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[called_lioness]

She's brushing her hair, as she sits on the edge of their bed, slowly.

The Dream King told her--many things, really, many she cannot think on yet, and none of which she's mentioned to the man next to her in the bed.

She wonders if she should, but she won't think on that yet, either.

For now, though--for now, she thinks on one thing he told her.

And as she stretches out next to him, and looks at the ceiling, before her eyes close, she--almost cautiously--thinks on someone she saw long ago.

---

When she opens her eyes, it's to the sea, and she smiles at that alone.

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[and-the-north.livejournal.com]

The sea is quiet today; still and gentle, waves rippling back and forth like grass in the wind.

The school of fish glides back and forth, placid and undisturbed, and the girl in the center of the school looks up at Lucy with wide eyes.

[called_lioness]

And her eyes light up.

Because oh.

It worked.

Maybe this isn't all horrid.

Lucy smiles, a little shyly, as she stands at the shoreline and looks at the girl.

[and-the-north.livejournal.com]

The girl's answering smile is quick and just as shy, but bright for all that.

"You came back," she says; though she doesn't expect Lucy to understand.

[called_lioness]

"I thought that was you."

She's smiling a bit more widely as she walks a little into the water.

She doesn't even have shoes to start with, any more, when she dreams.

[and-the-north.livejournal.com]

The fish around Lucy's feet dart off in confusion, reforming their group a foot or so away.

"Oh, I have been here," the sea-girl says, earnestly. "I have been here all the time."

[called_lioness]

"Perhaps it is me, then. But you're right. I came back. I was hoping you'd be here. How long has it been?"

[and-the-north.livejournal.com]

A small smile.

"It must have been a mahquek, at least - maybe two."

[called_lioness]

There's a pause.

"That long?" she hazards, uncertainly.

[and-the-north.livejournal.com]

"- it may have seemed longer than it was," the sea-girl admits, almost embarrassed.

"It is very quiet here."

[called_lioness]

"It is," she agrees. "But either way, a long time. How have you fared since I saw you?"

[and-the-north.livejournal.com]

"Well - quiet but well."

The sea shepherdess ducks her head, reaching a hand out to gently stroke a wayward fish, and confesses, "Little changes in the oceans here."

[called_lioness]

"Well is good, though, even if it's quiet." Lucy doesn't care, much, that her skirts are soaked as she sits in the water.

"What's your name?"

[and-the-north.livejournal.com]

"Chiara."

A little hesitantly: "What is yours?"

[called_lioness]

"Lucy. It's Lucy. Chiara's a pretty name."

She's shy, a little, and she's not.

And it's okay.

[and-the-north.livejournal.com]

"So is Lucy."

Suddenly: "Would you like to come further in? The fish won't be frightened if I tell them not to be."

[called_lioness]

"I'd like it a great deal, yes," she says, eyes lighting up.

"If you're sure it's all right."

[and-the-north.livejournal.com]

The sea-girl laughs - still shy, but with delight, too.

"Why should it not be? It is only you and me and the fish."

[called_lioness]

And so Lucy steps out of her skirt, tossing it back onto the beach--by habit more than need--and walks into the water, and she's grinning a great deal because--

--well.

It's not all bad, is it?

"Oh, Chiara, I wanted to see you so badly," she laughs.

[and-the-north.livejournal.com]

The fish regard Lucy warily, swimming in slightly tighter circles.

"I wanted to see you too," Chiara says - and then, with a sudden giggle, pushes out her arms, sending a spray of water over Lucy.

[called_lioness]

She shrieks, a little, but it's not an upset shriek, as she sends the water back.

"I wasn't certain you'd even have remembered me."

[and-the-north.livejournal.com]

"Oh, yes," says the girl, with a hint of teasing, "because we see large moving islands on our ocean every day."

She dives into the spray, and her face is hidden behind the hands splashing back as she adds, "I do not have so many friends that I forget them easily."

[called_lioness]

"I think I shall be glad of that, then," Lucy answers, and ducks under the water for a moment, staring up at the sun from beneath it before she lifts her head again.

"Well, point," to the large moving islands bit with a grin. "I suppose not many sail so far."

[and-the-north.livejournal.com]

"I had not seen anything like it before," the shepherdess confesses.

"I was frightened, until I saw you."

[called_lioness]

"I was amazed to see you. I didn't know there were merpeople so far out."

[and-the-north.livejournal.com]

". . . there are merpeople where you come from, as well?"

Chiara sounds almost awed.