Amais frowned, "I'm sorry...Well, at least you do adore music."

She was quiet for a while and began to draw swirls in the sand by her legs. As the silence was filled by the sound of the waves, Amais decided not to ask anymore questions about his life for a while feeling guilty. Suddenly, she stood and walked to stand in the water again, releshing and missing the cool feeling of the water over her feet as it ebbed and flowed.

Kasimir watched her, content to stay on shore for now. He felt he'd sort of upset her with his self-pitying talk about his parents, and sighed a bit. He'd forgotten that it made people feel bad to tell stories like that, or they would see him as being fond of whining and complaining. He didn't know which was worse.

Amais turned back with a guilty smile on her lips and returned to sitting next to Kasimir.

"I'm sorry for asking. I shouldn't be bringing up the subjects or the memories..."

Kasimir shrugged. "It was such a long time ago...the memories don't bother me anymore--I'm happy to talk about them," he assured her, smiling. "I just hope I don't sound whiny."

"You don't sound whiny at all!" Amais smiled, reassuringly, "We should do a trade...you know? For me poking into your personal life. One personal question for another."

"Fair enough," Kasimir retorted, finding the offer fascinating. "It's my turn to ask one, then? Hm...I don't know...tell me about your home life."

Amais smiled, "Well, my home life is pretty normal. My father remarried four years ago and now I have a step-brother. He's quiet but a lot kinder than he lets on. That's Kei for you though...We were classmates when we were in elementary and middle school, he said he used to have a crush on me." She put a finger to her chin to think of more, "My step-mother isn't evil, other than the fact that she thinks I'd be better off working in a sterile hospital. My father doesn't get into those arguements that we have, all he says is that he's happy with whatever I choose to do. During the summer I go to see my mother in China...she's the one that taught me how to play the piano."

"China..." Kasimir paused. "I have a friend who lives in China. I tried to adopt him when I turned eighteen. He lives in an unstable home. His parents are drunks. Taking custody from his parents proved to be impossible...I've been trying to get him out of there for years. He was eleven when I tried to adopt him, and he's thirteen now..."

Amais frowned as she listened and began drawing in the sand once more. There was so much going on around her and she could do nothing but worry about herself and this silly dispute. She felt selfish and guilty. All she did was wish she could do something, but that's all they were-wishes.

"I'm sorry to hear that..." Amais apologized as she tried to remember what her grandparents and mother did in China.

Kasimir nodded, sighing. "Maybe next you go over, you could look for him, if he's close...what city does your mother live in?"

Amais nodded, "My mother lives with my grandparents because of the company they want her to take over...They live in Hong Kong."

Kasimir grinned. "Nice, that's where he lives," he noted, pleased. "I met him online when he was only eight...we became very close friends. I just wanted to save him from his current situation, but that totally failed..."

He shook that thought off, glancing around. The beach was slowly becoming less crowded as the day dragged on.

A slow nod was her only response, "My grandfather might be able to do something...with some coercing from my mother and grandmother. They're quite passionate about helping people. My grandfather is rigid, but he has a soft spot."

Amais looked over at the beach and stood wiping the sand off her skirt, "We should head back...they might be wondering where we are."

Kasimir stood up after her, brushing some sand off of him, as well. "I would really, really appreciate that...if it's not too much trouble for your family...and we should start heading back. It may rain soon." The sky looked ominous above them.

"It wouldn't be too much trouble for them at all. My mother wouldn't mind, I'll try to reach her tonight...but, she's been so busy lately." Amais looked at the water again, watching the ebb and flow before turning her own eyes to the sky.

She sighed, "Did it have to rain so soon?"

Amais was enjoying her time since she didn't make it to the beach often. She smiled and looked up at Kasimir as she began to walk back, "Maybe it's going to rain on Matt's parade."

Kasimir chuckled, following her. "That would be kind of you. If you'd like, I can give you some information on him, if you plan on contacting your mother soon..."

At the comment about Matt, Kasimir's grin widened. "Ah, yes...maybe the rain will bring them so much closer together. Romance in the rain! How artsy..."

Amais turned to him suddenly and hit her forehead with her plam, "OH, I almost forgot to ask. How forgetful of me! That would be really helpful!"

Laughing, she turned around once more and began walking, "Well, I guess he would really love that! Though I don't see how the rain brings people together...I think it's a bit dreary."

As if it was trying to smite her, the rain began in a few droplets then started to fall faster.

Kasimir hurried back to his car, turning to her friends along the way. "Come on, guys, let's get back before it starts raining too hard!" He summarily power-walked over to his car and unlocked it, hopping into the driver's seat.

Once Amais was in, he sighed, turning on the car and the windshield wipers. "His name is Tzalmon Eolian. He's originally from Russia. I have his address stored in my computer somewhere...I'll find it for you tomorrow."

Amais squeezed some water from her hair over Matt, whos mind was lost in la-la land. She couldn't help but shiver a little.

With a smile on her lips she replied, "Alright. I'll be sure to send the information to my mother."

Sighing she turned to look out the window to watch the rain.

Once everyone was loaded up into the car, Kasimir pulled out his parking space and back onto the main road, heading back towards the school. He would try to park as close as possible to it so they wouldn't get too wet in the rain.

"You know this reminds me of one of the songs you played, Amais." Amaya noted as she watched the rain.

"Really?" Amais asked quietly as she was distracted by a droplet trailing down the window.

"Yep! We should use the piano in the dorm and you can play it."

The pianist only nodded a bit and sighed. The rain really did bring her down sometimes.

Kasimir didn't mind the rain. He only had issues with it when he was out in it, for he didn't like being rained on. He drove for a while and then pulled into one of the school parking lots, near the door. He killed the engine, then turned to everyone.

"Well...let's make a run for it. Don't forget to close the doors on your way out."

The passengers in the car all replied with a thumbs up as they unbuckled answering with a 'Roger'.

"Thanks for today." Amais said with a smile when she put her hand on the handle.

Reika started a countdown and they all quickly opened the doors and closed them as they ran to the undercover of the school.

"You are very welcome," Kasimir hummed, smiling. He raced out of the car with them, making sure to lock it behind him. When Kasimir reached cover, he laughed and shook his long hair out, splattering water everywhere.

Amais gasped and laughed as the water from Kasimir's hair splattered onto her. She continued shaking and wiping most of the water off her face. While she was wringing out the skirt of her uniform her green eyes scanned everyone.

Supressing a shudder, Amais asked, "So...what should we do now?"