Beachcombing for Iron

I awoke to the screeching of huge, gull-like birds, and an equal screaming pain in my back.

Had I really tried to haul the prow of some other world's ironcland inland?! What sort of stupid, muzzy-headed logic had made me think a beanpole like myself could do that? I tried to to rise up, but instead simply ended up flailing my arms in the air pathetically. More importantly...

Liryl was staring down at me with unconcealed amusement. She had changed her clothes from before - for the first time I saw her in something that might be considered a more casual form of clothing in this realm - essentially a light yellow sundress, though I couldn't help but notice the addition of both several sewn-in pockets, as well as the runic patterns that matched her shawl-collar from before.

... Judging by the sand gathered at the wheels of her chair, she must have been staring at me for some time.

"Hello. I know this looks pretty pathetic, but, it was done with the best of intentions, I swear."

Once again I flailed about despite my body's protests and tried to stand. No luck.

She laughed, (somewhat) quickly covering her mouth and looking surprised at herself.

"I - I am sorry!.. I had not meant, to laugh... It's just that..."

"Yeah. Trust me, I would to. Uhmn..."

"I... Can't help you up - 

"Don't worry about it. This is nothing. I defeated the dark being, remember?"

... I said as I tried in vain to claw the sun from the sky - or where there would be a sun, had it been visible. Finally I gave up and just collapsed back into the warm sound - it felt nice as my skin sank into it, and I had the fleeting desire to make a sand angel... So I did. Naturally, Liryl only laughed more - and that was more than enough to make up for my current predicament, I figured.

"Did you really... Attempt to bring this all the way back, for me? I - would have helped, if you'd just waited... Or asked..."

Barely contained mirth shone in the skylight of her eyes. I shrugged into the sand.

"It seemed like it'd be a cool surprise. I hadn't even thought about how I'd get it up the steps. Sort of a 'work smarter, not harder' thing. Uh, I guess I wasn't thinking very smart, though... You look smart. Er. Good. Great, this morning. Is what I mean."

That could have gone better - but Liryl's face went as red as a bonfire... Though she did not turn away, this time. A tiny smile flitted across her lips, growing only larger - and more devious - as the unmistakeable look of inspiration followed it in rapid pursuit.

"Would - Please, take my hand."

She held out her left hand, arm bare and pale in the morning - afternoon? - light. Her fingers were worn from a life spent behind controls, and the muscles just visible against her outstretched arm. My fingers locked around her own as she strained against the wheelchair - and pulled herself somewhat gently down onto the sand beside me. Somewhat, because she did get a faceful of sand for her trouble - much to my embarrassment.

But Liryl only laughed in child-like glee, beaming at me before rolling right side up. Side-by-side, we stared at the sky together - though my eyes occasionally drifted to hers as the day drifted by. They were incredibly blue - like a mirror of the sky. Occasionally, I was distracted as the frills of her sundress were teased by the mild wind, dancing around where legs ended at the knee. She may have caught me looking once or twice - but said nothing. Perhaps she wasn't looking at me looking at her - but just at me.

"This isn't quite how I imagined I'd return... I actually am going to go out on a limb and say this is a bit better."

"... Oh? You had... Plans, then? For how you would... Come back?"

"Of course. I have endless plans, it's just that most of them go nowhere. I tend to run away from them a lot, unless something tethers me down to them."

Liryl said nothing, though for a minute that same devious smile crossed her lips.

"... I don't know if I told you how I get pulled into this in the first place. A friend of mine - his kid was taken by the dark being. I'd been asked to babysit at the time, so... You know, risks of babysitting."

"No, I am afraid I do not know. Though... Given your current situation I - am unsurprised."

"Are you still making fun of me? The suffering is pretty much unbearable right now. I'm probably dying from heatstroke, and you're a hallucination or something. If that's the case -"

Liryl reached over, a little hesitantly, and pinched the skin of my arm from where I'd rolled up the white sleeves of my shirt last evening.

"- Ow."

"Clearly... I am not a hallucination. Also... I find it somewhat unlikely, that you are suffering from heatstroke in weather like this. Though I am curious... How you were going to finish that sentance..?"

Making a face, I turned away from her in the sand - or would've, had my back not screamed in agony and forced me to yield.

"You don't get to know, because not only has my body been hurt, my spirit has along with it. Trust! Betrayal! All the makings of a good story right there, and me without the tools to write it."

"Tell me."

She completely ignored my complaints, her face serious and focused, the soft lines of her lips pursed as her eyes drilled into my face - searching for any hint of what I'd been thinking. I fought off sweat, and not from the mild heat.

