" Nickolai laughed for a second and then turned to Furry." Nickolai laughed for a second and then turned to Furry. "We walked all that way for nothing?" "Not for nothing," Michelle interrupted her response. "Walking with someone is a wonderful way to spend a day. And it teaches you a lot about what that someone is like." Michelle looked up at Nickolai and said, "You're not a Pendorian, are you?" "My accent gives me away?" he asked. "Not really. More just the way you stand." There was a crashing sound above them and the Mephit came down onto the sand. "Aaden, come here and meet Jofuran and Nickolai." The Mephit walked over and stood next to the Centaur. "Hi," he said, a little abashedly. "Don't mind him. He's not used to visitors." "Ken's fault," he said. "Is not," the Centaur shot back. The both exchanged smiles, as if sharing a common joke. Nickolai was a little embarrassed by the display, as if he were watching something private and personal. He also felt a little surprised by how normal these two Pendorians seemed. Aaden was exceptionally muscular, the apparent result of regular exercise, but both he and Michelle struck him as "just people". "So," Aaden said, "Are you two thirsty?" "I am," Michelle said. "So one way or another I'm going to get a drink." She took a few steps down the beach, looked back, waved an arm and said, "Well? Come on!" Aaden looked at the two of them, shrugged and said "Let's go." He followed the steps of the Centaur, and Nickolai and Furry followed. She walked over to the lake and sighed. "You know," she said, turning to Aaden, "I hate this part." Taking a deep breath, she splashed into the water and disappeared under the surface. Aaden followed. "Well?" Furry asked. "Well, what?" "You first." "Me?" he complained. "Why me?" "Because I want to make sure you go." Nickolai looked around and dropped his pack on the ground. He debated taking off his clothes, but he recalled that neither Aaden or Michelle had taken off anything they had been wearing. He shrugged and dove in. The water was cool, but not uncomfortably so. In front of him he saw a white circle, glowing faintly. He swam forward into it, and suddenly he found himself standing in a room with Aaden and Michelle. |