SWIMMINGGEDDON.

[wwistful]

WHO: Murdoc Donoghue and YOU
TONE: Fun, WHIMSICAL, horrifying
RATING: PG-13 and onward
WHEN: September 7th
WHERE:  The Lake.
WHAT:  After this Murdoc realised the children (and staff) of Hogwarts were in dire need of swimming lessons.
STATUS: Ongoing

[GATHER AROUND CHILDREN it's a warm summer day and the lake is perfect for diving into your sudden but inevitable deaths. You should all be dressed in your swimming trunks (which you clearly have don't even lie) because Murdoc sure is. He's determined to conduct this in the best manner he can, though he wasn't quite expecting the turn out to be so large. People who can swim are welcome to become his assistants because he could probably use the help.]

Comments

[di_intraining]

Up to your knees and nothing more unless you say so.

[He actually smiles at her encouragingly, and tries some teasing of his own.]

Come on Victoria, you're not going to let water scare you, are you?

[nobodyscrumpet]

[She gives him a stubborn pout then nods slowly.]

If you break that promise, I'm going to be beyond cross with you.

[di_intraining]

[Success! He grins and gets up, offering a hand to her.]

If I do, you get to call me Gregory for the rest of our school years in Hogwarts. And I'll buy you something nice from Hogsmeade every time there's an outing.

[He is making very serious promises here Victoria; you know how much he hates that name.]

Up we go then.

[nobodyscrumpet]

[Victoria takes off her glasses and puts them down, then she takes his hand gently and stands up.]

Buy me something nice? Well now I almost hope I do drown.

[Gives him a slight smile.]

[di_intraining]

[He returns her smile with one of his own.]

Then I better pay sharp attention and make sure you don't. Come on now.

[And he's going to lead her to the water, his hand still holding hers. He takes the first steps into the cool lake water and turns back to her.]

Right. Take a few steps in.

[nobodyscrumpet]

[She keeps a hold of his hand and then eyes the water suspiciously. Then huffs at him when he suggests she gets in.]

I know how to get into water, Gregory. I've walked along a beach before.

[She huffs again then takes a step in, shivering at the cold.]

Why are we in the north sea? This is too cold.

[That being said she doesn't get out of the water, nor does she let go of his hand.]

[di_intraining]

It'll get warmer when your body gets used to it.

[He's going to lead her in a little deeper now. It's now halfway up to her knees, but his hand doesn't get any less firm with her.]

[nobodyscrumpet]

Nothing's going to come and touch me in here is it?

[She's started to pout, her hand getting a little tighter as she follows him out deeper.]

I don't want something touching me.

[She looks at Greg's hand.]

That's slimy.

[di_intraining]

You might get a few of the small fishes nibbling your toes, but they're harmless.

[He says this in the utmost serious voice; it's up to you to believe him or not Victoria.]

[nobodyscrumpet]

[She looks at him then down at the water.]

How small, is small? Small fish are sort of sweet.

[di_intraining]

I'd say around the size of your thumb. They're right tiny.

[And right on cue, there's a few small ones that swim up around their legs. The crystal clear water makes it easy to see them but they aren't doing anything to them. Yet.]

[nobodyscrumpet]

[Looking down she sees them, looking a little surprised.]

Oh wow, they are sweet.

[She smiles up at him.]

[di_intraining]

[He returns her smile, glad that she isn't freaking out like he thought she might have.]

See? The water isn't so bad.

Ready to go deeper?

[nobodyscrumpet]

[If they were bigger she'd freak out]

Wading is the easy part, I guess.

[She looks past Greg to where the water is deeper]

Maybe... A little deeper.

[di_intraining]

[He nods and starts to lead her in deeper, step by step. He's obviously exercising a lot more patience and caution than normal.]

Tell me when to stop, alright?

[nobodyscrumpet]

[She looks up at Greg with a flat look on her face]

Now why would I tell you to stop. What a stupid idea that would be.

[She keeps moving out with him slowly.]

I... No deeper than my waist... I don't think I... I'll try but, no promises, Understand?

[Not that she's starting to feel nervous about the waters height.]

[di_intraining]

[He catches the anxiety in her voice and slows down, letting her lead instead.]

You're doing great Victoria. Don't worry, I've still got you.

[nobodyscrumpet]

[She keeps shuffling deeper, giving his hands a squeeze to make sure he's still there. She starts to chew her lip with concern.]

[di_intraining]

[He gives her a gentle squeeze back, still careful to hold her and alert in case anything happens and she accidentally falls or panics.]

[nobodyscrumpet]

You know, this isn't that bad at all. Just cold, and wet. I'm almost enjoying it.

[di_intraining]

See, you can do it. It gets warmer when you're really inside the water though.

Would you like to go in deeper?

[nobodyscrumpet]

It's okay. I guess.

[She looks out at the water around her]

I think... I want to stay here right now. Just, to get used to it.

[di_intraining]

[He nods and makes no more move forward. While he'd like her to go in deeper, it's quite clear to him that they'll need to take things slow and steady.

The wind, unfortunately, picks that moment to pick up. Greg isn't too bothered by the chill, but he's immediately concerned about Victoria.]

You alright there? I think the breeze is back. I'll head back to the shore and grab a towel for you if you'd like.

[nobodyscrumpet]

[She grips his hands tighter at the thought of him leaving her in the water]

No.

[She says almost too quickly.]

I mean, it's fine. Chilly air doesn't bother me that much.

[di_intraining]

[It was....strange to see her so afraid of something. He's seen her take on Arthur's brothers by herself, and he's always thought she was completely fearless.

It made her seem a bit more...down to earth. Less like a princess and more like a normal high school girl.

In contrast to her tight grip, his fingers gently but firmly cover hers.]

Alright then. But tell me if you want to head back ok?