Daring to Assume a Third Date (Room 1) on Magical Arts Room and Sports

Linus Macaulay

July 09, 2013 4:25 PM

Daring to Assume a Third Date (Room 1) by Linus Macaulay

(OOC: I appreciate it may be godmodding a little to assume a third date is, in fact, taking place, so if I am wrong in my assumption then please feel free to correct me. Otherwise, enjoy the post!)

So far, everything was going well. Linus was relatively certain of the fact. Brianna had progressed from being uncomfortable with the notion of dating, to agreeing to a third date. For his part, Linus was reassured that he had made the right decision in allowing himself to pursue his interest in this girl. He would be lying if he claimed that he retained no reservations: he knew next to nothing about her family, her background, her history... and she knew very little about his, for that matter. Still, it was early days yet. As far as Linus was concerned, he was having a good time with Brianna, and he hoped she was having a good time with him, and, for now, at least, that was all that mattered.

In preparation for their third date, Linus had been monitoring the movements of the MARS water room, to predict when he had the best chance of finding a coastal scene. Luck was apparently on his side, as he opened the door to the sound of a gentle washing of waves. "After you," he gestured to Brianna to enter ahead of him. He had told her that they would be going to the water room, and he had met her in the commons wearing navy swim shorts and a collared white t-shirt, carrying a package that the prairie elves had most obligingly filled with a picnic supper.

Linus couldn't have planned the setting any better himself. The room had conjured an exceptional interpretation of a secluded sandy cove, with blue water, lush vegetation, and a clear sky. Although it was due to a little judgment on his part, he couldn't deny that luck was on his side, and Linus felt silently smug about that. He held out his arm to support Brianna as he lead her across the sand. "Well?" he said, unable to keep from sounding a little pleased with himself. "What do you think - good spot for a picnic?"

0 Linus Macaulay Daring to Assume a Third Date (Room 1) 205 Linus Macaulay 1 5

Brianna Japos

July 10, 2013 10:28 PM

Your risk was right by Brianna Japos

Brianna hadn’t been completely sure as to what to expect for her first date with Linus. But, she had been excited about it just the same. She didn’t have any records to provide being as they didn’t have the extra money or a player at home for her to use anyway, but she figured the Music Room would provide something and she didn’t really have any favorite music to play for him either way. She hoped that didn’t turn him off to dating her. Music just wasn’t something she was necessarily an expert of. She sometimes listened to the wireless, especially when her eyes were too tired to read, but reading tended to be her usual pastime hobby that she did. Books were free if taken from the library, so that was why she tended that way. Plus, she read her textbooks to keep herself a head of the game.

But she had enjoyed her time with him and had agreed to go on future dates. This was now their third. It was getting easier for her. Since last year, she was more at ease with him and although being alone with him in a more romantic way brought on some anxiety, she still felt comfortable. Sure, there were awkward moments, but that came with getting to know a person. Eventually, she would get past the anxious bit and simply enjoy the prospect of being in a relationship (if this was what she could claim it to be) with him. If nothing else, she was always happy whenever she thought about spending time with him.

When Linus had advised her that they would be using the water room, Brianna’s nerves spiked. She was used to swimming now and being in a bathing suit, but that usually was only with Josh. There was no attraction between the two of them and they were the best of friends as much as they would allow themselves to be, so being in a swimming suit had become comfortable for her. But with Linus… she hesitated. Her mother had bought her a lot of suits when her Therapist has advised it was the best therapy for her and one of those suits had been a two piece. Brianna had yet to wear it. Now, before meeting him, she found herself contemplating it. She still felt relatively ugly about herself, this was something she was gradually overcoming, but had not yet reached. However, the two piece actually was cute. Even Brianna could not deny that. The others were more for therapy. They were the sort that actual swimmers wore regularly. Brianna didn’t want to where a plain suit around Linus, most especially on a date.

She found herself in her two piece. She liked how it looked. It was multi-colored in bold pink with lots of lighter blues and oranges, with black being the base color. It was a little crazy, so she tried to wear a more subtle sundress over it. If she felt completely uncomfortable once they were there, she didn’t actually have to go swimming. Although, seeing Linus in his swim shorts, she was sure that he had planned on doing just that. Holding up the tote she had, Brianna told him she had packed a blanket and towels just in case.

