The morning was fresh and clear, a perfect first day of summer. Perhaps too perfect, but why should one complain? Sweet scents of flowers wafted in the warming air, and mosses and vines crept up the sheer rock face as close to the falls as they could get to bathe in the spray of mist. At the base of the falls the water shone as crystaline as always, the roar of the falls bearing a relaxing monotony.

Beneath the sound of the falls was a shrill, sweet piping. An elf, shirtless and barefooted, stood at the very edge of the lake, a wooden flute to his lips. His unusually bare fingers danced over it carefully, his eyes closed as he let the simple lullaby weave itself from his breath. The tune swept around him and he relaxed, shifted his weight...

...and slipped on the smooth, wet stone into the water below.

His playing ended with a surprised gasp, and he plumetted beneath the surface. Luckily he was far enough from the falls to not get dragged to the bottom of the lake, but it was several long moments before the flute bobbed to the surface, and then Yuri broke through the sheer glassy water. Spluttering and coughing, he took a undignified minute to suck as much air as he could into his lungs, then quieted and sank nose-deep in the lake, watching the edge of the lake.

Sighing, and sending bubbles to the surface from his lips, he picked his flute from the water and began swimming back to the shore.

Thankfully the path to Richimon lake was a well traveled and easy to follow path. Tock didn't exactly want to get lost trying to look for it and it was great that he didn't. He did doubt he was on the right path and just wehn he was about to turn around he heard the sound of running waters. That had to be the falls which filled the lake. Pleased at his success, the little moogle hurried along the road. The path weaved in closer to to the river and it was not long before he could see the water forever rushing down to the waterfall. Tock could even get a glimpse of the falls in the distance, though he was sceptical of how the path turned away from the river as it made it's steady decline. Still, Tock followed hoping that the his doubts were foolish thoughts that should have never entered his head.

Tock was releived to finally see the Lake and even more so when he heard the sound of a flute peircing through the the roaring falls. He would get the chance to meet some one new and that always made checking out new places more exciting, and of course was less frightening than being alone.

When Tock actually reached the lake, no sooner did he think of calling out to the elf did the elf slip and fall in the water. Tock gasped and felt like it was wholely his fault. He was cursed after all and bad things often befell himself and those around him, but more often himself. There really wasn't much Tock could do but hope the man would turn out alright, as the small creature would likley drown himself in the attempt to help.

"Are you alright?" Tock called out as the man swam towards the shore and Tock.

His easy movement through the water ceased as his eyes fell upon the bewildering creature standing on the shore. A bear? No, too small. A cat? It looked like a child's stuffed toy of some sort, actually. But it was standing... on two legs. Yuri stared for a moment, and could have sworn it had spoken. No, he was imagining things. It was probably just something a child had left behind. It didn't look like it was moving afterall. Ah, wait!

Powers, what am I doing just treading water in this wretched contemplation? I don't expect it'll hurt me- As he decided it was, indeed, alive. and even if it wants to it isn't that big.

Swimming back to the shore, he hefted himself out of the water and stood dripping, not nearly as self-concious of his strange markings with this creature here than he was with, well... regular bipedal beings. Yuri squeezed his hair out and pocketed his flute, then squatted down.

"How long have you been watching me?" He asked with genuine curiosity.

The elf greeted him with a muddled gaze as a he stopped approaching the shore. It was a gaze Tock had seen before and was sure he'd see again. This was one of those things when a strange creature was placed in a strange land. Tock was quite sure he was the only moogle in imythess unless someone else had befallen a fate simmilar to his own, but he doubted where so unluck as for that to happen. It wouldn't be so bad if he looked some what like other races insteady of some strange cute beast, but Tock had to littearally deal with his short comings.

After the a few moments the elf seemed to leave his befuddled state and resumed his swimming towards the shore. After wringing his hair out and puting away the flute he had heard before the elf asked a question of his own. Prehaps he had simply forgotten Tock's in his daze. Though the question was asked with the tone of curiosity Tock wondered if he had come and seen or almost seen something he shouldn't have besides the fall.

"I only got here shortly before you fell into the water," Tock replied hoping he had not offended the creature by brining up the moment of gracelessness. "I can just pretend I didn't see it if you wish," Tock offered quickly afterwards. That should keep the elf from being too offended.

Yuri blinked, thinking the creature looked a little worried. Of course it could easily find him as strange as he found it. A smile slowly spread on the elf's lips and he laughed softly. Now he understood.

