"Do you remember what it's like?"

            Ami started slightly at the unexpected voice that came echoing out of the comfortable darkness that wrapped so tightly around her.

            "You shouldn't sneak up on people like that."

            She could hear the smile in his voice.  "I don't see people around here.  Only you."

            She sighed and reluctantly tore her gaze away from the shimmering waves before her.  "Remember what what's like?"

            "To see."

             "I'm afraid I don't understand…."

            He turned to the water, eyes glittering with moonlight.  "There's something hidden in the movement of the sea.  It's alive.  It carries you away before you even step into it."

            She followed her gaze and watched the fine, silver light ebb and swirl and flow with the tide, let it take her to trance as it had done before he'd come.  The muffled roar of the surf forced its way into her heart, bringing with it a peace she'd long been missing.  The moon rested serenely, high above her head, familiar mouth parted gently, as ever….

            And she could hear the song.

            Siren-sweet She sang, and as Ami stared, unblinking, at the swirls of light, she began to notice a pattern. 

            "Show me how," she whispered, as a fierce longing burst into her chest.  "I've forgotten….please, show me how….."

            And the waves began to separate.

            A thousand dark shadows began to take shape, ebony silhouettes dancing together in circles and chains and ribbons and pairs.  Some, she could see, were joined by their hands, and some were moving close together in intricate, dizzying patterns, close enough to touch, but never touching.  Nearly all of them hugged the places on the light-path where the shadows were deepest and the light brightest, and when the smaller ones—the children--began taking daring leaps and twirls into the light, she couldn't help but laugh out loud.

            She turned quickly, words of gratitude coming to her mouth despite her reluctance to speak.

            But, save for her, the beach was empty under the gentle glow.

            As it should be, something whispered to her.  And she returned her gaze to the sea.