Upon seeing the room, Brianna’s eyes lit up. She had never been to the beach before. Although New York City was on the water front, it did not have any beaches. Just dock and water. Not that she was allowed to go near that area anyway. She had always wanted to go to the beach and this place was beautiful. She wondered if it was an image of a real place. If it was, she wanted to go there for sure. She’d have to do some research and found out for sure. Something for fun. She took his arm and walked onto the sand. She wasn’t sure how her crutch would handle in the sand, but at least she wasn’t likely to hurt herself. She was glad she had opted for sandals as she trudged through the sand, it was an odd experience to walk on and it took her a moment to adjust.

Brianna smiled at Linus’s question. “This place is beautiful. I’ve never seen anything like it before.” She told him. “I’ve never even been to an average beach before. Do you think this is a replica of a real place? I’d like to go there someday.” She told him. Brianna released his arm and dropped her bag in the sand for a moment to wander down to the water. She kicked off her shoes before she reached the water line and walked a little onto the wet sand. Brianna bent at her knees and placed her crutch across her lap as she balanced herself. A small smile played on her lips when the water lapped around her and she let her hands play in it for a moment. The water and sand felt cool between her toes.

When her hair fell around her, so long that it practically fell into the water, she thought it might have been a better idea to wear it up. But, she hated her face and liked the protection her hair offered her. She’d deal with it if it became sandy and messy. Standing up, Brianna turned to face him, “This beats the pool I swim in every day for Therapy.” She commented lightly. “This…” She looked around at the cove and the water, “this is perfect.” Brianna walked back towards him and reached out her hand for his. She was really enjoying the hand holding as it made her feel safe for some strange reason.

“I’m starved. I didn’t eat anything earlier because I was so nervous.” She told him with a light laugh at herself. “Want to eat first?”

OOC: for visual reference, here is the sundress and bathing suit:

http://www.target.com/p/xhilaration-juniors-spaghetti-strap-eyelet-dress-assorted-colors/-/A-14386633#prodSlot=medium_2_56 dress
http://www.target.com/p/xhilaration-junior-s-2-piece-bikini-swimsuit-multicolor-print/-/A-14381315#prodSlot=large_1_8 bathing suit

6 Brianna Japos Your risk was right 203 Brianna Japos 0 5

Linus

July 15, 2013 4:53 PM

Carpe Diem by Linus

At least the setting seemed to please Brianna, as she declared it to be beautiful. Linus wished he could take credit for its design, but would have to settle for generating the idea for the date, instead. It was relaxed, yet subtly romantic. He thought maybe they could chat, swim, have some food, and generally be comfortable around each other. He wanted Brianna to be comfortable, because he was thinking more and more about kissing her. Soon it would be all he thought about, but he wasn't going to rush her; he always wanted to treat Brianna with the utmost respect. Still, maybe today would be the day.

Brianna looked as though she was starting to relax already, as she slipped off her sandals and headed to the edge of the water where miniature waves were gently breaking on the sand. Linus watched her while he removed his boat shoes, enjoying the sensation of sand between his toes. He lived in the desert, so sand was hardly a new concept to the sixth year, but beaches were different, somehow. He, too, felt more at ease, and when Brianna turned back to him she would have seen a relaxed smile upon his lips. "This is perfect," she said as she reached out to take his hand. Linus couldn't disagree.

Then she told him she was hungry, and Linus fought the impulse to frown at his plans being altered; he hadn't intended on eating quite so soon, but he supposed it wouldn't hurt to rearrange the agenda slightly. He tugged Brianna lightly towards him (not enough to unbalance her, he was always aware of her limited capabilities). Her hair had blown across her face as she'd played in the water. Linus reach a hand out, and gently stroked the wayward strands behind her ear. "If that's what you'd like," he said, his calm smile remaining firmly in place. He met her eyes, and then turned to set up the picnic area. He didn't know whether this tide would come in any further up the beach, but they could move if needed. For the time being, anyway, he thought they could sit relatively close to the water, to enjoy the novelty of its closeness.

Once the blanket was spread out, Linus unpacked a couple of cold tarts, some salad, pickled eggs and cold meat, a little more than was necessary for two people. There was also a flagon of juice and some utensils. He placed the food carefully out on the blanket and then reclined, sitting with his legs straight out in front of him and his weight resting on his arms behind him. "I hope this is okay," he said to Brianna, indicating the choices before them. "The prairie elves tried to give me enough for a banquet," he related, and he wasn't really joking. Those creatures were often a little over-eager when it came to helping out the students.

