Bro Druid: Catching Them Art Waves

Having lived there, Bodhi was quite familiar with all the sights and places around the Cove of the Summer Breeze. However, this glass-sided building the lifeguard was standing outside was one he’d never been inside. His blue aloha shirt ruffled a little in the wind as the blue-striped sea otter ran a hand over his red board shorts. There wasn’t even a board stand here for his windsurfing board. Bodhi had come straight from his lifeguard shift to meet his friend Nix here. She invited the sea otter to join her for one of her favorite things to do.

 

“Hey, Bodhi! Sorry, um, I’m late,” Nix apologized as the pink-haired hyena approached. Her brown fur and silver stripes showed around a dress resembling an ocean with a beach around the bottom hem. “I got turned around a bit on my way here.”

 

“Nah, you’re good, Nix gal,” the lifeguard greeted his taller friend with an exploding fist bump. “That’s a wicked gnarly dress! Looks good on ya, gal. So what is this place?”

 

“Oh, thank you,” the hyena awkwardly smiled as she tried to hide a blush. Nix didn’t feel comfortable in the dress yet, but it was better than the half shirt and skirt her roommate had previously dressed her in. Plus, a tailor, specifically this one for her and many others, and not something left behind by one of Sheila’s flings. “This is the uh art museum. I like to walk around here occasionally because it’s um rarely crowded. They’re hosting art from many faraway lands this week.”

 

After explaining what a museum is, Bodhi headed inside, following Nix’s lead. The museum staff started to tell the lifeguard he couldn’t bring his board inside, but then they saw who he was and let him go. Art appreciation was one of those optional classes for druids that Bodhi had skipped out on in favor of catching more waves. On the other hand, Nix had visited this museum enough times that she had a route and favorite paintings. Most of the art went right over the lifeguard’s head until they reached a painting titled The Breaking Wave off Kanagawa. Something about the waves drew Bodhi in until the artwork pulled the lifeguard into it.

 

“Nix,” the sea otter cried out as he got his board under himself before hitting the water. It didn’t look like she was pulled in as well.

 

This incident felt similar to the one with the books, but nothing moved and felt less natural. There was something about the colors of the water and the boats that didn’t quite look right. Despite being a massive wave, there was no scent of seawater or anything wet. An enormous face of Nix filled the horizon, looking scared and confused. Stomping on the release, Bodhi sprung the windsail out of the hidden compartment on his board. Using the magical channeling abilities of the sail, the surfing lifeguard sends himself up the arc of the wave, trying to ramp into the sky. He gets some decent air but fails to break the border of the art. With an annoyed growl, he lands and starts surfing in circles, building up speed while channeling increasing amounts of magic. This time, he ramps off the wave and out of the painting. His board skidded across the room while Bodhi landed on Nix, knocking her over.

 

“Um uh B-B-Bodhi,” the hyena stammered, embarrassed to have her crush on top of her like this.

 

“Sorry, Nix gal. I didn’t mean to tackle you like that on a first date,” Bodhi apologized while standing up and offering a hand. I don’t think this art thing is for me.”

 

“Uh date,” the pink-haired hyena gasped barely audibly. She had wanted this to be a date, but did he think it was too? The sea otter wasn’t ready to date again, and Nix still hadn’t confessed her feelings. She was working up to it but wasn’t prepared to do it yet.

 

“Only joking, gal, but I think they’re going to kick me out now,” Bodhi laughed, pointing to some angry museum workers. “Come on lets go grab some food and we can discuss what to do on our next hang out.”