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The Witch of Black Waters

The sea was always a comforting place for the canine. The gentle rolling waves making a rhythm to the world that was familiar, comfortable. The grey fur mixed with the white as it waved in the breeze letting the man smell the salt in the air, his dark eyes gazing out over the black waves. The stars were out full force over the ocean tonight and easy to see so far from the cities. It was a place where he could find peace and he took the opportunity, whenever he had one, to visit this particular place for a reason.

Legend said that in the waves there was a creature as old as the ocean itself. That it could hear the pain of a heart and sing it a lullaby so endearing that no one would leave that shore upset anymore. The wolf wasn't upset tonight, just a little lonely perhaps. It didn't matter how he felt because he knew the little kernel of truth was that no one could leave such a serene place upset anymore. The creature was the ocean and the song the rhythm of the world itself.

The man pulled his long black coat closer to himself as he adjusted his glasses to look up at the moon. It always seemed so large when it was close to the water though something caught his eye. A silvery sparkle of water splashed into the night air. Figuring he wasn't alone tonight the wolf looked out over the water, though it remained rather calm aside from the rolling waves.

The wolf quirked a brow curious as to why there wasn't any more splashing though it didn't take long for him to see something floating in the waves. "Hey! You alright out there," Shouted the canine as he ran to the edge of the waves, cursing as he got his boots wet. Whatever was out there wasn't moving.

It didn't take long to kick his boots off and throw his coat into the sand before the wolf was in the waves swimming with all he had. His heart raced as worry filled him realizing he didn't know what to do if it really was a person out there in the waves. He approached the floating object and his body went numb as he saw a fennec face down in the water. It was hard to see the limp man thanks to his black fur leaving the wolf no idea how long the poor thing had been adrift unseen.

Quickly the wolf gripped the fennec under the arms flipping him over to show white fur on his jaw and chin all the way down his front to his groin, which was completely uncovered. He didn't have time to think about why the fennec was floating about naked, the wolf had to ensure the man was alive. Dragging the limp form to the shore he laid him out and spoke, "Hey! Wake up!" The wolf ran a paw through his red and black dyed hair with a look of worry, "Oh man come on I don't know what to do!"

Leaning down the wolf prayed he would hear the man was breathing as he put a paw on the white chest softly to feel for a heartbeat. He swallowed hard as he heard no breathing though the heart was beating. That was his first sign of hope and he ran with it as far as he could. "I hope this works... I've only seen it done in the movies," Said the wolf as he leaned down sealing his muzzle around the unconscious man's own blowing into it.

The fennec opened his eyes wide for a moment as he coughed up a good deal of water shivering all over as if he were shocked to consciousness. The wolf breathed a sigh of relief as he sat himself back in the sand shivering slightly himself as the water wasn't at its warmest this time of the year. It took a few moments of coughing on part of the fennec before he put a paw softly on the soaked jeans of the wolf and looked into his eyes.

The wolf felt uneasy as something seemed wrong with the fennec's eyes, one of them being red while the other was completely jet black. It took a few more moments before the larger canine felt like he could speak again, "Hey... you gave me one hell of a scare man... what were you doing out there and why are you naked?"

The fennec opened his mouth as if trying to speak but stopped before any sound came out. He bit his lip looking down at himself before he sat up and wrapped his arms around himself shivering powerfully enough that his teeth chittered in the dark.

"Hey... sorry... I didn't mean to be like that... My names Enta. Look I have a little place up the beach a ways. We can talk there nice and dry," Said the wolf as he stood himself up grabbing up his long trench coat before wrapping it around the naked man carefully. He slipped his boots back on though saw the fennec was having trouble standing.

Enta knelt down slowly in front of the fennec and offered a hand, "Hey hey take it easy. You need some help?"

The fennec could only nod as he took the hand and slowly got to his feet uneasily and was still shaking even on his feet. Enta tried to take a step only to have the fennec nearly take them both down. The wolf was fast enough to sweep the small canine up and into his arms, "Well... I could use a little more exercise anyway..."

