Because I love Mama Ashengrotto and Azul here's more of the thoughts.
Mama Ashengrotto notices something different about her son one day. He'd just came back from school, only instead of his small sniffles and his crumbling facade of pretending he's fine, instead her little one is a bit huffy. His cheeks are in a puffed out pout, his little face scrunched up. She asks him what's wrong and Azul is quick to try and assure her that everything is fine. Before quickly swimming away from her. Mrs. Ashengrotto blinks a bit at her son's hasty retreat but decides to leave it. Azul would come to her if something was truly wrong. After that however she notices that Azul gets that expression a lot when he comes home from school. Her son always pouts or scowls, grumbling instead of crying these days. However there's something lighter about him.
Azul's entire being seems more at ease. The burden of being bullied and made fun of while still there, isn't as heavy. It makes her grow curious. What could cause her sweet little octopot to lighten up in such a way? Her husband notices their son's change as well, a relieved smile on his face to see their boy in higher spirits. It goes on like this for awhile, though there are still those bad days, until one day she finds out the reason why Azul seems so happy in a sense. She's in the kitchen one morning, making breakfast for her family. Mr. Ashengrotto is sitting at the table when Azul comes in. Looking uncharacteristically hesitant. It immediately catches their attention, concerned by the behavior until he speaks. Voice soft he says-
"Mama, papa.......is it okay if I bring some friends over after school....?"
The two adults blink in surprise before smiles come onto their faces and enthusiastically give him permission to do so. Mrs. Ashengrotto is over the moon. Her baby finally found people, after being lonely for so long. She gets their home ready for Azul's friends. Mr. Ashengrotto wouldn't be home till later so it was just her for the time being. All too soon Azul comes back home, but now with two merchildren trailing behind him. She looks up at the sound of her son and goes to greet him and introduce herself to his friends. Immediately taken note of the two moray eels who watch Azul get hugged by his mother. His face flustered but obviously happy to get her hug. She introduces herself and leans their names.
The night goes by nicely. She watches her son interact with the twins and despite their teasing and probing at Azul it's clear to her that they truly like her son. She hears them talk and do homework, her chest warm and light because her son finally has people in his corner. Mr. Ashengrotto comes home later and introduces himself to the boys and as the sun goes down the twins end up going home. Biding goodbyes to the Ashengrotto family. That night was soon the first of many and with it the start of a friendship between the two families. Mama Ashengrotto essentially takes the twins as honorary sons just as Mrs. Leech does for Azul. And Mrs. Ashengrotto couldn't be happier.
Soon Azul gets his invitation to Night Raven College, and while most parents would be worried about their children going to the surface she wasn't. Because Azul wouldn't be alone. He'd have Jade and Floyd with him. And they'd keep an eye on each other. Just as they've done when they were small.
