Walking into the aquarium, Topaz leads Ariel and Neo to the front counter to pay for their entry. The woman behind the counter gives Topaz a dirty look before demanding double the amount for entry.
Ariel: "Um, ma'am. The amount should be lower than this. The prices are shown right behind you, right there."
Lady: "The prices we have posted are for humans, not animals. For his entry it's the normal entry and the amount needed to bring in your pets. If you don't like the pricing leave."
Ariel: "How dare you! Topaz is as much a person as Neo and I."
Lady: "His ears and tails say otherwise."
Neo: "Let's just leave. No point in paying for this scam."
Topaz: "Girls, it's ok. Here, this should be the correct amount."
Ariel: "Topaz, we can't."
Topaz: "It's ok. You two were looking forward to this. I'm used to this kind of thing by now."
Neo: "No Topaz, you can't let people push you around like this."
Topaz: "Not much else I can do Neo. Especially here in Atlas."
Neo: "But-"
Topaz: "Neo, it's ok. I promise. Let's go in and enjoy ourselves, ok?"
Neo: "Ok…"
Topaz: "Ariel?"
Ariel: "Fine."
Topaz: "Let's go and have some fun."
Walking further into the aquarium, Topaz turns and sees Neo and Ariel looking around with wide eyes. Neo is looking off to the left while Ariel is looking to the right. Looking to see what they are looking at Topaz turns to his left where Neo is looking and sees a tall tank with a large rock going up the center. The circular tank didn't have much aside from the rock and its inhabitant. Said inhabitant was a bright red creature with many legs sprouting from its body. The sign in front the tank let everyone know that the creature inhabiting the tank was known as an octopus, something Topaz had never seen or heard of before. Looking over to his right to see what Ariel is looking at, Topaz sees that the entire wall on that side of the building is a vibrant blue, with a very large number of fish swimming around the tank. One in particular catches Topaz's eye. A large creature with an off white belly and gray skin coating its back along with its dorsal fin. As the creature swam by, Topaz took note of the rows of teeth hiding within it's maw. A great white shark, something Topaz had read about but luckily never encountered himself.
Ariel: "Look at the size of it!"
Topaz: "I know, right? The octopus is an interesting animal as well."
Neo: "It looks so squishy! I want to give it a hug."
Topaz: "Probably not a good idea. Look at all those suction cups along its legs."
Neo: "Ugh, you're right. Only you are allowed to leave a mark on me."
Topaz: "Uhhhh…"
Ariel: "Alright you two, stop with the flirting. There is much more to see."
Topaz: "Aww, are you feeling left out?"
Ariel: "Of course not!"
Neo: "Hehe, you puffed your cheeks out. It looks so adorable."
Ariel: "S-Shut up! I'm going on ahead."
Topaz and Neo break off into a fit of laughter before following after her. After a few seconds they catch up to her at another small circular tank. Within the tank is a school of small silver fish. They are rotating around the circular tank and their movements make them look like they are glowing at certain times.
Ariel: "They look so pretty."
Neo: "Sardines? What a strange name for a fish."
Topaz: "There is a grimm species called boarbatusk, and you think sardines is strange?"
Neo: "…you hush."
Continuing their venture through the aquarium, Topaz and the girls look around and are fascinated by the many species of fish and how colorful some of them are. They eventually stop at a tank that only goes up to their stomachs. Looking in, Topaz sees a flat looking creature with a long tail stretching out behind it. Topaz tilts his head when he sees the creature slightly fold and begin to move using the motion.
Topaz: "What a strange animal."
????: "Right you are mate, the ray species are all like that."
Looking up to see who is speaking to him, Topaz sees an older gentleman with dirty blonde hair that goes to just below his ears. He has an odd tan shirt on and matching shorts. The man notices Topaz looking at him and raises his hand for a handshake.
????: "Roight, introductions are in order. Pleased to meet you, my name is Steve."
Topaz: "Topaz, pleased to meet you Steve."
Steve: "The pleasure is all mine mate. Who are the lovely ladies with you?"
Topaz: "These are my girlfriends, Neo and Ariel."
Steve: "It's a pleasure ladies."
Neo: "Pleased to meet you as well Steve."
Ariel: "Nice to meet you. Do you work here Steve?"
Steve: "Not at all. I travel all over Remnant in search for different animals to observe them in their natural habitats. My personal favorites are crocs."
Topaz: "That must be a very fun, but dangerous job."
Steve: "You would be correct in that assumption. All animals are dangerous when they are in the environment they are native to, but only when provoked. Leave them alone and they should leave you alone, unless they are territorial. That's another matter entirely."
Topaz: "Are you trained to fight grimm when out on your journeys?"
Steve: "You got that right. I got my huntsman's license back at Shade Academy nearly a decade ago."
Topaz: "Sweet, you must have a pretty decent semblance if you go about these journeys alone I take it?"
Steve: "Haha, yep. I can communicate with animals and create bonds with the ones I communicate with. When a bond gets strong enough, I can make a copy of them made from aura. Granted, it takes my aura to make them, but my aura can begin to regenerate while the copies are still around. They only disappear when I chose them too, or they are attacked."
Topaz: "Ok, that's a dope semblance."
Steve: "Why thank you. I will leave you kids alone to enjoy the rest of your time here in the aquarium. If we ever meet again, I hope we can go out on a journey together. You guys seem like a lot of fun."
Topaz: "Sounds like a plan. See you again sometime Steve."
Steve: "See you Topaz, Neo and Ariel. Enjoy your date."
With a wink, Steve turns and makes his way toward the exit. Topaz swears he hears a Crickey! off in the distance once Steve leaves his line of sight.
Neo: "What an interesting man."
Topaz: "Yep, a legend among legends."
Ariel: "I hope we see him again."
Topaz: "Same here, I want to see how his journeys go."
Neo: "Only if you take us with you."
Topaz: "Deal."
Spending some more time at the open air tank, Topaz and the girls each take some time to pet the small rays. While standing at the tank, Ariel suddenly gasps before dragging Topaz away with Neo following. When they stop, Topaz looks and sees a photobooth in front of them.
Ariel: "We have to do it!"
Topaz: "Really…"
Neo: "Yes, we must complete the date stereotype."
Topaz: *sigh* "You girls know I can't say no when you give me those looks."
Ariel: "We know~"
Neo: "It's why we make them~"
Laughing to himself, Topaz gets into the booth and the girls follow him inside. The two lean their heads on his shoulders as the first picture is snapped. The timer shows another picture is about to be taken and the girls kiss each of Topaz's cheeks. With one more picture left to be taken, Neo and Ariel look at each other with mischievous grins, right before the last picture is taken, the two share a deep kiss in front of Topaz, causing his eyes to go wide. Leaving the photo booth, Ariel and Neo rush over to grab their copies of the pictures. The two smile widely seeing how good the pictures look, and Topaz can't help but smile as he tries to hide the small blush that came to his face. Grabbing his own copy, he quickly pockets it and turns to Neo and Ariel.
Topaz: "You just had to, didn't you."
Ariel: "Yep, have to fluster you somehow."
Topaz: "Well it definitely worked."
Neo: "So are we all finished up here?"
Topaz: "I believe so, did you girls enjoy your time here?"
Ariel: "I was worried after what happened at the entrance, but I had a lot of fun."
Neo: "I did too. We have to do this again sometime, but somewhere else."
Topaz: "Of course. You two deserve only the best dates."
Ariel: "You're too sweet."
Neo: "What she said."
Topaz: "I love you both so much."
Ariel: "I love you too."
Neo: "Love you too."
…