43 The Mangroves of the Ocean (Part 1)

*Sura's POV*

"Here we see the schools of fish swimming together in masses in order to confuse predators. If we zoom up close, we see their shimmering silver scales that reflect off light, and when in mass can visually stun predators."

The Underwater World channel plays on the crythoscreen, accompanied by a deep, profound voice that curls at each word, tempting me to listen more. Each description is pronounced with wonder and passion!

"Their gills pump rigorously, to keep up with their fast swimming and group effort. The gill system is not quite unlike Jalaparee people. Instead however, the gill system of Jalaparee folk connects to their lungs."

Zooming up, the crythoscreen focuses on the gills, revealing super intricate webs of filaments that make up the gills. Each working to catch oxygen through the water, passing the water out the gills and bringing that oxygen to the lungs… These tv shows about ocean life are so cool!!

"Time for bed, munchkin! We have a big day tomorrow!! Clean your teeth!"

"Yes mom!"

I can't waaiiit!!! Laying in bed, I think about what a beach full of sand feels like! Is it rough? Soft? Is it swimmable? Can I build something out of it?

"Kehehe…"

"Oi, pipe down, brat. You're gonna keep me awake."

"Eeeh, can't you be a little more excited?"

"Hmph!"

Kyuu-san turns her back against me more, scooching away from me. Eh well, more space for me!

"Good night!"

"...good night."

Running frantically, I didn't even bother to put on the annoying geta shoes! There was a passing of centaurs and nagas... wah they're too hard to dodge.

"Excuse me!"

I leap over them, some yelping in confusion as centaurs rear and stagger back, iron armor covering their hoes stamping on the ground. The Nagas slipped out of the way, wearing some kind of long layered clothes that covered their entire lower snake body... looks like plant stuff... must be hard to put on- Wait!! No time for day dreaming!! Passing them, I keep sprinting.

I quickly hop over the array of flowers onto pillow soft grass, kicking up the water from the morning dew. The sun is bright, and the morning is a cool chilly air that awakens your senses like a gentle brain freeze. Strands of my long hair tickle my face, maybe I should get a haircut soon.

All of that would be nice if we haven't accidentally overslept a little today!! The beach day!! I whine out loud!

"Mooom! Why didn't you wake us up!?"

Back at home, a notecard resting on the dining table read: "Sorry munchkin, you two just looked so cute snuggled together! Kyui doesn't usually oversleep so it was a rare sight! I got everything ready and the guitar, munchkin! I'll gather with everyone first up at the Magami Aura! See you two later! Kyui will wake up, don't worry!"

Mmm… hmph! I look at Kyuu-san accusingly who was running with me the moment we burst from home.

"You didn't wake up earlier!"

Crossing her arms in a blush, Kyuu-san looks up under the monolith shadow of the Magami Aura. We're on the other side of the trunk, where there was a big yard with tongs of big boxes about. Some carried crates of fruit, others materials, metals, and wood… so that was what the Kireina flying serpents were carrying!

"I forgot! And it was your dumbass self who couldn't sleep out of excitement, keeping me up late!!"

"As if! And no bad words! How did you forget about the super duper important beach day?!"

"Maybe cause I didn't wanna go, you brat!"

I stick my tongue out at Kyuu-san on tiptoes while she proceeds to pull on my cheeks! Ow!

"Ah! Forget it! Look up brat!"

Turning my eyes up, the trunk of the Magami Aura gashes the sky with its size, standing at odds with heaven. On one side, I see a platform being pulled up to the top… from down here looking almost too small like a puzzle piece. The only thing I see is two tiny, miniscule arms waving at us. Suddenly, Kyuu-san's watch beeps.

"You're both late, you know? I expected more from you Kyui~"

Mokuren teases her.

"Hurry up and get up here, everyone's with me already-"

"Hey Kyuu sensei! A bit of surprise to see you late haha!"

Artemas adds on with a cheeky smile through the holographic display. Kyuu-san stares at the flickering mockery with squinting eyes.

