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Post by eskimoRock on Sept 3, 2012 12:39:28 GMT -5
Joshua began to swim, tentatively at first, but he managed to speed up. Finally, he reached the side of the lake.
"I did it!" he cheered. "You're a very good teacher, you know."
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Post by G. Novella on Sept 3, 2012 16:11:10 GMT -5
"It's how I was taught by my brothers," said Amelia, swimming back to Joshua, "But you'll need to practice, you know. It's not very heroic if one day you try and save a damsel, only to drown because you weren't experienced enough!"
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Post by eskimoRock on Sept 3, 2012 16:30:50 GMT -5
"Well at least I won't live long enough to be shamed by it, will I?" Joshua grinned. "Besides, I'd probably just find something to haul them out with without getting in myself. I'm nothing if not practical, you know."
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Post by G. Novella on Sept 3, 2012 16:38:23 GMT -5
"I see," said Amelia dryly, as she waded onto her back, floating as she stared into the sunny sky, "A very practical guy. So, Mr. Practical, what's say we try out your newfound swimming technique with a race? From here to the rocks, shall we?"
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Post by eskimoRock on Sept 4, 2012 4:31:41 GMT -5
"Now that's unfair! I'm sure you'll win, bring practical. But being competitive, I'll try my best." Joshua grinned, trying to float on his back like Amelia did.
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Post by G. Novella on Sept 4, 2012 5:42:56 GMT -5
Amelia chuckled, "Alright, let's give you a handicap then, I'll have to swim on my back, and you get a three second head-start, how does that sound?"
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Post by eskimoRock on Sept 4, 2012 5:51:50 GMT -5
"Still impossible, but I'll give it a go." Joshua grinned. "Ready, set, go!"
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Post by G. Novella on Sept 4, 2012 6:13:56 GMT -5
Amelia waited a few seconds, and then swam after Joshua on her back. She easily surpassed him and reached the rock. Still wet, she slid on top and watched Joshua swim. In the sunlight, her wet hair glistened as sh wrung it out, and her clothes clung to her skin, soaked thoroughly.
"I may have lied to you!" she called out, "I'm much faster on my back!"
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Post by eskimoRock on Sept 4, 2012 12:25:07 GMT -5
"You wicked woman!" Joshua gasped, reaching the rock and hauling himself up. "You may have won, my friend, but it's a hollow victory." he laughed, dripping wet.
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Post by G. Novella on Sept 4, 2012 14:17:20 GMT -5
Amelia laughed in response, as she flopped back along the rock. It was extremely warm thanks to the sun, and felt nice as she shivered in her wet dress. As she grinned up at Joshua, she replied, "Well, isn't that horrible. And here I was savouring my victory, now how am I to win over you?"
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Post by eskimoRock on Sept 4, 2012 14:28:40 GMT -5
"That's true. Just savour this win, it could be your last!" he grinned and leaned back on the rock, sighing. "Its lovely here, it feels apart from the world. Peaceful."
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Post by G. Novella on Sept 4, 2012 14:51:53 GMT -5
"As if," scoffed Amelia, shutting her eyes to bask in the sun's warmth, "Yeah, I love this place too. I'm going to miss it." Amelia's eyes widened when she realized what she'd said, and she cursed under her breath, hoping Joshua hadn't picked up on that.
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Post by eskimoRock on Sept 4, 2012 14:54:03 GMT -5
"And why would you miss it?" Joshua said, sitting up and noticing Amelia's startled expression. "Are you going anywhere?"
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Post by G. Novella on Sept 4, 2012 14:58:52 GMT -5
"Well, eventually you know," said Amelia uneasily, hoping Joshua wouldn't see through her lies. She could tell he was growing comfortable enough to keep questioning her. "When I get married I'd have to leave. Vicky's always going at me to start looking."
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Post by eskimoRock on Sept 4, 2012 15:02:40 GMT -5
"you're still young though, surely?" Joshua frowned. "Plenty of time for that when you get a little older."
