Surf's Up [Hau/Zavijah]

[Vaitris]

The sun glared down on the beach, bright but not too hot. A breeze was whipping white froth off the tops of the dark blue waves as they tumbled one after the other towards the shore. This place was rockier than the beaches Hau was used to, but he still found a fine sandy patch to dig his toes into and relished the feeling of home.

Behind him two surfboards were propped up against a low wall, one significantly larger than the other. Both were brightly colored and gleamed with wax, but if you looked close you could see the scuffs and scrapes of regular, rough use. They were clearly rentals from a trailer chock full of them at the edge of the beach parking lot.

The kitsune crossed his arms and paced a few steps. Down the coast in either direction he could see a smattering of other surfers. All were in full wetsuits - a testament to the cold, cold ocean water - but Hau stood apart in his usual shorts and rash guard. He fretted briefly over it, hoping that he didn’t stand out in a bad way, but didn’t dwell on them. He needed to keep his eyes peeled for Zavijah. The beach wasn’t overly crowded today but she was short enough she might slip by before he spotted her.

[okami1reeka333]

zavijah:


She prepared for the journey towards the coast, activating a talisman to hide her to appear more human like, her typical routine of activating her talismans to muffle sound- as loud as the city state was- though she did not have to do so to the talismans full capability considering the beach was calmer sound wise than the valley of stone. The " no weapons" concerned her. . .. she kept a knife summoned in the case but at least will try to not unsheathe or summon them without reason. She had adorned on her a cloak of a white wolf pelt. This one in particular had a talisman that is suppose to divert attention away from the wearer. However, this effect only works on those with malicious intent.

Would be quite cruel to use one that diverted all attention to greet her student - now teacher of surfing- apon the coast where he awaited her.


On the way to the coast where her student Hau had noted he would be, she thought of all the things that were perhaps the closest to- yet were nothing like this concept of 'surfing'. shes stood apon the diving plates of Danucarbri into the breaching sands. She ridden on the backs of horses and creatures like horses whist standing. Shes downed flying orcas and even aerial demons in the same method- slaying and riding them down into the ground. . .

But non of which are remotely similar to a 'surfing board'. It would not be the thing itself moving, but rather the tides beneath the smoothed lumber. As similar as the two seem in concept? in practice they could not be any more different. Never the less, there was an old gleam of intrigue and curiosity in this concept. . .in learning this new technique. If she could hone this skill, she could use it in hunting within the sands or seas. . .


Walking out of the treeline and thicket, she was greeted with sand, the sounds of breaking waves of the autumn waters and the site of a few people running towards the waters with broad boards in hand. . . it did not take long to scan the shores to see the familiar aura and face waiting by two broad boards apon the sandy boarders of the sea. She headed towards and approached Hau. Stopping at a respectful distance and bowing towards the Kistune. "Greetings, Hau. hao do you fare?" she asked.

[Vaitris]

A figure in white emerged from the trees at the edge of the beach and Hau straightened as he recognized Zavijah. He waved and motioned her over, stretching his hand up to be seen over the heads of families and other beachgoers as they passed between. He hadn’t expected her to arrive in a bathing suit of any kind, but the cloak with its fanged wolf head was sorely out of place.

“Zavijah, it’s good to see you!” He said. Hirde fluttered about in hello before landing back on his head, nestling itself onto the base of his ponytail like an iridescent green jewel. “I fair well. I hope you’ve been doing good?”

Hau glanced at the wolf head and then back at Zavijah. “It’s a bit warm today for the cloak, and if it gets soaked it’ll drag you down. We can put that over on the ledge here.” He gestured toward the stone wall where the surf boards sat waiting. Tucked behind the boards she’d notice his bag and a few large towels, it was clear he intended to leave these unattended while they were out on the water and was confident that they wouldn’t be stolen.

Nearby, a couple of young boys had paused in the midst of building a sandcastle to whisper and point. It didn’t seem like they were upset or planning mischief at all, if anything they appeared fascinated by the white wolf cloak and perhaps wary of the short lady who wore it.

[okami1reeka333]

zavijah:


She nodded," I fare well." she replied. She took note of Hirde of its greeting to her before hiding away back into his hair, acknowledging it as well. Given how old this golem was, how weak it was- considering it was able to live long enough to develop a personality in itself spoke volumes of her student's ability.


