Talan felt the cool waves sliding up and down his legs, causing him to open his eyes. He yawned and realized he had little room to move his head. He couldn’t move his arms to stretch, and he couldn’t get out of bed. What sort of strange dream was this?

After a moment given time to think, Talan remembered what happened. He stared into Adagio’s eyes and she had entertained him with a song. A Siren song of pleasure and sleep.

He looked around to see he was wrapped in her smooth tentacles. Talan had to admit he rather liked it. They were so soft and malleable, like one of those memory foam beds. Plus they were incredibly warm, holding his heat in while they were inside an otherwise damp and cold cavern. He noticed the water level seemed to have risen. Though he appeared to be dangling against her chest, his feet up to his knees were submerged in water.

Talan felt a smaller tentacle brush against his head as it stroked his hair. With effort he turned around and saw Adagio was still asleep. Talan squirmed enough to get some room inside his warm cocoon and slowly crawled out. It wasn’t too difficult since the tentacles didn’t so much restrain him as they did hug him. They gave way when he pushed hard enough.

Talan stood atop the highest loop on the cocoon and smirked. Adagio’s head was lulled to the side on the carved out chair, her tentacles lying motionless for the most part.

Talan carefully stepped off the loop and grabbed hold of one of the thicker tentacles near him. He climbed up it and looked around to see if anything took notice. He was quite certain these tentacles couldn’t see, but that didn’t mean they wouldn’t notice him somehow. It appeared that Adagio had control over them, yet some moved back and forth, even slithering with purpose while she was asleep.

Once he reached the top near her head he stepped off and shook his head. He didn’t know what he should expect, but this Siren slept like a tired dog. Her head to the side, tongue out, taking occasional breaths of air through her mouth. Not only that, she was snoring, and quite loudly. Talan wondered why he didn’t hear it before, maybe she only just started doing it.

Talan dry washed his hands and donned a mischievous grin, if she could play with him using her songs and powers, he could get a little payback.

Talan walked over to her left ear, stepping over tentacles as he went.

He bent over, leaned on a rock and cleared his throat, “Adagio... Adagio...”

“Hngh, ugh...” she muttered in between snores.

Talan suppressed a laugh and leaned in again, “When I say ‘jump’ you say ‘how high?’”

Adagio continued snoring and didn’t respond. Talan repeated the lyric, this time a little louder with a bit more emotion, “When I say ‘jump’ you say...”

“How high??” Adagio muttered as she rolled her head to the side. “When I say ‘jump’... you... say ‘how high?’”

Talan felt another wave of pleasure wash over him as his knees buckled. Her magic even worked while she was sleeping.

“Got the music makes you move it... and the song that... makes you lose it...” Adagio mumbled, making Talan smile involuntarily.

She rolled over again, this time her snout coming inches from where Talan was standing. She let out a snort from her nostrils and smiled, “Singing for... little human...”

Talan laughed as she rolled over on her back and held her hooves up like a dog's paws. After that display, Talan got more bold and decided to get closer. He climbed over more tentacles and tripped over one. He cursed under his breath as two of the tentacles nearest him began slithering forward and curling around his legs. He tried to step away but fell over on the rocks. Talan looked up to see if Adagio woke up, but she hadn’t. So he played it cool.

As the tentacles slid over him and hugged him, he rubbed them lovingly and waited until they loosened. He had to admit he found it somewhat cute. Talan eventually freed himself from the embrace and slowly climbed onto Adagio’s chest.

He walked over to her snout and shook his head, she sure was a sound sleeper. Her tongue lay outside her mouth at least a few feet. Talan smirked and ran a finger over it, waiting for a reaction. Sure enough it twitched and slithered back inside her mouth. Adagio yawned again and stuck it out. This time her mouth remained somewhat open. Talan slowly stepped forward and ducked under to look inside. Curiosity getting the better of him, he marveled at how big it was. It didn’t look that way on the outside.

Talan used his foot to tickle her tongue again, however this time things didn’t go quite according to plan. Adagio coughed, causing Talan to fall forward and onto her slippery tongue. As she leaned her head back to yawn again, Talan found himself fully in her mouth and rapidly sliding down to her throat.

