[Opal Machias]

You never really know how much you appreciate the little things in life until they were staring you in the face. Like just how much we take for granted the things around us. Things like heated pool water. Something most people didn’t think about until you dived into freezing river water in winter. With a shudder, Opal could still feel the icy grip on ice water on his skin even now. The teachers at the combat school had all been sadist for all Opal care. Remembering their so-called “endurance” training during winter.

Despite him being able to make ice, he wasn’t immune to its coldness any more than the next person. So, Opal was more than a little happy to feel the warm water on his foot from the large indoor pool. Even if he wasn’t happy to be there, he knew when to be thankful for the little things in life. As for why he was at the academy indoor pool this evening, it had to do with his recent recure test. Or should we say lack of one.

While technically, he had passed the test. The test being saving a drowning person from the water. A test Opal skillfully pulled off by freezing the water and pulling the person(dummy) out onto. The reason for this ingenious strat? Opal could not swim. Okay, he can swim well enough to stay afloat, but it was about the extent of his skills. Making trying to stay afloat with another person almost a death wishes for the young man.

That and he did not enjoy the water. Something he shared with most of his family aside from his father. He had long ago guessed it must have something to do with their faunus bird side. Owls weren’t really known for their amazing swimming skills after all. While yes, Opal wasn’t a full faunus, he couldn’t help shaking that little feeling in the back of his mind about the water.

So, for that reason, he now found himself after school waiting for his “swim coach,” as the professor has stated it. It honestly made him feel a bit embarrassed about it all now that he really faced the facts. I mean, what Huntsmen couldn’t swim. His argument had been if he found himself in a position with a broken aura in the water with another, then things had already gotten out of hands. An answer that only receives a scolding and a ticket to this little class.

Deep down, he knew the professor was right, but he really didn’t want to be given a swimming lesson at his age. With a deep sigh to himself, Opal stepped away from the pool, stretch his arms over his head as he walked. Having already dress for swimming, he wore only a pair of light blue trunks, quickly passing over those poor excuse of swimwear the academy offers. Opal was confident in his body, but that didn’t mean he walks about in those things. He also wore a white shirt for the time as occasionally he could still feel a cold breeze sneak in from the outside.

Thankfully, it seemed the pool was mostly free for the day, beside a few students here and there. It was only around now that Opal had wished he had taken the time to ask who was supported to be teaching him, so he knew who to look for.

Word Count: 569

[Nina Rivers]

NINA RIVERS

---

Hark now, hear the sailors cry,
Smell the sea, and feel the sky,

---

Swimming.

Could there be a more natural thing for a person to be doing?

Like. Aside from breathing air, or walking around on land, probably. Most people would agree that those were more normal things than being in the water a bunch. But Nina was not a normal person! She was an incredibly hydrodynamic person! Who vastly preferred water to land, swimming to walking, and Grimm to humans.

That last one was unrelated, of course.

And not necessarily true. Not anymore, anyways. She'd come a long ways since Menagerie!

Though she was still pretty convinced that at the very least the outlier humans were worse than the outlier Grimm, even if the Grimm were admittedly worse on average. She just had to remind herself sometimes that not all humans were super shitty terrible people who would not hesitate to fuck over her or her race at any given opportunity in which it would benefit them to do so, regardless of whether they normally would or not.

Which was easy to do most days!

She just reminded herself to not think about how fucked up the world was sometimes, and then BAM. Out of sight, out of mind.

Some days, she just got really weird and in her head about it, and this happened to be one of those days, which was largely because she hadn't actually hit the pool yet, since she'd woken up. Which felt much like skipping breakfast and lunch.

But today was also a weird day, in a really cool way!

She'd been asked to help tutor a student at her favorite subject. Swimming. Which wasn't generally a subject Haven actually taught. At least, not one they explicitly taught, anyways- it was just kind of assumed, and briefly covered in some of the wilderness survival courses. But they did have a really nice pool, and a ton of great swimming spots nearby. Way better than Vacuo's setup, honestly. Back there, she either dealt with the shitty, way-too-small indoor pool they had (which was off-limits most of the time because of water shortages), or she had to go all the way out to the coast to go cliff-diving.

