Completed A Snowball's Chance in Riverfall

[Kirsi Winterflame]

Timestamp: 70th of Summer, 513AV The Summer heat was withering; homesickness had been mostly nonexistent, but today Kirsi found herself dearly wishing for the frozen climes Avanthal. She generally tried to avoid the heat of the day by hiding indoors. Rooms built into rock had a wonderful way of staying moderately cool no matter how sweltering it may be outside. Sequestering herself indoors and alone, however, was not at all to Kirsi's liking, and today she had convinced herself to venture out to the sea. To that end, she had rolled the legs of her pants up over her knees and pinned her hair atop her head - the cooling measures didn't seem to have helped at all, as she walked under the burning sun. "Morwen, you cannot come soon enough to this place," she muttered under her breath, picking her way to the water's edge. Swimming was beyond her; frozen water afforded little opportunity for swimming lessons. Still she was incredibly curious about the process. Not being foolish enough to throw herself into the water headlong in a sink-or-swim scenario, she couldn't help but wander into the surf - at the edge, of course. Lots of Riverfall's citizenry had come to the water for the same reason, it seemed. Kirsi saw laughing children and doting families up and down the shoreline, and felt a twinge of envy. Making friends here had been slow; she found herself more than a bit disillusioned. Leaving Avanthal, she had been idealistic, assuming that she would find herself enmeshed in Riverfall in no time. She hadn't considered when she moved that making a home here would take work. The reality had her softly chuckling at her own expense as she wandered slowly up the coast, kicking her feet only a little more than was necessary. Water arced up, sparkling in the air, with each step she took.

[Jorin Ertihan]

Season of Summer, Day 70, 513 AV

Jorin Erithan had thought he'd gotten used to the heat. When on stage, with the sun shining down on you while burdened with several layers of costumes, getting used to stuffy heat and powering on anyway was one of an actor's stock in trade. You just learned to deal with it. But still, this was different. This was a cloying kind of heat, the sort that stuck to you like a wet blanket. And Jorin hated that kind of heat.

Deciding to forgo his usual dress, he decided this time to bring simply a shirt, some pants, and his shoes, and when he reached the beach he decided the shirt was too much; taking it off and wrapping it around his chest. It was always fun to go to the beach on a hot summer day; the cool ocean breeze was soothing, and of course, the cool water was an absolute joy.

Kicking off his shoes, Jorin dug his toes into the sand and closed his eyes, letting the sun, the wind, and the water all wash into him. For once, nothing was wrong in the world. Even the events that occurred two days ago couldn't bother him now. Smiling, he opened his eyes ... to see a strange sight.

He remembered her. It was many days ago he'd met her, but Jorin didn't forget faces. ... Kirsi, was her name. Jorin tried to remember. She was a carver, if he recalled correctly, and ... it was all he could dredge up. No matter! It was always nice to catch up with friends, old and new. Waving to her, he ran over, ignoring the splashing water, grinning as he came to a stop in front of her.

"Kirsi, wasn't it?" he asked. "Hi! Do you remember me? Jorin Ertihan? Actor?" He laughed good-naturedly. "It's OK if you don't, I'm told I have one of those faces that is easy to overlook. Anyway, what are you doing out here? Here for a dip?" Jorin shrugged, face flushing slightly. "If so I can't really help you, I can't swim! Although I've always wanted to learn. Hey maybe we could learn together! I mean, how hard could it be?"

[Kirsi Winterflame]

Timestamp: 70th of Summer, 513AV Kirsi waved back to the man as he trotted toward her; it took only a second for her to recognize Jorin. She hadn't seen him since that day in the park - a light blush tinted her cheeks as she remembered how that day had ended with her trip to the medical center. "Of course I remember you; I don't meet so many famous actors that I can afford to forget them," she teased him. Kirsi was glad to renew her acquaintance with him, he had been good company and she was tired of her own thoughts for the moment. "I, um.. Well, since you said it first, I'm afraid I can't swim either. Avanthal isn't the place to learn to swim," Kirsi laughed lightly. "I can't help but be fascinated by it, though. I see the children managing it," she nodded in the direction of a pack of blue-skinned boys frolicking in the waves. "It must not be too difficult a concept. Although I admit, I have yet to actually test my theory." Jorin's offer to learn together was tempting. How much harm could they come to, if each was there to look out for the other? Or course she would feel a little silly swimming in her every day clothes, but she had certainly felt sillier often enough. "Actually - I think I'd love to try swimming. Do you think we could manage it without too much trouble? I really don't want to end this visit with another trip the the Medical facility!" Deciding to just bring it up and be done with it, Kirsi managed a laugh at her own expense and then asked, "How did you fare with your stage master that day?"

