Turns out preparing for a beach episode isn't exactly fun. It also didn't help I was still reeling from what I went through yesterday, making it challenging to relax. The reason? I was staring at a rack of swimwear at 7Mor. I had my selection in my hand and I was zoning out at a row of women's swimwear in thought.

"Are you planning on wearing that?" I turned and saw Void, who was wearing her grey long sleeve shirt and dark slacks. She didn't bring along her turquoise vest, which once again hit me emotionally. I knew we had started to repair my error and she didn't exactly pop back to the mainland just to wear it, but it still hurt.

I pointed to the bikinis. "These? Nah, too revealing."

Void snorted. "You go around unbuttoned all the time."

I shrugged. "But I'd reveal my shoulders. That would be scandalous. Sorry, bad joke."

"Don't be. I'd rather you be relaxed," Void said. She pointed to my swim shorts. "I mean those."

I looked at the shorts I had in my hand. Finding clothing in this world wasn't an easy task. The challenge wasn't so much the body shape, male beast people had the same proportions as humans, it was the tail hole. The adjustable tail opening in the back didn't have an option for completely closed. In the rare situations I did wear something other than my weekend finery, I had to get something with a slightly bigger tush so I could fold the hole over and pin it closed.

Luckily, the beach shop we were in had a few options that fit my requirements. I was even luckier to find a pair that fit my aesthetic. I had in my hand neon green shorts with little red crabs in boat captain hats sewn on the legs. "Yea, I like these."

"I saw those in the discount barrel. Are we that low on money?" Void asked. I could see a look of concern grow on her face.

I shook my head. "Nah, we're good on cash. I just like how they look. Hard to imagine such a quality pair is so cheap. I guess no one here has my manly confidence to wear them. What about you? Didn't find anything you like?"

"I don't want anything. I don't need to get wet. I'm fine like this," Void replied. I caught the expression she gave when she was insecure about her physique. I knew she didn't want to get a suit since it would show off her body, which she didn't consider feminine. I decided to keep it to myself since I was supposed to act like I didn't know them that well.

My attempt didn't work well since I must have projected my thoughts on my face. She looked at me. "What are you thinking?"

"Just zoning out," I replied and turned to stare back at the suits. I was imagining Void in a particular turquoise bikini I had my eye on.

I felt her finger gently touch my chin and draw my gaze back to her. "I want to know what you think. Relax and say it."

I paused and thought for a moment. She's right, I'm being a little too stiff. I reached out and picked up the bikini I wanted to see her in. It was a swimsuit on a technicality. It was mostly just a few bits of string with squares of cloth barely large enough to cover the nipples and the fun spot down below.

Void's face frowned in disgust. "That? It leaves nothing to the imagination."

"Which is why I like it," I replied. "I honestly don't like how you're so insecure about your body. You should relax and enjoy the sun, not sit on the beach with city clothes."

Void didn't know how to respond to that. I could see something spinning in her mind as she stared at the clothing. I also caught a glimpse of her tail wagging, which she grabbed with her hand to stop. "You don't mind people seeing your girlfriend show so much fur?"

"Girlfriend?"

Void's eyes fell. "Sorry. After yesterday, maybe I'm moving a little fast. I was too harsh and you probably don't want it anymore."

I gave her a smile. "You just spoke truth to a dumbass. I needed it. How about we call today a first date?"

Void gave me a shy smile. "I'd like that." In response, I held up and waved the bikini. She snorted. "I still won't wear that." We ended up compromising on a pink one piece. It wasn't my favorite color on her, but it was what they had in stock in her size.

I had to wait for the other two for their selections. Lia picked out a modest two piece in sky blue. I had an older brother reaction to it, but I decided to hold my tongue. I had just gotten finished being aggressively protective and controlling, so I wouldn't object to her showing a little too much fur at the beach.

Tizek, however, threw me for a loop. He came bounding up to me with a yellow bikini. It was a larger one to fit his size, though the hip shape wasn't working and the cup size on it would look ridiculous on him. "My lord? May I have this one?"

Lia giggled. "I tried to get him to buy shorts. He insisted on a bikini."

"The person at the shop said to wear something on top. Friends Lia and Void cover themselves with it, so must I," Tizek stated with authority. I felt my emotions surge again when Tizek referred to Void as Friend and not Lady.

