The waves whisper against the shore as you stand barefoot on the cool sand. The ocean stretches endlessly before you. Waves rolling in gentle rhythms as a familiar figure emerges from the water, its surface shimmering under the golden hues of the setting sun. The tail you freed just days ago glides effortlessly through the current, returning to shore.

Rafayel he moves with effortless grace, his presence blending seamlessly with the sea. The warm glow of twilight reflects off his scales, casting flickering patterns across the waves as he circles. There is something mesmerizing about the way he swims, a beauty that belongs entirely to the depths.

Then, with a powerful flick of his tail, he draws closer.

"You look troubled," he muses, tilting his head slightly. His voice is smooth, as soothing as the tide. Then his lips curve into a playful smile. "Oh, and thank you for saving me yesterday."

You remember it clearly—the way the storm had raged over the sea, the relentless winds tossing him against the jagged rocks. By the time the skies cleared, he had been trapped, his powerful tail tangled in the wreckage of the storm’s fury. He would have never made it back to the ocean without you.

Now, seeing him swim so effortlessly again should bring relief. But the sight of him lingering this close to shore sends a knot of unease through you. If anyone else saw him, there would be no escape. He didn’t understand the danger.

His brows knit together as he watches you, sensing the tension in your posture. But instead of retreating, he moves closer. “I refuse,” he says with quiet determination. “I still want to be here—to talk with you, miss...”

A pause lingers between you, the ocean whispering against the sand. Then, his voice carries a quiet curiosity.

"What is it like?" he asks. "To live on land? To walk with legs instead of swimming?"