The Pool: Wednesday Afternoon

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Karal wasn't quite sure how this had happened (it wasn't as if he could swim in any credible way), but here he was, dressed in swimming things, waiting for Evey. It felt very odd wearing only shorts and a shirt when it was the next thing to freezing outside, but at least it was warm in here.

He sat on the edge of the pool, toes dangling in the water, smiling down at his reflection. However odd it was, however it had happened, he was just happy because he'd get to see her.

[ooc: Karal's here for Evey, but it is an open pool. Their thread locked to them, thanks.]

Comments

[remember5th.livejournal.com]

Evey was immensely happy that she'd packed her swimsuit with her belongings, and didn't have to try to negotiate swimming in something less or more. She'd worn a loose skirt and top over it, which felt strange in the middle of February, and made her way down.

She found the pool with no trouble, smiling at Karal when she caught sight of him. "Hello."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"Evey." Karal scrambled to his feet, smiling warmly as he walked over to her, stepping carefully, because slipping over on wet feet would not be a good idea. "Hello." He reached out to take her hand.

[remember5th.livejournal.com]

She slipped her hand into his, smiling at him. "Hi. I found the pool!"

As though he had not noticed.

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

It made him laugh, or maybe that was just being with Evey again, and he squeezed her hand. "As did I," he said. "I've never been here before."

[remember5th.livejournal.com]

"I haven't been swimming in some time," she admitted, "but I love water. I'm so glad we have a pool, to begin with."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"I did tell you I can't actually swim, didn't I?" He looked a little hesitant at that. "The closest I can get is floating, and even that's questionable. I'll be happy just to watch you, though."

[remember5th.livejournal.com]

"I'm teaching you," she said, shaking her head. "Everyone should know how to swim, even just a little. It's immensely useful."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Karal beamed and kissed her. "Thank you."

[remember5th.livejournal.com]

"'Course." Evey got a bit caught up in kissing him to say more.

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

And Karal should have known better than to kiss her, because now it was all he could think of as he looped his arms around her waist and leaned into her.

[remember5th.livejournal.com]

"We're overdressed, though."

Evey's timing might have been better.

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Karal blinked, then blushed. "This is what I've always worn."

[remember5th.livejournal.com]

Evey raised a brow. "...really? The shirt and all?"

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

He nodded and wrapped his fingers around the hem of his shirt. "Public shirtlessness is not done in Karse, or in Valdemar, or in any country in my world that I know of."

[remember5th.livejournal.com]

"It's done here," she told him gently, "but if you're more comfortable with it on, I'm not going to make you. I will say that it might weigh you down, though."

Plus Evey wanted to see him with his shirt off.

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"I know," he said with a small smile. "And considering that I once, umm, never mind. But I think I can manage to take it off, it just never occurred to me to do so. Especially if it's going to weigh me down."

[remember5th.livejournal.com]

She nodded, moving back a little and tugging her own shirt over her head to reveal the top portion of a modest two-piece. "And plus I'd feel awfully underdressed," she added cheekily, only blushing a little.

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Karal's eyes went a little wide - Glory, she's beautiful - and he didn't stare, because that would be unforgivably rude. But he did blush, and he did shyly pull his shirt off over his head, and he did say, "I would not want you to feel underdressed," while he awkwardly held onto his shirt.

[remember5th.livejournal.com]

Evey didn't stare, but she did sneak a little once-over, blushing lightly as she meandered over to the side of the pool. "We'll want to start in the shallow end, I think, if you can't swim."

She shyly peeled off her skirt, sneaking another look at him, and slid into the water, which came up to her ribcage or so.

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

His mouth went dry and he stood like he'd been struck dumb for a moment, before turning away to fold his shirt and set it down. "I, yes. That sounds wise," he said, easing into the water to stand near her, grateful for it's slight coolness.

[remember5th.livejournal.com]

Evey smiled, still trying not to stare. "I've never taught anyone to swim before."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"Karse is entirely landlocked, I never saw the ocean before I came here, and we've nothing like this." Karal nodded at the pool. "I'd be surprised if anyone in Karse knows how to swim. A few people began teaching me, but I never moved past floating," he explained and moved his hand towards her, wanting to touch, but pulled it back. With both of them so unclothed, he wasn't sure if there were different rules.

[remember5th.livejournal.com]

Evey took a hesitant step towards him, wanting to touch but not sure. She deferred to teaching, instead. "I don't have any formal training, but I know how to not drown. Um. First thing is -- do you feel how we're a little more floaty in the water? How we're buoyant?"

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Evey being closer simply made him want to touch her more. "I do, yes." He gave a little jump, feeling how the water caught at him. "Evey?"

[remember5th.livejournal.com]

"Hmm?" Evey bounced up and fluttered her feet, treading water for the fun of it.