[ there's a bit of silence, Levi hesitates a bit before continuing thoughtfully. ]
...maybe. I...
[ a soft breath, exhaling. ]
I'll think about it.
[ it's not as though he's putting Finnick off - because if he didn't want it, he'd just say so. There's something about the thought of being in such deep water that puts an uncomfortable itch in his brain. ]
[He opens his mouth, breathes in, then pauses before speaking.]
No pressure. I know it's not for everyone.
[Everyone's got a different experience of the ocean, different skill levels and comfort with swimming and being in water. He's not so myopic as to think everyone will love it or should love it the way he does.]
Oh... That's actually a good point, yeah. You never know when you might need to swim to survive.
Hot springs? Oh, that sounds amazing. That sounds like a safe place to learn, too. You can't learn in the ocean, it's too dangerous with the surf, and I hear there's weird shit in the lake.
Wasn't that necessary before really. [ Although cadets probably did learn during training. Levi didn't go through any of that, and there were no bodies of water in the underground to learn in. ]
There is weird shit in the lake. Monsters, scary looking mermaids. Shit might actually try to eat you even when you're not a corpse.
[Finnick smiles like an idiot at that, throwing his arm over his own face.]
Oh- A siren is a mermaid that sings an alluring song. Sailors follow the song, and go toward the beautiful mermaid, and then she drowns them and/or eats them. At least, that's what legends say. In my world, they're not real, but who knows about this place.
[ He's lying back, slouched and sprawled on the couch. His feet don't quite reach the opposite end, but his toes are curling a bit, and flexing again. Even though Finnick is talking gruesome death (nothing he's not really heard before, really), he does have a nice voice to listen to. ]
Thought I heard something about the ones here being nasty. Might wanna steer clear, just in case. Can't jump in to get you if they start taking bites outta your ass underwater.
[Finnick laughs, a breathy sound. Even over the phone, he can feel a little bit of... Something. Some kind of tension between them, but a good kind.]
I don't mind my ass eaten, but not quite so literally. I'll try to steer clear. But it sucks, because the gelflings and goblins actually have a fishing operation on the lake, which I was thinking about getting into...
Pretty faces always get me. You should know that by now.
[He teases. Levi has seen him with customers. He's a huge flirt, though he always knows how to toe the line of keeping it work-appropriate. Somehow charming and professional, even when he's hitting on someone.
Though he butters up old ladies just as much as anyone he's actually into.]
Maybe they do. Or maybe they fight them off somehow, I dunno. They must have some defenses figured out against whatever is in there.
[ That earns a soft noise that Finnick has probably learned by now is a chuckle, a little quick exhale, amused. ]
Yeah. I do.
[ Finnick is quite good with people, much better than Levi could ever be. If nothing else, that alone made it a good decision to invite him to work at the shop. Between him and Erwin, there's always someone around people can go to if Levi's grumpy face is too intimidating or something.
Mostly, he wants people to be comfortable and welcome. Other people are better at making that obvious than he is. ]
Should ask. Bet you could fish circles around them. Fish in circles around them. However it works.
[ He chuckles again. Sure, Finnick has it bad for Levi which leads to a bit more giggling than usual, but Levi's also just very funny in his deadpan way. ]
I probably could. I might inquire with them about doing it on the side. Wouldn't want it to interfere with my work at the shop, though.
[ Finnick smiles softly. It's sweet that Levi wants to keep him around but wouldn't ultimately want to hold him back from pursuing something he's passionate about. ]
I doubt you'll be rid of me that easily. I really enjoy being at the shop. It makes me happy.
[ Not just because of Levi either, though that helps. He also likes Erwin a lot, likes the general atmosphere, the social interaction, and likes being helpful and useful. ]
Besides, the guy who runs those docks is weird. Weirder than you, if you can believe it.
[ No point in making people feel like they're obligated to stay, especially here. But Levi has also always been a proponent of free choice. Still, hearing that he can give someone a place that makes them happy to be...that hits in his chest.
He takes a soft breath, holds onto that feeling a moment. There's a small hint of emotion in his voice, if Finnick listens for it. ]
Good...I'm glad. [ Really glad. ]
[ He'll click his tongue at that last bit, though. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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He does snort then, much like a horse. ]
No fuckin chance with all those sea-bugs in there anyway.
