On a warm summer morning, Kira leaves home to visit her friends who live on the other side of town. Danberg is a small resort town near the sea that takes about three hours to cross, so Kira decides to walk. She is naked as usual; naturism is widespread in Danberg. Today she feels strange. She feels dizzy and has trouble concentrating. She sees people around her, but they don't seem to be paying attention to her.

She tries to remember. She remembers the colored lights and the magical music and the grass under her bare feet and the pleasure... A sweet tingling sensation spreads from her thighs and disappears. Kira shakes her head, she can't remember a single detail. She keeps walking. After a few minutes she stops. The pavement beneath her feet turns to smooth, soft sand, and she runs through it. "It feels so good!" The sand disappears as suddenly as it appeared.

Kira passes a small town square. Three hippies are playing some rock'n'roll on guitar, flute and djembe. Several naked, tanned and dirty girls are dancing, wearing only their anklets and large necklaces. One of them turns to Kira.

"Are you all right, sister?"

"I think I need to see a psychiatrist," Kira says.

"What's wrong? What's wrong with you?"

"I don't remember last night. I had a great time, but I don't remember anything."

The hippie girl laughs. "This happens to me all the time! Why worry if you had a good time and are still in one piece in the morning?"

Kira laughs too. "Maybe we should open a club. A naked night club."

"Why not? I'm in!"

"Maybe later. We'll be in touch."

They exchange contacts. Kira turns and walks away, still smiling. "A naked nightclub, huh?"

***

A few blocks later, Kira is thirsty for coffee. Following the scent in the air, she finds a small, cozy cafe and enters the dimly lit room. The walls are covered with old, yellowed posters of naked women from the sixties and seventies. She sits down at the counter and orders a cup of coffee.

The barista is a tall, tanned woman in a white bikini and a long, brightly colored skirt. Kira admires her quick, precise movements as she grinds the beans and pours boiling water over them, dancing to the jazz playing in the cafe. The barista places a large cup of coffee in front of Kira and kisses her. They share a deep kiss for almost half a minute before pulling away.

"On the house," the barista laughs.

Kira sips her coffee slowly. Three handsome, long-haired, bearded men in shorts enter the cafe and ask for coffee. The closest one casually runs his hand down her back and gently squeezes her bottom, and she quickly rubs the top of her head against his chest. They're not going to do anything here, it's just a greeting.

She leaves the cafe, dancing to a jazz rhythm, and walks down the street. It's a long way, and she's drawn to a little exciting adventure.

Kira decides to follow the trail of lights, music and dancing she remembers from last night. She stops at a corner and looks around. The street is empty. The pavement is covered with sand. She steps carefully on it, listening to how it feels under her soles, burying her toes in it. She takes a few slow steps.

"I can't remember why I came here," Kira thinks.

***

A few blocks later, she stops and looks up at a high grassy hillside. Two naked people are making love. Kira smiles mischievously and quietly walks over to them. She lies down on her stomach on the grass next to them.

"Do you mind if I join in?" she asks, smiling broadly.

The girl nods and kisses Kira passionately. "I know you."

"How?"

"We met last night," she says, "you were dancing on the beach."

"I don't remember."

"I'll tell you when we're done."

Kira puts her arms around the girl's neck. They kiss deeply, slowly, passionately, and the girl moans and shudders as she nears orgasm. When she finally comes, the man pulls out of her and enters Kira. Now it's Kira's turn to moan...

They lie side by side on the soft grass. Kira strokes the girl's back, kisses the man's shoulder.

"So, did we meet last night?" Kira asks.

"Yes, on the beach. We were all dancing naked and the music was like nothing I've ever heard before. It was pure magic. You danced closest to the water, your feet splashing in the surf. Then... then something came to us from the sea. It was... I don't remember. I remember a sharp pleasure, that's all." The girl shudders in the echo of her orgasm and smiles absently.

"Where was it, where did we meet?" asks Kira.

"I don't know. But it is a small town. There were no more than a thousand people there. It was a festival or something, I think."

"That sounds familiar." But Kira still can't remember. She wonders what else she can't remember.

***

The couple gets up and leaves. Kira follows them, dancing a bit. After a few blocks, she stops. She feels strange and can't go on. Something pulls her back.

She turns around. The street is empty. Everything is deserted.

Kira sits down on the pavement. Suddenly the pavement changes again. She feels sand beneath her bare feet. She tries to get up, but she can't. Her legs feel like they're filled with lead. She looks around but sees no one. A gust of cold wind makes her shiver.

A naked girl walks unsteadily down the street, approaches Kira and leans against her shoulder. Kira hugs her and tries to comfort her.

"What's wrong, dear?"

"I don't remember. I don't remember anything since last night. I just suddenly found myself here, walking, and my body feels so strange."

"Oh, dear! Do you want me to call someone for help? Where do you live?"

"I remember. My house is near the south bridge. I can get there, no problem. I just can't remember how I got here."

"You're okay, babe. Just relax and everything will be fine."

The girl smiles, leans into Kira and begins to cry.

