She believed she had spoken well enough to be understood by any other person who knew the tongue of common, but the more she listened, the more confused she became, and she began to doubt her own ability to speak. She believed they shared a tongue - even understood a few words in the beginning, perhaps? - but the short sentences very quickly rolled far into unfamiliarity.

Lujing backed away two cautious steps, hoping for her feet to find water should she need to flee. But the kind man - kind? - did not hold violent intent anywhere on him. She decided she could attempt to answer his questions, though given the lack of understanding, it would be a unique difficulty.

Lujing read his words out in her mind, and all she understood was “safe”. For a moment she felt some trickle of fear turn into a wash of relief. But his next question, accompanied by a turn of the head to the water, left her again in confusion. She assumed she was being asked about where she had come from, but could not be sure; perhaps he was asking where she intended to go?

Safe? Good. Suddenly she felt what confidence she had in her words shrink into oblivion. Still, she tried to make her sentences comprehensible, at least to some extent - or what she believed to be comprehensible. She no longer knew if she spoke sense at all. A great land, somewhere - beyond the sea, maybe. I come from there. I have nowhere to go.

A pause. She acknowledged the crunch of wet sand beneath her paws.

And you?

The seagirl stepped forward again, tilting her head to observe him, carefully taking note of the man. He did not look like a man of her home, that was sure. Still, it would not hurt just to see if he knew her better tongue. 你能听懂我吗? (Do you understand me?)