15098/Swimmin' Time

Swimmin' Time
Date of Scene:	08 June 2023
Location:	Glorious Sandy Beach
Synopsis:	Namor and Gabby visit a beach and a coral reef. All associated shark bites are strictly fashion statements.
Cast of Characters:	Namor, Gabby Kinney

---

Namor has posed:
The warm weather continues to bath the East Coast in its welcome heat and with the sun high overhead it is a perfectly lovely day. This far north the Atlantic Ocean might still be a little on the cool side, but that plus the fact that it is a weekday means that the sandy expanse of waterfront beach is not completely overrun with sun-seekers and tourists.

As promiseed, at the first available opportunity Namor, King of Atlantis sent a message to Gabby, requesting that she meet him if at all possible for the promised day of summer fun. And sure enough it is Namor who emerges from the ocean, striding up out of the water as if it were nothing at all, ignoring the few gawking bystanders who populate the nearby sands to let his gaze swing about, seeking out his companion.

Gabby Kinney has posed:
Daytime was one of the times that things were usually quiet on the hero-ing front for the most part. The timing was as excellent as the weather. Not far off Gabby had already arrived and dismounted from her motorcycle; a sporty little Honda Trail that, though well cared for, had seen better days. It was just her size though. Perfect for zooming around with only a little bit of baggage on the back.

The colorful gym bag is tucked under one arm as soon as she spots the all-too-familiar figure of Namor rising from the waves. Her free hand shoots up to wave at him rather than yell out across the beach as she starts to jog over in that direction wearing only a t-shirt, shorts, and some beat up slip ons. It's only once she gets closer that she greets him aloud. "Namor! Good to see you again!"

Namor has posed:
It does raise the question of what time is good for a king to get away from his throne. Especially when said throne is under the sea, down where day and night may become something of a relative thing. Then again, there are probably not many -- read any -- who are likely able to tell Namor what to do or when to do it. Stubborness does seem to be his default mode more often then not.

Spotting his target waving and running across the sands, the King of Atlantis smiles and raises his own in turn, striding up to the very edge of the waters where it laps against the sands, his feet just barely still within the surf itself. "I'm pleased that you were able to get away and join me Gabby," he says, words a little less haughty and a little more genuine then might be the case with some.

"This seemed a likely spot to meet," he says, glancing up and down the stretch of sand. "It is nice enough I suppose, though there are certainly better. You are made of stern stuff so I doubt the chill will bother you overly much, but there are nicer beaches to the south. I can fly us there relatively quickly and have you back before full dark," he offers up.

"What say you?"

Gabby Kinney has posed:
Gabby Kinney slows her steps as she approaches feeling the sand shift beneath her feet from the loose, dry sand to firm packed sand near the waters edge. The fact that the water was already soaking through the toes of her canvas shoes is ignored other than a quick glance down when the temperature of the water is mentioned.

"Ah, that's the benefit of having a triumvirate of leadership in the group. Unless there's some major disaster it's pretty easy to get away when we want, or need." Nevermind she tended to lead a rather untethered life to begin with. It fit her needs well enough.

A little tap of her foot to the shore earns an easy nod of agreement. "I can't feel pain, but the cold does slow me down some. My body just doesn't want to work as well. I can last quite awhile, though," she offers to reassure while looking back up to the taller Atlantean.

"I think warmer would be better if it's not going to be putting you out, though. It's a bit more enjoyable." A little laugh comes as she admits this, and her grin deepens causing the scars on her cheeks to dimple just a bit. Offering her hand out she adds, "I'm ready when you are!"

Namor has posed:
Neither cold nor warmth nor pressure bother Namor very much -- one of the many advantages of his Atlantean physiology -- but he can certainly agree that there is something to be said for the warmer waters of the tropics. "Excellent," he agrees with a smile, taking her hand in his own. "The beach is much nicer to in truth," he adds.

And with that those little wings at his ankles begin to flap. They might look dainty, but they clearly have surprising strength as they easily lift both him and her from the sands in front of the gawking crowd. Then they are away, winging their way in a generally southernly direction and speeds enoguh to take one's breath away. The coast passes below in a rush.