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Post by G. Novella on Sept 4, 2012 15:09:38 GMT -5
"Yeah, I suppose," Amelia said uneasily, "But Vicky has strange ideas. She was betrothed to Kent when she was 14. They only met when she was 17, however. It was some kind of favor her father owed mine that he repayed with Vicky. I suppose she thinks I need to be betrothed too eventually. Shall we swim?"
She licked her lips as she dodged Joshua's face, knowing her obvious attempts at changing the topic from her lie would be seen through by Joshua.
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Post by eskimoRock on Sept 4, 2012 15:23:24 GMT -5
"Yes, let's." Joshua smiled, trying to study Amelia. He sensed that she wished to change the conversation, and left it for the moment. "Just as I warm up we get back in."
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Post by G. Novella on Sept 4, 2012 15:24:55 GMT -5
Amelia attempted a smile, before standing on the rock. "but that's the best part, silly! Shall we jump, then?"
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Post by eskimoRock on Sept 4, 2012 15:30:04 GMT -5
"If we must." Joshua said, heaving himself to his feet with a sigh. "You're like a slave driver. What if I wanted to sleep?"
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Post by G. Novella on Sept 4, 2012 15:34:12 GMT -5
"Well," said Amelia with a grin, "Then I'd have to do something like this!" She moved her hands out to push him into the water, as she threateningly approached with a laugh. Since there wasn't much space on the rock, she'd catch him within her next step.
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Post by eskimoRock on Sept 4, 2012 16:13:14 GMT -5
"No, please!" Joshua pleaded weakly, trying hard not to laugh. "I'll do anything, just don't make me get back in there."
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Post by G. Novella on Sept 4, 2012 16:19:00 GMT -5
"Anything you say?" said Amelia with a raised eyebrow, stopping just in front of Joshua. She began to contemplate what she could make him do, and then looked out to the forest. She skipped from the rock all the way up the edge to where it met a branch. "Can you climb trees?"
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Post by eskimoRock on Sept 4, 2012 16:22:26 GMT -5
"Indeed I can..." Joshua said, unsure of where the conversation was going. "I've been climbing trees since I was young."
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Post by G. Novella on Sept 4, 2012 16:25:40 GMT -5
"Excellent! Teach me how to!" said Amelia with a smile, as she turned to the branch with a gleam in her eye. "My brothers all refused to, claiming I was too clumsy to learn. But I want to climb! I want to know what's so great about it!"
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Post by eskimoRock on Sept 5, 2012 7:12:22 GMT -5
"Okay, deal. But if you fall, I take no responsibility. What you have to do is look for the places where you can out your feet securely, and pull yourself up like this." Joshua hauled himself up into the lower branches of the trees, careful to find a good sturdy branch. "Try to put your feet where I put mine and pull yourself up."
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Post by G. Novella on Sept 5, 2012 11:37:57 GMT -5
"Scared to explain why I've been returned injured to three strong older brothers and one paranoid father?" asked Anelia with a grin, as she began to mimic Joshua's movements. Her legs were shorter than Noshua's, and she wasn't as strong, but she managed to hoist herself up on to the branch.
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Post by eskimoRock on Sept 5, 2012 12:43:20 GMT -5
"Just a bit, yes. That was before I even knew about this paranoid father, this just makes things even worse. You're doing well though!" Joshua said, sitting down on the branch. "We could climb higher, or stay here for a while if you wish."
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Post by G. Novella on Sept 5, 2012 14:19:50 GMT -5
Amelia sat down on the branch and looked out over the lake. She relaxed as she moved to sit by Joshua, "This is fine. It's lovely up here. And daddy really isn't that bad, he'll just holler at you."
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Post by eskimoRock on Sept 5, 2012 15:05:44 GMT -5
"That's reassuring." Joshua grinned. "I agree though, it is lovely up here. Until I fall out of this tree and die, which is a possibility."
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Post by G. Novella on Sept 5, 2012 15:08:49 GMT -5
"Do you have to add that?" asked Amelia with a glare, as she looked down and suddenly realized how high up they were. She paled as she looked down, and froze, her eyes widening.
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