Ripples gently caressed the water's surface, and vines scattered soft glowing lights.
In the spacious and tranquil cave, the fiery feathers and fur of the Crimson Fire Bird lay in a messy pile in a corner, speckled with bits of sand in the creases.
Replacing it atop the rock was a sheet of pale-blue hide, exuding a faint coolness.
The Toad lay on the blue hide, with webbed feet stretched and curled, and several square wooden sticks rolled upon its sprawling white belly.
It picked up two long sticks, fitting them together at the matching notches, but quickly tossed them aside onto its belly again after a few attempts.
Bored to death.
The excitement of playing with the Hexagonal Lock was novel at first, but after having figured it out, it became bland and tasteless, lingering between wanting to touch it and not wanting to.
"It's been days since a new ship! I wonder when Little Brother will come."
With a sigh from the Toad, a tidal wave erupted within the cave.
