Completed [The Docks] When Push Comes to Shove. (Nira'lia)

[Ricky Maze]

496 AV, Summer Day 14

The day began warm and moist when Ricky left the shack, the busy docks of Zeltivan sailors lifting their stock and loading them with grunts and sweat. The sweet air of the sea smelled warm and muggy, no doubt about it: summer had hit hard this year.

When Ricky made his way to the end of the dock he slipped off his shoes, taking a seat at the wooden edge of the creaky planks. His feet weren't able to touch the water, but as the soft roll of the waves swayed in; his toes would dip in every time. The water felt cool compared to the air, a much desirable tempature that would tempt any hot civilian.

Alas he had but a major problem, one that went against his inner wishes: he could not swim. More or so didn't know how really, if only his father had not been so busy, but then Ricky couldn't really tell his dad about it. Such pride his pa had as a sailor, what worse way for his son to let him down then not knowing how to swim?

[Nira'lia]

Nira’lia liked Zeltiva a lot, and one of the things that she was most fond about was that it was situated right next to the bay. She was a Konti, and that included the necessity of being close to the sea. Aside from that, she was free to roam the city as she wanted—and that also meant that she was free to visit the docks on her own accord. Since Kontis aged slowly, she resembled a human child around ten years of age. This hid the fact that she was much older than that, though aside from her physical appearance, her speech and action hid this fact as well. It had only been two years since they arrived in the city, and she had made a few friends already. However, she was always keen on making more acquaintances when she could. For this reason, she was intensely happy to see that there was another child by the docks today. It was a human child, and he was sitting on the edge of the docks and had his feet in the water. Nira’lia didn’t recognize him, but this didn’t stop her. In her childish mind, it was a rule for all kids to automatically be friends. In an excited manner, she soon found herself looming over the seated kid. “Hello!” she called out with a huge, cheerful grin. Without waiting for a reply, she kicked off her own slippers and took a seat right beside him. The water felt cool against her feet, and this only served to make her happier. “What are you doing?”

[Ricky Maze]

He sat there with such deep thoughts all within the core of his mind, wondering what it was like to swim in the ocean. Sure enough the water felt great, terrific in fact, as his feet felt the cool wet waves wash his feet. It was deep with the water though, where all the marine life lived. He wondered how their world was, how different it must've felt dwelling within the blue, and how grand it was to see the world below their own. Oh yes the ocean was a world below their's, no doubt in about it in Ricky's mind. He grinned at the thought of living down within, and thought how he would then be curious of the land as he is of the sea. A voice sounded out of no where to snap him back into reality, one that was soft and friendly. "Hello." He jumped suddenly as he looked to find a girl looking around his age, she was pretty with pale blonde hair. It reminded Ricky of the color of sand, only brighter when in the sun. Her skin was pale for Zeltiva, some usually would have some sort of sun tan when living here. She was probably one who never really went out much, or so Ricky figured. He was about to speak in turn as to ask who she was, but before he could find the words she took a seat next to him. Doing the same in dipping feet into the cool water below. He looked in awe as he took notice of something he overlooked, irridescent white scales upon her legs. Not just her legs but arms and neck as well, she sounded ordinary at first, but in truth she was special to Ricky. He was a nervous wreck that needed to be in check, no special girl would usually approach him like she did. Not even the ordinary ones would, but then he never really talked to anyone other than his pa. Finally he found the words speak with, he kept his thoughts in order and put on the friendly smile. "Sitting here, enjoying the wind and sea." He did his best not to stare, but when meeting someone special like her made it difficult enough. She had pretty eyes, he knew that much. That and her scales were too, Gods she was pretty period and Ricky was making a moment worse. Moving onto the closest thought that came to mind, he stared out to the sea once more. "Actually I'm wondering what life is like in the ocean. How fun and exciting it'd be to swim with the fish." The thought came out clearer than his voice, which he cleared to hide the quake that he had after speaking. He was overwhelmed with fascination about her, and now he had questions bubbling up from deep within. He wanted to ask her everything all at once, but kept the urge well contained. "What's your name?" He asked first, being the best question to start with.