“Shit! No!!” Talan shouted as he grabbed her tongue and held on for dear life.

He found it harder and harder to keep hold as her head moved back and forth, luckily she woke up and began to cough.

Adagio sat up and gagged, then spit out Talan onto her stomach. He bounced on her squishy body and landed in a spit covered heap.

Talan sat up and sheepishly turned around to find an unamused Siren glaring at him, “I- uh... I can explain.”

Adagio shook her head, “What in Tartarus is wrong with you, little human? Do you actually want me to eat you?! What were you doing?!”

“I was just teasing you, I remembered you singing to me and playing with me. I thought it was fun to get you back.”

“So that’s what was tickling my tentacles...” Adagio said while moving the thicker ones in his direction.

“Yeah I just wanted to mess with you!” Talan said innocently.

“By climbing in my mouth...” Adagio deadpanned.

“Uh...” Talan said, struggling to come up with words

Adagio picked Talan up with one of her thick tentacles and leaned on a hoof, studying him, “You know... to be so afraid of me eating you, or being eaten... and then climb into my mouth... you aren’t one of those vore lovers are you?”

Talan’s eyes widened. Him? Into vore? As a denizen of the internet, Talan was aware of several fetishes, vore among them, but that was not his style.

“How the hell do you know about vore? And NO! I’m not into that!” Talan shouted, dangling helplessly. “Now put me down!”

Adagio tickled him with another tentacle, “Oh I’m aware of the things you humans get off on. The internet can be a strange place.”

“No arguments there,” Talan said while fending off another tentacle.

“You know,” Adagio said, slowly sliding into the water. “If you were into vore you could have just asked. I’m no prude, Talan. I’d be glad to eat you. I am, after all, a rare sea creature.”

“Adagio I’m not int-”

“But you know,” Adagio pondered, cutting him off, “The one thing these vore fans and artists never seem to understand is the teeth...”

Talan now found himself dangling at least fifteen feet above Adagio’s head. He could see the rest of her slithering around underwater, the only thing above was her head. Her jaws opened wide, displaying her rows of razor sharp teeth. Despite the vague equine appearance of her head, at this angle she might as well have been a crocodile. Talan screamed as he was lowered down as her jaws snapped shut again and again.

“Down the hatch...” Adagio said with a grin as she dropped him.

For a split second Talan thought he was seriously going to be eaten, then he was caught again. Instead he felt her lips brush against his cheek in a small peck. Then relaxed as he was lowered into the water.

“Seriously though... wouldn’t do that again.” Adagio said, smirking down at him.

Talan nodded and swam over to her chest. He pressed himself against it and spread his arms in a hug, “I know, sorry...”

Adagio brought down two of her larger tentacles that formed his cocoon from earlier. She shaped them into it again and nuzzled him, “First getting stuck in a cave, then falling into my mouth like an appetizer. Keep this up and you’re going back into my tentacles and never leaving. For your own good.”

Talan backed into her and laughed nervously, “That won’t be necessary. Though I did enjoy it.”

“Did you?” Adagio asked, letting her tentacles fall as she sunk into the water, now eye level with him.

“Yeah,” Talan said while treading water. “I dunno, they were soft and comforting. Not to mention warm like you said. Something about being with a sea creature who I know is a friend, and won’t let anything happen to me. Feels good, same deal with Sonata and Aria.”

Adagio slowly flipped onto her back and began to drift around the cavern, “Makes sense. So tell me, Talan. Why are you so afraid of the oceans?”

Talan swam over and laid down on her soft belly, “I don’t know. It’s just the unknown, I guess. That black abyss and whatever might be swimming around down there. Plus, I can’t really defend myself.”

“Well that’s what I’m here for,” Adagio said matter of factly. “All you need to know is that I’m here, and that nothing is going to hurt you when I’m around. But other than that, do you like it here? Do you like swimming with me?”

