For all that he wasn't good with other humans, Tal had never been particularly touch-shy. Perhaps it was because of the exuberant physical affection of his dogs and dragon, or the (wo)man-handling he'd received from his sisters as a young child, being dressed up or carted around like a little living dolly. Regardless, he didn't find Sohalia's touch strange or uncomfortable - especially because it kept him from sinking!
Maybe her verbal encouragement was just trying to make him feel better, but Tal chose to believe it. Maybe he wasn't a natural a this, but he was at least still breathing air and not water, and the longer he stayed in the river without anything bad happening the easier it became to remain there.
Not easy. But... easier.
At first he didn't realize that Soh's hands had left his skin. Between the chill of the water and his preoccupation with his own fears the slow fading of the warmth where her palms had been wasn't immediately noticeable. He floated - however awkwardly - for a solid minute before he realized he had no support and then he tried to sit up in surprise--
With the predictable result that he sank straight to the bottom, butt-first, and then exploded upwards with a spluttering gasp as he tried to cough out the water that had gone up his nose.
Maybe her verbal encouragement was just trying to make him feel better, but Tal chose to believe it. Maybe he wasn't a natural a this, but he was at least still breathing air and not water, and the longer he stayed in the river without anything bad happening the easier it became to remain there.
Not easy. But... easier.
At first he didn't realize that Soh's hands had left his skin. Between the chill of the water and his preoccupation with his own fears the slow fading of the warmth where her palms had been wasn't immediately noticeable. He floated - however awkwardly - for a solid minute before he realized he had no support and then he tried to sit up in surprise--
With the predictable result that he sank straight to the bottom, butt-first, and then exploded upwards with a spluttering gasp as he tried to cough out the water that had gone up his nose.