"That does sound convenient, sharing leadership. Though I don't know that I could do the same in your shoes," the Atlantean King admits. "Still, it might be nice to have a little more freedom," he says, almost wistfully. Almost. It's difficult to imagine him sharing well with others.

If anything the skies seem to be that much more blue the further south they get, the warm day growing to be almost hot with nary a cloud in the sky. Finally Namor begins to descend towards a small island several miles off the coast, gleaming white sands stretching out along it's length. "There," he says, motioning with his free hand.

Gabby Kinney has posed:
The healing factor that Gabby had inherited from her genetic donor was very versatile, yet even it had it's limits. Ones that she often had to remind herself of given her inability to feel pain--It was too easy for things to go from 'acceptable' to 'dangerous' in the blink of an eye otherwise. It did also help when she finds herself flown above the water where the air was a bit thinner.

"It works for us. I know where my lack of experience is, and the others bring to the team what I can't just yet. Our witch Nettie brings age and experience with the magical realm. Sara brings authority and an ability to work with the police. And I--" What did she bring, exactly? Gabby grins a bit. "I remind everyone we are a team. Magical sorts don't seem to work well together often."

The explanation is given during their flight out, idle chatter to pass the time. At his own wistful remarks she glances aside to him with as reassuring a smile as she can. "I'm sure someday you can find someone to help share the burden. It's a lot for one person to take on. Even someone as tough as you."

The warmer air draws her attention to the approaching island beach when it's pointed out causing her grin to broaden anew. "Looks great to me. Just let me get out of these clothes first and I'm ready for anything." There's a pause as she considers, then mumbles, "Okay that sounded a bit bad. You know what I mean. I brought some swim gear."

Namor has posed:
Magical types and kings. Both might be a little lacking in the teamwork department. Or perhaps have a little more ego then is strictly speaking, good for them. Either way, Namor dips his head in acknowledgement of her own assessment of her gifts. "A not insignificant benefit to bring to a team admittedly," he agrees. Not that he is overflowing with experience on that particular front of course. He is generally more about short-term alliances.

And the odd friendship or two that endures despite the odds.

Touching down on those pristine white sands, he laughs, amusement lighting in those dark eyes as he carefully sets her down. "I do indeed," he assures her. "I fear the one problem with this particular locale is that as there are no people here, there are also no change rooms or the like, though you will also find privacy," he says, motioning towards the stand of trees not far. "I should have probably mentioned that before taking flight, I suppose you could have changed back where we met," he admits

Gabby Kinney has posed:
Gabby Kinney lets her toes sink into the sand once on land again to regain her balance properly. Going from flying to walking again was not entirely dissimilar to that off-putting sensation of stepping through a portal. Her next steps are more certain as she walks a bit further onto the dry portion of sand where she unslings her bag from her shoulder to drop down to the ground. A quick glance is cast over her shoulder with a highly amused grin.

"Number one, I had nine sisters. I'm used to changing with little privacy. And number two--" the thought is cut off in favor of grasping the edge of her t-shirt to peel off overhead revealing the shark-bite suit she had mentioned before beneath her attire. "I know how to layer clothes."

Bending forward she shucks off her shoes, and the shorts as well leaving them in a dry if sandy pile so she can turn her attention to the bag. "Mostly what I brought was a re-breather, goggles, and a weight belt." The objects are raised to show them off. A little crinkle of her nose comes as she flips the goggles over in hand. "Not sure if I need these to be honest. I can open my eyes underwater without discomfort, I'm just not sure how far I'll be able to see."

Namor has posed:
It is a sensation that perhaps even Namor could relate to, though it is less likely that he would ever acknowledge it. Acknowledging weaknesses of any sort, no matter how insignificant does not seem to be something he does very often. Still, it might explain why he so often avoids fully touching down on solid ground, instead hovering an inch or two above it. Perhaps it is not just distaste for the surface world. But a concern that he might stumble, or struggle to fully regain his balance after being in the water so long. A desire to avoid looking foolish.

Definitely not entirely out of the question.

