Issue 1 Downtime

Paul and Tiny's security teams were invited back to meet them prior to the press conference where they'd make their first World Cup predictions. The room was bare, save for a large aquarium, a table that held four plastic boxes. In front of Paul's tank was a chair where a slender woman in her early thirties was sitting, on her face was the slightly distracted expression that telepaths sometimes had when they were using their powers. An Atlantean was in the tank with Tiny, although his function was less clear.

Zeryn stood, looking very important, near the tank, looking suspiciously at anyone who came past. Every so often, he looked over his shoulder and attempted to not glare at Tiny.

Tommy, too, stood there, looking regal. He was wearing a poofy white shirt.

The Atlantean telepath (for that was his function), swam over to a microphone "Greetings, Lord Zeryn." he said.

Zeryn turned around, regarding the Atlantean and taking a moment to remember his name. "Lord Ymer," he said, inclining his head respectfully. "I trust you had a satisfactory journey from the depths?"

"I did indeed." Ymer said with a courtly nod "How do you find the surface world?"

"Interesting in many regards," Zeryn answered. "A bit liberating in some manners, a bit restricting in others. Too dry, obviously, but that even has its novelties on occasion."

"Excellent." Ymer said "Your august parents and honored siblings wished me to send their greetings."

Zeryn smiled at that. "And how is father and his wives? Still well, I hope?"

"They are as always." Ymer replied, before adding, carefully "Tiny also sends his regards."

Zeryn absolutely ignored that. This time. "And my sisters? How are they?"

"Your sisters are very well." Ymer said. Behind him, Tiny's tentacles shifted and changed color in a complex pattern.

This was not lost on Zeryn. "What is he saying," he said in a cold voice.

"Zeryn..."

"Tiny is.....merely expressing his happiness at finding out that you and your family are well."

"You know," Zeryn mused, not so nicely now, "I believe I saw a member of your illustrious charge's family recently. On the surfacers' televisions, no less. It seems that he and his actions are well known in a place called Japan. They depict him quite accurately."

"Tiny reminds you that he doesn't know any of his siblings." Ymer translated.

"True. I wouldn't have expected his mother to pass along details of her shameful past," Zeryn admitted, nodding knowingly to the other Atlantean.

Tiny swam over, colors switching rapidly.

"Indeed," Zeryn went on, "Just the things I've heard about her and the giant octopi alone..." he shuddered dramatically.

Stan crossed his arms, glaring and joining Tommy's disapproval of the situation.

"Tone it down, Zeryn.."

Zeryn smiled pleasantly at the enraged squid. "Of course, professor," he said, turning around and placing his back to the tank.

John stayed quiet.

It's good I'm not more in touch with my Japanese roots, or I'd be hungry.

That or turned on.

The announcement came that it was time for the predictions to be made, and a crowd of reporters filed in and took their places. "Paul wants to allow Tiny to go first." the telepath who was interpreting for Paul announced "As is fated."

With that, an aquarium worker took two boxes the larger set of boxes off the table, and dropped them into the tank. One had an English flag on it, the other a Nigerian one. With barely a moments hesitation, Tiny swam over and ripped open the English box, eating the mussel inside.

The process was repeated with two smaller boxes, and Paul also chose England, although he removed his mussel with more delicacy.

Once the crowd of reporters had settled down, Tiny's interpreter said "Now, Tiny wishes for Paul to go first on the next round, in accordance with prophecy."

Again, two boxes, one with a French flag, one with a South Korean one, were dropped into the tank. Paul pondered for a long time, going back and forth between boxes, before finally settling on the French box.

Then it was Tiny's turn. He too seemed perplexed, prodding each box with his tentacles several times until finally he chose the South Korean mussel.

The crowd went wild, the reporters shouting questions.