"Yeah, y'did," the courier admitted, cheered and feeling like he really could trust Soh's compliments at least a little. It made it easier to trust her instructions, too, as they progressed through a swimming lesson that had him... well. Not sinking anymore, at least. Only practice and more practice would make him graceful in the water, but until that day came he could at least keep himself on top of the river instead of flailing beneath it.
Tal had developed quite a bit of endurance over the past couple of years, but the new exercise was still tiring and he was ready for a break when they settled on the shore in the sunshine to wring out their hair. Sure, he'd made a lot of progress, but it seemed like he was still a long ways from being able to fulfill Safrin's quest and that tarnished some of his triumph over the day's success.
Maybe he'd been hoping for some commiseration from his friend, but Soh's bright smile was far from sympathetic. If anything, she seemed to have a secret up her sleeve and Tal wrinkled his nose in thought at her question. "Algae... that rings? Can't say that I have," he admitted slowly. "What's that got t'do with seein' a deep-water critter?"
Tal had developed quite a bit of endurance over the past couple of years, but the new exercise was still tiring and he was ready for a break when they settled on the shore in the sunshine to wring out their hair. Sure, he'd made a lot of progress, but it seemed like he was still a long ways from being able to fulfill Safrin's quest and that tarnished some of his triumph over the day's success.
Maybe he'd been hoping for some commiseration from his friend, but Soh's bright smile was far from sympathetic. If anything, she seemed to have a secret up her sleeve and Tal wrinkled his nose in thought at her question. "Algae... that rings? Can't say that I have," he admitted slowly. "What's that got t'do with seein' a deep-water critter?"
