High Tide low tide

“Congratulations on getting engaged!”

Selena was smiling brightly. She didn’t know the pair congratulating them, probably some business associates of her fiance. Her fiance. Who was standing beside her, arm around her waist as he pressed a kiss against her temple. Matching blue outfits, complementing her red and his brown hair. Smiling as brightly as her.

This was their engagement party after all, a day to be enjoyed. The weather was as perfect as the day, only soft waves rocking the boat the celebration was taking place on. Skies already painted in stunning colors, with lights that illuminated the decorated deck. Many people mingling, but she didn’t care for anyone but the man beside her right now. Her fiance! That thought never lost the spark of happiness it ignited inside her.

Life was bliss right now. Selena was at the top of her life. Freshly engaged to a great man and just having gained a grant for further research. She couldn’t wait to get back to work, the sea calling for her. She curled against Eliot as they leaned back at the railing. Gazing upon the endless water, glinting under the colorful light and stars.

“I see my love is again captivated by something other than me.”

Selena let out a giggle as she turned her head towards Eliot. His gaze warm, brown eyes almost golden in the light. “Are you jealous of the sea?” He faked a sad sigh. “What can I say, how can I not feel ignored when my darling gazes at something else so lovingly.” Selena laughed louder at his dramatics.

“Oh no, we can’t have my new fiance feel ignored at the party celebrating our engagement.” Leaning closer, she pressed a giggling kiss as he wrapped his arms closer around her. Right now it felt like she could fuel a thousand suns with her joy. “I can’t wait until the wedding.”

She whispered against his lips, feeling him smile before murmuring back. “Me too.”

So how come Selena feels so cold now? Joyous heart frozen as she listens from behind the closed door.

“Cmon, we shouldn’t do it here. What if someone catches us?” That was the voice of her best friend. Her supposed best friend. Who was…

“Don’t worry about it darling. Everyone’s on deck.” Darling. That’s her fiance, calling someone else darling in the same warm soft voice usually directed at her. And at her best friend of all people. Selena could hear rustling as they moved, soft noises that must be kisses. The knowledge of those same lips that smiled warmly at her, that were on hers just minutes ago, now being on someone else's chilled Selena down to her core. Heart fracturing, as the drinks she just got for them crashed to the floor.

Her hands were trembling, the world suddenly closing in as she tried to breathe. This was supposed to be a perfect day, so why…

Silver eyes meeting brown as the door opened.

Snapping Selena back into the moment as Eliot's eyes widened at seeing her. Still appearing the same as he just did moments before, but Selena couldn't look at him the same way. Never again.

Behind him, hastily clothed, stood Lucy, her best friend of years. They grew up together. Shared ups and downs, joys and tragedies. The same best friend who had just been making out with Eliot, the supposed love of her life. At their engagement party. A bitter smile growing on Selena's face because the alternative would be crying.

“I see it’s not you who should have been jealous.” Her voice remarkably steady, Selena noted faintly. Eyes focused on the way her traitor of a friend flinched and Eliot's eyes widened.

“Darling, it’s not what you think-” Darling. How Selena hated that word now. Startling a laugh out of her. “No? So you didn’t just cheat on me on the day that’s supposed to be a show of our love?” Good. At least Lucy had the deign to look away ashamed. How dare Eliot have the galls to look hurt?

“I love you Selena-” A scoff left her lips. Suppressing the tears that threatened to spill at that sweet sweet lie. That man didn't deserve her tears. “If you truly do, you wouldn't have betrayed me in this way. We're over, Eliot.” Selena cast a scathing look at Lucy, the coward still not looking up again.

“Have fun with my dear friend.” Selena turned to walk away with whatever pose she had left. But then Eliot reached out with that look on his face…

She begins running away. He chased after her. And how she hated the location of their engagement party. Boat far from shore, trapping her. It had been a sweet gesture of him, a way of showing appreciation for her work as a marine biologist. But if he had actually listened to her, he’d know how loud and bright boats at night were actually rather negative on the environment. But Selena had just smiled in thanks because he had just proposed and life had been bliss. Now as she ran, she could only wonder what else she turned a willing blind eye to. Blinded by the sweet pretense.

“Leave me alone! Go back to that- that traitor of a friend.” She spit out as she made her way up, hoping that once on deck, he’d give up since the guests could see them. And she knew how important his reputation was to him.

But perhaps she hadn’t realised just how important. Because once up on deck, party lights flickering up front, Eliot didn’t stop running. Managing on grabbing her and pushing her against the railing as she fought against the hold.

“Let go!” “No.” The grip was so tight it was bruising. Selena flailed around, trying to get free. Waves crashing behind her. “Stop moving and be quiet-” His sweet voice was dark and cold in a way she had never heard before. “Or what? This relationship is over. It was the moment you betrayed me.” She managed to smack him, causing the grip to falter.

But she had been held more by him than expected. Stumbling backwards, and the cheap cheap railing – because of course that stingy man got a crappy boat – didn’t hold. Selena began falling backwards, and in a last move, pulled Eliot along with all her might.