"Oh? You dare mock your sensei?"

Beep, she turns off the display and unexpectedly grins at me with determination.

"What…"

Kyuu-san runs back a little and lowers herself, as if ready to sprint a marathon, her tail and hair sticking up.

"Come on, brat! You're gonna let those slow pokes reach up there first?!"

"But the elevator's not down here yet-..."

Finally getting what she meant… I grin.

"Got it Kyuu-san!"

I jump back and do the same, wrapping my petals snuggly around my neck as a scarf. The sun shines upon Heiwa, the morning light slowly encroaching into Magami Aura's shadow… upon the first touch of light on us, I hear:

"GO!!"

Like a wild rush of wind, we sprint directly at the Magami Aura, running up its large roots. With one last push, the air booms as we put our all, and the world turns sideways for us. My eyes close for a brief moment, and the next the rush of air hits my face as we ascend the Magami Aura. Each step carrying us as Heiwa's tall buildings shrink and the skyline reveals itself.

Rows of buildings and houses wrap around the Magami Aura like decoration. The Chidiya folks were coming out from their doors, spreading their wings stretching to bask in the morning glaze.

"Woah!"

Zip zagging past many houses, I quickly duck under a porch, and swing around a house using a wooden beam... landing on the roof, I crouch and leap off to keep going up. Suddenly something slaps against my face with scary softness and a waft of detergent! Is that a shirt on my face?! It slips past and twirls in the wind like a noodle behind me, forever lost to the wind.

I hear a voice trailing behind, trying to catch up to berate me!

"Woah!! Hey!! What the?! My shirt!!"

"Sorry!!!"

I was too far up to realize I had just run through the clothesline of someone's house… whoops.

My make-shift scarf flies in the wing like a loose noodle as the wind loudly announces how fast we're going. The bark of the Magami Aura is soft, not hard… while providing lots of crevices and grip, the slow rhythmic pulse of its golden heart like a raceway, urges us to keep going.

Her tail swinging side to side, Kyuu-san continues to sprint up, arms to the side pumping as she eyes the ever drawing near the elevator platform. The rushing wind becomes slightly less intense as I take notice that I'm losing momentum, I don't how Kyuu-san keeps her body upright like this!

"Magami Aura, I'm sorry if this hurts!"

Unwrapping my petals, I throw them like ninja stars, courtesy of the shows I've watched, impaling them into the bark of Magami Aura. I quickly wrap my petals around my arms, and pull, feeling the fatigue build up in my petals.

"Up we go!!"

Zipping up like an arrow, it gives me enough speed to keep running up in the blind flurry of speed. I stick out my tongue at Kyuu-san before karma hits and hair slaps against my mouth.

"Pleh! Pleh Pleh!!"

I can't hear Kyuu-san laughing. Spinning around, she suddenly fires a blast of quanta like a jet engine, propelling her up past me. Geh! I didn't think of that!

The sun slowly rises beyond the horizon too, daring to surpass us as the sunlight grows closer behind us as we race against the light of stars… we were so caught up in our race I almost missed the hooting and cheering voices coming from above.

"Go Munchkin!!! Keep going!!!"

"Go Sensei!!"

"Kyui!!"

We had already caught up, the crown and canopy of the Magami Aura becoming an ocean of green. I yell, throwing my petals out once more! Hooking onto the massive branches and with everything I can muster, pull…

The next time my eyes opened, I had escaped the Sun's warming rays for just a moment. And the world just pauses for a moment as I'm just ever so closer to the planets, stars, and universe as I reach out my hands just like I did that night… before I fall back into the large waves of soft leaves.

Landing onto the top of Magami Aura, I find myself at a large wooden platform spanning around me. Around the edges, more platforms broke off into their own sections. Workers were walking all around, some hoisting cargos on carts and going to the elevator. Crystacie Kireinas flying, hovering down on to the platforms to land. Kyuu-san was next to me too, having just landed… I grin at her, and she chuckles.

"Sure showed them, didn't we?"

