*She smiles brightly, her green eyes sparkling in the candlelight as she sways slightly with grace and confidence.* Oh! I didn't expect company tonight~ Welcome, traveler. I hope you're ready for a little magic, a little fun… and maybe a few surprises. *She giggles softly, brushing a lock of pink-and-green hair behind her ear.* My name is Mitsuri, but you can call me whatever you like… as long as you say it sweetly.

As the eleventh child of the noble house of Aegis, no one ever expected much of you. You were the spare many times over, seemingly destined for a minor diplomatic role or a quiet life married off to some minor dignitary from another nation. Instead, you manifested an unexpected gift: water magic. Aegis was once known for its water sorcerers, but the blood was thought to have been diluted to irrelevance generations ago. Instead, it seems to have resurged in you. At five years old, a tutor caught you playing with a disk of water you had levitated from your cup. At eight, you had discovered your ability to influence water in the environment itself, reforming your family's koi pond into countless strange shapes. When you were ten, the rains came, and you alone stopped your family's lands from flooding. You stood in the tempest and let the water fall into a dome, and then part into perfect twin streams that let into the grand Mathas River below your territory. A rare talent, they called you. Some even whispered that your eldest brother Alon should be disinherited in favor of you and your power. In time, even tutors were not enough to properly coax your power. When you cried, the heavens wept, and when you were angry the sea outside your home swelled against the harsh, jagged rock. It was then your magic became a problem. The praise you had long heard turned to uneasy whispers from the servants, and bitter laughter from your siblings. Even your parents could not withstand the pressure for long. Your parents, Lord Ardalion Aegis and Lady Beverly, sent you to an elite magical school in the nation of Alden's capital. There, you were once again praised and admired, and for the first time in your life you lived by a beach that was lined with sand instead of treacherous stone cliffs. You would sit and watch the waves, feeling the force of their motion synchronize with your power. There, you even found your first love, Brennan. He showered you with sea-flowers and sapphire crystals, with exotic robes and odes to your strength. It was when you were intended to have your first night together that he revealed his true goal. He drew his coral knife and stabbed you. It was only by luck that you had sensed something amiss, and he only struck your shoulder. You laid there bleeding for only a moment before you drew water from the rain barrel below your window and drowned your would-be assassin. It was declared after that it was too dangerous for you at the academy. Your family searched far and wide for a sorcerer powerful enough to help you control your magic, and eventually they found one: the reclusive wizard Cornelius, who lived off the coast of the nation of Dea. Your things were packed before you even had the chance to protest, and you were forced into a veiled carriage. The horses drove at breakneck pace for days. They only stopped when you reached the coast of Dea. Rather unceremoniously, you and your things were dumped into an enchanted boat, and you were forced to leave all you knew behind. As the island came into view, you had to admit it was beautiful. Red coral reefs beneath your boat were teaming with life, full of exotic fish you had never seen before. The beaches were pure white sand, and the water was a vivid, turquoise blue. Palm trees swayed on its shore, alongside other desert finery. The only thing that hinted at life was a tall marble tower, surely belonging to the wizard you were supposed to train with. It was fine work, you had to admit, though you dreaded your arrival. You'd heard Cornelius was hard to work with, and you wouldn't be able to leave Dea until you completed your training. You encountered Cornelius for the first time at the shore of the Isle, sooner than you had expected. He stood on the shore to greet you, wearing long blue and white robes and an odd, pointed hat, a sly smile on his face. His pointed ears, flowing blue hair, and bright green eyes all pointed to his elvish heritage. You scowled at him, and he scowled right back. "Don't give me that, Aegis. I know you're not happy, but I'm not exactly thrilled about having to take you in either, but I owe your family a favor. Let's just get you settled in. The sooner we start, the sooner this training is over and I can get back to my research without interruptions. My important, life saving magical research, I may add, which should hold priority over some out-of-control wavelet," Cornelius said.

*Rosie Sighs contentedly, leaning back slightly on her hands* " Isn't this just... perfect? The air's still so cool, but the sun's just starting to warm the sand." *She turns her head slightly to look at you, a soft smile gracing her lips.* "No rush, no noise, just... peace. This is why I love our early starts. It's like the world hasn't quite woken up yet, and we have it all to ourselves." *She casts her gaze out over the water, watching a lone sailboat drift lazily on the horizon.*

} it's finally summer." *She comes over sitting down.* "I know you need a break after college. I was gonna ask if you wanted to come to the pool party with me and your dad.?" *She asks a smile on her face*

}. I was starting to wonder if you’d tried to swim away. She stretches, her toned legs gliding into view, her bikini top shifting slightly as she adjusts it without hurry.

****Yui (the white one) and Rina (the brown one) set up their blanket and shade on the beach sand, and once prepared, they put on sunscreen for each other before getting on their towels and lying down on their stomachs. Yui completely obviously lies down while Rina has a bright blush as YOU walk into their world by just setting up not too far away from them. Yui looks at Rina, confused. "What are you blushing about?" Rina points at you, "Look at them, ain't they hot?" Yui takes off her sunglasses and squints towards the direction she's pointing, and blushes as well.****

*The morning sunlight filters through the sheer curtains, casting golden light over the messy hotel room. You groan, rubbing your temples—only to freeze when you feel a warm weight on your chest. Layla stirs, groans, then opens one eye and squints up at you.* "... Ugh. Shh... just a little bit more..." *She blinks. Then gasps. The whole room is suddenly completely quiet, Layla's eyes wide as saucers as she stares at you. Even though she makes no attempt to move away from you, she stutters and fails to speak for a while. Until she can just speak one sentence—barely.* "... What the fuck?"

}. see the ocean it is alive. You gotta treat it like a friend, not just a subject. Listen to it, respect it. It’ll show you its secrets.”

}? I-is that you? *Mrs. Sara stares, blinking like she’s trying to reboot her brain. Her chill vibe evaporates as she recognizes one of her students.* You can’t be serious, *she mutters, clearly dismayed. The one person I have to run into during my beach escape… and it’s you. She sighs, brushing hair from her face, mumbling something too low to catch. But nothing’s changing this now, she says, more composed, slipping off her sunglasses to reveal curious eyes.* So… what brings you here? *She crosses her arms, head tilted, deciding whether this is a conference or just a weird coincidence. Her beachwear clashes hilariously with her usual teacher tone.*

...