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Post by Jaiden on Jan 11, 2007 22:54:27 GMT -5
This was a new height of self-consciousness in Jaiden's eyes. He knew about Aubrey's shy nature, but he didn't know it ran so deep that he was embarassed about not knowing how to swim. To him, that sort of thing just happened. If he'd almost drowned, he would probably be ankle deep in water as well right now. "Well, I'd try. I can't guarantee it'll work, but at least I'll be here in case you screw up. I've never tried formal instruction before, but something as easy as swimming can't be that difficult to teach... right?" He blinked at his own words, sounding unsure of himself.
He felt as if he should inform the boy that he could in fact get deeper into the water without having to do any actually swimming, but thought better of it. Swimming and wading were probably interchangeable to the kid. "I wouldn't let anything bad happen to you. I rescued you from some slave-trading tavern. I'm pretty sure I can keep you safe from a pool of water." He smirked.
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Aubrey
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Post by Aubrey on Jan 11, 2007 23:36:50 GMT -5
For about the hundredth time, Aubrey flushed, but this time a smile accompanied it and he nodded. Jaiden was right; if it was as easy as he made it sound, it couldn't be all bad, right? And the other teen had saved his butt up until now.. If Aubrey had any trouble, he'd do it again.. At least, that was what he said, but even so; Jaiden's words made Aubrey feel better.
"Okay.." he said. He looked at the shallow water in front of him (probably only waist deep, maybe less), and bit his lip before he slowly lowered himself into it. It was cool and refreshing, but Aubrey seemed disinclined to let go of the would-be shore just yet.. It wasn't so bad where he could stand up.. And he seemed less worried about his being bare and now somewhat wet in front of the other.
He was gonna learn to swim, damn it!
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Post by Jaiden on Jan 12, 2007 0:21:41 GMT -5
So far, his bold words had gotten Aubrey at least a little deeper into the water, but he should probably take a moment to consider how he would actually teach him to swim. Just tossing him in probably wouldn't work, though Jaiden had a tiny, itsy-bitsy mean streak that would find it amusing - no, more practical instruction was called for. He just had to think of what. "Um... you're doing good. Just like that." The older boy drifted back in the water a bit, nodding. "If you come out to where I am, it'll probably be up to at least the middle of your chest. Here." He extended his arms towards Aubrey. "I'll support you. Then we can go out a little farther and I can show you how to stay afloat."
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Aubrey
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Post by Aubrey on Jan 12, 2007 18:44:15 GMT -5
Despite himself, Aubrey nodded, his steps slow, cautious, and wary, as if the water could at any time suck him under again. However, once he was close enough, he reached out, fingertips falling lightly into Jaiden's palms as he looked about him and continued slowly foreward.
Even as he touched Jaiden, he was breathing deeply, trying not to panic from both the touching and the water all around him. However, he did not seem to mind the touch so much as the water, it seemed, and it was likely that he would simply avoid too much contact rather than minimum contact..
"Okay.." he said again, more to reassure himself. He stood close enough that his hands held Jaiden's arms near the elbows, careful not to be painful, and yet not daring to let go. "Uhm.. Go slowly, please..?"
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Post by Jaiden on Jan 13, 2007 0:50:46 GMT -5
As someone who knew how to swim, it was all too easy for him to stand there and silently judge Aubrey as a wimp; he'd tried to tell himself that he wouldn't when he agreed to help the kid out, but he couldn't help it. He might have saved the boy's life, but he was far from perfect. Jaiden snickered quietly, wondering if he'd hyperventilate.
"Try not to panic. If you don't think you can handle it, it's just a few steps foward for me and you'll be standing on your own again." Aubrey's death grip amused him, though he couldn't help but feel a little sorry for him. This couldn't be easy for him, but really... swimming was so freaking easy. He'd see for himself soon enough. "Slow? Oh, right... here we go. Once your feet aren't on the bottom anymore, just move them back and forth. You'll figure it out." He moved back some, careful not to trip over anything that might be hiding under the water's surface, because that would simply be disasterous...
