Ocean's Breath Plateau samsara

he had wondered when he'd sank beneath the surface if he was doomed to repeat this life, over and over again. when he awoke to see dark, sleek fur beside him, he feared that doom had been realized. god, not again, he thought, reddened eyes peering mournfully at her. don't let me hurt her again.

but no. . .no, this woman was different. brown, not black. and built along the same lines, but not identical. govinda blinked several times, gaze narrowed as the pain rolled through his body all over again. he needed a bath. he needed to wash the salt from the wounds, and a cool, dry place to sleep.

"who're you," the man slurred, voice barely even a whisper, cracked and frail as it was. every syllable forced through his ragged throat was agony; he might not be as verbose as he once was for a long time. perhaps forever.