Shifting his weight a little forward, Linus passed a plate to Brianna and then put some sliced ham and a handful of green salad onto his own plate. "Is the water warm?" he asked her. "I was hoping we might go for a swim later." After they'd left sufficient time for their food to be digested, of course.

0 Linus Carpe Diem 0 Linus 0 5

Brianna

July 17, 2013 6:27 PM

I'm trying to. by Brianna

Brianna laughed a little when she felt the soft tug and she moved in closer to him. It was a little strange to use the crutch in the sand, but that was probably more because she wasn’t used to walking in the sand and so, didn’t know how to place the crutch properly. Although the school itself was located in the desert, the grounds were covered, so she hadn’t really thought about it before. Plus, she hadn’t gone out into the gardens since the incident. She missed her walks out there. Maybe if things went well between her and Linus she could ask him to take her out there again.

Her smiled quivered a bit when he so casually tucked her windblown hair behind her ear. It was a simple gesture and as far as she could tell, he didn’t mean anything more by it than exactly that. He hadn’t let his hand linger or say anything to suggest something deeper than a tuck of the hair. Brianna was just weird. The touch sent a wave of nervousness through her and the eye contact he made after his comment wasn’t helping her. It wasn’t a bad nervousness. It was more of a feeling of excitement. Like she was doing something she wasn’t supposed to and was being rewarded with the thrill of it. Brianna never did anything bad or secretive but she had never really done anything exciting before either. This was just different and she was enjoying it.

Brianna did her best to help him with the picnic set up, but Linus was a particular man who seemed to like to have things in his own order. The best she could do was hold down one end and attempt to not get any sand onto the blanket. Sitting down was a little hard, but she blamed the dress more than anything and had to sit with her legs tucked under her. It wasn’t uncomfortable, but it sort of made her wish she wore a longer dress.

“It looks great.” Brianna commented as she looked over the food, her eyes hesitating over the pickled eggs and trying not to look grossed out by them. It wasn’t as though Linus knew what sort of sides she enjoyed, but she would stick with the lunch meat, salad, and tarts. Taking a plate with a thanks, Brianna helped herself to some cold turkey and salad. “Yes, it was. It felt really nice.” She said about the water, smiling at him when he mentioned swimming. That was something rather obvious given his attire, but she kept that to herself. “I’ve never swam in anything but a pool. Everything about this is different. The smell, the air, the water… everything. I could live somewhere like this forever.” Brianna said as she looked around again.

She ate quietly for a moment, enjoying the calming effect of the water. Brianna knew that Linus had some status outside of the school, although she wasn’t sure how much as he didn’t really prance around about it, but she was always curious to know what privileges he had. “Do yo”u come to places like this a lot?

6 Brianna I'm trying to. 0 Brianna 0 5

Linus

July 24, 2013 4:10 PM

Do you need further persuading? by Linus

Brianna claimed that the water was, indeed, suitably pleasant a temperature for swimming, for which Linus was pleased. He could admit, but only to himself, that he was more than a little eager to see what her sundress concealed, and neither would he be shy to remove his own shirt. He was not so vain as to spend hours each week working on his physique, but he was a runner and a Quidditch player, and he felt no need to brag, but doubted Brianna would find anything wanting when it came down to appearances. "I’ve never swam in anything but a pool," she said, and Linus barely concealed a pained grimace at her abhorrent abuse of syntax. It was practically the only one of her quirks to which he had taken a dislike, and she wasn't always so slap-dash with her language choices, but from time to time her words did grate on him like an un-tuned violin. Still, she obviously approved of the settings, and Linus felt sufficient contentment in that to unclench his jaw.

"I am pleased," he replied, and then joined her in a peaceful silence while they ate. It afforded an opportunity for the soft washing of the water, and the gentle breeze blowing through the scattered foliage, to make themselves heard. For a moment, Linus could almost convince himself that he wasn't in a magic school, but on a reach beach somewhere, enjoying a vacation with his girlfriend. Or his girl he was dating, anyway - he wasn't really sure what the distinction was, and into which category Brianna fell. He thought he might bring it up with her at some point, but not right then, as she was already speaking on a different topic.

"Do you come to places like this a lot?" Brianna asked, and Linus understood her question as if they were in that fantasy cove, not in MARS room one, where it was evident he could be found from time to time.