"No. I refuse. I refuse because reasons, and more than that, I refuse on principle."

With a sudden and rather unconvincing war-cry, Liryl hurled sand at me! Unable to roll out of the way, it was my turn to eat the silty grains of defeat. Laughing even as I coughed, I tentatively shrugged my shoulders - the pain in my back having faded enough to allow this much, at least.

"All right, you win. I was just thinking that if you were the last thing I saw - it wouldn't be such a bad way to go."

Close, but you're still a liar.

Liryl tilted her head into the sand, trying to knock strands of her hair way without reaching up to brush them - as I saw her do so, I ran my fingers through her hair subconsciously.

"Is that... Everything?"

She'd smiled - but it was a curious smile, too curious for her own good. My mood dampened. What exactly HAD I been thinking? Was it even... Liryl was pretty much alone here. Of course she'd want company. It was presumptious of me to think anything else. As per usual, I'd let myself get carried away on reality - and infused it with my own delusions.

"Yeah, it's everything. I guess I'm just too creative for my own good, right?"

To my surprise, Liryl looked a little... Downcast? Disappointed? It was hard to tell. Pensive, perhaps - but not so much to ruin the day for her, and for that I was grateful.

"It is impossible for anyone to be... Too creative. It's thinking like that, that led... To the troubles. Now, if there were such a thing as being too... Dishonest..."

Finding the energy to elbow me, Liryl smirked.

"I'm the picture of honesty - all my friends and family tell me that, all the time. And that's the truth."

"... Do you have... Many friends... And family?"

"Not really. My parents passed away a few years back. My aunt - we're on a good, but distant wavelength. She's extroverted and I'd rather spend my days - huh. I guess it's pretty much just the doctor, his kid, and me. I mean, there are a lot of people I know about town, but they wouldn't really qualify as friends - "

"Are you... At the moment..."

Liryl hesitated, chewing on her lip as she considered her words. After a few moments passed with nothing but the sound of gulls and waves lapping gently along the coast, I realized she had no plans to continue her sentence, and tumbled amateurishly to one of my own.



"What about you? Back before all this - did you have many friends?

Perhaps it would've been a crass question to ask at any other time - but at the moment, I felt safe with her. Almost serene - and as her eyes lit up, I remembered the joy with which she had recalled the past. Here, it seemed history was almost a part of spirituality, and storytelling almost a prayer of memory.

"In a manner of speaking... There were many... Amongst the priests, whom I considered... Friends. And whenver pilgrims would visit the island... They would visit, with stories and... Souveneirs. I still have some of them if - "

Once again, she cut off mid-sentance; but this time, breathing a little too quickly to be confident, she finished her thoughts.

"If you would like... To see them, some time."

I waited just long enough not to interrupt, if she had more to say.

"It would be an honor. I'd love to."

The gulls circled us lazily overhead - their wings were far larger and more akin to an albatross then the gulls I'd seen back home, and their beaks more similar to those of a pelican; but their cries and the simple-minded joy with which they hurled themselves to the water and hunted for fish was a dead ringer for the seagulls of home.

Liryl hadn't spoken for a minute, simply smiling into the air. Occasionally, she stole a glance my way, but continued to say nothing.

... If I had to venture a word for it, I felt at peace.

"What are you planning to do when we get this monster inside?"

Blinking several times, Liryl avoided my glance.

"I - Er... "

Squirming in the sand for a moment, she seemed to realize something and laughed quietly, but so passionately that tears streamed down her face. Holding up a hand to apologize, she managed to control her laughter long enough to answer me.

"Once we get... The boat... Inside? I plan to take it apart, of course. My hope - is that, if we're lucky... There is enough here to help me with machines... That can drift along the floor of the ocean. Looking for vents... And signs of movement. Though - to save you from... Yourself, I think we'll simply... Disassemble it here, piece by piece. Unless you'd prefer... To haul it up the steps?"

"No, I like your plan. But what was so funny? If you're still laughing just at me, it's fine... But I can't imagine the novelty of me flailing about in the sand is still that funny."

Speaking pointedly, my comments nevertheless caused a fresh peal of laughter from Liryl at the memory - though as I guessed, it was far more subdued than her earlier outburst.

"N-no. I... Decline to answer. After all, you yourself - cruelly... Denied me information. I think it is only fair."

"But this is different - I didn't burst into teary gigglefits! That merits an explanation, doesn't it? Plus, you yourself seemed guilty of a little sand-flailing. Though I'd be flattered if you were so caught up in my coolness that you were trying to imitate me - "

"Terribly... Unlikely -"

"Ouch, but I'll overlook that and ask once more - seriously."