[Jorin Ertihan]

Season of Summer, Day 70, 513 AV

Jorin smiled when Kirsi flushed slightly. Now that he'd seen more of her, the memory flooded back; the carving, the flowers, Kirsi cutting herself, Jorin mentally shrugged. He surmised she must still be a bit embarrassed to have had to go to the medical facility on the day they met. Jorin really didn't think it was such a big deal, but then again he'd always gotten into trouble with the troupe, and "minor injuries" had practically become his nickname.

"How did you fare with your stage master that day?"

Jorin laughed good-naturedly.

"Ah, well honestly he gave me a tongue-lashing to remember!" Jorin smiled. "Not that it was any of your fault, Kirsi," Jorin assured her, "I can promise you he would have found something to yell at me for. Anyway, to swimming! I suppose it shouldn't be too deep over there -" and Jorin waved at the slightly sandier area of the beach, which seemed to be overlooked by some large rocks, "- maybe we could go in about waist-deep, and try to stay afloat? I heard that's what you do first when trying to swim, though honestly I have no idea!" Jorin grinned. Reaching down, he grabbed Kirsi's hand. "Come on, the more you think about it the less likely you'll be to do it! I'll race you!"

With that, Jorin ran off to the section of beach, still holding Kirsi's hand.

[Kirsi Winterflame]

Timestamp: 70th of Summer, 513AV Kirsi nodded sympathetically at Jorin's response. She had known people like that - they never seemed satisfied unless they were angry at someone else. Thankfully, she had never had to deal too closely with those types. She was sure she wouldn't be able to laugh it off as easily as Jorin seemed to. "I suppose it shouldn't be too deep over there." Following Jorin's motion, Kirsi glanced over at the area, eyes gone just slightly green with apprehension. The water was a much lighter blue-green there, which even she knew meant that it shouldn't be as deep. Although the rocks gave her pause. With her usual grace, they could well equal another trip to the Gilia; she would have to remember not to flail about too near them. Because you will flail, she thought to herself, amused. "Come on, the more you think about it the less likely you'll be to do it! I'll race you!" Not giving her time to consider his plan, Jorin grabbed ahold of her hand and took off. Kirsi found herself running along almost before she realized it, and grinned. The spontaneity of it reminded her of her youth back home, and made the impending 'swimming' slightly less intimidating. She was almost looking forward to it. Almost. But as her feet hit the water, and then her knees, Kirsi's excitement waned. "I think," she began cautiously, dropping Jorin's hand and reaching over the water - it can't catch you if you fall, silly. "We definitely should try to stay afloat. No other theories?" She waded in deeper, slowly, feeling her way further into the cool, sparkling water. Even if she didn't figure out how to stay afloat, she was certainly enjoying the reprieve from the sun - the water was soaking in to her clothes, slowly spreading upward and cooling her whole body. "Maybe we could find a nice fish willing to explain the process? Or Laviku himself?" Kirsi suggested, chuckling; she had only recently begun to learn about the sea god and she thought how fitting it was that she should learn something of his domain now, as well.

[Jorin Ertihan]

Season of Summer, Day 70, 513 AV

It was a wonderful feeling, running along the beach holding Kirsi's hand. It felt like his more carefree days in Zeltiva with his mother, just dashing along the coast without a care in the world. Freedom. There had been many worries pressing on Jorin's mind these past few days, but today, it was just sand, and sea. All the worries would wash out with the tide, and he could once again be the happy boy, building castles in the sand while dreaming of castles in the sky.

"I think, we definitely should try to stay afloat. No other theories?"

Jorin just shrugged and grinned. "Well, I imagine at some point we should try actually moving through the water," he laughed. "Although just staying afloat will probably take us all afternoon, given our collective knowledge." he predicted.

"Maybe we could find a nice fish willing to explain the process? Or Laviku himself?"

Jorin had in involuntary shudder at the mention of Laviku's name. It wasn't that he had anything against the sea god, it was just that, in recent days, he'd felt targeted by the gods. Especially Zulrav, Lord of Storms, whom Jorin was certain was out to get him, though for what reason he could not fathom. He could still vividly remember the searing pain of the lightning strike, the burning agony of his screaming nerves when he had awoken. If Zulrav hated him so much, what would Laviku do to him? Shaking his head and forcing a smile for Kirsi, he instead turned his attention to their current task.

"Ah, well, I can't really speak to fish," he said lightheartedly, "And I'm sure Laviku's pretty busy. We'll just have to make do on our own. Say, perhaps I could hold you up while you try to float? That way, you don't float away into the sea, and I can catch you if you start to drown!"

Jorin didn't mention that he had no idea if this would actually work, but he didn't figure Kirsi to be a very heavy, so if worst came to worst he could just grab her and dog-paddle to shore. Although Jorin had no clue if he was even capable of dog-paddling. Suddenly, he wished Uleru were here. She'd know what to do...

