Night had fallen over the Magic Kingdom some hours ago, and the last of the guests were gone, but Beau was still cautious as he made his way from Liberty Square to Fantasyland. Cast Members could still be taking care of last minute tasks. Tonight, he couldn’t simply go invisible not with the small satchel he had slung over his thin shoulder. So he continued his quick, darting, sometimes floating trek, past Rapunzel’s tower and “it’s a small world,” beyond Prince Charming’s Carousel, and into what had been dubbed New Fantasyland, (although he wasn’t sure if anyone called it that anymore).
The Beast’s castle loomed up in the distance as the fountain in front of Gaston’s Tavern burbled playfully close by. Past those, around the hill of the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train, and he was at his destination: Prince Eric’s seaside castle.
He slowly made his way through the beginning part of the queue, peering over the rock formations into the water below every few steps. “Princess,” he called out in a soft, sing-song tone. “I’ve got whozits and whatzits!”
Where was she? He continued scanning the water. It was always right here–
A splash, and cold water went through the back of his transparent head and out the front of his face.
With a laugh, he turned around to see Ariel on the other side of the bridge. She held to the pathway, keeping her upper half above water. Her bright red hair clung to her neck and the top of shoulders, then spilled out into the water, making her look like the victim of a vampiric dolphin.
He dropped down to sit on the edge. Then he pulled off his spats, shoes, and socks, and then rolled his trousers up to his knees and plunked his feet down into the bay. The magic that flowed all through this strange kingdom made it deeper at night. Normally, it’d only be a shallow stream winding under the queue.
“How is my favorite mermaid princess?” He slid the satchel off his shoulder and undid its clasps.
“Beauregard!” she chided with a giggle. “I’m the only mermaid princess you know.” Putting her cheek against her knuckles, she tried to give him a glare, but it didn’t last more than a second. “Unless there is another one you’re sharing human things with. I might be a little hurt by that.” Her curiosity overpowered any urge to tease, though, and her big, blue eyes darted over to see what he brought.
Resisting the urge to prolong her waiting, he dug into the bag and pulled out an ornate hair clasp. The top was decorated with a big, cloth flower. Its pink petals started with black freckles near the center, and darkened into royal purple at the outer edges. It even had a yellow, upright pistil.
“Be careful,” he warned. “The metal clasp can rust. I recommend you only wear it on land.” He handed it down to her, and she gently grasped it like it was an actual flower.
“Oh, Beauregard, it’s beautiful! Thank you!” Ariel’s appreciation was always so sincere and genuine that the old ghost couldn’t help smiling.
She set the accessory on top of his bag to keep it safe. “I almost forgot.” After a quick dive, she popped back up with her own treasure pouch in hand. Whatever its contents were, it was bulging. “I thought you’d appreciate this…”
What she pulled out looked like a belt, but also had another strap that went diagonal from one side to another. It had multiple pouches and clasps. Not until Beau held it did he realize it was made from reeds and bits of rope. Pearls and shells of various colors, in swirling, ornate patterns, decorated it.
“It’s a royal guard merman weapons belt,” she explained. “They would put spears through the loops here…” She pointed as she went on. “Knife pouch here… Uh, little supplies here…”
Beau held it up, marveling at the craftsmanship. When the bits of shell caught the light from an overhanging lamp, the effect was a dazzling prism. An actual mermaid tool… The scent of salt water and seaweed clung to it.
“Ariel, this… this is incredible, simply stunning!” Clutching it, he gave her a worried grimace. “Are you absolutely sure it’s all right to give it to me? I would be devastated if King Triton were to be upset with you for sharing this.”
She nodded away his concern. “Oh, don’t worry about it, Beau. You know what daddy used to say? ‘The only good human is a dead human.’ And you’re the deadest human I know!” She laughed, and he joined in.
“Well, thank you. I’m going to put my hatchet in it right away.” He set the belt aside and once more reached for his bag. “Dorian also has some new flute reeds for Eric…”
Thus the conversation continued, the two odd friends continuing on for another hour under the dim lamplight.