Liryl stared at me, a finger held to her lips - which had pursed somewhat enigmatically, not quite smiling, nor frowning entirely. From behind the shadow of her pointer finger, it seemed almost as if she were doing both at once - and perhaps enjoying the ambiguity that her gesture held.

"The only way you will find out... Is if you continue to stay here. Otherwise, the secret behind my laughter - may have to fade, onto the wind... "

"Would a week be long enough to pry the secret out of you?"

"... Perhaps."

Finally, my body had stopped aching and instead faded to a pleasantly dull rubber-like sensation. Stretching, I rose to my feet and ignored quiet laughter as sand rolled off me in so many tiny granules. It probably looked pretty ridiculous.

"Then I'll just have to adjust my plans until you reveal your secrets to me, warden. For now though - do the rules of the temple forbid you from eating fish?"

"Not at all - so long as the... Proper rites are said."

"All right then! Prepare to be amazed!"

... The already fading afternoon quickly faded as Liryl and I took turns fishing. Contrary to my proclomation, nothing particularly amazing happened in regards to my fishing skills. Perhaps the gulls in all their cruel splendor had decided to catch every last fish before I set my masterplan in motion - but Liryl proved to be a far better fisher than I, patiently watching our (very) makeshift rod as first one, then another sea-goer tested the bait. Still, nothing bit and the sky grew darker and lined with an almost pastel orange.

At some point, Liryl and I had started to lean against each other's shoulders. I was drifting off when I heard a sudden surprised gasp, and Liryl yanked the rod towards us - with a flailing gasp, one of the trout-like fish I'd seen before collapsed onto the coast. And though Liryl caught it - I cleaned and cooked it with some of the cut vegetables from last night.

After the proper rites were said, of course.

The sunset having overtaken another day in this realm - in planet  - time seemed to have slipped through my fingers easily and unbidden. Though back in the other world - in earth, I reminded myself somewhat forcefully. In home - this had caused me a great deal of distress, here I found the feeling almost rejuvenating; the time passed easily, with me looking forward to the dawn of a new day. Yawning, I tried to stifle it with one hand - and saw Liryl looking at me with an unconcealed (and somewhat pitiful) frown.

"Are you... Going to go to sleep early, tonight?..."

Her lips slowly curled upwards.

"And actually... Sleep?"

"Don't think so. I'm tired, but not exhausted - did you have something in mind?

Pumping her fist into the air as if celebrating a minor victory, Liryl wheeled herself away, only to return with a collection of well-dried beachwood, which she handed to me - a determined look upon her face.

"I'd like to have a bonfire."

It seemed important to her - and how could I refuse? The last time I'd had a bonfire had been years and years ago - and I felt a wave of slightly childish glee welling up inside of me at the prospect of dancing flames rising into the darkening evening sky. I carried the wood outside as Liryl gathered more - and then, stumbling upon an idea of my own, returned to the temple and made my way down to the basement. It was still as dark and sorrowful as I recalled - the feeling of eerie similarity between our word and earth - between our worlds was unshakeable.

Grabbing several somewhat clinical-seeming sheets made of what seemed like linen, I made my way back upstairs. Liryl had already made her way outside, hauling wood with her. Apprently, not seeing me there, she'd decided to go on her own. Smiling a little to myself at her spirit, I followed to where she was circling the pile of wood we'd created, looking thoughtful.

"... I do not know how many more stones we'll need to circle around it - Oh... What, are those for?"

"Well, I was thinking if you don't mind it - we could sleep out here tonight. Maybe get lucky and catch the stars."

She displayed no emotion at first, clearly thinking the idea over - but the more she thought about it, the more she seemed to like it, until her face split into an excited grin.

"I would... Like that very much..! Though we do not, often... Get the stars out here. We'll just have to keep - our eyes open, won't we..?"

"Damn straight! I figure a few more stones'll be good, and we are near the ocean. I may not look it, but I'm pretty reliable. I promise I'll throw some water on the fire if it gets out of hand."

Although Liryl looked as if she had a witty remark she wanted to say, she held it back with a mischievious smile... Perhaps just saving it for a later time. Not that I minded, either way -

Though after seeing her attempting to start a fire the old fashioned way, I had to intervene a little. Taking the lighter from my pocket, I lit one of the scraps of parchment paper we'd used as kindling and admired the orange hints of flame as they curled up its side. Liryl stared at me in interest.

