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Post by Admin Courtney on Oct 21, 2012 22:27:55 GMT -5
The water was chilly, but it was nothing Aura could not handle. She seemed to thrive in colder weather, and so taking a sunset dip in the lake was no issue for her that autumn evening. Of course, once winter hit and the lake was at the temperature of freezing, she would stick to swimming in the Veritas pool, but she liked the peace and quiet of the lake. The lake was like glass, the trees on the opposite side reflecting off the water's surface in the dimming light. No one else was out there that she could see; it was after dinner and most students would either be in the commons or their dorms or perhaps in town catching a movie. She would have the lake all to herself.
With her clothing tucked safely under a water-side willow tree, Aura side-stroked through the crisp lake water in her favourite black bikini -- she only wore her black and orange Veritas swim uniform during swim meets and practises. She waited a few minutes to allow the sky to darken more. Once the sun disappeared behind the mountains in the west, she glanced around and swam back to shore close enough that her chest was still underwater but she could still throw the bikini she had removed toward her tree-side clothes. She only skinny-dipped in the late evening when she knew she would be invisible to any late-night lake path walkers. Unless someone went into the water with her, or found her discarded bikini, no one would know she was bare-skinned beneath the surface of the glassy lake. She was safe to swim au naturale in what she considered her natural environment. It was the riskiest thing she had ever done in her life, but it was a nightly ritual of hers she had started that year. Late night skinny dips were the best way to calm herself before bed. She rarely had any nightmares afterward.
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Post by Admin Sydnee on Oct 23, 2012 13:23:07 GMT -5
Soon Gavin wouldn't be able to swim outdoors anymore and he'd be confined to the swimming pool, so he was looking forward to getting in one last swim in the lake in the town of Cranbrook. It was an autumn evening, and there was a crisp chilly feeling in the air, but despite it all, he made his way there, in a dark hoodie, pulled up over his blonde hair and a pair of jeans. He had swimming trunks underneath, but often he'd go in the nude, just because nobody ever came around at that time of night. And if anybody did, well he could always paralyze them. That would scare them off.
Swimming was the one thing that helped calm Gavin. Water was something he craved, that he needed. Besides, he was dedicated to swimming and had to be the best. Veritas had a good swimming team and he wouldn't be shown up by them. He even pushed the other members of the team. Being captain wasn't easy, but he loved it. Being in charge and the competition were things he thrived on.
He got to the side of the lake and was pulling off his jeans and hoodie when he spotted a figure in the water. "Well, it seemed as if someone had dared to swim in the lake as well. Annoyed, he walked towards the water, diving in anyway, feeling the fresh, cool water run over him.
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Post by Admin Courtney on Oct 23, 2012 14:32:25 GMT -5
Aura floated on her back, angling herself slightly so only her face was really out of the water. She breathed in the evening lake scent, water gently lapping against the sides of her face as her arms treaded the water slowly on either side of her. She heard the distant sound of a loon calling for its mate and smiled. It was a peaceful evening. She was glad she was the only--
Splash
Aura straightened up and treaded water normally, looking in the direction she had heard the sound. That was no fish or duck splash. She spotted a blonde head surface -- probably the only reason she was able to see them in the low evening light. Someone else was swimming out here, and she recognised him immediately. Her brown eyes widened as she watched Gavin Maddox, captain of her rival team. She had had a crush on him for ages. He was a year older than her, but she had had her eyes on him ever since she began attending swim meets. Veritas always smoked Spiritus, but it was clear that he had talent in the water. And she liked watching him. There was something about Gavin that intrigued her. She knew his personality was horrid. Everyone on her team thought so. But... He was great to watch.
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Post by Admin Sydnee on Oct 23, 2012 16:20:48 GMT -5
Gavin floated on his back after he resurfaced, enjoying the moment and looking up at the sky. He decided to blissfully ignore the other person in the water, for the moment being anyway. It always drove people insane when he pretended they weren't there. And that made them want to talk to him even more. He'd only caught a slight glimpse of the figure, enough to know it was a feminine figure who quite obviously swam often. He could appreciate that.
But whoever it was, he'd wait until they spoke to him. Until then, he'd just enjoy the lapping of the water.
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Post by Admin Courtney on Oct 23, 2012 16:36:06 GMT -5
Aura blinked as she continued watching Gavin. He was an incredible swimmer. If only he attended Veritas, then he could be on a winning team. He was captain this year, though, she knew. So maybe he could whip his team into shape. Then again, she hoped not, because she'd like to be on the winning team a second year in a row. It was always nice to be on the winning side.
She found herself abandoning her spot in the water to swim over to Gavin. Her team mates would tell her off for it, but what they didn't know wouldn't hurt them. So what if she was fraternizing with the enemy? Her team would still kick Spiritus' ass, anyway.
