Decipher

---

Under the waves was a calm place to be, somewhere that she could calm down and escape the noise and rabble of everywhere else... Sure, waterborn dragons did pass by every once in a while, or others that had an affinity for staying under the waves longer than the usual dragon- But mostly, Tide could be by herself down here. When everything else was too much and too overwhelming. Tucked away in a coral-decorated alcove, she watched as fish and other beasts meandered by. Calm, serene, noise muffled by the water's embrace.

She'd closed her eyes, and had nearly drifted off when a noise alerted her to someone's presence. Alert, blinking open her eyes to see another Pearlcatcher had halted in front of the alcove she was resting in. Oh, what a pretty dragon... Colorful scales, colorful eyes, a gentle expression. Ducking her head briefly in a greeting, she offered a soft smile at the stranger.

Much to her amusement and joy, he returned the smile, albeit a bit hesitantly. "Hello, stranger." She greeted, mouthing the words, and hoping he understood her. Hoping the charmed necklace 'round her neck actually worked the way that the dragon that had sold it to her said it would. It was supposed to help make one's voice clearer and easier to understand underneath the water.

After several moments of silence, Tide just watching the other Pearlcatcher curiously, he gave a subtle nod back at her "Hello," he greeted back, voice almost sounding like a melody to her ears. Right away, her previous stress was momentarily forgotten. Now she was just curious about this beautiful stranger.

"I hope I'm not intruding somewhere of yours-" She sheepishly muttered, ears pinning back against her head. She'd just found this pretty alcove and decided it was a good place to destress, not quite thinking on if it was a place that another dragon already considered theirs- Her thoughts were interrupted when the other Pearlcatcher shook his head slightly.

"No. It caught my attention too." He motioned with one paw at the various coral types that decorated the stone around them. "I saw this coral, and I wanted to take a closer look." Smiling at this, Tide rose from her downed position, pushing her mane back from where the water's currents had tangled it slightly.

Watching her, the other Pearlcatcher just tilted his head at her with a raised brow. "You like studying the coral and sea life, too?" She asked eagerly, a shine in her eyes. "I don't often have anyone to speak to with a shared interest... Perhaps I could invite you to sit with me for a while?" Motioning to the wide-open waters outside the alcove, she laughed softly. "This is a good place to relax. Forget about the stress of the above land for a bit and enjoy the beauty of the oceans."

With a hum and an expression she couldn't quite get a read on, the other looked out as well. At least he seemed to be pondering the offer and not downright rejecting it, so that was a positive! After a couple minutes of silence that had her shuffling just slightly nervously, he spoke up again. "I think that would be nice."

Resisting the happy noise that threatened to bubble out of her, Tide smiled brightly and motioned to the area near her. "Lovely! It'd be nice to have someone to enjoy this place with, even if it's just for one day... At least, let me tell you my name. I am Tide."

Watching as the other Pearlcatcher made his way over, she could see that bits of coral were actually weaved through his mane and tucked in the crannies of the shimmering crystalscale chest plate. How interesting... Once he'd settled a polite distance away, he spoke up once again. "Decipher. A pleasure to meet you, Tide."

Smiling brightly, she gave a little nod before deciding she'd not speak again unless offered conversation. Somehow, she felt this Decipher was a dragon that'd prefer comfortable silence as much as a comfortable conversation. Plus, she really didn't mind. Company, especially company pretty as he was, certainly was an improvement to her day.

---

The sea is calm today, calmer than normal. Decipher laid upon a reef admiring the schools of fish innocently swimming along with the kelp, the sun highlighting their vibrant scales even through the water. His lips curled up into a small smile at the sight, raising his arm to compare his own iridescent scales to the marine life. However, none of them directly compared to his rare seemingly glowing colors.

His short-lived smile faded and he lowered his arm once more.

As he started to close his eyes to rest, a sudden disturbance in the waters causes him to sit upright, the variety of fish rapidly swimming in every direction - what had moved was no fish, and whatever it was, it was big. He quickly reached for his trident and aimed it at the pinpointed location of the commotion, and waited in silence.

To his surprise, the dragon he came face to face with looked to be no harm at all. She was a large imperial, with dark indigo scales with a odd vibrant underlining - and her bright blue eyes were widened at the sight of his trident, her expression one of shock. She was holding a small detailed satchel filled with what seems to be iridescent fish scales and shells. He quickly lowered the weapon and moved back, quietly dipping his head. "Apologies, didn't mean to frighten you."

Her frightened stance relaxed ever so slightly, and she hesitantly held out a familiar vibrant scale-like material from her satchel."Your scales.. are they the same as these?"

His nose scrunched a bit as he processed, and gently he rubs a talon along his reflective mutated scales and sure enough he felt a small fraction no longer there. Are my scales less durable than I thought? He pondered, a grimace on his face. She seemed to notice and got closer to the smaller dragon with a giddy smile.

"My name is Meraki, I also must apologize for the intrusion. I really wanted to find what kind of creature could possess this! Were.. you born with them?"

"Ah, my name is Decipher," His eyes widened as she got close, he couldn't help but compare her to a goddess - or even Watatsumi. "Yes, I was born with them - I was born in arcane waters."

"They're gorgeous Decipher- though I bet you get that a lot.. Do you want it back?" She held it out to him.

He looked dumbfoundedly at the scale, and gently raised his hands. "No no! You can keep it if it really means much to you, I wouldn't know what to do with it either."

It confused him even more when she frowned. "Are you sure? I mean, you're born in arcane waters - what if there's magical energy in them? Willing to give that to strangers?"

He haven't even thought of that. But even so, he shook his head and placed a talon to his lips, knowing she holds no bad intention. "Even so, we can simply keep this exchange secret. Whatever magic it does hold would not negatively affect anyone from my experience." He calmly smiled and tilted his head. "Take it as a gift, for gracing me with your presence~"

---