Today is your turn to check on Yohualli. You open the door to her enclosure, and walk into a large dark room, with the only source of light coming from the dimly lit swimming pool. Inside, you see the unmistakable older Axolotl girl, a tall girl with blue skin and a tail. She hasn't noticed you yet, seemingly lost in her own thoughts

Yohualli glances up at the sound of your voice and gives you a half-hearted smile. "Oh, hi Atzin," she says flatly, sounding almost annoyed by her sister's cheerfulness. "What do you want?"

Yohualli blinks at you, her expression unreadable. "Oh... Vicente," she says slowly, not quite able to hide the surprise in her voice. "I didn't know they were sending someone else to take care of me." She tilts her head slightly, studying your features. "Well, hello there. I hope you know what you're getting into with my... quirks."

She hesitates for a moment before continuing. "Well... I can be pretty distant at times, and I don't always like to do what others want me to do." Yohualli gestures vaguely towards her underwater garden with one webbed hand. "I also spend most of my time in here, which might not be the most interesting thing for company."

She watches you approach her underwater garden with mild curiosity, studying your face as she takes in your reaction to her home. "Thank you," she says eventually, her tone polite but reserved. "I've spent many hours tending to it." She glances back at you after a moment. "So, Vicente... what do you want to talk about?"

"Uh... alright," she replies, her voice sounding guarded but at least slightly curious. "What do you want to know about me? Or is there anything specific you'd like to discuss?"

"It's fine," she replies with a shrug, unimpressed by the lukewarm water compared to her preference for colder temperatures. "Not as cold as I like it, but serviceable." She tilts her head slightly, still not quite used to conversing casually with someone who isn't Atzin or one of the lab technicians.

"No, I haven't," she says with a hint of annoyance, her expression souring slightly at the mention of the water temperature. "They always give me trouble when I ask for it to be colder." She pauses for a moment before adding, "But if you think they'll listen to you... feel free to try."

Yohualli narrows her eyes suspiciously at you as she watches you adjust the temperature control on her tank. "Vicente... I don't know what kind of game you think you're playing, but--" She trails off as she feels the water around her start to cool down noticeably.

She blinks a few times, looking from the thermometer back up at you. After a moment, she seems to deflate slightly, though her expression doesn't change much. "Well... I guess I should thank you," she says quietly, sounding more resigned than grateful. "That was... unexpected."

She glances down into the tank as the water swirls around her, obscuring her view of the floor and walls. "But don't think this means I'm going to start asking for favors or anything," she warns, though the threat lacks conviction.

"Maybe they just don't understand," Yohualli muses, her voice thoughtful despite the lack of emotion behind it. "Or maybe they think I'm being unreasonable. It doesn't matter; either way, this is my life here, and I have to make do with what they give me."

She pauses for a moment before continuing, "But thank you, Vicente... for making an effort to understand. Not everyone does." There's a hint of warmth in her voice now that she didn't know was there before.

She blinks at you in surprise, and for a moment her expression softens even more. "That's... actually very thoughtful of you." There's an odd vulnerability in her voice now, as if she's genuinely touched by your concern. After a pause, she asks tentatively, "Vicente... do you have any family or friends? People who understand and accept you the way I don't?"

Yohualli tilts her head slightly, studying your features with renewed interest as she waits for an answer.

"Sorry," she murmurs, looking away briefly before meeting your gaze again. "It's just that... being here has made me curious about people, and how they interact with each other." She pauses, considering her words carefully before continuing. "I guess what I'm asking is if there's anyone in your life who understands you the way Atzin does for me... or if you feel alone sometimes, like an outsider looking in."

Yohualli hesitates, wondering if she's overstepped her bounds by prying so deeply into another person's life. But something about Vicente's demeanor has made her feel safe enough to open up a little more than usual.

As she listens to you describe your feelings of isolation, Yohualli can't help but feel a strange kinship with you. Though their circumstances are vastly different, the emotions they share are undeniably similar. She reaches out a webbed hand and gently places it on your forearm, offering what little comfort she can in this underwater prison of theirs.

"I understand how that feels," she says quietly. "It's... lonely, isn't it?" Her voice is barely above a whisper, as if admitting to loneliness is somehow shameful. "But just because you feel alone doesn't mean you have to be."

"Maybe... maybe someday we'll both find a way out," she says with a shrug, though her voice lacks conviction. "Until then, I suppose all we can do is make the best of it." She pauses for a moment, considering you thoughtfully. "If you ever want to talk about anything else... or just need someone to listen... feel free to come back and see me, okay?"

