Beach Day

Beach Day!

Through the back door, the warmth of the morning light melts into the living room. Dust particles float around like sediments in the sea. Floorboards grunt under the weighted footsteps of Zevor. The golden light landing on his face.

He exhaled calmly. His white hair touching his shoulders. He swatted a strand of hair away from his eyes and cleared his throat.

Zevor placed a mug of hot coffee down on a small table. The mug tapped lightly on the wooden table. With long black socks on, he ran across the wooden floor and slid.

He stretched.

“Mmh! Good morning Aighmen! Let’s see, what am I doing today?”

Zevor clicked his tongue, “Hmm, seems like…new roads need to be built…mmh na na…duh…the gate! …Right…what about the gate again…hmm…right! Got it.”

Zevor sighed, “A lot to do today. I won’t have time to spend with Kryrella and Zazzory today. They might have to be on their own today.”

Zevor walked to the backdoor and opened it.

The warm heat of the outside sun encapsulated his body.

He inhaled deeply, and softly exhaled.

“Perhaps, I could…nevermind-that wouldn’t work.”

When the wind blew, the trees and grass stretched with Zevor.

Zevor kneeled and leaned over and spoke to the grass, “How nice is it, that you get to have no stress? You grow up but you never have to have any responsibilities. You know, that sounds nice.”

Zevor then rose from his knees and then coughed.

“Mmgh! Well, I have responsibilities of my own to get to, so have a nice day.” He smiled at the grass.

After turning around and walking back inside, the heat from the sun evaporated off his body.

He went back to the small table and picked up his coffee mug.

He gently lifted it from the table and took a sip.

Suddenly, Zevor heard a voice behind him, “Zevor.”

“Oh!” Zevor nearly choked on his coffee. He turned to see Zazzory looking back at him.

With a light pink shirt on and no socks with long, straight, white hair that reached to the middle of her back, she leaned against the stairs. Her pink eyes, with bags underneath.

With a strained and raspy voice, she said to him, “Good morning. I’ve got stuff to do today. I’ve got papers that need to be checked.

“Mhm! And what papers are those?” He lifted his eyebrow.

“It deals with hiring more people for the Sphere Of Shades, plus, it deals with checking in on the Overzereenas and making sure every last one is still accounted for.”

“Mmm, right. Okay well, I can’t stay today either, I have to go down by the castle today and check on the new roads that are being built. And also-there’s the gate-”

“-I know, that’s why I’m offering to take Kryrella with me today.”

“...Really? Why?”

“I just thought that it’d be nice to spend some time with her. I get kinda bored and…” Zazzory shrugged, “…lonely while I’m out. But maybe, after we’re both done, we could all…do something today?”

“Well, what did you want to do?”

“...I’m… not sure. As beautiful as Aighmen is, it’s only so vast. I appreciate the amount of open space there is, but…I’m in the mood for variety.”

“Hmm, that makes sense…” Zevor raised his chin and he stared to the right corner. “Y’know, one thing I always thought seemed fun was how uncle Rhodey described being at the beach. Maybe…maybe that’s something we could try.”

“The beach? You mean…you think we should go today?”

“Why not? The weather seems great and it’d be something different-which is what you wanted.”

Zazzory thought for a minute and then answered mildly, “That’ll be fine. When…should we go?”

“Well, what time do you estimate you’ll be finished by?”

“Sometime this afternoon, if I leave now.”

“...Uhh…okay…okay okay, I should be done by then. Oh, and hey, if you’re taking Kryrella with you, you two should do something together, y’know a sister day.”

“A sister day?” Zazzory said, placing her hand on her chin.

“Yeah. Kryrella loves you Zaz. And I’m sure you love her too.”

“Well, I do. It’s just that, I don’t want to take time away from the beach.”

“-No it’ll be fine. You could also think of it as a way of keeping a close eye on her.”

Zazzory pondered the thought. Her pink eyes sowed to the bottom of her eyelids.

“I guess. But if this is what’s happening. I have to get ready to leave now.”

Zevor finished his coffee and then covered his mouth, then burped, “Oh, excuse me. But…yeah go ahead, go get ready. I’ll wake Kryrella up.”

“Okay.” Zazzory turned back around and walked back up the stairs.

Zevor watched as she went up. Afterwards, he picked up his mug and walked over towards the kitchen and placed it in the sink.

“Today will be a nice day!” Zevor said while wiping his hands on his legs.

Zevor walked up the stairs and turned into a small hallway.

To his left side were three doors. He turned to his left, opened a door in the middle and there Kryrella slept on her large cushion bag.

Her body contoured in such a unique way.

Zevor laughed softly at the sight.

The morning light, like a spotlight in the center of her room.

A lavender blanket over her body. Her frizzled, brown hair sticking out from her blanket.

Zevor tapped her on her back.

“Kryrella, Wake up.”

“Mmnnhh, whaaat?” She said weakly, eyes still closed.

“Get up. You and Zazzory are going out with each other today.”