[Nira'lia]

She nodded, taking in every word he said. And when he asked her for her name, she replied quickly and simply, “Nira’lia. And you are?” The Konti was confused. The boy had mentioned that he wondered how it felt to live in the ocean, and she didn’t understand why that was the case. The bay was right there. She often forgot that her race was different from humans—that they didn’t prefer to spend half their life in the sea. They couldn’t even stay underwater for long without gasping for breath. That was a concept that left her dumbfounded at times. ‘Oh, yes… they don’t have gills,’ Nira’lia reminded herself. And at that moment, she felt sad for this boy. He was missing out on a lot. “Well, do you want to go for a swim right now?” she asked as she moved her feet back and forth. The water splashed beneath her as she did. It felt refreshing, and she contemplated on jumping into the sea right then and there. She just wondered if he felt like doing so too. It was almost more enjoyable to do things with someone else. “I need to collect some kelp, too… there’s some gathering on the foot of these docks. Maybe you could help me!” She remembered where the path of kelp grew, and she had been asked by her sister earlier that day, that if she were going to the docks, to bring some back. Her sisters liked to beat the kelp into a pulp and philter it, and sometimes they made concoctions from it that was always weird to the taste. But they liked it, and Nira’lia enjoyed harvesting the plant.

[Ricky Maze]

"Wh-what?" He should've guessed it when she arrived, she was no doubt going to swim within the cool depths of the salty depths below. Even though some would consider it the "shallow" area Ricky still frowned upon the idea, he never had done any swimming before in his life. Whatever reason should have him learn now it wasn't clear, and what an ironic way to present itself to him nonetheless. For the girl that jumped in without a second thought had offered for him to partake in this, what would seem to him, trivial thing. He wondered what she would think if he told her, his little problem with the water below. All of his whole life he's only spent it pulling marine life out of the water, what an odd twist that they return the favor. Not to say that he thought Nira as a fish when she introduced herself, which Ricky nearly forgot to return the pleasantries. "Oh, Ricky. Or just Rick, since some call me that." His expression was one that wasn't necessarily confused, but lost and scattered as he tried to reorganize his train of thoughts. What was it about her that thre him off? Was it her way of approach, or her uncanny personality that shone ever so clear? Or was it the fact Ricky never spoke to girls period? In this case it could be all the above, the very idea of his inexperience addling his very nature was most convincing. He urghed in his breath as he attempted to find his balance, as to not appear awkward to the girl. Her personality was one not often found, and so to scare her away with such awkwardness would be mortally wounding to his nature. He gave a loose smile in a attempt to recover lost moments to make the impression last, after all it isn't everyday one meets a special being like Nira. "I don't think I'd make a good swimming partner." He shyly approached the topic, but knew he had to come forth with it sooner or later; so using the courage he mustered he confided it now. "I never swam before, so I don't... really know how." There. It was out in the open, he slightly winced in earnest hope that she wouldn't laugh. Now that he practically strung himself up with his confession.

[Nira'lia]

The lost and the rest of his expression told Nira’lia that he hadn’t expected such an offer. She looked back at him blankly, her mind in total confusion. Why would anyone even have second thoughts about jumping into the sea? It just didn’t make sense to her. And when he finally explained why he felt uneasy about it, she at least understood a bit more. He didn’t know how to swim! He lived in Zeltiva, yet he didn’t know how to swim! She wondered how long she had stayed in the city. If she remembered correctly, there were those who lived far too inland that they were so afraid of frowning. The thought in itself sounded silly to the Konti, and she couldn’t help but giggle as she splashed the water. She was starting to get restless… Nira’lia wanted to jump in! However, she wasn’t going to leave him here either, and the girl thought that it was her duty to convince Ricky about the joy of being in the sea. The sea, her father’s domain, was fantastic. Everyone should be aware of that, and not knowing how to swim was just not a valid excuse to her naïve mind. “It’s not difficult to learn how to swim!” she said enthusiastically, battling the urge to simply push him in right then and there. Nira’lia was actually lying, for she had no idea if it swimming really was easy to learn. She had never really thought about. Ever since she could remember, she just knew how. But then again, the fact that there was no chance for her to drown was most likely a huge advantage for her. “Besides, this is the sea… and humans naturally float! Even if you just lie there on your back, there’s no way you’re not going to float. I promise. Please, won’t you even try?”

[Ricky Maze]

It was difficult for Ricky agree to do so, but even more to turn her down; especially when she acted so nice to him. She wasn't antagonizing him at all, more like cheering in a manner of speaking. When she tried even more to convince him with naturally floating and her teaching, it was there and then he just couldn't say no to her. His nature and good manner went against saying no, as she was a girl after all. It wasn't nice to treat or turn away from a lady, or so it goes in his fathers code. His pa taught him many things, but if Ricky were to learn something without his pa for once...then maybe, just maybe...... He stood up with quivering hands, absolutely sure he would jump in. He removed his shirt to keep it dry, his tan torso now visible to the impatient cheery girl. He wasn't worried about it though, he was more focused on finding the courage to jump in. Standing with his toes at the edge of the creeky dock, he moved them nervously as he could feel the edge right before him. His fear got the best of him, he tried to jump in but froze when he bent his knee's to jump. He exhaled a deep breathe and closed his eyes tightly, attempting it a second time. He still froze in place, same exact position, and exhaled. Shaking his hands as he braced himself for another one, whether or not he wad capable of jumping Nira was watching. If he could'nt jump then what kind of man, if not a rather young one, would he be? Ooc : you do have permission to push Ricky if you choose. Fitting for the thread topic no? Your choice though, as it'll be happily enjoyed when read.

