Sohalia
Tal didn't protest as Sohalia's hands met his back, and that it seemed to be a complete nonissue for him left her more at ease. Just because she'd had limited physical contact with others throughout her life - aside from the occasional hugs from her guardian - didn't mean that touch was bad. Maybe it was even normal for people who were not her.In any case, Sohalia calmed as she supported Tal's weight in the water, focusing again on the matter at hand. She'd always enjoyed the weightlessness that came from floating in the water, and she hoped that if Tal could relax, he would see that it wasn't so bad. She could tell that he was trying: his back muscles, which had been tight as a bowstring before, had softened somewhat under her hands. She smiled at him encouragingly. "That's it," she said in as soothing a voice as she could manage. "You're doing great."
After a few moments, Soh slowly lowered her hands so that they hovered just beneath Tal's back - close enough that she could grab him if he began to sink again, but far enough away that he'd have a chance to float on his own. She couldn't wait for him to get it right and realize that even he would float, given half a chance.
it's just a spark, but it's enough to keep me going