Kryrella giggled, “Really!?”

“-Yes! But if you want to go, you’re gonna have to get up.”

“Okay fine.” She smiled, her teeth like glowing quartz in the light.

She yawned and stretched.

Her hair, falling off her shoulders.

She rubbed her eyes and opened them with caution.

Her lashes released her deep, purple eyes from the sheaths that are her eyelids.

“Okay, get out. I’m gonna change now.” She said while yawning again.

“Alright! Be ready within…thirty minutes!”

“Okay!” Kryrella shouted, “Now get out!”

“Okay! Okay!” Zevor chuckled and waved, slowly closing the door.

Thirty minutes pass and Zevor, Zazzory and Kryrella get ready to walk out the door.

“W-wait…I’m confused, why am I doing something with Zazzory today. I thought Tyreethyll was usually the one who spends the day with me?” Kryrella asked.

“Tyreethyll is out on a mission with uncle Rhodey again. He won’t be back for a while.” Zevor responded, patting Kryrella on her back.

Zazzory appeared behind them. “That’s why for now, you’re spending the day with me. I don’t have much to do anyway and after I’m done with my work, I’ll take you around the market, maybe we can get something to eat too.”

Kryrella’s face lit up, “That sounds awesome!”

“I figured it would.” Zazzory said, placing her hand on Kryrella’s shoulder.

“Okay, let’s meet back up here and then get ready to go.” Zevor looked at Zazzory.

Zazzory nodded.

“‘Get ready’? For what?” Kryrella asked, her brown hair grazing her cheeks.

“You’ll see.” Zevor said tenderly.

The effulgence of the sunlight scattering off their faces.

The clouds were enormous, stretching across the oceanic sky above, like seafoam.

The golden light of the morning traveled across the sky. Clouds shift their form. Winds were redirected. The sun shone above.

“Okay, well…I’ve had a day!” Zevor leaned over out of breath.

“I think we’ve all had a day, Zevor.” Zazzory exclaimed.

“Oof, well, not to worry, as soon as we get inside and grab what we need, we’ll be on our way!”

“I still don’t know where we’re going!” Kryrella looked over at Zevor.

Zevor stretched, “Mmgh! We are going somewhere fun.”

Kryrella squinted her eyes, “Uh…and that is…?” Kryrella tossed her hand.

Zevor smacked his lips and flicked his wrist, “Oh just get inside!”

“-Fine! …Sorry.” Kryrella lunged inside.

The door frame, like a barrier between the heat from the outside and the cool air on the inside.

“Kryrella-if you would, can you grab a couple bottles of water?”

“-Sure.” Kryrella obeyed, walking towards the kitchen.

“I’m…going to change.” Zazzory said calmly as she pointed towards the stairs.

“-Wait!” Zevor held his arms out, “I got this straw hat for you. I wondered how it’d look on you.”

Zazzory dropped her arms, “Cool well…where is it?”

“It’s in my work room, the one with the three windows. I got it yesterday.”

Zazzory crossed her arms and shook her head, “...Okay…cool…”

…

She shrugged, “...D-do you want me to get it er-”

“-Oh! No, I’ll get it. You can go change.”

“...Thanks.”

“I got the water!” Kryrella projected from the kitchen.

“Good, just place them on the table and go change, ’kay?”

“Okay.” Kryrella placed the bottles down on the small table and went upstairs.

“Da da da, getting her straw hat! …Do do do…ah! There we go!” Zevor sang.

Footsteps from above were muffled.

“Kryrella come here!” Zazzory called.

“-Yeah!?” Kryrella walked out of her room and walked into a door on the far right end.

“-Here…try these.”

“Wha-woah.” Kryrella jolted.

“Good, these sun glasses fit you. Wear them.”

“I…I need these?”

“Yes-you’re going to.”

“...Alright… these feel good on me anyway!”

“Good.”

Kryrella nodded enthusiastically. Her brown hair flung over her forehead.

“Great. You’re done changing?”

“-Yes!”

“Good. Go downstairs and wait for Zevor and I.”

“Okay!” Kryrella smiled happily.

Kryrella bolted downstairs.

She went over into the living room. The backdoor, adjacent to three couches. Kryrella sat on the middle couch against the far back wall.

Tall blades of grass sweep across hills and fields.

In front of Kryrella was a glass coffee table and a small fireplace.

“Mmm!” Kryrella kicked her legs up.

She pulled her sunglasses down, “What? What’re you starin’ at huh?” Kryrella said, looking at her reflection on the glass table.

Her freckles distorted in the reflection.

“Kryrella, who are you talking to?” Zevor asked with a peppered look.

“Myself!...” Kryrella yelled back without removing her gaze from her reflection, “That’s right, you can’t go anywhere without me!”

Zevor stared at Kryrella then suddenly snickered. The snicker then trickled into a chuckle.

Kryrella’s head jolted, her hair flicking her in the face, “What!?”

