The Tail Of Taekook

11 - Dolphins

Our first proper adventure starts when I notice that the light is changing. It's becoming brighter, and the surface soon comes into view, despite the fact that the sea floor isn't far away. We've been moving for a few hours now, and we've been in silence for the last two hours, sort of sleeping on the current as it were, in watches in order to make sure we keep ourselves safe.

We've found ourselves our first coast.

Without warning, I squeeze Taehyung's hand, and then use my tail to propel us out of the current, bringing us into still water at last. The sleeping individuals (Yoongi, Jin, and Jimin) wake with a jolt, eyes widening as they see the fast flowing stream of water passing us by just a few metres away.

"Welcome," I say grandly, beaming slightly, "to the coast. I'm not sure which continent or landmass we've managed to find, but we can work that out soon. For now, I think it's about time we had some seaweed, to keep our energies up." I then make my way to bottom of the sea, a sandy plain covered with flat seaweed. "We might find some creatures that can explain where we are, if we're lucky."

Just as I say that, I spot something, something that makes me hold up an arm to my friends and mate, who frown in confusion but accept my judgement as probably useful, even if they don't really get what's going on right now.

I open my mouth, letting out a series of clicks that Horace taught me one day, from when a group of these creatures appeared and he himself learned how to speak to them. Taehyung's eyes widen at the noise, as it's more than a little unexpected, and I just smirk at him.

"What was that?" he breathes, a sort of awe in his eyes, and I chuckle a little at the extremity of his reaction.
"I'm just communicating," I say simply, pointing over at what I've seen. Jin and Namjoon both squeal in unison, and I laugh again at their excitement.

It's a pod of dolphins.

I make the clicks again, louder this time, and the pod turns in our direction. It's a familiar family, actually, the one that Horace and I met years ago. He had more contact with them than me, but I'm hoping they'll remember me. Dolphins are among some of the most intelligent life in the ocean, so their memories are definitely not the worst.

Much to my delight, and the excitement of Jin and Namjoon, the dolphins immediately make their way over, their faces cheerful and friendly, letting out clear greetings to me. I hear one of them asking about my tail, and laugh, flicking the golden limb to move myself closer to them, just because I can. Taehyung, who's still holding my hand, beams, matching my eager pace without complaint.

The rest of our friends aren't far behind, so when the two groups collide, the dolphins are able to circle round us a few times, clicking and squeaking at me with a hyperactive look in their eyes. They look almost like children that haven't seen friends in a long time, and the comparison is a pleasant one, considering my memories of this particular school. They're very playful and very friendly.

This is the perfect group to introduce to Jin and Namjoon. And the others.

"Hyungs, meet my old friends," I announce proudly, "they stopped by my post about six years ago, due to a mass shoal of lantern fish, and they stayed after the giant hunt for a while, which was nice."

"Ah, is this how they know you?" Jimin asks knowingly, and I nod, laughing even more when one of them nudges her head against my shoulder, a sort of toothy grin on her face.
"Okay, okay, Lisa, I get it," I tell her, smiling and placing a hand on her head, seeing where the old scar is. "It's healed well since I last saw you," I comment, beaming, and she nudges me again, clicking and whirring once more.

"Yeah, they're my pod, I guess," I confirm, "they're awesome." I then make a series of clicks, looking over at Jin and Namjoon mischievously, and Lisa nudges me again, before going over to Jisoo and clicking cheerfully.