"Not any more," Linus answered, and then he took a swig of juice before elaborating. "When I was younger, my Dad took us on family vacations. Sometimes to a city, sometimes to the beach, a couple of times to Disney Land." He shrugged, and only if someone was concentrating carefully would they see the ghost of a smile upon his lips, there only for a brief moment, and vanishing when he next spoke. "But then he died, and my Mom ... well, it's not so easy to take four kids out when you're on your own," he said, his tone both resigned and defensive, as though he had accepted this fact grudgingly, but would fiercely refute any claims that his mother could be doing anything better.

0 Linus Do you need further persuading? 0 Linus 0 5

Brianna

July 26, 2013 9:54 PM

I think I might. by Brianna

Brianna, thankfully, had been too busy to notice any sort of displeasure Linus might have shown on his face, however subtle they might have been. If Brianna had been looking at him instead of the water, she would have second guessed his feelings regarding their afternoon date and might have remained slightly off for the rest of the time they had spent together as she would have likely believed she had done something to upset him and did not want to have that occur again. It was easier to avoid doing so by doing nothing at all. But, she did not notice his pained grimace after she had spoken and thus, remained content in their current situation.

Her dark eyes turned to him when he began to answer her question. Brianna was used to staying quiet and observing people around her. She had been invisible here for so long that people seemed to overlook her. Or, did, until the incident and her crutches and disability made her stand out amongst a crowd. She finally felt that she was sinking back into the background now that everyone was used to her. It was easy for her to wait him out as she had with Josh, but it didn’t take him as long to continue speaking.

Brianna realized that she didn’t know all that much about Linus’s personal life. She knew that he had spoken of at least one sibling before, or, she thought that he had, but she wasn’t sure that she had known he had three of them or that his father had died. She felt for sure that such an important note would have stayed with her, so, she had to wonder why he had never said it before. Or if it made her a terrible person for having never asked?

“I’m sorry about your father.” She commented, not really sure what else to say about that. She didn’t know what she would have done if her father wasn’t around. He was a quiet man, obedient, and loyal. He worked hard to provide what he could and took the abuse along with it. Her mother was the opposite. She had a warmth about her that would envelop Brianna on her worst nights. Lately, her mother didn’t allow for anyone to think less of them because of their jobs. It was through her strength that Brianna was able to find her own too. She would be lost without them.

“It’s good that you have wonderful memories with him. Maybe when your siblings are older, you all can go again?” She doubt that was very helpful to him. He probably heard it all before. Brianna wondered if hearing things like that had the same reaction for him as people telling her they understood what she was going through. She had wanted to hex them. It was probably better to not stay on the topic.

Having finished her food, Brianna set the plate aside and stretched out. Barefoot, on a blanket, in the sand (however fake it may have been), Brianna really liked this. She wasn’t sure why she had never attempted to go into the water room when it was like this instead of the pool. “How long do we have to wait before we can go swimming?” She asked him, her eyes on the water.

6 Brianna I think I might. 0 Brianna 0 5

Linus

July 27, 2013 6:08 AM

I guess that's up to me, then. by Linus

"I’m sorry about your father," Brianna said, and Linus looked at her, an expression of vague surprise on his face. Not that her reaction was anything unusual - when people heard that his father had died they almost always expressed some sort of apology - but he'd sort of forgotten that Brianna wouldn't know about his family. At home people just knew, because the Macaulay family had lived in the area for long enough for his father to have been a familiar face, but at Sonora Linus had been incredibly private, especially about his home life.

"He died when I was ten," Linus supplied, as that was usually the next question people asked. Sometimes they'd ask he'd died, but never about the sort of person he'd been while he was alive. People always asked about his death, as if that was the important information. Brianna, however, didn't ask any more questions - not yet, anyway - and instead offered some words of consolation. Linus reacted to them only by finishing the salad that was on his plate, and then shrugging lightly. "We might," he said without commitment, as he doubted they'd all go away together again. For a start, Linus was in a different world now, and then he and his brothers weren't really children any more. He thought he might go away somewhere with just his mother and Daphne one day, but the family trips had ended when their family had been irrevocably altered.

Linus had no overwhelming desire to continue discussing his family, so when they had finished eating, he was pleased that Brianna diverted the topic of conversation. "I don't think we had sufficient to cause a problem," Linus replied with an easy smile. He wouldn't swim lengths after a three-course meal because it would be uncomfortable, but he doubted there was any danger in a gentle swim following a light supper. He drained the juice from his cup, and decided to voice the matter on his mind without preamble. "Brianna, would you be happy if I called you my girlfriend?" he asked, feeling as though the phrasing might have been more eloquent with more thought, but then that was the problem with spur-of-the-moment affairs.

