It would be summer soon. Already the air hung thickly over the island, even now that the sun was only faint lightness on the horizon. The rest of the sky was blooming with stars, and a mere sliver of moon was cresting the silhouette of the palms. Pale as the moon, the seamare walked along the beach, eyes on the blue-white glow that outlined every wave after dark.
That had been one of the first details that had made her love the island. It was beautiful during the day. It was magical at night. She dipped one hoof into the phosphorous waters, watched as the outline of her foot was clear as day for a moment, only to fade back into the dark. It was enough to coax a smile to her lips, however small. Yes, she could still enjoy this little thing.
Shaking the water from her hoof, she carried on, wishing for a breeze to lift the sweat beading on her neck. It would only get hotter, it always did. Tonight was unseasonably warm though, and it made the idea of sleep an unpleasant prospect. May as well patrol, if she couldn't rest.
The faint light reflecting off the sea was enough to guide herself by, if little else. So maybe patrolling was a bit of a stretch. She wouldn't see an intruder until they were on top of her. Humming without rhythm or melody, she decided this was probably just a walk, then. Did it matter?
Her pacing brought her around the isle. No clear purpose in mind, she stepped from the shore into the blessedly cool water. It would be bath-warm in another moon or so, but the temperature difference now was welcome. She swam in long, lazy strokes, reveling in the solitude until the sand rose up beneath her again.
It was a pointed fact that she would keep her wits about her this time. No fooling around, no flirting, no double talk. She just needed a breather. An escape from paradise. And she would only be gone until morning, when real life would demand her attention once again.
Besides, who else in their right mind would be out and about this time of night?