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 Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2012 10:09 pm
Who: Phiel and Jezabroux
When: A week after the close of the summer ORP
Where: The beach at Gambino; only a few hundred feet from Phiel's house
Weather: Early morning, shortly after dawn; still relatively cool and breezy from night.
The morning had dawned early and cloudy, the dim grey light creeping over the horizon as Phiel finally dragged himself home from a hell of a shift. He had left Zuri overnight -- she had proved herself more than capable of keeping house overnight by herself, and he had agreed after she'd argued with him for twenty minutes in her quiet, composed manner. Now, though, he was sure she was still asleep. The dawn light wasn't even blossoming red yet over the sea as he pulled the car in underneath the house and slipped into the shed to change into swimming clothes, a loose-fitting long-sleeved shirt and shorts. Grabbing a towel and slipping his feet into flip-flops, Phiel began to trudge down the sands to the beach.
It had been a long shift, and he was exhausted -- but despite his weariness, he just couldn't imagine going to bed without working out some of the pent-up frustration and restlessness. He was looking forward to fighting the salty waves, alone but for the seagulls, until he could collapse into the delicious softness of his bed and not think for a couple of hours. Leaving his towel and his flip-flops above the wave-line, he padded into the water with great relish, stretching as usual as he waded in.
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Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2012 10:32 pm
It was early, too early for most folks to be up. For Elai however, it was the other way around. It was the perfect time to get up and start his day.
Standing on the clean sandy beach of Gambino, the acupuncturist took off his shirt and tossed it on the ground. Taking a few deep breathes, he stretched his limbs before shaking them loose to get the blood flowing. The water would be colder than usual right now, but it was always a great way to wake up.
Leaving his flip flops on the beach by his discarded shirt, the man gave his arms a few more shakes before stepping in the water. As the cool waters wrapped around his ankles, Elai let out a low hiss before swimming out to a deeper part of the water. He did a few warm up strokes before beginning his usual morning workout. It was always difficult, but he relished the challenge. The feeling of accomplishment and endorphines that flushed after always made it worth the effort.
He swam through the dark waters, swiftly making his way through the lapping waves. There was something freeing about being in the waters. As the water engulfed his body, it took his mind as well. He didn't have to think about Luka, work, or his parents. It was all about keeping his pace. Testing the boundaries of his body.
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Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2012 10:52 pm
Once Phiel was acclimated, he yawned, and lowered himself into the water with his knees creaking a little. He set to swimming hesitantly at first, stretching muscles that hadn't been stretched in several hours. It felt good, even the dull burning aches, to work out all the knots with good old-fashioned exercise. He wasn't even thinking about anything, only the salt sea on his tongue and the wheeling, calling gulls above -- and the flash of an unfamiliar body in the water.
Wait, what?
He looked up again, nearly getting an eyeful of salt water. Who the hell in their right mind would be out here this early in the morning? Other than himself, of course...
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Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2012 11:01 pm
Phiel wasn't the only one who had realized the presence of another. Jezabroux was just turning to do some breast strokes when he'd spotted Phiel's form. It was hard to make out any good features, but the acupuncturist took a moment's glace at the man before returning to his workout.
It was rare to see people up this early. And though he was interested in figuring out who this person was, sharing the waters with him, he current focus was his morning exercise. He could always talk to the stranger after his work out, but he couldn't afford to ruin his workout half way through.
Arms in front of him in a sharp pyramid, the man propelled himself under the water before coming back up for hair only to do the next stroke. This sport had shaped him years ago, and even now, it continued to shape him. It still taught him discipline. The unforgiving waves of the morning tide, if he lost focus, he risked his life. There was little room for distraction.
Continuing with his breast strokes, the man moved at a quick pace. It was very obvious he'd been a competitive swimmer in the past. His form and speed, those were hard to nail with years of practice and dedication towards the discipline.
