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Merrick was given strict instructions... only go to the shop and then back. No dawdling. No stopping. No idling. Usually, one of the Foxtints would walk him to and fro, since Echo was off on her trek.

Needless to say, the boy was still hurt that he was made to stay on land while his caretaker sailed the open Seas. And today the Foxtints were busy with their own problems to babysit the boy during his walk. All and all, Merrick was feeling rebellious.

So he had gone to the shop like he had all week and worked, but after his lunch break, Merrick took was little pocket change he had that day and walked off to other parts of the city.

It was awhile before he came across something rather odd. A girl with rather distinct coloring was standing on a crate and trying to reach something from a tree. Never one to pass by such an event, Merrick walked up behind her quietly. The girl seemed totally oblivious, so the boy thought to make himself know as he peer up as well to see what it was she was trying to get.

"Did you lose your cat? Your kite? It's not windy enough for a proper kite-flying..." Not to mention, there didn't seem to be any bright kite-like colors in the tree. Merrick crossed his arms comfortably, continuing to look up.

Merrick crept closer, coming up right behind the girl, his breath tickling his ear as he looked up from his position. The creature was somewhat blurry, being rather far away but he could see the yellow and red she spoke up. "Well, how do you know it isn't black with yellow and red stripes? They could have so overpowered the body that the black doesn't show up anymore?"

The boy paused. He didn't care for spiders that much. They concerned him a bit, what with eight legs and fangs... especially the fangs. With something of a snarl Merrick sighed. "Aren't there better friends to make out there? Maybe some that actually talk back?" Anything would be better than a spider!

Merrick stepped back and looked down at the girl. He looked around for a moment but couldn't find anything that he could sit on... so he knelt down and then sat on nice, dirty sidewalk. Land, the boy thought with disgust. The ship's decks were never this bad.

"I guess... perhaps 'could' is the right phrase," he smiled, teasing. He wasn't mean by nature and was always on the lookout for company and new people to be with.

"Merrick's the name." He reached out and offered his hand in welcome. "And I dunno, I've always had it." Really, he never thought about it.... "It's my hair, just made of something else." Merrick reached up and pulled out -somewhat painfully- a strand and handed it over.

"It's thicker than everyone I've met. Kinda reminds me of the kelp or seaweed that washes up on our decks."

The boy's smile widened as Anastasia took his piece of hair, and couldn't help but scratch the spot it had previously resided. "I'm glad you like it," Merrick laughed. "There is one downside: if I don't water it, it gets all crinkled and brown...." the sparkle in his eyes showed that he was joking.

The boy's laugh deepened. "Space? Only the gods can sail their ships through space!" Merrick pulled out his wooden sword and jumped up with his maddening grin still on his face. "What do you think Anastasia? Could I be a god from the old tales?"

The boy danced around the sidewalk, waving his sword at imaginative monsters.

Merrick paused in his thrashing about to send a gentle smile at Ana this time, "If you planted it in a bowl of water..... who knows! My hair has mysteeeeeeerious properties!!!"

"Ooo! Sounds FUN!!!!!" the boy struck a pose, sword in the air. "Well..." he lowered the pseudo-weapon, "Except for the 'every night' part.... that'd be too much work." Merrick nodded, agreeing with himself.

As the girl twirled, Merrick watched happily, enjoying the sight as the light glinted off her dark clothes and bright hair. And the way her skin looked, just like newly polished ivory. "But sidekick is not good enoug, m'dear! Co-conspirator, or a goddess in your own right... something worthy of your time and efforts."

Merrick danced a few steps with Anastasia. He revelled in the thought of catching stars at night, with the release at dusk. It was rediculous, it was obsurd... it would never happen.... but that didn't mean they couldn't enjoy the moment.

The boy twirled his partner, and made a dramatic interlude in the dance.... and danced his way right into a taller passer-by.

"Watch it kid!" growled a voice, and a shove sent Merrick sprawling at Ana's feet.

"Umph!" Merrick grumbled, rubbing his head painfully, the joy of the dance ruined - at least for now?

"I'm alright..." Merrick grumbled as Ana quite forcibly helped him up. The boy brushed himself off, and then couldn't help but look up and smile as the girl yelled out to the man who hadn't even looked back.

He probably wouldn't have expected such a voice from such a little thing. Sure, even Echo could carry that voice of her's but that was different - that was Echo!

Merrick snerked, hiding the expression behind his hand, "Wow... is there something I should know about?" He changed his subtle gesture to scratch a little bit of dirt off hid cheek - the smirk off his face.