Chapter Text
calpernia lowered her foot onto the sand, unsure whether or not she should remove her shoes. it would be a bother if sand got stuck inside. if she went barefoot, the sand that stuck to her foot would end up in her shoe anyway, and it would be mildly inconvenient to get all the sand off before putting her shoes back on.
as she ruminated the possibilities, her companion kicked off her shoes. the sandals were sent flying a small distance away, one sticking out of the sand, and one lying flat. she jogged out further in the beach, towards the sea, her chestnut-colored ponytail flopping behind her. calpernia sighs, and decides to remove her shoes after all, a finger hooked in each one as she carries them in her left hand.
the sea roars. it runs up and down; it breathes, it pants, it rolls. every wave sends a mountain of water crashing down, glittery white foam dissipating into nothing.
syrah stared at a small crab that washed up on the shore. "i'm hungry."
"hello, hungry. i am calpernia."
"holy shit, you think you're hilarious. like, genuinely. you actually think that's funny."
"because it IS funny."
"i need you to understand," said syrah. "it's not funny. it is not that funny."
"you don't get it." calpernia stared off into the distance. "i wouldn't expect you to."
"oh my god."
they traveled along the shore. syrah pointed out the things she would eat, and calpernia attempted to classify what sort of animal she would share a diet with if that were true.
syrah pointed at a piece of plastic expectantly.
"turtle," calpernia replied.
"wow."
syrah hummed, rubbing her arms. the wind was strong, and she wore short sleeves.
"is that flotsam or jetsam?" she asked.
"it's litter."
calpernia picked it up and put it in her pocket.
"i'll eat it so it doesn't go to waste," syrah reassured her with a wry little grin, like a vein of diamonds.
"my plastic-eating bacteria," calpernia drawled sarcastically. "how did it feel when scientists discovered you in the ocean?"
syrah shrugged. "well, i was there all along. so i guess i didn't care."
"mh."
"i'm done roleplaying sea life. can we get something to eat."
they met eyes. calpernia wore a desperately relieved expression, as her appetite had been worked up upon thinking so much about the creatures of the marine.
"i was thinking the exact same thing."