Cinders wasn't quite sure why she craved his attention so much. Just that she did. His words were breaking the solitude she was born into and she liked it. The sea was nice, swimming was fun, but it all felt...lacking to do it by herself. He had shown her that she wanted, or maybe even needed, someone to do it with her. But it didn't take a genius, she looks at his wings and she knew he couldn't swim with her even if she asked him too. Were there others like her that could maybe though? Out there somewhere like her, afraid and alone?

But no matter how sad she got she was careful to listen to his voice. If she truly was going to be alone, then his words were the only hints she would have about learning to speak. She didn't know why she wanted to speak, just that she knew it was important she learn, so she did her best, whenever he spoke she surfaced and watched him, eyes alight with innocent curiosity and hope that one day those sounds and vibrations would make sense to her like they seemed to come so naturally to him.

She puffed up more under his encouragement, not that she could understand what he was saying, but his tone was gentle and soft, she just knew his intentions without needing to know the exact words. and when he tossed the ball of light down to her all dour thoughts of loneliness were gone as she moved to give chase to the tiny ball. She had no desire to catch it, merely to follow it, and follow it she did, always only barely an inch behind it as they raced from one end of the river to the other, occasionally throwing in a flip or twirl if she felt like showing off.

@Oliver

Oliver maintained the orb for as long as he was able. He watched, simply and truly happy for the seal pup, who seemed joyous in her play.

He sent the ball of light careening this way and that, careful never to go too quickly (though it did take him a moment to gauge how fast she could swim). And when at last he found himself wearing down, the magic taxing him, he called down to her.

"I'm getting tired now. You're strong!" It was, as before kind encouragement--and he then lifted the light from the water to the shore before dispersing it. He lay there, then, weary, drawing his magicka back into himself to rest for a few moments. "Cinders--do you know what kind of thing you are?" he then asked. His bird-dog head tilted to one side as he looked her over, considering. Some Gembound declared themselves to be 'dog' or 'cat' or what have you--his own mother had been a bird, a crow, and his father, a large dog. But he'd never seen anything like this one, before. If she knew what she was, he was curious.

"Um--rock," he explained, gesturing one taloned forefoot toward a stone. "River, water," he added, toward the water. "Cinders-?" he then went on, his tone and expression questioning, as he gestured to the seal.

@Cinders