Loner. ;aletta, gyps;

[Stillwater]

Stillwater

They came at him at once. His standoffish quiet did not sway them. With a soft thud, the one fell from the stars just as the other was nearly bubbling with questions. And she did then; inquired after his slick, damp coat with a soft, angelic voice. He kept a tilted ear on the other at his back, lifting his head from his meal to stare into the Moonchild's eager eyes. With a deceptively steady "how was your swim?" he sensed a control over her emotions and almost smirked.

Then little Starfall stepped in.

"What a silly time to go out for a swim," she said in her own sweetly casual voice, "but I'd have to admit, bathing underneath a starry sky does have something alluring and exciting." And with a toss of her name -Gyps, a dip of her head and a smile, she sidled over to the water's edge.

Her flippant comment grated on him, but he only stared at her back in silence. He hadn't been bathing. With how often he melted with the tide he hadn't a need for cleansing like the rest of them. And he'd do it whenever he damn well pleased. No longer chained to another's schedule, not even Lady Time could hold him to Her whims. That Naga queen had no idea how much power over him she'd let slip through her grasp.
But his power was his now.

How was his swim?

Perhaps you could join me next time, he offered with a slow smile, and decide for yourself. His darkness shifted so that he could hold both his star and his moon in view. Water pooled at his feet like ink, a serial drip that collected then slid along his torso and legs. Collected again, slid again. Gyps drank from his ocean, and he looked to the other in neutral kindness.

With eyes the color of shadows in the loch, he held the Moonchild's gaze. There was an air of invitation. He'd meant his offer. Come. Join me in the water. He stared a few moments longer, locked on her glittering eyes. How would that glowing white coat look drenched in the darkness of the sea? Would she still shine so brightly? He sensed something change just in the slightest, and his smile grew. Gyps finished her drink and he broke his link with the Moon, dark gray-blue eyes met the Star this time.

Tell me, do you swim?