Tide Pools (Open to anyone/everyone)

[peachbug]

The bright sun shone warm on the glittering sand of the higher beaches. The light illuminated the life of the tide pools beneath one rocky overhang, where Tylah rested from the sun and sea. The smooth waves broke over the tide pools edges slowly. Beyond the edge of the pools was open water, a slippery drop for anyone who unknowingly walked beneath the overhang.

Tylah lay on her stomach, stretched against the rough sand and rock, one hand resting in the pool. Her healing magic seemed to bring out the best among the tiny dwellers there, crabs and even a small purple octopus trickling beneath her fingers. She wiggled them, but the creatures drew back only briefly. In moments, they were exploring again.

[meimei]

There was a slight ripple from the waters beyond the tidepool that dropped to deeper ocean, then Strell surfaced, wincing a little when the sunlight first struck his eyes. He was not accustomed to spending long amounts of time above the water, and the brilliance of the sun took him offguard. Squinting slightly, he glanced around - spotting Tylah where she was stretched out on the rocks. 'Ah, that explains it.' He thought to himself. He'd sensed a slight stirring of magic as he passed by in the waters below. He watched the tiny sea creatures gather around the elf maiden's hand before swimming closer to the tidepool himself, grateful for the shade of the overhang against the bright light.

*May I share your shade, Healer?* He sent in greeting, resting one arm on the rocky shelf. With so much time spent below the water, sending came easier to Strell than speaking. *Though you don't seem at a loss for company.* He guestured to the gathered sea life, his mouth stretching into a teasing grin.

[peachbug]

*I couldn't leave you to burn in this sun, Strell.* Tylah answered gently, smiling as she rose to rest with her legs crossed beneath her. Several of the small creatures dispersed slowly as her hand left the pool. *High Ones know I would have a fine time by that.* She too squinted as the light glinted off the waters. "I am always glad to have your company, or some company for that matter." She sighed. "It's all rather quiet as of late. Not that I would have it worse...nothing good is certainly better than something bad." The healer followed quickly.

Tylah glanced coyly at the elf beside her. "How goes your oysters?"

[meimei]

"Hmph. Two less than this morning thanks to some pinch-claws. Fair being fair, we're having pinch-claw next meal." He winked at her, turning to watch the ocean creatures wander away without her magic to attract them.

"It has been quiet. Never know when quiet is something good to be enjoyed, or the calm that comes before the storm. We can only wait and see. I'm content watching over my oysters. But things have been too dull for you lately, haven't they?"

[peachbug]

Tylah smiled, but sighed deeply and looked down at the sand beneath her. "I-I feel as though nothing new has graced these waters in so long...so long." She laughed softly to herself and glanced at Strell. "I find myself old with so few years. I tire too easily of new things. My own failing."

"I could seek higher ground. I have been to the edges of the tall trees and the high grass, but there is much I haven't seen." She murmured. "I feel some resistance in myself." Then, softer. "My mother's blood perhaps?"

[meimei]

Upon hearing her quiet words, a sad look shadowed Strell's usually cheerful expression. He looked over at the land that rose to the trees and grasses Tylah had mentioned. "Distrust isn't inherited, it's learned." He told her, his tone equally as quiet.

Then a smile lit his face again. "As is caution. I heard as a Pip you drove the tribe to distraction exploring every inch of the cove. You're old enough now to know the danger in going off on your own like that. Me? I've never had much use for the land. The water is where I feel most at home."

[peachbug]

"And you have done well for it." Tylah nodded thoughtfully. Struggling with her words for a moment, she switched to sending to better explain her thoughts. *For me, the sea is a birthplace, a home place sometimes, but perhaps not the only home I need or want. How can you want something you have never had, or maybe doesn't exist?* Tylah crawled forward to the edge of the pools and slipped her legs in. Her fins shimmered in the water, as if alive at the touch. "Listen to me, going on like a hungry pip! Sometimes I get too far off in my own wonderings. Now that would be my grandsire in me!" With a grin and a wink to Strell, the healer splashed into the water.

[meimei]

Strell couldn't answer the questions in her sendings. Nor, he suspected, had she expected him too. How did someone want something they'd never had? Never having felt that way, he really couldn't guess.

Then she seemed to brighten - changing her tone and splashing into the water. He chuckled in amusement, floating back a pace to give her some room, and shake off water from her sudden splash. "Just so long as you remember to come back." His words could be applied to more than her jest about her grandsire. He squinted up at the sun above. "Gets so bright up here. I forget that sometimes."

[peachbug]

Tylah laughed and dove again, admiring the sun's odd glimmers on her legs and arms *I love it! It brightens my spirit, I think.*

[meimei]

Strell grinned, and dove down into the water himself. The sunlight shimmered through the water but wasn't as blinding as it was in the open air to him. He turned, letting himself sink lower - enjoying the coolness of the ocean after the hot sun above. *It does at that - but I prefer it down here! Where it makes the water glisten but doesn't burn you!*

He dove deeper, before flipping around and floating back up. *Going to stay up here for awhile longer?*