12

[asea]

Who: Walter and Serph
Where: Various
When: Various (September 13~October 6)
Style: Either
Status: Closed

[It begins at the clinic.

As Walter is neither ill nor wounded, the visit there is superficial and quick. He's started familiarizing himself with as of yet observed areas in Vatheon, and logic reasons that the clinic is an ideal place to be more aware of for the future. (Even if he wouldn't trust the Merines with its employees: his thoughts on them aren't quite as tolerant.) So with a swift sweep of the building, Walter leaves.

Outside, for the first time since his self-imposed tour, he sights the familiar face of a stranger.]

Comments

[asea]

[NO, HE DOESN'T—but it isn't as though he has a choice, with how his body has suddenly apparently miraculously forgotten the motions behind the basic art of swimming. Even if Serph is keeping him afloat now, there's no way Walter can accept this so easily as he glares, his head now above the surface of the water.]

You . . . !

[bufudine]

[No matter how much Walter glares, it's not going to change the :| from Serph's face. And because Serph actually needs air and would have problems if water got in his lungs, he keeps his mouth shut and keeps on swimming. Whatever Walter wants, it can wait until they're at shore.

Besides, anything Walter has to say at this point would probably be bitching anyway.]

yes, you.

[asea]

[He can fly, but that would be giving away too much of himself to Serph. His head is already acting like a beacon with its glowing—that's something he'd managed to conceal from everyone in Vatheon so far, and it had to be blown on the night when no one else is around.

With that established, he does have little to no choice besides waiting to reach shore. And he won't look happy about it at all, from there to when they get out of the water.]

[bufudine]

[When they reach close enough to the shore, Serph lets go of Walter. The water is shallow enough to kneel it, if either of them were inclined to do so.

Serph's first concern is for Walter, though.]

Are you alright?

[asea]

[Anything to tear himself away from Serph. He's never been big on such close contact.

Making sure to create a distant between them, Walter looks irritably at Serph.]

What did you do?

[Yes, he's fine.]

[bufudine]

[Oh, Walter's talking. Guess he's okay, then! Serph tilts his head. ??? What is Walter on about? What is he referring to? Serph can only think of one thing, but that makes no sense.]

Pull you out of the water.

[ISN'T THAT OBVIOUS???]

[asea]

[The frustration still doesn't let up as he snaps back,]

Before that.

[He has eyes to tell him he got pulled out of the water, but those same eyes won't explain how he wound up flailing around as if he'd never swam a day of his life.]

[bufudine]

[Serph thinks Walter is referring to major events, so it doesn't occur to him to mention what he'd said about him. He blinks a few times, before he tilts his head.]

I was chased by the demon residing in the water.

[Walter what are you getting at...?]

[asea]

[Is he doing this on purpose or just not getting it?

Walter's frustrations are becoming clearer with every passing second. Finally:]

I should have been able to swim the entire way.

[bufudine]

[And so Serph voices his thought again.]

I thought you were not able to.

[Given that, you know, Whaleter Walter seems to have issues with water.]

[asea]

[He is. He was. He should be.]

What happened in the water should have been impossible.

[Something that must have been brought about by you. He points a finger at Serph.]

You—it was after you spoke.

[bufudine]

[After he spoke... Serph closes his eyes and thinks back to the events.

...Oh.]

It may have been this week's curse.

[He tilts his head. Does Walter know what it is?]

[asea]

[Curse.

He hasn't had much contact, verbal or otherwise, with the curse, so he can't claim to be very aware of it. What he does know is that the natives have had loose tongues lately . . .

Is that supposed to mean he can't swim until the end of the week? He can manage that with ease, but the preposterous nature of that idea in the first place—

Turning aside, exhaling, he wipes away some water gathered about his face.

He's pretty much got it figured out to the point where it's relevant for him.]

It nearly took us three months to finish this!!

[bufudine]

[WELL Serph has learnt one new thing about Walter and that's the fact that he can, in fact, actually swim. And that his hair glows underwater. Serph wants to know what's up with that.

But seeing as Walter's in a more sour mood than usual, Serph leaves Walter to stalk off on his own, turning and going his own way.]

nearly drowning is a long, long experience.

[asea]

[Whereas Serph takes his leave, Walter lingers by the shore for a moment.

He's alone by the time he glances one last time at the water, his lips pursed, then turns away to depart as well.]