Hoping for company

Tallix walked along the beach, the tide slowly lapping over her feet before retreating and leaving her walking on wet sand. It stuck between her toes and up to her ankles, but she knew it would be removed by the next wave. Her dress flapped lightly on the breeze, and she was holding her sandals in her hand. She didn't want them getting covered in sand.

She looked out across the vast ocean, watching the large waves rushing closer to the shore. It would be a good day for canoeing and doing some extra fishing for her family, but she didn't want to risk it. Not with the Peecekeepers around.

Suddenly, a large black and white bird flew overhead and circled above her. Automatically, she held out her right arm and the bird dove towards her. It slowed down by flapping its huge wings before landing on her arm, its sharp talons pressing against her tanned skin. It was an Osprey.

She walked over towards some large rocks and sat down, throwing her sandals onto the dry sand. She stroked the front of the Osprey's chest with one finger. She spent more time with him than she did humans. She wouldn't mind some human company now.

Tallix looked up from her osprey and saw a girl approaching. She'd never met this person, but seemed to recognise her face. Maybe she'd seen her before, and they'd just never spoken. Tallix guessed that the girl was her own age.

"Hello there, my name's Theta"

Tallix smiled back at Theta, "Hi, I'm Tallix." She said and stared at Theta for a moment, trying to remember where she'd seen her before. "Sorry... I'm sure I've seen you before, I just can't remember where. Do you want to sit down?" She offered and shuffled to the side on the rock, making room for Theta to sit if she wanted. She hoped she wasn't scared of big birds.

In that moments silence Tallix quickly tried to make conversation. "Do you come down to the beach often?"