[Nira'lia]

Remaining seated on the docks, she looked up at him and watched patiently. Once or twice it appeared that he was finally going to jump into the sea, but it just didn’t happen. Instead, he would freeze in place and attempt another time. She could vaguely remember someone tell her an interesting tidbit about these kinds of situation. Nira’lia had been told, ‘a person who can’t swim will learn how to once they’re at the risk of drowning’. It could have been her mother, she wasn’t sure. Nira’lia remembered that the only way a person can truly learn something is if they were forced to do so. The body’s instinct was to survive, and it would do its best to adapt to external threats. If Nira’lia were to think about it, the concept made no sense to her. If it were the truth, then why had she heard of stories of people who had drowned? Couldn’t they teach their selves at that instant? Ricky, on the other hand… he wouldn’t drown. Even if his instinct didn’t teach him how to swim, he would be safe. That was because she was here. With her mind made up, she got on her feet and quickly put herself behind him. “Go for it, Ricky!” she yelled enthusiastically. Without hesitating, she placed both her hands on his back and swiftly pushed him into the water. The moment that she touched him, images fluttered before her eyes. The vision was one of Ricky’s moments with a man whom Nira’lia assumed was his father. It appeared that he was being taught to play the lute. The memory itself made her feel nostalgic. It was similar to when her own mother would teach her new things. After the images cleared, she jumped in right after him. She felt the sea envelope her completely. It was a welcome feeling.

[Ricky Maze]

"Go for it Ricky!" She cheered to him, her presence behind him made him jump slightly. Maybe that's what made him fall, although his eyes were open and he knew she was behind him. He felt the force of her push as he went over the edge, his face filled with horror as he plummeted into the waves below. The water was colder than when his feet were in dipping in it, refreshingly so as Ricky held his breath for as long as he could. Eyes closed from the stinging irritation the water provided, probably from the salt that was within the bay. He opened them slightly as he squinted to see, the under water world all around him. The sea weeds swished around to the rolling currents of the tides, what was under Ricky wrapped around his legs. He started to kick and flail his arms and legs, his lungs tensing up for containing his oxygen for so long. He felt the fear of drowning grip his mind and began to panic, frantically flailing for the surface above. He squinted to see the shiny surface of the sun, hoping that he would reach the top; but his useless flailing and sea weed trap had him held down. As he kept kicking he felt the sea weed giving in to his desperation, ripping as he still frantically kicked. He saw a shape plummet into the water, sinking down within like a stone. It was Nira, who looked even more pretty under the water, she came to his rescue! He hoped that's what it was at least, not to watch him hopelessly fail in learning how to swim. She was definitely more pretty under the ocean, her hair loose and free in the water made it look alive. Her scales still glowed and glistened too, she was definitely a special girl. Meant to be in the sea, part of it no doubt, for she was Ricky's guardian angel at this perilous moment. He felt his lung muscles tighten up more as he reached for the surface, no longer able to contain his air he let it escape. The feeling of pressure relief followed as his air came out as bubbles, only to find that his lungs demanded they withdrew air. His desperation grew as did his panic, finally kicking his legs in a coordinated motion that started to help him slowly drift upward. Any longer though he would begin to drown, was Nira going to help him? Or did she think he was capable of beginning to make it on his own?

[Nira'lia]

The Konti bobbed in the water for a while, waiting for the boy to resurface. She was confident that he would be able to do it, to learn how to find his way above water. Seconds passed, and nobody came up. When she saw nothing but bubbles resurface, she started to panic, a strong sense of guilt overcoming her. What had she done? Nira’lia ducked underwater and swiftly sought out Ricky’s figure. And there he was, frantically attempting to make his way up. He seemed to be having a difficult time, but he was learning. And he was approaching the surface. It was apparent that he seemed to be gasping for air, but he was so close. Nira’lia stayed in place and hoped that he would get there faster. She couldn’t tell if he was going to make it in time, or if his human lungs would give out soon. ‘You can do it!’ she called out in her mind. And she hoped that she was right, because she wouldn’t know what to do if Ricky would pass out now. ‘It’s just a little more, you can do it!’ In an effort to encourage him, she put her hand out in the water. She was very near to the surface, and if he reached out and grasped her hand, she would help him then. But he had to at least swim that little distance on his own.