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"Good." Fiel smiled. "Let's go a little farther out. If you get nervous, just let me know and we'll stop." He stepped carefully, making sure the silt below him was firm and level before putting his weight on it. Living on a small island, being in the water was second nature to him, almost as easy as flying. The water here was much tamer than the ocean waves, but it was just as pleasant and familiar.
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Lukas slowly walked with Fiel, trying to keep his fear and guilt under control. “This is not s-so bad” he mumbled trying to calm himself.
"See?" Fiel said gently. By now they were in up to their waists. "Let's pause here for a moment. I'd like to teach you how to float on your back, is that all right?"
Lukas looked at the water nervously and nodded slowly, He won’t let me drown… he thought.
"Right. This is one of the most basic tricks for staying above water, and also it requires the least effort, so it's good for situations where you need to save your energy. I'll show you first." Fiel sank down into the water and pushed off the ground, gliding backwards into the middle of the pond. After a moment he bobbed to the surface, floating lightly on his back as if he weighed nothing. "You have to trust that the water will carry you." He sat up and swam back to Fiel. "Now you try. No need to push off like I did, just lean back and I'll catch you."
Lukas nodded slowly, leaning backward so that Fiel would catch him, his worry and panic rising but he tried to focus on something else.
Fiel put a hand on Lukas's back and carefully lowered him down, continuing to support him even though the water was doing its part to lift him now. "Spread out your arms and and relax. Don't hunch your spine, keep it straight. Lean back, I've got you. I know it feels like you're going to sink, but you're not."
Lukas did as Fiel said and tried to relax, he did so by talking to himself in his head, calming himself down.
"There, see?" Fiel smiled proudly. "That's perfect. You're doing very well for your first time. How do you feel?"
“Hm” Lukas responded, not quite sure how he felt.
"I've got you, we can stay like this as long as you like or you can stand up at any time. I want this to be as positive for you as possible."
Lukas just laid there, much calmer now that he had been doing this for a minute.
Fiel fell silent, enjoying the sun on his back and the cool water beneath him. Dragonflies flitted around them, sparkling in the light, and overhead birds sang lazily in the trees. Fiel took a breath, enjoying a moment of tranquility after a hectic few days acting like a perfect prince.
Lukas stood up, nearly losing his balance.
"Oh!" Fiel straightened as well, surprised. "Are you all right?"
Lukas grabbed Fiels arm to steady himself, “y-yeah I’m fine” he said after a moment.
"Are you sure?" Fiel helped him get his balance. "Do you want to keep going, or take a break for a bit?"
"keep going? I mean I think I am doing pretty well" He said smiling soflty.
"You are," Fiel admitted. "You seem to be a fast learner, actually. Would you like to learn an actual swimming stroke now?"
"uh sure?" Lukas shrugged.
"All right. Watch carefully." Fiel set off across the pond, pulling himself forward with one arm over the other and kicking rapidly with his legs, slicing through the water easily. After a few moments he stopped and turned back the way he'd come, this time swimming face up. "This one's a bit tricky, especially when you're figuring out how to breathe, but it's fast and efficient once you understand it." Standing, Fiel shook out his hair and motioned for Fiel to try. "Turn to the side with each arm stroke and pull in air. Let it out while your face is underwater. If you get the two mixed up, just stop and put your feet down. Even at the center of this pond, the water only comes up to your neck."
Lukas nodded and did as Fiel had shown him, he did pretty well until he got to the center, then he sort of panicked and went to stand but his foot slipped.
"Don't thrash around," Fiel called quickly, already swimming over. "Hold your breath and go still, you'll float upwards!" He reached Lukas and caught his arm, helping him find his footing.
Lukas held onto Fiel tightly, catching his breath.
"There. See? You're all right." Fiel waited patiently for him to calm down. "Do you want to try again? I'll stay closer this time"