The black male lay in the larger canine's arms his eyes wide as he was carried up the beach. He closed his eyes slightly as this whole ordeal had taken a great deal out of him. The warmth of the other's arms gave him comfort enough that he was asleep by the time they reached the beach house.

The small house was modest to say the least having only a small kitchen, a dining area and sitting area separated only by a countertop. There were two doors out of the main room, one leading to the bedroom and the other to a bathroom. Enta took the fennec into the bathroom for the time as he was cold to the touch still and with him unconscious he was worried about the prospect of hypothermia.

Enta drew a hot bath as quickly as the water would run before, as gently as he could, he lowered the black and white male into the water. The fennec was slightly limp though still breathing as he was lowered in. It wasn't until all but his head was in the water that the fennec opened his eyes again. He was still quiet not making a sound as he enjoyed the warmth of the water around him quite content to stay there for the time.

The wolf hadn't noticed the other was awake as he stripped himself of the wet clothing grabbing a towel to start drying off with a sigh. He had no idea what to do with the fennec now, he figured he would take him to the doctors in the morning to make sure he was okay though it was a little unsettling how quiet the man was. It was as he thought about that silence that he turned and saw the fennec looking up at him curiously.

Enta gasped and quickly wrapped the towel around his waist letting it cover him up as he spoke, "I... I didn't know you were awake again! You're pretty quiet you know that?"

The monochrome canine nodded slowly in the tub though he looked almost wounded by the remark. He moved his feet up and down in tandem in the water watching them as they made a slight wave in the tub. He was clearly torn over what to do in this situation though as long as he didn't say anything Enta was clueless as to the problem.

The wolf bit his lip and spoke softly as he opened the door to the bedroom, "There are towels on the rack and a blow dryer if you want that... I'll be in here if you need anything... We'll figure this whole thing out in the morning okay?"

The fennec only nodded in return at the door was closed and he was left alone in the water. Leaning back he closed his eyes starting to relax a bit in the warmth though his mind had not wandered to happy times. It wasn't long before his weariness overtook him again as he drifted into his dreams, or perhaps memories.

The sound was like a million choirs were singing unison around the multi colored light twister, the sound enough to make the coldest of hearts cry openly with its beauty. A perfect harmony of millions of voices each singing their own unique song. The fennec was alone though, away from the group with shame on his face. He could only hear voices calling out hurtful things like abomination, witch, and wretch. It made him cry letting the red tears fall from his eyes in his silent agony.

The fennec had no friends as everyone like him was afraid of him. After all he was what they said he was, the witch. The little solace he found was going to the shore and seeing the people on the surface. He'd never spoken to one, let alone been seen or carried by one before. It was the wolf he had always been seen about however, the one that always came at night.

He had tried so hard to sing for the wolf but he always choked up with fear, his voice never carrying beyond the waves. It tore the fennec apart inside not being able to express how happy he was that someone came to his beach, that he wasn't alone.

"It can never be Witch. They will never accept you. I know you intend to try but you are too different from them. Even if you were to twist your broken song into the blasphemy you so desire... to gain legs and walk the land... If you can even learn to walk," Sang one of his peers torturing Witch his painful taunts.

Witch turned about with anger in his eyes before whipping his fish like tail at the other siren. His hackles rose as one from the harmony dared venture into HIS waters. How dare they invade his water after they threw him out? Witch's voice rang loud and powerful through the waves as the ocean itself started to roil about them.

The other siren had fear in his eyes as Witch's terrible verse began to tear through the waves with a real and dangerous power in it. The clouds began to boil and roll about, their darkness growing deeper, forcing the wolf to leave the shore for the night on account of the sudden storm brewing. He could hear the wind wailing with such fury he could have sworn it was the lamenting cry of someone in agony.

