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The ocean currents swept gently through the palace grounds of the South Pacific Ocean. Sunlight shimmered as they filtered through the waves, illuminating the palace with a golden glow, characteristic of this part of the seas. The royal palace is the centre of actvity for the kingdom, with regular occasions marked by various festivities.
Today, though, all is quiet and peaceful, with light chatter among the handmaidens in attendance.
Coco preferred company and the cheery mood of festivals. But, she thought, days like these were fine too. She strolled down the main hallway between her bedchamber and the throne room. The few attendants around bowed as she swam past them, and she gave a graceful nod in return. She sighed a little.
A swish of blue suddenly caught her eye. It was hard to miss; the colour contrasted with the monochromatic yellow hues that filled the palace grounds. Her curiosity piqued, Coco swam towards a pillar where she spotted the movement. A light giggle emanated from behind the pillar; a giggle she was warmly familiar with.
"Noel?"
"Ah you caught me!"
The Arctic Mermaid Princess swam out from behind the pillar and around Coco, holding both her hands in greeting.
"How's my tropical banana?"
"Hey! Who told you to call me that?" Coco puffed out her cheeks. Noel laughed mischievously.
"A pink mermaid once told me that it was the easiest way to get you out of a gloomy mood."
"I'll have you know that I have every right to arrest you for insult to the Princess."
Noel chuckled as she let go of Coco's hands, swimming a circle around her, "Oh but you wouldn't--you even instructed your guards to let me in unannounced if I showed up."
Coco spun around in an attempt to catch the blue mermaid. Noel darted away, with Coco fast on her tail, encircling her once more just a short distance away. They were laughing as they played impromptu catch; neither of them noticing that the attendants around silently excused themselves. Coco briefly caught Noel from behind, but she managed to wriggle and break away to swim out past the pillars, out into the open sea next to the hallway. Coco gave chase and found Noel laughing heartily as she floated in the ocean blue. She swam up close next to her, as they both exhaled, recovering from their little game.
"So what brings you here?"
"Can't I visit you on a whim?" Noel coyly teased.
"It's half a world away from the Arctic Ocean. And, we celebrated your birthday last month."
"You mean birthdays; mine with Caren's. Now that we've finally connected it has been really wonderful," her voice trailed off wistfully as she lowered her voice, "but, I want to spend some time with you."
Coco's expression softened a little. Noel's cerulean eyes gazed into her sunshine yellow irises as the ocean currents softly enveloped them. Their shoulders touched as they leaned into each other, the ocean water making their skins smooth to the touch.
But, with a sudden glint of playfulness, Coco took off this time, with Noel on the chase.
"Come back here!"
The Princesses shot through the palace grounds as they chased each other, making over a dozen complete rounds around the huge compound. The sunlight shimmered ever brighter in the afternoon sun, reflecting even stronger the vibrant colours of the palace; an oasis of yellow among the underwater blues.
Coco finally slowed down, out of breath. Noel swam up to her, and gave a light kiss on Coco's cheeks.
"Hey, that tickles!"
"I love you."
"I love you too!"