[Courtship] Chase Me Through The Waves

The first rays of sun reached down in thin beams, and their bright net of light shifted on the sand with the movement of the waves. It was a little early for breakfast with the water still chilly from the night, but Paddle was already sifting through the blanket of sea grass. She was almost always in a good mood, but today had her particularly lively. She lifted her snout from the sandy ground and made a plan for the day, still chewing on the bits of vegetation between her bristles.

She drifted left and right as the current of the crashing waves above tugged at her. She still wanted to go ashore and dig in the sand for shells and trinkets. Sunbathing would do nicely at early noon when the rocks had enough time to soak in the heat of the day. In between that, she'd like to trail along the shores and see if anyone was up and visiting the beaches. The rest she'd decide when she got there.

With early snacks checked off her list and a vague schedule in mind, she spun in a small circle and swam toward the shallow coral reef. Paddle skimmed close to the ground, weaving between sharp rocks and intricate corals. An assortment of vibrant fish fled into small caves and crevices as she swam by, but soon enough returned to their morning routine.

A shadow in the corner of her eye made her slow her already leisurely pace until she stopped. She felt watched. Not just observed by morays and crabs hidden in tunnels in the rock, but actively watched.

She wasn't concerned about sharks, nor would large predators like aristonectes fit in these shallow waters. The gaze persisted on her as gentle pressure and her curiosity won her over. Her long neck curved in a slow, cautious arc as she turned her head to look. To her unbridled joy, her eyes didn't meet a scary predator, but another atopo.

Back to high spirits, she closed in on the stranger who was watching her between branching red corals. She tilted her head, giving the other atopo a once over before getting near snout-to-snout with them in a heartbeat. The other atopo's feather-covered body was a pleasantly dark monochrome colour, soft in shade even, but what caught Paddle's eyes was her white face that softened with a light pink hue. Their pale eyes met and they stood still like that for a moment.

Then Brimby smiled at Paddle, and Paddle smiled back.

Forgetting her own plans, Paddle was gripped with the whim to play. Holding her gaze she slowly spun upside down. Her grey eyes on Brimby's blue ones accompanied by the same wide smile.

There was just a moment of confusion before Brimby opened her mouth in a silent laugh. Struck with Paddle's contagious whimsy, she did the same and spun upside down, shedding tiny stray bubbles caught in her feather coat.

The bubbles rose towards the water surface in jittery lines, and Paddle's attention drifted away, caught by the motion. She watched the air rise till she lost them in the patterns of sunlight webbing the waves above. With just a quick glance at Brimby she spun right-side-up and swam up towards the sunlight where the bubbles vanished.

Glancing back she was happy to see Brimby follow her. With the other atopo in pursuit, she tested a theory and picked up the pace towards the surface, and her follower did the same.

Before breaching into air, Paddle dipped downward again. The switch in direction was sudden enough that Brimby failed to slow down when she saw Paddle spin around and come right back towards her.

Nudging against Brimby's side when she darted past her, Paddle challenged her to keep up and catch her. With that the game began, and she surged back down towards the sandy ground and tangled corals again.

She startled fish into their hiding spots again as she sped up close to the ground. It might be unfair, but the quills on her lower back discouraged a tackle from behind.

Taking tight turns and slinking over structures without touching them, when Paddle took a turn around the rocky side of the reef, she was met with a now familiar face. Paddle was so preoccupied snaking between coral structures and large porous rocks, she didn't even notice that her pursuer wasn't at her tail anymore.

Brimby had ambushed her from behind the corner and they crashed together. Both of them sank and tumbled to the soft silty ground. Their finned limbs and long bodies were tangled together and dust settled on them, sprinkling them with sand.

She had been actually caught. Paddle couldn't believe it. She was tricked! Outwitted even! She didn't even notice Brimby peel away from the chase to take a shortcut. She couldn't help it, and a soundless giggle rippled through her body.

Brimby squinted at Paddle's perplexed face with triumph and joy. Paddle didn't even have time to smooth her quills when Brimby untangled from her and became the instigator. The black-and-white atopo stormed off and left her stunned.

Shaking off the silt from her hide, her limbs kicked the water in wide arcs and Paddle peeled herself off the sandy floor. It was Paddle's turn to chase. The moment she stretched out and made full use of her tail to paddle after Brimby, she closed in fast.

Brimby took a path upwards again, and picked up the tempo when she realised how quickly Paddle recovered. Trusting that the turbulence caused by the growing waves would slow her down, Brimby stopped ascending just below the ocean surface and skimmed along it with a sturdy pace.

The waves nudged the atopos from front to back, and Brimby's plan seemeded to work out as Paddle struggled to stay on track. Each time she came closer the current tugged her back again. She was hot on her trail, but failed to gain on her.

It was time to turn the tables and return the earlier surprise. Getting a better idea, Paddle fell back momentarily just to use the next push of a wave to surge upward. She launched herself out of the waves. Beads of salt water trailed off her body and caught the dawn's sunlight as sparkling lines, before a wave swallowed her and returned her to sea.

When she entered back into the water, she landed just at the right angle to tackle Brimby from above. A lucky strike, as Paddle was just as surprised to dolphin dive right on top of her as was Brimby.

They collided together and the game of tag came to a halt, as the momentum swept them onto shore. Out of the waters, the atopos broke out into boisterous laughter and giggles, finally hearing each other's voices.

Feeling the wet sand below her, Paddle remembered her plans for today. She considered sharing her plans with Brimby and inviting her to come along.

She'd look forward to dig in the shore's sand together. She'd show her the nicest shells and trinkets, and maybe they get to trade. Lazying about on heated rocks sounded even more appealing after the racing after each other. They could spend the whole day together even if she was up for it.

Paddle smiled at Brimby, and Brimby smiled back.

[1225 words according to Ellipsus]