#anywhere

"Salma is full of good ideas. She's my chief advisor."

"Oh yes!" he says then moves to Salma, and kisses her right on the forehead "Joyous Beltaine, Salma. Thank you for finding the coin"

And she is BRIGHT red now, and covers her face with her ears in embarassment!

But he can hear a muffled, "De nada..."

He moves to the edge of the beach, winks, then hop scotches into the air, doing a fantastic dive into the water his tail reforming and gone.

A long sigh "he's a bit arrogant... but I can change him" Ariel is wistful

"Wow."

"Stop Thief" A voice calls out, as Ash hits the shore

She turns to the Countess "Shall I chase the thief, your excellency?"

"Thief? What thief?"

"Why the boy who stole the kisses," She says "Three times.. one from each of you. Such blatant theft it was. Should I siwm after him and catch the black guard by the tail?"

Ariel blushes again

"Oh! No, Dame Ash. Today is a holiday. I think it's allowed. And I don't think Merfolk have cooties."

Dame Ash ponders "Well, I suppose being free of cooties shows some strength of character," Begrudging "And.. it is a holiday where stolen kissses aren't always ..stolen that is. Perhaps the kisses were gifts after all... very well. We shall not declare war on the Mer folk this day" A solemn nod.

Ariel's eyes widen "War?"

"No war on Beltaine, no! We have seashell necklaces to make, and then coloring, and oh, will there be a picnic at the freehold?"

"And I traded for the Kisses, two of them." Still blushing a little. "He only really stole one."

"You aren't mad, are you?" To Salma.

"Terribly, horribly, dreadfully angry. You must seek him down some day and steal it back for me."

"Well, I bet we could visit again..."

"I volunteer" Ariel blurts then blushes

"Ohhhh, Ariel likes him!"

"He's like prince eric.. kinda"

"He's Prince Cirec." She says, matter of factly.

"So, you can marry him and be Princess Ariel!"

Ariel sighs happily

"You had fun, si?"

"Yes, I had fun at the sea" Ariel admits

"Me too! Did you?"

"Okay, Girls, let's get back to Fenix for the sea shells and crayons ... Diego texted me .. he apparently has some... and Salma is needed"

"Oh, yes." She looks embarrassed and ducks her head a little. "Chaperoning is important, but I am sure I have duties and chores. Sorry, Lady."

"Oh, okay.... Dame Ash, we can come back another day, yes, please?"

"I don't know when, but I'm pretty sure it can be arranged" She says "Now, get your adorable little rumps in the car please..oh Ariel you're sun burned... didn't you put any lotion on?"

"Oh.. I ..uhm.. " Ariel says "I forgot?"

"Oh, that's gonna hurt..."

"Oh goodness... let's hope we can heal that up. You're a redhead, you should know better"

"On the farm my brother bullies me to use sunscreen. " She thinks about it "This is Charles ' fault for not visiting"

"Uh huh>..."

And the three are transported back to FENIX