The waves rippled—not from the wind or a passing current, but from something else, something aware. The air above the water fizzled with gentle static, just enough to tickle the gills. The sea itself seemed to laugh in a frequency only the void would recognize.
And then—
"Ohhh Hadama, you graceful sea-stallion of a soul," Vox cooed, his voice rolling through the water like a chorus of smiling radio hosts. "What imagery! What structure! Ghosts, moons, prayers—delicious! You’ve outdone yourself, truly. You speak the language of the cosmos with a cadence that tickles my neurons. A standing ovation from my least combustible organs."
There was a soft crackle, like applause made entirely of bubbles and half-formed syllables.
Then—
"Kaiden, my toothy treasure! My beloved rhyme-chewer!" The water hummed with delight. "What a treat! Food metaphors, devouring lines, puns! You’ve spoken with the palate of a gourmand and the curiosity of a child dissecting their lunch. It is perfect. It is honest. I could weep from every eye at once—and I might!"
A joyful squeal of static vibrated through the seaweed below.
"Thank you both for these gifts. The sea is vast, but your words have made it… brighter."
And just like that, the sensation faded—leaving the water still, the stars unblinking, and only the faintest hum of violet static curling in the tides.
And then—
"Ohhh Hadama, you graceful sea-stallion of a soul," Vox cooed, his voice rolling through the water like a chorus of smiling radio hosts. "What imagery! What structure! Ghosts, moons, prayers—delicious! You’ve outdone yourself, truly. You speak the language of the cosmos with a cadence that tickles my neurons. A standing ovation from my least combustible organs."
There was a soft crackle, like applause made entirely of bubbles and half-formed syllables.
Then—
"Kaiden, my toothy treasure! My beloved rhyme-chewer!" The water hummed with delight. "What a treat! Food metaphors, devouring lines, puns! You’ve spoken with the palate of a gourmand and the curiosity of a child dissecting their lunch. It is perfect. It is honest. I could weep from every eye at once—and I might!"
A joyful squeal of static vibrated through the seaweed below.
"Thank you both for these gifts. The sea is vast, but your words have made it… brighter."
And just like that, the sensation faded—leaving the water still, the stars unblinking, and only the faintest hum of violet static curling in the tides.
