lesson after lesson

Chip was down by the beach, with their daughter. Teaching her how to tie knots, practicing with her. He'd done similar lessons when she was younger, but had tapered off the longer they'd stayed ashore... but now, with the possibility of taking to the sea coming nearer and nearer, he wanted to ensure she understood how to handle her own ship.

Other members of the clan were watching, practicing, and asking for advice. He moved away from Chi, to settle in front of one of the elders of the clan. So, right here... you needed to go under, instead of over. He corrected the knot for them, Over-tied knots can come loose. He explained patiently.

He made his rounds on the knot lessons, before moving to sweep one of the clan's childrens out of the way of an incoming wave. The little girl burbled quietly, completely unafraid, as Chip took the brunt and shock of the cold wave that had been heading towards her.

He grunted, shaking his hair out of his face as he sat the girl down, nudging her back to the shore. Go find Taegen, Orlaith. You shouldn't be swimming by yourself.

In their migration back to the sea, there was much in the way of preparations. Preparations that ultimately fell to clan leadership to facilitate. Moreover, it fell to him to make sure everything remained on track and as seemless as possible in his service to the Keeper, as was tradition. Rather as was his penchant for keeping his finger on the pulse of their nomadic clan. Clan Varahel had suited him in so many ways that it was hard to deny that he was meant for permance in its ranks. He'd spent much of his life on the run, never staying in one place long enough to foster anything meaningful. But it took the closest thing he'd ever come to family for him to reorganize his priorities, putting a finer point on her own wanderlust. Now all of his transience seemed to count for something. 

At the heart of migration however was indeed the Keeper himself. The man that quite literally embodied their strength and fortitude in the face of desolation. Someone who had seen despair and still fought for a peaceful return to the life they loved so much. And then there was her, Inala, a goddess in her own right with unflappable determination. It made Carasson's job easier than it ought to be and for that he was grateful, not mention deeply devoted. 

Most days his responsibilities took up a nominal part of his day, leaving the rest of his waking hours to personal connection in the ways he saw fit. More opportunity for him to learn how to relate to the water they were to live eventually, among other things. 

He smiled at Orlaith as she flew past him at the bidding of her Keeper. Hands swept over her seawater ladden locks. She's just there.He pointed further along the beach at a grouping of others. Babysitting not in the purview of the Captain? Learn something new every day.His tone was teasing, with a leer to match as he neared the larger man, his superior in every sense. Bare feet melted into the sand of the surf, curls riding the gentle breeze that came off the water. Have you seen Inala?

Xochipilli snorted, as his First joined him. In a way, I babysit the entire clan. He grinned at the man, teasing, as he watched the child find her way back to her guardian.

The waters are dangerous, if you don't know how to swim. She does not—Orlaith's mother had asked me just this morning to teach her. Until she can swim, she cannot be on the ocean alone. His voice was quiet, as he moved his gaze from trailing the child.

Mmm, not yet. He murmured, shaking his head to confirm his answer. Chip was quiet, studying the ocean as he listened to the sounds of the elves behind of him.

Laughing, talking, generally happy. He was proud to say the clan had never experienced great hardship under his care. Do you think we can do it? Teach everyone how to live with the ocean? There would likely be accidents once they moved the clan to the seas, possibly even accidents in the journey they'd need to take to acquire the proper ships. He didn't like to linger on the possibilities, but he knew Inala would have a list of things to prepare for.

She was always... so prepared.

It was fair to insist on safety, especially when facing the as force as powerful and unpredictable as the sea. He wouldn't fault Chip for that, but he would fault him for being too much inside of himself. In Cara's view Xochipilli spent so much of his energy focus on the clan and their migration the water that he sometimes missed the bigger picture. The former liked to think that it was his job to help in that respect, a subtle guidance towards a comprehensive understanding. 

Did she insist you were the teacher? While I'm no master of the waves, I can keep my head above water. He smiled bashefully, no stranger to a little self deprication for comedic relief when it mattered. It was an understatement of course, Carasson was quite an avid swimmer. I can help, you know. just in case Chip needed reminding that he needn't assume all of the burdens himself. 

He focused on the horizon as well, matching the far away look his companion had assumed. I think if there was anyone that might make it happen, he stepped sidelong into the other man, gentle nudging in assurance. It would be...Inala....and you.... I suppose.  Another teasing jab he hoped wouldn't be taken literally. Although there was a kernal of truth in the fact that Inala always seemed to tie them all so neatly together.

Stress seeped through every pore of Inala's body. Ever since the decision had been made that they'd take to the waters, she hadn't been able to relax. Initially, she'd wanted them to break everything down and charter passage to the Free Marches. Word was the darkspawn hadn't reached them yet. It would be safer to rebuild their aravels to be sea-worthy vessels. But changes had come and now, it seemed, everyone wanted to just do it here and now.

