Last week kicked off a plethora of changes – I’m leaving an entire ecosystem I’ve known for twenty years, I’m tired and grumpy, and MidJourney’s not working – so just a snippet tonight from something I’ve been playing with.

***

Cheruson twirled the nanoboard with casual grace, muscles flashing in his arms and bare chest. “How do I know you won’t renege on the deal and leave me behind?”

Isolita ignored the samurai and dove into the harbor’s muddied waters, surfacing only to slick her hair back. Her own ‘bots fused her legs together into the powerful tail. She used it to splash him in the face. “I make no promises if you won’t even get in the water.”

A swift crouch, and he was dipping a toe into the water, his tight breeches splashed dark from the sea at the ankle and face dripping. “It’s a reasonable question. My prowess is on land.”

She turned her head and looked toward the Sea Arc, hidden beneath the gnarly waves. “You hired me for a job, and I need what your employer will provide.”

“Ah,” he said softly, barely audible over the rippling rhythm of the tide. “I’ve impugned your honor.”

She flipped her tail and bobbed high in the water, shoulders rolling with apprehension. She’d come to Atlantia to save her sister from the wasting disease, not to sell her soul to corporations or enable the downfall of her king. “I’ve no honor left.”

Lita dove into the waves and surfaced nine feet later, disenchanted and unsurprised to find Cheruson beside her on his nanoboard. “Keep up.”

***

This week’s prompt was from Becky Jones: “Dude! Those waves are gnarly!

My prompt went to Padre: “Don’t worry, it’s just one of our traditional Scottish water ghosts. Enjoy your stay!”

See more at MOTE.