Conquering Fears (open)

[Lykaios Minsi]

Lykaios watched the waves, studying them as they rumbled on to the shore. It was peaceful here, not like she expected. On normal circumstances, she would never come here. But today, she was conquering her fear....

Well, that was the goal anyway. Lykaios jumped away from the water as it inched towards her feet. Though she was sure no one was watching, she blushed at her own folly. It was just water, right? There was nothing to be afraid of except drowning. Besides, that wouldn't be an issue. The plan was to just go to the beach, right? That's all. It wasn't like she was going to actually swim or anything. She was just here to get her feet wet. Nothing more, nothing less.

Lykaios swallowed, a little nervous. This is ridiculous. I'm acting like a child! she thought angrily. She took several steps forward, and tensed as the water rushed around her ankles. It was like the water knew she was afraid of it, and was teasing her. The water played at her ankle before sinking into the sand. Lykaios smiled. This isn't so bad.

She closed her eyes, breathing in the fresh air. Lykaios walked back up the beach and slipped on her sandals. The hot sand burned her feet as she walked. By the time she reached her sandals, the bottoms of her feet stung terribly and were a bright red color.

"Great," she muttered, slipping into her sandals. She looked back at the beach. Before her transformation, she had never been to a beach. She never wanted to.

The sun was rising as she walked along the beach. Going to the beach had ended up being a much more relaxing experience then she had expected. She tried to forget the fact that she hadn't actually hadn't really gotten in the water, which was fine with her.

"Going to the beach is worth skipping class," decided Lykaios firmly. Not that she was an advocate of such behavior. Well, maybe a little. She was just excersizing free will, after all. Sticking to schedules always had the tendency to bore her.

Lykaios pulled at her sleeve, straightening it. Her clothing was very relaxed, a blue polo shirt with a white Cami, and jean shorts with sandals. Today was going to be a good day.

She laughed, tossing her head back so her blonde hair fell over her shoulders. If only her family and friends could see her now!

"Should have brought a camera," she said with a smile, stopping to gaze at the scenery.

[Maddox Raynes]

Oh this was going to be interesting. He had finished all of his classes, and that was the good thing about his schedule. He could tweak it and change it and make things the way that he wanted to because he was able to organize like that. However, instead of grading some of the assignments that he had piled upon his desk, he figured he would take a walk instead. It would be good to get some fresh air, and he was a fan of the outdoors. He would rather be outside than in, and it was a large reason as to why he went outside with his classes as much as possible. No one liked to be cooped up, and he wasn’t going to be the one to do it without much of a reason. The young teacher had that mind set when it came to people and his outlook on life. If there was a better way to learn, or to do something, than he was going to try it. He found that his students paid more attention and enjoyed classes just that much more because they stepped outside of the building.

He made a point to go outside at least once a week if the weather was nice. If it was supposed to be really nice, then he’d take them out maybe three times a week. It wasn’t conventional, and many of the other teachers disapproved, but he didn’t care. He was past the point in which other’s judgment of him made a large difference in his life. He had done too much and been through too much to let it affect him any longer. If he did, he would never make it through this life. So he took things with a grain of salt usually. Now he was just glad to have a free moment, for he was able to venture to a place where he went mostly every day. It was a perfect place for a jog, for the sand offered just enough resistance for him, and it was just far enough away from his apartment. Pushing those thoughts from his mind, the twenty two year old made his way down the path that would lead him to the shore. He figured he would look a little funny in his black pants and white button up shirt and shoes, so he had changed.

He was now outfitted in a simple pair of khaki shorts and a white tee shirt. Over that tee was a light blue button up shirt that he had rolled the sleeves up to. On his feet were a simple pair of brown flip flops that accompanied him to the beach when he wasn’t planning on running. It was a nice day, and he was looking forward to this. Running a hand through his sandy brown hair, he finally felt the terrain shift beneath him, and was soon walking along in the soft, almost white sand. He couldn’t help the small smile that worked its way onto his face. He was just so happy to be outside and by himself. Those were the only things that mattered to him lately, as well as his students and his profession. Shaking his head a little, the young man kept his easy walk, not being in a particular hurry. As he went along, his gray eyes found a shape by the water’s edge. Furrowing his brow, he watched as she jumped away, seeming afraid of the water. Studying her with his quiet, intelligent gaze, he looked away as she made her way back from the water’s edge. When she was in hearing distance, he spoke up. ”Are you alright?” It was a simple enough question, but if she didn’t want to tell him then he wouldn’t pry. He just felt like he should ask her, just to make certain.

[Lykaios Minsi]

Lykaios looked up, startled. She had been so focused on the water, she had hardly noticed the approaching man. He was older than herself, that much was certain, but he was still young.

"I'm fine," she said, holding up a hand in a sort of greeting. Her eyes wandered back towards the ocean, watching the tide with a sort of awe. It was really rather too bad that she was afraid of water. Otherwise, she might really enjoy the ocean. For now she would stick with making her sandcastle, away from the ocean.

"Do you live near here?" Lykaios asked, feeling as if she has seen this person before. He seemed to resemble one of the teachers at school that she had seen in between classes, but without his normal attire, it was hard to be certain. I hope he isn't a teacher, she thought to herself. That would be embarrassing...and awkward. Lykaios never really trusted teachers, or liked them. Most of her teachers were bossy and irritating. They harp on you for not doing your homework, and don't really seem to like their job that much. Teachers always seem to get irritable around Lykaios, but perhaps that was partially her fault. Lykaios was known for causing trouble in the classroom, or just not paying attention at all. The only classes she ever cared about were her Zoology class, her physical education class, and her Medicine class. Even her dance class could be dull at times. She walked down the beach, her feet slipping in the sand. Lykaios never really minded the feel of gritty sand in between her toes. In fact, she hardly ever wore shoes. Today Lykaios wore jean shorts, and a regular tee shirt she threw on before coming out to the beach. She hadn't expected running into someone this early in the day, and was slightly annoyed at her own ignorance.

She wasn't sure if she should be annoyed at the man for asking if she was alright, or be thankful he was even asking and being kind. Lykaios decided that he was only trying to be helpful and sociable.

"I was just playing around," she said, feeling almost a little defensive in her actions. "I've never really been to the beach before. This is my first time." She shrugged. So much for trying to conquer her fear of water.