If it had perished prior- given his state up to the present she would of not seen it as a mark or marring against his ability for this golem was simply not physically capable of taking much abuse- a mere child could end such with ease. Typicality of Golems such as Hirde? They would put themselves in harms way to shield whom they were meant to serve- despite being nothing more than a messenger type. . . . Her student was either very capable, wise to avoid danger, if not a mixture of the assumptions to some degree. This still quietly pleases her- a subtle assurance to his survival chances are improving. Her presence has yet to attract the far more dangerous gazes towards her student. . .



Her ear twitched at the hushed chin music of the children a small distance away from where she and Hau stood. . . The curiosities were not of too much concern, for they would have a hard time understanding and seeing her if they harbored ill intent. . . Instead of their minds attempting to see, it would simply write her off as merely part of the thicket and sand if such malicious forethought was held.



Between Hau's inquiry and the children's hushed curiosities- the pelt was quite the oddity. She glanced to the ledge where a bag- Hau's bag sat nestled away but not hidden. She nodded, desummoning the knife hidden under her cloak before removing it as she walked towards the bag. . .She folded the old skin before removing her coat and stash, using those to also wrap the fur carefully- before setting the articles of clothing down next to Hau's bag. She could hear the children as clearly as Hau but gave no physical indicator beyond what her disguised ear hath done. What was it known as to the current era?



The prying eyes of innocence were placing her more on edge given she simply does not know how to respond to such and she was about to learn a new skill. . . .She doubts this, perhaps it the merely unease- a crowd of few was still a crowd. . . Still, there was no hesitation in her stride or wanting to learn- she was merely guarded. Perhaps it hath been too long since shes learned a new skill or technique she has simply forgotten what it was like. . . the nervousness, the excitement.



She ignored the ebbing unease in the back of her neck. . . Failure was a good thing in times like this, so long as lessons are learned. Very rarely she would have a teacher to guide her in the first place. She was not about to become a hypocrite and refuse to practice what she had taught Hau and many other of her students in this. . . .Besides, the applications of this new skill "surfing" has so many benefits in her eyes! Only a fool would throw away such an opportunity! Perhaps she only feared old habits of hers would rear their heads by the means of second natured reactions. . .



Though given the prying eyes- she refused to remove her pants and shirt. . . covering up the more heinous of the marring of her body- including the primordial scar and a particular seal on her. . . They do not need to see such things. . . shes learned from sparring with Hau although he has yet seen them- merely touching how deep and uneven her scars were did raise concern within him. Given the sunlight refracting off of the sand and sea as bright as it was, the subtle scarring on her wrists, neck and ankles were slightly more noticeable- but could be mistaken for merely folds of skin at a far enough distance. The very head end of the primordial scar. . .the largest of them all. . .peaked just slightly from underneath her left shoulder under her shirt. Some of the scarring on her neck peaked from the collar of her shirt. . .these scars revealing the rather brutal methods she resulted in doing in battle- or perhaps close calls she has had. . She needed to refocus- the children are fine and she does not sense danger near or around them- nor any demonic presences- they are fine, focus on the task at hand.



She did study the boards propped in the sand like an archer's cover or a Kite shield planted without its welder. Battered and marred like she- yet there was a strange aquatic charm to them. Built for the cause most likely. The particular shape and subtle bends in the wood- she assumes- did intrigue her. "Are these the 'surfboards' you spoke of?" she asked Hau, turning her head towards him to speak. . . the general curiosity was of these boards would be impossible and useless to hide- as her mind tried to surmise reasons for each cut- the shape, the size- the thickness- and how all of this played into functioning in the ocean. "What wood are these made of? . . . . This fin? Hao does this effect its use, is it the bottom or top of the board? " the more features of the boards she found, the more questions she had like a little sibling just discovering what even is this.


There was this noticeable accolade of the boards, as if they were almost monolithic. The apparent wanting to touch and examine yet fear of disrespecting or breaking the boards in question by recklessly grappling them- not hers to abuse or damage. . . She tried her best not to prattle on for too long with her questions- trying to only stick to the kind that ebbed at her with the most voreacity as to not just utterly slam Hau with questions. Even forcing herself to pause to give him room to speak, if not attempt to silence- with the assumption other potential questions would be answered within the explanation. She just. . .could not help it. . . Poor Hau is learning almost exactly like a dragon her hunger for knowledge is a bottomless cup- it can at least be ebbed from the dumber of questions- asking some questions to try and understand through context by what properties materials held to the physical uses of each part- some of which being abit easier to guess than others. The pauses were long enough to also 'move on' to the lesson- given some things were better understood through practice than in explanation.

