Churning Eddies

[Jin]

Jin's footsteps make soft sounds as he lightly walked across the sand. The ocean air and the early morning cool temperature felt blissful as it occasionally tousled his long brown hair. The smell of the ocean and the sand were strong as the tide had recently lowered revealing all manner of kelp, shells, and sea creatures that had washed ashore. Jin watched the marching of crustaceans as they scuttled back into the water only to be continuously tossed ashore again by the waves.
"Its always a struggle, isn't it little guy?" Jin spoke softly to a small crab that was struggling to stay in the water only to be tossed ashore again and again.
Jin reached down and tenderly grabbed the crab and tossed him into the ocean.
Jin sighed and stared out across the Opal Ocean, not really looking at anything but just lost in thought. Many things had been bothering him since he had awoken with no memory of his past and even after his encounter in the great forest he still had many questions that needed answers.

[Neve Luna]

Letting the sand rustle between her toes, Neve played carelessly with a tiny, glistening shell at her side, wondering what lived within its tiny sanctuary. Sighing, she looked at the other world before her and imagined herself as a thing fish swimming in the salty bay. Deep in a sleep beside her lay her companion, Dy'tre, with his white fur blending into the white sands.

Suddenly, from the corner of her tiger lily eye, Neve saw a man: his hair rustled in the wind, the handsome structure of his face rest calmly as he looked out to the ocean, and his lean body held himself upright unlike any man she had seen. Blinking a few times with curious confusion, Neve stilled her movements in fear her presence would disrupt his thoughts, but she couldn't help but stare.

[Jin]

As Jin was looking out, he felt tingle slowly travel up his spine.
I feel like I'm being watched...
Jin turned his head looking to see in anyone was there. The wind caught his hair and tried to blow it in his face but he casually brushed it aside with a flick of his wrist and scanned his gaze out across the beach.
His eyes settled upon a figure not too far away that was just staring at him. It was actually quite disconcerting. Not just the staring but the fact that after awakening from whatever it was that he came from he made his way directly here. During his walk here as he encountered animals and plants and trees they all seemed to have a nostalgic effect as if he had at one point or another encountered them all before. But he did not get that from this individual.
Even though this was the first individual he had seen so far even the race was unfamiliar to him. He whispered quietly "What is that Beatitas?" The leaf on his arm stayed silent thought for a split second he could have swore he saw it get brighter. Some how though, he got the impression that even Beatitas was unfamiliar with whatever new creation this was just sitting and staring at him on the beach.
Slowly he walked over, "Can I help you?"

[Neve Luna]

Startled, Neve gasped softly as the man turned his gaze on her and spoke. Bringing herself to her feet, Neve took a cautious step back and noticed the large leopard at her feet rise in defense, but she quickly spoke to divert her companions thoughts. "I didn't mean to be rude, I've just never seen someone like you before..." Her statement was true; it has been a long time since she has seen anyone on these shores aside from creatures from the forest, but he was a different creature, but his aura - his power - didn't seem malicious.

Curious, she tried to think of a way to get to know this man better, but she knew nothing of his kind. "Are you from around here?" The leopard sharply turned to look at her but she ignored it, trying to block out the warning in her head that he had always shouted at her.

[Jin]

Jin thought for a moment when the question had been posed. Could he possibly be from this area? Or was his waking up in the caves just a coincidence and he was from somewhere else....

After a few moments had passed he stated,
"Actually, I do not know where I am from. I spent many years within the forest thinking about many things but where I was from was not one of them. I guess I'm just more interested in where I am going...."

He paused again to choose his words carefully, "Who... or maybe... what are you? I don't have any recollection of ever seeing anyone like you. Actually your the first person I've met but lets forget that for a moment."

[Neve Luna]

Pausing to consider his question, Neve looked down at the annoyed Dy'tre and could see the unwavering irritation, but she was tired of not having friends because of his severe distrust. Looking up with a secret defiance, she smiled warmly, eager to share. "My people come from the forest, deep in the center, where we are born from pods from the Tree of Life. We are called Vai'aja. Girls and boys are different in many ways but we both share a common ability: the power to control Earth. We defend nature and protect the Forest, since we owe our lives to it - it is our mother and father. Even though some come from other Vai'aja, they are still just as linked with the planet as the ones who come from it."

Looking at Dy'tre, Neve smiled then looked back up at the handsome man in front of her. "My name is Neve and this is my familiar, Dy'tre." The wind smelled of salt but his scent was almost spicy in comparison.

[Jin]

"I see..." Jin's voice trailed off near the end as he tried to understand all that was said. Nothing about what she had said sparked any memories for him.
Though slightly troubled, he steadied himself and smiled, "Its a pleasure to meet you Neve and Dy'tre. " He said and turned towards the familiar as he addressed it.
"You mentioned that you protect the forest. From what exactly? I haven't really seen anything, or rather, anybody aside from you." He asked quizzically.

[Neve Luna]

Shocked, Neve blinked toward her new friend - everyone knew of the Prison and the monsters that come from it's center. Watching Dy'tre look at the man suspiciously then proceeded to look at him as well.

"The Prison." The words sent silent chills along her skin and down her fragile spine, but she didn't allow her composure to falter. "It's rumored it was supposed to be a sanctuary from the Old World, but something bad happened, causing it to turn against the beings inside of it. It's killing the planet." Her words seemed distant and resentful. "It is said that the world is split in half between the Forest and the Prison, causing disease and mutant creatures - though non of it is proven."

[Jin]

"The Prison?" Jin asked quietly as though almost speaking to himself. He trailed off then after a moment snapped back to attention. Looking at his shoulder for a second where he had the leaf brooch hung, he looked back at Neve, "What do you mean 'old world'? Is this world new? How do you know this? If the prison is dangerous why doesn't anyone do anything about it?" The questions seemed to pour from Jin like a wave. Finally he might be able to get some answers!
Jin paced across the sand a bit in excitement at the prospect then realized that he hadn't even given Neve a chance to respond. Slowing himself he regained his composure and waited for her reply.

[Neve Luna]

It was baffling to Neve that he didn't know of the old bedtime stories that mothers, fathers, even familiars told in bright and dark detail. " Well. We can't stop it. It's not easy getting in or out of the Prison..." Neve trailed off realizing he never told her his name.

Blushing, she turned her gaze over to the ocean with questions of her own that he could answer. Softly, she continued. "This is a reborn world. The people before us weren't good enough, so the Universe destroyed the Old World and made us. We are supposed to be special - the last chance."