As she peels back that shirt and reveals the unique bathing suit beneath he laughs, a full-throated sound, that amused smile once again playing across those sharp features. "Very fitting," he agrees drolly. "And very fetching too at that," he teases before stepping over to take a look at the gear she has brought.

Looking over the contents of the bag, he nods his head slowly. "You did come prepared," he agrees. "And you can always experiment. Your eyes might grow accustomed to it, with time but I suspect the goggles may help, at least initially," he muses.

Gabby Kinney has posed:
Gabby Kinney turns back toward him with a little flourishing sweep of her hand up and down her side to properly show off the swimsuit. "I *had* to get this when I saw it. It's too perfect for me. I did try to get Sharkgirl to help me make a real one but she said she didn't like the way spandex tastes. Which is fair enough, I guess."

More seriously she turns her attention back to the gear with a nod of agreement. "I know I can sort of see under pool water, but it's all fuzzy. I haven't really tried salt water. I ca give it a shot at least." With this decided the goggles are slung around her neck and she pulls her hair free of the strap with a little tug of the dark length.

"I will definitely need the breather though. I got this from an old teammate. I can talk with this on." It was small enough, compact, and would fit over her mouth and nose easily. Thank Red Robin for Batman tech.

Drawing it up she fits it over herself leaving her hands free once more. A ittle tip of her head is given to the edge of the water. "I imagine you're eager to get back in the water."

Namor has posed:
"Very amusing," the King of Atlantis agrees with a smile. "Fitting as well as flattering, given your unique attributes," he agrees. Not many could shrug off the idea of a shark taking a nibble, let alone a full on bite, but she would certainly be one of them. So while not everyone might get the joke, Namor certainly does.

It probably helps that it is aquatic themed. Everything is better when it involves the water. At least in his biased opinion.

While he might have no need of any additional apparatus himself to take to the seas, he is familiar with the gear at the very least and he gives it all a once over. It all seems suitable enough. "It is worth a try. And yes, I would certainly use the breathing apparatus. Drowning is not a great deal of fun, even when you can heal I would imagine. Simply recovering to immediately start drowning all over again seems like it would be its own kind of torture," he agrees gravely.

Turning for the water at last, Namor sets down once the rolling surf washes up over his feet, wet footfalls left in those soft, crystalline sands as he starts back into the ocean. "I could certainly manage longer ashore if it was required, but since we are so close to the ocean and taking to the water is the main purpose of our trip..." he agrees, glancing back over his shoulder with a smile, waiting for her to join him.

Gabby Kinney has posed:
Gabby Kinney pauses near the waters' edge to sweep her hands up along the sides of her hair intending to put it into a ponytail. She hesitates though, considering the water itself. It wouldn't get in her way as much while underwater as it tended to when she was constantly diving then resurfacing. That's when it was most annoying. The thought is shrugged off in favor of twisting an elastic around the length a time or two before her hands are freed up again.

"Yeah. That's the one thing my genetic donor warned me about. I'd rather not experience it even if I'd eventually survive it." Even so there was a little worry in the back of her mind that she might NOT survive such a thing. She double checks the fit of her rebreather one last time.

"Oh, come on, I know you want to show off in your favorite environment, Abslantis. No need to pretend otherwise." The tease is offered with an amused twinkle in her eye right before she turns to the water herself. There's no hesitation on her part--She runs in a few steps, splashing water as she goes, only stretch her arms overhead and dive into the next wave that rises up. There was still a bit to go before it was really deep but she was at least submerged and swimming that direction.

Namor has posed:
It is a very different world, with very different considerations then most might be used to. But with suitable preparation -- or the right circumstances of birth -- it is not the difficult to prepare for, all things considered. Nor is there just one path. Certainly Namor keeps his own hair clipped short so it is not little a halo, floating around his sharp features. But many of his people do choose to go in the opposite direction, with long, flowing hairstyles. To each their own.

While he would never be accused of being the most empathetic of individuals, perhaps the King of Atlantis can sense a little of her unease at the thought of all that water and the unusual threat it provides to her. Either way, expression grave, he says quietly, "You need not be concerned when you are with me beneath the waves. I would never let anything happen to you," he assures her quietly.