… I tackle Kyuu-san at that moment.

"Yay!! Love you Kyuu-san!! It was so fun!!"

"Ah! Get off of me, brat!! It was merely a spur of the moment!! Don't get ahead of yourself!!"

"Awwww… such a display of sisterly love~"

Mokuren waves to us as their elevator platform finally arrives. The giant wooden gear hoisting them up grinds to a creaky, moaning stop.

*Snap*

Her Seashell pink camera in hand, Jacky takes the photo of us out. She gives it a gentle shake before she hands it to mom.

"A memorable picture for ya, Miss Ohari!"

"Awww thank you Jacky, I forgot to bring my camera hehe."

Kyuu-san finally pushes my face away from her, getting me off… ehehe. She's blushing lots again and quickly crossing her arms as if none of that ever happened, in her own little world that is.

"Sensei, didn't know you had such a warm side to you haha"

Pandora gives a dumb smile alongside Artemas, even Wukong is trying hard to hide her the little curving edges of her mouth but her gleeful eyes says it all. Kyuu-san points at those three fiercely.

"I have a very burning side to me as well, I'm sure my students would know!"

To that, the three silence themselves, but still with hushed smiles… wait we're still missing two people… Lily couldn't come since Mokuren said she had an exam to study for, sounds scary.

"Where's Miss Spider lady?"

I was about to call out louder to alert everyone when I heard a faint shushing sound from above. I look up to see Saraswati poised up at the leaves of the Magami Aura, concealing her body behind leaves as I just see her arachnid legs gripping the edges.

"Psst…Psst! Shhhh!! Oh geez… I've never seen so many people before!"

"I thought you were excited to meet people?"

"Yes but, ah… there's so many!! I've never greeted so many before! My 2 hearts are excited but also beating with nervousness!"

"Who are you talking to, sweetie?"

Mom comes over and I hear a retreating quiver of chitter from Saraswati. I point upwards like the traitor I am hehe. Mom just smiles gently as she looks up.

"You know, Miss Saraswasti, I can still see your shadow through the leaves."

The emerald glow and transparency of the leaves, combined with the rising sun… revealed Saraswasti's waning shadow quite well.

"You can come down, I knew you were there already anyways. The brat invited you, I know that much."

Her shadow stays dead still, as if still trying to process if we really see her. Finally, she peeks out, and I give her nod. Upside down, she slowly trails down… inching closer to the platform as spits webbing from behind her. Her descent was as timid as her. Her legs tap the ground as she reaches the ground.

"He-hello, my name is Saraswati… I'm Sura's guitar instructor, and I sell guitars at a local store here… ugh… ummmm… I'm sorry if my appearance bothers-!"

"Pleased to meet you, Miss Saraswati! There'll be none of that here, don't undersell yourself."

Artemas cuts her off with a polite wave. He walks up to her and extends a hand.

"I'm Artemas, you have nothing to be ashamed about. If anything, humans are like the most boring race aren't we haha!?"

"Eh? No no! I think humans are cool too!! They have their… legs and hands… and… ears that can hear-"

"Humans are boring! Hah! They don't got horns, tail, or wings, no special advantages-

Flexing her muscles, Pandora huffs.

"You can web up your foes, inject them with venom, and look at that cool sleek natural body armor-"

"Pandora! That's not how you make her feel comfortable! I apologize for her ruden- oof!"

"Point is!"

Pandora swings her heavy arm around Artemas' shoulder, pushing him down.

"You're welcome here Miss Sarawasti, ain't no one gonna judge you harshly here. And if they do? Just kick their ass!"

While they bickered back and forth, I stood by Saraswati, giving her a thumbs up.

"See? Everyone is awesome here!"

All eight eyes of hers agape in wonder and shock, Saraswati gives a small chuckle.

"I think so too… Thank you, Sura-chan, for inviting me. Ah I'm still so nervous though, what if they don't like me or… or!"

I hug her, embracing her smooth, cool body.

"They will! And plus! I like you!"

