[GrayGriffin]

The two nonaquatic creatures sat on the shore of the ocean, both watching as the surveying group sank beneath the waves. Sherlock was in his human form, Lorisa gliding in circles above the spot they had gone before finally flapping back to his side.

"Is there really nothing we can do to help them?" she asked.

"We just have to wait, for now," muttered Sherlock. "Akegane-sama is wise, I'm sure she'll be able to look out for both of them."

[GrayGriffin]

Despite his words, his brow was still heavily furrowed. As much as he hated to admit it, for a long time Akegane-sama had been acting as mission control only. He would never accuse her of being "too old for this," but that didn't mean he wasn't worried about her capabilities. Not to mention that she would be looking out for both Arion and Natasha, and Natasha was definitely not a girl who could put up a fight.

[GrayGriffin]

"So, why'd you send out both the office ladies?" asked Lorisa, as she landed on the beach and looked over at the water, undisturbed and flat.

"First of all, Akegane-sama would be most offended to hear herself called that," said Sherlock. "She's quite capable in aquatic situations, after all, it's simply that we haven't encountered many such situations so far. I'm sure she was eager for the chance to finally stretch her fins. We call on her knowledge a lot, after all. Having her right there will certainly be helpful for investigations."

[GrayGriffin]

"And what about Natasha?" asked Lorisa. "She doesn't seem like the type to be going on missions at all."

"She doesn't, does she?" agreed Sherlock. "Still, she's often commented about wishing she could help out more, and she jumped at this chance. Metaphorically, of course." She couldn't really actually jump in either form, after all.

"I guess that makes sense," said Lorisa. "I'd probably be a bit stir-crazy if I was stuck in one place all the time."

[GrayGriffin]

She flinched a little when she said that, remembering how happy she had been to stand in one place and guard Evangeline's domain in the swamp. But that couldn't really count, could it? She hadn't even been herself then-the mechanical nature of Corbines had fit her so much at that time. She would be forever grateful to Sherlock, for bringing her back to herself and reuniting her and Arion.

"Something on your mind?" asked Sherlock. She blinked a little.

[GrayGriffin]

"Just...thinking, I suppose," she said. "Where's Watson, by the way?" She recalled Holmes being the Drakel's most foremost translator, so he couldn't be far off, could he?

"He's actually back at the office," said Sherlock. "He can read just fine, so he's looking up some references Akegane-sama gave us from last time. If things do come to an onshore fight, the two of us are more adept at that, after all. Though...I certainly hope it won't come to that."

[GrayGriffin]

Lorisa would happily admit that she felt the same. She certainly had no desire to use her metallic talons or blades for any sort of violence, and she was sure Sherlock felt the same about his demonic form. She envied him, sometimes, being able to take a human form. Even if Corbines weren't as side-eyed as some other species, there were still assumptions that came about as a result of her species, assumptions that made her twitch at their inaccuracy.

[GrayGriffin]

As the two waited on the shore, suddenly the water before them started glowing faintly. Sherlock immediately leaped up, but didn't start moving yet, waiting to see what would emerge. Lorisa spread her wings as well, ready to take off and glancing over at him.

"Should I go check it out?" she asked.

"Not yet," he muttered. "They might have just activated whatever they found. It doesn't look too dangerous yet, after all..." Suddenly, he froze.

[GrayGriffin]

"What is it?" she asked in a frightened tone. As she watched, the glow before them started changing colors, from a bright white to an ominous orange.

"I-I can't sense them anymore! It's as if-" Before he could say anything else, and before Lorisa could react to this news, a brilliant burst of orange light shone forth from the surface of the water like a beacon. Abandoning all caution, Lorisa took off, crying Arion's name frantically as she dove towards the water.

[GrayGriffin]

She dove underwater, wings slicing through before she took off again, shaking herself off. The light had disappeared almost as soon as she dove in, and black spots were dancing before her eyes. She knew she couldn't dive as deep as the trio, so with heavy reluctance she glided back to Sherlock's side.

"What-what do we do now?" she asked.

"We have to get back to the office," muttered Sherlock. "And hope that Watson has found something we can use.

"We're going to get our friends back."

[Wild Pet Found]