Void looked at me to see if I was going to answer. When I didn't, she took over. "Tizek, are you talking about the workers at Exterminator's Excitement?"

"Yes," Tizek replied. "People of Shopkeep Armond said everyone covers their top. Only Lord Oliver is different."

Void let out a small laugh. "Tizek? That's only around town. At the beach, you only need swim shorts. The men's ones are over there." Void pointed to a different section of the shop.

"Oh," Tizek said. He unceremoniously hung the bikini on the rack in front of me and moved over to look at the shorts. After he picked a bright yellow pair, we left.

The beach was nice. The white sands were soft on my toes from the gentle roll of the waves. It definitely wasn't coarse or rough. It did get everywhere, though.

Tizek and Lia had already run ahead to start digging in the sand near the wash of the tide. Tizek was showing Lia how his people constructed buildings in their part of the world. Of course, he was just making sand castles. I allowed myself a smile to see Lia happier now that we cleared the air.

Void was the last one missing. I was standing outside a changing tent Orvis provided to visitors on the beach. I heard her call from inside. "I'm going to put my regular clothes back on."

"You really should enjoy the beach properly. Slacks and boots aren't going to cut it," I said. I pondered reaching in and dragging her out, but that was only something a past Void would like. I wasn't at the right stage with this one.

Void remained silent for a minute. I turned to watch Lia and Tizek making their sand castle. It was mainly a mound with tunnels bored through it in the stiff sand. Lia was currently laughing uproariously at Tizek who was shaking his hand. He was trying to dislodge a crab he had disturbed while digging.

Rustling cloth brought my attention back to the changing tent. Void had finally emerged from her cocoon and revealed herself. She was wearing her pink one piece suit. My eyes were drawn to her toned legs peeking out from the bottom of the suit. I rather enjoyed the suit's cut right at the hips. It hugged her form and revealed her abs and lat muscles through the thin fabric. Her nipples were also imprinting on the material.

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"I hate this," Void said as she picked at the material to hide the camel toe she was pressing through the fabric. I noticed her ears were folded back on her head and her tail was pulled between her legs. I didn't enjoy seeing her insecure.

I waved around. "Take a look at the beach."

Her eyes turned up and scanned the beach. "What am I looking for?"

I gestured again. "No one is paying attention." The beach this early in the season was sparsely populated. The people who were here were too busy with their own activities to notice Void. Plus, everyone was wearing suits of some form or another. Void was one of many out to enjoy the day.

Her eyes darted over the beach again. I could see her body relax when she realized no one was looking at her. Well, except for me. I realized once more this was a different Void and I pulled my eyes away.

"What should we do?" Void asked. "I don't feel like getting wet or playing with sand."

I pointed to a pair of public lounge chairs under a beach umbrella. "How about we lie there and enjoy the day?"

Void was still insecure about being visible. I could see her squirm in thought as she stared at the lounge chairs. "I'm not sure. Don't you swim where you're from?"

I let out a brief laugh. "Only if we want to get eaten by six meter long aquatic reptiles." I was mildly exaggerating by bringing up particularly large gator specimens.

Void shuddered. "Your world has terrifying monsters. How do you defeat them without Advancing?"

"We don't have monsters. They're animals," I replied. I then made my way to the lounge chair and sat down to enjoy the day. Void hesitated before joining me.

I spent the time in silence. I watched Lia and Tizek running around the sand. Tizek dodged some water Lia splashed his direction and he responded with a splash of his own. I was happy to see Lia relaxing and opening up.

My mind began wandering again. I still had things to do to prepare for the battle. I had other obligations I gave myself. And I couldn't get the images of the past out of my head. All the times training with Tizek. All the times I ruffled Lia's hair.

"Something wrong?" I heard Void ask. "You've been silent for an hour."

I blinked and looked at Void. She looked amazing in her pink swimsuit as she lounged on the chair with her muscular arms behind her head. Her fur gently waved in the ocean breeze. One of her legs folded up to give her stability as she turned to face me. "Talk to me. Are you still thinking about yesterday?"

"A little. You said I talked too much," I replied.

Her ears folded back again. "I didn't mean it like that."

I shook my head. "I don't like that look on your face. You were right. I need to listen more. It's hard to adjust to realizing I know you so well while you know so little about me."

"How about you tell me about your world," Void suggested.

