well i grew up quick and i grew up mean

A stream of Greek fell from her lips, and Aesop cocked his head.  "Shit," he said.  "You're gonna have to go easy on me, I haven't gotten much farther than hello and goodbye."  She seemed amenable to the idea of a conversation, so he plopped himself in the wet sand, tail wrapped around him as though it could protect him from the slight chill.

"I've been brushin' up on my skills, too.  You a buddin' naturalist or just got a passing interest?" he asked, glancing past her at the ocean.  The tide seemed to have peaked, its largest waves now cresting a few feet away.  Just a few hours after dark.  He took a mental note of it.

"Aesop," he provided.  "Pleasure to meet you, Lyric.  Likin' the place well enough?  I know it was a bit of an adjustment for me, what with the ocean so close 'n everythin'."  A good enough conversation starter, he thought, though a bit bland.