MAEA
At the suggestion of getting into the water Maea braved a glance at him. It was a mistake, of course. Out of his shift now, and blessedly clothed in the important places he was still far too close and far too undressed, and the little smirk on his lips far too much of a challenge for her to be comfortable. This had all been a mistake. She should have left as soon as she realized how this all might look. It was not okay, not proper and not safe, and she ought to get down from her rocky perch and get back onto the shore, go back to her task and... and he was standing in the way. Looking for all the world as though he might remain there until the end of time, should she choose not to reply.
Pale eyes flitted from the water to the shore, and again to Sunjata. He was not coming closer, nor withdrawing. Overhead the sun was glaring hot and relentless, and the rushing river below was cool, deep, whispering sweet promises of relief. A hand left the basket and touched the shawl around her shoulders, far too warm to be practical in this weather... and there was something truly vulnerable in her eyes as she considered the choice.
"I don't swim very well..." It was an excuse, and a weak one even to her own ears. But.. far more terrifying than the man beside her was the idea of leaving her gift unattended, even for a second. What if she lost it? If it were do disappear or get stolen... Maea would never forgive herself, even if Ludo might. Though somehow, she doubted very much that it would.
Pale eyes flitted from the water to the shore, and again to Sunjata. He was not coming closer, nor withdrawing. Overhead the sun was glaring hot and relentless, and the rushing river below was cool, deep, whispering sweet promises of relief. A hand left the basket and touched the shawl around her shoulders, far too warm to be practical in this weather... and there was something truly vulnerable in her eyes as she considered the choice.
"I don't swim very well..." It was an excuse, and a weak one even to her own ears. But.. far more terrifying than the man beside her was the idea of leaving her gift unattended, even for a second. What if she lost it? If it were do disappear or get stolen... Maea would never forgive herself, even if Ludo might. Though somehow, she doubted very much that it would.