I looked at the sky and watched thin whisps of clouds meander by. More pangs of pain welled up. "I can't remember. I only recall snippets. What I was doing the day before I arrived here. A few broad strokes about culture. I can't remember the name of the university I taught at. I can't recall the names of my friends or family. I don't even remember what my language sounded like, only how to write it. Oddly, all I recall is the actor Michael Clarke Duncan and that's because Gully Jack sounds like him."

"What is a lan-goo-age?" Void asked. Right, this world operated oddly. Everyone, no matter where they came from, all spoke the same language. There were unique languages, like Lisa's secret sign language, but only one spoken. Writing, oddly, is different among cultures.

"Where I come from, there are many people who use different words, sounds and even structures to communicate. Most people can't understand others. It's like how writing here is different, except with sounds," I explained. "The moment I arrived here, I could communicate with everyone and I forgot how to use my own words. Strangely, a few words have come over. I know "Knight", "Language" and "MASER" is how we speak in English. Common words? I couldn't tell you."

Void pondered my words for a few seconds. "How did you forget everything else?"

I felt a sad smile cross my face. "Do you recall much from when you were three years old? I've been here for centuries. My old life is, comparatively speaking, a tiny percentage of my existence. It's all been replaced by my life here."

"Can you show me your writing?" Void asked.

I turned to my side and looked at the sand. Then a thought came to mind. "Lia? Tizek? Mind coming here for a moment?"

Lia and Tizek stopped their frolicking in the water and ran up to me. Tizek was huffing since the three of them weren't going on runs during their training. "Yes, my lord?"

"I'm going to go over a brief writing lesson to give you an idea of what learning is like. If you like, I'll teach you two more. Void is also welcome to join as a teacher. She…" My voice hitched.

"What's wrong," Void asked.

"You don't like me bringing up your past selves," I replied.

Void's hand rested on mine and squeezed. "I was too harsh. I know it's hard on you. As long as you're not trying to direct us, I don't mind a little talk of your past."

I nodded. "Void is the one who taught me to read. She's a great teacher."

"I'll help," Void replied. "After everything is over."

I nodded. Then I wrote out a sentence in English on the sand. "The sun rises in the west and Lia watched it rise." I repeated the words out loud.

Void stared at the text. "This is unusual writing. Blocky lettering and long. Can you teach me to write like this?"

I shook my head. I briefly repeated my language explanation to Lia and Tizek before I replied. "I can't. I can't even sound it out. What I do know is English is structured so radically different than what's spoken here that any writing will never make sense to you. I can only understand it on an instinctual level. It's called a phonetic language, meaning it relies on combinations of 26 symbols to make sounds."

"What is ours called?" Void asked.

I shrugged. "I can't tell you. It's odd. It's like magic has wormed its way into my head and tells me what words mean. I perceive it as English yet I know it's not. It's difficult to explain. I don't know if it's phonetic, tonal, tongue clicks or something else. It just is. It makes me wonder if the stories about the Tower of Babel. It's supported by the fact I had mana channels despite magic not existing in my world."

"What's the Tower of Babel?" Lia asked. I relayed the Biblical story, which I had for some reason remembered, about the fabled tower and how God punished man for their arrogance by making the workers unable to understand each other. I briefly mused if taking away magic was part of the punishment.

"That's why I didn't know the word sen-say Aoto used," Lia replied. "It has a meaning we don't have."

I nodded. "Somewhat. Aoto's language has its own complexities. I can't recall the details, but it has multiple meanings based on context. Teacher, doctor, respected martial arts master and more."

I wrote out the previous sentence in the text of Vialina in the sand. They used connected swirls with dots within the loops to serve as concepts. Lines and hooks in the swirls added different meanings. I pointed at the word "Rise". It was an asymmetric swirl. I then pointed at the word "Lia". It was symmetrical.

"At the foundation, there are two different types of words. Symmetrical and asymmetrical," I explained. "The writing here is based on whether an opposite exists or not. There are even books you can read backwards and forwards to get different meanings. A tale of a great hero saving the princess reads as a prince killing a terrible villain in reverse."

I pointed at Lia's name. "This is your name, Lia."

She peered at it. "It's symmetrical. That means there isn't an opposite of me?"

