Ariel remains in her water room.

[Would you like a lock for your door?] Isabella asks her, a couple of minutes later.

[Y-yes,] she says, sniffle-ly.

Ariel appears after half a minute, rubbing her eyes and trailing the tips of her wings on the ground.

Isabella conjures up a lock, and a key, which she gives to Ariel.

"Thank you," she says, and she hugs her mommy.

"You're welcome, treasure. Did she damage anything?"

"I didn't look yet."

"If she did, I will fix it."

Ariel hugs her some more.

Hugs. "I don't think she's focused too much on your having appeared suddenly, and I don't think she's mature enough to keep the secret, so she still doesn't know about - things."

Hug; nod.

Isabella pets her hair. "Did you have fun on your trip?"

"Do you want me to wish it for you, or do you like studying it?"

"I like studying it."

"Then Alleya's the best choice for helping you, since she learned it the long way around herself."

She nods again.

"I'm sorry Pen upset you."

"She didn't mean to," says Ariel. "But she did."

"Yes. Eventually she'll understand to stay out; until then you have a lock."

"Can I still have the lock after then?"

"Yes, but hopefully you won't need it."

Ariel nods.