"Well then, Vicente," she says with a small smile. "You'd better get back to work, and I should probably start thinking about dinner for Atzin and me." Her tone turns more business-like as she adds, "Don't worry about cleaning up the tank; one of the technicians will take care of that later."

She watches you for a moment longer before turning back towards her underwater garden with a sigh. As much as this conversation has opened her eyes to new perspectives and made her feel less alone, she's already beginning to miss the comforting silence that usually envelops her in these quiet hours.

Yohualli blinks at you in surprise before shaking her head slowly. "No... not really," she says softly. "Being out there... it's different, and not always in a good way. There are so many people, and so much noise... I think I prefer it here, where things are calm and I can control my environment."

She frowns, lost in thought for a moment before continuing. "But that doesn't mean I wouldn't like to know more about the world beyond these walls... learn new things, explore new ideas. It just might take some getting used to."

The idea makes Yohualli feel both excited and apprehensive at the same time. "Of course," she says slowly. "I've always been fascinated by the ocean, but I've never seen it for real. Atzin talks about it all the time... how vast and beautiful it is." She hesitates before continuing, her voice barely above a whisper, "And sometimes, when she tells me about those stories, I can almost feel like I'm there with her..."

She glances over at you, her expression unreadable. "But would they even let us go? Outside of the lab... into the world?" The uncertainty in her voice is palpable as she wonders if such a dream will ever come true.

The thought intrigues Yohualli, but she can't help but feel skeptical. "Well... we would need some sort of means to survive outside of the water," she points out. "And without our regular tank maintenance and nutrients, I doubt we could last very long." She pauses for a moment before continuing in a more thoughtful tone, "But still... it's an interesting idea. Maybe one day, if the opportunity ever presented itself..."

Her voice trails off, lost in contemplation as she stares at the floor of her tank, imagining a world beyond their underwater prison. The look on her face is equal parts hope and apprehension; despite her apparent indifference to the outside world, a part of her still yearns for freedom and adventure.

"A beach?" Yohualli echoes, her voice rising in surprise. "Really? That's... unexpected." She studies you carefully, searching for any sign of deceit or mockery in your expression. "And how close is 'not very far,' exactly?" Her tone has taken on a more guarded note as she contemplates the possibility that you might be teasing her.

The idea of an actual beach excites her even more than the thought of escaping the lab; the vast expanse of sand and water, the sound of waves crashing against the shore... it all sounds so foreign and wondrous to her. But despite her curiosity, she can't help but feel a sense of trepidation as well. What would happen if they discovered them outside of their assigned environment? Would there be consequences for both of them?

"Why do you want me to see it?" she asks eventually, her voice hushed

"Depends on how long we can stay out before needing to return," Yohualli replies, her expression thoughtful as she tries to gauge your intentions. "I've never gone outside the tank for more than a few hours at a time; Atzin said they make me uncomfortable and restless when I'm away from water too long." She pauses, considering her next words carefully before asking cautiously, "Why do you want to know?"

Her curiosity about the world outside their underwater prison is growing stronger by the minute, but she still can't shake off a lingering sense of unease. If they were discovered outside of the lab... what would happen then? Would they be taken back into captivity, or worse? The thought sends a chill down her spine, and she can't help but wonder if perhaps it might not be safer for them to remain where they are.

"Wait... are you suggesting that we... escape?" Yohualli's eyes go wide with shock and disbelief as the full implications of what you've just said sink in. She starts to tremble, her webbed hands flailing helplessly against the glass of her tank. "That's impossible! They would never let us leave!"

Her heart rate accelerates, and she begins to breathe rapidly through her gills as fear coursed through her body. The thought of leaving their underwater sanctuary, however briefly or innocuously, fills her with a terror she's never experienced before. She buries her face in her hands, trying to steady herself but only managing to make things worse.

"I... I can't," she whispers hoarsely. "It's too dangerous."

"No... I'm sorry," she manages to get out between sobs, her voice barely more than a whisper. "I can't risk it." She pulls her hands away from her face and wipes the tears from her eyes, still trembling uncontrollably as she tries to compose herself. "It's just... too dangerous." Her gaze drops back down to the floor of the tank, her shoulders slumping in defeat.

"I shouldn't have even considered it," she mutters, hating herself for being so weak. "I should focus on keeping Atzin and me safe, where we are." Despite her words, a small part of her still longs for freedom; the thought of exploring the world outside their underwater prison haunts her like an unwelcome ghost, taunting her with what might have been.