[Vaitris]

Hau nodded to himself as he watched Zavijah fold the cloak with some of her other belongings and place them alongside his. What she decided to keep with her didn't seem to concern him, just as long as nothing was left that might potentially get lost out on the waves.

“That's them.” Hau's hand rubbed at the back of his neck. “They're not so much wood really, they're made of foam and fiberglass. I rented them so they're not going to be anything fancy, but they'll work for today.”

He pulled the larger of the two boards away from the wall, standing it up and comparing its height to Zavijah's. Picking out the right one for her had been an ordeal, and he'd spent a great deal of time waffling between a longboard that would be great for an adult and something shorter and more child appropriate. And after consulting with the salesman - who now thought he had a daughter he was training - he'd picked something just shy of nine feet. Zavijah was only lacking in experience really, not the core muscles needed to keep the board under control. But if worse came to worst, she could swap over to his shorter board.

“The fin side is the bottom of the board, it's going to help you stay stable and straight out on the water. And this,” he pulled a black rope out of the sand, one end was attached to the board and the other end had a wide fabric cuff, “is the leash. You'll put it on your ankle before we head out so the board doesn't get away from you when you fall off.”

Hau scanned the beach. The two young boys had returned to their sandcastle and nearby them was a spot of beach that hadn’t yet been claimed. He nodded towards it. “Let's go over there and put the boards down, we can work on some technique.” The kitsune offered her the larger board, before taking the shorter one and heading out onto the sand.

“Make sure you dig a little hole for the fin, so it doesn’t get damaged.” He dug his toes into the sand, hollowing out a place for the fin to rest as he laid his board down pointing towards the water.

[okami1reeka333]

zavijah:



Albit delayed, the concept of fiber-glass in the context of being a new object confused her. . . She tilted her head at this. What was fiber-glass. Did they used firestocks to create fire before adding it to glass? Would make sense as to why- firestock only grew in the black sand dunes of volcanic beaches. It was by no means fire proof. . But it was used to shape glass by glass blowers. . .


Yet it was brittle. . .worrisome. . . Perhaps a different material? Surely it wouldn't be frail if they ride such things into sea. Her head rolled with ideas as to the material in the case she did accidentally break it or if she could use it's properties to her advantage in a similar capacity. She also quietly wondered if she would be too dense for the board or not since her body was slightly denser than magma- to allow her an ability to swim through it similar to water.


She took note of the fin, leash, and how fragile the fin was according whist he explained the board- how they were rente-


wait.

Why would they use such fragile things if the fin breaks so easily in the sand?? Oh God, what if she breaks it under her weight??? He did just say these were rented- there for not truly his from what was explained to her on that particular concept . . . . .


" What is fiber-glass? . . " she asked as Hau handed her a board that dwarfed her by double. It made her wonder with its weight if it was more fiber or glass. . As solid as it seems- she has the impression it was compressed? foam confused her more. . . like coffee foam? or perhaps couch foam? or sea foam?


She followed after Hau towards the spot he scouted out as a good clear area to practice technique. She took note of the amount of space, all the while she held the board awkwardly and carefully as she moved- like a small infant animal drenched in a substance most foul- one that would be harmed if she did put it down. . .



She almost seemed to worry about setting it down in the sand. As if it was going to take off or shatter. She watched to see what Hau did. . . She kept glancing between Hau and the board . . . Again she was worried. . .what if she broke it??? She paused to watch Hau casually dig a hole in the sand- then setting his board down as if to gauge where north was, pointing the nose of the board sea bound. She thought about how she could proceed, Watching Hau effortlessly position his board before trying to monkey and follow his lead.


She kept double checking before and after she dug a small hole for the fin. . . Before that hole became more like a fire pit as she used her foot to keep the sand from touching the fin- as if if was no different than a jeweled egg. This song and dance was even more awkward considering how large this board was.

[Vaitris]

Hau paused and thought for a moment, frowning slightly. “I think fiberglass is technically plastic? It gets melted down and weaved together like a really strong fabric. They use it in boats and tubs and things.” He tried to think of something she might have seen before that had its very distinct texture and couldn't.

He sat back on his heels and watched as Zavijah brought the board forward, biting back on a tiny smile. She handled it like it was some sort of explosive device or it might suddenly animate and attack. But after only a few moments of observing her uncertainty with just putting it down onto the sand his amusement started to turn towards concern.