"How dare you come here voice of the harmony!? What insolent idea in the verse possessed you to enter my realm and torment me with my fate!? I should tear your voice from your very throat for this," Sang the siren Witch, rage in his words.

"Your blasphemy could be heard well outside of your ill claimed territory Witch of Black Waters! The evil of your song reaching the ears of the young songs! How dare YOU spread such filth," came the storming song of the invading siren.

Witch had no patience left in him as he let his murderous song flow from him, twisting the waters themselves to his dark intentions. The large ears of the invading siren folded back as it screamed writhing about as if it had been thrown on land. The sea began to boil about the siren making him scream louder until a loud crack filled the night lighting up the water, and Witch was alone.

The corpse of the critic floating in the water for only a few moments before it turned to sound itself, the music writhing about in the water trying to find its way back to the harmony. It was then that Witch committed the greatest of sins. Opening his mouth he drew in the song of the dead siren devouring it and forcing it to bond with his own. He knew he could never return to the harmony after such a thing, though he was already outcast.

The fennec opened his eyes gripping his chest as he gasped powerfully in the tub. Looking about Witch suddenly remembered where he was and smiled. He was safe here, he would never hear their taunting again. He would never have to fight, cry and lament his place in the world. First things first though, he had to figure walking out and fast.

Using his arms the fennec struggled to try and lift himself from the tub but they were weak, not used to an environment where he had to support himself. It might as well be like walking on a super massive planet for him. He grit his teeth trying is hardest but he could only lift himself slightly from the water. Putting everything he had into it Witch tried again to lift himself from the water only to let out a yelp as he pulled, possibly tore, a muscle in his shoulder.

Witch fell back into the tub holding his shoulder as he realized the sound he made. Panicked the echoing sound of what the land walkers would think to be many voices. He writhed for a few moments trying to come to terms with this new pain. Enta rushed in looking surprised at seeing only the fennec there and he quirked a brow as he spoke, "What was that all about?"

The fennec looked up with fear and pain in his eyes as he held his shoulder tightly and protectively. It took a few moments before Enta reached out and touched the shoulder feeling the bone under. He quirked a brow as he spoke, "My god you're skin and bones. No wonder those waves overpowered you! What were you thinking going out there as weak as you are?!"

Witch folded his ears back at the reprimanding; shrinking away from the wolf as he was worried he may have done something wrong. It wasn't until then that he had no idea how these people interacted. He knew they talked and he knew their language but had no idea what to say anyway. Their whole society was a mystery.

"Hey hey it's okay... I didn't mean to... Here let me help you," said Enta as he rubbed his temples a bit frustrated with this situation as well as his own shortness. For all he knew this fennec didn't even speak his language. Reaching into the water he grabbed the fennec around the chest and lifted him from the tub trying to stand him up.

Witch grit his teeth as he was lifted and kept the expression as he tried his hardest to use his legs. All he could make them do was tremble which caused no end to frustration inside. Enta was keen enough to notice this as he spoke softly, "You... you can't walk can you? You can barely hold yourself up... My god what happened to you..."

The wolf leaned down and swept Witch off his feet so he could be cradled in the Enta's arms again. It wasn't hard for the wolf making him nod, "You barely weigh anything... here let's get you some food and set you down somewhere you can rest..."

Enta took Witch into the bedroom and laid him out softly on the towels he had left behind letting the fennec dry out there before he lifted him into the bed and tucked him in up to his hips while he sat with his back against the headboard. The wolf left the siren there for a few moments before he returned with a bowl of soup, "I'm sorry I'm not much of a cook... I just microwaved it but... Well mom always gave it to me when I was sick... You know how moms are right?"

Witch looked up confused at this word mom. He tilted his head noticeably as he was given the warm bowl. Looking to it he sniffed a few times before smiling and lifting it to his lips he tipped the bowl drinking it directly, completely ignoring the spoon he was given for it. He finished the soup fast leaving Enta in shock as the fennec inspected the spoon for some sort of hidden meaning or use.

