When I let the water take me

[temperedwill]

[Keith ran a hand through his hair as he slipped his sandals off and stepped onto the sand. It's been awhile since he had really walked onto the beach. It wasn't that he didn't, but that it was usually only a quick trip to look out before returning. This time, he was walking near the shore and giving himself a breather. He pulled his hair out of the messy ponytail and put the hairtie onto his wrist before fetching himself a cigarette and his lighter.

Fall weather was already settling in, but he was shrugging his plain robe off his shoulders and enjoying the gentle breeze against his skin before lighting the cigarette.

He had been very busy.

Taken in by a couple who worked in kimono painting, he had grew up his entire life where he is. Honestly, he hadn't thought that he'd be doing what he did, but he found himself not particularly interested in many subjects and had dropped out of college very shortly. Instead, he had started learning how to make the gorgeous textiles his adopted parents did for a living and found enjoyment in there.

It wasn't that he didn't mind city life. He enjoyed it, and they lived close enough that he could go into the city by train. There was just something nice about living where he did. The quietness of it and the amount of freedom he had wandering. Keith had access to the ocean and the mountains and that also meant the forest too. It was nice.

Keith took a long drag before exhaling. It was rough. Being raised by them meant nothing when it came to apprenticing. They were strict and harsh and it was a lot of work, but apparently he had the skills and the passion. Enough that they were pleased with his work to be included in actually fulfilling orders. It's why he's taking a bit of a break now. They've been figuring out what colors they wanted to go with all day and he just needed a bit of some fresh air.

He also missed the ocean. The sailboat that they owned hadn't been used recently with the amount of work they had. Maybe after this order he'd have time to go out.

Comments

[meowterspace]

Well, when do you stop working?

[he tilts his head to the side.]

[temperedwill]

When I decide that I've done a suitable amount of work for the day. It's not like a normal job where I have set hours.

Why do you wanna know?

[He's not sure why the other seems to have so much interest in him.]

[meowterspace]

Because I want to see you again.

[he's direct at least.]

[temperedwill]

[It catches him completely off guard honestly. It takes him a moment to actually answer as he looks at the other in surprise.]

Why?

[He shakes his head a bit.]

If you really want my company, it's not like we don't allow guests. Although, I can't imagine getting around on land as you are would be easy. Nor would it be taken as gracefully by most others.

[meowterspace]

Mmm, I guess so...

[he doesn't answer why. but he sinks back into the water and just... disappears. immediately.]

[temperedwill]

[Keith watches him disappear before shrugging and getting out of the water. He should hurry back home so he can change and warm up. It'd be inconvenient if he got sick. He picks up his discarded robe and slips his sandals on, glancing back at the water for a moment.]

Huh...

[He shakes himself out of his thoughts and heads back home. He isn't sure who that was, but he wonders almost if it was all real. Humans shouldn't meet beings like that, right?]

[meowterspace]

[well, around nightfall, he's going to find he doesn't really get a choice in the matter. not when lance is standing at his door, looking totally human, and knocking.

[he said they take visitors.

[he looks different, at least. it's hard to tell he's the same person without the scales and with darker eyes.]

[temperedwill]

[The elderly woman of the old couple answers the door. The couple are sweet and always so welcoming and usher him in without hesitation. He's young looking and they assume that he's here for Keith and lead him to the room in which Keith was working in.

The room is kind of crowded with an array of brocades, thread, paints, and fabrics.

Keith was sitting at the low table and very carefully painting a design filled with colorful birds. His hair was tied back along with the sleeves of his robe, and he doesn't look up when the door is slid opened.]

[meowterspace]

[lance is incredibly polite, and he introduces himself to the couple. they usher him in to see keith, and he walks right in, closing the door behind him and settling on the floor nearby him to watch.

[quietly.]

[temperedwill]

[Keith is so concentrated in his work that he doesn't seem to realize Lance is there watching him. It isn't until he seems satisfied with what he has done and puts the stretched out fabric and looks up that he realizes the other is there.

Which leads to him kind of jumping a bit.]

Wha-

[Shit, that scared him.] How long have you been there?

[meowterspace]

[he perks up when he's noticed.]

You're really good at this.

[this is not the answer he was looking for.]

[temperedwill]

[One shouldn't be so pleased after scaring someone as he did.]

I wouldn't make a living if I was bad at it.

[It isn't the answer he was looking for at all.] How come I wasn't notified of a visitor? I would have taken a break. [Not that he enjoys entertaining a guest. He's not very social.]

[meowterspace]

I came in and you didn't notice. Your parents let me in.

[it's not his fault you suck at paying attention, keith.]

[temperedwill]

I don't expect to have guests coming in at this hour nor do I generally get guests.

[Look. He was being good and being engrossed in his work. They were so quiet about it too.]

[meowterspace]

You said you accept guests.

[he shrugs, just waiting for keith to notice.]

[temperedwill]

[Keith opens his mouth to reply but just closes it.

Honestly, he shouldn't be so surprised. Obviously the other should easily be able to change his physical form. He just never thought about it.]

I don't understand. [Why the other has so much interest in him.]

[meowterspace]

What is there to understand?

[he tilts his head, studying him.]

I wanted to visit you, so I did.

[temperedwill]

Your interest in me.

[It wasn't that he wasn't popular or anything while he was in the city. Just...]

Do we really know each other or something?

[meowterspace]

You've been visiting me since you were young.

[he wonders if keith can catch on.]

[temperedwill]

[Keith is a smart guy. More perceptive than most. He regards the other for a moment.]

Why me? I'm just any other person that could have visited? What makes me any different?

[meowterspace]

You're special.

[he doesn't actually explain, though.]

[temperedwill]

Don't give me a bullshit answer.

[Lance might want to given who it is. He's not as bad about it as he was before, but being told something like that just off the bat has him bristling a bit.]

Like hell I'm just gonna up and believe that somehow I'm special.

[meowterspace]

You are. Do you know how many people in the world visit the ocean every year? Every day?

[he leans forward.]

And here I am... with you, because I can recall every single time you ever have.

[temperedwill]

[Keith looks at him, frown still evident on his face.]

Isn't that kind of weird? Recalling something like that about a human. [Why would Lance care that much about him? They're obviously otherwordly and don't need attachments to something fleeting like a human life.]

Yet, you're here wanting to spend time with me? I don't get it.

[meowterspace]

It is weird. That's why I'm here. I want to find out why.

[he props his chin up in his palm, where his elbow braces against his knee.]

You changed, since you left.