"Hey," she said as she drew closer, making sure to keep some distance. It had not occured to her until she was about ten feet away that she was swimming naked. She dared not get any closer. Even though it was dark and it was not likely he would see anything beneath the dark surface. "And here I thought I would have the lake to myself," she said to him, treading the water gently, her movement as natural as walking was to the majority of the population.
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Post by Admin Sydnee on Oct 23, 2012 16:46:05 GMT -5
Gavin sensed movement and grinned to himself as a voice rang out in the mostly still night. He knew people enough to know what they wanted and how they acted and that it drove them insane if you didn't acknowledge them right away.
He turned, going back to treading water normally instead of lying on his back and took in the figure before him, his eyes had adjusted to the dark and he could see her well enough to know who she was. Audra Morgan of the Veritas swimming team. The girl with the wicked sidestroke and a pretty face.
He smirked. "I thought I would have the lake to myself. Looks as if I have to share it with an enemy. Not sure your teammates would approve of you talking to me, Morgan." Of course they wouldn't. Because he was on the opposite team and because most of them either envied him or found him extremely obnoxious. But that was their problem. "Guess I'm not the only one who comes to the lake." He hadn't seen her here before.
He knew the Veritas team was good, but with some work, he could whip the Spiritus team into shape. That's why he was captain and not that moron Kyle who was last year. Gavin was serious about swimming and even more serious about winning. He was the best they had. They could all learn from him, but he did hate not being on the winning team. Spiritus was better than Veritas in all areas except swimming. It was clearly the better academy. No questions asked.
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Post by Admin Courtney on Oct 23, 2012 16:56:10 GMT -5
Last year Aura would not have had the balls, metaphorically speaking of course, to swim over to Gavin Maddox. But she was becoming braver each year. Stronger. Less shy. This was the first time she had really spoken to him, and was surprised when he knew her name. Her last name, at least. Then she remembered it was stitched into the back of her Veritas Swim Team suit as well as the uniform. And she knew his. Then again, she had always been shy. Still, the fact that he reconised her without her swim cap and goggles was nice. Her hair was in a ponytail at the back of her head and she still had on make up from the day. She hoped it wasn't smudging even though it was supposed to be waterproof. She didn't want to look like a drowned whore or anything. Not that she thought she looked like a whore usually, but... Where were these thoughts taking her? She pushed them aside.
"Guess neither of us expected company, then," she said quietly. Then she smiled almost mischievously -- something that was foreign to her unless she was using her powers. "Oh, my teammates definitely would not approve," she assured him. "But it's not like I'm trading team secrets or anything. Not that that would hurt our chances," she added. Every member of the Veritas swim team was cocky when it came to their sport. How could they not be? They were champions. "So you're the captain this year, huh? Hope you don't feel too bad when we outswim your team. Again."
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Post by Admin Sydnee on Oct 23, 2012 17:03:10 GMT -5
Gavin noticed she definitely wasn't as shy as she used to be. "Wow, Morgan, you're initiating conversation. Impressive. Those years on the swim team really loosened you up, huh? You used to be the girl that blended into the team and now you stand out."
"Your teammates should learn to like me. I mean, it's not as if they have to hate me for beating them. At least not yet." He grinned back, with that same mischievous edge that she'd had. "I'd call you cocky, but with a team like yours I'm not shocked you are." He still rolled his eyes though. "My team just needs to be more dedicated, that's all. With our excellent academic programs, not as much concentration goes into sports like at Veritas." He talked smoothly, his charisma always helping him out. "And yes, you're looking at Spiritus' new captain. I had to take over. That idiot Kyle didn't know what he was doing. I can lead a team."
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Post by Admin Courtney on Oct 23, 2012 17:13:21 GMT -5
When he noticed she wasn't as shy as she used to be, Aura felt her cheeks darken in a light blush. Luckily when she blushed it didn't usually show, plus it was dark out. She could blush all she wanted and he probably wouldn't see. Unless his powers gave him incredible sight. She didn't know. She had no idea what his powers were. She did not know what to say on the matter, so she kept her mouth shut and listened as he went on.
"My teammates don't like you because you're cocky and they don't see any reason you should be," she admitted with an innocent smile. "But don't tell them I said that," she added, realising if her teammates knew she was even talking to Gavin about anything swim-related, much less their opinions of him, they would be furious.
"Oh, is that your excuse for your swim team losing to us every year?" she goaded, moving in a slow circle around him to keep her body moving. If she only treaded water she knew the water's temperature would get to her. With her blood constantly moving, she was fine. And she didn't even feel naked. The water was like a blanket hiding her. "Because your academics are higher and you just can't be bothered to shape up your team? You know I almost feel bad for you," she went on. "Stuck with a crappy team. You'd fit right in with us winners at Veritas, though. Shame."