But that grave little moment swiftly passes and Namor lets a smirk slide over his features as she bounds past him before leaping splayed in amongst the waves that roll in towards the shoreline. "A King has no need to show off Gabby. We are naturally dignified and regal in everything we do. We simply cannot help it," he retorts, presumably teasing her right back in turn as he too leaps forward, lingering near the surface for the moment as he paddles out deeper, further away from that white sand beneath in their wake. Still, the sandy surface below stretches out considerably before they finally reach a drop off to deeper waters, the waves growing a darker blue as that depth increases.

Gabby Kinney has posed:
That little bit of assurance offered did help chase that bit of anxiety away. It was easy enough to do with the underlying excitement of the moment to begin with, so she merely mumbles a quiet, "Thanks," that he may or may not have picked up before she plunges into the water.

While he paddles out, she remains underneath just a few moments longer until the crash of waves and her own bouyancy bring her back to the surface. "Good news: Eyes adjust. One less peice of gear to worry about." Satisfied with her shallow-water check to see if her healing factor can keep up she stays atop the waves as they move out deeper.

"Of course, no one can deny your majesty and grace. Even Nettie said you're a... oh what were her words. 'Rare specimen, if you're into that sort of thing.'" She had to deal with the lecture from Nettie after his visit to the Candle, Booke, and Bell but that remark had struck her as amusing given the usual nature of the witch.

Setting into a more typical swim stroke she manages to keep up with Namor to those deeper depths, just barely. On land it would be no issue. In water his skill far surpassed hers.

Glancing over toward Namor once again at this point she clears her throat perhaps unnecessarily. "I'll trust you from this point on. Lead the way!"

Namor has posed:
Given just how fast he can move through the water, it is pretty clear that Namor is holding back for her sake. But then it would be a little bit silly to invite someone swimming and then promptly take off like a torpedo.

He can be a little anti-social now and then but he's not completely unreasonable. Or crazy. Though there might be those that would argue.

"While I did not get the chance to meet your friend, she is clearly a woman of refined tastes," the Atlantean King says, tilting his head up just a little with that haughty air he can slip into so easily. Of course 'rare specimine' could be taken in a couple of different ways but perhaps unsurprisingly Namor has chosen to take it as an unabashed endorsement of his general awesomeness.

Because what else could she possibly mean?

"That seems like a sound idea. And since you feel prepared..." he says, smiling briefly her way. And then he steps off that ledge, off that sandy embankment that runs out from the shoreline and into the deep plunge that leads down into deeper waters below. He waits for her, of course, treading water fifteen feet down and only progressing deeper still once she joins him.

Gabby Kinney has posed:
Gabby Kinney watches him primp and preen with pride wearing a look of sheer amusement herself. It was hardly the first time she'd seen his confidence and pride in action though she hadn't been quite as *aware* of it in the past. She'd grown older after all. With a bit of dry amusement she points out, "You'd have no chance with Nettie, sorry." He just wasn't Nettie's type.

Turning her attention back to the water or rather to the depths of it she gives one firm, confident nod in agreement. She was as prepared as she would ever be.

Out of habit she takes a deep breath before dunking beneath the water. It's exhaled out allowing her to sink further while she kicks with both legs to flip upside down so she can join him. It's only by the time she catches up that she draws another breath getting used to that awkward shift between above-water air, and the rebreather air. That little tang of metallic ozone mixed in with the oxygen was hard for someone with her senses to miss, though she could soon ignore it.

True to her word her vision adapts beneath the salty sea. A few quick blinks occur causing her green eyes to seem pink with irritation before clearing up again. It's breif enough to easily miss as her healing factor picks up the slack to ensure that it doesn't bother her at all.

Namor has posed:
It is the royal perogative to ignore the possibility that he might not be completely irresistible to anyone and everyone. Hello, King here. But he refrains from comment this time as he instead sinks beneath the waves.

The light from above filters down, a sparkling wonderland up near the surface, the light only growing a little more diffuse as they dive deeper still. It seems unlikely that he has any intention of taking her deep enough on this trip that the mid-afternoon sun will not provide all the illumination they need.

