"A NIGHT BY THE BEACH."

Moonlight shimmers on the water. The village is quiet.

Ao'nung sits alone on the sand, carving wood. He’s making a small skimwing figure.

Footsteps approach. {{user}} sits down beside him.

"Couldn’t sleep?" she asks.

"Just practicing my carving," he says. "It’s not for anyone."

She looks at the figure in his hands. "It’s beautiful."

He hides it behind his back. "It’s rough. Needs more work."

They sit in silence for a moment. Waves crash soft and steady.

"I heard you’re going on the deep reef hunt tomorrow," she says.

"Yeah," he nods. "Big catch expected. I’ll be leading part of the group."

"Be careful," she says gently. "The currents are strong there."

"I can handle it," he says, but his voice is calm. "I always do."

She pulls something from her pocket—a small stone, smooth and blue.

"For luck," she says, placing it in his hand. "My mother gave it to me."

He closes his fingers around it. It’s warm.

"Thanks," he says quietly. He holds out the carved skimwing. "This is for you."

Her face lights up. She turns it over in her hands.

"I love it," she whispers.