!!!
* Melanie:… Heh. Like mom like me. (She got off Dovid and grabbed her bag swimming for the surface)
* Dovid: HAHA!! (Singing) *We did it, we did it, oh yeah yeah YEAH! No eating here tonight, no, eating here tonight, NONONO EATING HERE TONIGHT, YOU ON A DIIIET*- (Brugo snapped his jaws at him) EEK!!! (He swam off with Melanie)
* Melanie: Heh. Still think you’re not a juppy?
* Dovid: Well I’m NOOOOT!!!

Surface

* Melanie: (She breached beautifully as Dovid got starry-eyed. Melanie walked up to a rock to take inventory as a santhis flew in on a raybird) Whew!
* Santhis: There you are, young lady!
* Melanie: Oh, hey Sebias. Hey, Salty. What’s kicking?
* Salty the Raybird: Uhhhh... Don’t rush me here. (He bonked his head)
* Sebias the Santhis: Bah! You know PERFECTLY well what’s kicking! Your mother wants you back home. You better have a good excuse for missing the concert.
* Melanie: What concert?... \*Gasp\* THAT concert!!!! AWWWW CRAP IN A PIRATE’S HAT, MY MOM IS GONNA KILL ME!!
* Dovid: What concert?
* Melanie: I was supposed to attend my mom’s concert as the introductory act. I, I didn’t even know it was TODAY! I kinda lost track of time.
* Sebias: And let me tell you, Hyrdema is NOT the same teenager she was long ago.
* Salty: Ahh, come on, dude, don’t pressure her!
* Dovid: Well, uh… Wish I can attend it to hear you attempt to sing. Ehehe… Ehhhh…
* Salty:… What’s up with him?
* Melanie: Yeah, he has a huge crush on me now.
* Sebias:… You do know she’s-
* Dovid: I’m 6!
* Sebias:… Touché.
* Salty: Oh Gods tell me you didn’t-
* Melanie: RELAX, Salts, we did no such thing! Dovid? Think you can handle swimming me back home?
* Dovid:… Ehehehehehe… Sure…
* Sebias: Let’s move. Many thanks for the ride, Salty. (The three dove)
* Salty: Anytime, crusty!
* Sebias: AND MY NAME IS NOT CRUSTY!!!
* Salty: Oh whatever! (The three rode Dovid through alien AUU reefs as Dovid blushed red the entire way due to Melanie on his back)
* Sebias:… You have issues, mon.
* Dovid: I know! I HOPE we both get our own love SOON!!

### **Meet Sidis**

* Dovid: Melanie, while I agree Hyrdema was being a bit unreasonable, I don’t think running away is the answer.
* Melanie: I know, and I am sorry. I just feel left out here. There’s so much I can do and prove, and she doesn’t listen or care.
* Dovid: Oh, no question. You’re a perfect blend of Hyrdema and Errie. Carefree and bold. But, you’re still young. Not fully grown up yet.
* Melanie: Have to start somewhere.
* Dovid:… It’s because of us, isn’t it?
* Melanie: Hwhahaha?
* Dovid: You want to find your right boy, don’t you? Well, why didn’t you say so?
* Melanie:… Eh, let’s go with that. I guess I feel a LITTLE lonely. Mom coddles me like Dad’s rog, and I NEED to… To feel more complete. Everyone back home thinks I’m, weird.
* Dovid: I feel you there. Me, falling in love with you? Weird as REEF!
* Melanie: I mean, I’d have no problem dating you. It’s technically not… You know. But… I could’ve-
* Dovid: NO! You deserve BETTER. I’m not exactly… YOUR type.
* Melanie:… You gave a lot of thought, huh?
* Dovid: Uh-huh. You are BEAUTIFUL! But, I can’t always be there for you. I can’t go terrestrial like you can…. You need a boy who can sweep you off your…
* Melanie: Don’t say it like that, PLEASE! That trend is SO weird. What is so… Attractive about, that?