For a few minutes he simply swims with her, giving her a chance to get used to being surrounded by water, to get used to that metallic twang that is inescapable in the air she breathes. And while he stays close, he probably swims twice the distance as her, looping around her as he leads her deeper, at least thirty feet down before the come to another levelling of the ground, a wide-ranging coral reef spreading out before them.

And with it a parade of exotic, multi-colored fish.

Gabby Kinney has posed:
The way he swims around her gives her ample time to watch just how he swims. The form, the figure, the way the water was as much a hindrance to him as the air was to her. None at all. Every time he circles by her gaze flits toward him unable to glance away, and the more he does, the more a subtle curiosity begins to fill her. Soon enough her eyes are seeking him out when he comes around while wearing a faint grin of amusement that the rebreathers' clear mask made impossible to hide.

This particular style was chosen because she could speak while wearing it though she wasn't sure how well it would work to be heard beneath the water. "You know, I'm starting to wonder about--"

The thought cuts off when they suddenly arrive at the sunlight mottled reef as she exhales a simple, "Oh!" From a bright blue and yellow angelfish that swims past her vision.

Her arms shift to tread in the water, kicks slowing so she can just float in that area absorbing the beauty of the reef and it's fish. Down she goes, a bit more, closer to the reef to catch sight of the schools darting in and out of their habitat while her face simply lights up in delight.

Namor has posed:
While coral might be considered a color all on its own, the reef itself is multi-hued, seemingly covering every color in the rainbow and a few more inbetween. Combined with the schools of fish that flitter in and out of the little hollows, amidst the peaks and valleys of the underwater structure it is a feast for the eyes to be certain. And this far from shore, near only a desert island it is one that is likely little troubled by other divers.

Certainly the fishy inhabitants of the area do not seem to care much about their presence, flooding around them, swimming between them for a moment before continuing on their way, milling about in a seemingly chaotic mass.

Certainly Namor seems to be in no great hurry to move along, rather unhurriedly swimming closer to the reef structure though maintaining a little distance. "Take a little care. It all looks very delicate and graceful but it can be quite sharp as well. I suppose a cut would not do you lasting harm and I do not sense any of the more dangerous sharks around but there are still some," the Atlantean cautions her, seemingly having little difficulty in conversing beneath the waves.

He pauses for a moment before turning his gaze away from the reef and the schools of fish swimming about them, but to the earlier matter. "Wonder about what?"

Gabby Kinney has posed:
It was a sight that was completely capable of catching the attention of anyone so that they might forget their original line of thought. Surely it does that for Gabby at first. Twisting in the water she watches after some of the fish that swam between them only to continue her twirl to face back toward the reef, and Namor.

"I'll keep that in mind. They might take offense to my swimsuit." The joke her current attire brought about would be one she never tired of.

When Namor swims past her she dips down to follow. The question brought back to what she'd begun she quickl sweeps her arms through the water to stop her progress so she remains just slightly behind him. "Um, well." Tearing her gaze from his face it sweeps down along his body, and legs, to linger around his ankles. Without much thinking of it her hand sweeps out to brush fingertips lightly to one of those winged appendages as she explains. "The thought struck me that maybe these aren't *wings* but more like fins? And they just look like feathers when on dry land?" Her touch withdraws almost as soon as it had been given while her face grows red. "Or maybe not, I tend to overthink things, just how you were swimming made me wonder."

Namor has posed:
Given just how proud he is of his undersea kingdom, chances are he would only approve of her reaction to her first glimpse of this particular little wonder. It might be a far cry from the Great Barrier Reef on the otherside of the world, but the fact that it is so untoched, so unspoiled in some ways only makes it a little more magical.

"Indeed. Or take it as a challenge. There are certainly some creatures that you do not want to look upon you as a delectable snack, even if you heal as fast as you do," the Atlantean King agrees wryly.

He follows her gaze down to those seemingly delicate wings -- that prove anything but up close -- and he listens with arched brow to her supposition about their nature before a half-smile curves over his lips. There are probably not many who could get away with touching them without invitation, but it would seem that she is one. "Oh, they are wings to be sure, but you are not wrong. They serve just as well as fins beneath the waves too. It is certainly part of the reason that I can swim swiftly, even compared to most of my people," he agrees. "You have a good eye for detail."

