What an opportunity,exulted her mind.
How cool is this,her heart and mind chorused.
There she was, up close and personal with a gigantic armored fish that hadn’t existed since the Devonian period. And yet somehow there it—he—was in front of her, radiating enthusiasm and happiness.
Annabeth suddenly remembered that fish couldn’t breathe on land, and exclaimed. “Don’t suffocate for my sake! Quick, get in the lake!”
Norris used his fins to heave himself into the lake. He submerged in the dark water, then stuck his tail out of the water and waved it around.
Delighted, she waved back, then realized he probably couldn’t see her. So she kept waving until the great armored fish stuck his head out of the water again.
“Norris!” Annabeth called. “You are absolutely fantastic, and I want to examine you very closely and hear all about it. But first, get back on land and turn back into a man so I can kiss you!”
CHAPTER 6
Norris heaved himselfout of the lake and dragged himself completely free of the water. He couldn’t resist doing a few more fin flaps and tail wags and eye blinks and jaw munching movements, just so he could enjoy watching Annabeth literally wriggle and squeal with delight.
Our mate is pleased,said his inner Dunkleosteus with great satisfaction.Our mating dance has been a great success.
I did a mating dance?Norris silently inquired.
Indeed,spoke his Dunkleosteus.In the Devonian period, the males of our species were most adept at the fin flap/tail wag/eye blink/jaw crunch dance of love.
Norris loved it when his Dunkleosteus told him new facts about Dunkleosteuses. He made a mental note to repeat this to Annabeth, whom he was certain would also want to know.
He shifted back into a man. She flung herself into his arms, and proved to him that his mating dance worked on humans too.
"So this is your second favorite thing!" Annabeth exclaimed. "It's amazing! Incredible! I'm so jealous."
Norris was delighted. He had finally met someone who appreciated his Dunkleosteus as much as he did. "I only wish I could help you turn into a Dunkleosteus too. Or, you know, your extinct marine animal of choice."
"I've always thought plesiosauruses are pretty cool too," Annabeth admitted.
Tiny heads,said his inner Dunkleosteus.Tinier brains. And that pathetic excuse for a tail!
Be nice,Norris silently warned his inner armored fish.
