It took 15 seconds for one dusty brown head to bob back up to the surface, and an additional 5 for a blonde one to bob up right next to her.
The adrenaline was still coursing through Melody's veins as she took in her first breath post stunt. It might've been the most reckless thing she'd ever done.
But that rush? Little C was right, nothing could beat that.
"Plumbius maximus, I cannot believe I just did that! Look at that! We really just jumped from there and now we're here and we're still freaking alive! What even is this?"
"Relax, Side Boob! This is just the euphoria of chasing a thrill."
"Is that what this is? My Watcher, is this what I've been missing all my life? Because I've taken damn near every drug and nothing has ever felt like that!"
"Then you might've missed a few drugs, but this is definitely a top 20 for sure."
"Oh whatever!" Melody splashed her. "You're making that up"
"Let's just say there are a good bit of drugs that aren't on the open market that are a wild ride."
"And how would you know about them?"
"I'm not at liberty to say."
"You know LC, you're a lot of fun, but I never can tell when you're full shit or when you're being real."
"Some would say that's part of my charm." LC rose a brow.
"Well some would say I'm starting to freeze my tits off in this water. How long ya think it would take to get back to the top of the range and get the rest of our clothes?"
"Hmm maybe 45 minutes if we hoof it, assuming they're still there."
"Assuming they'reโwhy wouldn't they be?"
"Well, I might've caught movement in the bushes before we jumped. Could be cougars, could be teens playing a prank. Either way our clothes could be toast."
"Well, damn, LC, what the hell!"
"That's the calculated risk you take when running with me."
"You knowโฆ.I should be mad at you, but you have a point. Plus," Mel sighed, "I can't stay mad at you LC, you're so cute and unpredictable. I find it way too endearing."
"Aww, shucks, Side Boob, you're making me blush."
"But for real, I'm gonna be an icicle soon so even if our clothes are toastโ"
"Gotchu, we'll go see if there's any clothes left to collect. But before we do, you gotta take that in." LC pointed out above them. Somehow the smattering of stars they looked up at from the top of the range showed even brighter from the water.
"Now that's a view." Melody smiled.
The two headed back to the shoreline so they could start their trek back up the range and hopefully back to a present and in tact pile of their clothes. But as they neared the shore, it was clear they were no longer alone.
"Uh oh." Mel could hear LC gurgle above the waves.
The apprehension in LC's voice as she reacted to the tan skinned strangers glowering down at them gave Melody pause.
"Level with me," Mel whispered over to her, "friend or foe? And if he's a foe and we can't take him, tell me we're fast enough to outrun him."
"Chill, SB, he's no foe."
"Perhaps I don't want to know the answer, but when I told you to relax at the resort while I worked today how did that become you jumping off a cliff with a new friend?"
The tan gentleman looked far from pleased as LC weighed her best responses. "Poppy," he spoke again, "explain."