"I assure you, you're not the only who's seen me fall," he grinned. "No need to forget, otherwise someone'll just have to remind you again in the future! It's my own fault, anyway." He sat down, removing his flute from his pockey again and fingering it fondly. "I tend to not pay attention to my surroundings when I'm playing. I didn't even register that it might be unwise to stand on wet stone so close to the lake."

It was true that he tended to get lost in his own music, as simple as it usually was. He'd tended to refrain from playing in bars or city streets since he'd been robbed a few times and hadn't noticed until it was far, far too late to even conceive the idea of retrieving them. He'd never had any riches, thus he'd never lost anything particularily valuable in weights of gold, but sentimentally... well, having few possessions generally caused a closeness with them, and the comfort they could provide.

Giving his head a mental shake, Yuri turned his attention back to the small creature with another smile. "It's pleasent here, isn't it? This is my favourite time of year to visit this lake."

Tock smiled at the elf's reply. It was always nice to meet someone with a sense of humor. Tock was also glad that the elf was not mad offended, though after the elf's words it seemed quite silly to think that that would bother him so much. Still, Tock felt that it was his fault as well despite the elf's explaination, or at least partly his fault. It was ofcourse apparent that he hadn't been paying much attemtion for the elf was nearly in the water before he stopped playing. Tock was glad that he had no such vice that gripped him as he had enough problems as it was. Worst of all were poachers and carnivous beasts that sought to eat him. Tock was of course working on being able to defend himself better, though he was far from good in battle.

The elf's question reminded him of how beautiful a morning it truly was. He hadn't thought of it much when he was trying to not get lost. The fair weather, clear morning sky, and serene surrounding all came to together in a peaceful work of art that only mother nature could claim. "Yes, it really is very nice here. I can certainly see why you would like it so much a this lovely time of year," Tock smiled.

"I am Tock," Tock said as he issued a low bow. The elf was not likely of royalty or anything of that nature, but Tock had quite the habit of treating everyone in such a respectful manner. "May I ask your name?" Tock asked as he rose.

((brain = mush))

Yuri was pleased that the creature enjoyed this place himself. But, honestly, who wouldn't? Apart from the more forboding creatures of darkness, perhaps.

He was slightly taken aback at the creature's low bow, annd the mild shock registered on his fac for a moment before he shook it off, inclined his own head, and smiled again. "It is a pleasure to meet you Tock. May the Mother hold you in her dearest care. My name is Yuri of the Eldar Wood."

Turning his bright eyes to the place he'd been standing before he fell, he indicated to Tock that he'd be back in a moment and went to the rocks. Dissapearing into some bushes and sweeping ferns, he reappeared a moment later with a tunic and pair of boots in his hands.

"I'd been intending to go swimming anyway," he explained with a wry grin. "I just got to it a bit sooner than I intended." Dropping his tunic and boots into a pile, he put the flute down with them before sitting again. There wasn't much point in getting dressed while he was still dripping wet.

Tock wondered at Yuri's strange expression. He was sure he had never heard the likes of it before while he was here, but then again he hadn't had that many freindly meeting with elves. He assumed that the mother meant Mother nature, but wondered if the term had a deeper cultural meaning. "It is likewise a pleasure to meet you, Yuri," Tock smiled after the elf introduced himself.

Tock waited patiently when Yuri vanished into the bushes. Possibly to get his other belongings and maybe something to dry himself off with. Sure enough, when Yuri returned he held a pair of boots and a nice Tunic. Too bad he didn't have anything to dry off with, but thankfully the weather was nice enough that that really wasn't a problem.

Tock smiled and chuckled a little at the irony of the matter. He wished he could tkae on such a cheery attitude when things bad happened to him, but then again falling unexpectedly in the water wasn't all together all that bad.

"How long have you been playing the flute?" Tock asked as he turned his gaze back to the flute. Hopefully he could get the elf to tell him more about it. Surely it had to be more than just a random hobby for the making of music to sway the elf so.

Smiling, glad he'd managed to amuse Tock into light laughter, Yuri leaned back on his palms with a relaxed sigh. He took a deep breath of the fresh air and closed his eyes, enjoying the comfortable environment. His moment of silent bliss was broken when Tock spoke.

The elf turned his eyes back to the instrument, the wood smooth and comforting in his lithe fingers. He smiled softly, his eyes distant, then looked back to Tock.

"To know how long I've been playing would to know how long I've been living. Unfortunately I can't answer that question andm thus, cannot answer yours." He shrugged. "My mother taught me to play, and she died when I was so little I can barely recall her face. The winters of my life seem to have all blended together beyond count since then. My flute, and my playing, are what I have left of my mother, and it is a comforting thing to know she can still be with me; even when she is not."