Jorin just smiled. Confidence, he needed to show her confidence. He knew what he was doing ... probably. Calling on his skill as an actor, Jorin held out his hand.

"Come on, let's try it! Here, try to float on your back..."

[Kirsi Winterflame]

Timestamp: 70th of Summer, 513AV "Well, I imagine at some point we should try actually moving through the water. Although just staying afloat will probably take us all afternoon, given our collective knowledge." Kirsi laughed along with Jorin, completely agreeing with his assessment. "Alright, then. floating only. No moving. Of course, I make no promises, but... Well, it will at least be cooler failing to swim than it would have been just standing on the shore," she gave him a game smile and shrugged. Jorin's offer to catch her if she started to drown did little to reassure her; she was more worried that, in the event of wild arm-swinging failure, she would knock him down along with her. Still, that was the learning process, right? Besides, he had offered... "Come on, let's try it! Here, try to float on your back..." "Okay. Here we go!" Once again, Kirsi found her hand grasping the actor's, this time a bit more tightly. For lack of a better idea, she tried simply leaning back into the water. Moving so slowly, she felt almost like the water was moving up to her, Kirsi began to feel fairly confident. This isn't so bad, she thought, its almost... fun. Surely if she just leaned back a little bit more, the water would catch her and she would... Well, float! Naturally. Trusting that her theory was correct, she held her breath and leaned fully back onto the water. And into the water. Still grasping Jorin's hand with one of hers, her other arm clutched at the water in a vain attempt to stop her fall. Kirsi felt her bottom hit the ocean floor, and the water closed in over her head. Momentary panic set in, and she kicked out with her feet while trying to haul herself up, using Jorin as a tether. The moment her head broke the surface of the water, Kirsi shook it, dragged in a breath and stared at Jorin wide-eyed. Surprise and shock had turned her eyes a decidedly golden shade, and Kirsi swiped her hands over them, wiping the remaining water away. "I think we need to revise this theory."

[Jorin Ertihan]

Season of Summer, Day 70, 513 AV

"Okay. Here we go!"

Jorin's eyes grew wide as saucers. "No, Kirsi, wait!" he cried, but it was too late as she sank under the water. Only her hand in his let him know he hadn't lost her to the watery bottom. She struggled a bit, trying to right herself after she sank beneath the waves. She pulled on his arm as she kicked her feet, and Jorin pulled for all he was worth to bring her back to the surface.

After a moment, her head broke water and she took a deep breath of air.

"I think we need to revise this theory," she commented.

Jorin missed her comment, as he was looking at her eyes. He knew, of course, that Vantha eyes changed colors with their mood, but for a brief moment, just a fraction of a chime, he'd thought ...

Gold. Her eyes were gold. Like Rinya's. And for a reason he couldn't explain he felt a tightening in his chest, like something important was missing. It was silly, really. She couldn't be too far away. He didn't think she'd just up and abandon him, just fly off and never return, but ... for that moment he missed her so badly he actually thought Kirsi was her. Which was ridiculous, the two women looked nothing alike. But he wasn't seeing her face. He was seeing her eyes.

And then the moment was over. Like the waves passing them, the feeling faded. She was fine. Jorin didn't know where she was, but something in him told him that if she were injured, or upset, he would know. Their bond would tell him. So he shook his head and grinned brightly for Kirsi, shaking his head.

"That wasn't what I meant, Kirsi," he tried to explain gently. "I meant I'd support you with a hand on your back so that if you started to sink I could bring you back up to the surface of the water. The water wouldn't catch you, I would." He shrugged. Truthfully, he had no idea if even that would work, but he figured it was better than letting her just sink to the bottom.

He took her gently by the hand and lowered her back into the water slowly, his right hand still gripping hers, and his left hand at the small of her back.

"That's it, now. Nice and easy," he murmured soothingly. "See? Isn't this easy?" he asked her, with a broad smile on his face.

[Rinya]

Day 70, Season Summer, 513 AV

The beaches were covered in people. If it wasn’t so warm out, she might actually be annoyed by the amount of people driving the fish from the shallows. But she really couldn’t begrudge anyone the water with the heat, if nothing else she figured joining them would probably be a wise idea. She had debated most of the morning what form she should take to visit the beach in as well, before eventually deciding that she might actually have some fun in her hawk form. There was nothing like tormenting the gulls with a chase, payback for missing feathers after all.

Stretching out her wings as she sailed over the beach, she had to actually work to stay aloft. There wasn’t even a breeze today, but it didn’t stop her. There was tug deep in her gut. Like she was looking for something and she didn’t even know it. Of course she wasn’t looking for something, but someone. She hadn’t seen Jorin in days… not since they both acknowledged that they were bonded and hadn’t even realized it until it was too late. Well—Jorin didn’t know it anyways, at least not consciously at first.