That thought alone worried her beyond reason. She'd seen early in the morning everyone working and learning and training along the coast. But she'd ducked away, telling anyone that questioned her she was going on a solo hunt. Though in reality, she'd found a secluded cove to swim in. The water cleared her head, made her feel more grounded.

Eventually, though, eventually she knew she needed to tend to the clan. To actually hunt, or check in on how things were proceeding. With the sun almost at its zenith of the day, Inala finally dragged herself out of the water. Bare feet sunk blissfully into the sand as she walked along the shore toward the others. It was cool, but she didn't notice the temperature overly much.

The airy giggles of children playing signaled she was close as figures began to show on the horizon ahead of her. She pushed a smile onto her lips, hiding the stress she felt behind a carefully kept facade. Inala managed to wander up to Chip and Cara right as the latter said her name.

Am I being volunteered for something? she asked, a playful grin across her lips.

She slithered a bit closer to Cara, snaking her wet self against him with a smirk. Why dry herself off before arriving when she had a perfectly good boyfriend she could use to her advantage? Water was still beaded over her exposed skin, her clothes still rather wet from the dip. She hadn't had the energy to go through the efforts of removing them only to put them on again after. So, why bother removing them at all? They'd dry eventually.

Eyes on the water, the Keeper sighed. Did I forget, again? He was bad to take everything onto his shoulders; to forget there was support in place. Sorry. No, she didn't explicitly request that I'm the teacher.

Carasson stepped into him, bumping him with an assurance that only Cara could manage to convey with such a simple movement. Chip raised his eyebrows, grinning, You suppose, huh? Well, we'll just have to show you.

And then Inala was there, settling against Cara, and Chip shook his head at her question. He let his gaze wander across her, and her boyfriend. There should have been jealousy there; but there was none to be found.

As long as Inala was safe and happy.

How was your swim, Na? He let his gaze leave her, turning to study those working on knots and ties, little children excitedly running along the beach. When he determined someone was, in fact, watching the children, he returned his gaze to the couple in front of him.

He bit down on the inside of his cheek  as he stiffled far more uproarous laughter at the gesture between them. Okay big guy, we're all waiting. He crossed his arms over his chest and shfited his weight as if to communicate he might be impatient for Chip to act in that moment. Luckily based on their rapport, there was little chance of being taken seriously. A refreshing change to know someone so well you could be yourself without repercussion. And it was of course at that moment that Inala chose to approach their conversation, as if she were summoned. 

Cara's smile was wistful as she approached, To carry us all on your shoulders, yes. His smile turned almost wicked as she formed against him and his arm snaked with hers in a twined embrace ignoring the his own clothes soaked up the salt water slipping off of her. Up for it? He wagged his eyebrows conspiratorially as one hand pulled her firmly against his side, his arm a drappd around her shoulder, nose nudging some water plastered hair from her cheek to nuzzle before he motioned to Chip before them. 

The guilt had abatted a long time ago. Now all that left was a sort of understanding and.....something else he couldn't put his finger on. Not yet at least. Because I think Chip would rather ask you about your swim than prove himself to us. There was of course nothing Chip would ever need to prove to him. His smile was less wicked and more jovial as he eyed his friend with a sort of friendly challenge. Was he begging to be tossed in the surf? Who's to say he wasn't?

Ah, of course, she replied with a laugh, giving him a playful nudge. Mmm, don't think I could carry anyone from this position, she mused, wrapped up against him. But I could certainly throw you, she offered, grinning up at him wickedly.

But, before she could even pretend as if she were going to follow through, there was a gesture toward Chip. Relaxing, she answered, happy to be open about it. Did she have things needing attending? Of course, but she'd be no good to the clan if the stress building up killed her before they could even take to the waters.

Inala arched a brow, glancing from Cara to Chip. Prove what, exactly? Suspicion edged into her tone as she narrowed her gaze between the two men. What had they been up to before she arrived?

As she answered about her swim, he nodded, thoughtfully. He watched the way she wrapped herself around Carasson, and chuckled softly. There had once been a solid threat between the two men; if Cara hurt Inala, Chip had made it clear there'd be hell to pay.

That threat had since diminished into something of an after-thought, for Carasson treated the woman well. He was about to turn around to take in the clan, the bustle on the beach almost reminded him of home.

Almost.

Chip raised his eyebrows, smirking towards Carasson. If you wanna see my dick, just ask. Playfully grinning, he swept his hair out of his face, rolling his eyes. He wants to see who's the faster swimmer. I told him, it's me. Hands down. He stated, coming up with an easy lie. Not that he wasn't confident he'd outswim the other. After all, he'd grown up on the ocean.