0 Linus I guess that's up to me, then. 0 Linus 0 5

Brianna

July 28, 2013 3:18 PM

That's kind of you to do. by Brianna

Brianna was surprised to hear the age that his father had passed. For some reason, she had thought he might have been younger when he had lost his father. There was no rhyme or reason for her thoughts though. Being ten, it meant that the death was still fresh for him when he came to Sonora. Brianna had to wonder just how difficult it might have been for him to leave his family so soon after the loss of his father. It must have been incredibly difficult. Now Brianna had a better understand as to why he might have been so standoffish that first year they were in school together. At the time, she had thought he had a big ego on himself and felt he was superior to her, but maybe it had been much more than that.

She wouldn’t ask though. She didn’t feel it was appropriate for her to know those things about him. At least, maybe not yet. Just as she hadn’t divulged everything that has happened to her to him, she would not expect him to do so to her. There may come a time when she felt comfortable enough to tell him, but until then, they could skim by just getting to know one another a little better.

Brianna smiled when he commented on swimming. She still wasn’t quite sure how she felt about wearing this suit in front of him, or anyone, but since her mother refused to buy her any decent swim suits that weren’t for therapy, she was stuck with the two piece. Brianna was contemplating how difficult it would be for her to walk in the sand without her crutch and then into the water. She only had to jump into the water back when she was working on her legs. Here, she would have to waddle in. The water and sand might through off her balance.

Before she brought up her predicament to Linus as she was likely to need his help so that she didn’t fall flat on her face and drown, he abruptly asked her a question she had not expected. She blinked at him with her brown eyes and tried not to feel embarrassed for now having to answer that question. She realized it now that she had sort of already saw herself as his girlfriend because they were going out on dates, but then maybe she didn’t understand that there was a difference between dating and going out with someone? “Er… yes, that would make me happy.” She admitted, trying not to blush.

She pushed herself up from the ground and steadied herself. “Let’s go for a swim.” She requested, already pulling her dress off. “I’ll need help though, at least until I can balance myself against the water, is that okay?” She asked him, subconsciously wrapping her arms around her bare torso. Even with magic, there were physical scars left behind from the years of torment she endured, but more so then the small ones that could be seen, the emotional ones were far worse and being in a swim suit around a boy she liked had Brianna feeling anxious at the idea that he’d find her hideous and want to take back what he had asked.

6 Brianna That's kind of you to do. 0 Brianna 0 5

Linus

August 01, 2013 3:47 PM

I have my reasons by Linus

Well that was one conundrum settled, anyway. Brianna was his girlfriend, and she looked quite pleased about it. Linus himself couldn't deny a triumphant flicker of joy at the notion, a flicker that leapt into a fully fledged flame of contentment as Brianna stripped away her sundress. He knew he should be helping her, keeping her steady on the sand, but Linus had unintentionally ceased his movements, paused in a crouch as he'd been readying himself to stand, but distracted by bare skin.

The sight of a beautiful girl in a bikini had rendered him immobile and speechless, a thoroughly frustrating reminder that he was the same as everyone else in some basic regards, and yet Linus failed to feel irate. He simply stared for a moment longer than was civilised before recollecting his senses, and pushed himself to his feet. "I can help," he assured his girlfriend, his voice a little hoarse from a sudden, inexplicable dry throat. Linus coughed lightly to clear it as he stepped across the blanket to stand next to Brianna. "No problem." In fact, he did think it might be easier to just carry her into the water, but that seemed so very intimate, somehow, in the absence of a fabric barrier between them. Aware that he was still imprisoned in his attire, Linus shed it immediately, pulling his shirt off over his head and discarding it where it fell.

"Lean on me," Linus spoke softly as he put his arm around Brianna's waist. Her skin was warm, and the contact had the peculiar side effect of making his heart feel inadequately equipped to perform its duties efficiently. Linus had initially intended to make progress towards the water, but he halted, driven by an instinctive desire. Again, he gently brushed her hair back from her face, and met het eyes for just a moment - a hazy, heavy moment - before lowering his lips to brush hers, softly, deftly, eager to make contact but terrified of rejection.