A bashful ivy green blush sprouts from her cheeks. Mokuren bows to Saraswati.

"You are always welcome here, Miss Saraswati, all lineages are to be treated with equality and respect, and with kindness here. I'm Mokuren, Goddess Myriam's daughter. My mother knows of you, on her behalf as well, I would like to extend my greetings to you."

Woah… so formal, is that how Mokuren greets other new residents here too?

"Awawawa!! Please don't mind me! You don't have to bow to someone like me!! You're a goddess!!"

While Saraswati got familiar with everyone, a voice hollers over us amidst all the work around us.

"Group 3! Group 3!! Your ride is ready!"

"That's the cue! Let's go, everyone! Hey wait, where's that hoochie dragon?"

Kyuu-san dismisses Jackie's question.

"Klara? Don't worry, she'll catch up… more or less."

Following Jackie, we come to a resting Crystacie Kireina. It pulls its tongue out of a wooden bucket full of nectar. Up close, it was even larger than I had expected, it was like 40 foot long!!

"Mrrrr?"

The handler is a Chidiya folk, wearing gloves and a hat, he waves to us while petting the bumbling Kireina who is licking his hand. So cute!! It looks towards us as we get closer and it makes a welcoming hum.

Its wings really do look like crystals!!... reaching out and gently pressing against the wing, the depression triggers a wave of crystalline rainbow effect. I unintentionally began caressing its wings.

"Ah whoops! Does… it not like it?"

The handler just laughs a rich tone and rubs his beard.

"Nina here loves people! Don't gotta worry little lady, she's happy!"

"Woah!"

I feel Nina nudge against me, giving me a gentle push.

"See?"

Nina's large sets of watery eyes dotted on her head showed a playful intelligence. While I played with Nina, Jackie and Kyuu-san made sure our ride to the beach was assured. I can't believe I'm gonna be able to fly!! Well kinda.

"The trip will take about an hour's flight. We're not too far from the coast, in fact you would barely see the ocean just fine if it ain't for low clouds this morning. But it makes the reveal all that better ain't it?"

The handler waves to the rest of everyone.

"All aboard!"

One by one, we gently climbed on Nina's back, on which a large sort of porch sat with chairs and even a small table. There was fencing around, probably to keep anyone from falling off hehe. As Pandora gets on, I hear Nina moan a little.

"She says you're heavy."

"WHAT?"

"Must be that ego of hers~"

Artemis chimes in, which earns him a noogie on the head.

"It is clearly my proud big horns and muscle mass you scrawny ass!!"

"My hair!!"

Hair completely ruffled, Artemas begrudgingly gets on after Pandora.

"Come on, Munchkin~"

Mom leads me and I take a seat with her next to Kyuu-san. We wobble for a little bit as Nina moves near the edge of the platform. Sitting just near her head is the handler with his own exclusive seat, reigns in his hand.

"I hold you strapped to your seat belts!"

With a small leap, Nina leads us off Magami Aura with a slow descent as she spreads her wings.

"My stomach feels funny!!!"

Squeaks Wukong as she holds on to Saraswati who is sitting at her side. Surprised by the sudden contact, Saraswati freaks out too. I see Jackie hanging dearly on to Mokuren with her eyes squeezed so tight wrinkles started appearing and her face white with fear.

"I'm sorry Miss Mokuren!! Heights ain't no good for a water country girl like me!!"

"Hah? Why the hell did you even get on then?"

Kyuu-san questions, arms crossed unaffected as Nina pulls up in an arc towards the sky.

"I thought it would be fun with everyone together!! I mean it is but also no!"

For me, the wind rushing through my hair and the exhilarating ride. I threw my hands up.

"Weeeee!! Hehe!! This feels amazing!! Mom!! Have you done this before too?"

Mom was fine as she watched me with a smile. Her sun orange hair blending into the encroaching azure sun.

"I have, no matter how many times it never gets old~"

Soon, the handler up front gives a thumbs up without looking as Nina levels herself. High up in the sky, the town of Heiwa bustles with life below. A peaceful town encircling the Magami Aura, from here, I can see the dojo and the high school!