Talan rolled over and nodded, “I love it. I didn’t swim all that much with Sonata or Aria. We mainly just played around. Plus your song... man.”

“Like that did you?” Adagio cooed.

“Yeah, the hypnosis...” Talan trailed off. “It just felt so good. Like weight was lifted off my shoulders.”

“That’s because it was,” Adagio said while submerging and circling around Talan. “When you’re with me and I sing, you haven’t got a care in the world. Well... aside from what I tell you.” she said with a wink. “But Talan, I talked with Sonata... she said you’ve been having some friend troubles?”

“Yeah,” Talan said. “Started pretty much right after I met you and Aria.”

“Mind telling me about it?” Adagio asked.

“Guess not, but why do you care?” Talan asked

Adagio smiled and shrugged, “Because I’m curious, and as an elder Siren I might be able to help you out. Also we’re friends now, and friends should be able to talk about things like this, right?”

“I guess,” Talan said. “Not much to tell, though.”

“Well I don’t feel like going back just yet, the water is too nice.” Adagio said. “So I’ve got time to kill.”

“Fine fine,” Talan said. “But first I wanna get comfortable.”

Adagio smirked and lowered herself into the water so Talan could climb atop her head and lay down among the tentacles. Once he was comfortable he rolled over and looked at the ceiling.

“So these friends of yours...” Adagio said.

“Yeah, basically most of them have been friends my whole life. But they were always kinda shitty to me. Mostly I thought nothing of it, they weren’t malicious about it. But after Sonata started watching me and the house, they wanted to come over and meet her. I said I didn’t think it was a good idea because my mother is strict about too many people coming over. That’s just how she is. And I didn’t want to get Sonata fired, because it would ultimately land on her.”

Adagio smiled, “That was thoughtful.”

“Yeah,” Talan agreed. “So my friends apparently didn’t like it. So when I asked them if they were going to hang out together, they lied and said they weren’t. I went to get some groceries and saw them hanging out at one of our local shops. It really sucked. After that Ryan confronted me at a theater when I was with Babs.”

“Babs...?” Adagio asked.

“Yeah...” Talan said with a blush. “One of the new friends I made.”

“I’ve heard about them... you’ve made another one, too. Marissa?”

“Alyssa,” Talan corrected.

“Ah yes,” Adagio said. “Quite the little stud, aren’t you?”

“I guess,” Talan said. “Not really sure what they see in me when I think about it, even now.”

“Oh I might know after seeing it for myself,” Adagio snarked.

“What?” Talan asked, rolling over and looking down at her eyes.

“Nothing...” Adagio answered while clearing her throat. “Nothing at all.”

Talan collapsed on his stomach and shook his head, “I dunno what I should do. Sunset thinks I should talk with them, or at least Ryan.”

“That could work,” Adagio commented.

“What do you think?” Talan asked.

“Me?” Adagio confirmed. “Well, I’d have to see this Ryan for myself. I’m a good judge of character once I see someone. But honestly, Talan. If you feel like you can’t repair the damage, don’t do it. Ultimately you have to look out for yourself.”

“Figured you’d say that,” Talan said.

“Oh really?” Adagio asked. “It’s not just for you, Talan. It’s for everyone else around you. One quality about being a leader is to take care of yourself when the opportunity comes. If you aren’t taken care of, how else can you expect to help others or lead when the need arises?”

“Who says I’m a leader?” Talan asked.

“Talan...” Adagio droned.

“What? I’m not.”

“Oh really?” Adagio said. “You’ve not only made two new human friends, you’ve become friends with Sonata, Aria - which is no small feat I might add- and even me. Also, there’s the unicorn.”

“That doesn’t mean I’m leading anything,” Talan fired back.

“No, but it means you have qualities befitting one. You have charisma, guts, and a sweet disposition.”

“Whatever...” Talan said. “I don’t know what I’m gonna do. We’ll see.”

“Yeah... we will,” Adagio chuckled while she secured him in place.

“We going back now?” Talan asked.

“Yep, gonna take the scenic route though.”

Talan settled in and shrugged, “Alright, hey... have you considered staying at my place with the other two?”

