piratejournal | 02, journal

[ This morning, Kosuiryo woke up deciding that while she wasn't going to leave the island, that she would definitely take a little swim. Nothing too far from the island docks, but definitely something of an exercise so she could stretch her legs. And of course, she so used to her natural abilities as a Water Dragon, she did not expect that when she dove into the waters, kimono layerings, sandals and all, that she would not be able to breathe under the water.

She'd flailed like a carp, struggling to understand why there was water filling her throat, but she'd managed to grab onto one of the docks, hoist herself up, empty her throat of its watery contents, and breathe. And for a moment, her heart was in panic, until it occurred to Kosuiryo that she could breathe, and joy replaced the terror and she up and dragged her soaking wet self back to her lodgings and immediately took to the journal.

She wrote: ]

To my good hosts,

This child has discovered that you have given her yet another great gift. When I took a swim, I discovered that I could no longer breathe in the Waters. A wonderful gift -- you have made me all the more like the people of the Surface, and you have my deepest gratitudes from this princess.

Please, I would be so happy to give you a gift in return. Only name whatever it is you wish and this princess shall do what she must to get it for you.

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How's not breathing under water a gift?

[He's really confused by this girl but she really... seems happy.]

You almost make it sound like you were a fish, or something.

[ It's only polite to return a voice with a voice, right? ]

My father once told me that I could not belong to the Surface because I was a too different from the people. But now that I am no longer so different, I may be able to stay.

[Please and thank you unless you want to be given terrible spelling and grammar via these books. In any case, he'd always respond with voice for that reason.]

What's wrong with being different? Never knew there was a law against that.

He said that a Water Dragon Princess does not belong on the Surface. She belongs in the Water.

That doesn't really sound like a gift to me. [Granted, if that's what you wanted then, cool.] Especially if you could already live underwater.

I no longer wish to live in the Water. I wish to live with the people on the Surface.

Why? What's so great about the surface world that you'd want to leave your home behind?

I know the Waters. I was born and raised there. But the Surface is new and strange and I want so dearly to know more.

So you're a dragon?

[He's confused but whatever. She sounds normal.]

Yes.

[ She doesn't say anything more following that "yes". What could she say to such a simple question. ]

How do you-- Never mind.

[He wanted to know how she writes if she's a dragon but he's seen enough magic and crap in his lifetime he's inclined to believe almost anything as long as it's plausible.]

I know the feeling. I've only been on the surface world for a few months already and I still feel like there's a lot I haven't seen.

You don't want to go back ever?

I would go back. To see my mother, my father, sisters and brother. But…I would not stay long.

You had a question?

[ She heard it, but he cut himself off. ]

I was gonna say, how do you write if you're a dragon?

With my hands, of course! [ She giggles. ]

Don't your claws get in the way, or something?

[Sorry, he has a really... unimaginative view of dragons.]

So what exactly are you? I'm pretty sure humans can't really stay underwater for more than a few seconds.

Not at all. Especially not in this form.

[ It's all right with Kosuiryo. She's just so happy to be talking to a Surface dweller. ]

I am a Water Dragon. I was born and raised in the Waters.

What... form?

[He is really confused.]

A water dragon? First time I've ever heard of something like that.

We are all from different homes, yes?

The form I take most constantly. I do believe it was created by my family so that we could interact with the people of the Surface.

So you take a human form...

[There's an implication in his voice of "you could have said that in the first place".]

Yes.

[ Kosuiryo doesn't hear it. ]

From what I know, yeah. Though I have to say, you don't really sound like a dragon.

I am sorry. I agree that I have lost my tone of regality since I first ventured to the Surface.

Regal wasn't exactly what I was thinking about.

What do you mean?

The dragon I know from my world can't even talk. And someone else who's half-dragon probably wouldn't like being called that.

Is it offending? [ She doesn't want to offend anyone. ]

I'm not offended, just having a hard time imagining you as a dragon.

Unfortunately, I am unable to transform at this point, due to the nature of my hosts' gifts.

Sounds like someone I know. She looked pretty human, for the most part. But she could also change into a large dragon.

Perhaps she was a Dragon as well.

She was half dragon, as far as I know.

Half dragon? [ She's amazed. ] Do you mean that her father was a Dragon and her mother a...

I have no idea. Didn't ever think about asking her.

02, journal

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