Chapter 3: Where is This Place Again?
"Now where is this place again?" I yell loudly so Marine can hopefully hear my voice over the humming engine of our wave racer. "I don't even see it in the distance."
"It took about fifteen minutes to ride there. It's pretty far out." She replies.
Her arms are wrapped tightly around my stomach as she sits behind me on the seat of the mostly white with light blue trimmed jet craft.
"Look at that Marine! There's dol---." I stop in mid sentence as I realize Marine can't see the torpedo like mammals jumping out of the water off to our right.
I quickly pull on the brakes and skim to a stop before killing the motor.
"What?" She turns her head quickly, trying to focus in on what I'm talking about.
"Just listen."
The rhythmic splash of the group of dolphins propelling themselves above the surface is soft and soothing. The gentle waves crashing against each other accentuates the peaceful feeling.
"Yahhh!" Marine yells as a rogue splash slams into the side of our wave racer and gets both of our legs wet.
"The water's cold!" She adds soon after.
"Really? I thought it felt kind of good." I told her truthfully.
The water in the ocean that surrounds Station Square has been especially chilly lately, so I guess this just feels warm by comparison. I'm not much of a swimmer anyway, but it's kinda fun once in a while. At least I'm not hydrophobic like some hedgehogs I know.
"Dolphins are one of my favorite animals." Marine says while still loosely holding her arms around my stomach.
"What's your favorite Marine?" I ask her sheepishly.
"Probably sea otters. I can just picture them lying on their backs cracking open a clam on a rock. Maybe angelfish though. Ooooh ooh! What about jellyfish? They're really pretty, but crabs are so funny. It's a tough decision."
"How about you Tails?"
"I'm more partial to land animals. I like blue birds a lot. Any kind of bird really."
"I thought foxes ate birds?" Marine asks quickly.
"Exactly." I reply.
"Tails! You carnivores are so mean!"
We both laugh loudly at each other.
"Have you ever seen a parrot?" Marine asks before squawking loudly in my ear.
"Only in pictures. They don't live around here do they?"
"Of course they do! There's a bunch on the islands around here. Especially the blue macaws. They're so pretty Tails! And they've got charcoal colored beaks and some bright yellow feathers underneath their wings."
I smile as Marine tells me about all these colors she remembers of her favorite things, even though she can't see them anymore. If she isn't able to ever see again, I hope her memories of colors never fade away.
"Since the dolphins are gone now, do you wanna drive?" I ask her simply.
"You're ripper Tails! You mean it?" Marine asks happily.
"Of course, I'll tell you if anything gets in our way." I reply as we switch places, Marine now sitting in front of me.
She quickly reaches her arms behind her and grabs my wrists with her hands. She places them on hers as she wraps her fingers around the handlebars of the wave racer.
I blush lightly as she puts on a devious face while she starts to rev up the engine.
"Puttttutttttt……Putttttttuuuuttt….." The engine stutters like a wheezing asthma patient before sputtering out completely.
"Ummm…what just happened Tails?" Marine asks curiously.
"It sounds like the engine died." I tell her matter-of-factly. "Has this thing been giving you any problems lately?"
"Not that I know of. I mean, it was running fine yester--."
"Marine!" I cut her off. "There's no gas in the tank!"
"Uh-oh…."
"Ugh……" I bury my forehead in my hand.
"What are we gonna do now?" Marine asks plainly. "We're pretty far from Seagull point and this new island I found."
"I dunno Marine. I could probably fly there myself, but if I've got to carry you, there's no way I could make it that far without splashing down."
"Our only other option is just to swim, right?"
"I don't mind getting wet, but I still think we should try to fly as far as we can first."
"Alright Marine, grab on." I say as I sway slightly, trying to stand up on the uneven seat as the wave racer jostles against the small waves brushing against the boat.
I hold both of Marine's hands as she hesitantly gets to her feet and hugs me tightly. I try to fight the embarrassing blush spreading across my face as I twirl my tails together and fly off toward the horizon.
"Marine? Wake up Marine." I feel bold as I gently brush my muzzle against her soft black and brown striped fur.
"Hmm?" She shakes her head suddenly before focusing on me. "What is it Tails?"
"My tails and arms are getting tired. I've gotta take a little break." I confess, beginning to lose a little altitude.
"Are you saying I'm heavy Tails?!" She snaps with mock anger.
"No I uh…I mean…look at me…we probably weigh the sa…uhh…I mean…you weight much less than me I'm sure."
We both laugh.
"We're goin' down Marine! We're not gonna make it!"
I quickly release Marine from my arms and drop down slightly.
She screams loudly before I catch her again.
"Tails you jerk! Don't trick me like that again! I thought you'd actually dropped me!" She says, sounding somewhat more serious to my ears.
"Sorry…" I apologize quickly.
"hahahaha!" She giggles loudly at me. "You're so easy to manipulate Tails. I could get you to do anything."
I roll my eyes, thankful that she can't see me. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad I'm a good fox, but there are sometimes where I wish I could be mean, just for a day. Maybe two.
"Alright Marine, we're about to hit the water. I'll lower us in slowly, okay?"
"Okay Tails."
She laughs again softly.
I keep my tails slightly swirling as I near the surface of the ocean. The water feels cool against my fur. I start fox paddling slowly as soon as I hit the water to keep Marine and me afloat.
"Let me go Tails!" She says as she tries to push off from me.
"What?"
"Let me go! I want to swim!"
"But you can't---."
"I can follow your voice."
Marine smiles sneakily at me.
I don't know if we're ever going to find this supposed island she was talking about earlier, but right now I'm more interested in having fun swimming with Marine.
