There have been strange rumors floating about the mountain of late, and just to clear his head of them, Zeraph has moved out onto the shore. Finally the constant storms have stopped, even though there is still a splattering of rain drops every now and then when the wind blows correctly. His footpaws are submerged in the water as the tide moves in up the sands, but the Lieutenant is barepawed anyway. The buck's attention is turned out towards the horizon, ears back and paws hooked behind him.

Just upshore from Zeraph is Darklett. He's seated, and seems to have some things laid out in front of him... Food, it could be assumed, identifiable upon closer look. It's just the basics, some bread, a flask of water, and a few pieces of fruit. As he eats, he stares indefinitely out towards the ocean.

Something makes Raph look upshore to Darklett, ears perking. At first he doesn't move, allowing the water to rise in depth just a bit more to wash across the bottom of his pants before the buck actually moves towards the older hare. The officer doesn't say anything even as he gets closer to Darklett.

Motion in the corner of his eye causes the dark-furred buck's gaze to shift away from the ocean and towards Zeraph. He, too, is quiet, even as the lieutenant approaches, though his ears fold awkwardly. Great... Not again.

Zeraph is a little wet at about this point, going to sit down in the sand beside Darklett without saying anything. The officer's not even looking at his friend, glancing out to the horizon as before with both ears once again pinning to his neck.

... "Hello, Zer." Darklett offers the greeting flatly, unsure of what to think of the unplanned company. "What's got ya out of the mountain?" He offers the lieutenant a drink from his flask.

Zeraph reaches his paw over to take the flask from Darklett without looking towards the other buck. Of course he doesn't drink out of it right away, just resting his arm on his leg and giving a deep sigh. "Hey Dark.." He starts in the same dull manner. And he's not saying anything about the rumors yet. Some things you just don't want to bring up so willingly, or learn about anyway.

The lieutenant's lack of forwardness creates a void in conversation and a long, awkward silence, only the sounds of nature around the two breaking it. Darklett takes a bite of the food he packed for himself, and lets the silence be prolonged.

Zeraph swallows back the lump in his throat. "We should perhaps go inside?" The buck just got that sense off of the other, that he was avoiding a subject just as he had been. And it cause him to be nervous and doubtfully upset for some reason. However, the officer doesn't make eye contact. As he is still dancing around the subject..

Darklett shakes his head. "No, I'd rather stay out here," the hare comments quickly, matter of factly. "Nice day and all. Besides, don't pretend you don't know anything... I'm sure everybeast does by now." Sigh.

Unhappy grunt. His eyes squint in a glare towards the sand, shaking his head. "Didn't want to think they were true. Nearly punished a few recruits for talking about it..." Zeraph lifts the flask to his lips finally, to take a quick drink, before going to pass it back towards Darklett. "Guess they are though. Oh well." Oh well?

Darklett nods slowly. "...Yeah." He seems... apprehensive to continue. "...So, what about it?" He eyes Zeraph carefully, up and down. He doesn't say any more, or ask any questions at all. He just looks at the lieutenant, as if expecting something.

Zeraph shrugs. "I don't know. You're my friend? What am I supposed to say?" The Lieutenant rests both arms on his knees, finally glancing towards Darklett slowly, with ears lifting in a curious manner.

Darklett's ears pin slowly towards his head. This wasn't what he had been expecting, apparently. "...Is that all?" His mouth curls curiously, shaking his head. "...I mean... Thanks. That's probably the best news I've heard since everything was found out."

Zeraph gives a huffing breath, looking away from Darklett. "You're welcome. It's shocking, of course.. but.. I know I'm not exactly proud of my past either." He mumbles, ears tipping back again. "So. That's all." He swallows back another lump in his throat. The Lieutenant is a little upset, but not for reasons that would be guessed.

"...Well, then I'm glad somebeast understands." Darklett actually smiles, and looks considerably more comfortable. "Too bad it's not enough. Don't know if I can go back to Salamandastron, Zer. I need to find someplace to stay."

Zeraph stands up, nodding his head in understanding. "No worries, Dark. And I'll try to help you all I can." He actually smiles as well, ears perking high on his head. "Ya know it doesn't matter who you /were/. It's who you became.." Then the Lieutenant has to head off, and so he does with that as the last statement.