“The longer your board is, the easier it is to ride, so beginners are supposed to go big. But if you want something smaller you can try mine. Just let me know.” He rapped on his board with his knuckles and smiled warmly, hoping to ease some of the anxiety. Then he jumped to his feet. “Let's work on your stance.”

The kitsune stepped on his board, positioning his feet so they were about shoulder width apart. “You want to place your feet on the centerline of the board. Your dominant foot should be in front and pointed slightly to the side, not straight on towards the nose. Your other foot goes sideways like so.” He demonstrated as he spoke, looking to Zavijah to follow.

“Then you kinda want to sink down into your stance, but keep your knees pointed in and don't stiffen up. You need to stay loose to steer the board.” 

[okami1reeka333]

zavijah:

"ah. . I see. . ." she replied, just as she took note of how unsure he seemed on what fiber-glass was, she also took note of the contrary- the experience and confidence he spoke with apon explaining why he gave her a fairly large board. Apart of her wondered if tis was due to perhaps balance, perhaps buoyancy? Though this made her quietly wonder if her density would be higher than the board can handle. . .


Worse case scenario, it wasn't as if she couldn't swim. . . and in itself it wasn't terrible, just the prospect of accidentally breaking the board. . . She nodded. "I will keep this in mind."


She quietly watched as he demonstrated what to do, before following suit as to what he was showing. Dominate foot?. . . abit difficult to discern when it can go either way foot wise. . . She can reach past her head with either. . . .use either no dissimilar as hands. . . she never starts walking with one or the other foot first. . .


She quietly tried to figure out which foot she uses more than the other as the deciding factor as to which foot was dominate before settling with her left foot . . .The reasoning behind picking her left side? Because she was left handed and she assumes it may be easier to roll or block with her slightly stronger side apon the forefront. She mimicked the stance as best she could that Hau demonstrated. slightly angling her left foot, shoulder with apart, It reminded her of the Nameik' fighting stance of The Rolling Trees Tribe from her homeland. . . .except they do not plant themselves down apon the ground. . .to be low, loose yet to fight as though you need not the ground to stand.

Fast moving, agile, low to the ground like the local wildlife. Hopefully her mind does not kick into muscle memory of this and act. . . She quietly wondered if it was one of the many fighting styles she had used or shown Hau or no. . . . . it would be useful to him to teach him, but it would be difficult. . .besides, if she teaches it ontop of the other 3 she is teaching him? . . .

she pondered this as she lowered her central body mass. . keeping her joints loose yet 'pointed'.

[Vaitris]

Hau watched Zavijah shuffle her feet over the board, finding what felt right. He hadn’t really considered that she might not have a dominant foot, she was quite comfortable on either one or so he’d observed.

He jumped off his board and circled her, looking her over. “Good. Be careful not to let your knees go wide while you’re out on the water. It’s easy to forget everything you need to do when you’re actually on a wave.” Pausing, he lightly touched her elbows, gently pushing them where he wanted them to be. “You’ll use your arms to balance, so it’s good to keep them away from your sides.”

Throughout all his explanations, he kept his tone bright and confident with no hint of accusation or admonishment. He’d taught both kids and adults back home this same thing and it was clear he’d said these words many, many times before.

The kitsune stepped back and nodded. “So let’s work on your pop up next. Before you can catch a wave, you'll be belly down paddling your surfboard with your hands to get some speed. Once the wave catches up to you and you see the nose of your board start to dip into the water, you'll want to shift into this position that you're in right now. That's called a pop up.”

Hau laid on his board, chest down and centered along it. “There are three steps to it. First, you put your hands flat on the board by your chest. Then lift your shoulders and bring your back foot forward under your butt. Last, bring your front foot up between your hands and stand.”

He demonstrated each of the steps slowly, with pauses between each, then performed it again as one smooth movement. “Go ahead, give it a try.”

[okami1reeka333]

zavijah:


She watched and adjusted her stance to what was necessary. Studying where he had nudged and moved her arms and elbows towards. She was attentive, taking heed to what Hau spoke of, advice she nodded, her mind trying to figure out where the forces would push and pull to where she needs her arms out in order to balance properly. It wasn't necessarily in doubting of his expert ice- but trying to understand how this would play out overall. In her mind she quietly tried to process what to expect- yet understood theory does not always hold a candle to what truly occurs.