She had felt jolts of emotion coming from him now and then. Actually she was little worried about him. Days before she had gotten a nasty feeling in her gut, like something had happened to Jorin. He certainly felt pain, but she wasn’t sure from what or where, the bond to was simple for that. And as quickly as it hit, it ended. For a moment she had been worried that the bond broke—she hadn’t even wanted to think about the several different reasons that might have been. She felt him again bells later, slightly muted and distant, but most certainly there. She felt a little foolish actually. If he had broken the bond in any way it would have been distinctly more painful. Since then Rinya really hadn't been able to focus down any of his feelings until today.

She knew he was happy, well happier than most other days anyway. Jorin not being happy was a far rarer occasion. It was an odd pang of emotion that sent her soaring in an all together different direction, called to her even though it just flashed through her being like lightning. Akin to loneliness, but not quite, she didn’t have long to think about it. Two figures stood out in the water, one she knew instantly to be Jorin. The other looked to be female and he was… holding her hand while she lay back in the water?

A different feeling crawled across her skin under her feathers, one that was entirely hers but she couldn’t exactly pin point what it was. She had never felt like this before, at least not in this kind of context. Part of it was anger… but Rinya couldn’t figure at whom for the life of her. But she reacted on it before she could really think about it. She curled her wings into her chest, and let the air rush past her as she pushed her talons out in front of her face as if she was catching a fish—or aiming for Jorin she couldn’t entirely be sure.

Purposefully she missed the two, hitting the water in a hard splash not a foot away from them, completely intent on startling them and soaking Jorin with water… just because she could? Huffing inwardly, she pushed her wings beneath her and surfaced and let her wings buoy her for a moment, before giving another set of hard pushes to lift her out of the water. She was thankful her feathers were meant for diving; otherwise she’d be stuck nearly drowning and would have to change into her human form. And she really didn’t want to do that at the moment, at least not until she could think about why she reacted before thinking. She barely made it over their heads—quite sure she smacked Jorin in the head with one of her wings before she lit on the nearest rock.

And then she started whistling. A piercing kind of whistles that gave away she was annoyed… very annoyed. And she still refused to think about why. She just fluffed her feathers and shook the water from them in practiced ease. Rinya remained fluffed and began to preen herself, almost too hard, but it was a good distraction.

[Kirsi Winterflame]

Timestamp: 70th of Summer, 513AV Having once sunk and resurfaced, Kirsi found herself much less afraid of the prospect of swimming. Surprise turned to enjoyment nearly instantly, a deep violet mixing with and absorbing the gold of her irises. She was half-tempted to drop back into the water again. But Jorin was looking at her so intently, she hurried to reassure him. "I'm fine - that was fun, actually! I'm glad I had a hand to hold onto, though. For a minute there I forgot the water was only waist-deep," she admitted, as Jorin grinned. Shrugging, she repeated her earlier statement, "but I think that theory was a failure." "I meant I'd support you with a hand on your back so that if you started to sink I could bring you back up to the surface of the water." Kirsi found herself nodding halfway through his explanation. Fully explained, it sounded like a much better plan, and she told him so. "I think that would work - at least it can't be any worse!" Laughing a bit, she added, "not that I minded the soaking, in this heat. If we don't manage to learn to swim, throwing ourselves into the water might be a pretty good alternative." Nevertheless, she went along with the experiment, lightly grasping Jorin's hand and relaxing back into the water once more, closing her eyes against the glare of the sun. This time, though, true to his word, Jorin was there with a hand at her back, steadying her. Despite discovering that it had been fun sinking, learning to sink wasn't a very handy skill. So Kirsi lay there, floating, supported by Jorin's hand and experimented with various body parts and how they affected her in the ocean's waves. Holding her legs out in front of her, she struggled to maintain balance and felt herself sinking slightly. Kirsi let them relax into the water and felt herself floating a bit more effortlessly. The knowledge that most of the actual work of floating was being performed by Jorin's hand did nothing to quell her excitement; Kirsi's eyes popped open and she grinned up at Jorin in delight. "See? Isn't this easy?" "It's great! It --" Kirsi broke off with a startled gasp as she caught sight of a large bird hurtling towards them. "Jorin, watch out!" Scrambling to regain her feet, she barely had time to utter a warning before the bird crashed into the water, sending up a plume of salty spray. No sooner had it landed than the feathered menace took off again, flying low enough to make Kirsi duck or be hit. Crouched in the water, Kirsi watched in confusion as the bird landed on a rocky outcropping and proceeded to chirp - whistle - loudly. Kirsi brought her hands to her ears, blocking some of the offensive noise and watched the bird warily.