Literature
Ocean's Embrace
As the echoes of the shriek fled away into the underwater tunnel, Jal sank lower into the seawater, embarrassed. [Contains underwater peril and graphic combat] In the dark, the most visible parts of Jal were his glowing eye rings and barbels. His hair’s bioluminescence was a softer, weaker glow. It was also the only reason Vano's sharp bead hadn't followed his cry. Staring into the pit-like eyes of gleaming, tech eye rings was unsettling, and not terribly recognizable as another curio. Jal's winding, glowing cheek tendrils didn't help, either. The foggy illumination of hair, though, gave Vano enough pause to wonder if that was a person's face looking at him, which, in turn, gave Jal a chance to speak. “Sorry,” he murmured above the water level which clasped his chin. Jal's ragged, small voice was a distinct one. “Jal?” Relief bled from Vano's tone. He waded closer, reaching for him. It was dark. Vano could barely see him. “Yeah. Can you swim? Like, uh, dive swim.” Jal had