Rin looked out over the open water of the Reshi Sea. In the distance she could pick out tiny specs of rock that extended off of Rira. Much closer and much more visible were the neighbouring isles of her people. Rin made a silent prayer when her gaze settled on Relu-na. To many, living across from a Tai-na (the gods that people lived upon) would seem a squandered opportunity. Why live so close to your god when you could travel across the sea and live directly with them? Why watch from afar when you could join and be one? Why watch others receive blessings and fortune when you could prosper as well?
Rin didn’t think so though. Could you really know your god in their entire glory from so close? Were all the details and vastness not lost upon them all? Rin thought so. She preferred to observe from afar. To swim deep underwater and see as it saw. To live as it lived. Entire biomes and ecosystems existed that were hidden from those living above.
She enjoyed admiring Relu-na from across the water. On days when she swam, she could see the underside of Relu-na as it breathed life into the island above it. Today would be a day for swimming. It wasn’t so hot that the sand would burn your feet. Not yet at least, but it was hot enough that a dip in the water would feel refreshing. It was quite early in the day. Rin liked to visit the beach as the sun rose. Almost no one else was there. An elderly looking man much further down the beach was collecting shells that had washed up over night. She did not recognize him, but that wasn’t uncommon. There were many people on the island that she did not know. It was common for other islanders to visit, and even those from beyond the Reshi isles. Though rarely more than a handful at a time.
She found a spot that would be shaded until the afternoon and undressed her tassels, preparing to swim. Out in the middle of the beach where the sun could bathe you directly was much too hot to leave her belongings. The intense rays would slowly wear down clothes and bleed them dry of their vivid colours.
Taking one last look around, Rin ran nude and dove into the water. Shallow at first, the sea floor transitioned from sand to large slabs of smooth stone that dropped off suddenly. Beyond that they opened up to deep waters. The peeking sun pierced the air-water boundary just enough to let Rin clearly at surface level. Deeper down it was still dark. Usually around midday if the waters were calm the bright beams would illuminate the sea floor, exposing all sorts of life. For now though, Rin could see the tops of the ancient I-nah (trees with stone bark that lived underwater) whose leaves reached all the way to where she was. The stone outer layer housed many other creatures that were slowly waking up. Schools of tiny fish swayed this way and that along with the branches, leaves and everything else drifting with slow, steady currents.
Rin had to be careful not to swim too deep lest the undercurrents carry her away. Truth be told, her parents wouldn’t have liked the depth at which she normally swam. For most people it would be dangerous, but for Rin it was routine. She was a very experienced and strong swimmer. She had been doing this… since she could remember. Any free day she would swim or high dive into the depths below. It was both fun, and how she paid tribute to the Tai-na. She spun in a circle looking from the massive drop off to the underside of Relu-na, the one her people considered holy. Even at this distance she couldn’t absorb its entire beauty. Rin would often talk to it as she swam. What better way to be one with your god than to understand the life it lived?
“How is your day today, Great One?” Rin breathed.
As usual, no answer returned. Sometimes Rin tried to play both parts and keep the conversation going. She was weary of presuming the god’s thoughts though and made sure not to do it too often.
A large hum reverberated from the majestic beast. Rin thought she could see its eyes fixating on her. But that was silly of course! The Great One had much more important things to occupy itself with than her musings. She swam a little longer, finally feeling the strain of needing to take a breath.
“Thank you for letting me gaze upon you and for blessing us with your gifts,” Rin said. Taking one final look, she turned and propelled towards the surface.
After clothing herself again Rin set out walking down the shoreline. Small crabs scuttled out from the sand that was now heating up and they darted for the water. One baby crab near her foot struggled to escape the dune piled above it. With a small brush of her hand Rin cleared the sand and set it free. Crabs were so interesting to Rin, they led such tough lives. Her grandmother knew all the life forms on the island and made sure to educate Rin about the beings around her. She sifted through the sand as she walked looking for interesting shells or debris. Anything that looked worthy would be brought back home where her grandmother could inspect it with her.
Up ahead the man she had presumed to be elderly, was no longer far off. Closer up, he didn’t look old at all. He appeared very muscular, handsome, and charming (spoiler that man is me). Okay, okay, fine. He appeared to be a little stout with very smooth, almost fluid-like movements. His long hair was tied back in a fashion that was similar to elderly traditions. Long sleeves and pants surrounded him and a wide hat rested lightly on his head.
Once the man drew near she called out “Hello, sir.”
The man turned, the way water swirls to the sides when you drag a paddle through it. Rin noticed his skin tone to be very pale. He would most certainly burn if he were to walk shirtless.
“What’s your name?” she asked.
“Yevriyel, but you can call me Yev,” I answered. “What is your name?”
“My name is Rin. Yev… Yev,” she said a couple times, digesting the name. “Where are you from Yev?”
“My home is called Threnody.”
Rin had never heard of the place. “Okay, Yevriyel of Threnody. Tell me about yourself.”
“I… what do you want to know?”
“Whatever you are willing to share.”
I proceeded to babble on about some realism non-sense sounding theory relating the universe.
When I finally stopped, Rin asked, “But what about you? That sounds great and all, but tell me about yourself.”
I paused to think before starting up again. “Well… I like food, and I like walking. Do you enjoy walking Rin?”
“Yes, I do.”
We walked and talked. Well, mostly I talked, but she liked to listen so we made a good pair. I talked of books and foods. She talked of the isles, her homeland. I explained why sunny days were much, much, better than rainy days, and Rin listened patiently only to refute every point I had just made.
I told her of all the people I had met in my travels, “…I had visited a city where everyone was afraid of the light and lived completely in shadows. It was funny because when I first arrived, all I wanted was to leave. But after meeting some good friends, I now often long to return. I always find it amazing how you’ll never know how much someone will end up meaning to you when first meeting.”
“Mmmm. I really like that idea too. Though I haven’t met nearly as many people as you have.”
We had reached the end of the beach. Rin looked apologetic, “I’m sorry to cut you off Yevriyel. It has been very nice getting to know you, but I must return home now.”
“Yes, I also must be on my way shortly.” The overhead sun beating down was relentless. “I enjoyed this very much. We will have to walk again, Rin, and continue this conversation next time we meet.”
Rin grinned, nodding before bidding farewall and roving back the way we came.
1411 words
Aug 15, 2023
all-stories