Page 46 of Oceansong
“Apologies, do continue.”
“Depending on what both people want, they can agree to a committed relationship. They can make it purely physical. Or they can live together. Or get married, and if they want, have kids.” She thought of what else to say. “If they later decide they don’t want to be together, they break up.”
He relaxed his pose, his torso falling away from her. “So, it is courting, then. We court our potential mates, as well, when we’ve chosen a match during our engagement events.”
“Can’t imagine having my life chosen for me.”
“This is our tradition,” Kaden replied. “I just choose not to partake in it.”
“Don’t blame you. I wouldn’t either. Oh, and I just wanted to let you know, our mayor—uh, our leader—is coming on Friday. They’re meeting with my bàba, and I’m going to join them.”
“That’s good news. What are you planning on saying to them?” Kaden had pulled his shoulders back, rapt.
“My family seems pretty set on shooting you all on sight. And my bàba is close to our leaders. If I can talk some sense into them, something might actually come of it. I’ll let you know what happens.” A cold, passing breeze greeted her, and Angie shivered, despite sitting beneath the evening sun’s rays. She tightened her light jacket around herself and brought her knees closer.
“You are cold?”
“What gave that away?” Angie grinned and shook her head.
“You don’t have much body fat, except for your chest.” He pointed at her jacket. “No wonder you have to wear layer upon layer to stay warm. What is that part underneath the waist called?”
“My hips? You’re saying I have big hips?” She sat ramrod straight, crossing and uncrossing her legs as she waited for his answer.
“Not big. They look, erm.” Kaden flushed pink. “Well rounded. Healthy. Like the rest of you.”
“I can’t tell if you’re insulting or complimenting me!” Angie exclaimed with mock-incredulity, dramatically putting a hand over her chest.
“It was meant as a compliment.”
“Alright, wisecracker. How do you supposedly have so much body fat keeping you warm in zero-degree waters?”
Kaden’s lips twitched before he cracked a small smile. “We have smaller organs. Hence why we do not appear as if we have much body fat, but we do have a thin layer beneath our skin. Helps keep us warm.”
“Makes sense. But how do you breathe underwater with your nostrils open? And see without the saltwater burning your eyes?” Angie hadn’t meant to stare and examine him like a specimen for one of her marine biology classes, but she couldn’t help herself.
Kaden flared his nose as if to prove a point. “My eyes are covered with a protective lens when I’m in the water. And my nostrils close as well. I don’t need them to breathe.”
“Ah! So, similar to a sea lion. Or a walrus.” She was proud of herself for how much she remembered from her college courses.
“You–uh, those are the first animals you would compare me to?” Kaden blew out an amused huff.
“I’m not saying you look like them!”
“Right. I believe that. Now, are you done critiquing my appearance?”
“If you’re done critiquing mine,” Angie fired back with a smirk. “You may have all those special adaptations to live in the sea, but at least I have legs and can walk on land.”
“Oh!” Kaden doubled over, shoulders shaking with hearty laughter. “And yet with all the grace and speed you may have on land, you will never be as so in the water. Or be able to breathe without your bulky contraptions.”
“The downfall of having legs instead of a big old fish tail and no gills.” She clucked her tongue, cheeks practically pushing against her eyes while she laughed with him. It felt good, the lighthearted tone their conversation took. Her spirits lifted.
“We adapt to our environments, yes? Except your hair. Does it not get caught on things around you? What is the advantage to having hair so long and unbound?” Kaden’s eyes roved from the top of her head down to where her hair ended at her waist.
“I don’t make it a habit to whip my hair around in places where it might get snagged.” Angie scooped up a small handful of cold sand and flicked it at his chest. “And I like the way it looks. It also keeps my neck warm.”
He brushed the grit off, his face still upturned. Then he flicked the sand back at her, bouncing off her nose, and she wrinkled it. “Long, loose hair like yours can attract the attention ofqisainman. Orliuyeyuif you’re deep enough. They could mistake stray locks of hair for delicious fish. I would know.”
He slowed down when he said the fish names, and by piecing together the words, Angie got “lampreys” and “lancetfish.”