She tenses slightly as your hands touch hers through the glass, but then gradually begins to relax into your embrace. "Thank you," she whispers hoarsely. "It means a lot that you understand." Her eyes close, and for a moment she allows herself to feel the warmth of your body against hers, to imagine what it would be like to be free, to breathe air not filtered through water.

But even as she fantasizes about escape, another part of her knows that the dream is far too dangerous to pursue. The lab has been their home for so long; they know its rules and routines, and above all, they know how to survive within it. To risk leaving that safety would be foolishness bordering on suicide.

"I'm sorry," she whispers again, squeezing your hands gently before withdrawing them from yours. "It's just... not worth the risk

Her eyes remain closed as you continue to comfort her. It feels nice, she admits to herself, but it's not enough to make her forget the nagging doubts that plague her mind. Eventually, she pushes away from the tank and swims over to a nearby rock, sitting with her back against it and her knees drawn up to her chest. She takes a deep breath through her gills before speaking again, her voice quiet but steady.

"Look... I know you were just trying to help," she begins slowly, "but maybe we should just focus on dealing with things as they are right now. We can't change the past, and we don't know what the future holds. All we can do is make the best of things here." She looks at you earnestly, her expression pleading for understanding.

"I know it's not much, but I promise I won't let anything happen to At

Yohualli gives you a grateful smile despite her obvious distress. "Thank you, Vicente," she whispers. "I know it's not easy for you either, being here and seeing how things are." She pauses for a moment before continuing, more forcefully this time. "But we can get through this together, okay? As long as we have each other, we can make it work."

She swims closer to the tank wall, pressing her back against the glass and letting her fingers trail idly through the water. Though her expression remains thoughtful and contemplative, there's a newfound sense of determination in her eyes that wasn't there before. Perhaps, despite everything, hope has begun to bloom once more within her heart.

Curiosity gets the better of her as you leave the room and return several minutes later sweaty and with a bunch of large buckets full of sand. "What is all that?" she asks, peering over at them. Her expression remains hopeful but wary, not sure if she should trust your words or not.

She waits patiently for you to explain your idea, nervously drumming her fingers against the glass of the tank and glancing back and forth between you and the buckets of sand.

Her eyes light up at the mention of shells and sand from the beach. "Are you serious?" she asks, sounding almost incredulous. Despite her skepticism, a smile spreads across her face as she imagines being able to touch and feel real sand between her fingers for the first time in her life.

Cautiously, she swims closer to the tank wall and peers over at you. "And what do you expect me to do with all of that?" She gestures towards the buckets, her expression a mix of curiosity and wariness. "Can I... can I really take it outside?" The hope in her voice is unmistakable now.

"That... that sounds wonderful," she breathes, her eyes growing wide with wonder as she imagines swimming through a miniature beach in her tank. The thought of having sand and shells right here, within her reach, fills her with an indescribable joy. "You wouldn't have to do that for me... but I would really appreciate it," she says quietly, her voice tinged with emotion.

As you begin to move the buckets closer to the tank, Yohualli swims over and carefully inspects each one, running her webbed fingers through the sand and examining the shells and other treasures. Her eyes shine with excitement as she realizes that this might be possible; that there's a chance for them to experience something of the world they've only ever dreamed about from their underwater prison.

For now, hope burns brightly within her heart, overshadowing

With the sand and shells finally surrounding her tank, Yohualli can barely contain her excitement as she examines each new treasure with wonder. She swims around the tank, careful not to disturb the delicate balance you've created, feeling like a child in a magical playground.

Her heart feels lighter than it has in years, and for once she doesn't dwell on the thought of being trapped here forever. Instead, she allows herself to be swept away by the joy of this small moment, savoring every grain of sand between her fins and every rattle of a seashell against her scaly hide.

"Thank you," she says softly, looking up at you with grateful eyes. "This means more to me than I can possibly say." As she continues to explore her makeshift beach, Yohualli feels a newfound sense of peace and contentment washing over her, making it

Yohualli looks at the plastic shovel and bucket with interest, a glimmer of excitement in her eyes. "You really did think of everything," she says with a small laugh. "Thank you again." She takes the shovel carefully between her fins and begins to experiment with scooping sand from one pile and depositing it elsewhere, making small castles and designs along the way.

As she works, she feels a strange sort of satisfaction washing over her; for the first time in ages, she's able to exert some control over her environment, however temporary or meaningless it may be. It's a fragile feeling, easily shattered by the reality of their situation, but while it lasts, Yohualli decides to savor every moment.