0 Linus I have my reasons 0 Linus 0 5

Brianna

August 01, 2013 6:53 PM

Are they only self-serving ones? by Brianna

He was staring at her. Brianna felt rather self-conscious about her body knowing how imperfect it was. She had been unnaturally skinny her whole life and had only begun to fill out these last couple of years mostly due to her swimming and the fact that she had started to eat regularly. But she still felt awkward in her own skin and Linus staring at her the way he was made her wish to put her dress back on. It wasn’t a disgusted look or anything, but it unnerved her to have someone see her the way he seemed to.

He was up and moving which made Brianna feel relieved. “Are you okay?” She asked him when he coughed, thinking he might need some juice or something, but then he was standing beside her ready to help her and she didn’t think about it anymore or anything at all when he removed his shirt. She felt embarrassed for him undressing and looked away for a moment to give him a little privacy. She didn’t know why, it was only his shirt, but she felt as though she were doing something wrong. Fun, but wrong.

She felt his arm around her waist and heard his voice in her ear. She turned, finding bare chest in her view and forced her eyes upward to his face. She did as she was told and leaned into him, but wasn’t exactly sure where to put her own arm for support. The only place she could put it was around his waist and doing that made, she felt suddenly grown up being in little clothing while he held her as he did. It wasn’t necessarily a bad feeling, just a scary one.

Almost as though he had been reading where her thoughts were going, Linus stopped moving and looked at her. His hand was tucking her hair away and the eye contact had her heart soar again as it had the first time he had done it but then she realized something else was coming from the moment too.

Brianna’s instinct the moment she realized what Linus was about to do was to push him away and run quickly as far from him as possible. This came from years of torment and because the last boy to kiss her had done it without consent and with such anger and aggression that he left bruises. They had mixed in with all the other bruises that happened when she had been pushed down the stairs, but she could only remember the moments that had led her up to those stairs.

It was because of those moments that Brianna wanted to run and hide now. She didn’t push him away or run, but she froze with uncertainty. This was what she had wanted. What she had thought about ever since the ball last year. When his lips met hers for the first time, Brianna’s heart leapt with excitement instead of fear. His lips were soft, hers were hesitant. She wanted to claim this as her true first kiss. Someone with whom she felt a happiness with that made her heart light. This would be her first kiss; not the forceful kiss of Aaron or the unwanted kiss of Attoria, but this one. This was like a story to her. Maybe a happy ending would come from it after all.

6 Brianna Are they only self-serving ones? 0 Brianna 0 5

Linus

August 10, 2013 3:23 PM

True altruism is a myth. by Linus

Linus kissed Brianna only for a couple of seconds, enough to make an impact, but not sufficient to drive her to something that she didn't want. He had never believed in taking anything by entitlement; in fact he thought the whole concept was flawed. Nobody should ever expect to receive something, purely by circumstance or scenario. He would like it very much if Brianna wanted to kiss more, but he certainly didn't believe it was owed to him. The idea was repugnant. Besides, taking it slow had always been Brianna's preference, and Linus held no real opposition. It wasn't as if he were on expect on dating, or kissing, for that matter. He doubted his short-lived encounters with Tessa Ford or Melanie Flethcer during his brief flirtation with youthful rebellion really counted, considering he had been ten at the time. Brianna was indisputably his first real girlfriend, so Linus expected to make mistakes every now and again, but he didn't believe that moving their relationship too fast would ever be one of them.

Almost as soon as it had begun, the moment was over, and Linus was able to return to his original task of escorting Brianna to the water's edge. They moved cautiously over the sand, covering the short distance in too quick a time for Linus to have formulated anything particularly astute to divulge. His mental capacities seemed to have been diminished by an irrepressible hormonal influx, which, thankfully, was restricted only to his head and torso. Maintaining control of his limbs and appendages was paramount.

The use of speech would be helpful, too, Linus mused as a clear water lapped around his ankles. He knew eloquence would be unattainable, so instead he aimed for simplicity. Yet still couldn't find much to say beyond 'This is nice' which was both obvious and redundant, not to mention inexcusably feminine, and unimaginative to boot. Ultimately, he settled for maintaining the silence until Brianna broke it. They had endured many a comfortable silence before now, and would presumably do so again in the future. This justification was sufficient to put the sixth year's mind at rest as continued moving silently into the water, doing as Brianna instructed, taking command from the movements of her body as well as any spoken direction.

(OOC: Sorry for taking so long to get back to this. As we're now post-midterm I'd be happy to leave this thread now, if that suits you.)

0 Linus True altruism is a myth. 0 Linus 0 5