They were male and female. Lithe and strong, no excess. Naked, genitals startlingly hairless. Ray lifted her gaze. The male wore unwrapped locks which waved in the currents and were much longer than Fari’s. Shells and glistening strips of what could have been seaweed, although she wasn’t sure, were tied around each one. His cheekbones were strong, his face serene, beautiful. The female was almost bald, her skull ridged and angular. Eyes cut-glass, bright with intelligence, lips full. Ray was stung by needle-thin aggression, unable to stop admiring her, knowing Fari was too. Both had blemishes all over their bodies; thin, random scars and wider dark swathes that might have been birthmarks. The female’s ran from the tip of her left shoulder, across the breast, curving past her belly button to end at her hip. The male’s was a black streak starting at his temple, cast across his eyes like a mask, winding around his head and neck to spiral down his chest, stomach, hips and penis before ending at his ankle.

Each faction stared, as curious as the other. Bubbles emerged slower, with wider gaps. Just as Ray thought they should try to communicate, the female reached a hand towards her.

Against her wiser judgement, she took it.

The fingers were slightly furred, like petals. Strange to the touch, but not unpleasant. They felt, in fact, as though they were covered in similar translucent tiny hairs; still, Ray didn’t dare look. She felt Fari’s eyes and refused to look at him either. He was always chiding Ray about her lack of trust and yet this felt comfortable. Right. The female smiled without restraint, teeth glittering like coral. She gave a gentle pull as, beside her, the male reached for Fari. Ray allowed herself to be lifted, softly kicking. Over her shoulder, Fari did likewise. She rose, relaxing until she was horizontal. Led by their humanoid guides, they scissor-kicked in slow rhythm towards the edge of the ridge.