It looked back and forth between them when the princess mentioned they were not betrothed. "Oh, apologies milady. It's just, the way you look at one another. There is a glint within your eye when he speaks, and he looks at you with a deep affection, anyone would've guessed so." The Serpent stated casually.
The Princess then began to question whether it was lying about the information it had said about their friend, especially about the debt. It's tail came away from Aleiia and came up to it's jaw, it then began to do a motion that would be the Sea Serpent equivalent of stroking a beard. "Hmmm. Well, as I mentioned before, I did not know she was your friend, in fact, she may not be. I just saw a young mermaid of light hue who swam through some tunnels that lead to some dangerous parts of Liridale. You stated you were looking for a friend, being mers yourselves, I simply assumed it was she. It very might not be." The serpent stated in a very conversational tone.
"I also wonder why you question me, in fact. If these old ears hadn't deceived me, I believe your tone was very accusatory. I should be very offended! I only offer assistance in the custom of my people, only to be accused as a charlatan and a trickster!" It turned away from them and began to slither away at a slow pace. It then turned back to them. "Offer kindness to strangers as you would to your friends, and what do you get? Treated as if you were a Sea Witch offering pearls and power to the ignorant! Some fine ruler you'll make! Treating kindness with suspicion and aid with doubt. " It then continued to swim away slowly, it seemed to be mumbling to itself, like an old man would when miffed.
Just as it was about to leave conversation distance, it stopped and turned back to them, it's expression.....reminiscent. "You know.....I met a young human once......what was her name? Ah, damn this addled mind! Well, anyway, she was set adrift on the open ocean on a small plank of wood. You see, I thought her an enormously fat mantath, and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to take a bite. Though, when I got close, I heard a scream, and I realized she was not a mantath, but a woman.
She shrieked in horror at the sight of me, but after minutes of coaxing I calmmed her and she began tot ell me what had happened. Apparently her lover and her were on a jaunt around the coastal isles Xindu'atha, when a powerful and fierce storm hit. They had survived, but the ship had not. They were floating together on the raft, when a Sea Witch emerged and offered them aid. Her lover exclaimed 'Yes, anything for food and water!' She then grabbed the mans hand stated it was a deal. She took his love for her and made it her own. She then dragged him to the bottom of the sea, where there was plenty of food and water." The serpent now had a lazy smile on, eyes half closed from reminiscing.
It then caught the two staring at him, he then readjusted himself. "No, wait. I shouldn't be telling you stories of my past. I'm angry with you......wait. Why was I angry? Damn this salt addled brain!" The Serpent then began violently shaking it's head. It swam back forth as if pacing. "Something......something to do with a deal, no! A debt! The debt! She didn't like my debt.....what was my debt? I don't believe we decided....OH OF COURSE!!!"
It then moved from where it was, to it's head being right in front Aleiia as if in a flash of lightning. "You were questioning me not because you thought me ill-willed, the debt was too open. You weren't being rude, you were being shrewd!! Easy how I can mix those two up, ha ha!" It bobbed up and down in a happy fashion. "Well how about we hash it out right now? Lets see.....how about......oooh! How about you come visit me and sing for me when you find the time! Ive heard tales of your voice milady, and it would be a privilege. Then perhaps we could have a chat or something? I get very lonely in these waters, but it's the only place where I am not hunted actively. So, would that be alright? Or am I asking for too much?" The Serpent seemed rather excited now, even eager.