There was an ease he felt being in their presence. A sense of peace that went unrivaled to anything else. With these two by his side, he was unstoppable. They were unstoppable. Formidability of their union aside, it was powefully simple in its commraderie. They worked well together despite what pasts seemed to lurk as undercurrents to that functionality. They could never change that Chip and Inala had once been together, had sired Chi. Could never change that their union had ended. Could never change the tumultuous feelings that rose over Chip's drinking. The one thing they could do, however, was look forward and continue on. For all of its flaws, Cara had no interest in changing the past or reliving past events. 

You could try But there was no doubt she could just that, even against his will. But then there was little chance he'd ever complain about being thrown into the water by her. Water after all, was never seen as a punishment, rather a welcome reprieve from all that troubled them on land. 

A laugh choked out of him at Chip's words. If you want to compare sizes Chip, just ask. Else don't threaten me with a good time. He sailed past the innuendo, paying it little mind. He eyed Chip with mirth sparking in his eyes, noting the lie but not questioning the motivation behind it, not at the moment at least. He went with it. And I told him that age is making him soft and he shouldn't underestimate me. Nevermind that he was damn near the same age.

Inala arched a brow up at her vhenan. Is that a challenge, I hear?

But before anyone could really answer the question, Chip spoke up. Immediately, Inala shifted her gaze to him, brow furrowing slightly. Was he serious? Were they going to have a(nother) pissing match right now? Cara was responding and she dropped her head into a free hand, rubbing her temples.

'... don't threaten me with a good time.' Did he really? Inala dropped her hand, snaking it around the front of her body so she could pinch Cara in the side. Down, boy. Beyond that, she didn't think too much of the quip. Instead, looking back at their Keeper.

This time she pulled away from her love, hands going to her hips as she eyed him up and down. Hmm, aren't you humble, hahren, she teased, grinning wickedly.

Xochipilli grinned playfully, eyes bright with amusement. If age is making me soft, we're on equal ground. He pointed this out with a chuckle, gazing around at the rest of the clan, hard at work learning.

Children were getting antsy and bored, pestering family to play with them. Inala had rubbed her temple, and that's when he clapped his hands, to get everyone's attention.

Alright. Alright, pack it in. We've been hard at work these past few weeks. And I think we've all forgotten that sometimes, it's okay to relax. He grinned, calling, After all, no matter how bad things get, there's fun to be had and no shame in having it. Children, stay near an adult if you go swimming. Don't play with the wildlife, do not eat anything, and don't go too far from shore.

He grinned at the whoops and squeals from the children, shaking his head as he turned to raise his eyebrows at Cara. As clan-members dispersed to do what they considered relaxing, many of them heading into the water, he couldn't help but think back to happier times.

Well? Show me how old I am.

It is if you want it to be. He offered with a mischievous leer, arching his brows as a way to leave it open for her interpretation. He knew better than to goad on the woman who could easily snap him in half with her pinkie finger. 

And you've forgotten how to count. He quipped with a smile. It was all in good fun. In his heart, he felt no ill will towards Chip. In fact, he felt strong the opposite. There was a reason what with all of his pent up wanderlust from a youth on the run, he kept coming back to Varahel, he stayed loyal. Duty and honor only played but a small part. Chip spoke up then and Cara turned to face the clan as well as a show of unity, smiling as he nipped Inala's cheek near her ear. Only the most humble, vhenan he whispered only for her to hear.  Bending back to kiss her chastly atop her head as he waited for Chip to set things to rights for the time being. 

He nodded beyond both of them to the water. To the jetty and back. No powers. No cheating. Pure skill. He smiled smugly as he removed his shirt but knew realistically he had little chance of winning. But being a winner was in the confidence right? He tossed the shirt to Inala. Is that agreeable to you dadd- dad? His face rouged at the Freudian slip. Something he hadn't meant come to the surface just yet, but was there nonetheless. He covered it up quickly with a smile Or would you like a handicap?

Inala pursed her lips as she caught Cara's tunic, only to throw it immediately back at his face at the slip of his tongue. Stop thinking about dicks, I'm right here, she crinkled her nose at him, eyes scrunching a little as she made a face.

I'll give someone a handicap, she muttered, stepping closer to the water. Chip! she called at the Keeper, a wicked, wicked grin on her lips. Peeling off her still damp top, she chucked it toward the sand and settled her hands on her hips. Shifting her eyes toward her vhenan, she tried to nonverbally gesture with them to indicate for him to get a move on.

Chip flushed when Cara slipped up, snickering at Inala's statement. Then, just as he turned to head into the water, she called his name and he paused.

Turned.

And crowed: Damn, you look good. He took a moment to study her, grinning unabashedly. After all, she'd given him permission to look. And it wasn't anything he'd never seen before.