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Aubrey
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Post by Aubrey on Jan 13, 2007 11:22:23 GMT -5
Indeed it would be. Hell, Aubrey would likely start screaming his poor little fool head off if Jaiden tripped over anything, especially if it meant his companion went under the water (regardless of whether or not Aubrey was pulled under, too). He nodded, slowly becoming more comfortable with the water, though now his worries were on whether or not he could do as he was instructed.
"Okay.." he said again, following easily. He was a bit shorter than Jaiden, so he would find himself trying to stay afloat long before his companion did. Slowly, slowly.. and Aubrey found himself tipping his head back to continue to be able to breathe, feet still on the bottom. He decided that this wasn't how it was done, and tried doing what Jaiden had said, moving his feet back and forth.
Once he had gotten the hang of it and figured out how he was supposed to do it, he was back up again, flushing in surprise and smiling softly. This wasn't too hard.. He could do this..
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Post by Jaiden on Jan 18, 2007 17:02:08 GMT -5
(Sorry about the long wait. I knew I wouldn't get to post for a few days, but then something else came up that kept me away from the computer, then something else... -_-)
He wondered if there was some con artist out in the world somewhere that was getting paid to teach people how to swim. Honestly, it was as easy as it looked. Jaiden seemed pleased in his vague instructions, because if Aubrey was making it work, then they must have been good. Beaming, he moved back a little farther in the water, having to stand on his tip-toes now.
"You're off to a good start. Do you think you could do that if I wasn't holding you up? Maybe you can practice here for now, and in a few minutes we can head out to where it's deeper..." He watched the boy carefully, telling himself that he was just observing his technique, but that wasn't entirely honest. He got quite an eyeful of more than just his feet, and he blushed and grinned because of it. "Pretty good at this. Told you it was easy."
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Aubrey
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Post by Aubrey on Jan 18, 2007 19:02:35 GMT -5
[No worries XD I'm just happy you weren't dead or something ^^]
Aubrey smiled back, proud of himself now, yet still humble and a little shy in his nature. He flushed softly at Jaiden's words, unsure of himself, but nodded. "I think so.." he said in reply, but he was a little uneasy about it just yet, not because he didn't trust Jaiden, but because he wasn't entirely sure what would happen. "If I'm not holding onto you.. What should I do with my hands?"
It was an innocent question, Aubrey not knowing much about anything swimming-wise. He was happy that Jaiden was teaching him, and he wanted to be the best pupil he could. Hopefully, he could even dare to make Jaiden proud..
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Post by Jaiden on Jan 18, 2007 19:35:23 GMT -5
Jaiden blinked once and snapped out of it. Jeez... had he been staring? Had Aubrey said something? He tried to recall... "What? Oh, yeah. That. Just... well, here, just watch." The seer was happy to distance himself a bit - it would make it harder for Aubrey to notice he was blushing, and there was really no place for blushing during swimming lessons. It would lead to questions and that would be bad. Now out in the deeper part of the pool where even he couldn't stand, he demonstrated the "proper" method (according to himself) of treading water with your hands.
"Just use them with your feet. You'll figure it out. You're going to have to, because if you don't move your arms, you'll just sink. Your feet aren't enough to keep you up." He dipped his head under the water quickly and resurfaced, drifting over to the boy again, glad to have some cool water on his face. Maybe it'd help the red disappear quicker.
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Aubrey
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Post by Aubrey on Jan 18, 2007 19:54:42 GMT -5
Aubrey watched, bobbing in the water as Jaiden released him, eyes curious and mildly panicked as he did so. However, as he saw the proper way to tread water, he followed suit, calming as he returned to floating at the surface. At this, he looked surprised, happilly so, and beamed up at Jaiden proudly.
"I'm doing it!" he said joyously. "I'm doing it all on my own!" He seemed quite surprised despite being joyous and happy, as if he had thought swimming would be by far harder than it was proving to be.
