12 12 The start

Joon and Gold slept well besides each other that night. He dreamt of past loves and remembered the transgressions of his past. Gold snuggle closely to him throughout the night. She could hear Joon's heart rhythm. As she laid listened, the rhythm relaxed her and helped her understand what was now developing within her own chest. She was adjusting to her new form and the temperature of the surface. He remained in full form to generate the most heat during their slumber. Joon feared her becoming to stiff due to the nighttime temperature. Occasionally, Joon would breath hot air from his nostrils onto her throughout the night, making her giggle in her relaxed state.

They had decided to venture out in the morning towards the north. Joon wanted to show Gold the northern lights. He had dreamt of them in the night. They arose with the sunlight that reflected off of the dark blue lagoon water. Joon was the leader for this journey. He lowered his form. Gold greeted the Sun as they exited the cavern. Joon knew Sun well. Sun greeted them both, "Welcome to the light. Joon long time no see"

Joon heard a condescending tone from Sun, and didn't care for it. He wanted to ignore Sun, but thought better of it. "Will you become cruel today, Sun?"

Sun laughed at his teasing, "I did not plan on it, it is just in my nature from time to time."

Gold wonder what Joon's and Sun's inside coded conversation was about, but did not bother to ask. There were more important things at hand. "Joon, which magnetic field shall we follow?"

"South. It's the quickest way to the north for us.", Joon answered lively in Gold's direction. He had become excited to be out in the elements again. "First things first, I need to eat. Will you wait here or come?"

'This I will not miss', thought Gold. She had yet to feel hunger and was curious how Joon sustained his energies. "I'll come!", she said with a little too much zeal.

"Alright, we shall swim for a snack." Joon leaped into the water like a blade cutting the surface. His elongated frame sliced pass the water's threshold with ease. Gold watched and studied his every move. He popped his head up out the water and called to Gold to join him, "It's cool but refreshing, dive in."

Gold felt a hesitant for a second unsure of how to proceed. She leaned forward and looked deep pass the shimmering surface. She dipped her hand in, just barely testing the feel. Suddenly Joon grabbed her hand, and she felt her body plunge in the wet weightless field. She drift towards the bottom. She could see Joon's narrow angled face looking down through the water at her. She attempted to mimic the moments of Joon's limbs, but remained below. Gold hoover just above the bottom, she could not break through the water surface above.

Joon was displeased to see she could seem to reemerge without instruction. "Come up!", he yelled through the water.

She pushed the rest of the short distance down and walked up the water bank. She could not seem to swim; she felt to dense. She looked disappointedly at Joon, and he understood. He took off in search of something satisfying.

Gold was not a natural swimmer. She allowed her feet and hands to flow as if part of the water, as she swished them at the water edge. She waited quietly reflecting on her short comings.

Joon finally saw something tasty. Hiding near the sea floor within the reef, he's hunting eyes focused in on his target. He quietly transitioned into his dragon form, and lunged at a sizable octopus camouflaged nicely amongst the bottom. With swift movements, in seconds it became a meal while searching for one.

Gold missed the opportunity to watch Joon consume a whole octopus. Such a show of agility would have been invigorating for her to see. The scuffle was captivating, because the large beast moved with grace through the water. The octopus barely had a chance to counter attack. There was no trace of blood in the water when Joon was done. He returned to her with new found vitality. As he ascended, he transition reversed. After swimming to shore, he was ready to begin their travels. "Now let's begin our travels.", Joon instructed, with a sly grin.