Laying lazily upon the smooth, cool sands of the shore, Ember watched the night sky as it exploded in an array of hot colors. The sun was just slowly setting after what had been a long day. It smelled of rain but she didn't move from her spot as the cloudless sky gave no inclination onto whether it would really rain later on that evening or not.

The roar of the ocean was rhythmical and relaxing, lulling the lively woman into a calm state if not almost to sleep. One arm laid carefully across her abdomen, the other stretched down her side while her fingers traced half a shell that lay washed upon the shore.

Even as she was, the soft glow of faerie fire illuminated her body in the darkening night. Her long ebony hair stretched across the sands, glowing orange hot like embers of a fire. There was little wind that picked these strands up or moved them, ruffling her pale dress while she remained where she was to rest against the sands of the shore.

Meera sighed watching the sun conduct it's beautiful array of colors. No matter how many times she had watched the sun set, it never ceased to amaze her how beautiful it was. She was content at this moment, relaxing her head on her feiry steed Enzo. She was almost completely surrounded by her companions. Her dragon, Salmo, on her stomach. Her fox, Akira, on her right side. Her gryphon, Kalani, on her left and Venorik, her squirrell, resting for once on her neck. Meera's left arm rested on Kalani's broad back, stroking it absentmindedly in a half-daze. The only animal of Meera's that was not there was Marqee and he perferred that he rest in the trees nearby.

Meera did not see any people on this beach on first glance, but when her eyes traveled over to the right side more, she spotted a figure bathed in the small glow that was cast while the sun went down. She narrowed her eyes trying to see who it was, but it was not anyone she knew. Meera always liked to meet new people so she smiled and decided to go over and meet her. The problem was getting up without disturbing any of her companions. She slowly took her left arm off of Kalani and picked up the easiest, Salmo, moving him next to Akira. She reached for Venorik who sleepily grabbed onto one of her fingers not allowing her to put him back down. Meera said softly "I guess I'll just have to take you with me." She slowly lifted her head off of Enzo, who lazily picked up his head to see what was up, then seeing nothing wrong. put it back down.

Finally, Meera stood up and walked over to the woman. She softly said "hello there. I'm Meera.........beautiful sunset isn't it." while quietly casting the spell detect alignment. She sensed neutral, but it was not quite as defined as a true neutral. Meera would be wary, but be as polite as possible.

Disturbed by the voice that sounded to be speaking to her, Ember shielded her face from the sun's bright beams. Amber eyes turned toward the voice searching for a face to match it with. She could easily view the woman while she lay on her back without having to prop herself up. Another traveler.. While raising an eyebrow to her newest acquaintance, Ember nodded slowly. She hadn't really expected to be approached while laying upon the shore but it didn't surprise her too much that others would frequent this area as well.

"Yes Meera, it is a beautiful sunset. The perfect way to end a long day like this one, wouldn't you say?" Forcing a smile, Ember let her eyes stray back toward the sky, looking a bit disinterested in the company. There was about another hour of sunset to enjoy before the sky would be overcome with the great darkness of the night. Ember grew more curious if the moon would rise this evening and where it was in it's cycle, excited to find out if she could enjoy a moonrise as well.

She paid little attention to Meera at first, mostly because she was so unsure of what to say to mixed elf that stood over her, carrying what appeared to be a squirrel. Now that is something I haven't seen in a long while. She couldn't help but to crack a small smile, warmly directing it toward the squirrel who sat so comfortably upon the woman above her.

Meera's eyes traveled back to the sunset that performed before her. The brilliant colors of red orange and yellow blended together to create an excellent mixture that would cause anyone to pause and stare at it for at least a second. She wondered what the woman next to her was thinking, but dared not ask her aloud for she did not even know the woman's name. Which brought her to another question. She asked "may I ask your name m'am?" but did not bother to look at her. Her gaze seemed to be stuck on the slowly sinking sun. Meera didn't know what to expect from this woman. She did not seem to be the talkative type, nor one that particularly liked company. Nevertheless, Meera was curious about her and proceeded to learn more.

Venorik lay still in Meera's hand, only his head twitching slightly on rare occaision. He liked the silence for once and proceeded to still sleep even though he was not anywhere near a good resting place. He would have slept relatively soundly until he heard the foreign voice come from a place nearby him. His eyes shot open and torso propped up immedietly. His head swivveled continuously until he found the source of the voice. It was another woman. Undoubtably very different then his companion but still a woman like her. Undaunted, he settled back down but still kept a wary eye on the woman. He noticed that she was looking at him. He pretended not to notice even though he was a little curious as to why. When she flashed him a smile, he picked his head up a bit and chattered slightly irritatedly even though she had done nothing to provoke it and nestled back down onto her hand with his ears back like he had been deeply offended. Meera couldn't help but smile as she watched her silly squirrel's antics, but once he had finished his little show, she turned her eyes back to the sunset.

Obviously enjoying the sunset just as much as she, Meera remained silent, asking only for a name. With an unamused snort Ember picked herself up from her laying position in the sand, resting back on her elbows as she continued to watch the squirrel for a few moments longer before calmly answering the question.

"My name is Ember, like the ember of a fire." It was what she told just about anyone that asked, rolling out of her mouth easily like it had so many times before. Her legs stretched far in front of her, knees raised as her bare toes dug gently into the cool sand. The faint orange glow peeking out of the sands as the harmless flames continued to dance around her body, even under the surface.

Lifting her eyes to Meera again, she watched her as she watched the sunset, still silent and unmoving. Perhaps it was the manner in which I addressed her.. I've thrown her off and come off cold. Ember was still smiling as the thought came to her. It didn't surprise her that she would be perceived as unsociable and it would surely not be the last time either.

"So tell me what brings you to the shore this evening Meera." She had realized that if she was going to make any friends at all, she'd have to learn to get along with at least one person along her travels. This woman didn't appear to be too displeasing, especially not like any of the others she had met before. Forcing a more natural, warming smile directed toward the woman, she did her best to look friendly.

"Just the way the wind has brought you?"