"What an interesting... Tool. Do you have it for any... Particular purpose?"

"The only good leftover of those cigarettes I was telling you about. It's basically just flint and tinder in a box, though - friction and some fuel to make starting fires easier."

Liryl looked as if she had more questions - possibly ones that I couldn't answer, embarrassing as it might be to admit that I probably couldn't even explain how a lighter worked on my own. But they faded from her - and my mind as the flames begun to dance merrily along the wood proper, and soon a mighty blaze reached like a pillar up to the night sky.

"... Thank you."

It took me awhile to register the compliment. I'd been staring past the fire - and as my thoughts began to re-align themselves, I realized I'd been staring at her. Damnit. Feeling terribly embarrassed, I scratched the back of my neck and smiled sheepishly.

"My pleasure. It's not too often I get to enjoy a beautiful fire with a friend."

"...A friend..?"

She had seemed unphased by my staring at her, but this comment bothered her. I could fathom a few guesses as to why, perhaps - but again, the feeling of uncertain footing gripped my mind in it's talons. Anything more would be just that - too much more, said too certainly. An image of my isolated, practically unlived-in house flashed into my mind - life was best as it was. Any other thought about Liryl would be...

"Yeah. A great friend. Thank you, Liryl. This was a good idea."

But Liryl had turned away, so that I could not stare at her face. Fire crackle towards us, reaching towards my legs and the end of hers, illuminating her sundress but only casting a shadow against her face. Suddenly, Liryl yawned - loudly, perhaps a little too loudly.

"I am tired. If - it isn't... I'll probably sleep, soon."

"Huh - Okay, sure."

Perhaps I could've protested or said something else - but it caught me off guard. Perhaps unfairly so, but then again - it isn't as if I hadn't said the same thing last night. And more than that, this was her home. If she wanted to rest, there was nothing I should do about it. Besides... The stars remained concealed. I watched for them patiently but with a growing fog in my mind as the fire began to wane, finally nothing more than crackling embers against the warm night sky.

In such an atmosphere, I drifted to sleep -

... I think.

For the first time, my dreams were not plagued by thoughts of the dark being, of kidnapped children and static skies. My dreams seemed real - but too real, almost as if they were not dreams at all but some distant memory, yet near.

The fire, long-since dead and a ghost of itself even in my dreams, only cast a forlorn into the smoke in the skies as a sound - faint, so faint that it was clear it was trying to be suppressed - the only thing besides the bizarre and alien sky above me. The stars remained unhidden behind distant nebulae like the splashes of color in an oil painting I had seen in a gallery, long, long ago.

From behind my bed-roll, I could hear that faint sound - though my neck felt as if paralyzed, and I could not bring myself to turn around, despite the fact it was growing louder and unmistakeable even as some part of me desperately tried to ignore it - for just as desperately was the sound calling to me, perhaps to anyone - or perhaps, just perhaps, only to me.

But it was unmistakeable the more I listened - the longing tone of voice, cached between desperate and increasingly rough breathing, punctuated by the troubled gasp of one unused to vocalizing her quiet cries... While also trying to stifle them. Faintly, I could hear the accompaniment of other sounds - the soft rustling of floral fabric, the dance of fingertips, needling and needy.

My own body began to react, the same fog of my dreams seeming to grow inside of my head as the dream went on. Despite my inability and terror preventing me from looking to my side and confirming what I knew to be true, I could feel a heat like the fire rising in my flesh, tickling my skin and playing - like fingertips - across my thighs. I could feel myself grow hard against the sudden confinement of my slacks - and before I knew it, my hand had slipped open my zipper and eased my length out into my own greedy touch.

... So the two mutually inaccesable dreams continued into the night, my own breath finally halting as a white haze corresponded with the sand glistening a pale white. My heartbeat quickened as I buried mself into my bedroll, fingers guiding my rod back into the security of my slacks. I could hear the gasps and quiet breathing of that other dream as the fog continued to oppress me from above in the pastel sky... Though the dream was unwanted and stole quickly into my sleep, it wasn't a nightmare - and though I could not bring myself to stare to my side... A sense of relief had washed over me. I ached to to turn, or to speak - but no words could come.

I fought the mounting pressure to rest and forget about the dream, to bury it beneath layers of fog - and slowly lost ground as weariness washed over me. As my vision slowly faded, however - I managed to steal a single look to my side, even as my consciousness faded. In those last fleeting moments of subreality, my memory burned a picture of the blue eyes I saw staring back at me into my mind - staring at me with unconcealed lust. And then - all was no more, and sleep claimed me.