Once she tried to swim in the sewers, but that was a genuinely terrible idea, and she vowed never to step near a sewer drain again, if she could help it...

Luckily, she was headed to the pool, today, and was already clad in her sky blue one-piece when she stepped into the training facility, hair down and hanging loose and free from its usual high pony. She gave a quick sniff in Opal's direction as she entered, but didn't actually address the boy just yet- there were greater priorities.

Without a single word, she strode past the likely-confused student with a lazy smile across her face, before stepping into the pool.

In the very literal sense- she just kinda walked over the edge, and disappeared under the surface for a few seconds, before a few bubbles floated up to the top, and out popped an incredibly satisfied shark girl, giving a wide needle-mouthed grin, as she sniffed the air for her frosty new friend-to-be.

Finding him relatively quickly, she swiveled in the water to face him and swam up to prop her arms on the side of the pool. "Ciao! Opal, yeah? I'm Nina! Why don'tcha hop in? Water's great!"

---

Let your soul and spirit fly,
Into the mystic.

---

563 words | 563 total words | Aura: 100%

♥

[Opal Machias]

Was starting to feel like he was standing out a little as he stood waiting. After all, who comes to the pool and just stands around and while there really weren’t many around, he still felt that little voice pointed out the dumb stuff when you had free time. Not wanting to be the odd duck at the pond Opal was about to get into the pool when someone enters the pool. A girl he sorts of kind of knew by way of classes as he had never really spoken to her before. He watched as she appears to sniff the air for a moment before making a B line for the pool. And then just as quickly walked right into the pool as one might if they didn’t know it was there. Immediately going under with only the bubbles giving any hint the girl was ever there.

“Well, that was… different.” He mused out loud while lost in the moment. Was she a Faunus by chance? It was only a guess from her sniffing and flash of her grin he saw. Not that he of all people cared, being half one himself. Well sort of. But in any case, he was simply curious as he always found others trails fascinating and maybe even a little jealous deep down. He didn’t have to wonder long as his guess was proven right as she resurfaces once again flashing a winning smile with those needle-like teeth. Honestly, he was proud of himself for keeping his composer as she reminded him a look of a shark smile.

He wasn’t the biggest fan of sharks and sadly it was just one of those dumb illogical fears. Like thinking one might get you in a swimming pool. Something completely impossible, but nevertheless that little voice just keeping saying; “But what if…” Thankfully hear his name snapped him out of it as he returned the smile with his own along with a nod. “That’s right. Looks like I’m in your care today, Nina.” Pausing as he looks from Nina to the water. “Right. Well, guess that is why we’re here.” Sighing as he pulled the shirt off and laying it on a bench.

Making his way over to the water edge he kind of wish they weren’t starting in the deep end, but to be far for him most of the pool was the deep end. Not wanting to make this any longer than it needed to be he suddenly did like he was told. He jumped in. Dropping down it didn’t take long till he felt the pool bottom under his feet before pushing off and resurface not far away from Nina. Wishing now he had down something about his hair as it blinded him for a moment before he wrapped it away. While he could swim it was nowhere as graceful as his fishy friend with why more arms and legs movement then was needed.

He was thankful for the heating pool system. He did not want to do any winter swimming if he didn’t have to. After a few moments, he more or less got himself steady while simi-floating. “Okay. I’ll admit you were right. The water is pretty nice.”

Word count: 538/1,107

[Nina Rivers]

NINA RIVERS

---

Hark now, hear the sailors cry,
Smell the sea, and feel the sky,

---

As Opal responded to her greeting, she did her best to lean forward, as she rested against the wall of the pool, which meant stretching upwards a bit to try and squint at Opal's face. Thankfully easier than expected, because he was kinda short, so she didn't have to work too hard. She couldn't really make out any distinguishable facial features, but she caught a good peek at his long, snowy, hair, and what she assumed were golden eyes, and not just weird gold splotches where his eyes should be.