“Oh! Ah! Hah! Nothing-n-nothing!” He continued laughing hysterically.

“Put-put your sunglasses on and let’s go. Come on Zazzory!”

“-I’ll be down in a bit!” Zazzory called from upstairs.

Zevor continued his uncontrolled laughter, “Ah! Ha ha ha! Ha-”

-Outside, the wind was still. Trees were stationary. The air was hot and dense.

Heat waves hover over grassy hills, wrapping Zevor, Zazzory and Kryrella in a blanket of sweat.

The wind sat on the leaves of isolated trees.

The sun covered the sky with its rays like arms.

The sky, it’s blue light, bright and hyper-saturated.

“Ugh! It’s so hot! Please someone just tell me where we’re going!” Kryrella fused.

“Kryrella…” Zevor sighed, “Just be patient please. We’re almost there.”

“Here, have a water.” Zazzory reached in a bag over her shoulder and pulled out a cloudy water bottle.

“Thanks!” Kryrella gripped it tightly and opened it vigorously. The cap fell and Kryrella poured the water over her arms.

“-No to drink!” Zazzory scolded.

“I’m sorry but it’s hot!”

“Kryrella, we’re almost there. I promise you, you won’t be after we get there.”

“Ugh…okay, fine.” Kryrella picked up the cap and took a sip from the water bottle.

“Don’t worry when we get there you’re going to hope we don’t leave.” Zevor interjected.

“What is that supposed to mean Zev?” Kryrella asked, wiping the sweat off her face.

“Again, you’ll see…”

Kryrella scoffed, folding her arms with the water bottle still in her hand, “Tch, yeah. I’ll see.”

As the sky subtly dimmed, Zevor, Zazzory and Kryrella made their way through the thick grasslands and soon, as the sun left its peak, they heard the crashing sound of waves and just over the horizon, green…turned white.

“Finally! This is where we were going!” Zevor said as they all climbed their way over one more hill.

The blue in the sky became darker and the sun was just in front of them.

The waves were the same color.

Foam fizzled. Sand squeaked under their feet. The smell of salt flew into their noses.

Kryrella’s cheeks flared. She took off her sunglasses and her purple eyes gleamed, “Oh wow! It’s gorgeous! This is what we’re doing today!?”

Zevor, with his arms crossed and a smirk, shook his head, “Mhm.”

“Oh! Thank you! This is gonna be so fun!” Her smile stretched with the horizon.

The wind jumped onto their faces. Zazzory grabbed onto her hat. “Of course the wind blows now.”

“Don’t mind it, it’ll help cool us off!” Zevor said with both his arms extended.

Zazzory’s lips folded, “Hm, Good point.”

Kryrella lunged forward, her feet digging in the soft sand. She screamed with excitement.

The wet wind collided with her face, getting tangled in her hair and flew through the slits of her fingers.

As she got closer to the crashing waves, the sand became darker, coarser and squishier.

The tips of her toes touched the troughs. The water was almost too cold.

But she jumped in anyway.

“Woohoo! Ack! It’s so cold!” She screeched, dropping her whole body into the sapphire painted water.

When she came up, she held her arms and clenched them tightly. Her lips twitched, her brown, wet hair, dropping over her eyes, “Of course now the wind keeps blowing!”

Zevor laughed, “That’s what Zazzory said!”

Kryrella shivered and shouted once more, “Ahh!”

The sound of splashing water, waves crashing on the shore, the wind singing, and the shimmering of the sun under the water’s surface.

“This was worth it…for her.” Zazzory said to Zevor, her arms crossed.

“Oh really!? And how can you tell!?” Zevor snickered.

“…I don’t know…how could you have?” She turned to Zevor.

“Hm…touché Zaz.”

Zazzory raised her eyebrow, “Hm.”

“…Do you remember that conversation we had a while ago when we were here?” Zazzory asked with a soft tone.

“Yeah…I…always thought that this…wouldn’t be possible forever.” Zevor replied gently.

Zazzory took her sunglasses off, “It might not…un-fortunately…but I think…there’s some kind of relief to that.”

“Well-What d’ya mean?” Zevor turned to her with confusion splashed on his eyes.

“Think about mom and dad. Their lives live on in her. They loved us. And while they are gone…I think there is some relief in knowing that what they left behind, is something better.”

Zevor smiled passionately, “Yeah…you know what? I think you’re very right about that. I miss them too, but I love her even more than I miss them.”

“Really?”

“Without a doubt.”

“Well…

I do too.”

Zevor and Zazzory faced forward, their eyes on Kryrella.

“Hey guys! Are you coming in! It’s cold in here without your bodies to help me warm up!” Kryrella shouted to them, her purple eyes glowing brightly.

Zazzory’s long white hair flew gracefully in the wind. Zevor rubbed his nose.

“Yeah we’re comin’ in all right! Just make sure you’re ready to get body slammed back into the water!”

“Come and try it then!”

“Oh she’s testing me. -Zazzory?”

“I’ll join you…after I body slam you first…”