Secret Friend

Suggested Audio Submerged

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Tia soaks in the moonlight and releases a drawn out sigh. She glances back one more time at the compound, too far for anyone to possibly spot her. With a quaint smile, Tia shifts into her true form and appearance, crouching at the waters' edge. She dips her fingers into the icy water and savors the trickling melody of the river as the water curls around her fingertips. It had felt so unnatural for Tia being confined to the artificial, urban setting of the capital for so long, totally deprived of the natural world. Tia had found herself zealously craving the succor of her most stalwart, soothing and liberating companion—the unfettered exploration of nature! Tia swiftly sheds her clothing, setting them aside somewhere dry before leaping into the river. The frigid waters nip at her skin at first, rapidly chilling her. Before losing too much warmth, Tia fully converts her body into glimmering, luminescent water. She merges with the river, giving herself over to the current. She stretches herself out, cascading over rocks and swirling into eddies, moving in a free-flowing and vivacious dance. Tia rids herself of all of the stress amassing within her, her suffering dissolving into the river, and she lets the current carry it away in pure catharsis.

As the river slows, Tia gathers herself again along the bottom, observing the night sky. Her glimmer emulates the cool light above, tiny stars of her own twinkling throughout her body and imitating her freckles. Then, Tia notices the river branching ahead. One half continues along the surface while another slips underground. She follows the river underground without hesitation. Tia squeezes through cracks and swirls around pillars, finding her way through usually impassable structures in her adaptable form until the river passes through a large cavity. She spots a warmly illuminated pocket of air above, pausing in curiosity. Tia gathers herself together waist deep, gliding her hands through her hair and pushing it out of her eyes as her body reforms and materializes into flesh. As she opens her eyes, they lock with those of a boy, slack-jawed and frozen in place with a book drooping in his hand. Tia covers herself quickly, lowering back into the water and shouting. This breaks him from his stupor and he gasps, spinning himself around with reddened ears.

Who are- h-how did you- Tia stammers, her voice echoing in the cave as her eyes dart to locate a secondary entrance she but finds none

I'm-I'm sorry! he splutters as well I-I-I didn't think-

You know what Tia shrills, her agitation sharp I don't care! I'm gone!

Wait!!! he cries out, moving to turn, and she splashes him with cold water. He flinches and halts.

Why?! Tia clamors, exasperated

Just-Just watch! he requests, turning slowly with eyes kept carefully shut. His body morphs into pure water, mirroring Tia, transforming completely while she gapes, mystified I've... I've never met anyone else like me before!

Tia is utterly stunned. Much like him, she had never met anyone else who could transform as she does. Not even her mother shared this rare form.

Are you… still there…? he questions, still keeping his eyes squeezed shut

Yes, um Tia breathes, beginning to shiver from lingering too long in the river Who-who a-are y-you...

Listen, I've got some extra clothes and blankets over there. he indicates, pointing to a ledge in the cave lit up by a number of candles I… I just want to talk. Please.

Tia eyes scrutinize him harshly, raking him for any suspicious sign, and she considers leaving anyway. Yet her curiosity, her desperation to know more about her magic, is too compelling.

Keep your eyes closed! Tia orders, sloshing out of the water

Of course! he agrees, waiting patiently, and his shoulders drop with relief

Tia dries herself swiftly with one of the blankets, examining the cave as she pulls on oversized clothes. Candles are strewn about the cave alongside plush pillows, inviting blankets and even books tucked neatly onto ledges. Tia looks the boy over as she squeezes the water from her hair and wraps a wool blanket around her shoulders. He is well dressed and imposingly tall and broad shouldered. Where other teens are lean if not thin, he is husky and filled out. Despite his size, he has a disarming softness to him, his broad face dusted by scruffy facial hair and framed by wavy black tresses.

Okay Tia indicates cautiously, lingering near the water's edge. The boy opens his eyes, green orbs reflecting back at her, still bewildered and quite embarrassed. Who are you?

He blinks, astonishment crossing over his face quickly and followed by hesitation. His mouth opens to answer her before snapping shut again, scratching his stubble and averting his eyes as his expression tightens.

Al he finally answers, albeit cautiously Call me Al. And you?

Tia gives nearly the same reaction as him, alarmed as she realizes she isn't disguised at all.

I'd... rather not say. Tia's voice is too high as she answers. This garners a toothy smile and a natural chuckle from Al, met by a stern frown from Tia.

Sorry Al apologizes quickly, stifling his amusement Like I said, I've never met anyone else with Ithisda's Body. This is definitely a strange way to run into each other!

Ithisda's... Body? Tia questions, clearly unfamiliar

You didn't know...? Al asks, Tia shaking her head with gruff embarrassment Well, what do you call it?

I never had a name for it Tia mumbles, dejected as she squeezes more water from her hair I got it from my mother's side but she-

Tia barely catches herself before she says too much. He watches the pain and anger crossing over her face at the mention of her mother, wrenching her eyes shut.

