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Post by Noa on Aug 6, 2023 17:53:23 GMT -6
"Try swimming in there," Noa said. "Rhys will help you if you can't stay afloat, and you can come back to the shallow part if you really can't do it." Noa had a spell that would keep Nightshade from drowning too -- and, in fact, he had an amulet that would let the Wiurn breathe underwater. But he didn't want to make use of either if he didn't have to, because the spell had a finite duration, and the amulet might be stolen or lost. It would be best if Nightshade could learn to swim under his own power before Noa introduced him to any of these aides.
Nightshade seemed game for it, though maybe that was because he didn't really comprehend any of the risks involved. With a little boost from Rhys's telekinesis, he paddled from the shallows into the deeper part. "We'll start supporting your weight a bit less," Noa said.
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Post by Noa on Aug 6, 2023 17:57:09 GMT -6
Following Noa's cue, Rhys gradually lessened the amount of force he was exerting to help keep Nightshade afloat. It wasn't all at once, and he went slow enough that Nightshade could tell it was coming. The Wiurn sank lower and lower into the water, and his neck stretched out in response. His limbs were still kicking in the rhythm that Noa had shown him, but it wasn't fast enough. "Kick faster," Noa said. "Push the water." He kept his advice short and simple, in an effort not to overwhelm Nightshade, who probably didn't have a lot of attention to spare for him right now anyway. Some of it must have gotten through though; Nightshade picked up his pace, and was able to keep moving instead of sinking to the bottom. After a few moments, he even seemed to pick up a little rudimentary steering, turning himself around so that he was swimming back to the shallower part.
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Post by Noa on Aug 6, 2023 18:00:09 GMT -6
It was a relief to see that some instinct, or at least some intuition, was kicking in for him at last; it would have been a deeply frustrating session if Noa had to instruct him on how to turn around in the water. For now, the fact that Nightshade had managed some movement in deep water under his own power was enough, and if he wanted a rest, so be it. "That was good," Noa said. He wasn't liberal with his praise, finding it a bit trite, but his creatures did need to know when they did well.
{Scratches?} said Nightshade, perking up immediately.
Noa sighed. "Swim over to me here and I'll scratch you." He stood on the shore, still in the shallower section, since he didn't want Nightshade to get in over his head in the pursuit of his reward. Eagerly, if without finesse, Nightshade half paddled, half lunged over.
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Post by Noa on Aug 6, 2023 20:30:50 GMT -6
They were still in the process of breaking him of that habit, which was part of why Noa moved them to deeper water so soon. At least when his feet couldn't touch the bottom, he couldn't lunge either.
Once he was within reach, Noa scratched him under the chin, then around the jaw, and Nightshade gave a contented rumble. He did always seem to crave physical affection more than Noa's other creatures. Maybe it was a developmental thing. Noa had raised Avander from a hatchling, and so Avander had received plenty of attention growing up. But Nightshade was already full grown when Noa acquired him, and from another resident of the city at that.
Well, whatever. It was a little annoying, but it wasn't a complicated sort of reward to give.
After a bit of rest, they resumed the swimming practice, with Nightshade alternating between paddling in the deeper water and resting in the shallows.
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Post by Noa on Aug 6, 2023 20:35:20 GMT -6
With more practice, he got used to the movements -- not just making them but actually using them to get around, and moving himself around in the water. It was unfamiliar to him, and most likely he would need to strengthen some muscles with practice to improve his endurance, but it was a start.
By the time Noa called it quits and returned to where they'd left the fishing rod though, their fishing had long since become a lost cause. With no one to attend it, it was a miracle the line hadn't snapped. The bait they'd used was definitely gone, and the hook had become bent with it. Noa clicked his tongue, but this was only a mild inconvenience. They'd managed to pick up a few shells along the beach, so it wasn't a complete waste of the trip as far as finding things for the trader in town went.
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Post by Noa on Aug 6, 2023 21:18:04 GMT -6
And there would be more chances at it, though Noa figured they would largely end the same way. Over the next two weeks, they made several trips down to the river to practice Nightshade's swimming some more. It took a bit for Nightshade to get comfortable moving around in the water, and for that necessary muscle tone to build up, but with regular swimming sessions, Nightshade managed to figure out how to move around in the water. After some experimentation on his own part, he even started putting his head under the water for brief stints, though these were very brief since he wasn't great at holding his breath.
He would never be the swimmer that, say, Azalea was, but at least now he wouldn't panic or drown if he found himself in the water, and could swim to safety if it was within reach. That was good enough for Noa.
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Post by Noa on Aug 6, 2023 21:41:09 GMT -6
They really didn't catch a lot of anything during these trips, since everyone's attention and time were largely taken up by the task of teaching Nightshade. Even when he could swim well enough not to need constant supervision, he still made enough of a ruckus that the fish were properly scared off. And the wet season wasn't the best time to go hunting for shells and the like, though occasionally they did find an interesting bit of seaweed here and there.
Once they'd wrapped up the last of the swimming lessons, Noa pinched the space between his brows and sighed. "I can't believe I used to find it relaxing to come out here."
{But isn't it?} Rhys said. {You're not in the house, stressing out over your research.}
Noa made a face and didn't respond. Maybe other people would have found that relaxing... And maybe he did too, once upon a time.
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Post by Noa on Aug 6, 2023 21:44:34 GMT -6
But frankly, he ought to be back there poring over his notes and trying new arrangements for spells instead of being out here, babysitting an overgrown lizard. Nightshade, the overgrown lizard in question, was currently laid out on the sunny grass, napping off the exertion of today's swimming. If only Noa could be that carefree too... though even if he did have that kind of time, he probably wouldn't spend it sleeping in a sunny patch of grass. There were better ways to spend an afternoon than sleeping.
"Let's see if we can get any fishing done before I have to head back," Noa said instead, and took up the fishing rod for another cast. Nightshade had made plenty of ruckus today too, so he was dubious about what they'd manage to find, but they were already here, so it felt like a waste to not make an attempt at it.
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Post by Fiera Ferella on Aug 7, 2023 20:26:15 GMT -6
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