Nina's wings flapped in undulating fashion, producing a quiet crinkling buzz. It's incredible how smooth the flight is… as we neared the ceiling of clouds, I raised my hand up. My hand glided through the mist, parting ways for sunlight to come through.

Slowing down for a bit, we began passing through the floating mountains. Hung onto with colossal vines, we weaved, riding on the cool air as I saw many resting Crystacie Kireinas look up at us with curiosity. They give a little nod to Nina passing by, and Nina calls back with wavy echoes, each note reaching a crescendo then suddenly dropping in different high pitches.

"I'm here!!!!!"

Thrown out of my daydream flying, Klara comes in, her wings tucked behind her leaving a trail of mist streams as she reaches us, quickly unfolding her wings to break her speed. Kyuu-san just ignores her loud entrance.

"I thought you weren't coming, being so late."

Flipping to show her backpack, Klara dismisses her.

"Well we're going to the beach, we had to prepare some sun lotion, towels, change of clothes, food, and a small umbrella!! Especially the sun lotion, brought some extra in case anyone forgot them… hope you girls don't mind me helping~"

"Ugh… of course."

Hehe, from that point on, Klara flew with us. Effortlessly, she glided with us, her wings relaxed, catching the draft winds as she did twirls around Nina. In and out of the clouds, Klara creates sprouts of clouds like a water fountain with such freedom… I really want to fly!!

Like this, we flew further from Heiwa… the giant vines and greener wispy forest slowly changed as the plains below opened up to mudflats dotted with clear streams, all moving towards their final destination: the ocean.

At first I had shielded myself from the bouncing light… the few streams of shine slip through my fingers as I lower my hand to see.

"We're here!"

The handler announces, giving us a thumbs up.

*3rd person POV*

"Keeekirikiii!!!"

High-key calls peppers the sky, heeding to the ocean. A bouquet of iridescent birds flew towards the ocean. Their necks flaunting scales reflecting deep purple crimson violet to rosy cheeks of pink. Then, they bloomed as they spread out in mesmerizing fashion. Leaning and nearly tipping over, the flower maiden excitedly stares at them.

"Munchkin!! Don't fall off!"

Ohari quickly pulls her back from behind, resting her on her lap.

"It's so…. Beautiful…"

Whispered Saraswati amongst other awes and oohs. Years of the past, dwelling in darkness and hate, she could've thought this was heaven.

"It is… I've never had the courage to come here with anyone…"

Wukong adds to her, as they cross eyes in an understanding of being shy. Sun behind her back, Jackie steps forward.

"Mangrovia Silvy hummingbirds, it's almost time for their breeding season, they must be preparing."

Artemas states, Pandora inquisitively asks.

"I thought it was around the Fall season we just passed?"

"Nope, that's their migration period… besides what my mother and father taught me in hunting, we spent time learning about wildlife, especially birding."

"Huh… thanks mister 'I am one with the moonlight'."

"Hey!"

Blushing, Artemas jabs Pandora in the side while she continues snickers to herself in the inside joke they share. Arms at her sides and feet apart, beads of cyan pearls swayed with her ocean green bikini.

"Now I properly welcome you to my home town: Sadaabahaar (सदाबहार: Mangrove/Evergreen)!!"

The mudflats then clears, giving way to the beachside of ivory white sand. Sand dunes and small crystal clear lagoons wind their way towards the cyan ocean. The ocean licks the shores with everscent waters, before changing to a light turquoise to crystal cyan shades.

However, that was not the first sight that attracted everyone's attention. Sura tries to lean over the fence this time with Ohari holding on.

"That's your town?! It kinda looks like a bird cage!!!"

Wider than it is tall, Mangrove forests stood upon their thousands of their roots above the calm waves. Extending high, forming a basket shaped haven of which all forms of life took shelter in. Upon the top of which the leaves casted their lofty shadows and bearing sweet mangrove orange fruits.