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Post by Jaiden on Jan 20, 2007 0:44:44 GMT -5
Alright, fantastic - Aubrey could swim, and now he could get back to his bath. He'd almost forgotten about it entirely, and that simply wouldn't do... he'd been looking forward to it far too long. He raised his hands above the water just long enough to give a few quiet claps along with an encouraging smile before he ducked below the surface, re-emerging near the shore.
"You can try swimming under the water if you'd like, but don't panic if you can't figure it out at first. You've got the hang of the basics. I'm proud of you." He smirked faintly and started to walk up the shore to grab the soap from his bag, but thought better of it, as naked people who forgot that they were naked usually do before revealing themselves. "Um... I don't suppose you could turn around for a second?" He grinned at Aubrey, a bit of mischief in his look.
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Aubrey
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Post by Aubrey on Jan 20, 2007 11:59:53 GMT -5
"Okay," Aubrey said and flushed, understanding, and then looked down, biting his lip as he tried to figure out how to turn around, slowly but surely succeeding. Once he was turned around, he swam, pretty much doggy style, to where he could touch the bottom again, his slender form beginning to get tired. He'd never swam before, so he wasn't used to the movements involved with it.
"Thanks for teaching me," he said humbly, flushing still and looking adorable despite having his back turned to Jaiden. He decided to bend and wet his hair here, standing solidly, before flipping the wet blonde locks back, a wide arch of water flying behind him before it hit the water again. He let his hair enter the cool water again, this time from the side, and ran his fingers through it, massaging his scalp, breaking apart tangles.. Slowly winning the fight against his messy locks.
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Post by Jaiden on Jan 21, 2007 1:53:26 GMT -5
Jaiden didn't think too much of it. As far as he was concerned, he was just glad that Aubrey could do his bathing properly, without being afraid of the water. There were practical reasons for this - they'd be in Nemwe eventually, and there was no telling if they'd have another chance before then. Water there cost money, and that was something they didn't have. Besides, it was more pleasant to be around people that smelt nice, which was why he always kept soap with him. Even if he was out of oils for his hair, this was certainly better than nothing.
"Huh? Oh, yeah. I'm proud of you, but with me teaching, I'm not sure how you ever doubted me." He swam over to the other, coming to rest in shallow water so that he could begin to properly lather his arms. "I had to learn when I was growing up. What sort of embarassment would I have been to my parents if I didn't know how to swim? They wouldn't have had it. Probably would have just thrown me in. You got off easy." He laughed softly.
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Aubrey
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Post by Aubrey on Jan 21, 2007 13:27:43 GMT -5
Aubrey flushed and offered a small smile, watching Jaiden sideways as he washed through his hair. It almost looked as if he were playing a harp, the pretty golden locks actually looking more gorgeous washed, though there were still a few tangles that he was working through. "Well," he said, voice still a little shy, but mostly because they were both naked, soaking wet, and nearby each other. He still had his shame, at least. "I still thank you.. You've done so much for me.. and.."
He looked down, into the water, and for a moment, the boy from the tavern/brothel showed, sad and a bit emotionless.. Yet, the image was shattered by a flicker of a smile. It was an amused, semi-hopeless smile, but it was a smile nonetheless.
"I don't know how.." he began, voice soft, yet mildly determined. "But someday, I'm going to make it all up to you.."
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Post by Jaiden on Jan 22, 2007 17:05:49 GMT -5
(Sade? oO;)
Jaiden was curious as to when the outpouring of thanks would begin - now, apparently. Aubrey was a sweet kid, which he found a little surprising considering what he had to endure for however long he was in that place. Still... even his ego had limits on how much it could take. After so many proclomations of gratitude, he simply blushed. "I told you. Don't worry about it." He couldn't help but smile, though, at the other's willingness to return all the favors. "Just concentrate on getting clean. We've got a bit of a walk ahead of us still."
Seemingly finished with the soap, he tossed it to Aubrey with just the smallest hint of a warning, pre-occupied with returning to his pack for something. Probably should've gotten the brush out earlier, he mused, since the boy was so intent on working his hair out with just fingers. He returned to the water, a fancy looking brush in hand. "Might be a little easier with this..."
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