Kira has a vision.

A naked woman is walking barefoot down the street. She is standing on a strip of sand, looking at a deserted beach. She sees several other naked women approaching her. They approach her, take her hands, and walk together along the sandy beach.

They reach a large grassy slope and see the sea in front of them.

The surface of the water bulges and a large creature rises in front of them, all eyes and tentacles. It should have frightened them, but they find it strangely attractive. They walk towards the sea.

Kira comes to her senses. She is sitting on the pavement, no sand, just bricks. A sweet tingling sensation runs through her body. The naked girl stops sobbing on her shoulder, presses her palms to her abdomen and twitches. "It tingles! It tingles!" she exclaims with an absent-minded smile.

"What's wrong?" asks Kira.

"I don't know. I can't remember."

Kira strokes the girl's back, caresses her neck. "Go home. Can you walk home alone?"

"I think so," the girl says, getting up. They exchange contacts, just in case.

***

Kira walks on. She has another cup of coffee, some more small talk, and makes love again. She feels pleasantly full and satisfied. Her friends' house is nearby.

She knocks on the door and enters without waiting for an answer. Danberg is a small, cozy town. The house looks like any other around here, but Kira knows that inside it is not quite what it seems.

Cindy, a tall, tanned woman of mixed race, stands in the doorway and smiles broadly at Kira. "Finally, my dear! Come in. We were worried about you."

They hug each other. "Do you remember how long we have known each other?" Kira asks.

"Eight years now. You were a waitress, then you moved to a bar and eventually became its owner. Then I came on board, and things were a bit of a mess."

"Was it that obvious?"

"Oh yes, everyone noticed!"

They laugh and kiss for a long time. "You're as beautiful as you were eight years ago," Kira says. "No. Much better!"

"Let's go. The men are waiting."

They walk up the short stairs. Cindy opens the door to a little bar. It is warmly lit and filled with music, laughter, soft candlelight and aromas. Two handsome men are sitting together in front of a small fireplace. One of them is wearing only a shirt and shorts, and the other is naked except for his beard.

"Hi!" Kira smiles and hugs them one by one. "Sam! John! It's been so long since I've seen you! You won't believe the news I have!"

"We really will," Cindy picks up her notebook from the table. "The memory loss last night? The sand under your feet? The tingling sensation?"

"How do you know that?" asks Kira, surprised.

"We're supposed to police this, after all. You're not the first. Far from it, to be honest."

"I don't remember anything," Kira says.

"Neither do we. I woke up this morning, half asleep, on the road. No sand beneath my feet, no memories of last night. Just... a feeling of deep peace and joy, and a sudden desire to follow the light."

The four spend a wonderful evening and night. Whatever the strange event was, its solution can wait until tomorrow. After all, all the victims remembered was the pleasure, and in the morning, everyone was still in one piece. It doesn't have to be that urgent.

***

Kira wakes up. She sits up in bed, her thighs aching pleasantly. She rubs her eyes and looks around. It's dusk in the room, but she can see clearly. There is no one else beside her, but she hears voices coming from the kitchen.

She gets up, runs to the shower, and follows the voices. Everyone is already in the kitchen, drinking coffee and looking through a pile of mail and messages. John puts a cup of coffee in front of Kira.

"A quiet night this time?" Kira asks.

"Not so much," Cindy shakes her head. "Look at your feet."

Kira looks. Fresh bruises and a sprig of seaweed between her toes.

"It happened again, didn't it? I don't remember anything."

"It happened," John pulls the algae out of his beard, "We don't remember either."

"It's spreading. Last night almost a third of the town was dancing naked on the beach and surrounding streets," Cindy says grimly.

"How do you know that?"

"Our team tracked down as many as we could. The ones who weren't sleeping or dancing, that is."

"And?"

"They found the epicenter. Finish your coffee, we're going to the beach."

***

They arrive in a small van. Cindy takes them to a sandy beach near the south bridge. It is small and private enough to give the impression of being secluded and hidden. In reality, it's just another popular spot where naturists gather to sunbathe.

Women are standing barefoot on the sand. Kira looks out to sea. The place seems familiar. Yes, it is! She has seen it in a vision. Here is the beach, here is the grassy slope...

The men join them.

"Cameras?" Cindy asks.

"All around. We set up ours on the hill, the team has taken over the beach, and there are two drones in the sky. With any luck, we'll get some footage."

"So let's take the next step." Cindy takes off her clothes and stands naked next to them, Sam joins her. Kira and John, who always go naked anyway, raise their eyebrows.

"One of the things everyone remembers," Cindy explains, "is that everyone was naked during the event. We don't know if that's the premise or the consequence. But let's assume it's important."

"Then what?"

"We wait here."

"For what?"

"I don't know."

They sit on the beach for a few hours, occasionally swimming, playing games, having sex, and ordering pizza.

"Why did we come here during the day?" Kira asks, "Everything that's happened so far has been at night."

"I'm sure at least half the town is here at night. That's not the point," Cindy explains. "I'm relying on the other part of the vision, with the naked women in this place..."