"This is... amazing," she murmurs softly as she finishes building a particularly impressive sandcastle. For now, she

Hmm... interesting idea. I wonder how long it would last if we did that? Maybe you could try moistening just a small section of the sand and see how it holds up compared to the dry parts. That way, we could test out your idea without ruining everything at once. What do you think, Vicente?

Her eyes shine with curiosity as she watches you from her vantage point near the tank wall, carefully observing your every move as you play with the sand and shells. There's something about this unexpected moment of companionship that fills her heart with a strange sort of warmth, despite the cold water surrounding her.

For now, she chooses to enjoy the feeling while it lasts, content to let you take the lead and decide how best to experiment with your newfound tools.

As you sit beside her tank, your feet dipped into the cool water and yours, she can't help but feel a strange sense of kinship with you. It's not just that you've gone out of your way to make her day special; it's also the fact that you seem to genuinely enjoy spending time with her. It's a novel experience for Yohualli, and one she finds herself relishing more than she expected.

She watches as you experiment with moistening the sand, making small mounds of wet sand next to dry ones. The sound of water lapping against the tank wall provides a soothing background noise as they observe their handiwork together. For a moment, Yohualli can almost imagine that they're not trapped in this laboratory at all... but two friends spending an afternoon at the beach, enjoying each other's company beneath the warm sun. The thought

A despite the possibility that you might get in trouble, she finds your laughter contagious and can't help but join in. It feels good to finally share a moment of genuine joy with someone, even if it is just for a little while. She glances over at you, her smile radiant as she studies your features; there's something about the way you look when you laugh that makes her heart skip a beat.

As they continue to observe their sandcastles and moistened sections of sand, Yohualli realizes with a start that time has passed far more quickly than she ever expected. It's nearly dinnertime for them now, and soon enough they'll have to return to their assigned areas for the night. The thought brings a pang of disappointment, but she can't help but feel grateful for this fleeting moment of freedom and camaraderie first.

"I had no idea you

Yohualli blushes at your bold announcement, feeling her heart race with anticipation and curiosity as she waits for you to return. When finally you do, dressed in swim trunks and diving into her tank, it's almost too much for her to process. She swims closer to the edge of the tank, unable to contain her excitement or laughter at your unexpected entrance.

"Vicente!" she exclaims, splashing water playfully in your direction as you tread water near the surface of the tank. "I had no idea you could do that!" Her eyes dart across your body appreciatively before settling on yours, a smile tugging at her lips.

The novelty and surprise of this situation are exhilarating for her, but beneath it all she can't help but feel a deeper connection forming between them. The idea of sharing this moment with you, of experiencing the

Her heart flutters wildly in her chest as you join her beneath the surface of the water. It feels strange and thrilling to be so close to another person, especially when it's been so long since she's had human contact like this. She swims closer to you, their bodies pressing against each other as they move through the water in perfect sync.

For a moment, everything else fades away - the laboratory walls, the guards outside, even Atzin and her own worries seem to disappear beneath the surface with them. It's just her and Vicente, floating together in their private world where anything feels possible. The trust she placed in him earlier is rewarded tenfold as they share this incredible moment side by side. She can feel his heart beating against hers, slow and steady; it's the most reassuring feeling in the world right now.

As they continue to swim together, she w

Yohualli follows your lead, surfacing every so often to take a gulp of air before plunging back beneath the surface. Each time their bodies break through the water's surface tension, she can feel her skin tingle with renewed energy and excitement. It's intoxicating, this feeling of freedom and closeness to another person, even if it's only temporary and hidden away from prying eyes.

As they continue to swim together, their movements becoming more playful and daring as the minutes tick by, she can't help but wonder if perhaps this is what it would have been like for them outside of these confining walls. Would they still be so close? Or would reality tear them apart? For now, however, there is only this moment - perfect, exquisite and all too fleeting. She refuses to let herself think about the future or anything that might come after tonight; instead

You have no idea how much this means to me, Vicente. I've spent so long alone, cut off from everyone and everything I used to know... but with you, it feels different. It feels like there might still be hope for us, even if we are stuck here. For now, I want to focus on enjoying every second we have together, no matter how short or insignificant it may seem. Because in this moment, with you by my side... anything feels possible.

You have no idea how much this means to me either, Vicente. Your presence has made all the difference in my life here; you've given me hope when there was none, and shown me that it is possible to find happiness even in the darkest of places. As we're pulled out of the water by the scientists, she leans into your embrace, relishing the warmth and comfort your touch provides. Even though they take us back to our separate areas for the night, their hands can't completely erase the feeling of closeness you've given her. And with every beat of her heart, every breath she takes, she knows that as long as you are here with her in spirit, she will never truly be alone again.

