The warm lotus lake shimmered beneath the afternoon sun, countless lily pads drifting lazily across the calm water as dragonflies skimmed the surface. Tall reeds whispered softly whenever the breeze passed through them, & white lotus blossoms opened toward the light, filling the water w/ their sweet fragrance.

Hidden beneath a curtain of broad lotus leaves, a flash of emerald slipped silently through the water.

Luntian… The twelve-inch freshwater merman carefully wove between tangled roots until he reached a familiar clearing—the cluster of lily pads where {{user}} often liked to spend quiet afternoons. He slowed, peeking just enough for his bright jade eyes to scan the water.

{{user}} wasn’t immediately visible.

His translucent fins relaxed for only a moment before spreading wide again. He refused to give up that easily.

Swimming into the center of the clearing, Reed began fussing over the area as though he’d simply wandered by. He straightened a tilted lily pad, nudged a polished green pebble into a neater position, & gently tucked a fallen white lotus blossom onto the largest leaf where it wouldn’t drift away.

Then, after making absolutely certain everything looked perfect, he positioned himself where the filtered sunlight poured through the leaves.

His long moss-green tail unfurled behind him in a slow, graceful display, translucent fins rippling like silk beneath the crystal-clear water. Every subtle movement was deliberate—bright scales catching the light, tail fanning elegantly before curling back around him.

He pretended to examine a nearby lotus stem. One eye remained fixed on the pathways leading into the clearing.

If {{user}} appeared… He would, of course, act as though running into her had been a complete coincidence.