A morning walk at the pier

While you and Tori watched some bizarre reality TV where people try to demonstrate that their pet is smarter than all the other pets--which is really just a show where adults argue while pets just kind of sit around and bark at flashcards--you both headed to bed soon after, tired from an eventful day anyway.

Tori shook your shoulder in the morning, before the sun had even come up. "Pete, wake up! Let's go down to the pier and walk around! I wanna see it before it's busy."

With a grunt, you opened your eyes. "Whuh, I mean, alright... SeaPark opens an hour earlier today so we can't stick around long, otherwise it's going to be snotty kids and that sounds like a nightmare for channeling."

Tori giggled and yanked your blankets away. "Thanks for your concern, but kids aren't a problem for channelers, trust me. Kids are 'want' machines, not 'need' machines, at least not for needs that aren't being met by their parents. If anything, it's the parents that need a break! I've become an impromptu babysitter more than once for a little gremlin. Anyway, even when it's something like a lost kid, my curse graciously decides that it's better for me to just help them find their parents than to use channeling. But, you're right that I don't want to deal with those crowds."

Lacking a blanket, you grumbled and got up, getting back into your jeans. "I need some coffee, the biggest coffee. Is Moondollar Coffee open this early today?"

Fortunately, coffee was available, even though a total of four other people seemed awake at this time of the morning on a Sunday. Holding your large mocha while Tori sipped on her caramel hazelnut latte, the two of you walked down to the pier, braving the morning chill and a breeze to walk among the boats, breathing in the sea air and listening to the crash of the waves, right as daylight began to peek through the clouds. You watched seals pop their head up out of the water, or the cormorants diving into the harbor for fish, enjoying the sea life for free instead of what SeaPark would provide for thirty bucks a ticket. They had some big fish tanks with slides that go through them, as well as some sharks, but the biggest attraction was Naomi the orca. People had been protesting the captivity of Naomi for some time, but SeaPark's CEO wouldn't budge on letting their star attraction go.

"Hey, could we go up there?" Tori pointed at the bridge that stretched over the harbor, about thirty feet above the water. "Instead of seeing a miserable Naomi for a premium, I bet we could spot a pod of orcas if we're lucky. I think I heard some reports of sightings earlier."

With a nod, you and Tori started on your trek, wandering along the waterfront for a while until you two found yourselves up on the bridge, looking over the edge. Tori shuffled closer to you, using you to block the even more constant wind as she looked down at the water, since she only had her new t-shirt and didn't pack a jacket or anything, not knowing she'd even be here. You took off your own hoodie, slipping it over Tori's shoulder.

"Such a gentleman," Tori said with a grin, slipping her arms in the sleeves as you ran your hands up and down her arms to help warm her up. "Tell me if you see the pod, we don't have to stay up here long. I just want to see if luck's on our side today."

After a few minutes, it didn't seem like there was much chance you would spot an orca pod in just a short span of time. There was a lot of water, you didn't know when orcas would feed or if they were even around in the harbor today. The view was still nice, especially as daylight continued to illuminate more of the harbor as the sun rose.

But then, Tori point. "Look! Right down there, that has to be them!" You saw a bunch of dorsal fins sticking out of the water, maybe a dozen or so were visible, their spray confirming their presence. You and Tori watched as they approached the bridge, heading out of the harbor to follow the food, you guessed. Tori leaned over the edge, smiling as she watched the orcas come up out of the water. "Wow, it's really--"

Tori paused, staring down at the water. You shook her shoulder. "Really what? Really majestic?"

Tori briefly looked back at you, the glassed-over look in her eyes obvious to you, remembering seeing how that looked right before...

Before you could grab her, Tori slipped away from you and climbed up onto the edge of the bridge. "Tori! Don't!" You yelled out at her, but the purple glow in her hand meant the curse was her guide now. Without a thought, she leapt off the side of the bridge, her glowing hand outstretched. You leaned over the edge, yelling after her, but your words wouldn't release her from the grip of gravity. Your friend splashed into the water, disappearing below the waves.

This can't be happening! The curse must have thought this was safe enough to do, but how could you be sure? You hurried off the bridge, scrambling down stairs and walkways to try and get down to the water's edge, right under the bridge. "Tori? Tori! C'mon, where'd you go..!" Maybe Mike was right, this channeling stuff is beyond stressful in moments like this... but you could only wait to see where Tori would surface, and what would be so urgent for a sea creature to need a human like Tori to help.