When Hau seemed content with her stance, she watched him return to his board, quietly, the eerie gray eyes afixed to his movement as she watched this next technique "pop up" he called it. She stepped off of the board and moved to where she could see how he had his hands positioned, where his foot was tucked when he made contact between it and the board.


From his explanation as to when it is appropriate to Pop up, it almost seems likely that the buoyancy of the water helps with the transition from one position to the stance. "I see. . ." she replied. Now it was her turn to prove that last statement of hers.


She does appreciate he moved slowly as well as how fast normal speed was. . . She does similar when she teaches him how to throw or a fighting technique, sometimes with a sack in the shape of a humanoid to show where to grab if need be. . . Though what did he name it again? Was not always needed for her to show him, shes had him throw this odd shape bag as well. . .weighs heavier than her to keep him from expecting her weight in the case he throws someone.


She returned to the board before laying down on her stomach. She made micro adjustments to better center herself before starting by laying her hands flat directly under her shoulders, by her chest. When she lifted herself, she pulled on foot underneath her butt, tucking her body, before bringing her other foot forth between her hands. Finally standing, returning to the stance Hau had shown prior to showing the Pop up technique. She knows she will need to be much faster than this, seeing how quickly the second Pop up was preformed by Hau, but she wanted to try and understand where what limbs were going- the overall technique before she attempts to speed up the process.

[Vaitris]

“Try it a few more times until it feels more comfortable. This part takes a lot of practice before you get any good.” Hau went through the steps once more then sat down on the board to watch Zavijah, offering correction where it was needed.

“When I was a kid I tried to teach myself how to surf. I’d take my boogie board down to the beach to practice and I thought a “pop up” was like a literal pop up. Like you were supposed to do a little jump there. I tried and tried and tried and I kept falling into the water.”

He laughed a little, with a sort of humor that only came from being older and wiser. “I, uh, wasn’t the brightest kid, but I was too scared to ask for help back then. I almost drowned myself too. Scared the hell out of my moms.” He could still remember the fear on Claire’s face. Luckily, even she could find her way to joking about it these days. “They put me in lessons right away.”

Hau stood up and dusted the sand from his legs. He pulled Hirde from his hair and let the little golem flutter back towards their belongings. “Your form is looking pretty good. Any questions? Do you feel ready to take on a wave or do you want to work on the basics a bit more?”

[okami1reeka333]

zavijah:


As she practiced, she hummed in thought as she listened to Hau. She was not surprised that the 'pop up' needed more practice. Based on what she can speculate from how water functioned, Hau's guidance and witnessing others 'surf'- this was a game of balance. Something that would cause her to drastically change where her central weight- such as standing up- in an unstable setting could dictate whether or not she succeeds or not. In this case, if she remains on the board or not.



She mused at the revelation of his perhaps more venturous side. . .the dedication to practice this technique. . . . Although twas not the reason she offered to teach Hau how to survive and thrive- it is an admirable trait. The wanting to understand and learn will keep him alive. One of the reasons he had earned her respect over the many moons he has learned under her wing.



He then seemed to disparage himself apon remembering a less favorable memory. . . .Drowning was a rather painful way to go. . . Thankfully he was spared from such a horrific fate. . . she mused in thought. If her mother was alive, how horrified would she be to learn of even a fraction of what she had lived through? in addition, found herself sympathizing with Hau's mothers. . .Had it been her own, she could only assume she would be just as scared. . She sat up from the 3- or perhaps 4th run through of the pop up technique, as he stood up. "Tis good, your mothers are very wise. " she replied.



"Though. . .I do not recommend you cut yourself down before thou hath a chance to stand. . . Perhaps a different time, but you will need to remind me to regale of the scholars Enokk and Xhide." At the moment when He is the teacher, was perhaps not the best time to regale in tales.



She similarly stood up, seeing Hau sent Hirde away, musing to herself how well the two had synchronized with each other. Rather than it being similar to him and his knife- this was more akin to kinship or allies, simply learning eachother's habits.



Apon the question if she was ready to go into the ocean, she glanced between the board for a moment before the sea. Perhaps the slowly blooming excitement to get into the water and place this practice into the water was taking hold of her. she nodded. " There comes a time when one must leap as they learn to walk. " she replied. "I know not of any questions to ask. . . " non that she feels will not be answered in practice or by experience, at least. . . . "I am ready whenever you are to step forth. " she replied.

