If the sand would stop its shifting, he’d be glad for it. But when the sea came in and pulled pieces away, he would lose his progress and have to start all over again, and get a nose full of seawater to boot. Which, wasn’t the greatest feeling in the world, and especially when he could feel the grains of salt and sand sticking to his nostrils.

Richter sneezed, using one leg to rub his nose and only succeeding in inhaling more seawater. Another sneeze rocketed from his nose, this one louder and a touch honk-ish. With an aggrieved sniffle, he looked back down at his work. The large conch was half buried even still, and the saturated sand around it playfully tried to pull it deeper. A vehement snarl broke from his chest, as he bowed his legs and got to work all over again. The ocean was coming, and he absolutely needed this shell. Right now. As in, now now. Finally, he unearthed enough to grab with his teeth, and brace for the ocean to slap him straight across the face. Which it did. With a vengeance. Blinking saltwater from his eyes, Richter hauled the large, pink-peach shell from its resting place, streaming saltwater and sand. It was perfect, and he was as gentle with it as he would be with a child. He hobbled a few steps forward, careful as anything, before he scoped the beach to find his companion. He just had to see this.

’rroa! His voice may have been muffled by the shell, but it was still loud enough to carry in the cove they’d found themselves in.