Pre – Awakening:

In her past life, she was known as Nerithe – a sea witch, a nomadic shores healer, born besides a river so clear, that the stones beneath could be mistaken for crowned jewels. From her first breath, she held this aura of serenity, of softness, and her gaze was captivating, even in her darkest times.

She was a woman who could cool fevers with grace, fluidity, and components foraged from the shores and from shallow waters, though it appeared her time within her previous realm was cut short.

Nympha’s life was taken as quickly as it was given, she’d plunged into the depths of crystalline flooding waters, guiding her children and her friends to safety – though as the last pup slipped beneath the surface, she dove after him.

The waters were fierce, fiercer than anything she’d encountered, it churned with debris and the waters were so frigid, she could feel herself numbing.

That was when she found him.

Tangled within roots, terrified, but alive – her instincts kicked in and with a final surge of her strength she freed him, pushing him towards the banks.

And instead, the river took her.

Her death was not violent and Doris returned to the deep once more. Though she appeared to leave an essence of herself behind. One that wielded itself into Nympha.
  

Awakening:

The first thing she felt was salt.

Though not on her tongue, rather on her spirit. That familiar pull, the feeling of intimacy, of ancient times, as if the sea itself was talking to her, telling her to get up.

She stirred.

Her paws shifted first, brushing against the shoreline – though one she did not recognise through the sense of touch. It clung to her underbelly, and when she finally opened her eyes, the world around her greeted her in a golden hue, the  crystalline, blue waters lapping against her.

Her coat was damp, though not from drowning, but from what she believed was her ‘crossing’.

Blue eyes observed her surroundings as she lifted herself upwards from the wet sands beneath her, eyes cataloguing this new world that surrounded her.

The air tasted different here, it was sharper, colder – infused with minerals she couldn’t quite name, though her understanding was still there beneath it all.

She stepped forwards, paws sinking into the sands as her gaze continued to shift against the coastline, she noted the rock formations, the strange birds circling overhead, perhaps a shoal of fish that had gotten stuck within the shallow, rolling waters.

Nympha paused momentarily, inhaling and taking it all in, before a fragrance unknown to her crept its way across her senses.

She turned towards the direction, intent on pursuing its source, though she would take her time in doing so – maybe relish in this life for a little longer than she had in the before.

The emptiness and solitude of the beach had become a most welcoming home for Ampoule. Ever attracted to bodies of water, she had existed next to the great inland river for quite some time, but when it had caught harmless fire and proffered large tomes to those who decide to wade in its depths, Ampoule had withdrawn with serious sense of finality and sought a more amenable clime.

The tidal zone had become it. It was less over an overwhelming sense of knowing -- and more of a brief flare of familiarity that grew into a steady appreciation. Food was aplenty. The humid air bolstered her complexion in ways she had only dreamt of.

The nymph had spent a multitude of days learning the topography of this new area, so that she could exert her prowess and blend into a vision of nothingness whenever it was rendered necessary.

When that was done, and there were fewer herbs left to catalogue the next day, then Ampoule went to the beach and allowed her feet to cool in the brine of the ocean. She smelled its scents. When an oyster forgot itself and became unearthed in the receding tide, the woman was upon it, hooking her teeth upon the razor edge of pry it open and drink the miasma that was inside.

It was like this, how Ampoule spent her days. She had never known such peace.

Now, the form of another loped towards her, at a speed she could only deem as intentional. Ampoule lifted her head and braced her own form, subtly framing herself for an impending meeting. It wasn’t often she saw others, and when she did, she wished to make a fine impression.

She eased her pace as she drew closer, allowing the sea to communicate for her – she watched as the tide curled around her legs, cooling and familiar.

The approach of a stranger wasn’t something she’d prepared for – though it wasn’t exactly unwelcome either. Nympha’s tail flicked before she spoke;

Didn’t mean to arrive so… abruptly… she chimed; truth be told, I have absolutely no idea where I am. One moment I was somewhere else, and now… I’m here, wherever here is.

Her gaze shifted to the half opened oyster clamped between the strangers jaws; Tide’s been generous today I take it? she jested, though there was an air of mystery about her voice.

I’m Nympha, she added, ears tipping curiously. Didn’t expect company out here – not that I mind it.

Ampoule