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[For someone who's just found himself the winner of a cheap turtle cruise, Scott looks pretty calm sitting in his suite with his chin propped on the palm of his hand. He's skimmed the console posts and wheedled tiny bits of information from the kedan. He knows something is up with the turtle. ]

God only knows I deserve a vacation on a tropical turtle paradise right about now, but usually when I take my days off I like them sunny, not sickly. [Here he straightens, features losing some of their humor.] I know I'm the new guy around here, but if there's anything I can do to help, let me know.

[Admittedly, this might not be his best move considering he still has no idea why or by whom he was brought here, but no one's killed him (yet) so Scott's taking that as a good sign.]

Oh, and.

[The levity's back in his voice now but it's harder, more forced, and anyone paying attention can hear the undercurrent of worry slowly rising to the surface. He's already asked Tea but she'd only been one person and this turtle place is massive. Can't hurt to ask around more.]

If anyone's seen a group of nine kids - including two fish kids and a head in a jar - I'd also like to know, thanks. You can't miss 'em. Really.

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Sorry. Don't tell her I said that then.

[Doesn't he just feel awkward about asking about dates now. From the looks from things though, it's a marriage that's working out nicely, so good on him.

Also no thanks, pass on the seaweed. He'll take the turf over surf part of surf 'n turf any day.]

Pearly Shell, got it. Thanks for the suggestion, Mr...?

[Arthur doesn't seem perturbed, his marriage is going swimmingly right now all things considered. Better than it has in the past anyway.] Don't worry about it.

Arthur Curry. Surfacers tend to call me Aquaman.

Nice to meet you, Arthur.

[There's a slight pause as Scott rolls the other name around in his mind a little.]

Aquaman, huh? So are you originally from the ocean or something?

Likewise. [Though it's more 'eh' than sincere, to be honest. He can be diplomatic at least.]

Atlantean. Surface members of the press are not terribly creative. The one here not included. [Nah Lois too kind of (Superman???). But friend's wife.]

[Stop being such a cranky old fishman, Arthur. But Atlantean definitely catches his attention and he glances at Arthur curiously at the mention of that name.]

Atlantean? You know Namor the [douchewaffle] Submariner then?

[Never. Cranky old fishman is his thing. Everyone needs a thing.]

Namor? No, but Nita does. I'm from a different Atlantis than her.

[Why couldn't you have picked a more cheerful, uplifting thing then? People would like it so much better, probably about as much as they would like the news that there are two Atlantises.]

Are they related at all? I know we've got the whole 'alternate universes have got it going on' thing but are the two Atlantises similar versions of each other or is it all just one big, kind of creepy coincidence?

Also, count yourself lucky. [About the Namor thing, that is.]

I believe Namorita is his cousin, yes. [There's a lot of Atlantean royalty here. Only the finest in undersea peoples for this Emperor.] Ours are two different Atlantises on different Earths, the histories and basic biology vary, though not a lot in most cases.

Why would I count myself lucky? I'm sure he and I have a lot in common.

That's--

[It takes a lot for Scott not to burst out laughing at the comment but he manages to school his face into a neutral mask of seriousness, if only so he doesn't become a human shish kebob ready to be served at the next meal. Arthur's statement rings truer than originally intended but for all the wrong reasons.]

That's probably very true. I don't really know him well enough to say. [Just well enough to know that he doesn't want to get to know Namor any well-er. There's a small cough before Scott continues.] He's just the type of person to, ah, leave an impression.

[And Arthur can make of that what he wants.]

[Well, Arthur's mostly heard about Namor through Nita, who... well she doesn't really have anything BAD to say about her cousin. And frankly, kings of Atlantis do have a lot in common, whether they'd get along or not.]

The same's been said about me. [Quirking an eyebrow.] I'm going to assume surfacers just have more delicate feelings.

[There is really no good response to that so Scott just. Keeps his mouth shut with regards to feelings and attempts to maneuver the subject back to where it had originally been.]

Yes, well--everyone's different. [AKA 'no comment.'] Just like everyone's taste in food is different. But I'll give that place a shot. Some food's gotta be better than none.

[His stomach will choose right now to growl in agreement.]

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