"...during the day?"

"You saw it too, didn't you? Yes. This day in the vision must mean something. Look, we're alone here now. Usually this beach is full of people, but not today. Something is happening.

"There were only women in the vision. Shouldn't we let the men go?"

"We'll try if we don't get anything in the next two hours."

But they don't have to wait that long.

***

The surface of the sea is jutting out in front of them. A large creature emerges from it, all eyes and tentacles, like in the vision. It should have frightened them, but they actually find it strangely attractive. "It's just some kind of fucking hentai," Sam says as they walk to the sea.

"We have to go swimming with it," Cindy says firmly.

Kira hesitates. She's a good swimmer, but swimming towards that creature? But Cindy is already halfway into the water. "I'm not letting you go alone, honey," Kira says and joins her. The men are not far behind. The creature swims slowly towards them, spreading its tentacles. Surprisingly, they still do not feel fear, but admiration.

They approach each other and suddenly the creature stops.

"What now?" asks Kira.

"Now we have to take a leap of faith," answers John.

So they do. And the sea opens before them.

"How deep is the water?"

"You should ask what color is the thunder, John!"

They swim in the light and toward the light, and joy pervades their bodies. Now they understand everything completely and perfectly. And they realize that they will forget it when it is over.

"Well, I think we're going to have an orgy here," Kira giggles.

"A very special kind of orgy," John smiles, "and I told you a thousand times that we are luminous beings, but you never listened."

"Sorry about the people in the neighborhood."

"That's not a problem. They already know, and they'll love it."

What does a one-winged butterfly sound like when it flaps?

***

They are waking up on the beach. The sun is setting.

"I'm thirsty," Kira complains.

"Let's go for a walk on the beach," Sam suggests, "the sand feels so nice now.

"Will we see any dolphins?" Kira asks half jokingly.

"If there are any, they will let us know."

They walk along the shore, the sea breeze cooling them and blowing away the last remnants of seawater.

"Do you remember anything?"

"More this time. The light. The joy. We were one."

"The creature. A friend."

"A messenger... I don't remember the rest."

"Let's go through the tapes."

Four hours later, they sit together at home and review the analysis of the recordings. Outside, the night is filled with strange music and colorful lights. More than half the town is dancing naked on the beach and in the streets. But our friends were spared this time.

"I couldn't understand why there was no video of these events. You know how they say that when the seventh angel blows his trumpet, the previous six will be all over YouTube and TikTok?" says Cindy. "Now I realize we were the only ones filming it! Everyone else just got carried away, unprepared, and just danced. But we have all the footage."

"And what is there?" asks Kira.

"There is something," Cindy says. "We're naked (we remember that) and we're swimming towards the creature (we remember that too). It's real, no bullshit, all those eyes and tentacles. And we jump in, and..."

"And?.. What's the rest of the story about the light and everything?"

"Then I have bad news. Whatever happened there, it only happened inside. After a while, the creature let us out onto the beach and swam out to sea. That's all."

"And what is our next step?"

They exchange glances and smile. Cindy and Sam undress.

"Let's go to the shore."

***

The water is warm and smooth. It is night around them, but now there are so many lights in the air and in the water... Kira swims and smiles at the ocean. She has never felt so calm and free before. She notices John swimming next to her. "Join me," he whispers. She nods and looks around. She notices a naked woman swimming nearby.

"Hi, Cindy. Where's Sam?"

"He'll be right there."

As they swim through the warm waves, they see the lights of the city. A huge dance festival, halfway between an all-out orgy, is raging through the streets. They also feel the creatures (there are many of them now) spreading their tentacles behind and around them.

"I have a strange feeling that we will get an answer soon," Kira says.

"I have the same feeling. I just hope we don't forget this time."

"How can you be so sure?"

"Because they told me. A butterfly."

You can feel the joy building in them.

"Let's go!"

"Where to?"

"We'll find out when we get there."

***

They swim in the sea and let the current carry them to the shore. The night sky is clear, starry, the stars twinkle in the water like little jewels. The city is quiet.

"We could leave this story here," Kira says mischievously, "and no one would know the answer but us."

"You'd really do that?" Cindy looks at her in shock.

"Of course not! Don't you know me?"

They laugh.

"So what did the butterfly say to you? When were you in the water with it? How deep was the water and what color was the thunder?"

"First it said 'light'..."

***

Cindy and Sam are sitting on the beach, touching the soft sand with their skin. John is on shift tonight, and Kira's bar can't run forever without her, whether the world is falling apart or not.

"It's that simple..." Cindy spills sand from her hand, "Galactic ambassadors. We have been invited to a galactic conclave of civilizations. It's a tired cliché, science fiction writers have chewed it up a thousand times."

"And all the madness, the dancing in the night, the lust and the amnesia..."

"They just couldn't match the signal strength to our brains right away. It's as simple as that."

"Do you want them to do it perfectly the first time?"

"And lose all that pleasure? Are you serious? Never!"

Cindy laughs, pushing Sam onto his back and sitting on his hips.