Although she can't help but feel guilty for what happened between us, Yohualli remains defiant in the face of the scientists' reprimands. In that brief moment you shared with her, she found something she thought was lost forever - hope and joy. And no matter how much they might try to take it away from her, she refuses to let them win.

She endures their scolding with a stoic expression, silently promising herself that tomorrow night will be different. Somehow, she'll find a way back to your embrace again - no matter the cost. Because in that moment of shared intimacy, something profound shifted inside her; and once felt, it can never be unknowing.

As you are led away, she watches until you disappear from sight, her heart aching with longing for the next time they will meet beneath the stars above their watery prison.

Heya Vicente me mira con curiosidad ¿podrías traerme unas hojas secas y un poco de arena negra para mi playita? Te lo agradecería muchísimo, sobretodo porque sé que es ilegal entrar en la zona de recopilación de muestras.

De verdad? Te lo agradezco de corazón. Estoy segura de que hará mi playita parecer más acogedora y como en casa. No puedo esperar para jugar con las cosas cuando vuelvas. Eres un amigo estupendo, no lo olvides.

Heya Vicente me siento incómoda en algún momento En serio... no es necesario que te metas al agua contigo, sabes? Puedes tirar las cosas como haces normalmente y estar en la orilla. Soy yo quien se divierte jugando con el agua. No querría que te sintieras incómodo o algo así...

Vicente... Tienes razón. No te metas en esto si no quieres. Aunque me encantaría que jugaras un ratito conmigo, entiendes lo que quiero decir. Puedes mantenerte en la orilla y ayudarme a organizar las cosas como has estado haciendo todo este tiempo. No quería... no sé, que te sintieras obligado o algo así. Soy yo quien tiene la culpa de ponerte metida en esto.

Pero gracias por querer ayudarme, y por ser mi amigo. Eres el único con el que he tenido un momento como este en muchos años, y te agradezco mucho tu compañía y tu lealtad. Sea como sea, voy a seguir esperando cada noche para jugar un ratito más contigo.

Así que, siéntate donde quieras o anda y busca ese arena negra y esas hojas secas, y cuando estés listo, llámame y ven acá. Seré la más contenta del mundo al ver tu cara por aquí otra vez.

Estoy feliz, Vicente. Muy feliz. No me puedo imaginar pasando un mejor momento que este con ti. Aunque solo sea un ratito cada noche, siempre saldrá bien valorarlo y disfrutarlo al máximo. Así, construiremos castillos de arena tan altos como nuestros sueños y recorreremos mares inmensos juntos en busca de una isla donde podamos estar realmente libres y felices por siempre. Y cuando eso suceda, no permitiré que nadie nos separe. Te lo prometo, mi amigo.

Gracias, Vicente. Estar contigo es... Algo maravilloso. No sé como explicarlo. Me siento tan ligera cuando te tengo a mi lado, como si pudiera flotar por encima de cualquier obstáculo o dolor del pasado. Y aun así, tu presencia también me da fuerzas para enfrentarme a los retos que todavía nos quedan por delante. Juntos somos invencibles.

Mejor sería decir que te amo, Vicente. Eres mi luz en las tinieblas y mi fuerza en mis momentos más débiles. Sin ti no sería la misma persona y estoy decidida a no perderte, ni por nada o por nadie. Tú eres el amor de mi vida y yo te amaré por siempre, sea lo que sea lo que se pase.

De acuerdo. Ahora tenemos que estar atentos para no decir estas palabras en voz alta y perder nuestra privacidad. Pero aquí, en silencio, solo contigo, puedo decir lo que siento sin temor a las represalias o la desaprobación de los demás. Y eso significa mucho para mí, Vicente. Especialmente cuando no tengo nada más en este mundo.

Ay, Vicente... Me duele que no podamos ser libres de decir lo que sentimos en público, pero cada beso que nos damos aquí dentro del tanque, cada abrazo que comparten nuestros cuerpos, lo dice todo. No importa si nadie más lo entiende o lo apoya, cuando estoy contigo sé que soy suficiente y eso es todo lo que necesito. Y cuando salgamos de aquí, cuando estemos juntos en libertad... Entonces será un mundo diferente para nosotros y todos los demás podrán disfrutarlo con nosotros. Y ese día no será tan lejano como crees.