“Yeah...” Adagio answered, “But I didn’t want to impose.”

“I don’t care if you stay,” Talan said. “I’d like to hangout with all three of you now since we’re all friends.”

“Say no more,” Adagio said with a hint of magic in her voice. “Now relax back there, it’s going to be smooth swimming all the way home.”

“Smooth swimming...” Talan lazily repeated as he leaned forward and a bubble was placed around his head.

Later that day Talan told the Sirens he was going out and that he’d be back later, he didn’t say where he was going or when he’d be back, just not to worry.

“What’s with him?” Aria asked.

“Dunno,” Sonata replied as she watched him walk down the street. “I don’t like it when he’s so distant...”

“You sound like his girlfriend,” Adagio said while taking of her shirt and shorts.

“Honestly!” Sonata said, exasperated. “Just because I care about the little guy doesn’t mean I’m his GF!”

“Relax,” Adagio said while trying on some of her outfits. “I’m just pulling your tail. He’ll be fine.”

“And how do you know?” Sonata asked. “That top looks cute on you, by the way...” she trailed off.

Adagio walked up to Sonata and kissed her on the cheek, “I know because it’s my job to know these things, plus the little one isn’t all that complicated. At least not with this issue.”

“So why don’t you enlighten us on what he’s doing? I figured he was just off to see his girls.” Aria commented.

“Can’t believe he’s in a relationship with two girls!” Sonata said, clapping her hands together. “He was so shy when I first met him, now he’s such a studmuffin!”

Adagio and Aria both deadpanned each other, “Gag me...” they said in unison, then shared a chuckle.

“Sonata... these shorts are nice... but they’re too small.”

“Not my fault your ass is so big,” she said with a shrug.

Adagio crept up behind her and wrapped her arms around Sonata’s waist, “You wish your ass was as big as mine...”

Sonata turned around and donned a sultry smile, “You and Aria always did have the curves.”

“Truth,” Aria said with a shrug.

“You’ve got to have more shorts...” Adagio said, raising an eyebrow.

“Upstairs, go look,” Sonata said.

Adagio smiled and walked up the stairs, she needed something good for the days ahead.

Talan grabbed a coffee at the local shop and walked into the park nearby. It was a mostly secluded area with tall hedges and rows of trees. This was a place that was connected to the gated community, but also shared with the general public outside.

An unoccupied bench seemed as good a place as any. Talan put on his sunglasses and took a sip of his iced beverage. He checked his phone for the time and decided to shut his eyes for a moment. He still heard faint traces of Adagio’s beautiful voice. He sighed and tried to recall more of it. It was almost intoxicating.

“Talan,” a voice called from down the path.

“Ryan,” Talan said while standing up.

“What’d you want?” he asked.

Talan decided to get up and walk over to a small chess table. He sat down and motioned for Ryan to do the same.

“Ryan... I asked you here to find out what’s been up with you.”

“What do you mean?” he asked.

“Dude, I know about you lying to me. I wanted to hangout with you guys and you lied and said you were all busy.”

Ryan remained silent, but looked away slightly.

“I went to the grocery store to get some stuff for myself and Sonata, that’s when I saw all you guys.”

“I see...” Ryan said, still averting his gaze.

“Why?” Talan asked. “All of you guys? Why didn’t you want to hangout?”

“Talan... look,” Ryan said. “Just because of that one time, it doesn’t mean-”

“Just answer me, Ryan,” Talan said. “Don’t blow smoke up my ass like you always do, just tell it to me straight.”

“Talan, we didn’t want you with us cuz you’re no fun.” Ryan replied. “All the time you’re like extra baggage wherever we go. We have to wait for you in the restaurants, we had to wait for you in the showers after we play ball. And honestly, not many of us know why you want to hangout with us anyway.”

“The fuck kinda question is that?” Talan asked. “Wait... you mean my family’s wealth? Oh come on, Ryan!”

“You don’t need us, Talan. Your phone, your rig, your house, everything is all better than us.”

