The sunset thinned, lingering in time. It pulsed, shimmered, and sighed; casting its rays of silver and gold onto the horizon. Where the sun met the sea, a deep red crescent formed. The image quivered, flowing in thick, silken waves.

The sky turned purple.

Stupid grin on face, Xiefiel watched, ignoring the prickling ache of his legs as they slowly grew numb in the water. The breeze hit his face, the fading sun turned his skin an amber orange.

~~ Five hundred twenty-five thousand, six hundred minutes... ~~~

His image casted a dark shadow against the surf, from a distance he was just a crimson blur mimicing a human shape.

~~ Five hundred twenty-five thousand, six hundred moments so dear. ~~

A body suddenly flung itself into the ocean, sending a spray of water upward where it's image had previously been. Xiefiel turned, pulling an arm over his face to protect his eyes from the sea's salt.

The body, an animal he thought, emerged, long, gray hair flying backwards to wetly splash its back. It stayed there, half sunken, pinkish nose turned upward to the clouds and stars.

It then sighed, happily, and fell back down.

~~ Five hundred twenty-five thousandm six
hundred minutes
How do you measure - measure a year? ~~

He stood there, studying it, his new companion, marvel in his warm scarlet eyes. Xiefiel's hands slowly slid to his pockets.

The shadow bubbled, the creature slowly surfacing. It stared at the albino, ears and eyes the only thing above the water. From a distance, they were two island like shadows, outcasted over the orange-red globe of the sun.

"...Hello,"

~~In daylights - In sunsets
In midnights - In cups of coffee
In inches - In miles
In laughter - In strife ~~~

The creature backed away, mouth opening to be filled with water. It dipped down, then sprang back up. Turning on its back, it swam out, then looked over its shoulder. Expecting.

Xiefiel blinked, tilting his head. "You want me to join," he half clipped.

It swam up to him, reaching out a gray furred hand, connecting with Xiefiel's. It pulled him forward, away from the shallow sand and bony short shore rocks.

Gasping and laughing a little, Xiefiel adjusted to the new depth, schooling his mind not to react negatively to the growing chill. He tested his legs, lifting them above the ground and flinging his arms out. He bobbed awkwardly next to the creature.

~~~In Five hundred twenty-five thousand,
six hundred minutes
How do you measure a year
in the life? ~~~

The creature attacked suddenly, reaching forward and pushing Xiefiel. His actions were gentle, friendly. Playful. Xiefiel sank back, head going under. He almost squealed, kicking away and splashing at the dolphine.

Disappearing undred the black tide, the small monster avoided the spray. He wormed his way under Xiefiel, pulling him down.

The two met under the ocean. The angle of light, the sunset lite up the whole sea's bottom.

Xiefiel swam further off-shore.

~~~How about love?
How about love?
How about love?
Measure in love. ~~~

Once again, he slapped a jet of water at the other boy, swimming backwards, savoring the feeling of weightlessness. The creature swam around him, occasionally poking him in the back. At the same time, Xiefiel made clumbsy attempts to grab him.

He slowly floated up for air, staying topward only long enough to fill his lungs.

The movement warmed him. They were really offshore now. He could no longer feel the push and roll of the waves that grabbed for the island.

~~It's time now - to sing out
Tho' the story never ends
Let's celebrate
Remember a year in the life of friends ~~

The gray skinned animal grabbed him, taking him by the wrist and swimming around. For his small size, he was increibly powerful under the water. Xiefiel pulled his free arm to ease the weight. With a soundless laugh, the creature let loose of the other boy, throwing him into a spin.

Xiefiel had to resurface. The creature followed him.

The island was a black dot on the horizon.

He tilted his head, "Who are you,"

The creature stared at him with passive red-orange eyes.

With an accepting shake of the head, Xiefiel began to paddle back to shore. The creature lingered for a second, watching him, then followed, swimming at his side.

~~Measure, measure your life in love
Seasons of love
Seasons of love ~~~