"Wow... uhh... I guess you were kind of hungry," Enta took the bowl and spoon from the siren looking surprised.

Witch watched the wolf leave the room with worry in his eyes. How in the world did he think this would work? He knew nothing about this world and clearly wasn't equipped to deal with it at all. The siren wiggled slightly but couldn't muster the will to move the hurt muscle nor the strength to get out of the bed.

The wolf returned and helped Witch down into a laying position under the covers before slipping in on the other side of the bed speaking softly, "We'll see the doctor in the morning. Maybe there will be something he can do for you. For now though, sleep well."

Witch could only lay there and lament his past. His hatred towards his own kind for throwing him out was just as bad as his hatred for himself. The worst part of their taunts was he knew they were right. He was the Witch of Black Waters and his song was dangerous. Its broken melody could disrupt the entire harmony and wipe out their entire race. It was like a plague, but he had to hold it within himself. He closed his eyes tightly shaking his head at the hand fate had dealt him. No man was large enough by himself to face like alone.

He let silent red tears fall even as he heard the other breathing heavily next to him. He cried himself to sleep that night, as he had many nights before.

The morning came with Enta bringing Witch some breakfast in bed. The wolf had figured out quickly enough that Witch was incapable of moving about in this environment. He had noticed the red stains but didn't feel the need to talk about them when they were already heading to the doctor after breakfast.

Witch was happy that Enta was so kind to him even though they had only just met. In truth Witch had sang to the wolf on many occasions though it was unlikely Enta would have known it. After a little drama around clothing and how it's worn the wolf carried the Siren out to the car and they started out on the trip to the clinic.

Enta smiled a little seeing how amazed the fennec was as he looked out the windows. It was like he had never seen anything like this before. He was worried that maybe this was a case of amnesia perhaps but the smile on Witch's face almost made him sad that he couldn't feel the magic the siren was feeling at that moment. It was like the fennec never lost that sense of childlike wonder, he'd never become cynical.

The speed the car traveled at and the wind he could feel in his fur and hair made Witch smile broadly. All the sights and sounds of this world were amazing to him, the sheer ingenuity of these verseless creatures were marvels, each and every one of them. He had never thought of building a home let alone constructing large buildings that touched the sky. Machines, even ones that moved at such amazing speeds, were completely foreign to him. He wished inside that their trip had been longer but upon reaching the clinic the car came to a stop.

Witch looked to Enta confused for a few moments before the wolf stood himself up and walked to the siren's door. He lifted the fennec into his arms easily and cradled him close as they walked into the clinic. Enta set the fennec in a chair in the waiting room before talking in a hushed tone to the cheetah receptionist. She nodded slowly and left bringing back a small border collie. He was the standard white on black colors while his eyes were such a bright blue, his name badge reaching Dr. Andrews.

"Hello there. I'm Dr. Andrews... Enta tells me that you can't remember anything maybe," Said the man in the white coat as he pulled up a seat across from witch. The fennec looked to Enta confused before looking to the doctor suspiciously. Of course he could remember everything! Did these verseless really have such horrifying ailments?

Enta rubbed the back of his neck a little as he bit his lip. He saw the distrust and the confusion at the question making him speak softly, "It's okay... He's a doctor he wants to help."

"Let's bring him back to the exam room Enta. I'd like to do a few tests to see what's the matter. You should come along though... He seems more comfortable around you," Replied the doctor as he stood himself up grabbing a clipboard and walking through a door out of the waiting room.

Witch looked to Enta as he grabbed a wheelchair setting it up in front of the fennec before lifting him into it and wheeling them both into the clinic proper. Witch didn't like how sterile it was. He was so used to a colorful world of fish and coral but this place, it was so white and dead looking. He squirmed slightly in the chair until Enta put a hand on his shoulder and spoke softly, "Hey man it's okay..."

