Kui frowned slightly. "Isn't that a good thing? You can return back to your tribe and I can go back to mine."
"No, it's not!" Mi Aoak gazed at his innocent eyes and sighed. It was definitely a good thing for Kui to return to the sea but not for him. He was a hunted prince and if that treacherous man got a hold of him, the neutral royal family line would end. He slightly closed his eyes to calm his painful heart.
"We can't return to the sea. No... I can't."
The hybrid just frowned. "Why not? Is it because you are hurt? Will you be hunted by sea creatures? I've heard orcas hurt young seals and even dolphins hunt wounded sea creatures. Is that what's worrying you? Don't be scared, I'll be there." After saying this the young man just grimaced. "Who am I to give you confidence when I've barely learned to swim… even so, returning to sea is a good thing."
Mi Aoak did not know what to say to this. His royal bloodline was already endangered. If he revealed his true identity then this hybrid might also be in danger. It's better he stay an ignorant wounded young mer than a wounded prince.
"I'm just a child, I can't survive without my parents. I got separated from them… it's better for me to be on land until I can track them down."
Kui fell deep into thought. 'How can we find the mer's parents? Isn't it hard? They don't have modern cellphones or any way of communication.' He scratched his head. "Do you just make a squeal so that your family can find you?"
Mi Aoak let out a snorted laugh. "W-what? A squeal?"
"Don't laugh, I don't know how you guys communicate." The hybrid pouted his pale pink lips.
For a second Mi Aoak was stunned by his answer. 'Are hybrids that ignorant? I don't think so... this one is very weird. He looks to be about twenty or so but he doesn't know how to swim and hunt properly. Was he not taught well?'
Curiosity was overflowing. He leaned forward slightly. "How many members are in your tribe?"
"Hmm... about thirty, I think... counting the children we are about thirty-five. Why do you ask?" The man tilted his head to the side. His black-brown braided hair floated behind him like a sea snake.
"Nothing..."
"How many in your tribe? I'm quite curious about the mers. You guys live underwater right? So do you have lights down there? Or illuminating pearls or something... oh that would make it so magical." He started to babble nonsense.
"We have illuminating pearls. But they don't look as magical as you think. Just a pearl that shines."
"Oh..." Kui nodded.
After chatting for a bit, Mi Aoak started to feel the exhaustion pull at him. He slowly closed his eyes watching the hybrid sit in front of him. 'It... it does feel nice to have someone close...' with that thought he finally fell asleep.
Kui Lang gently pulled the young mer close and hugged him onto his lap, slowly he too fell asleep.