Out For A Stroll (Alaya/open)

[Titus Cortez]

Titus was about to pull up his shirt from the water when he noticed Alaya at his side. He hadn't even heard her come near. And, it seemed that he didn't need to catch her a pipe fish. They all just... followed her. So, he tossed his wet shirt up past the shore, into the grasses of the forest. It would dry there, then he could put it back on again later. Reaching down, he scooped up one of the colorful little creatures and held it out to her, stroking its head gently with one finger. Looking down again at the others, Titus smiled. "Nice legs." he told her, "The pipe fish agree with me." the man chuckled. He wondered what she would say to that.

[Alaya Seawitch]

Alaya gently took the pipe fish from Titus hands and let it slip from her hands back into the water to join it's friends. She watched the fish swim around her for a moment before slowly dispersing to do other things. She ran her fingers through her dark hair. "Thanks" She said to his attempt at a complement. She looked up at the sky letting the sun's rays hit her face, enjoying the warmth.

[Titus Cortez]

He smiled, wondering if he had finally worked her guard down a little. Titus offered her his hand, wondering if she might take it as they walked from the water. Axel was waiting for them on the shoreline, chasing the waves as they flowed in and out. His playful steps only added to the music that streamed so sweetly through the air. "So, what do you think?" he asked her. "Do you like the bay?"

[Alaya Seawitch]

Alaya ignored his hand. She wasn't going to let him win or even think he won just yet. She walked to the shore and let her dress fall back down to its normal length. She still stayed at the bank letting the water lap over her feet. She took in a deep breath. "I like it very much" She stated with a smile and a nod to Titus.

[Titus Cortez]

Titus smiled as she thanked him, wondering if he was working her guard down. Though he could never tell with her. She was so mysterious and free. Wild as the waves. A challenge. A fight to win her heart.

He took in a deep breath, letting it out slowly as he stood upon the shore. He was relaxed and calm, as if in a dream. "I love it here." he said as he patted Axel, whom had plodded up to them. It was nice. Close to home, yet quiet and secluded. Brimming with both silence and soft music. Like paradise. Perfect for small company. Perfect for days like this. Perfect now.

He sat down on the sand, elbows upon his knees, staring out across the noon-time waters. "What places do you like, Alaya?" he asked her. "I mean, do you have any favorite spots? This land is huge, and the oceans vast. Surely you must have places that you like?" Titus inquired.

[Alaya Seawitch]

Alaya sat down on the shore, close enough to the water so the water washed over her feet. She thought for a moment. Her favorite places? "I would have to say that my favorite places to go are the Clearwater Lagoon, and anywhere out at sea" She stated. "What about you? Are you one of those people who live on the sea, or are you a simple land dweller?" She asked.

[Titus Cortez]

"The Clearwater Lagoon?" Titus shivered. Men went into that lagoon and never came out again. Those that were stupid enough to venture there, anyway. Most stayed well away from the place.

"Well, I've spent my whole life on land. I'm a farm boy." he admitted to her. "But I work hard." Titus assured her. He wasn't just some smelly rancher. He worked hard for anything that he really wanted, and he made sure that she knew that. "But I do like being by the water." he said. "I've not even had an oppertunity to try the sea, so I can't say what I think of it."

[Alaya Seawitch]

Alaya laughed shaking her head. How did she end up talking with someone who had never been out to sea. "I don't know what I would do If I never went back to the sea. I grew up on it at that is where I will live and die" She stated. It was a weird thing to say that you already knew where you would stay forever but for her she would die without the sea.

[Titus Cortez]

Titus listened, curiousity gleaming in his eyes as she spoke of something that he knew nothing of. "Really?" he asked. "I didn't know you were so passionate about it." For once, he had nothing romantic to say, mostly because his knowlegde of the ocean was so small. But still, maybe she would like to talk about what seemed to be her entire life. Maybe his interest would impress her. "What do you love so much about the sea?" Titus inquired. "Tell me about it."

[Alaya Seawitch]

Alaya had to think for a moment about that question. She was bound to the sea, it was her home and the only place there was peace for her. To describe what the sea was to her was like trying to ask a fish why it likes the ocean. "Well it's unpredictable, peaceful, and it is my home" She said. Those words were the closest thing she could come up with.

[Titus Cortez]

Titus nodded, "It sounds like you." he said observently. "Unpredictable. Peaceful. Beautiful." It was said simply, as simple fact was always said. Only after he spoke did he realize it was a compliment. "What's your favorite thing about the sea?" Titus asked. He scooted closer to her from where he sat on the shore. Axel plodded after, content on being petted by whomever would pet him.

[Alaya Seawitch]

Alaya rolled her eyes at his comment. Her favorite part of the sea, that was a tough question. Why was he asking her questions like this? Oh well, she took a deep breath and figured out what to say. "My favorite about the sea would either be the storms or a cool clear night then the stars are reflected off the water and it is a wonderful site" She said.

[Titus Cortez]

He nodded, taking note of that. A cool clear night. He stroked Axel, whom had settled himself between the two of them. Titus looked about, his eyes glancing over the bay. "What do you want to do now?" he asked, feeling it was better than suggesting something that she didn't want to do. He closed his eyes again, observing the world from a different perspective as he had when they first arrived. The sound of the water, the scent of the air. The cool caress of the gentle breeze. It all entranced him.

[Alaya Seawitch]

To tell the truth Alaya really wanted to get back to the ship but she couldn't have Titus know that then he would want to walk her there and she needed to change. She had to find some way to loose him but how? "This was great really. But I must be one my way" She said getting up. Maybe he would let her go but most likely not.

[Titus Cortez]

He opened his eyes. "No, please! Wait!" he said, springing to his feet in a hurry, startling Axel, whom had at last relaxed. The dog barked at his master, though also rising to his paws. Titus scratched his head, thinking. But he only became lost in her beauty, and his thoughts fled from his mind.

He was left with an empty mouth with nothing to say. But he didn't want her to leave so quickly. "Have you ever ridden a horse?" he asked suddenly, almost stunning himself with the question. Where did that come from. Oh well, just go with it. "I can take you riding." he offered.