overflow!

[competing]

Comments

[inaurare]

[they're leaving two very different kinds of footprints - Linneus' are mostly distinct and delicate, except for where the sand has shifted underfoot]

I've a good enough memory for names, once I've tried them. I think swimming... is entirely different.

[and the thought of learning in the open water is a bit disconcerting, actually, given that he'd never even seen the sea before today]

[competing]

It'll be fine, [ he assures the other, with such brimming confidence it's as if any other possibility isn't even probable. ] I'll be there the entire time, and I'm not gonna let anything happen to you.

[ you've had one whole conversation with him, after all. you're practically besties, now he's prepared to die for you, etc. ]

[inaurare]

Well, apparently I have to dress for it first.

[they're coming up on the little beach-side huts now, selling an array of swimwear, wetsuits, armbands, floaties and other assorted beach paraphernalia. It's all very colourful.]

...I'm not sure entirely where to start.

[competing]

[ to linneus' credit, it's pretty overwhelming. all the colors, the variety in styles, not to mention the row of happy vendors waving eagerly for their attention and business.

lance steps up and turns to the other, half-blocking the sight so that he might not feel quite so dizzy from it all. ]

Well, what's your favorite color? That's usually a good place.

[inaurare]

[a little tilt of his head, a moment of thought.]

I like yellow, and I like green. Just not so much on me...

[a little gesture to what he has on now - he tends more to pastels and jewel tones]

I don't look so well in primary colours.

[competing]

[ lance is pretty partial to blue, himself, but he considers linneus' musings with a thoughtful nod. ]

Well, there's a whole variety of greens right there. [ he gestures towards a stall that has a number of green-toned swimsuits, varying from neon to a deep, forest green. ] Maybe we can find something there that'll meet you halfway?

Warning for... excessive swimwear?

[inaurare]

That one is... very bright.

[he means the neon. But he's not very keen on many of the shorts styles - one or two he picks up (not realising they're more womens bottoms) but... well, one doesn't really wander around uncovered outside of one's own bedroom. So it's actually the one-pieces that draw his attention, his hands skimming through the racks and eventually settling on a little seafoam number]

I think this is a little more my colour...

((...I may have gone down the rabbit hole of pinterest for a little bit there.))

[competing]

[ lance tips his head at linneus' choices, the lot of them far more... extravagant and fancy than anything he himself would have gravitated towards. but considering he's deck in nothing more than light blue swim trunks and the single shark-tooth cord necklace resting against his collarbone like a True Surfer Bro of the 90's, maybe linneus is better off not really following lance's lead here.

when he seems to come to a decision, lance comes up beside him and gives an approving nod. ]

Hey, yeah, that color'd look real good on you.

[ he's smiling, but it's a little nervously, ears tinged a little with pink. it's... strange, really, how something like this seems a touch scandalous to lance, when here he is fully topless... smh. ]

[inaurare]

It's all right?

[it's not escaped Linneus' notice that most of the men on the beach are dressed like Lance (minus Surfer Bro Shark-Tooth Necklace) - some in baggier shorts, some in tighter pants in a similar material to what he is holding. None of them covered, save for the occasional boxy ("tee") shirt here and there, so... Linneus is sure he's not doing this correctly, by covering up on top. But this is what he likes.]

I'm not sure of the size... is there somewhere I might try it on?

[perhaps he can just wear it out of the store, if it's any good?]

[competing]

Uh.

[ he glances off to the side, where the vendor has been watching them eagerly. lance gestures to the suit, and to linneus himself, and the vendor happily directs them towards the back where a small, oh-so-convenient dressing room awaits... really it's more just a bunch of long sheets encircling a single stall area.

lance turns to the other with an encouraging smile and a thumbs up. ]

Knock yourself out, man.

[inaurare]

Thank you.

[to both Lance and the vendor... but mostly Lance for his help and his patience as he steps into the back, closing himself from view...

...this is strange material. Stranger still how he has to sort of struggle into the suit and for a moment he considers calling out, convinced it's too small, certain he's going to rip the seams. But further examination shows the seams are holding firm and he gets enough confidence to put it on. It stretches to fit him - hugs him closer than he had thought, but that's just the design. He's a little longer, checking how it looks in the mirror before he opens the curtain again, seeking Lance out in the shop.

If the boy had given up and wandered, he wouldn't have been surprised]

...how does it look?

