genessia | Winter, March 7th - The Obligatory Beach Episode

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Winter, March 7th - The Obligatory Beach Episode

Who: Ayame Sasaki, and you! Bring yo friends.
What: Mingle log. Ayame low-key celebrates being old.
When: March 7th (morning to evening), March 8th (morning)
Where: Nova City Islands
Warnings: None

[ Today is a special day. One that has occupied her mind in a both excited and anxious fervor. It's her 28th birthday, and all it did was make Ayame feel more depressed. It was just like the night before Valentine's Day, but she took solace in the fact the following day was great. Ayame didn't want to let this metaphysical grey cloud of sadness that's hovering over her to ruin her day, so she was about to do something she's never done before: invite people to have fun with her.

She has saved enough money ever since she became a business owner and being very reserved with her spending, she managed to afford a good deal for Nova City Islands that she was willing to share with everyone interested. She even booked a night-long stay at the place. Well after a couple of rounds of liquid courage to calm her nerves, Ayame starts a network video with a wave, showing her face with a small smile etched across her lips. The artificial beach and the palm trees show in the background, all protected from the winter by the large dome above them.

Good morning, Genessia. For those I have yet to meet, my name is Ayame. Currently, I'm in Nova City's famous indoor beach enjoying the balmy weather away from the last legs of winter. So if any of you could use a break or could not just wait for spring, I invite you to come join me here. But please use the promo code Iris28 to get a 50% discount in your admission. Well then, I look forward to meeting all of you.

[ Ayame waves goodbye before stopping the recording, breathing a big sigh of relief now the camera had stopped rolling. Still wearing an airy dress over her swimsuit, Ayame took a moment and stretch her arms, ready to spend her birthday in this tropical paradise in the middle of the city. ]

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[Having been to a beach before, it was by far the worst experience of Anastasia's life. The burning sand and the blazing heat from the sun made her feel like she was going to die - and she likely would if not for the water and the shaved ice stands.

But how come Anastasia never knew about this place? An indoor pool was definitely a lot safer for her with the absence of a oppressive sun. With Satsuki's permission, and with Ayame's promo code, she made her way to the massive pool wearing a modest swimsuit and her long, blonde hair up in a high ponytail when she spotted Ayame by the pool. Anastasia waved at Ayame and approached, hoping she's not being a bother.]

"Ayame, hello."

[ Not a bother at all, in fact Ayame was glad to see someone she knew. Ayame rises from the water, gripping the steel handles on the poolside ladder as she ascends back to the safety of the concrete ground. ]

Hello to you as well. Enjoying the place? I hope it isn't too hot for you in here.

[ Ayame didn't have a towel, nor does she need it. With a flick of her wrist she mentally moved all the water on her skin, hair, and swimsuit; drying herself immediately ]

[Anastasia shook her head in reply.]

"It is a bit uncomfortable, but I'll be fine as long as I stay near water and out of direct sunlight where it's hottest."

[She tilts her head to one side inquisitively.]

"Were you swimming a few moments ago?"

Yes, I just finished a few laps.

[ Ayame replied, walking towards a beach chair with her personal belongings, taking a hair scrunchie from her purse to tie around her hair in a ponytail ]

You should take a dip. The water is cool enough; it will help you feel better.

[Anastasia follows, staying in a comfortable conversation distance. Upon the suggestion, she looks to the pool and back to Ayame.]

"Even though I can't swim?"

You can just take a dip in the shallow end of the pool.

[ Ayame responds with a lighthearted tune. ]

Or I can teach you. Now is a better time than ever, right?

"Yes, can you teach me? I tried learning before, but the lessons just never happened."

[Anastasia preemptively moved towards the edge of the pool, but not getting too close. She looked back and forth between the pool and Ayame, waiting patiently. Or as patiently as she could.]

Oh. I assume they left before they could teach you?

[ Ayame stands from the chair beckoning Anastasia to follow her with a wag of a finger. She takes her duffel bag in one hand and waited for Anastasia so they could walk side by side. While this end of the pool was shallow enough, there were many people around it. Plus, she wanted to take Anastasia to the part of the pool closer to the fountain by the center.

Finding a new chair, Ayame plops her belongings on it and stretched her arms, walking towards the edge of the pool to slowly dip herself back in the water. The water line reaches just by her chest, and she takes a couple of steps back to welcome her friend into the shallows ]

Come.

"Yes. They vanished shortly after I met them."

[Anastasia closely followed, but hesitated at the side of the pool. Seeing where the water comes up to Ayame, it looked pretty deep for her. Her aversion primarily comes to her people generally not being good swimmers, and thus, she's afraid of sinking. But, she does like the water, so eventually Anastasia did move to the ladder and eased herself into the water.

