Page 10 of Little Saint Nautilus

He first got me what he called flip-flops and helped me put them on, explaining that we had to protect our feet when we walked outside. The plastic between my toes felt strange, but I liked the sound they made when I walked, slapping the ground with each step. Cory chuckled as he watched me try them out.

Once I was more sure-footed in them, he had me follow him out the back door, and checked to make sure everything was secure. I had to admire him and his dedication to fortifying his shop.

Cory turned toward me. “Are you ready, little one? Wait…shit, I don't even know your name. I guess I got sidetracked by the wholenautilusthing. I’m sorry, I should have asked sooner.”

“My name?”

“Yes, what should I call you?” he asked.

“Hmm.” I had never given it any thought, but then I never imagined I would be having a conversation with a human that might require names. Not just any human, but my mate. “I don't have one. Not a human one, at least. I’ve only ever communicated with other sea folk. The ocean has its own language, you see. Sound works differently underwater.”

“Can you tell me your…oceanname?”

His desire to know me, even this part of me, made my heart flutter. I canted my name, a quick sequence of whistles and clicks. Canting was a musical way of speaking that traveled through the water much easier than trying to verbalize words.

Cory watched me with a look of wonder in his eyes. “Oh! Was that your name?”

“Yes.”

“That was lovely.” I grinned widely at the compliment, thrilled to know he liked hearing my name. It wasn't something I shared in my human form.

His lips pursed, and his eyes turned downward. “I’m not sure I can do it right, though.”

I patted his arm to comfort him. “It’s all right, Cory. I didn't expect you would. Humans don't have the same ear or vocalizations as beings from the sea.”

“I’d like to have something to call you besides ‘little one.’”

“I don't mind that; it sounds nice when you say it.”

Cory met me with a sweet smile. “Good, I'll keep that in mind. I still would like to have a name for you. What if I were to introduce you to someone? What would I say?”

I shrugged, even while I had a mixture of panic and excitement at the thought of him wanting to introduce me to others. I didn't want to meet more people, but I liked how he pictured sharing me with people he knew. “Can you pick one forme?”

Cory’s eyes widened. “Really? You’d really want me to pick a name for you? That's a big decision.”

I slid my hand down his arm and twined our fingers together. “I trust you, Cory.” I did. Completely.

“Phew. Okay. I’m going to think about it. It needs to be a good name. Come on, let's get outta here.”

My hand stayed in his as he led me further away from the water. I squeezed tight to him, letting him be my anchor in a stormy sea, afraid I would get tossed about in this new world. Cory guided me to his vehicle, a truck he’d said, and opened the door. I stared at it, not sure what to do.

“It’s all right. You can climb up and sit on the seat, then I’m going to go around to the other side and sit next to you. Does that sound okay?” His tone was gentle and patient, not exasperated at having to explain something he did daily.

I drew in a deep breath, bolstering myself. Being far from the sea was one thing, but getting into a machine was entirely different. I heard them in the water, felt the rumbles from their mechanics, and smelled the fumes and waste left behind. It wasn’t something I was particularly keen to do, but I had come this far, and I wanted to be with Cory.

“Yes. As long as you are beside me.” I stepped up and got in, finding the seat more comfortable than I expected. The way its curves seemed to fit the shape of this body was soothing in a way. Though, I’d always found constrictioncomforting. Much like my shell. When I was confined within its walls, it made me feel secure.

Cory closed my door, sealing me in, and blocking out the outside world. Once he was sitting beside me, he reached over, pulled a strap across me, and clicked it into a receptacle. “This is a seat belt. I'll drive as safely as I can, but this is an added protection, just in case.”

I turned my face toward him, appreciating all his care and kindness. “Thank you, Cory.”

“You’re welcome. I know this is all new to you, so instead of going somewhere crowded, would it be okay if I take you to my home?”

My head bobbed. “Yes! I would like that very much.”

He smiled widely before turning his attention to the truck. Soon, we were leaving, driving away from the beach, away from my shell, away from everything I’d ever known. It was frightening, but Cory rested his hand on my leg, and my fear drifted away; the warmth of his touch, bleeding through the light material of my pants, held my focus. I placed my hand over his, craving his touch already.

“It’s not too far from here. We’ll be there soon,” Cory said.

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