Midnight Swim [pg13]

[Iƪƪia]

The moon shone brightly in the night sky, casting it's silver shadow on the earth below. A sliver of moonlight managed to break through the canopy of leaves and was reflected on the lake beneath it. The entire lake was bathed in the pale moonlight, giving it an almost supernatural feel.

Suddenly, there was a break in the water as a lionesses head burst through the glass-like pool. Illia never really liked to break the rules, but if she wanted to do something, nothing would stop her. Tonight, she wanted to swim. It's been ages since she last swam, and she knew she wouldn't be able to in the light of day. The chances of a human seeing her were just too great. So, here she was. Alone and at peace with the world. She kicked her hind legs quickly as she began another lap around the lake.

[Elle]

Elle walked quickly past the trees, nervously looking around. She jumped at anything that moved and kept her arms wrapped tightly around her. She was breaking curfew and she was terrified of being caught.

She wanted to run back to the dorms very badly, but she surpressed the urge. She really wanted to see that pretty lake. She had been at Chimera Academy for a few days, and now she decided to be brave for once and take a look at those captivating, crystal-clear waters.

[Iƪƪia]

There was a noise in the distance. Footsteps, Illia assumed. She tasted the air with both of her tongues. The scent was unfamiliar to her. It definitely tasted non-human, but that was all she could tell. Well, at least it wasn't Crane. She was familiar with his scent by now. However, that didn't mean she wasn't a little nervous.

Quickly, she dove under the water, hiding in a small patch of seaweed near the bottom. Looking up through a break in the plant, she waited for the new arrival.

[yuki]

Arabella Thorne ran as fast as could through the shadows and trees surrounding her. She didn't know where she was going and she didn't care--as long as it was away from everyone and everything. It was the only time to get some quiet time to herself.
Then she saw something sparkling in the moonlight up ahead. She wondered if she should approach, considering that it could be another person with a light. But as she drew near, Ara found that it was a shimmering lake.
Beautiful.
Arabella fancied a swim. She'd been through so much on her first day of school. It could relax and calm her. And maybe take the stress away?

[Elle]

Elle finally made it to the edge of the lake. She peered into it's depths, mesmorized. Kneeling down , she splashed the water with her hand. As she watched the waves distort her reflection she offered a small smile.

Then she looked out across the clear lake. It would probably be okay to go for a swim. Just a quick one. Looking behind her, nervously, she began to loosen her skin. Suddenly, she heard a noise coming closer. She kept her skin on and instead turned to face the person approaching.

[yuki]

It was Arabella who saw the girl by the lake. She couldn't believe that someone else was out here too. At first, no one spoke. Ara didn't know what to say. But then again, they were both breaking the rules by coming out here. Arabella guessed that she was friendly.

"Umm..." The chimera stood there waiting for someone to break the awkward silence.

[Elle]

It was another girl who arrived at the lake. Elle was unable to tell if she were human or not and she struggled to maintain control of her skin. She was unreasonably frightened. After all, she didn't know why this girl was breaking curfew. Maybe she was one of those bad kids. Maybe she would tell on her?

However, the way she stuttered instead of saying anything told Elle she wasn't too bad. She seemed a lot like her actually. The two of them stood for awhile, watching at each other. Finally, Elle thought she should break the awkward silence.

"Um... Hi," She said quietly, "I - I'm not doing anything bad here!"

She winced at her words and felt like kicking herself. Why did she just say that? Ugh, that was so stupid!

[Iƪƪia]

Illia bared her teeth, still looking up through the seaweed. Now there were two of them?! Well, this was the perfect night to go for a swim. She looked around at the lake bottom, looking for an exit. She couldn't stay down there much longer. She might be able to swim, but it's not like she has gills!

She looked back up at the two girls. What now? She couldn't get out of the water. She would be seen for sure! It might be okay to show herself to the non-human brunette, but she couldn't tell if the other girl was human or not. She looked wildly around for some way - any way - out of this mess.

[yuki]

"I just wanted to go swimming..." Ara smiled sheepishly. She sensed that the girl was non-human and breathed a sigh of relief.
"Y-you're not a human, right?" Arabella stuttered. She was a bit nervous. She hoped that the girl wouldn't tell on her either.

[Elle]

When girl asked if Elle wasn't human, she breathed a sigh of relief. At least now it won't be so horrible if she looses her skin. She smiled weakly, brushing back her hair with a trembling hand.

"N-No..." She stuttered, "I'm, um... A dragon."

She looked down at the lake, her nerves relaxing a bit. It was always easier to talk when you don't make eye contact.

"Actually, I came here to go swimming too," She said, letting out a nervous laugh.

[yuki]

Ara spotted a star gleaming next to the moon in the beautiful night sky. She stared at it as she talked.

"Oh, well, I'm a chimera. My name's Ara." Then she looked back at the girl and put a friendly smile on her face.

[Elle]

Elle was smiling as she turned back to the girl.

"Ara? That's a pretty name," She responded, "My name's Elle."

She returned her gaze to the lake. She thought she probably should say something else, but she was unable to think of anything.

[Iƪƪia]

That's it! Illia had had enough of their little chat. She had to get out, and she had to get out now! Propelling herself off of the side of the lake, she swam out in the center, looking for the perfect place to nonchalantly escape. It was then she turned to look at the far back dirt wall of the lake. It looked as though there was a small cavern near the bottom. Curiosity overcame here, but she wasn't foolish enough to rush down there. What if there was no air pocket? Instead, she sprang upward, her head crashing through the surface of the lake. She inhaled deeply, still looking at the back wall, seemingly oblivious of the other girls at the water's edge.

[Elle]

She heard the water rush and looked over to see something silver appear in the middle of the lake. With a gasp she realized it was a head. A lion's head. Frightened, she backed away from the chimera. What was she doing here? Why was it hiding from them? Was it going to attack? She tripped on an exposed tree root and toppled over backward, immediatly loosing control of her skin. The dragon cowered into the trees, watching the chimera nervously.

[yuki]

Ara turned to watch the other chimera emerge from the lake. She gasped and backed up, walking away from the water's edge.
"Elle, did you know there was another chimera here?" She asked hesitantly.