paradisalogs | [closed]

Who: Ellie (

nohalfway) and Joel (

focusrighthere)
What: Teaching babby how to swim!
When: Early afternoon
Where: The Pool!
Rating: We'll say PG-13 for Ellie's terrible language.

[ She was familiar with fresh air, but nothing like this. The sun is shining, there's a calm breeze, and they're surrounded by anything but disarray, decay, and danger. Ellie's been here a few days, and while it's been strange and almost impossible to adjust to this new, safer way of life, she can't say she hates it. Going to sleep in a clean bed, waking up to a working shower and clean clothes... It's a life she never thought she'd ever lead. This must be what it was like for Joel and Tess before the infection hit. ]

[ Joel had made his promises in their world-- That he would teach her how to play guitar and swim, be with her while she grew up in Tommy's safe haven. There are tons of complications and nitty-gritty bullshit that loom over her shoulders, but the comfort of this place has seemed to put that on hold. For now. ]

[ She picks something simple for her swim: a pair of swim trunks that drape over her knees, a fitting red tank top, and her hair in the usual pulled-back style. She's never worn flip-flops before, but she can see how they're pretty cool for the summertime. ]

[ Ellie stands on the cold tile by the pool, her hands clenching the hem of her shirt and nervously wringing the fabric. ]

Wow... Pool's pretty deep, huh?

[ She stares at her reflection in the deep-end, and Ellie feels her gut clench at the idea of going anywhere near that side. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Meanwhile, Joel is pretty damn adjusted. The new pool at Paradisa is like nothing he's ever experienced or seen before the outbreak, so he's plenty fine with Ellie's first real swimming lesson taking place here. They don't even have to worry about contamination or disease. He steadies a firm hand on her shoulder and tries to guide her over to the shallow end.

There's hidden amusement in his dark features. Don't be a baby, Ellie. ]

No pallets.

[ He's dressed rather similarly, trunks and a loose t-shirt. Like pseudo-father, like pseudo-daughter. ]

You'll be fine.

[ And he must be certain about that, because despite her obvious nerves he's taking her over to the steps that will lead them into the water. It's way past time she learned to swim. ]

[ Hey, fuck you, Joel. She could die. ]

[ Unaware of his amusement just yet, Ellie follows along-- If not without some hesitation in her steps. It's something she's wanted to learn for a long time, but the fact that it has been so long and this pool is so freaking large that she's starting to have second thoughts. She knows Joel enough to realize turning back isn't an option, however. So, she's stuck. ]

[ Ellie exhales heavily, struggling to steel herself for what's to come. ]

No pallets. Right.

[ She kicks off her shoes and raises her foot toward the first step, hesitation even more obvious when she lingers in even getting her toes into the water. It takes time, but she gets there. Surprisingly enough, the water is warm, inviting, not like the cold and contaminated waters of their world. ]

Hah. Water's nice, actually... Okay.

Okay.

[ She takes each step down, until the water reaches her abdomen, where she suddenly stops. ]

Cool. Okay. Yeah. So when do I start flapping my arms around like a clown?

[ She's stalling. ]

[ You're not gonna die. Joel is with her every step of the way, a patient presence at her side. He treads the shallow end with her and stops when she does. ]

Not yet.

[ And then? He simply grabs her under the arms and drags her towards the edge of the pool, to a spot with a little more depth, placing her hands on the tiles and instructing: ] Hold onto that. You gotta practice with your legs first.

[ There isn't a single bit of hesitation in moving her from Point A to Point B like she's a sack of potatoes. Must be used to that. ]

Kick backwards.

[ Ellie seems to go along with it like she's on death row, and she's silent. Her shoulders tense up to her ears when he grabs hold of her without a moment's thought, a pouting look going right in his direction. She'd say she could have walked, but honestly? She's a dead weight in the water, given that he takes her in a bit further that she'd be willing to go on her own. ]

[ Both hands grab onto the tile, and she looks behind her as she tries lifting her legs in the water. ]

Don't you dare fucking let go.

