The House in the Cerulean Sea
by TJ Klune
Contents
Fourteen
Overview
Linus leads the children into Marsyas, encountering both prejudice and unexpected support. Arthur nearly loses control at an ice cream parlor, but Linus anchors him while Mayor Helen intervenes and welcomes the children. Linus comforts Sal, and later receives a secret DICOMY file and a cellar key hinting at Arthur’s hidden past.
Summary
On the ferry to Marsyas, Linus frets over taking the children into town. After pairing up, Arthur assigns Lucy and Talia to Linus. They slip into a hardware store where the wary shopkeeper softens as Talia expertly discusses gardening. When Talia can’t afford new tools, Linus pays, and the shopkeeper—Helen—asks to visit Talia’s garden.
At a record store, Lucy bonds with the owner, J-Bone. In a locked back room, J-Bone’s assistant Marty tries to “exorcise” Lucy; Linus breaks down the door, and Lucy admits he threw Marty against the wall. Returning to the front, Talia shares a brief, kind moment with a little girl before the girl’s mother spits at the window, prompting Talia’s hopeful reflection about changing minds.
Reuniting with the others, they enter an ice cream parlor where the owner, Norman, refuses service. Terrified, Sal shifts into a Pomeranian. Lucy threatens retaliation until Arthur, burning with anger, steps forward. Linus places his hands on Arthur’s face and calms him, urging restraint for the children’s sake.
Helen—the hardware owner and also the mayor—arrives, overrules Norman, and serves ice cream herself. Linus helps Sal change back and gently reassures him. Helen admits her complacency, promises to welcome the children in the village, confirms Marty (her nephew) was fired, and arranges to visit the island to see Talia’s garden. Arthur pointedly notes Linus will leave in a week.
After mailing his report, Linus receives a thick DICOMY packet. Inside is a memo accusing him of lost objectivity, warning him to keep relationships professional, and requiring a psychological evaluation on return. The file frames Marsyas as an experiment and hints at Arthur’s past, enclosing a key to a hidden cellar door that will show what Arthur is “truly capable of.”
Who Appears
- Linus BakerCaseworker; pays for Talia’s tools, breaks a locked door, calms Arthur, comforts Sal, receives secret DICOMY file and key.
- Arthur ParnassusMaster of the orphanage; nearly unleashes power at the parlor, steadied by Linus; reveals Linus leaves in a week.
- LucyAntichrist child; morbidly funny; bonds with J-Bone; throws Marty against a wall; protective of Sal.
- TaliaGnome gardener; obsessed with tools; experiences prejudice and kindness; offers hopeful perspective; invited to showcase her garden.
- SalAnxious shapeshifter; panics into a Pomeranian when threatened; reassured by Linus; calls Lucy his brother.
- HelenHardware owner and mayor; defends the children, serves ice cream, plans a garden visit, vows village welcome.
- Zoe ChapelwhiteCaretaker; escorts children, cautions Arthur to hold back, supports during village incidents.
- ChaunceyBellhop-aspirant; dazzled by the hotel; earns a real bellhop cap and beams with pride.
- PheeSprite; eager for excess ice cream; helps free Sal from his clothes after he shifts.
- TheodoreWyvern; anxious during conflict; later enjoys ice cream, comforted by Zoe.
- J-BoneRecord store owner; embraces Lucy, condemns Marty, gifts records after the incident.
- MartyRecord store assistant; attempts to “exorcise” Lucy, is knocked out, then fired.
- NormanIce cream shop owner; refuses service to the children, overruled by Mayor Helen.
- MerleFerry operator; startled and ineffectual during the group’s departure to the village.