“What does that have to do with anything?” Talan asked, taking off his sunglasses. “I bought my phone and rig with my own money from working at the country club. The same club where your parents go, too! Along with half our other friend’s parents! It’s not that, are you... are you jealous of me? Is this about Sonata?”

“I don’t care about Sonata,” Ryan said. “You’ve been hanging out with two other girls for a while. Your friend from the movies and that other tall thing.”

“Thing?” Talan asked, now getting angry.

“Yeah, Jesus...” Ryan said, leaning back with his classic smirk. “You have to get a grappling hook to even get anywhere with her.”

“That’s what this is about, you’re jealous,” Talan said. “Fuck I don’t know why I didn’t see it before. You’ve always been this way. Always making fun of me in front of other girls when we were younger. Always trying to ruin my image to make yourself look better. You’re a real piece of work, Ryan. I don’t know why I never saw it before.”

“I don’t know why either,” Ryan said with a shrug. “Most of the other guys, Alex and them? They all feel sorry for you. Have for a while.”

“I came here to see what I did wrong, why you didn’t want to hangout anymore. Why you were such a dick to me at the movies. Do you... do you feel threatened by me?”

Ryan threw back his head in laughter, “Threatened? By you?!”

“It’s true, you know I’m in an open relationship with those two girls now? The things we’ve done together? On top of that, I’m friends with Sonata’s two girlfriends as well. There’s more women in my life than you’ve ever had.”

Ryan’s face turned to slight irritation, “Oh yeah? What’s the amazon bitch want with you? You here chew toy? As for Babs, I was never into fitness types. Abs don’t look good on a girl.”

“A huh...” Talan said, donning a smirk of his own. Something that seemed to upset Ryan.

“As for Sonata and her friends, I saw them perform at the battle of the bands. They were shit, and they lost to an even worse band. Their frontwoman? The bitch with the poofy hair? Fuck was her singing bad. Where did she learn to sing? I mean c’mon, Talan. I always knew you’d make some girl friends eventually. But these ones are just going to play you.”

“Well I have experience in that regard, don’t I?” Talan said.

“Dude, whatever...” Ryan said, getting up. “I’ve always pitied you Talan, you’re not even five foot five. That tall girl is probably with you out of pity, or because she can’t get any other guy. And that poofy haired bitch... really fucking gross, dude.”

“That ‘poofy haired bitch’ should sing to you sometime, she’d have you wrapped around her finger in seconds. I should thank you, though. At least you gave it to me straight, only had to force you to use your spine to get it out.”

“Yeah, fuck yourself, Talan...” Ryan said while walking off.

Talan put on his sunglasses and clenched his fists. He walked away and stopped near a tree. He punched it twice, then kicked it as hard as he could. After that he threw his glasses to the ground and stomped them into tiny pieces.

Once he cooled off, he walked back through the trees heading for his neighborhood.

Off to the side, well out of sight, a teenage girl moved to follow him but was stopped by a sound behind her.

“Let him go.”

Sunset turned around to find Adagio walking out of the shade toward her.

“Why? I assume you saw what happened?”

“I did,” Adagio said, running a hand through her poofy hair. “Saw it all, actually.”

“I admit I’m surprised to see you here,” Sunset said while crossing her arms. “He said they found you and you apologized. I didn’t think it would happen so quickly.”

“You didn’t think it would happen at all,” Adagio said, walking up to her and looking down.

Sunset stepped back a bit, irritated Adagio was slightly taller than her. “Perhaps, but it did, and here you are.”

“Yes, and here you are...”

“Why wouldn’t I be here?” Sunset asked.

“Did he tell you he was coming?” Adagio asked.

“No,” Sunset replied. “He tell you?”

“Nope,” Adagio said with a smirk.

“Then we’re both little spies,” Sunset said.

“Damn sexy ones at that,” Adagio said while casually resting a hand on her hip.

Sunset tried to hide a blush, “Yeah, I guess. So, what did you think?”

“Think of what?” Adagio asked.

“C’mon,” Sunset said. “That was pretty tough.”