Of course, she wasn't going deeper than up to her waist. Her nervousness was blindingly obvious at this point.]

[ It's normal to be afraid of water this deep if one cannot swim. Water has always been one of the greatest fears of primeval people that has stayed throughout the ages even to the modern generations. That's what Ayame thought, and it was that reason that Ayame wasn't judging Anastasia at all. Instead, she gives the young woman a reassuring touch on the shoulder while she was in the ladder, ready to catch or lift her from the overwhelming body of water she's descending to. ]

Don't be afraid. I'm here for you.

[ Ayame used her mind to take a pair of swimming goggles from her duffel sitting comfortably a few feet away. ]

Part of our natural fear of swimming comes from how it makes us close our eyes. Wear these goggles for now. I'll hold you.

[ Ayame puts her hand behind Anastasia's back, pushing her up at an angle to make sure Anastasia doesn't feel like sinking. Anastasia's tall enough not to go anywhere on a three-foot pool. ]

[Anastasia feels better after hearing that promise, but she can't help but wonder where the goggles came from. How did Ayame fetch them?

The goggles felt kind of snug at first upon putting them on, but some adjustment later, she found the right spot so they were comfortable. Gently holding onto Ayame's arm, Anastasia hopped off the ladder and sunk until her feet touched the bottom. Then, she saw she was tall enough for her head to stay above the water. She quickly becomes comfortable with the water, feeling one with her celestial element.

Appearing more confident, she looks up at Ayame, ready for what's next.]

[ Ayame kept her hand hovering on the small of Anastasia's back, inching away slowly but not too far just in case ]

How does the water feel? Good? I want you to stay there for at least 21 more seconds, and just get accustomed to the feeling of the water around you.

[ Ayame stayed by Anastasia's side, hoping her presence was enough to make Anastasia feel safe. Once the 21 seconds has passed, Ayame puts her hand back on Anastasia's back urging her to walk a couple of steps toward the pool's edge ]

Now I want you to hold on to the side with one hand, and when you're ready, take a deep breath and slowly squat down until your head is dipped into the water. Then exhale through your nose before you stand back up.

"Mm, yes. The water is very comfortable."

[Anastasia was then starting to get nervous again about being instructed to dip her head under the water. But she was brave. If she can sass a warlord, she can go under the water.

So, she took a deep breath with a audible gasp, she shut her eyes and slowly being to kneel until she felt the water rush through her hair. As she began to rise, she exhaled as told, but started coughing once her head was back above the water.]

You're okay. Breathe.

[ Ayame rubs the top of Anastasia's back to help quell that coughing, giving the young girl a break before having to ask her for more ]

You have to repeat this process a bit more. I'll time you. Stay as long as you can underwater before you rise up. Clear?

[ Ayame gently pats Anastasia's back, hoping to reassure her little sister-figure. Ayame takes a few steps around the other side of where Anastasia is standing, prepping for the next exercise. ]

Now, take both of your hands, hold on to the side of the pool. You're going to try and float now. Take a deep breath and lift your feet. Tuck your knees to your chest and extend them out until you're flat on your stomach. This is going to take a few tries, so just relax.

[Once Anastasia had a moment to calm down, she did try again. She submerged herself and tried to stay under, lasting up to around 10 seconds.

The next part of the lesson, Anastasia followed the instruction. On the first try, she lost her grip on the edge of the pool, leading to her losing her balance and began to panic as she felt like she was losing control and fearing she will drown. However, a unknown magical force strong enough to be felt swirled around her in the water and quickly brought her back above the water.]

"This is harder than I thought..."

[ Ayame just stood and looked at Anastasia, unmoved by the sudden burst of magic unlike the others at the pool who wondered what just happened. Simply, Ayame just swam right next to Anastasia to guide her back to the side of the pool ]

Don't let that thought fester in you, or it will grow.

[ Ayame places a hand on Anastasia once again, looking at the girl she began to view as someone important to her straight in the eyes with a warm smile. Ayame isn't judging Anastasia's fear, and she wanted to let the girl know that she can do it ]

Now shake it off and give it another try, okay? I'll hold you this time. Tuck your knees into your chest again.

[Even Anastasia was not sure what happened. It was magic and it did come from her, but was it her own magic? Or the power she was playing hostess to?

Whatever it was, Anastasia was soothed by Ayame's gentle encouragement and tried again. She managed to get it just right with Ayame guiding her.]

[ Whatever it was, Ayame hoped it wont show up again. The made-up excuse she made to the others could only work once.