The collie doctor smiled as they came into the room closing the door before speaking softly, "You gave Enta quite the scare. He said he found you floating out in the water... Were you involved in that nasty storm a few nights ago?"

Witch bit his lip as he looked around the room for something familiar. Everything was strange and new but the question did coax a nod out of him. He was involved with the storm, though these verseless would never believe he was the cause of it.

The doctor smiled as he wrote on the clipboard speaking softly, "That's a good sign! You can understand me can't you? We need to find out your name... are you unable to speak?"

Witch bit his lip thinking the question over before he looked down and nodded slowly. Of course he could speak but these men wouldn't understand. He was afraid of what they might think if they learned the truth. The Verseless had never had real contact with the harmony, it was a blasphemy to even sing of it.

"I think he's been... well... crying blood. I found some on the pillow this morning when we woke up... there was some in the water after I took him out of the tub too," Said Enta trying to help in his own way.

The doctor looked up with a quirked brow. He had to take a few moments to think before he spoke, "That's an extremely rare but usually very serious symptom. His eyes are also unlike anything I've ever seen before. I'd like to take a few x-rays. Maybe he tore his vocal chords as well out there. Sometimes people cry out so loud they hurt their voice. I'll take a small blood sample before that though."

Witch tilted his head to the side looking to the doctor as he spoke with Enta. These concepts were beyond the siren. He didn't realize what was happening until the collie had a needle. The Siren writhed in his wheelchair to no avail as he was far too weak to keep the collie away. Enta helped hold the fennec down as he spoke softly, "Hey hey it's alright he's just trying to find out what's wrong with you!"

The needle slipped into his arm but only a small trickle of a dark substance filled the vial. It was almost violet in color though extremely thin and transparent. The doctor looked baffled up at Enta who was just as confused. Never had either of them seen anything that color come out a living being.

Witch was panicking still but he couldn't fight these verseless off. He saw the fluid knowing that from their expression it wasn't normal for them. His heart began to beat faster making the doctor look even more confused as he felt the beat. He put the buds of his stethoscope into his ears and pressed the end to the siren's chest in amazement.

"What's wrong with him Doc," Asked Enta as he saw the expression.

"I... I don't know... but he clearly has a three chambered heart... I've never heard anything like it before. I thought it was a murmur at first but this... this is amazing. You know if I didn't know better... It sounds like a waltz," Replied the collie.

Doc pulled the needle free from Witch's arm as he inspected the fluid before setting the vial aside, "Here let's get him to the x-ray now..."

Witch seemed to protest but Enta shook his head as he spoke holding the fennec down and wheeling him out of the room after the doctor, "It won't hurt I promise. It's just a picture."

The three made their way through the halls until they reached the radiology department. Rolling the fennec in the doctor and Enta both helped the siren up onto the bed under the machine carefully. Witch was terrified at what was happening afraid of all of this technology, completely unaware of what was happening.

"I'm sorry but he has to be in here alone Enta. You can join me in the observation room though," Said Doc as they both left Witch on the bed.

The siren looked about afraid only to hear Enta's voice come out of an intercom, "Sit still... This will only take a few seconds."

Looking at the monitors in the observation room the doctor's jaw hung open. He shook his head a few times as he looked over the digital pictures before printing them out on film. Pinning them on the light board so he could see them more clearly he finally spoke, "This is absolutely remarkable! Enta this... this is not a fennec at all!"

"What are you talking about!? How could it be anything else," Replied the wolf as he looked at the flim not really sure what he was looking at.

"Look right here... you see this part of his neck? This is where the vocal chords are. But his are down here in the chest... in fact they start right at the branching of the lungs! If you can even call them that! This... man... has eight sets of vocal chords! There is no way he can't speak! He should be able to outshout all of us! My god he might even be able to produce sounds we can't even hear," Replied the collie as he sat down in a chair needing to steady himself, "Enta this is a brand new species. I don't even know where to start. He doesn't have a real heart... just some sort of strange lymph system. I would bargain a guess that he respires entirely anaerobically."

