---

Lost again, in currents unending and languid -

Drifting.

Strange were the dreams that undid her soul;

Stranger was the brine, that now caressed her cheeks and rolled over her in waves upon waves of cold, cold warmth.

She let herself fall.


Mama - ! called a little girl in the wake of the sea.

Mama! There is an island over there!

A seagirl dared herself to remain in the safer shallows. Stepping in, out. In, out. A foolish dance to tempt the waves, only to flee in fear when the foam attacked her back.

Mama, the waves want to eat me!

And thus came the reply - A-Jing, careful now! Do not try to go to the island! It is dangerous!

But the girl was not yet a yearling and ignorant as a result. When the inevitable happened and the ocean dragged her a little too far, Mama did what she did best, and rushed to return her to the shore.

And A-Jing did not go to the island.


Mama - ! called a big girl in the wake of the sea.

Mama! There is an island over there!

A seagirl dared herself to dive above and under the water. Jumping up, down. Up, down. A foolish dance to embrace the waves, but no longer was there a confused panic when the foam attacked her back.

Mama, the waves want to eat me!

And thus came only silence. No one was left to tell her of the dangers.

But the girl was only a yearling and still ignorant as a result. When the inevitable happened and the ocean dragged her way too far, there was no Mama to save her from the seas.

And in that moment, she made her resolve to go to the island. For should she die - who was there to stop her, who was there to grieve? Nobody.

And in that moment, A-Jing drowned.

And in that moment, Lujing emerged.