So, maybe, this wasn't the best idea he's ever had when he's all clumsy determination and steadfast resolve. He's never been graceful a day in his life - not in battle, not even while walking the halls of the ship, and most certainly not with ice skates strapped to his feet and balancing awkwardly upon a frozen lake with the flaxen glow of lanterns illuminating his unsteady figure beneath the starry skies, but that doesn't prevent a smile from slipping onto his lips. Sliding up to the very edge of the lake he stops in front of her - he's managed to skate around the lake a few times now. His knees no longer shake and he seems somewhat steady on his feet. Gloved hand extending towards her with his palm facing up for her to take while the other came in front of his chest to sign. 'If I can do it, I'm sure you'll be fine.' Confidence oozes from his expression, but he still adds, 'Take my hand, I won't let you fall.'
She had this weird push-and-pull tugging at her heart as she stared at the ice. Having heard about the activity, both through oral and written stories throughout the years, she had always wanted to give it a try. The authors made it sound so majestic; like a magical dance that made the hearts of whoever stepped onto that ice skip a beat. It certainly made hers when she heard descriptions of figure skating, or read through novels with the activity bring the two lovers closer together or friends could just goof off and have fun. And she couldâve tried it at any point in her life...Had her life not already been decided for her. Unfortunately, ice-skating wasnât an activity her mother saw as furthering her chances of becoming a great performer and chosen as a maiden. Though, in hindsight, such balance and technique wouldâve made her less nervous at practicing dances. And yet the bruises she heard peers complain about were probably the reason her motherâs fair Diantha never took to the ice.
And thatâs why, even now, when she desperately wanted to just go out onto the lake, even to just get the hang of skating all by herself and experience the joy of it, there was that little anxious voice that told her not to. In fear of pain, but more in fear of looking the fool in front of new respected peers, and some closer to her heart than others, when it was that one sport any wouldâve guessed the graceful, oh-so-talented Diantha could do well.
She had told Gran simply that she couldnât skate; simply that she never had the opportunity to try, no deep backstory needed to it. The captain had seemed to accept as much, but Lyria had at least gotten skates on her, and then other crew members were questioning her decision to sit alone on a nearby bench. She brushed it all off, too embarrassed to even admit the simple truth to the others, and just saying sheâd skate when she was ready.
That was hours ago. She had flip-flopped between her winter boots and these ice skates more times than she could count to help with anything so as to take her mind off the ice. Gran had the same predicament, but for sound reasons like helping his crew, that only now he himself could learn to skate properly under the care of soft lanterns and reassuring starlight. And there she was, applauding his first confident loop around the lake, while she anxiously stood on the sidelines, still afraid to join him. Of course she chastised herself in her head for thinking so childishly, and now this was just in front of the man she trusted most, which should give her more than enough strength to try all of this on her own. And yet...Even stillâŚ
Even still, heâs there to help her. Her golden gaze blinks startled at his outstretched hand, before reading his other to gather the simple intentions. And thereâs a sigh released; a huge one that was trapped in her chest without her realizing, exhaled into the snow, and all from his little vow and huge smile. â...I know you wonât.â Is a form of thanks breathed through a little crack in her voice, but whatever emotion felt was as warm as she imagined it in her stories.Â
Though, immediately upon taking his hand and stepping carefully onto the ice, the first issue of balance makes itself known. Skates slip on the slick surface, which causes her to flail a little to try and correct herself, which only makes her feet slip more. Their gloved hold is tightened into a vice-like grip, and she canât help but grab his other hand before he could sign another word, breathing hitching into panicked little gasps as she tried to both use him to sturdy herself, but also trying to not bring them both tumbling to the ground. Itâs a brief moment before she finally steady herself, though she could feel her legs shaking as muscles she forgot she had tensed to keep her feet planted as firmly as possible to the ice. Gaze trailed up slowly from her feet to where she gripped his dominant hand, and then to meet his own crystal clear eyes. Blush enveloped her whole face at the eye contact, however, embarrassed by both her shameful display and by how close their faces had gotten in such a short moment. Focus went back to his hands, and while the one he had offered her was squeezed, her grip on the other slowly released and went onto his upper arm. âS-SorryâŚâ Is all she could mutter for a moment, thumb rubbing across the fabric of his hoodie. A look over his shoulder revealed that they had gotten a bit away from the edges of the lake, so there was no turning back now. Only the moment for a deep breath and a thought voiced aloud. âSo...Well, um, what...What should I do?â