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Before you can get a word in, you hear the cottage door open. Looking around, you see Elle peering out from the ajar door. Seeing you, she ducks back inside for a moment before tentatively pushing the door open and stepping out into the sun. Tugging nervously at the wide white sun hat on her head, she approaches and gives you a shy smile.
Granted, you're not an expert, but you never realised that swimming costumes these days showed so much skin – her costume is cut low in the chest, hinting at the elegant curves of her breasts, while the frilly skirt ends above the knee. Seeing your gaze, Elle blushes a little and touches the lacy costume. “It's too much, isn't it?” she says quickly, “I knew it, I should've gone with something a little more, um, modest, but it looked so pretty in the shop and-”
“Stop. Take a breath,” Ariel interrupts mildly, “You look fine. I don't think you'll hear anyone here say otherwise.”
“You really think so?” the oracle murmurs, looking back to you, “Too much?”
“I'm hardly in a position to comment,” you point out, gesturing vaguely at your own costume.
“Yes, um, it's certainly...” Elle pauses, her gaze dropping low before quickly snapping up to your face again, “Anyway! Um, what were you thinking of doing?”
“We were just going to have a race out to that island,” Daniel explains, waving vaguely in the direction of the lake, “That is, assuming Bard has the nerve for it.”
“Bring it on,” you tell him, a competitive fire lighting in your chest, “I never back down from a challenge!”
Daniel grins, and immediately marches across to the edge of the lake. You follow him, as Jan lets out a weary sigh and joins you. “I'll be cheering for you!” Elle calls after you, excitement creeping into her voice.
When Ariel gives the signal, you leap into the water and plunge forwards with a powerful stroke. It's been a while since you last went swimming, but the motions come back to you in an instant. Even as Jan falls back, you can see that you're unlikely to win – Daniel is a little taller than you, with a longer reach to match, and he's got a greater strength in his favour. Resigning yourself to limit the damage to your pride, you push through the water with renewed resolve as the island draws closer.
When you're about two thirds of the way towards the island, you see Daniel start to slow. There's a new clumsiness in his stroke now, his arm splashing roughly in the water. The distance between you closes in a matter of moments, and then you're pulling ahead. Pushing the last reserves of your strength into your arms, you lunge forwards and slap one hand against the warm rock of the island.
Victory is yours.
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