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Post by Admin Sydnee on Oct 23, 2012 20:01:44 GMT -5
"I'm cocky because I'm good. My team's just lacking and that's why I'm working on making them a lot better. So, you can tell your teammates to shove it. Of course, then they'll know you spoke to me." Gavin grinned, as she swam in a circle around him. "I'm just saying that there is a heavier concentration on academics than it Veritas. All you people have is sports, so naturally your swimming team is going to be good."
Her attitude was something new for her, as he'd never noticed she was like this before, cocky and daring, sarcastic and witty. It was fascinating. "Because I am a winner. I'd just rather go to Spiritus. It's a much better academy. It's why my father sent me there."
As she came around him again in her circle, he moved towards her to try and stop her. He didn't like her circling him like that.
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Post by Admin Courtney on Oct 23, 2012 20:09:43 GMT -5
"Sports is not all we have," Aura said, rolling here eyes slightly. Every Veritas student was used to the cockiness of Spiritus students. Spiritus thought they were better, and perhaps in some ways they were, but that did not mean Veritas sucked. Sports were definitely not the only Veritas had going for it. But the rivalry was decades old and she doubted it would ever cease. She had no idea what brought it on, but it was there and would be going away. She thought it to be fun. It was fun talking smack to the other teams. It raised the competive spirit, in her opinion. "Well, I for one enjoy the freedom Veritas gives us. Plus I look much better in orange than I do in blue."
As he moved towards her, her eyes widened in alarm and she leaned back slightly, her arms pushing against the water and propelling her back so she was still a safe enough distance away. She had to be more careful when it came to skinny dipping in the lake, it seemed. Thank goodness it was dark. If it was a morning swim she was taking... She shuddered at the idea and looked away.
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Post by Admin Sydnee on Oct 23, 2012 20:26:00 GMT -5
Gavin just shrugged. "Someone's fiery. Never knew you had it in you, Morgan." Then again, most did get competitive when it came to defending their academy. The rivalry was ancient, but Gavin found it amusing to get people all riled up about it, even if his honest opinion was that Spiritus was a better academy. "I think blue fits me well. Goes with my eyes." He grinned and then rolled his eyes. So what if Spiritus was more strict? There were ways to get around the rules and the education was better.
When she moved away from him, he gave her a strange look. "Jeez, Morgan, afraid of me or something?"
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Post by Admin Courtney on Oct 23, 2012 20:36:55 GMT -5
Aura met his gaze for a moment and lifted her shoulders in a shrug. "I'm not a little niner anymore. I'm allowed to have some fire. What's the matter? Don't like it?" she asked. She herself was surprised she was talking to him so easily. He was pretty intimidating, not to mention the fact that he captained her rival team.
"Afraid of you?" she laughed it off as if it were a joke. "Not quite. But maybe I just like my personal space in the water. Plus I'd rather not be a part of headlines tomorrow. 'Private school student found drowned in Cranbrook Lake'." She was not actually scared of him, though. He was too intriguing. As much as her team mates might freak out if they knew what she was doing, she thought they were over-exaggerating.
"What's with you calling me Morgan, anyway? Don't like Aura?" she asked.
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Post by Admin Sydnee on Oct 23, 2012 20:48:51 GMT -5
"Nah, I like the fire. As long as your fire doesn't put mine out," Gavin said, although he knew that nobody could ever manage that. "I thought that it was a logical conclusion. Many people are afraid of me." She didn't know why? She didn't know about his power? His crippling power that he liked to use when people pissed him off, but didn't when it came to swimming because otherwise he'd be kicked off of the team. Paralysis was a serious thing.
He raised an eyebrow. "And if I was going to kill you, I'd be more original," he stated, his blue eyes gleaming before answering her question. "I like calling people by their last names. It's how I usually know swimmers anyway."
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Post by Admin Courtney on Oct 23, 2012 20:58:50 GMT -5
"Fire doesn't extinguish fire," Aura said. Her brown eyes glinted. "It only creates a bigger fire. So I wouldn't worry," she assured him. "Although I don't think my fire is anything large enough to compete with yours, so..." She trailed off and shrugged quickly. "Why are people afraid of you, anyway? Because you're intimidating? No one has really talked about it that I've heard of," she said, genuinely curious. She didn't see what was all that scary about him.
"Oh, well I'm very comforted that you'd be more original," she laughed, her voice echoing over the lake as her volume increased slightly. "It probably isn't likely that someone who swims as well as me would drown so easily, anyway. I bet I could outswim you," she added after a moment of consideration. He had the whole male muscular thing going for him, but she was fast. She figured she could hold her own. However, if he tried to drown her, she doubted her strength could outmatch his. Unless she turned her power on, of course. But she didn't like doing that. It made her feel weird for days.
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