Living alone, Gear grew up with the legends of the sea, learning the dangers and wonders. What happens though, when she discovers information lost to time.
- Art of any characters other than myself were made by the amazing CreepyPSo -
Things are slow going at first. We ask simple questions like interests and what our daily lives look like. Nothing becomes to detailed or in depth until I ask one question in particular. "Where can I find other coast monsters like you?" He hesitates for a particularly long time before responding. "I'm not sure if I should answer that. I might get in trouble if the others figure out that I told a human where they live." I nod in understanding, reassuring him that he doesnt need to answere me if he isn't comfortable doing so.
"Guess I'll just have to do it the old fashioned way and look for them myself." Smiling warmly, I imagine what it will be like to find others and talk with them. Outs shakes his head, "I don't think you should. I wasn't kidding when I said humans aren't supose to be in these waters." I scorn in disappointment and determination. I don't care what the rules are, I just have to explore. "Sorry Outs, but I'm exploring no matter what you say. For I, Gear Time, am determined to meet new coast monsters." With that, I surface for a gulp of air and dive down to the entrance that I originally came through.
"Bye Outs! It was nice meeting you!" I wave as I swim out of the cave, anxious to explore further. I consider eventually exploring deeper waters, planning to stick to the shadows. However, I decide against it, knowing I most likely wouldn't be fast enough to out swim an attacking deep sea monster. Most monsters of the deep were known to be fairly good swimmers, and their dark colors make it easier for them to blend in and hide in the shadows. Any deep see monster with lighter colors was at a huge disadvantage in such a hostile environment.
Exploring the coast, I investigate the coral reefs and watch as fish of great variety swim about. I can name almost every type that passes by, as well as any other creatures living among the coral. However, something catches my eye from around the corner of a large segment of coral and rock. It had looked like a large tail fin reminiscent of what a deep sea monster would have. Slowly approaching the rocks, I peek between a gap and find the source of the fin I saw.
They looked amazing. Their main fin resembled that of a paint brush's bristles. The tail had faint colors leading up to translucent white. Despite being a deep sea monster, he appeared to be wearing clothes that follow the "dress code" of coast monsters. Looking at his torso, black marks covered his ribs and upper arms. Black fins with white tips seemed to be on the sides of his head.
As I continued watching, he didn't do much and thankfully didn't turn around. However, as if I was living in a story with cliches, I accidentally caused a rock to fall forward. It didnt cause much sound to my relief, but it disrupted a school of fish that began swimming hastily away in shock. They turned around, looking directly at me. I ducked down in fear, but slowly peeked out again due to curiosity getting the better of me. It was only now that I noticed the chain.
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Swimming back a bit in shock, I become more on guard than before. If he is chained up, it has to be for good reason. As I'm considering weather or not to swim away, he continues to watch me. His stare is blank and empty. A shiver goes down my spine, my curiosity dulling some of the fear. However, a hand grabs my wrist and pulls me back and away from them.
I turn around in shock to see a coast monster pulling me. I tilt my head and open my mouth to speak, only to be interupted by them. "You shouldn't be near him. Infact, you shouldn't be anywhere near here." I pull my arm free with ease and back away from them. "You can't tell me what to do. I'm not like most humans. You can trust me." They shake their head, reaching for my wrist again, only for me to dodge. "You need to go. It's against the rules for you to be here."
Swimming away, I head back in the direction we came from. I don't plan on backing down as easily as he is hoping. I pass the monster from before, hiding behind a rock. The blue one shows up, keeping his distance from the other. Thankfully, they don't give my location away and the blue one doesn't even ask if they saw me. Once they leave, I come out of hiding and thank them for not ratting me out. "Name's Gear. I should probably go, but expect to see me again." I wink and begin to leave until they speak up and I stop. "Name's Ink." I turn around one last time before leaving. "Pleasure to meet you Ink." And with that, I finally leave.
Returning to Reaper, he asked how everything went. I kept things rather vague and only mentioned Outs and Ink, leaving out the blue one since he tried to stop me from exploring. Reaper warns me about Ink, and how he can be unpredictable. Nodding, I go about my day setting things up around the cave to make things more comfortable for myself. I make a mental list of things I should go gather, like berries, nuts, and various herbs for both food and healing.
Getting my bag, I pack it with some jars and close it. I then change from my coast monster based outfit, to my standard swim wear. Esencially a one piece suit with short sleeves and short legs of reasonable length. Exiting my room, as I have decided to call it, I explain to Reaper what my next plans are and dive into the water as he nods.