Regardless, Ayame was at Anastasia's side at all times, giving her assurance and encouragement whenever Anastasia does something right. She had Anastasia maintain buoyancy and teach her the proper way to kick her legs on the water's surface. Ayame had Anastasia repeat the first exercise of exhaling underwater, then back to trying to stay afloat, and to kicking.

Ayame made sure to keep Anastasia invested and focused, clapping her hands and counting the seconds for Anastasia as part of it. Then it was time. After multiple rounds of repeating the same exercises, Anastasia could be tired. So while the girl still had energy left, Ayame got Anastasia ready for the next step. ]

Very good. You're getting it.

[ Ayame smiles. As small as it is, it shows that she's proud of Anastasia's progress. Anastasia may not be able to learn how to swim under just a few hours, but Ayame is willing to see it through until the princess can swim on her own. In the meantime, Ayame swims in front of Anastasia, taking both the girl's hands into hers ]

Now for the last stretch. I'll hold you, but you have to propel yourself forward until we make it to that fountain and back.

[ Ayame motions over her shoulder at the said fountain, which was not very far for someone who can swim, but is a good enough distance for a beginner. ]

Look at me. You can do this. Okay?

[Anastasia considers telling Ayame about her magic. Granted if she is certain Ayame noticed and is curious.

The young princess can be quite persistent when she wants to be. Even though she was starting to look tired, she was willing to keep going. She had her confidence that she'll succeed, even as she tried her darnedest not to be unladylike from kicking water all over the place.

She really felt like she was swimming as Ayame held her hands and kept her on the right path.]

[ Ayame would ask about it in due time, whenever it's appropriate.

In the meantime, Ayame took advantage of Anastasia's persistence for this last couple of laps. Anastasia's kicking could use some work, as it her buoyancy, but that's nothing a bit more practice and proper guidance can't fix. So Ayame keeps stepping backward until her own toes no longer touch the bottom.

She floats holding on to Anastasia, crossing that valley in the pool until Ayame reaches the other side and the pool begins to get shallower again around the fountain. Water soon starts gently spraying on Ayame's hair and Anastasia's face as they both reach the first finish line.

Ayame nods, happy for Anastasia, giving the younger woman a pat on the head ]

Well done! That is one lap done. Do you wish to rest here for a minute before we make that final swim? We can get whatever lunch you want after this.

[Anastasia was giving quick, tired breaths, but she was happy. Happy to receive a pat on the head, knowing she made Ayame proud. She was confident enough to swim back, but she figures it right be a good idea to rest.]

"Rest, yes." [A few panting breaths.] "I want to try... chicken fingers."

[ Ayame joins Anastasia on the edge of the fountain, with cold sprays of water tickling at their skin as they sit on the elevated ridge ]

Chicken fingers?

[ Ayame taps her chin with a finger, smiling with amusement ]

That sounds quite appealing, to be honest. Hm... I think I'll have that too, I'm on vacation. It's a perfect time to try new things.

[ Ayame chuckles quietly, wading her legs in the water while waiting for Anastasia to rest up ]

Speaking of food, what do you often eat at Satsuki's? Do you two eat together?

[Anastasia was feeling the water raining gently on her. It was very soothing.

On being asked what she eats with Satsuki, she remembers when she first moved in.]

"Anything sensible, really. The right balance of veggies and meats to keep me well and not gain weight. I don't mind sweet things every once in awhile, but cereal called Sugar-frosted Cocoa-loaded Kerpows sounds too fattening. So Satsuki's dietary choices are in line with mine, so I have some of what she has."

[Meanwhile, Anastasia was examining Ayame's swimsuit, quietly pondering the logic of such revealing wear. Though she tries to hide her curious looks by checking her hair for any damages.]

[ Ayame nods. While she loves sweets, processed ones like cereal are ones she tends to avoid herself. She's not opposed to eating them in moderation, though. But she prefers more natural ones. Maybe out of habit. ]

Satsuki is a very disciplined woman, I should have known she would only provide you with what's best.

[ Ayame glances down at Anastasia, seeing the young woman examine her swimsuit. But she didn't make any mention of it. Seeing where Anastasia is from has given Ayame a better grasp of how the young woman thinks ]

Well, shall we? Thinking about food has gotten me quite famished.

[ Ayame dips herself back on to the water, waiting on Anastasia for her last lap back to the edge of the pool ]

[Anastasia won't mention it either. After all, she considers herself bold for wearing the suit she has. Though, she was surprised to see suits even more bold. Why are they so bold? She'll probably ask later. Probably.

With a nod, she eased herself back into the water, thankful that the fountain is masking her tummy growling. She started following Ayame to the best of her abilities as taught to her, she was still a bit slow and clumsy in her swimming.]

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