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Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2012 9:08 pm
Perhaps it wasn't the wisest thing to do, in his weary state, but Phiel felt a quick, warm surge of adrenaline -- it spread up into his chest, warming him. For a moment he felt younger, stronger, more lithe. He knew these waters better than anything else, and he knew swimming. It had been a long time, though, since that competitive urge had welled up in him. He sucked in a deep breath. Even if it wasn't really a competition, since no rules had been discussed, and nothing had been planned, Phiel wanted to see if he could push himself more with the presence of another than he could have on his own.
And so, relishing the idea of getting his heart pumping and his blood flowing, he adjusted his own posture, and began to knife through the water as well, quicker now, as his muscle-memory began to kick in.
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Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2012 11:20 am
Each time he rose above the waters to take a breath, he took a quick look to his right to catch sight of his unknown companion. The man was fast, moving at a pace equal if not possibly faster than his.
A smile tugging at his lips, he took one more quick glance at Phiel before throwing himself into overdrive. He could feel exhilaration surging through his body as that familiar feeling from years past came welling back. It was like when he was younger.
The roaring of crowds as he competed in swim matches. The joy he'd felt speeding through these waters, he'd almost forgotten. And yet, somehow, 'racing' this stranger beside him was bringing up those fond memories again. His team mates, their wins, their losses, and the time they'd spent together to improve.
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Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2012 10:10 pm
Riding high on the energy of old pleasure, Phiel savored the hard work -- the strong scent-memory of chlorine pools, cold water, goggles too tight over his eyes and his muscles burning with effort. Still, he had been hard at work all night and he was exhausted, and soon he began to flag, falling behind a little. Something about that stroke was familiar, he had to admit. He recognized the long reach, though right now he couldn't for the life of him have come up with who it was, not for all the wins in the world. But it was nagging, sitting just at the back of his brain where he couldn't quite reach it...
Who in the world was his mystery competitor and why did he seem so familiar?
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Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 1:42 pm
Was it minutes? Hours?
In the arms of the dark waves, the acupuncturist lost count of time. The only things he counted were strokes and breathes. Right now, it was just him and his unknown rival slicing through the waters as fast as they could.
Slowing down, Jezabroux turned and began swimming towards the shore. He hadn't realized it earlier, but the sun's rays were already starting to wash over the beach. Stepping out of the salty waters, the man took a deep breath before stretching his limbs. Turning to face the waters again, he squinted and tried to spot out his unknown swimming partner for today. He wanted to know who this man was. Just who was this person that brought up all those memories of the past from his competitive swimming days.
Reaching for the towel he's laid down earlier, he began drying his hair. Spotting the stranger in the water, Jezabroux gave a wave a loose wave. He wanted to talk to the man, and hopefully the other would too.
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Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 7:34 pm
When he couldn't swim any more, Phiel turned back too. Within a few minutes he was clambering back up onto the sand, heavy in every limb. He was panting a little, salt riming his grey curls as he shook himself off like a dog. His heavy, exhausted legs didn't want to work, but he hauled himself upright, reaching for his towel. In the early-morning brightness, his scars shone almost silver against his fair skin, and he squinted a little to catch the sight of that waving hand. For a moment he was unsure, but he had just shared a race with him. It would be rude to avoid him now, wouldn't it?
Towel draped over his head and his wet T-shirt hanging off him, Phiel padded over cautiously, footprints digging into the sand. "Mornin'," he called, lowly.
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Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2012 3:06 pm
“Good morning.” Jezabroux replied, giving the man a warm smile as he held out his hand for the other. “My name is Jezabroux, I wanted to say thanks for racing with me earlier. You have a really powerful stroke.” He chuckled. “It’s very similar if not identical to someone I used to know in the past.” Reaching up with a towel, the acupuncturist dried his hair some more. “It’s been a while since I’ve raced with someone. You really got my adrenaline pumping. Do you swim here every morning?” He asked.
If the other man did, then it was kind of curious that they’d only just happened to meet today. Jezabroux had swam at the same time, same spot every morning for the past several years.
With the rays of the morning sun slowly bathing them in the warm of its light, Jezabroux could make out more and more of the man’s features. Gray curls heavy with water, and a well chiseled body like his own. Only, this man’s body was decorated with fine silvery lines from past scars.
