I invited friends and fellows to each contribute a drabble (100-word story) or two for the TetraLuminaire canon. The first of these is a collaboration between me and Star Trek: Outwardly Mobile's Jay P. Hailey, a man whose resolve is as... well-developed... as his literary skills.

We hope you approve.

"Sea Legs"

By Jay P. Hailey and

Joseph Manno

"Sure you're okay?" Parihn asked. She was sitting across the table, looking at the water.

Mantovanni felt the grit crusting in his hair as it dried. He cocked an eye at her; she was just as sandy, but made it look natural... comfortable, even.

Sea nymph.

"I almost drowned." He wrapped his mind around that realization. Salt still stung his sinuses.

"Surfing isn't for everyone; you sank like a rock."

"I sank like a Vulcan. Denser muscle tissue," he clarified… then frowned.

"But I'm..."

"…Sicilian? Silly. Your people are sailors, and many true sailors…"

"I know," he finished.

"…can't swim."