Adagio sighed, “Yeah, it was. That kid's an asshole. I have half a mind to-”

She stopped mid sentence when Sunset’s glare hit her. A looks so fierce it could make the seas boil.

“Fine... fine... relax, I won’t do anything.” Adagio said. “Killjoy...”

“You should know what happens when you try that stuff, especially after we handed your tail to you at the battle.”

Adagio clenched her teeth and turned around to walk a few paces away. She cracked her neck then smiled serenely, “It was your own beautiful voice added to the performance that helped them win... and it was beautiful.”

“Yeah, I rock. What can I say?” Sunset said with a confident smirk.

Adagio walked back over to her, hips swaying, “You want to hear my beautiful voice? I’d love to sing a song just for you...”

“Listen to my voice... soon you’ll find you don’t have a choice...” Adagio sang as she took Sunset’s hands in her own.

Solid green rings formed in her eyes as she looked at the siren and smiled. Adagio circled around behind her and ran her hands lightly across her stomach. Then pulled her back as she swayed back and forth.

Sunset slumped against her and moved with the melody, then felt herself get turned around. She heard a high voice singing sensually and wanted to sing along with it, but she felt so fatigued. It was good she had a friend around to help her dance...

Sunset spread her legs slightly as she began to grind against Adagio’s thigh. Her arms wrapped around her back. The motions made her feel so good. The words wound around her like a warm blanket as she smiled even more, then she felt a strange pull. The words wanted her to answer something. Something about... Equestria? Sunset blinked, something wasn’t right.

She summoned her power and snapped herself out of the trance. Sunset realized what she was doing and shoved Adagio away.

“Oh oysters... You were just starting to enjo- ough!” Adagio shouted as she caught a magic infused right hook across the jaw.

Adagio’s head whipped around from the blunt force. It his so hard it carried her off the ground and into the air just a bit. She crashed to the ground in a heap.

Sunset seethed, trying to get rid of the voice in her head. “You bitch...”

Adagio chuckled and spit out blood, plus a tooth. “For a unicorn you’ve got a mean punch. I’d hate to see one of your kicks.”

“Try that again siren and you’ll get more than a kick I assure you.” Sunset threatened. “I may not be an alicorn, but I was Celestia’s student. I’m attuned to fire and know several ways to roast a fish...”

Adagio slid backward and donned an uneasy smile, “Alright, Sunset... alright. I just couldn’t resist. I’m sorry, okay? Was just having a bit of fun...”

“This is not how you get people to trust you, Adagio. You get that right? What would Talan think?”

Adagio got up and dusted herself off, “Well, Talan doesn’t need to know about this little incident. Other than that the little one loves my singing.”

“I’ll bet,” Sunset said with a glare.

Adagio shrugged and smiled, her lost tooth already replaced, “You’re free to ask him.”

“You mentioned Equestria, what do you want with that?” Sunset asked.

“As if you don’t already know...” Adagio deadpanned.

“You want to go home,” Sunset said. “Well, I could try the mirror... but that won’t work with the three of you. Magical creatures such as you wouldn’t all fit. It would overload the thing, I’m sure of it.”

“Could you perhaps talk to the princess?” Adagio asked.

“I can, but she won’t be receptive to the idea.” Sunset said.

“So make her receptive, or if she needs some convincing have her come back. I have a few songs in mind just for her.”

“A huh,” Sunset said. “I’ll see what I can do, if only to get you out of this world so you can’t cause any more trouble.”

Before she turned to leave she felt a hand close around her wrist. Adagio let go immediately when she turned around and looked down, “Sunset... thanks.”

“You and the others going to miss Talan when you finally go?” Sunset asked.

Adagio paused, then nodded, “Yes, a lot.”

“Yeah,” Sunset said. “I’ll see what I can do. See ya around, Adagio.”

Talan grabbed a piece of driftwood and dragged it over to the sand. He threw it down as hard as he could then screamed. After he was done raging, he sat down on the log and covered his face.