As he moved to jump in, with a lot more gusto than Nina had expected for someone who didn't know how to swim, she swam back, very easily shifting to a backstroke to give him a little room to get comfortable in the water.

Honestly, he was doing way better than she'd been expecting, from what she'd been told about her job for the day.

She had figured she might have to just pull dude into the pool by force, but he hopped in pretty readily. Damn. Why was she here, then?

Oh.

Probably to teach him how to swim better than "just passable." That would make some sense, anyways.

She let out a big contented sigh, basking in the warmth and the water. "Riiight? Perfect swimming water, heh." She cast a curious set of cerulean eyes at him, about as blue as the pool water. "Seem like you got the hang of it so far, and I didn't even teach ya anything yet. You weren't just fakin' you were bad at swimming to get a private lesson from a cute girl, were ya?" Another needle-toothed grin, and a mischievous wink.

"Just don't fake like you're drowning or anything, yeah?"

---

Let your soul and spirit fly,
Into the mystic.

---

293 words | 856 total words | ;-)

♥

[Opal Machias]

Doing my best version of a drowning rat I slowly made my way back toward the side of the pool. While I wasn’t in any danger of going under just yet, it was still a pain to hold my position. Also, it more than a little embarrassing to be splashing around in the pool of a school for monster killers. Especially in front of someone who seems to swim better than they walked. Dumb I know, right? You think being shorter than even most girls I would be over things that could embarrass me, but this was sort of a new one for me.

Finally reaching the edge of the pool I rested an arm on it to steady myself at last. Now with support, I had the freedom to run a hand through my hair to push it back to finally get a better look at my instructor. Honestly, it was a mixed reaction for me if I were to tell the truth. From where I stood, umm floated, she was pretty cute. With those blue eyes that felt like the sea itself was looking back at me. While being just as polarizing with those needle-like teeth grin that reminded me of a shark. While I didn’t flint away, I couldn’t keep the goosebumps from clawing over my body. Sharks scary me!

Irrational fears will be, after all, be irrational at the end of the day! But I knew better to draw attention to something like that. Growing up with two faunus sisters I seen both in the moment and aftermath of those kinds of reactions. Instead, I did my best to match the grin while replying. “Maybe you’re just that good of a teacher?” Tossing a tease of my own back before laughing holding my body still in the water. “And I could think of far worst people to teach me.”

The teeth aside I was starting to relax a great deal after a few words as it seemed she was pretty chill. I had been a bit worried the person was going to be a lot stricter. Really didn’t want a flashback of combat school in the middle of a nice pool. “But yeah. I can swim. Mostly.” I said not as confidently as I had meant to sound. “It mostly had to do with how I handle the rescue test. I mean making an ice platform seemed like a good idea at the time.” Shrugging before shaking my head not really sure what the whole fuse had been over. "And don't worry. If I'm drowning, I won't be faking it. I don't need attention that much."

Realization soon hit me as I turned toward the girl to who I had both forgot to introduce myself or even ask for her name. “I got caught up with jumping I totally forgot. I’m Opal Machias. It lovely to meet you miss…” I trail on a bit as I thought about offering my hand but paused as I wasn’t really sure how you greet someone in a pool. You splash them or something?

Word count: 514/ 1,621

[Nina Rivers]

NINA RIVERS

---

Hark now, hear the sailors cry,
Smell the sea, and feel the sky,

---

Heheh.

She grinned at Opal's teasing compliments.

"Yeah, you could have way worse teachers. Like uhh... That Nick guy. Y'know, #WARFACE. Zap the pool, haha. Or Arno. Pretty sure he'd just sink like a rock." Jokes aside, it wasn't unfair to say that she was by far the best swimmer at Haven. Not even a competition; she swam as fast as some of Haven's speedsters could run. She was sure that, given a few lessons, she'd have Opal securely holding down the number two spot.