[ That's not a 'no' to skinny dipping in general though- communal bathing was probably a thing in the Survey Corps at the very least. ]
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[He's grinning- it can probably be heard in his voice.]
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Hmm. Too late now.
[ is it? ]
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[His tone is coy, meekly persuasive.]
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[ sir, please, ]
Still can't swim though.
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[He sounds a bit sheepish.]
If you wanted to learn.
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...maybe. I...
[ a soft breath, exhaling. ]
I'll think about it.
[ it's not as though he's putting Finnick off - because if he didn't want it, he'd just say so. There's something about the thought of being in such deep water that puts an uncomfortable itch in his brain. ]
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No pressure. I know it's not for everyone.
[Everyone's got a different experience of the ocean, different skill levels and comfort with swimming and being in water. He's not so myopic as to think everyone will love it or should love it the way he does.]
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[ There's really no telling with that guy. ]
...there's hot springs, though.
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Hot springs? Oh, that sounds amazing. That sounds like a safe place to learn, too. You can't learn in the ocean, it's too dangerous with the surf, and I hear there's weird shit in the lake.
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There is weird shit in the lake. Monsters, scary looking mermaids. Shit might actually try to eat you even when you're not a corpse.
[ Pause ]
But yeah...good place to relax, too.
[ The hot springs. You know. ]
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[He's long thought that if sirens were real he'd absolutely fall for it.]
Yeah, it sounds like it. I'd love to go with you.
[Two bros, chillin in a hot spring--]
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[ There is an undeniable warmth, there. ]
Siren? You've mentioned that a couple times.
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Oh- A siren is a mermaid that sings an alluring song. Sailors follow the song, and go toward the beautiful mermaid, and then she drowns them and/or eats them. At least, that's what legends say. In my world, they're not real, but who knows about this place.
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[ He's lying back, slouched and sprawled on the couch. His feet don't quite reach the opposite end, but his toes are curling a bit, and flexing again. Even though Finnick is talking gruesome death (nothing he's not really heard before, really), he does have a nice voice to listen to. ]
Thought I heard something about the ones here being nasty. Might wanna steer clear, just in case. Can't jump in to get you if they start taking bites outta your ass underwater.
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I don't mind my ass eaten, but not quite so literally. I'll try to steer clear. But it sucks, because the gelflings and goblins actually have a fishing operation on the lake, which I was thinking about getting into...
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Well, maybe they know a trick to it. Could always stuff something in your ears so you can't hear.
Or does the pretty face get you, too?
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[He teases. Levi has seen him with customers. He's a huge flirt, though he always knows how to toe the line of keeping it work-appropriate. Somehow charming and professional, even when he's hitting on someone.
Though he butters up old ladies just as much as anyone he's actually into.]
Maybe they do. Or maybe they fight them off somehow, I dunno. They must have some defenses figured out against whatever is in there.
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Yeah. I do.
[ Finnick is quite good with people, much better than Levi could ever be. If nothing else, that alone made it a good decision to invite him to work at the shop. Between him and Erwin, there's always someone around people can go to if Levi's grumpy face is too intimidating or something.
Mostly, he wants people to be comfortable and welcome. Other people are better at making that obvious than he is. ]
Should ask. Bet you could fish circles around them. Fish in circles around them.
However it works.
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I probably could. I might inquire with them about doing it on the side. Wouldn't want it to interfere with my work at the shop, though.
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Yeah...would be sad to lose you to goblins and fish.
But if that ends up being what you'd rather do instead, well...that'd be fine, as long as it's what you want.
[ There's only sincerity in what he says; no judgment, just a plain wish for Finnick to do what makes him happy. ]
Would have to find other ways to see you, though.
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I doubt you'll be rid of me that easily. I really enjoy being at the shop. It makes me happy.
[ Not just because of Levi either, though that helps. He also likes Erwin a lot, likes the general atmosphere, the social interaction, and likes being helpful and useful. ]
Besides, the guy who runs those docks is weird. Weirder than you, if you can believe it.
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He takes a soft breath, holds onto that feeling a moment. There's a small hint of emotion in his voice, if Finnick listens for it. ]
Good...I'm glad. [ Really glad. ]
[ He'll click his tongue at that last bit, though. ]
Ch. Guess I'll have to do something about that.
[ Sir?? ]
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[Finnick turns on his stomach again. Why does he feel like such a teenager?]
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Might have to feed him to the mermaids.
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