[competing]

[ he had wandered, but not far. his back to linneus, he'd been in deep talks with the vendor as he considered a wide-brimmed hat, a strip of yellow ribbon tied around its crown.

when linneus speaks out, both lance and the vendor glance up from their talks, and while the latter is quick to throw praises the other boy's way, lance's own comments come a little slower, more stilted. ]

Uh... Good — you look. Nice.

[ his smile is a touch uneasy, but only because he feels suddenly shy. one hand comes up to rub the back of his neck, eyes darting away. ]

You were right, that's... definitely your color.

[inaurare]

The style is a little strange.

[Linneus had always been cursed with an easy blush - something he's learned to breeze through, but it's certainly showing now as he holds his folded clothes close. His companion is blushing just as much though - how sweet - and he smiles a little, stepping closer to the vendor]

May I take this, please? I plan on swimming today.

[catching Lance's eye]

Or learning how, at least.

(([laughs so hard] I... actually had something pre-written about Linneus going for a big sunhat!))

great minds *v*

[competing]

[ their eyes catch, and lance's shy smile splits into a wide grin. ]

Nah, he's swimming, [ he says with utmost confidence, turning to the vendor and holding the hat up. ] We'll take this, too.

[ and before linneus can even think to pay for it, lance is already pulling out his silver and handing it off to the vendor, who honestly couldn't care less where the money's coming from, so long as it's money. ]

Since I badgered you into doing this anyway, I might as well pay. [ plus, he has a job, and linneus seems new, so... treasure that month's-long stipend, friend.

anyway, once they're drawing away, he plops the sunhat onto the other's head, flashing another thumbs up. ]

A beach look isn't complete without accessories!

[inaurare]

Oh- oh...

[the boy has started paying before he's even managed to retrieve his own silver from his clothes. Catching his arm gently-]

You shouldn't have to--

--thank you.

[the transaction is already done, so what else can he say? His serious, concerned expression is wiped out, however, in favour of a startled expression when the hat is pressed onto his head. One hand flying up to touch it; to hold it there-]

This too?!

[competing]

Yep! Don't worry, it looks great. Yellow's not bad on you at all.

[ but quickly, quickly! back to the waters they go! lance doesn't mean to leave linneus behind, but he definitely isn't dawdling either. ]

I mean, you probably shouldn't wear it in the waters, but it'll be useful when you're out of it, for sure.

[inaurare]

I'll set it down with my clothes. Thank you again.

[though he supposes that to really show his thanks he should make good use of the gift. And that means learning to swim, come hell or... high water.

Well, he hopes the waters shan't be too high.]

Where is a good place to learn?

[competing]

We'll stick to the shoreline, right where the water reaches our hips. But first—!

[ he runs a little forward, stopping only to scoop up a little foam boogie board that he'd dropped earlier in his attempt to coax linneus into the waters. ]

Safety. [ he holds it out towards the other. ]

[inaurare]

Safety?

[taking the board, turning it over and back]

...what does it do?

[he's... pretty sure it's not some sort of a shield...]

[competing]

[ ah, yeah, he probably should have explained that first— ]

It'll help you float. [ he starts towards the water, leaving off his flip flops by the sand. ] The first thing in learning how to swim is learning how to float, and how to not panic when you don't float right away. This little guy'll help you do that.

[inaurare]

All right...

[perhaps it's with a hint of reluctance that he removes his hat, setting it down with his clothes on top so it won't blow away, his shoes to the side. Approaching with the float with a little smile]

I'm ready to learn.

[competing]

Great! First thing's first [ apart from "safety" apparently... ] we gotta get you acquainted with the water.

[ he starts to wade in, waving linneus over with a hand to follow after him. once they're about thigh-deep, lance gestures to the water. ]

Ocean, this is Linneus. Linneus, this is the ocean.

[inaurare]

Acquainted...?

[...Lance surely didn't mean it that way.

...nope, he did. He absolutely did. But he trusts his teacher's methods, even clears his throat lightly]

Hello, Ocean.

[competing]

[ lance's smile is small, innocent. he watches attentively as linneus does as he instructs, greeting the ocean.

but as soon as he does, lance's hand strikes out, quickly slapping a small handful of water up towards linneus himself (not necessarily his face, but definitely in his general direction). ]

[inaurare]

[a little gasp at the splash, backing up in surprise. Why, Ocean?! It takes him a couple of moments to process what has happened...

But he can give as good as he gets. His splash is a little more delicate, a flick of his fingers with the float coming up as if to shield himself from return fire]