* Dovid: Look, my point is, I want to give you someone MORE your type.
* Melanie: Where exactly are YOU gonna find that?
* Dovid:… I have, NO idea.
* Melanie: Well, we’re not out to find me a boy. I need to start pulling my own weight, danger be drowned!
* Dovid: (Sighs) I think you already pull plenty.
* Melanie: YES! Someone agrees with me. Trust me, when we get this 'map', I won’t just be the oddball of the Bourne Kingdom. I’ll be a SOMEBODY!
* Dovid: I agree. We can FINALLY be proper friends again, maybe.
* Melanie: You SAID it!
* Dovid:… So, uh… Where do we start?
* Melanie: Funny, the location was RIGHT under their gills. They were so, jumbled and mismanaged, so I managed to find EXACTLY where it is. Tried to tell em, but, none of MY business, is it? It’s somewhere in this area.
* Dovid: Where?
* Melanie: Can’t easily tell. The coordinates just say WHERE, but not all that specifically.
* Dovid: (Saw a shadow above)… Well, you better hurry. Looks like someone beat you to the punch. (They saw a small boat on the surface)…
* Melanie:… That’s no Fantasy Council OR bad guy boat…. (They surfaced and found initials of 'Ubramayer')… Ubramayer?… That’s a kingdom across the sea from mine.
* Dovid: What are they doing here? Fishing? Scuba diving?… Whuling?!
* Melanie: No, whuling is illegal there… And everywhere for that matter.
* Dovid: OH THANK NEPITON!!
* Melanie: But only one way to find out. (She jumped on and analyzed it)
* Dovid: Careful! One doesn’t just FLOP onto a ship like they own it.
* Melanie: I swim in the ocean, where there’s danger at any corner. How much more careful can I get? (She found there was nobody on it, and it was on autopilot)… Hello?
* Ship AI: Unidentified passenger detected onboard. (She was scanned as she was slightly embarrassed)… Bioscan match: Princess Melanie Oriel Bourne. Half-Neustoid Daughter of Hyrdema, Princess of Desire for the Fantasy Council.
* Melanie:… I’ll NEVER be used to this techie stuff.
* Ship AI: Welcome, princess. I am designated as Solo-231.
* Melanie:… You’re from the Ubramayer Kingdom, right? Where’s the crew?
* Solo-231: Prince Sidis Ubramayer boarded me approximately 1 hour ago. Currently, he is freediving for… Leisure and comfort.
* Melanie:… Your prince?…
* Solo-231: He is upset with overprotective parentage, and left to, in his words 'vent steam'.
* Melanie:… Out of, curiosity, is he in any trouble? Can he survive out there alone?
* Solo-231: So long as he chooses his freediving manners wisely. Even as an excelling freediver, he is still, Homo sapiens.
* Melanie: HUMAN?! And… He has NO… Air suit?
* Solo-231: No need for it. He has adapted to-
* Melanie: 1 HOUR!! Wouldn’t he be back by now?
* Solo-231: He has been gone longer. He spent half a day seabound.
* Melanie:… Not taking chances. I know this area. At this season, AND time of day, predators can be active.
* Solo-231: He declined to heed that warning.
* Melanie: Oh GODS! Does this boy have a DEATH WISH?! (She dove into the water)
* Dovid: Melanie? I, um, I wasn’t doing anything, gross!
* Melanie: Well STOP not doing anything gross!
* Dovid:…
* Melanie: I mean- UGH! The prince is down there, and he’s gonna be DISEMBOWELED BY SOME NASTY SHARK!!
* Solo-231: Negative. The bone-to-flesh ratio of Homo sapiens yields no nutritional value for any shark species.
* Melanie: WHO SAID SHARKS ALWAYS KILLED FOR FOOD?! Some do it for S\*\*\*S AND GIGGLES!! DOVID, WE GOTTA SAVE HIM!! (They dove)
* Solo-231:… I should have mentioned he can take care of himself. (Below, the two swam across colorful alien reefs)
* Dovid: PRINCE!
