Free Swimming Without a Net by MaryJanice Davidson Page A

seriously, without the slightest flicker of a smile, he does not do so with your reputation, or your life. I was…unaware of that quality in bipeds. It has made me wish to speak with them, when I never wanted to before.
    That’s why you’re talking to me? Because I’ve got good taste in friends?
    Well, as they say, you cannot choose kin, only allies. And you chose well. It made me think you would be wise in other things as well. Oh, I am sorry! That was rude of me. Tennian used a tiny bone to pick her sharp, sharp teeth. Did you want me to catch something for you?
    Good God no! Fred calmed herself as Tennian’s eyes went wide in surprise at the vehemence of her tone. Thought. Whatever. I mean, no thanks. I’m allergic.
    Allergic?
    Fish makes me sick.
    Fish…makes you ill?
    Yeah, but don’t worry. I eat plenty of vegetables, protein, stuff like that. Really, Tennian, don’t worry.
    It makes you ILL?
    Well, remember, I’m only half Undersea Folk. Luckily, Mom and Sam were vegetarians, so it was never really a…Are you all right?
    Then Tennian did something that amazed Fred: she laughed so hard she ended up upside down, her long blue hair actually dragging in the sand as she clutched her stomach and rolled back and forth in the current.
    Ho ho ho , Tennian thought, rolling, rolling.
    Fred watched her for a long moment, unamused. Finally: You’re an odd duck, Tennian.
    ILL? It makes you ILL? Ha! Ha! HA!
    I could really , Fred added, get to dislike you.
    Oh, I hope not, Tennian said, shaking sand out of her hair. Because I think I will like you.
    You think you will like me? Fred was amused in spite of herself. Or, maybe, because of Tennian.
    Oh yes! You and I will be great friends, I think. You will pretend I annoy you, while you secretly become more and more fond of me.
    Think so?
    Tennian put a small white hand out to Fred who, surprised, took it. Of course. Because you are lonely, as am I. And lonely people have to stay close to one another. Do you not find that is so?
    And Fred, who disliked being cornered on any subject, couldn’t help a nod of agreement.

Seventeen
    I appreciate your laying all this out for me , Fred said. God knows nobody else has said shit.
    You asked, Tennian replied simply. How could I not answer?
    You’d be surprised how easily people haven’t answered. Fred fumed and snorted to herself for a moment. Not answering is not a problem at all for most people, seems like. So thanks.
    Courtesy to a guest is—What is THAT?
    Fred looked. There, floating forty yards away, was Thomas’s pet project. That’s the URV. My—uh, my other biped friend, Thomas, he built it.
    It is so shiny! Like a shot, Tennian had crossed the forty yards and was swimming around and around the small silver URV. So this is where the king keeps disappearing! We have been wondering and wondering, and to think, I, Tennian, have discovered the secret!
    Yeah. Good work.
    Then this is Artur’s rival for your affections, this Thomas.
    Yeah.
    Tennian stroked the shiny silver hull and looked up at Fred, dark blue eyes gleaming. My people were positively humming at the thought of a half-bree—um, of a stranger attending the Pelagic. You can imagine our reaction when King Mekkam granted permission for a surface dweller to attend!
    Total freak-out, huh?
    To put it mildly! But there was some concern as to how he was going to join us. Some thought he would have to bring air tanks and fins.
    Right, a scuba suit.
    Skooba?
    Self-contained underwater breathing apparatus. Air tanks and fins. You’ve never heard that bef—Never mind. When would you have? Anyway, yeah, that was one option. But not very practical if you guys are going to be meeting for more than a couple of hours, which it sounds like you are.
    Tennian had gone back to swimming in admiring circles. He has built a little house for himself under the waves! How very, very clever!
    Why did Tennian’s honest admiration make her uncomfortable? Yeah, he’s a clever guy.
    I