Enta rubbed his head confused for a few moments before he spoke, "What do you mean doctor? I just run a night club man I was never good at biology anyway..."

The collie looked up a bit flustered before speaking, "It means I'm way out of my league this time... His lungs are like... a bellows. They only serve one purpose and that is to help him produce sound, loud sound... many of them at once possibly. Enta you have discovered a completely new kind of life. It has no circulatory system, its musculature is strange. He's clearly intelligent... Enta I think he's purposely not speaking with us... as far as I can tell there is absolutely nothing wrong with him other than he's skin and bones."

"But what about the crying blood," Asked Enta as he looked out the window at the siren on the bed.

"I have no idea. I doubt it was blood. Maybe it's just some strange byproduct. Regardless... I don't know what to do. This has to be documented, people have to know about this Enta," exclaimed the doctor as he looked to the wolf.

The wolf frowned as he looked to the pictures again, "He seems confused a lot of the time Doc... I don't think he understands anything. You should have seen him in the car ride over here. It was like he'd never been in one before. You don't think he might be an alien do you?"

"Who knows? All I can say is that if he is we are doing a terrible job at first contact. Imagine how terrified he must be with the needles and the strange machines... I don't know what to do but for now Enta... He seems most comfortable with you," Replied the doctor.

A strange humming sound could be heard in the adjoining room making them both look up. Witch was staring in through the window at them appearing to be standing on his own. The two men jumped letting out startled yelps as the sound was like static crackling in the air around them. It made their fur stand on end.

The men had fear in their eyes making Witch despair as he knew the look. He frowned looking wounded as he floated back suspended in the air, as if held up by invisible wires. He was upset, very clearly so, as he looked about for a way out. He had thought that maybe the verseless were not smart enough to find out his secret but it was clear they were smarter than he thought. He would be an outcast here as well.

Enta shook his head as he ran for the door only to be grabbed by the doctor as he shouted, "What are you doing!?"

"Didn't you see it!? He's upset," Replied the wolf with a frown as he felt responsible for all of this mess.

"Are you crazy!? If he's upset that could mean he's dangerous... couldn't you feel that!? He was manipulating things on a level we don't even understand," Replied Dr. Andrews.

Enta shook his head shrugging the doctor's grip off his arm as he replied, "Who cares Doc!? He's upset and alone! I didn't take him here to make him worse!"

The building shook powerfully knocking Enta down as he rushed out the door only to see Witch looking up at a hole in the roof. The Siren had used sound itself to tear it open. Looking to the fallen world he frowned and folded his ears back before shooting up through it as if he were lighter than a feather.

The Witch of Black Waters glided through the air just as easily as if it were the water he normally called home, flying upwards until he saw the beach. Leaving a trail of red drops behind him he moved through the air at speeds possibly even faster than the car had taken him, knowing that everything was for not.

Landing in the sand the siren curled slightly holding his knees to his chest as he cried openly at how very alone he was in the world. His own people treated him like a monster and now the verseless would think the same about him. He stayed there rocking in the warm sand, crying his very soul out for some time before it all came to a boiling point and he let out an unearthly scream. It was like hundreds of tortured souls crying out in agony, all of them cursing fate and destiny.

It was enough time for Enta to find his way to the beach, hear the sound and know it was the siren. The wolf walked up the sand slowly, fear in his eyes at the creature he had pulled from the sea, not sure what it was or what it intended with him. He approached slowly keeping his hands out as to not startle the Siren who gazed at the wolf with despair.

The Siren shook his head as he knew he couldn't hide anymore. He spoke in his many voices producing a sound that was like a choir singing every word, "I am the Witch of Black Waters... cursed with the broken song... outcast... tortured... forced into an existence that is an exercise in futility... damned to be alone for as long as my song is sung."