* Melanie: SSSHHH! Don’t give away his title!! Sharks or other preds could get the bad idea!!! Use your echolocation!
* Dovid:… Right. (He did that)… Alright, I’m picking up a non-aquatic anthropoid shape exactly a half a mile that way.
* Melanie: Then SWIM! (They took off)
* Dovid:… Okay, he’s… He’s riding off somewhere on something as fast as me!… What?
* Melanie:… He has a turphin too?
* Dovid: Or another cetacean species. Hard to tell. (They picked up the pace, but he then picked up a shark)… Whoa!… No wonder he bolted so fast. He must have sensed that bastard coming.
* Melanie: I did too… This… This prince, ACTUALLY saw the shark coming?
* Dovid: Ooohoohoohoohoo. Looks like I found you your boy after all.
* Melanie: Shush! We’re JUST doing a humane thing here. Once he’s gone, he’s gone, and we go back to finding that map.
* Dovid: You say so. (They followed the signature through Dovid’s echolocation and finally did)… There he is!… Wh… (They saw both a freediving human and a female turphin, also crushing a bit on him)…
* Turphin: Sidis, c'mon! I agree your parents are insufferably overprotective, but running away isn’t the answer. (Sidis, unable to talk underwater, spoke with sign language)… It’s because of us, isn’t it?
* Sidis: ("Almost. I don’t feel like a prince up there. I want… I want to make my own life without them for a change.")
* Turphin: Hmm. Are you sure? Even with the tidal forces tormenting them?
* Sidis: ("I KNOW those aren’t natural occurrences. SOMEONE has to find out what that is.")
* Turphin: But, HERE?!…. Why here?! You know this is a no-freediving zone.
* Sidis: ("Not for those who know how to swim cautiously.")
* Turphin:… Okay, but I still feel uncomfortable here. I’ll be waiting here, where no bloody sharks can see me. (She hid under a sunken canoe)
* Sidis:… Hmhmhmhmhm. ("Suit yourself.") (He swam about the reefs)
* Melanie:… (She got a good look at his face as he found and inspected a shell)… (She smiled)
* Dovid: Dang! That turphin is…
* Melanie: So hot!
* Dovid: Well, yeah, she’s quite a catch of the day, but-… Wait… Mel? (She was lovestruck by Sidis)… Well well WELL. Did I call THAT one or what?
* Melanie: (Sighs) Shut up. (He swam up)… He, is a natural-born fish.
* Dovid:… Hoohoo. Already making up fantasies. Ahh, young love.
* Melanie: Wait, what’s that supposed to mean? (Dovid blushed a bit)
* Dovid: Uhhhh, nothing. Hey, uh, is he back? (They watched him living normally underwater)
* Melanie:… He’s… He’s just like me. (She hid when he almost noticed her)…
* Dovid: Well? Are you gonna talk to him?
* Melanie: No! I don’t wanna drag him into my mission. Speaking of which, looks like he doesn’t NEED our help. We need to find that map! NOW! (The two swam away and searched)… (After searching alone for some time, she yelped upon seeing Sidis approaching, hiding in shyness)… (She saw him noticing something shiny in a deep grotto and went down after it)… What did he find?… (He swam out and saw it was the map)… THE MAP! (Sidis released bubbles in surprise as she hid)… (He went back to the surface)… Oh no. Oh no oh no oh no!

### **Melanie and Sidis Meet**

* Melanie: (She and Dovid surfaced)…
* Sidis: A Fantasy Council Princess’s daughter?!
* Solo-231: She was concerned for your safety.
* Sidis:… Um… Ehe…
* Turphin: Ooooooh. Looks like you might get your girl after all. FINALLY, I can get over you.
* Sidis: For Nepiton’s SAKE, Opola! I, um…
* Opola: C’mon, your highness, ask. Details.
