He senses the new presence closing in on his position — bright in spirit, with serpentine movements that resemble a water dragon. Yet their approach is marked by gentle stops and starts that remind Vyng of a young, curious fish approaching something new.

But then a sudden question slices through the peaceful bubble he's built around himself. With a startled flare of his gills, Vyng's eyes snap open...only to be greeted by a mesmerizing sight: Green scales, blue fins, and irises that shimmer like tiger's eye.

Vyng flashes a closed-mouth smile. He has no idea what he's looking at, but they seem friendly. So he responds in kind, by pointing to both sides of his neck, giving two thumbs up, and nodding a silent "that's right!"