"I... I'm Enta," Replied the wolf before hitting his head and speaking softly, "You knew that already... I... I'm sorry I didn't know what would happen Witch. It's just... you're just so different. I thought you were something completely different than... well... what are you?"

Witch looked out over the waters as he started to sing again, "A legend... a myth... The verseless speak of us in their stories. There are some that say they are true. I am... I am not a part of the harmony... I am the Witch... I am... You call them Siren."

The wolf continued closer before tilting his head to the side and sitting down next to the siren. He was visibly nervous but trying which made Witch uneasy. He had never seen anyone try to be close to him before, especially after they knew what he was. The other Siren would ignore him, or worse, taunt him for his fate.

"Wow really? That's pretty amazing... I guess with the voice I should have known... it's... it's beautiful," Replied Enta as he looked out over the water.

Witch actually flushed at the compliment. He was so surprised by the sensation he reached up and touched his cheeks. It was new and exciting yet it still made his red tears flow for some reason he couldn't explain. He'd become so hardened, so cold and calloused to the world's cruelty that he never built up a resistance to kindness.

"That is the most kind thing anyone has ever told me," Replied the siren in his usual singing way.

"Yeah? That's surprising... but I guess you said your kind don't like you much huh? Is that why you came here? Aren't Siren's supposed to have like... flippers or something," asked Enta, just trying to make conversation and keep the both of them calm.

Witch laughed slightly as he tried to wipe his tears away. He opened his muzzle as a myriad of sounds surrounded them both making Enta's fur stand on end again. It was like the air itself was charged with some sort of invisible energy that twisted about them, almost dancing to the beat of a waltz. It lifted Witch from the sand slightly as his legs formed together, the fur being replaced with scales of bright crimson, black and white, his pattern looking like roses, complete with thorns on their vines.

The song finished leaving the siren in the sand, his tailfin waving slightly in the sun as he nodded, "Yes... We have... flippers."

Enta looked amazed again but this time it wasn't fear in his eyes. He was like witch in the car, absolutely fascinated, entranced by the magic the siren clearly possessed. He could only gaze, wide eyed and opened mouthed, at the enchanted thing next to him.

"You don't have to go... You can stay if you want... you know," Said Enta softly with a smile.

Witch looked to the wolf before shaking his head, "No... I can't. Your people... the verseless... they won't understand."

"Who cares?"

"But it could leave you in danger..."

"Maybe... but you clearly can take care of yourself... and you'll be miserable out there... I see it in your eyes... you lament the sea."

"And you treasure it..."

Enta frowned as he looked down at the sand. He liked to come to this beach when he wanted to clear his mind. It was comforting hearing the waves roll in as it wasn't like the other beaches. There was just something calming about this one. When he felt alone it was like the sea itself was telling him he wasn't. It took a few moments before he looked up and spoke softly, "No I don't think I do... That was you wasn't it? You were the one that made me feel better weren't you?"

"Your heart was crying for comfort. I couldn't just... I had to help. You were so lonely and I understood," Replied Witch as he looked down in shame.

"But I've come here since I was..."

"Since you were small... yes... I know... I've been here since... I can't remember," interrupted Witch as he flushed again.

Enta nodded as he settled into a sad a bit deeper with a sigh, "So what happens now?"

"I hadn't thought that far ahead... I can't go back," Sang the witch as he looked to the wolf. He looked down shaking his head, "I don't think I can stay here either."

"Why?"

"Because Enta... That Doctor knows I'm different. It won't be long before all the solitude you know and enjoy is gone. They will come for me, your kind, the verseless. They will study and and wonder and poke and prod. I will never be allowed to be alone. People will think I'm dangerous and their right. I am dangerous... My song is broken, it's twisted and dark and," Witch couldn't continue as he began to cry again, this time openly.