* Sidis:… Fine. I’ll humor you. Is she pretty?
* Solo-231: 'Pretty' is a subjective term.
* Sidis: Okay, rephrase: is she my type?
* Solo-231: From what my databanks and scans on her tell me, 99.4% yes. She shares your love for the ocean. She is half-neustoid. She appears human, but can respirate underwater…. AND she is right behind you. (She hid underwater)…. She is on the bottom of the boat. (They kept trying to hide) Now they’re at the front… The sides…. On the floor below. (He went down and found her, cleverly disguised as corals)
* Melanie: EEK!…… (She blushed) Um… Uhhh… Hi….. (Sidis was lovestruck, blushing as well)… This is so awkward.
* Dovid: Oh, don’t be such a shy fish, Melanie! He caught you, so talk to him!
* Melanie: But I don’t even speak sign language! How do we talk to each other down here? It feels so weird to only speak on the surface.
* Sidis: (To Opola) ("How do I talk to her?! She doesn’t speak sign language! I can’t be constantly surfacing just to talk!")
* Dovid/Opola: Figure it out!
* Sidis:…… Hbibi!
* Melanie:… Did you just… Gurgle?
* Opola: (Face-finned) Amateur!
* Melanie:… Well… Hi? Wait, I said that already.
* Opola: Okay, blub this! I’ll translate for you.
* Sidis: ("Thank you!") (He turned to Melanie) ("Why are you here?")
* Opola: He’s asking why you’re here.
* Melanie:… Um… (The two were blushing smitten with each other)
* Dovid: Oh, this is so cringy to watch.
* Opola: TELL me about it. And I was in love with him.
* Dovid:… I was in love with HER!
* Opola: Wow! What are the odds?
* Dovid: Pretty deep, huh?
* Opola:…
* Dovid:…
* Melanie: Um… Okay, I’m here because, you found something I was looking for. A map.
* Opola: You mean that treasure map he found?
* Melanie: It’s not a treasure map… I mean, it is, but not for ANY treasure. The, Fantasy Council is looking for it, so… If I give it to them, I’ll stop being treated as a child…. Wow, that sounds childish when I say it out loud.
* Sidis: ("No, I get it! That’s what I thought the map would do for me.")
* Opola: He says he understands because he assumed getting this 'treasure' would do the same for him.
* Melanie:… We really ARE the same…
* Sidis:… Wbe rbebablbly abrbre.
* Melanie:… (Giggles)… You know? I can tell you aren’t appreciated either. My mother thinks little of me, and everyone back home thinks I’m weird. I don’t feel like a princess myself.
* Sidis: Mbe nbebibtbhbebr- MMMMH! (He was drowning until Melanie, hesitantly, buddy-breathed with him)… (He blushed for a slight moment)… ("Thanks.")
* Opola: He thanks you.
* Melanie: No problem. You need air, just ask. I got plenty… In essence, I’m an air tank.
* Opola: Gross.
* Melanie: Whatever works. (Sidis laughed)… I, didn’t want to bring you into my personal mission at first… But… Now I’m thinking… Misfit to misfit… Maybe we can change our lives together.
* Sidis: Mmm-hmm.
* Melanie:… Let’s spend a little time here together. The Fantasy Council can wait.
* Dovid: Wha?
* Melanie: C’mon, we gotta establish some trust. Get to know each other, you know?
* Dovid/Opola: Among OTHER things. (They paused in surprise, blushing)
* Melanie: I see no reason to crash with you a little while.
* Sidis:… Mmmmmmmmm…
* Melanie: Aw don’t be such a shy fish. Compared to this paradise, the surface is a MESS!… I love the sea with all my heart… The only thing I was missing, was someone to share it with.
* Sidis:… (He blushed scrunching his feet)
* Melanie:… (Music played) Well, I’ll take that as a yes. COME WITH ME! (She sang this, not realizing she was attracting the Clam Loungers)