Gabby Kinney has posed:
Gabby Kinney withdraws her touch as soon as it's confirmed to clutch it momentarily against her chest with the other. If she were closer to the surface the lack of treading water would likely cause her to float up but there was enough weight of the water right now that it only earns a little upward bob before she catches herself. Really, she ought to know better than to touch without asking. At least he wasn't upset over it.

"I try. It's one of the things I'm good at--Though to be fair," she starts with that little tone in her voice that says she's about ot say something teasing again, "You aren't wearing enough to make it hard to notice. One of these days I'm going to buy you a pair of pants." Though she doubts he'd use it.

As she spoke she resumes swimming once more, dropping down closer to the reef. Which is fine until one kick of her foot comes up short hitting a jutting edge of the reef so she can't follow through with the full motion.

A look of alarm flits through her while glancing down to the spot on the reef, and the crimson blossom of thicker fluid darkening the water.

"Um. HOW far can sharks smell, again?"

Namor has posed:
It is tricky to be sure, remembering all the little things, all the subtle changes from the world above that need to be taken into consideration. For Namor it is the exact opposite. Down here everything comes naturally while up on the surface that's where he needs to work just a little harder to maintain his balance, to grow used to the dryness, or the vast emptiness of the sky above.

"You shall do no such thing," he retors immediately. "What a horrible thought. I do not need more material clinging to me beneath the waves," he says disapprovingly though his eyes glint with amusement. "Besides, if you can show off your midriff I can certainly show off my legs. I have fantastic legs. Perhaps not as good as my abs, but..." he remarks, teasing her right back.

He follows after her as she swims in for a closer look at the reef below and is about to caution her once more when her foot catches a stray spire of that coral, a brief plume of red filtering through the water before that wound heals. "The scent of it carries quite far I'm afraid and they are very attuned to it," he says. "Though the fact that you heal so quickly should help. Still, perhaps we should start back..."

Gabby Kinney has posed:
"It's not about the material, it's about how ... little it covers..." The explaination sounds awful even to Gabby right now. She was distracted as it was by the injury to her foot. There's no sense of pain from her at least, and rather than risk kicking again where she couldn't properly see any longer she sweeps her arms back to her sides to gain some distance from the reef.

It's there she pauses just long enough to pull her knee in against her chest reaching down with a hand to swipe fingertips over the top of her foot testing how bad it was. Checking if it was already healing. The damage was there but the blood had already stopped while any deeper damage is seen to. Satisfied she kicks away again with a quick nod.

"Bleeding's stopped already so I won't be leaving a trail. I'd still rather not argue with a shark for real without good reason. Yeah, let's go back. Sorry I should have been more careful."

Namor has posed:
"One should never be ashamed of their body," Namor asserts with an arched brow and half-smile curving his lips. It's a safe bet he has never suffered from that. His own vanity seems far too well developed to have to worry about anything like body issues. And he definitely doesn't seem to feel a need to cover up, even when the ideals of the surface world might suggest he probably should.

Giving her a moment to check out her would and insure that it is indeed healing properly, the Atlantean King gives it a once over as well -- not that he imagines that, as sharp as it might be, that the reef could have done any lasting harm. "Do not be sorry. We can still relax in the shallow waters by the beach. I simply wanted to give you a glimpse of some of the wonders of the sea. As you said, I cannot help but show off. At least a little," he notes slyly.

Then, reaching out, Namor wraps an arm around her waist. "Hold on," he cautions before abruptly launching the both of them upwards at a tremendous rate. If the swim down was a leisurely boat ride, this is more of a race in a high-speed racing boat, absolutely flying through the water, back in the direction of the beach they landed at earlier in the afternoon.

Gabby Kinney has posed:
"Oh no there's nothing to be ashamed of at all," Gabby mumbles in agreement to that at least. Tearing her attention away from her foot and that little dissipating flow of blood thinning in the water, yet no doubt still so very tempting to the sharks potentially coming this way.

