"Excuse me, Mr. Lifeguard!" a group of kids ran up to Aqua.

"Yeah, what's up?"

"…Our ball went over the rocky wall. Can you please get it back?"

"Again? How many times have I told you all to not play near this area? Doesn't the title protected heritage site ever stick in your guys heads?"

"We're really sorry."

Despite this being probably the 8th time they've come and bothered Aqua, he could never find it in him to yell at the bubbly youths.

"….."

(I guess it's already good enough that they keep coming to me for help rather than trying to retrieve it themselves.) He let out a sigh.

"Okay, head back to the main beach and I'll bring it back to you."

"Yay! Thanks Mr. Lifeguard!"

Aqua turned to face the rocky wall.

The Earth Kinds were nice enough to add a higher permission level as a sign of trust that was not in the original job description. It granted him the right to climb the monolith anytime under his own judgement. Just as long as he left the other great stone mass that was protected by it alone.

He was just about to make his ascent when a familiar object flew over the wall.

"!?!?"

"H-hey! What are you doing up there?!"

The small lynx's ear waggled in confusion.

"It's pretty tricky to get up, but if you stare at the rocks close enough you can see where the good pawholds are!" she yelled back.

(That's not what I meant…)

The lynx peered further over the rocky wall. "Or maybe you're right. It looks much steeper on your side- WAH!"

Aqua bolted forwards, clambering up the wall.

He grabbed her scruff before the gravitational pull could complete her tumble down the rocks.

Carefully, he made his way back down with the stranger. On safe ground the lynx collapsed onto the warm sand.

Unfortunately, Aqua wasn't able to save her from the initial slip over the wall. "Ah jeez, those rocks cut deep…"

The golden blood trickling from the trespasser unmistakingly identifies her as a Compound Kind.

He crouched down to the injured lynx. "We have a Compound Kind back at the shack who can patch you back up. It's not too far from here."

"You can lean on me so it's easier to walk." He stood back up.

"Okay." She wobbled up to join him.

Aqua took a glance at the ball that started this whole ordeal. (I can take that back to the kids after I drop this one at the shack.) he decided.

"I didn't get the answer last time. Why did you cross the rocky wall?"

"Because I was told to," the lynx replied earnestly.

"Oh, did you lose a bet?"

"Bet?"

Aqua slowed his pace as the lynx limped beside him. "Guess not then. Who told you to do it?"

"My friends? No- my family!" she said proudly.

The lifeguard gave a sympathetic smile. Either he had just caught the worst liar in existence or there was a major piece missing in the puzzle.

"You're telling me that your family told you to tresspass protected property?"

"I wasn't trespassing!" The lynx grinned, "I live there!"

Aqua froze.

"Wot."