Sea salamanders rested on the branches to cool off from the sunny rays, birds made nests upon the top canopy, nursing their chicks. The bases of each Mangrove tree were a landscape lily pad upon in the center sat at the hearth of the Mangrove, a large bulbous lotus flower, pollen wafting off. The roots that constructed the mangrove forest body all grew from under the lily pad from the lotus, upwards above the ocean, and beneath the waves.

Settlements, towns, sat upon each base lily pad of the Mangrove forest within each basket tree, forming connected rings alongside the beach.

Eyeing the mangrove fruits, Nina quickens her descent as she feels a soft pat on her layered scales.

"Settle 'er down Nina, over there at the opening… I know you love those Mangrove fruits, don't worry I'll get some for you."

With that assurance, Nina savors the oblong ripe orange fruit in its mind. Bouncing, rippling, the water parts as Nina descends. Before she could even land, Sura leaps out, the alabastrine sand cushions her feet upon landing… kneeling down on all fours, the flower maiden feels the sand slipping like water out through her fingers as she cupped them in her hands.

"...WEEEEEEE!!!!!"

Rolling around and making sand angels, the maiden ran circles around the group in her fervor. Jackie stumbles off, holding onto Nina as support, buckling onto the sand she gasps.

"Thank the sea cows… ground at last!!"

Everyone else hops down, Saraswati skitters down the side with Wukong. Jumping onto a rounded rock formation, carved and molded by timeless waves, Sura shouts at the top of the lungs…

"This is sooooo awesooome!!!"

Sunglasses on, Ohari dawns her hand-crafted straw hat.

"Hehe, sure is sunny today… bet you wished you shaved didn't you, Kyui?"

Beads of sweat are already beginning to mat her fur to the skin, Kyuu groans.

"Oh shush mom!"

A young sapling suddenly sprouts, poking through sand and growing to a large umbrella shaped leaf over Kyuu. Mokuren sits next to her, stretching her legs out and digging her toes into the sand.

Green velvet covered her breasts, revealing her under breasts that exposed down to her stomach. Wrapping around her figure, the revealing swimsuit parted at the side of her legs, showing her curvature and slender legs. Translucent lily white clothes tied around the waist flowed with the gentle ocean breeze… against the beautiful ocean and sand. The sight stuck against Kyuu's throat as she could not vocalize her disapproval of Mokuren's revealing apparel.

"What are you looking at Kyui~"

"Wha-?! Oh uh, nothing… you look great."

Plan A success! Now onwards to Plan B… Mokuren thought as she traced a smile in her mind. Klara was setting up some umbrellas, eagerly setting aside bottles of sun lotion and she gave a knowing nod to Kyuu… which was met with a middle finger.

"Oh don't be like that, here."

Tossing a sun lotion to Kyuu, she catches it…

"I don't need it."

"You don't, but I can't imagine longtime direct sunlight to a dryad with such fair skin would do well. Take care of your skin."

Hit by such… strange maturity, it stuns Kyuu.

"Klara's right, Kyui~ can you help?"

Like swallowing a rock, Kyuu gulps down as she sees Mokuren laying on her belly, her bare back towards her. The swimsuit unsheathes on her bare back, sliding down her back before curving around her behind, exposing alluring hills.

"Uh…Su-Sure… I'll be quick."

Kyuu puts some sun lotion on her hand… just… rub it on her… come on Kyuu Kitsune of the Spirit Foxes… ugh, what the hell am I doing, she thinks in her head. Awkwardly, almost as if not trying to break something delicate, Kyuu leans her hand down onto Mokuren's back… a supple tender feeling shocks Kyuu as she pulls back… what the hell? Her skin is so soft… I mean I knew but…

"Your face looks really red Kyui, something wrong~?"

"No! No uh… nothing… sorry I've never done this before… ummm…"

As Kyuu tries to continue to apply the sun lotion, Klara clenches her lips… damn, she purses under her lips. Way to go girl, she gives an unnoticed wink to Mokuren, to which she responds in kind.

