Submission (#1028) Approved

+9 shards (906 words)
+6 eth shards (prompt)

: +9 shards, +6 eth shards

----

"Why are you so adamant on this, anyways? I'm confused as to what about this tale has gripped you so. Why this one in particular," rather than fly, Remiel had chosen to pad along the beach line with Siwa. Given their destination was still a good way aways, and that he had little doubt his patience was going to be severely tried, he figured he'd decompress by both talking and also, absurdly, picking up errant seashells as they strolled along.

The little spirit that lingered around him flitted from one sea shell it seemed to like, to the next, always avoiding the incoming tide, whereas he did not such thing, allowing the water to lap at his feet.

Siwa looked up from the map she'd been reading, turning her head towards her much shorter companion, "I... don't know, actually," she looked out to see, where the moon shone in the darkness, making their stroll easy and quite lovely. She could see with relative ease down the shoreline, and Remiel's spirit allowed for a bit more light around them, offering enough glow that they could avoid stepping on something if push came to shove, "I just thought it'd be fun, honestly. That and well," her gaze held on the tide, "I think I always found the takes of the captain interesting. I think it's the sea. Always did find it interesting, don't you?"

Her shorter companion lifted his gaze from the seashell he'd picked up to look out over the darkened waters, and then shuddered, "Nope, not one bit. Sea scares the shit out of me, truthfully. Too deep, too much unknown. I'll stay here, thanks," unconsciously, he lifted off the ground with ease, fluttering beside her, as if the idea of the depth of the ocean were enough to activate some sort of primal instinct to stay afloat.

"I think it's alluring," Siwa said as she returned her gaze to her map, trying to figure out exactly where the Arcanum's camp would be, "The depth, I mean. I think it's mysteriousness is what's so alluring, you know? Like sinking into a world of unknown, like a good, deep, nice book!"

"Ugh," the revulsion was clear on Remiel's face, "Not enough remotely similar. How dare you."

Grinning over at her companion, the female motioned up ahead, where some coves in the rocks could be seen in the near distance, "If our information is correct, I think the camps should be inside there, and according to what we know-"

"Which isn't much, and I still think this is a terrible idea, by the way."

"-They should be empty of people," she continued, as if she hadn't been rudely interrupted by her partner, whose head, funnily enough, floated at her level, now that he was flying, rather than walking by her side, "They seem to be diving at night mostly, though I don't exactly know WHY, given you'd think you'd find it easier to see in the daylight, but whatever, their loss, our gain."

A sight was exhaled by the male as he hung his head, "Tell me again. Explain to me, as if I were a three year old with no brain cells, why we're breaking and entering a camp that is, by all accounts, not ours, and is thus, very illegal. Why am I doing this? Why am I letting you pull me into this? I could be back in our room, reading some lovely journals. Why are you like this?"

Using her map to flap the paper in his face, Siwa hushed her companion, "We're doing this because we're very behind, and the only way we're ever going to get ahead is by cheating JUST a little bit, and you're doing this because you love me and I'm a wonderful friend. Now come on, I need you to help me get over the deeper section of water!" she grabbed his wrist and pulled him along, but it was very clear Remiel was allowing himself to be yanked along, offering absolutely no resistance to her.

"This is stupid," he declared, even as he did, in fact, help Siwa cross the water and into the cove's camp, which was, thankfully, empty as they'd predicted.

"YOU'RE stupid," came the immediate reply from his companion, as she stuck out her tongue at him upon landing save and sound on dry rock. Despite her words, a hand did reach up and pat his shoulder in almost subconscious thanks for the help he'd offered her, practiced, familiar, as if the touch were something they'd often shared.

As soon as they got to the camp, they both closed their mouths, shutting up instantly. Even the small spirit that flitted around Remiel excitedly seemed to dim her light, hiding herself against her bonded as best she could. As if following a plan, the two woolyne separated and began searching papers, books and other things with extreme efficiency. Siwa allowed the bag she'd been carrying to slide down her shoulder and tossed a camera to her partner, whom caught it in the air without even looking.

They swiftly catalogued maps and coordinates with photos, leaving the camp merely an hour after they'd got there, and thankfully they were not interrupted by the owners of the place, whom just as Siwa had predicted, were far enough from camp to have missed their intrusion.

They left with photographic evidence of what they needed, no one the wiser.

Reward	Amount
Yellow Star Piece	1
Purple Star Piece	1
Ethereal Shards	6