Especially considering he really did seem to know how to swim already, at least. "Ohh... Gotcha, gotcha. Yeah, underwater rescue is a totally different skill than just swimming." One that they could definitely work on, once he was a little more acclimated to the pool. She had to suppress the urge for a mischievous grin, though. There was one easy way to see how he did under pressure...

Luckily (for him), before she could enact her devious scheme, Opal introduced himself, and she was caught a bit off guard, since she realized then that she had apparently forgotten to introduce herself as well. Just sorta assumed that whoever arranged the tutoring lesson would have gotten all that out of the way first.

"Nina Rivers. Pleasure's all mine, heh." She drifted back towards him, lazily floating on her back. He had an interesting scent to him- clinical, like a doctor's office almost. And something she couldn't quite place right away; presumably whatever shampoo or conditioner he used. He had long hair, so that made sense; pretty hair like that wasn't grown without some serious effort at keeping it clean and nice.

She floated a little closer, squinting up to see his face, now that he was a bit closer. His hair wasn't the only pretty thing about him- for a guy, he had a soft, delicate, face. If she didn't know any better, she might have mistaken him for a girl at first glance.

Aw. He must get that a lot.

"So, Opal! What do you know about rescuing people in a watery environment? Y'know, like if there was a flood, or you were on a boat and a Sea Feilong attacked or something. Gotta start with what you do know, so we can work on what you don't, yeah?"

---

Let your soul and spirit fly,
Into the mystic.

---

389 words | 1245 total words

♥

[Opal Machias]

Ahh, so this was Nina I was told to meet. That would have been a bit awkward if she hasn't been, or quite a coincidence meeting someone else swimming couch. Either way, she seems chill enough I thought watching her float around on her back for the time. I was a bit worried I might be stuck with some hard ass or as Nina had said. Someone like Urg #warface. Where do people even get names like that from anyways? It was something I promised myself I would avoid in the future if possible. Future worries aside I was happy with things turning out.

After all, I could swim fine for the most part I thought trying not to think about the difference between Nina and myself. I was dreading getting stuck with someone going on a power trip with giving them the job of teaching others. You be surprised how often it happens sadly. However, I couldn't lie to myself in the end and know I could use the help. Living in a city build in the mountains swimming wasn't really a pass time for most people. Most people couldn't afford or had the space for a pool while most of the year you would need it heated just to enjoy it.

As the shark floated closer I finally snapped out of my thoughts causing me to swim back a bit till I felt the pool wall to my back. It was mostly a reflex as her smile reminded me of a shark. Maybe that was rude to think, especially towards a girl, but it bought back those dumb childhood thoughts. You know the ones where you are afraid a shark could be in the pool even if you know for a fact it's impossible! Stupid glass sharks...

Another part was a reaction to acute, teeth aside, moving so close while staring so hard. It was enough to make me think maybe there was something on my face. Thankfully she spoke up again before I let my thoughts run any more wild. Playing off my backing away as looking for support from sinking I rested an arm on the poolside as I talked. "P-pretty much what we have gone over in classes pretty much. Like I said I'm not terrible, but if the person started to panic well..." I trailed off letting the idea hand in the air. "To be fair I wouldn't really try that since I can just float."

Smirking a bit as I held my hand out just over the water. In an instant temperature like a rock in the small area around my hand as a small ice sharped shark formed in the water. It dropped into the pool, dipping under before floating back up, its goofy grin clear on its face. "Apparently the teacher didn't like my loophole solution during the test," I said before holding up a hand. "But in my defense, he didn't say semblance as forbidden. Besides I'm not really a lifeguard size for swimming with someone on my back anyways." Raising a hand to the back of my neck as I laugh at my own height.

Word count: 526/2,147

[Jay]

XP Distribution:

Nina Rivers: 12
143 + 12 = 155 XP

Opal Machias: 21
213 + 21 = 234 XP