"Correct," I said. I then pointed at rise. "This is rise." I then wrote the same character mirrored. "Tizek? Can you guess what this means?"

Tizek scratched his scaly chin. "Fall?"

I nodded. "Close. It wasn't an entirely fair test, though. If it didn't have this little modifier hook," I pointed to a curl along the loop, "Then you'd be right. The hook indicates it's rise like the sun, so the mirror means set."

Both Tizek and Lia were scratching their heads in confusion. It was a lot to start them off with. I knew from experience how annoying the writing system was. It sucked for learning new words since it wasn't phonetic like the Latin alphabet. It was, however, extremely dense with meaning. A single page scroll could communicate a very complex spell while it would take over thirty if written in English. "You two go back to having fun. Today is a rest day, not an impromptu class."

"Thank you," Lia replied. "I would like to learn how to read later."

"I would gladly accept my lord's instruction," Tizek added. Both were, however, not that eager since they bolted back toward the ocean.

After the kids left, Void squeezed my hand. "Now that your distraction is over, mind telling me what's really on your mind?"

"I want to be open with you about a couple things," I replied. "First, I know it'll make you mad, but there's something I need to use past knowledge to change the future."

I saw a brief twitch on Void's face. "What is it?"

"This stays between you and me," I said. I then explained what happened with Jummi and her situation. I told her everything. How she was the one who bought my mug every loop. How she opened her home to me in my worst moment. Our little incident. Then I explained how I had technically manipulated Jummi into cleaning up her behavior. I also explained how I needed to sell the stupid bra at Jummi's Baubles to trigger Sari's talk.

"I'll help," Void instantly replied. "That's a good thing to do."

I felt mildly relieved. "Thanks for understanding. Sari will probably balk at a stranger helping get Amis and Jummi back together. I would like you to 'accidentally' walk in on us having the conversation about Jummi hitting on me. Maybe Sari will be more open to you since she knows your family."

"Let's do it," Void said emphatically. "But that can't be what's bothering you the most."

"We need to buy the three of you spells and we don't have the money. I have something else," I said. I explained my belt and how it was the only intact non-magical metal in existence. I also explained how Gully Jack would buy it for enough to outfit them with decent spells for the coming battle.

"I see," Void said. "Do you need us to come with you for protection?"

I shook my head. "No. I also need to tell Gully Jack to prepare for the fight. Which means I need to do something else and you three can't be there for it."

Void squinted at me. "That doesn't sound safe."

I took a deep breath. I knew I had to tell Void everything about Gully Jack. Everything. I was not sure if I wanted to. Exposing her to a brutal crime boss was something I didn't take lightly. "Void, I need to tell you something about Gully Jack. It's dangerous. I want to bring you in on this but it'll put a target on your back if it gets out. Do you accept the risk?"

I saw a look of surprise on Void's face. "You trust me that much?"

I nodded. "With all my being. You're competent and don't need to protecting. If I'm going to prove myself to you, then I need to show I trust you fully."

Void stared at me in silence for a while. "Thank you. I know it's hard for you, but it makes me happy to hear you say that. I'll accept the risk."

I launched into my history with Gully Jack. Her real identity, her family and the two months of abuse I experienced at her hands. I pulled no punches. As I spoke, I could see Void growing angry.

Void bared her teeth and let out a low growl only possible from the wolf-clan people. The expression conflicted terribly with her pink swimsuit. "I'll rip her apart."

"I need you to hold your anger," I said. "She has an army at her back, a higher advancement and a repertoire of combat spells. Keep it in your pocket for if I don't come back by sundown after I go meet her."

She took a few deep breaths to calm her rage. Then her expression changed to one of sympathy. Her hand came back and gripped mine gently. "I'm sorry you went through all that."

"It's in the past," I replied. "Let's not talk about this anymore. How about we go find a deep-fried meat stick somewhere? I thought I smelled a corn dog a few streets over."

Void smiled. "I know you said that because you know me. I'm changing my mind on it. I like how considerate you are. How about I tell you about me on the way so we can pretend you just learned?"

I got up out of the chair and pulled her up with me gently. "I like that idea. Glad to meet you, Void. I'm looking forward to our first date."

Void giggled as we walked away from the beach. I could hear Lia and Tizek still laughing in the background as they drew in a few other teens on the beach into their game. The day started a mess, but it was turning out very nice indeed.

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