My mother passed away recently Al admits softly, his vulnerability striking at Tia's defenses Or, recently to me at least. But neither of my parents have this form either Tia relaxes some and moves closer, sitting on a flattened stalagmite How… have I never met you before?

How have I never met you before? Tia snaps, her hostility surprising him

I'm sorry Al apologizes, his voice soft and his expression disarming I didn't mean to-

No Tia answers and winces It's not you. I... I only just moved here and today has been… a lot to handle. I- her voice starts breaking and she tears up I kept saying all the wrong things and-and my roommate hates me and I... I don't understand why! I just-

Tia catches herself rambling with a gasp, realizing she is over sharing. Anxiety is quick to follow after her embarassment, worried she may have said too much without the protection of her disguise. Al listens anyway, surprised but contemplative.

Sometimes… Al reasons thoughtfully People make up their minds about you before ever even meeting you. It may not have even mattered what you said or did. Especially if they just see…

Al pauses, his lips pressing together as he considers his phrasing. Tia sniffs and wipes at her eyes.

That's why I didn't want to tell you who I am Tia explains in a steadier tone Everyone hears my name and just sees my father, apparently.

I definitely get that! Al laughs, a tinge of his own bitterness entering his voice I always have to represent my father. Would you believe this is the first time in... I don't even know how long where I'm not prefaced by him? Al stops himself with a sigh I'm sorry, that's not-

Tia bounces with laughter suddenly, catching him off guard.

I'm sorry, I've just… Tia chuckles, gesturing between them with her hands I've just done this before.

You've... met a stranger in an underground cave Al laughs with a look of disbelief And danced around each other's identities?

No, definitely not Tia denies flatly But, back home, I used to have a friend who I'd talk to about these kinds of things, just like this. We were "secret friends".

Secret friends? Al echoes

We would meet up and talk about difficult things Tia recounts fondly But we didn't know who the other was which kind of made it easier to talk about this stuff. Well Tia gives lopsided expression He probably knew who I was but he still acted like he didn't.

Why…? Al questions, not quite understanding

We... didn't want who he was and who I was to affect our friendship Tia tries to explain, speaking haltingly Everyone else only saw us for our reputations or our families but we could just be ourselves when we met up that way. Talk about things we couldn't talk to anybody else about without judgement. But… I'm probably never going to see him again.

Al is silent, running the concept through his mind and trying to imagine what it must be like.

I can't say I've ever had a friend like that before Al admits, wistfulness tinting his words Even my best friend still sees me through a lens, doesn't share the same experiences. Everyone I know knows who I am and what that means and that shapes everything else.

Well… Tia eyes her hands awkwardly, feeling sentimental and hesitating. But she is unable to deny her desire for something familiar I know it's weird... but... I'd be happy to have a new secret friend?

Al blinks at her, bewildered by this mysterious woman who has sprung up from the water in his secret place and now offers a strange new form of friendship. Was any of this okay, was it improper? Did that even matter if kept secret? While awkward and uncertain, she also holds an earnest vulnerability Al wasn't accustomed to. Despite the strangeness of the situation, he can't help but smile.

Okay Al answers simply and Tia's face lights up How does this work, then?

First... Tia answers giddily, beaming compulsively and speaking quickly We use names that don't give away who we are. You can call me… Tsuki.

Tsuki? Al questions, unfamiliar with the language

It's an old nickname Tia laughs with a measure of embarrassment

Is Al good enough...? he asks and Tia chews on its potential, contemplative

Yeah, I already know like… she tallies mentally Two or three people whose name starts with Al and I don't really know if you made it up or not. Next! Tia continues We don't ask or tell anything that gives away who we are—and we don't try to figure it out! If we can't answer a question without giving ourselves away, we don't have to answer.

Okay Al chuckles But what if we run into each other up there?

Oh I… Tia pauses, running fingers through her hair I don't normally look like this, I…

To be fair Al states into her hesitation Neither do I. My father... he pauses and pulls out a ring Has me wear this in public. It's enchanted so I look how he wants me to look.

Really? I'm sorry Tia says, grimacing, but he waves it off The only thing I'm unsure of is, how are we going to meet up when the procession moves out of the valley?

Ah, that's easy enough Al answers matter-of-factly I've got spots like this all over the place. I… well I used to travel a lot. I'll bring a map of them tomorrow. If you'd like?

Al hopes he isn't being presumptive, surprised by how exciting this prospect was becoming already.

Yes, tomorrow! Tia agrees

Tia Duff calls for her Where are you?

In the river Tia answers But I'm heading back.

In the river? Duff echoes in befuddlement

Al lets loose a yawn and she chuckles, glad he didn't catch her distracted

I think, for now, we should call it here Tia reasons I'll head out first!

Alright Al agrees with a simple smile Tomorrow then!

She waves and dissolves into the water with a smile. Al also finds himself smiling even after she's gone.

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