"Alright, everyone.  Sit down." 
	Qin felt compelled to listen to the commanding tone, though it irritated her at the same time.  The mer-tribe only ever had one female at a time. Since the ape king mostly controlled the city, Qin simply wasn't used to having a female higher in power than her.  It was still taking her some getting used to. 
	Qin listened for a little while her sight drifted to the window.  She had already memorized the content of the lesson in the last class and was only attending for something to do.  She was more interested in exploring the cove which she planned to do after class.  
	The class was truly a basic one, at least, according to Grace it was.  Qin associated basic with short and that seemed to hold true.  Once she was out, she took a few lovestruck guards with her and went to the cove.
	"Should I put you down?" asked the guard who had the pleasure of carrying her.
	Qin didn't respond right away.  Her thoughts were unfocused as she watched the waves lap at the shore.  The sea made her feel nostalgic.  She hadn't thought she'd miss anything about her old way of living but there was this.
	"Set me down in the water," Qin said absentmindedly. 
	When her feet touched the water, Qin sighed deeply.  She had missed it. The feel of the sand between her toes, the sensation of the water flowing  around her, and the scent of the salty sea.  
	Qin let the water pull her along until her waist was covered.  Only then did the good feelings disappear.  Memories of her home invaded her mind and dragged her down.  The endless days she spent gazing at the surface from below and the powerlessness she felt when she could not reach it reminded her of why she took the first opportunity she got to get out.  
	Qin grimaced and left the water.  Although illogical, she felt like a mer male would appear before her and pull her under.  It was better to stay on land, she decided. 
	The males ran around in a tizzy trying to prepare an adequate spot for her.  Once she was safely and comfortably seated away from the water, Qin's ruffled emotions calmed slightly.  
	It was a hot day, an indication that the next season would soon begin.  The cove saw an increase in activity from those looking to cool down.  And now that there was a guard that patrolled the waters regularly, it felt safer. It shouldn't be a surprise that the cubs came to explore and enjoy. 
	Qin watched the large cubs play around.  She thought they were ridiculous and noisy, but her heart also clenched a little for some reason.  Looking at the cubs kicking up sand and water like they had no cares in the world made her...it made her...she didn't know.  She was just upset that they were so carefree.
	It didn't take long for the cubs' mother to show up, and with her, came most of the family.  Qin looked around frantically for the snake male and heaved out a sigh of relief when she did not find him. 
	Qin wrapped her arms arm her legs and rested her chin on her knees while observing the people around her. It was the first time she got to watch others have fun up close.  She thought they were simpletons, but at the same time, she felt unsettled.  
	"Do you want to go there?" asked the closest guard.  He'd been watching Qin stare at the group of playing cubs long enough to pick up on something.  
	"No." Qin turned away feeling embarrassed.  From her peripherals, she continued to observe.  In an attempt to appear discreet, she twirled her hair often and cast an appreciative gaze at any single male that was near.  
	She spent most of her day on that beach.  The following day too. Pretty soon, she became the person who visited the cove the most. The ones that visited the cove the most after her were Grace's wolf cubs.