[That is very much the take away, yes.]

No kidding. But...I'm not sure if this is something that usually happens. Keith or Shiro would have mentioned that, I'm sure of it.

[He trusts his friends above anything, and Shiro likes to make sure they're informed or prepared. If it was normal to be separated like this. Hunk can't help but wonder if this was a new idea of Astoria's or what if that weird message they'd received have something to do with it. Hadn't he mentioned some kind of rune?]

[Meanwhile, the mermaids are just sort of watching this exchange and seem to be growing bored. There is the occasional whisper and now Hunk feels like he is being rude.]

Ah, right, I'm Hunk and this is Takeru. I'm assuming you ladies are locals?

Yes, we tend to the local coral. We heard there were landfolk showing up in the ocean...I didn't realize there were also menfolk too.

[Hunk glances at Takeru and then back to the mermaid group.]

Oh...you all don't have menfolk?

No

[How does that even work? Hunk wonders if that's why they seem so interested beyond him just having legs instead of a fin.]