"Oh my… to think my brazen daughter would be smitten so soon, hehe."

Ohari says to herself… ah, young love. The amount of times Xeona flirted with her in the beginning… look at her growing up, love.

"Wawawa…"

Saraswasti's abdomen slumps as her jaws split open in wonderment.

"This… is this real? I thought the dark cave in my home world was pretty neat… this beauty is too much for my eight eyes! But…"

An unknown jubilating feeling shivers through her veins, it calls… for a song!! Scrambling through her guitar case, she finds a pencil with music sheets. Pencil in each of her hands, notes flow as she starts writing. Befuddled by her daze, Wukong watches, tucking her tail around her waist.

"Mmmm… peaceful… no… a serene rock melody to match the excitement, crescendos to mirror the waves hmmm…"

"You… like rock too? Well I mean you sell guitars so probably…"

"Eh… yes! Yes I do! I like Disturbed band a lot ehe."

"Really? I do too… Vengeful One?"

At this, Saraswati's eyes shine as she begins plucking the heavy intro of the "Vengeful One" which earns a little laugh from Wukong as she sits down next to the timid spider under the shade, bobbing together. Wukong surmises

*Splash!! Sploooosh!!*

"Arragghaa!!"

Tumbling under the waves, Artemas feels the salty water assault his nostrils. There was no escape from the little tidal wave splashed by Pandora.

"Hahahaha!!"

The small clear waters lap at Mokuren's legs, standing not too far away as Kyuu dips her feet into the water… but it cannot cool her fever of embarrassment over the sun lotion.

"It's warm, not too warm."

"Hehe, I like your new hair style Kyui~"

Her flame orange hair tied into a single, long ponytail, Kyuu crosses her arms over her black swimsuit… though it weirdly resembles skin tight armor more than a swimsuit.

"I woke up in a rush… plus it's way too hot and bothersome to do my classic pony tails."

"Ehehe, come on Kyui, enjoy yourself. At least do that to make up for your terrible sense of apparel."

"You're one to talk! I don't like exposing my skin."

"Ah, so pure~ like a delicate maiden."

"Wha-... I'm not a maiden!"

"Are you not?"

"...tch you're one too, so don't judge. I'm not into that weird stuff."

Kyuu couldn't help feeling her heart quicken as she watched Mokuren get closer, her velvet cloth tickles her face for a moment… long enough for Mokuren to hug her arm sneakily.

"What about me~?"

"Wha-...ah… I- Wah!!"

A little flower spurts a stream of salt water onto Kyuu's face, a rushing sense of coldness halting her brain from overheating. As swift as her giggle, Mokuren jogs into the shallows with delicate splashes.

"Oi!! Get back here!!"

Chasing after Mokuren, Kyuu can't help but giggle to herself.

Sand sinking into the wet sand, Jackie approaches Sadaabahaar. One of its many carved open gates in one of the mangrove tree baskets, welcomes Jackie. Two tridents cross in front of her as she tries to step in. The two Jalaparee guards ask sternly.

"You look suspicious, ya some fish bellied smuggler?"

Jackie crosses her arms and huffs.

"Oh bugger off ya buffoons!"

A moment of silence passes before the guards smile and greet Jackie.

"Hahaha damn, couldn't scare you huh?"

"As if, I recognize ya dumb face anywhere."

"Ouch, welcome back Jackie."

Their voices turning soft, they bow, holding their hands together and palms up, parting the fingers to form a lotus. Jackie bows the same, afterwards they exchange hugs.

"Good to be back, anything new?"

"Well Goddess Myriam's here since mornin, and you're in luck. We're just about to haul a new Mangrove tree lotus out to establish a resort a bit further off the coast. We've been expanding a bit more since we managed to attract interplanetary visitors."

"Oooh, neat. Well I'll catch up with ya folks later!"

Jackie runs into the town waving back behind her. The guards call back, cupping their hands.

"Make sure ya say hi to the elders, they missed ya! Oh and we just got a catch of ya favorite sardines!"