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Standing at the beach, Aari looked at the water with trepidation. The ocean was gigantic, and always moving... Others swam freely in the waves, laughing or calling out or working out. They did not seem worried about getting sucked into the depths...

Having never been in water deeper than a bath, Aari wanted to investigate but was rather nervous. She walked toward the ocean, but, when the water rose to greet her, would gasp and jump away again; all while stubbornly ignoring the strange looks she got. The others might not be afraid of being sucked away, but she was!

Oh, it was so tempting! Seeing others swimming and splashing around was torture! The sun was warm, the breeze gentle, and the water clear and sparkling. It was begging to be accepted! ...Too bad the incoming waves made her think of hands trying to reach up the sand to grab at her.

With a small yelp of surprise when a voice spoke nearby, she spun to face the man with her dark cheeks flushing brightly. Finally, someone was going to tell her how silly she was being... "I.. suppose it is," she said bashfully, peeking over to the ocean. "I had never laid eyes on the ocean before recently. It is beautiful, but also a little intimidating. I am not as brave as I would like to suggest, so it seems."

Well, it was a little encouraging to know others found the ocean just as scary. Aari looked over at the water again. So, she could overcome this as well! The offer of a smaller pool made her look over with surprise. "I would appreciate that very much, if you really think it will help me. ..Is it still the same water that the ocean has?"

Listening to the pleasant little tune as the walked, Aari found herself smiling. The land itself giving consideration to the younglings? Quite a wistful notion, indeed.

It was easy to see where the thought came from though. The pool she had been lead to was like looking at a large bath in the ground. It didn't look very deep. "Are.. you certain that the ground under there is firm enough to hold us?" she asked, stepping up to the edge of the little pool.

Aari watched the man jump right in, her hopes rising. Biting her lip, she stuck out her foot to dip it into the water. Thanks to Kyrian's willingness to go first, the temperature differences were not quite as stark as they could have been. Still, feeling the cool beneath the warmth up top was a strange sensation. She persisted though!

Foot touching the sandy bottom, she hesitated to make extra certain that there was solid footing there. Taking a deep breath, she shifted her weight to bring her other foot in. She sank the slightest bit as the sand shifted, but dry sand did the very same thing. Letting her breath out sharply, her lips curved into a smile of relief. "Perhaps I will save swimming for another day," she said, slowly starting to walk withing the pool until the water was up to her knees. "Thank you for showing me this, .." Smiling apologetically, she stuck out a hand in greeting. "My name is Aari."

Head cocking curiously as the question began, her cheeks darkened sharply at the end. Fully mature?! What would he need to know that for?! Age was never brought up among the ladies she had been around in Oba, unless someone wanted to be backhanded. However.. she was not among the Oban "ladies" anymore. Besides.. she could fight back now if he tried anything. He didn't give off that impression though, which was good. "I suppose that depends on what you feel is fully mature. I believe I am though," she finally stated. "In that case.. are you fully mature as well?" Kyrian seemed to have an ageless face.. she really couldn't tell.

So, he was at least her age; probably older. "I couldn't tell," she complimented. Kyrian really did have an ageless look, apparently. She knew of many women who would be jealous of him~

Flirting? The heat on her cheeks softened but remained, feeling a little better now that her hand was free. Now she couldn't help her eyes dropping bashfully. "Thank you." The compliment of a stranger that was neither lewd nor mocking. It wasn't the first time, but it still managed to surprise her every time.

Of course, looking down reminded her that she was in the water. Shifting her weight to one leg, she raised the other to gently move it through the water, making gentle waves around her ankle. "Water is lovely," she mused softly.

Shells and rocks.. It would be nice to be able to bring a little of Matori back with her. A reminder of a calmer place and time. Catching her attention, Aari looked up to see what Kyrian was holding out. She plucked up the stone and peered at it before laughing happily. "Thank you, Kyrian. You can be certain that I will hold onto this preciously." Giggling, she did a little spin in the water, watching the bottom of her skirt catch the surface. "I hope you will have another treasure ready for me when I eventually brave the ocean," she teased playfully. Of course she expected nothing.