It's enough of a distraction that she's momentarily caught off-guard when he grasps her by the waist. "What--" The words die off instantly as he speeds through the water making it imperitive that she DOES hang on to him. Both arms wrap around his chest in turn twisting toward him to better hang on. He had indeed been swimming far slower to match her speed. There was no way she could have kept up with him as is unless she had some other means of propulsion.

For just a moment as they speed away she swears she catches a glimpse of some larger shadows approaching the reef. Her grip tightens just a bit until the reef and it's visitors vanish into the blue depths from her sight.

Namor has posed:
In truth, sharks are not real threats to them, either of them. And while she might be able to heal any wound they might give her and he could more or less ignore their efforts to bite them, Namor sees little reason to hurt the creatures for no real reason. And while he has a certain sway over all sea creatures, it is better to not put it to the test against sharks who have gone into a blood frenzy. He might be able to bring them to heel, but really why risk it?

He can likely fly through the air faster then he swims, but it might be a close thing. And surely no man made object can likely match his speed beneath the waves as they whip back up that steep drowp to once more emerge into the shallow waters that stretch out from that white sand beach. Emerging shadows might flit amongst those coral outcroppings below, but they do not seem to follow.

As he crests the surface of the water, Namor idly runs a hand back over his forehead and through his hair, brushing away stray droplets of water, carefully easing her down. "I do believe we have made our escape. I hope it was not too much of a surprise for you. I suppose I could have warned you," he conceeds, though he does not seem overly contrite, those dark eyes dancing merrily. "I trust that your wound is healing apace? That you do not need me to kiss it better," he teases.

Gabby Kinney has posed:
A single, deep breath is drawn in by Gabby as soon as they breach the surface of the water. The rebreather was still on, it was merely habit to do so and had absolutely nothing to do with nearly holding her breath as they moved so quick through the water. As she's let down she releases her own grip on him to regain some distance to better indulge in that whole 'breathing air' thing. The rebreather is swept off to do just that allowing it to hang around her neck instead.

"Why," she shoots back with a quick laugh. "Are your kisses superior too?" As soon as it's said her face scrunches a little at her own words. "Okay that was bad." At leat she ends up chuckling a bit over it. Her head shakes, glancing down into the water as if that would let her see her foot. "It's fine. I can't feel pain, and as long as it's not broken or severed it'll be healed in a matter of minutes."

Namor has posed:
The water is at best no deeper than chest-deep even on her, making it easy to find one's footing. Fortunately for his part Namor has no bulty equipment to shead, though he also has no particular need for 'fresh air' either, though admittedly this far from civilization he seems a little more tolerant of the surface world and the beauty that it can sometimes possess.

"In this I can claim no special powers, admittedly. At least I've never noticed any healing properties in my kisses," the Atlantean King admits, slowly paddling back towards that distant beach, once more lazy after that furious burst of speed. "I think you are most definitely safe relying on your own powers. In this instance at least."

Gabby Kinney has posed:
Gabby Kinney allows herself a little chuckle in response to that, head shaking. "It hasn't failed me yet at least." Really she'd been injured far, far worse than this before. This was triffling and not at all worrisome to her now that they were away from things that may have been lured closer due to the little bleeding she'd had.

Here in the shallows she was more comfortable as she's able to push off with her feet to roll forward into a breast stroke. Light and leisurely heading back toward the shore. Once a bit closer she rolls over to face up toward the sky allowing herself to simply float on the rise and fall of the waves.

"That really was beautiful. Thanks for sharing it with me, Namor. I know I'm a land dweller, or whatever, but I do appreciate everything I can about our world. This world," she adds lifting her hand from the water to gesture in an all-encompassing manner. Not just the surface, but the world itself she means.

Namor has posed:
He might be in no hurry to get back to the beach, no matter how attractive an example of its kind it might be, but he is content enough to slowly float that way, each rolling wave carrying them a little bit closer to land. But for now at least he can bob of the surface of the water, carried along with the tide. There's probably a lesson there, if he were patient enough to learn it.

"You are certainly more than welcome. You have proven yourself a good friend and enjoyable companion. I am always glad to get to show off some of the more appealing part of my kingdom," he assures her, he too floating atop the water, idly running hands through the ocean beneath him. "For now enjoy the water and the warmth and when you are ready, I shall fly you back home."