His cries were like the rhythm of the sea. They sounded like birdsong but were so filled with fear and longing that Enta couldn't help himself. He reached up surprised as he wiped away one of his own tears speaking softly, "Witch... What a terrible name... I think... your name should be Aria."

"That's a girl's name," Retorted Witch though he did snort slightly at the suggestion, the smallest flicker of a smile on his face.

Enta shrugged and smiled, "Who cares? I've seen guys named all sorts of things. Besides... an Aria is always sung alone isn't it?"

Witch shook his head frowning, "I don't want to be alone anymore."

"Then... why don't we just call you Choir," Replied Enta as he put a hand softly on the Siren's scales.

The siren flicked his ears slightly at the sound of such a generous name. He shook his head slowly before putting a hand on Enta's own singing back once more, "Harmony... call me Harmony."

"Okay Harmony... I'll tell you now that the Doctor will tell people sure, but no one will believe him. They can come and look for you but we both know they will never find you unless you want to be found right? You've already hidden from all of our modern technology in the sea anyway. You can stay at my place until we find you a place of your own. We'll blend you into our culture, accept you for who you are," Replied Enta gripping the hand on his own with a broad smile.

"How will that ever work? I could never sing again. My voice is too much... too different," Replied Harmony.

"One step at a time... That's how it will work."

Several Years Later

"Welcome everyone to the club by the bay, newcomers and returning guests are always welcome here, though I know a few of here are here for the eye candy," Said Enta into the microphone as he lifted a brow. He chuckled softly giving a wink to the crowd before he spoke again, "Though some of you are here for the ear candy. I'm pleased to announce that Harmony is back after her tour and here to sing tonight."

The crowd all stood at once, many of them shocked that the starlet had come back where she got her start. They all clapped, many of them cheering excitedly as none of them knew they would have the chance to hear that voice in person when they came to the club that night.

A smiling fennec walked on stage in a black and red sequence dress before picking up the microphone from Enta. She bowed to the crowd and giggled a little before speaking softly, "It's wonderful to be with you all again here. It was here that I made my start, a new life down a scary road. I made it with talents yes but I would have never had a chance if it weren't for my friends I made along the way."

Enta smiled and nodded to the fennec. It had been a long road they both walked down together. When they couldn't get Harmony's male voices to work on their own they had to brand her transgendered, though it only seemed to feed the fame monster once she hit the fast lane. The scandals only made her records sell all that much faster. This was the first time he'd seen her in months and she was just as stunning as the day he pulled her out of the water.

"But enough beating around the bush. The truth is there is really only one man that is responsible for making all of this come true. He made me into the woman I am today. He helped smooth the road when it was bumpy. He held me when I was afraid and took care of me when everything seemed lost. You all know him as Enta... but I know him as my muse. Without him I would be nothing but an angry witch, using my voice to spew rage and sorrow. I love him with all that I am," Said Harmony as she looked out into the audience.

Enta blushed and looked down for a moment with a smile. He didn't need to go to the beach anymore, actually that beach these days always seemed empty and lonely. It only frustrated him knowing he couldn't hear her sing there anymore. The wolf smiled as the fennec put an arm around his midsection and held him close as she spoke, "So how about it? Sing this one with me?"

The wolf put up his paws shaking his head as he spoke, "You know I can't sing!"

The crowd of course wouldn't have it demanding he take the spotlight with their starlet. It was impossible for Enta to turn it down now without being horribly embarrassed. The fennec leaned in and smiled whispering into the wolf's ear, "You are the harmony to my song... the strongest voice in my verse... Without it... I am but an Aria."

The wolf smiled and nodded as he stood close to the fennec. The music started, the two of them took a deep breath, and nothing but smiles were on the faces of the people in the club that night. They took the stage late into the night entrancing the club goers with how well they worked together. In the end, however, it wasn't just the words and the melody that made the crowd smile. It was the harmony of two hearts beating in time with one another.