What Even is a Water Canon?
Costa Del Sol was always beautiful. Today, though, there was something very different about it. About all of it. The wind blew a little stronger and Layla’s hand moved up to the wide brimmed straw hat that sat on her head, holding it in place. There was a wide smile on her face, a grin some might say even.
She stood on the end of the longest pier, simply standing there, hands clasped in front of her, staring out into the water. It stretched out for malms, as far as she could see. Sure, here and there were dotting spots of coral, stone, and sandbars but for the most part, it was simply water. And schools of fish.
She was a woman on a mission. Many, actually.
Firstly, she had to prove to herself that she was capable of taking on this journey without the constant help of others. Sure, having them around was nice. It helped. But there was something about all of this, the reason behind it, that made her think twice about leaning on them so hard.
And, of course, there was always Asher. Their upbringings were so similar, yet, so vastly different all at the same time. He was so capable. Everything he did he excelled at. She knew he didn’t expect her to do anything alone, in fact, he may be upset with her for venturing out on her own. But here she was, alone, and she was going to accomplish her goal. Of that, she had no doubt.
The Blue stone was tucked into the shallow pocket of her cute shorts, cuffed at her thighs. She pat her leg, both because she was checking to make sure it was there, and also to allow herself that small moment to appreciate the shorts.
They were cute. And she bought them for this very occasion.
A swift turn on her heels sent her walking swiftly down the pier, once again, a woman on a mission. Two spells. She was leaving here with two spells.
Quickly enough her feet met with the soft sands along the beach, taking her along the shoreline until she found a spot she thought would be best. There were many schools of fish in the waters here, colored red, blue, green, in a variety of hues.
She pulled the hat from her head, setting it in the sand near her feet alongside her grimoire. The stone was pulled from her pocket, sat on the grimoire with the hat just over the top. There, safe. She thought to herself, smiling again.
First things first.
SPLASH!
Layla dove into the water, pushing into it further. Fish divided, breaking their schools into two parts to let her pass, quickly forming up again as she passed. She waited till she was out some yalms from land before rolling to her back.
The water was warm, gently lapping at the skin along her arms and legs. Her eyes closed and she simply lay there, taking in the sounds and warmth around her. She would stay here forever if possible.
Several moments passed as she lay back, floating on the water. The sun was already moving rapidly across the sky and she knew it was now or never. Weather reports had mentioned rain likely for the day.
A few breaststrokes pushed her through the water, smiling as the local fish population made way for her to pass once again. If only they knew what was in store for them.
Her feet met sand again, this time small bits clung to both her skin and the leather of her sandals, wet prints left in the sand where ever she moved. She scooped the hat and grimoire back up, once again finding the perfect spot. She settled into the sand, making herself comfortable, legs tucked under her, grimoire in her lap.
Page after page was turned, a small lick to her thumb making it easier, before she found the spell she was after. Leave it to Elias to place the most rudimentary teleportation spell in her grimoire. Bless that mess of a man. She would have to thank him later.
She focused on the diagram on the page she had opened the grimoire to, chewing at her lower lip, allowing it to sink into her mind, taking purchase there. Committed to memory. It was then, and only then, that the words quietly drifted from her lips.
There are places you need to go With my aether With my mind You shall go anywhere You shall go anytime Come To my desired place
The sudden pop in the water and the pull on her aether almost caused her to break her concentration, and for a moment, she was certain the small fish would plop back down into the water. But there, on the sand in front of her, was a small red fish.
“Holy shit!” She called out to no one, “I fucking did it!” Another one she would have to mark down to tell both Asher and Elias. The small red fish flopped against the sand, looking up at her wish wide, empty fishy eyes. “Oh... oh...” She stood, quickly, moving the small fish back into the water. “Not you little guy!” She almost yelled, letting the little fish go in the water. She flopped back down, leaning back to reach for her grimoire again. “Fi would have killed me...” She sighed, shaking her head. “Note to self, no more promises things won’t die.” She said, once again chewing at her lower lip.
She would have to try harder. No more small fish. They would not do what she needed anyway, unless, of course, she were looking for dinner. No, no. Concentrate, Layla. Her head shook again, setting her eyes on the water. There had to be something in there. Something she could use.
It seemed as if hours passed, days even. Fish, after fish. Slimy sea cucumber after slimy sea cucumber. They really did look like gross disfigured penis’, she thought, thoroughly grossed out after the fifth one. She had almost given up, almost closed her book and stood.
Then. There is was. Swimming along as if it didn’t have a care in the world. And until this very moment, it didn’t. A bombfish.
He was large, brown, and covered in spiky scales. Perfect. This one would do, it had to. Surely.
Once again, the spell was cast, and before Layla could so much as utter the last word, the bombfish was floating in the air before her, both of their eyes wide at the new situation they were in.
It was angry. As expected. Immediately it turned on Layla, bright yellow eyes wide and glaring at her. Oh the things it would have said had it the voice to speak. Scrambling back, Layla pulled the small blue stone from her pocket. Her eyes closed and she held the stone close to her chest.
SPLASH!
A blast of water came from the fish’s mouth, blasting like canon at her face. She was happy she had taken the hat off earlier, surely it would have went flying. Her hair blew back, wet and tangled. Her eyes closed harder, trying with all her might to keep the wicked jet of sea water from blasting her eyes.
“Okay! Okay!” She screamed, one hand up to block the water. “I’m sorry!”
The little bombfish glared at her again, just before turning and floating back out to sea. For several long moments it stared at her, hanging over the water with a look of distaste for the Hyur woman written all over it’s face. Seconds later it was gone, lost again to the depths of the sea.
But there, in Layla’s hands, where the blue stone was held, a bright light began to form. Brighter and brighter still. For two whole breathes the light shown, casting a warmth over Layla that brought another smile to her face.
She watched as the light began to fade once more, leaving nothing more than a faint reminder of it’s presence int he heart of the stone.
“I did it.”