Blackwater Islands take me into your loving arms

He need not approach further because Kalika closed the gap between them herself. She touched him was a surprising tenderness. When their eyes met, Whip's expression was that of confusion. Like any coin-flip, there were two possible outcomes. Whip had seen both sides of Kalika. First, the tender, engaging side. Second, the angry storm-like side of her personality. The former was much easier to deal with. Whip breathed a sigh of relief, but he still found himself unsettled by the way Kalika flipped between her two faces.

She directed his attention elsewhere. To what, Whip did not yet know. "Where?" he asked, but he was then directed to the tidepool. Whip stepped forward to get a better look. Kalika did not lie, it was full of life and color. It was both rich and interesting. She was right -- he did love it.

He studied the pool intently with rapt attention. Only when an apology passed her lips did Whip turn away. He looked to Kalika, jaw threatening to hang agape. "Oh that, um -- yeah," Whip grimaced, unsure how he was supposed to respond. "It's okay," he then said. The damage had still been done and he would always fear her more now than he had before. Now, he only wished to avoid her ire in the future.