I thought she was a painting at first

I was walking along the beach around about dusk when I spotted a shape in the distance. This area was pretty far off the beaten track and it was unusual to see anyone this far away from the promenade, especially when it was getting dark. As I walked closer I could begin to make out two shapes, both dressed in the red and green uniform of what I vaguely recognised as one of the local schools. They were standing side by side, the one in the female uniform closest to me, her long aquamarine hair cascading down her back. Her companion (from the lack of space between them, and the male uniform I guessed he was her boyfriend) stood tall next to her, hands in pockets, blonde hair obscuring much of his facial features. From the angle I was walking at it was clear that I would pass to close to them, so I altered my course slightly to ensure I didn't intrude. My approaching footsteps must have made some noise against the sand and shells because they both turned away from the sea and faced my approach.

I thought they were a painting at first. I stopped dead, my breath catching in my throat. I could swear that I could hear faint music, and the scent of roses. The way they stood, side by side, tall and proud, with the grey sea roaring behind them and the pale pink of the setting sky rising above their heads. It was almost ethereal, like there was something other-worldly about them. The smaller one, her long green skirt fluttering slightly in the breeze had an air of elegance and grace about her, a level of sophistication that was rarely found in someone of her age. The contours of her face were smooth, and her deep blue eyes held a hint of mystery in them, like she could see through into your soul. She looked utterly at home here, the two elements entwined in the background, her companion at her side.

As I dragged my gaze across from her to her partner, I realised that even though the uniform was one traditionally worn by men, the body it encased was female. She was tall and slender to be sure, but her jawline was a little too smooth to be male, and the slight suggestion of curvature against the crisp white shirt was undeniably female. Her green eyes had a piercing quality to them; not cold, but wary, as if she were considering whether or not I was a threat. She had a considerable height difference over the aquanette, but the way she stood at her side was protective, not overbearing. It would seem my initial categorisation of her as a romantic partner wasn't wrong, but my choice of gender was.

We stood that way for a few moments more; I still rooted to the spot with shock, and them watching me with polite interest. The tall blonde relaxed her stance slightly, and that seemed to be her partner's cue to talk.

"It's a lovely evening for a walk along the beach, isn't it?"

Her voice had a wonderful melodic quality to it. I nodded in answer, still too awed to speak. They closed the distance between us, stopping a respectable way away. She spoke again.

"There is something about the way the ocean and the sky meet at this time of day that is especially appealing. They are both wonderful in their own right, but seeing them together like this…it is inspiring, don't you agree?"

I nodded dumbly again. I didn't have a clue what she was talking about, but I was enraptured simply by the sound of her voice.

The blonde placed her hand on the small of her companion's back, and the aquanette nodded in response to a question I didn't hear get asked.

"Enjoy the rest of your walk, please excuse us." She bowed her head towards me, and the blonde gave me a polite smile. They both turned and headed into the setting sun, the light gently closing around them.

I watched them until they were out of sight. The music I could hear from before played quietly in my ears, and I was struck by a sudden urge to paint a masterpiece, or write a symphony, anything to express my feelings at the truly magnificent scene I had just experienced. I turned and headed for home, my head reeling with thoughts of the couple I had just encountered, with the ageless eyes and the beautiful souls.