A strong sea wind blew across the ocean as the morning sun rose over the horizon casting golden rays down upon the surface. Even through the surface, the sun provided plenty of light for those who dwelled far below the waves in the kingdom of Atlantica.

With the rising of the sun came the rising of the youngest and most spirited of seven daughters of the sea king, Triton. Lifting herself out of bed, she lifted her thick, red hair from her eyes and looked sleepily out the window of her bedroom.

A knock came at the door, and Ariel dropped back into bed.

"Ariel." A thick, Jamaican accent was muffled by the shell-shaped door. "You have an audition today. Time to get up!"

"Just five more minutes, Sebastian." Ariel called back.

The knock came again. Ariel sat up. "Okay, okay, I'm up, I'm up!" She got out of bed and went to the door, opening it, and allowing a small red crab to enter.

"Have you been practicing your part?" The crab said, swimming up to Ariel's eye-level.

"Yes, Sebastian." She replied unenthusiastically.

"Well, den." The crab said, picking up a small piece of coral. "Let me hear it!" He waved the coral like a conductor's baton and began to count, "One, two, one two three four!"

"Sebastian." Ariel said in less than a sing-song tone. "I just woke up."

"Oh, right." He scratched his head. "Sorry, Ariel, I'm just really looking forward to this concert," He began to pace back and forth as Ariel combed her hair, looking in a mirror. "Triton doesn't tink it's fair enless you EARN the part, and if you don't get it, I'm gonna GET IT." He drew his claw across his throat to indicate a possible threat of decapitation.

"Don't worry, Sebastian." Ariel put down the brush and crossed her arms, looking at the small crab with a raised eyebrow. "I don't think Daddy's quite ready to retire you yet." She swam up and darted out the door.

"Wait!" Sebastian shouted, frantically trying to keep up with her, swimming with only his claws. "WAAAAIT!"

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