Shaking his head, Yuri chuckled slightly. "I apologize; I can be a tad sentimental at times. It comes with a love of all things beautiful." Smiling, he gazed over the lake and was awed by its splendid life. "Do you play any instruments, Tock?"

Tock had expected the answer that came at him at all, but did explain why the elf lost himself whenever he was playing the flute. He wished he had such bittersweet memories of his homeland, yet his luck in finding enjoyable moments had been even worse back then. His blasted wings had seen to that. He also wondered why the elf hadn't kept track of the years of his life. Most elves were well over hundreds of years in age, yet as far as Tock knew most had also done well too keep up with their years, despite the many passing springs and winters. Tock was about to ask a question concerning this, but Yuri had made his own question out first.

"Oh, there's no need to apologize. Now I can certainly see why you enjoy playing the flute so much that you forget the world around you," Tock smiled in reply before turing his gaze slightly to the ground. "But, to answer your question, I don't know how to play anything. I haven't ever really had anyone to teach me. I just enjoy the sound of music," Tock frowned.

Tock sighed before returning his gave to Yuri. He wanted to sate his curiosity, though the answer might be a sensitive one even more so than question about the flute had turned out to be. "But why do you not care about how old you are? Most people enjoy keeping track of their birthdays with their freinds."

Yuri was glad that Tock seemed to understand his blinding passion for playing. Most others saw music as little more than something for festivities and grand get-togethers, and despite finding the beauty in it they failed to perceive the depth and the stories a piece of lyricless music could contain.

"That's a shame," Yuri sympathized with a regretful smile. "I'd offer to teach you to play, but I've never been very good at offering guidance in any such matters. I'm sure you have something else you enjoy doing, though...?" Everyone had a hobby, or something they did well and liked to do. Yuri was sure of it. Even if it was digging holes or, for those less gentle folk, killing and blood shed. Yuri's flute just happened to be a little more dangerous for himself rather than others. Tock struck the elf as the type to simply appreciate the little things in life, like exploring, as his solitude's entertainment.

Tock's question brought his speculations to an abrupt halt, and Yuri blinked his bright, angled eyes slowly, considering the creature's inquisition. Why had he not kept track of his own years? The smile drifted off his lips and he turned his gaze out over the crystal lake again, a small frown creasing his brow. He was silent for a long time.

Eventually, when it probably seemed to Tock that Yuri would never answer, the elf spoke. "I suppose I just got to the point where my age didn't seem to matter. Humans are awfully fussy about age, wanting to stay in their early years forever so they might not become old, forgetful, and eventually wither away. It seemed a silly thing to keep track of when I have no idea how much longer I have. Physically I haven't changed in many decades, and I may go for another century before I get so much as a wrinkle across my forehead." The smile finally twitched back onto his lips again, but he still didn't look at Tock. "As for celebrating birthdays as some do..." He shrugged, and finally turned back to the small creature. "The village I grew up in we didn't celebrate anything but the arrival of the sun and the rebirth of the moon each month. Anything considering only one member of the village, unless it was the birth of a child or the death of one of our number, was never cause for a gathering. Besides, it's not as though I'd have anyone to celebrate with even if I did keep track of my birthday; not while I'm travelling, at least." Truly, his birthday seemed a trivalty among the other unknowns of his past - Yuri couldn't remember the name of his mother nor had he ever know the name of his father.

From the long silence Yuri had drawn it seemed that there was some part of the matter that Yuri was not going to speak of, some secret that was meant to stay as such. There was no need for such a drawn out pause to tell Tock that it had never been a practice among his village. Tock would press him for answers, he no reason to certainly wasn't worthy of getting on any secret. "Oh, I guess that makes sense," Tock replied.

Tock was reluctant to answer Yuri's question and let his gaze drift to the ground as he tried to think of a good excuse to not answer. He could think of none and it would most assurely be rude not to answer. He didn't consider himself as good at anything except drawing trouble and getting lost. Both of these of course were not things he enjoyed, nor were they worthy of praise as more useful talents were. He'd been trying his hand at many things, but found none that he was rather good at. No doubt all on account of his cursed wings. "I can't really say I'm good at anything useful, my greatest talents seem to be bringing bad luck, getting in sticky situations, and getting lost," Tock replied soflty.

(Eekk! Sorrt its so very short >.< Had to keep myself from procrastinating further.)