driftfleet | Just Keeping Swimming

I never learned to dance either.

[ This is his idea of light conversation.

Who would have taught him, though. Dempsey? That's a pretty funny mental image. Dempsey was just worried about teaching him enough so he could have Kai to take care of him in his retirement.

Still, Kai tries again, slower, following with another kick. He does know what rhythm is, can see how it makes sense here. It's the same with running, just slower and in water. ]

Did you learn the blade?

[ Maglor nods approvingly at his actions, giving correction in a quiet voice ]

That is a dance of it's own, you know.

Learned it, yes. Dempsey insisted. Always preferred guns though.

[ Guns don't need dancing, don't require one to have physical strength over one's opponent. They let someone keep their distance.

Kai'll keep knives on him for if something happens to his gun, but he'd always rather just shoot.

He lets his feet touch the ground to serve as a reminder it's there, and then switches back semi-horizontal. Kick. Kick. ]

When do I get to start using my hands?

I do not think I will ever grow used to them. [ Maglor shivers ]

They are too... impersonal. Cold, for all they use fire.

When you think you have the feet part down. [ Maglor says, amused ] The motion you want is a "pull", unlike the "push" with your feet. Like with your legs, you are using the whole arm - and you want to keep it straight as you do.

They're pretty great. Mostly because I'm a fan of living and I go against things that would kill me -- or worse -- if I couldn't stand my ground.

[ And he can't, with just a sword. ]

[ Keeping his arms straight. That sounds like a recipe for disaster, but Kai gives it a flailing attempt, forgetting in the process how to use his legs right. ]

I think if you learnt with them it might be easier, but... [ Maglor shivers again ] Their songs are cold, and I distrust them. Better a good blade in my hands.

Easy! [ He cautions ] Try moving a little slower - you can just use your arms, if co-ordinating is a little tricky at first. Bring the arm up over your shoulder and cleave the water, "pulling" it back towards you, that's it.

To each their own.

[ If anything, it's a slight relief. Kai doesn't plan on getting in any fights with Maglor, but it's still comforting to know he has a chance of holding his own.

As long as they don't happen underwater.

He tries that, moving back more to something sort of like walking through the water, but with his arms moving now, trying to follow the other's instructions. He half bites back a growl. This is getting frustrating. ]

Slowly, slowly. [ Maglor encourages him ]

You do well. You have the rhytm, now - now start to kick, again, and once you're moving, bring the arms into play.

[ It doesn't feel like they've gotten nearly as far as they should have. Kai continues to work on the instructions, and it's half-working, arms and hands half working together. ]

How are you doing?

Count aloud, if you want something to give yourself a rhytym to follow. [ Maglor suggests and nods approvingly, giving small corrections as they go ]

Better. [ He admits ] Having to concentrate on you means I have no attention to spare to the Song.

Yeah, I think I have too much a sense of dignity for that.

[ But he'll try to count in his head, in between responding in the conversation. He's actually doing far better than he'd expected. Maglor isn't a terrible teacher. ]

[ Maglor has taught all sorts of people over the years - Kai is hardly the worst!

He smiles as Kai starts to manage it ]

There you go, you're starting to get used to the movements. See how much faster you're moving?

I doubt I'll be winning races any time soon.

[ But the way he can move now is giving him more confidence. He's trying to keep his pace up, to get the other man back to his ship sooner. The good news is that Kai hadn't actually gone that far. ]

I think I'll be ready for a drink when I'm done.

No - but that might come in time, if you practice.

[ Maglor says, amused ]

But you are moving well. You are a quick learner!

I hope to spend at least a month out of water once we leave this place. Hopefully I don't lose too much of this.

[ But if he does, it's a sacrifice worth paying.]

Hush, not too loud, or you will give our sponsors ideas! But I doubt we will return to the water so soon.

[ He sounds so wistful ]

It would be boring for our viewers, if things were always the same.

Who knows what trouble you could get into if we went from one water planet to another?

I'm hoping for something relaxing next. Maybe another space station.

[ There had been stores there, bars that didn't have to swum too. ]

It... would not be good, no. [ He acknowledges wryly ]

I think I would like some forests, again.

[ Maglor says thoughtfully ]

Although a place where we can replenish some materials as well as food would be welcome also.

Space is kind of boring, mostly.

Have you ever done anything specifically to try to get 'good ratings' or a reaction from our overlords?

It can be, I suppose - I do not mind it, myself.

[ Maglor considers ]

Not as such, although Tyrion and I are thinking of doing a... question and answer session, to answer some of our 'fan mail'.

I can't imagine what sorts of things fans write in.

[ Mostly because he carefully doesn't read any letters he get. ]

Space isn't bad, I just worry about it making me soft.

All sorts - some expected and others uh... of a more personal nature.

How would it do that?

Not being home would do that. Life’s a good deal easier here.

In some ways, maybe. But I am old and tired, and the rest is welcome, for all tne strangeness of this world.

[ He can see the ship and is going to keep swimming that direction. ]

How old?

[ Kai himself is young for an elfin, at least by the standards of his world. ]

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