HSV - Beach time!

He breathed in the sea salt out and exhaled with a smile. The scene was an unspoiled wonderland of joyous auras. Laughter permeated the air as Kou took in the sight. He could dig the beach. But there was a reason he was here. In all honesty the reason mad him squeal on the inside like a schoolgirl.

Kou didn't care that he was acting like an overgrown child. He was being asked to contact spirits. He was being asked to find the kraken. This was the best mission ever. Then again, there were people missing, so maybe not the best mission ever, but you know, definitely one of the better ones.

Of course he didn't show it, his idiotic grinning was enough to make people question his sanity, still he couldn't deny his excitement to chat with some of the departed locals in the area. He hummed to himself a cheerful tune as he shoved his hands in his pockets and began to wonder. He felt good here in a place that was mostly full of joy, his blue eyes gazed over to a girl who seemed to not be noticed by the beach goers.

Well... this was a mostly happy place.

He slowed down his gate seeing her stare vacantly at the people who didn't seem to see her. Her outdated swimming dress that covered her little arms and legs, her hair was soaked to the bone. Her body shivered as she silently stood there, not seeming sure of what to do.

It was obvious what had happened, and it wasn't recent. Who knew how long she had been standing there, just waiting for someone to explain what happened to her.

He couldn't draw attention to himself by chatting with her, so he had to be subtle. Which was a word Kou had a limited understanding of, but since this was a mission he just may grasp it enough to get away with it by the skin of his teeth.

Of course he doubted that the girl saw anything, but seeing the poor thing look so lost after an untold amount of years made him approach her anyways. Maybe, just maybe, he could sidetrack for a few minutes, once she knew what had happened she could move on and he could refocus on the Kraken and finding potential spiritual witnesses.

It was mostly clear around where she stood minus a young couple with their daughter. They seemed too preoccupied with making sure the toddler stayed afloat then to pay the odd redhead any mind.

"Hey there," he said a bit on the quiet side to the spirit, but he still had his warm grin plastered to his face.

At first she didn't seem to realize he was talking to her. She gazed distantly at the small family until Kou managed to bring her attention to him.

He wanted to offer his hand to her and guide her away so he can explain to her that she needed to find the light, but not where people could see them, "Follow me," he grinned, making it a game to have her chase him to the rock where there would be less witnesses to his mission.

Normal people who don't have a lot of experience with children would find it hard to explain the concept of death to a young spirit, but for one such as Kou, who didn't really grow up in the first place, it was a bit easier for him to get her to understand. You'd of course have to gain a child's trust before you try to get them to believe your words and do as you say, but that was effortless for Kou as he made her smile with a few funny stories.

Who knew how long it had been since the child was able to smile. Seeing the toothy grin of someone who would never grow up, there was a sadness to it, Kou would never deny that. Still he talked to her, telling her about the magical world that was beyond the light she kept hiding from.

She became resistant when the mention of leaving the beach came up, still holding out hope her parents would be back one day to take her home. Her innocence was nearly heartbreaking, all this time she had thought she was simply forgotten by her parents who still probably mourned her every day. All this time and not understanding that she drew her final breath years ago.

Kou thought about it, trying to go about it a different way. He couldn't just leave this girl here to long for something that will never come. It would be torture for such a fragile spirit. He started asking her about family that had passed during her lifetime. He just knew that there had to be something that would encourage her to pass on.

Soon Noodles came up, Noodles was her dog that had passed away a few months before she had. He told her that Noodles had been waiting for her the whole time inside that light that she didn't want to go to.

Ah Ha.

She finally perked up to the idea, he could swear even her little pig tails rose up. "I was making Noodles wait for me?"

"Hey it's not like he can talk," Kou just grinned at her, "But if you go to it, you'll see Noodles, I can guarantee it."

"Noodles! Oh I missed him so much!" She chirped, she hopped up and went looking around. Kou followed, grateful that he decided the conversation would be better behind some coverage.

He blinked and thought for a moment before calling to the girl again. "I don't suppose you saw... anything weird or anythin'… right?"

"Hmmm I saw some people dragged into the ocean, they didn't scream though, it was weird..." She mused a bit still looking around.

"Did you see what took em?"

"Some slimy blue... tube things," she wrinkled her nose a bit, not seeming to know the words to describe what she saw.

"Did it have things that look like this?" He asked as he cupped his hand like a suction cup.

"Mmhm!" She grinned happily as she laid on one something even Kou couldn't see. But he grinned as she waved goodbye, "I'm gonna go see Noodles now!"

He waved back, "Be sure to play with him lots."

"I will!" She said as her voice and body faded away.

Kou felt good seeing the disappearing smile. Even if this tip proved to be nothing, he still did some good today. He looked at the ocean and stroked his chin a bit, "Blue tentacles eh?"