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Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2012 8:17 pm
Although Phiel hesitated a little to take Jez's hand, it took him only a second to push himself past his own boundary, and he clasped the offered hand firmly, his long fingers sure. He took a moment to let his eyes gloss down over the man, appraising. Something about him pinged his memory, right at the tip of his proverbial tongue. "Name is Phiel," he admitted quietly, smiling a little. "I swim here when I get off work, and my hours are kind of... erratic." He looked back out to sea for a moment. "You look kind of familiar too, though... Definitely a damned good swimmer. Were you on a team?"
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Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2012 9:52 pm
Jezabroux gave Phiel's hand a strong shake before pulling his hand back. "A pleasure to meet you, Phiel." He said the man's name slowly. Somewhere in the back of his brain, sparks were flying. The man's name was familiar to him but for reasons he was unsure of. Had they met before? Somehow?
"I see. Ah, yes. I was. I swam all through high school. And I would have swam through college as well if I didn't go to China to study acupuncture." The man explained. "I was team captain of Amery Young Men's Academy. You may have heard of it if you swam during high school. We consistently ranked first along with another high school. Their lead swimmer, he swam a lot like you. Long and powerful strokes." He explained. "I can't quite recall his name though...." His brows furrowed, trying to remember.
"It really doesn't make sense that I would forget my own rival's name... OH, It was Cereus. That water dog and I had quite a rivalry." He said with a fond chuckle, not quite realizing it was his old high school rival he had race once more just a moment ago.
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Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2012 10:15 pm
Crossing his arms across his chest, Phiel thought for a moment -- it was coming closer and closer to the forefront of his brain, but as foggy and tired as he was it wasn't until Jezabroux said the name of his school, and then came up with Phiel's own last name, that it clicked into place, a perfect 'aha' moment. His brows rose.
"That's me," he said, unable to help the slightly crooked grin that curved his lips. "I'm Phiel Cereus. I knew I recognized you," he said with a little chuckle, gratified to know that his old rival was doing well. It pleased him beyond all reasonable measure. "I never made it to college, either, but it's good to see you doing well. Just as evenly matched as we ever were." He could have sworn that he could smell chlorine and feel the too-tight pull of the swim-cap on his curls and the disconcerting squish of goggles around his eyes, just in that moment.
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Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2012 2:34 pm
Jezabroux’s eyes widened in shock when the other introduced himself as his high school rival. An expression that was quickly changed to one of elation. “It’s nice seeing you again. The irony that we would happen to race again so many years later and still be matched.” Chuckling, he gave Phiel a light affectionate punch in the arm. It was out of character for the acupuncturist to show so much camaraderie but something about meeting someone from his past was bringing out portions of the man’s high school personality again. “This is really nostalgic.” Jezabroux murmured, suddenly hearing the roars of audiences on the bleachers and the loud bang of the starter gun.
“What have you been up to? Aside from swimming that is.” It was so weird and exciting to be catching up with someone so far back into his past. “You sure haven’t changed much with your curls.” He said with a slight chuckle. “If you’re free sometime, would you like to come to my apartment for dinner?” It was a sudden invitation, but the acupuncturist couldn’t help but shake off the feeling that it would be a shame to let Phiel go again. There was a reason why the two had met like this wasn’t it?
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Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2012 6:08 pm
Though Phiel could have done without the punch, it made him feel good at the same time. It wasn't as if it hurt, after all, and he chuckled softly. "It's pretty nice," he admitted, running his hands back through his curls to spray water off them. They were coarse and springy enough to shed it without trouble. He liked the feeling of being, well... remembered; the genuine pleasure on the man's face brought a little bit of a flutter of warmth to his chest. The memories of high school were strong right now and not all of them were bad ones.
"I've been... hopping from job to job, but I've settled finally on bodyguarding. Hence, my being up so early." He yawned a little, looking slightly sleepy now that he'd worked out all his manic energy. "But I'd be glad to come for dinner... It won't be just me, though," he warned.
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