[Vaitris]

Hau’s smile quirked wider for a moment. If only she knew how many variations of that he'd told himself over the years. Maybe someday he'd listen. “I bet it’s a good story, I’ll remind you next time to share it. But right now, let’s get in the water.”

It was obvious from his tone that he was excited. He didn’t get out to surf as much as he wanted, and it was even rarer to share that time with a friend. The kitsune pulled the board's leash around his ankle, then cinched his necklace tighter around his neck. It wouldn’t do him any good to lose the dangling charm in the ocean right after he’d just gotten it. And given how many times he'd had to surprise transform, he was too paranoid to leave it behind.

Hau picked up his surfboard and waded out into the water, sliding onto it when he was about hip deep and paddling deeper. He watched Zavijah closely as he led the way, hiding most of his observation in covert peripheral glances. She wasn’t a child or an inept tourist, she didn’t need him hovering like some sort of overprotective parent. When he finally got out far enough that the rolling waves were breaking into white foam, he sat up and looked at her.

“We’ll start from out here. Point your board towards shore and when you see a wave coming up behind you, start paddling. You want to try and match its speed. When the nose of your board starts to dip toward the water, you pop up. Simple, right?” He grinned, probably a bit too confidently. “If you fall off, remember that you have that leash. Just reel in the board and you can climb out.”

“Let me demonstrate so you can see everything.” With practiced grace, Hau lined himself up and began to paddle, rising to his feet just as a wave swept under his board and pushed him towards shore. After a short ride he jumped off and returned to Zavijah. “Alright, now it's your turn.”

[okami1reeka333]

zavijah:


she carefully watched Hau as he rode the wave that crashed around her. . .Her view was abit obscured from her point of view when the wave grew to a certain point. . .However, he rode this movement of water without effort. . .before he dove into the water. . .


Seemed simple enough- she did not see how he rode the wave itself- if he adjusted his weight as it progressed or if he maintained stance as he rode it- but this should not be too much of a worry, perhaps?


When he returned and noted it was her turn, she nodded. She watched for waves. . .first two past as she was trying to understand the timing. gauge how quickly the waves were striking. . .before apon the third wave she took her chance and begun. She paddled away, just as hau showed well enough before doing the 'pop up' as he had shown. . .taking stance. . . It was not perfect- but it was not horrendous either. . .hmm! perhaps when she becomes accustomed to this, she could use this to-


It was as though at a mere snap of a twig, what was going good so far suddenly went down the drain drastically and rather dramatically. waves were never always smooth, sometimes due to animals, in this case it was just how the water threw itself. Causing a nudge from underneath.


She suddenly began to loose balance- her second natured habit of grab weapon to stab thing caused her to glance her hand over where she would have a knife before realizing wait- she surfing, not hunting. This began to throw her off balance abit, causing her to over correct.


From the outside view it looked like she was attempting a trick, when in reality it was as if she was being flushed by the ocean. . .her body's higher density along with the velocity of the water played against her in this regard as well. She ducked down too quickly to try and recover, grappling the board. she went around the inner wall of the wave once. . twice. . before at one point she seemed to disappeared. .


Only to reappear when the ocean dunked her into the water as she was caught in the crash before abruptly throwing her and the board up from behind and an aggressive manner. . .she flailed before landing in the water unceremoniously. To add insult to injury- when she tried to surface, she hit her head against the board. She grabbed both the board overhead and her head, Trying to figure out if she was bumped, over corrected or allowed second nature behavior to take root that caused the rather dramatic overthrow. . . .

[Vaitris]

Everything was going smoothly. Zavijah looked good, she had her balance, she was surfing straight, but then it all went sideways. Hau's breath caught as he watched her drop to her knees, grabbing the sides of the board in a vain bid to stay on as it began to swerve around before tossing her unceremoniously into the ocean.

It wasn’t too deep here, but he still felt a cold panic rush through him at the sight. He slid into the water and swam over, kicking his surfboard behind him so that it didn’t get in the way of Zavijah trying to resurface. The foam of the waves and the bright reflections of sunlight made it difficult to see anything beneath so he was just reaching for the end of Zavijah's leash when her hand suddenly popped out of the water and gripped her board.

He grabbed her arm and hauled her up onto the surfboard, craning around to see her face, brow knit and tone worried. "Are you okay? You didn't hit anything under the water, did you?" Hau's eyes flickered down the rest of her, or at least what he could see above the water. "I've seen worse wipeouts. Yours was actually pretty impressive right up until that last bit." He added, smiling even as his expression was still eclipsed by concern.