He was a strong swimmer, but Chrys - younger, eager, and hungry to win - shot past him with a surprising turn of speed. He redoubled his efforts, staying close behind her, but he wasn't able to make up the distance between them before she reached the first slab of ice floating in the canal.
He was able to twist, avoiding crashing into her or the ice by skimming by below and then swimming back around to check on her, concern showing briefly through his stoic expression. "Are you hurt?" he asked, coming up to tap his knuckles on the ice from below, startling the people above afresh. It was hard as crystal, and frigid as the depths, and he spread his fingers to press his hand flat against it. "It is like glass, but so thick..."
He was able to twist, avoiding crashing into her or the ice by skimming by below and then swimming back around to check on her, concern showing briefly through his stoic expression. "Are you hurt?" he asked, coming up to tap his knuckles on the ice from below, startling the people above afresh. It was hard as crystal, and frigid as the depths, and he spread his fingers to press his hand flat against it. "It is like glass, but so thick..."