All these years being treated like shit, all these years thinking he had friends. The fuck was the point of having friends if this was what they ended up being like. Talan remembered the moments in his life when he was happiest. Some of them were his birthday parties that his parents used to throw. He remembered wanting to kick the soccer ball around with his friends, or use the new nerf guns his parents would get him. Have a war with all the other kids around. But they always just did their own thing.

Talan remembered being forced to play basketball since that’s what they liked. He was picked last at his own party, and always had the ball taken from him. Being so short meant he had to play extra hard, and for what? He even remembered his mother coming over one time and chastising the other boys for not including Talan in the game. He had at least four of those fucking things, the ungrateful pricks.

All the reminiscing made tears come to his eyes. He didn’t even want to think about all the other times they were treating him like shit. He wondered what the point of friends was. “Magic of Friendship...” ha, what a crock of bullshit. He was going to have some words for Sunset next time he saw her. Talan sighed and picked up a stone and chucked it into the ocean. All he wanted was to be alone, which naturally meant someone was approaching from behind him.

“Hey Talan... how you doing?”

“Adagio...” Talan said with a sniffle. “Not doing so well...”

“Mind if I sit?” she asked.

“Rather be alone right now...” Talan said. “But whatever...”

Adagio slowly walked over to the log and sat down. She crossed her long legs and rested her hands on them, studying Talan.

Talan picked up another rock and hurled it into the waves.

“You’re here...” Talan said while wiping his eyes. “So I can assume you snuck out and spied on my little meeting with Ryan.”

“Yeah,” Adagio nodded.

“Figured... s’alright. I’m not mad at that.” Talan said, then turned around and sarcastically spread his arms. “So, Ms. Elder Siren... you with all your experience, on a scale of one to one hundred, how big a simp am I? Hmm? I’m guessing about a three hundred forty five. Right around there, borderline retarded.”

“Talan, c’mon...” Adagio said. “You’re being much too hard on yourself.”

“Yeah, I am!” Talan shouted. “I have every right to be. You don’t know what it was like.”

“So why don’t you tell me?” Adagio said, patting a spot next to her on the log.

Talan sat down and bent over, hiding his face. “You shouldn’t see me crying like this. Thank goodness Sonata and Aria aren’t here. What would they think of me being so pathetic?”

“They’d have their arms around you already, and probably try to drag you out into the ocean where they could sing to you and make you happy.”

“And you don’t want to do that?” Talan asked.

“No,” Adagio said. “At least not yet.”

“Wonderful...” Talan said. “Just as well, I’m not sure I’m in the mood. Kinda angry right now.”

“Angry at Ryan?” she asked.

“Angry at myself,” Talan replied. “You don’t know what it’s like, to be played like that. To be strung along for so many years, being treated like shit, and knowing in the back of your mind something was up. Knowing that other people in your group of friends weren’t treated the way you were. Wondering if other kids in other circles were treated like you. Always being brought to that line... but having them never cross it. Just keeping you at the edge, treating you like shit and waiting for you to come back...”

Adagio rubbed his back as he started to cry again, “There there, Talan. It’s alright.”

“No it’s not...” he said through halted breaths. “I’m such an idiot, there’s no telling what will happen now. What’s the point of even having friends if they’ll just turn out to be like that? I should just stop hanging out with Babs and Alyssa.”

“Don’t you dare,” Adagio said, pulling him closer and resting her head atop his. “They’re your true friends, along with Sonata and Aria.”

Talan sniffled and looked up into her piercing eyes, “And you...?”

“And me...” Adagio said while planting a small kiss on his forehead.

Talan gripped Adagio in a heartfelt embrace. He clenched his eyes shut and cried into her shoulder. She did nothing to stop him, only held him tight and waited for him to release.

“Your hair is so soft...” Talan said while drying his eyes with his shirt.

Adagio chuckled and draped some of it around Talan as she leaned in and hugged him again, “What you did was difficult back there, that wasn’t easy. But you kept your composure and didn’t let him bait you into a fight. And you gave as good as you got with the insults. You’ve nothing to be ashamed of.”

Talan shrugged, “I guess. Hey, you think you could sing to me? You know, hypnosis stuff? Make me feel better?”