[ And with that, she starts kicking, starting slow first, then gradually increasing speed and strength. ]

[ She grunts ] Like this?

[ He should let go and let her get used to treading water on her own, if they're going to get anywhere with this, but her pout sticks with him. Joel wants to quip something in return, but honestly, the last time they had to deal with water was pretty traumatic. This is nothing like that. A still pool with an impeccably clean backdrop.

That doesn't mean he doesn't remember her body floating in the water and how close she came to drowning. ]

Good.

[ He says this instead, encouraging her. A pause. He'd rather take advantage while she's hanging onto something. ]

You'd be fine if I let go. Gonna have to get used to that.

[ But he'll warn her, testing for her reaction first. ]

[ Ellie keeps going, despite the sick feeling she gets in her stomach just by being this far in the water. She feels safe against the tile, but even safer with Joel having a hold on her and being close by. ]

Urgh--

[ But if that's what it's going to take to learn, she has to at least try to cooperate. After some time, Ellie starts to feel a little stable with the tile as her support. She looks at Joel, focus still on her features (if not with a little underlying fear), and nods. ]

Okay... Okay, but if my hands slip, you'd better grab me.

[ She looks forward again, as if looking at him might make her change her mind. ]

Let... Let go.

[ Nothing bad's going to happen to her, because he will be on it. Joel returns Ellie's look with a serious one, trying to communicate that without saying it. With her clearance, he steps back and lets her practice on her own. Watching her like a hawk all the while. ]

See, you're doin' good.

[ Just stay relaxed, Ellie. He keeps close. ]

You'll get the hang of this in no time. Ready to learn how to float?

[ Once she gets the hang of that she'll feel safer. ]

[ Joel keeping close by seems to quickly melt away the stress of the situation, her legs kicking with a bit more confidence. The telltale indication is how her knuckles seem to look less white when her grip on the tile loosens. ]

[ She stops, letting her legs fall low into the water. They touch the bottom carefully, and Ellie waits a moment before letting herself stand in the shallow waters. With a heavy sigh, she turns around back to Joel. ]

Yeah, so far, so good. Let's move it.

[ Good, she's calming down. Joel treads back over and supports her at the small of her back, carefully guiding her into lying on her back in the water.

She's been cooperative so far. Hopefully that's a continuing trend. ]

Take a deep breath and hold it in. I promise you won't sink to the bottom.

[ Ellie makes a face of protest when Joel so quickly ushers her onto her back. It doesn't matter that they aren't quite in the deep-end yet, because potentially being submerged still somewhat terrifies her, should she sink. ]

[ She groans. ]

I'd better not. Holy crap, I sink like a rock every time, Joel, this won't...

[ Ellie tries, at least, taking a deep breath and holding it in, her cheeks puffing up on either side. ]

Keep calm. Hold it and keep calm.

[ That's the main trick. He keeps her afloat along with natural buoyancy, spotting her for the time being. Joel lets go after a couple of seconds of trying to confirm that she's got it, but he's close just in case she panics. ]

[ Ellie's cheeks remain puffed, for fear that if she lets even a small part of air out, she'll sink. Her eyes shift over, noting Joel letting go and her heart trying to escape out of her ass. ]

...

[ But when she doesn't sink, she looks more shocked than ever. Ellie remains afloat, her arms splaying out in the water and her toes curling in eagerness until she finally gives way and sets her feet down on the bottom. ]

Damn, did you see that?!

I did.

[ He sounds and he looks reasonably proud. A ghost of a smile on his face for how excited and surprised she is by her success. ]

Next time you feel like you're gonna sink, just remember it's natural to float. It'll keep you relaxed.

[ And thus more likely not to die. ]

[ Ellie looks out to the distance, further into the deep end of the pool. While she might have a smile on now, she has a feeling it's going to be a bit harder coming up here. She points over with her thumb, a grimace forming on her features. ]

So uh, guess that means we're moving down yonder, huh?

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