ASplashofLove  

ChloeTurner,aPh.D.candidateinMarineMammalogyatMiamiCentralCollege,getstheopportunityforaone-weekresearchprojectinWashingtonStateinherareaofinterestofwhaleconservation,thisonespecificallytostudytheendangeredSouthernResidentOrcapopulationintheSalishSea.ItisopportuneasitwillgivehersometimeanddistancetoreevaluateherrelationshipwithMarcus,aPh.D.candidateinEconomics,shewhosometimesthinksthattheyoperateondifferentwavelengthsconcerningtheirrelationship.Insomerespects,shewillbeafishoutofwaterinwhatwillbeherhomebaseofCableCove,WAinneverhavingstudiedorcas,andnothavingspentmuchtimedoingfieldresearchletaloneinanon-tropicallocalelikethePacificNorthwest.Regardless,she,wantingtoshowherindependence,isaversetoaskingforhelpfromBenWinters,amarinetourguideandarguablythemostknowledgeablepersoninCableCoveontheSouthernResidentpopulation.Ineventuallyaskingforhishelp,ChloeandBenstarttofallforeachother,whichtheytrytodenyifonlyinrespectforherrelationshipwithMarcus.Butanotherobstacleintheirrelationshipisproblemsinherresearchprojectwhichwouldbedeemedincompleteifshecan'tlocateEcho,thesmallestofthethreeorcapods,whichinturnwouldaffectthepossibilityofshestayinginCableCovetodoherdissertationontheSouthernResidentpopulation.—Huggo