Adagio frowned and shook her head, “No, not this time. You need to work through this on your own. My voice won’t help you get over this. It has to come from inside you.”

Talan frowned and lowered his head, “Yeah, I understand. Another time then.”

After a minute of silence, he felt the log shift as Adagio got up and tousled his hair. He looked up to see her standing there in one of Sonata’s sexy outfits, her hand extended to him.

“I won’t sing, but I can do something else... come with me.”

Talan took her hand and let her lead him into the waves. They walked out till they were knee deep, then stopped.

“What are we doing?” Talan asked.

Adagio didn’t answer, instead she looked out at the setting sun on the horizon. Then she put her hands on his shoulders and smiled down at him. “Shut your eyes.”

“Why?” Talan asked.

“Because I want to show you something,” Adagio answered.

Talan obeyed and closed his eyes. After few seconds of waiting, he felt soft lips press against his forehead again. They lingered there this time. Talan sighed as she pulled away. He heard her stepping around the water behind him. Her arms once again returned to his shoulders as she turned him slightly.

“Repeat after me, Talan,” Adagio said in a melodic tone.

“Alright,” Talan agreed.

“Here upon this beach serene...”

“Here upon this beach serene...”

“I do remember a vivid dream...”

“I do remember a vivid dream...”

Talan felt something warm flowing through his body, Adagio’s hands massaged his shoulders as she leaned closer and whispered in his ear.

“Though we wander far and alone...”

“Though we wander far and alone...”

“We will not forget the waves of home...”

“We will not forget the waves of home...”

All at once Talan’s orientation shifted. It was as if he was moved, yet he was still standing in place. There was a different smell in the air, and the temperature was much cooler.

“Open your eyes,” Adagio said while stepping back.

Talan was blinded by a bright light reflected off crystal clear waters. The ocean’s stretched everywhere in all directions. Off on the distance he could see islands both large and small. Each dotted with peaks and lush green forests. The water below him was teeming with life. He saw schools of fish and other larger creatures alien to earthly oceans. The sky was strange, it looked almost pastel or digital in it’s color. Almost a purple blue as the sun began to set. Speaking of which, the sun was moving unnaturally fast, as was the moon when it rose into the sky.

He looked to his side to find Adagio standing next to him, she walked forward and offered her hand. Talan smiled and took it, letting her lead him out onto the surface of the waves. He looked around as they walked on the water, enjoying every minute of this illusion.

“This is your world?” Talan asked.

“Yeah, beautiful isn’t it?” Adagio said with a calm smile.

“It’s like something out of a fairy tale,” Talan replied. “ You Sirens swim the entire ocean?”

“Oceans” Adagio corrected. “There are thirteen seas on Equus,”

“That’s incredible,” Talan said.

“Would you like to see it someday?” Adagio asked, turning to him.

“Yeah, I mean... I don’t know. You’re asking me to come to another world. I don’t know how I’d take that.” Talan said. “There’s so much to consider.”

“There is indeed,” Adagio said. “But when we return, we’re going to be thinking of you. There are ways we can accommodate a little human boy. That is, if you’re willing.”

Talan laughed and spread his arms, “I suppose few humans would ever get the chance to do this.”

Adagio smiled and pressed a hand to his forehead, ending the illusion. To his surprise, he was actually standing on the water with Adagio. Talan jerked back and looked down, waiting to fall in. But it didn’t happen. He was pulled into a gentle embrace by Adagio and felt himself calm.

“Feeling better now?” she asked.

“Uh, yeah... I am.” Talan replied.

“Good, let’s go home. I’m getting hungry.”

“Are you going to tell the girls about what happened today?” Talan asked while they walked back onto the beach.

Adagio smiled and shook her head, “Nah, not my place. You tell them when you’re ready.”

Talan smiled and took Adagio’s hand, leading her back to his house. His old friends were the past, the future was with new ones. Ones who appreciated him for what he was, and how he treated them. Friends who were so different, but respected him regardless. These were the types of friends he could count on.