The fall was both far too long and short, before they crashed into the water. Cold icy waves enveloping them as they sank down. Selena flailed around again, trying to swim where the surface was. But Eliot was still gripping at her, and the darkness got darker and darker as Selena's world grew colder. As her panicked thoughts grew quieter, one last thought floated through the water roaring in her ears.

“I never got to continue researching…”

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 .                                                                                                                 I'm sorry

.

She's cold. Her mouth burning of salt. Unable to open her eyes.

Something coarse beneath her. Sand? She can't move a finger.

A gentle wave washes over her ankle.

Causing her to remember. The sea had taken her. But mind too hazy, she can't think clearly.

 .

.

 .

More time passes. She's not sure how much. Body weak, mind sluggish. Has she washed ashore somewhere? There hadn’t been any sandy beaches nearby as far as she knows. The sun must be rising by now, soft light warming her. Heart still cold.

Faint muffled voices.

Someone is picking her up. She's too exhausted to resist.

.

 .

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“Look at her clothing. That colour, that fabric… she must be a noble! And I haven't seen that shade of scarlet hair on anyone ’round here.”

Selena could make out vague voices bickering. A low man's voice. Her eyes still closed, and it still feels impossible to open them. But she's no longer on sand, but instead the ground beneath her is soft. She finally feels warm and dry.

“But look at her hands! No fine noble lady would have something like callouses. And short nails. Those are working hands I tell you!”

A woman's voice. Despite the arguing, they sounded kind. Noble lady?

“Then what are you saying?”

“What are you saying-”

Something knocks on the ground, silencing them. A stick?

“Shut up you two. Can't you see our mystery wash-up is finally awake? Why don't we ask the lass ourselves?”

With a lot of effort, Selena opens her eyes. The light was dim, as if the sun was already setting down. She hazily blinks, bringing the world back into focus as she rubs at her eyes. The movement feels sluggish. Around the cot Selena lays on are three figures peering at her prone form.

A friendly looking woman with laugh lines on her right, a rugged man on her left and at the end of the bed an old man who looks like he had been to war. Scars marring his skin, one strangely looking like a claw mark, and Selena eyes drift down to where he had a peg leg.

Quickly, she looks at the other two again. They all wore clothing of what seemed like centuries ago. Certainly not clothing she was used to. Hair neat, but obviously not a priority. And the cot definitely looks made in an old style, but either very well taken off, or…

“You feeling alright sweetheart?” A tinge of accent Selena can't decipher. She blinks blankly at the woman who sends a warm, concerned smile.

“My name is Bryn, and that's my husband Herbert. He's a fisher who found you stranded on the beach and took you here. You've been out for almost the full day!”

The old man clears his throat. Bryn huffs, leaning back from where she had moved closer in her tirade. Selena tracks the motion still hazily blinking. Sluggish mind having a hard time keeping track. “And that's Solades. Don't mind his grim demeanour. He's basically our quaint fishing village's governor.”

A fishing village. Maybe they're one of those showcasing how life was in the past? The old man - Solades - clears his throat again, snapping Selena out of her rummaging and she looks at him, trying to focus on the conversation.

“And what's your name, miss? And where do you hail from?”

Her mouth still tastes like salt. Selena swallows heavily, before attempting to speak. Quickly tapering off into coughs. Bryn leans forward, steadying her and offering a cup of water that she must have prepared. Rubbing soothing circles on Selena's back. “Don't haste yourself sweetheart. You must have taken quite a journey here.”

Selena takes a few sips, the cool water soothing her burning throat. As she finally feels ready, she attempts to answer again.

“My name-”, her voice cracks and she tries again, “My name is Selena. Thank you for bringing me here and taking care of me.” She bows her head in gratitude. A reflexive gesture as Selena tries to grasp the situation. Who knows what would have happened if she had stayed at the beach. A sandy beach… Selena looks up.

“I fell off a boat. May I ask where I am?”

Bryn pats her consolingly, a face of sympathy. “That's unfortunate. The storm last night was rather strong. I told Herbert not to go out, but did he listen-” He makes a noise of protest. “The storm wasn't that bad. And if I didn't, I wouldn't have found her!” A storm? Selena doesn't remember a storm. The weather had been as perfect as the-

Solades knocks what must be his walking stick on the ground before they could start bickering again. “You're at the south coast of Va’rera. What boat were you on?” Bryn sends him a glare at the constant suspicion.

Va'rera? What a strange name.

“Stop questioning her. Can't you see that the poor lady is recovering? She won't harm a fly.” The old man scoffs. Gripping the stick.

“We have to be on constant vigilance. What if she's a witch sent here to deceive us?” He urges completely seriously.

Selena blinks flabbergasted. Huh? Bryn just rolls her eyes. “Don't mind the old coot. He was part of the army and is now a bit paranoid.” She turns towards Solades. “She's not a witch.” Of course she wasn't. Selena is glad that at least the couple seems sane. That way she can also act composed.

But Bryn isn't finished speaking. Casually, she adds.

“I'd know after all, being a medi-witch and all. I may not have the strongest roots, but we witches recognise each other.”

What.