Due to the large splashes created by the duo the life guard rides his dinghy over to them, they're confused at his presence until the man tries to pull Ciri out of the water. She doesn't allow him to and pulls back, resulting in him falling into the water as well.
He floats there next to them and sheepishly looks at them, "So, err... You don't need help?"
The duo just continue to blankly stare at him until he pulls himself back into his boat and rides off, once he's gone the duo burst into laughter.
Ciri "Did you see his face? Clueless!" she mutters through her laughter.
Reima continues to chuckle with her as they watch the boat zoom back to the shore. Suddenly he gets an idea, "Hey Ciri, ever wondered what the bottom of the ocean looks like?"
She nods, "I've tried to swim to the bottom of the lake near Kaer Morhen, Geralt always ended up pulling me back out while driving off the Drowners..."
Reima grins and waves his hand at her and silently casts the Bubble-head charm, a bubble expands over her neck, mouth and nose. Causing her to panic for a moment before realising she can still breathe. Once she's calmed down he casts one over himself, "This is a bubble-head charm, it'll allow us to breath underwater... Shall we take a look?"
She nods and them both submerge into the water, diving down towards the sand below, once there the duo realise another problem, their vision is distorted by the water... This time it's Ciri who chips in, "View Liquet" she chants at herself and Reima, causing their vision to clear and allowing them to behold the true majes... It's just sand... Maybe they're not far out enough to see any truly great sights?
The continue to swim deeper into the depths, light gets dimmer the deeper they go but it's not enough to black their view. Eventually they start to see various sea life hanging around large rocks jutting out of the ground, various plant-life cling to them and seem to invade the crevices created by the ever-present tides. The duo swim around the area, occasionally prodding slow or unbothered fish with their fingers, Ciri watches amused at they dart away, assuming it was her that'd scared them... That is, until a shadow blocks the light above them momentarily.
She scrambles to Reima, fear of the unnatural habitat inhibiting her movements spurring her to duck behind him. Reima himself is confused, he hadn't heard of any sharks in British waters, though he wasn't an expert or even knowledgeable on the subject. The shadow covers them again, this time seeming closer than before. Reima finally spots whatever is stalker them and realises what it is... It's black and white colours giving it away like no other creature, apart from maybe a Zebra? Either way, the Orca, or Killer Whale as most call them swims towards them in an placid manner.
Seeing that it doesn't seem to be hostile in it's approach he takes hold of Ciri's shoulder and points her towards it, so she can get a good look at it. She's seemingly mesmerised at it's unique colouration and size, "Big." is the only thing she manages to get out as it approaches.
It seems more curious than anything else, it swims around them before getting close to Reima and pushing against him with it's nose. Were he a regular human this would've knocked the breath out of him, fortunately he's not and simply rubs it's almost rubbery skin.
Ciri swims next to him and starts patting it curiously, getting surprised by it's strange texture in the process.
The duo continue to play around with the curious mammal until Reima whispers something in Ciri's ear, her eyes sparkle as she quickly nods at him...
Elsewhere :
On a Scottish vessel following a wayward Orca that'd for some reason or another, traveled away from it's family. The researchers were intrigued at this and had been keeping a close eye on him for a couple hours now, however they'd lost sight of him when he'd dived deep under water. That is, until a black shape almost explosively bursts from the water, the researchers were shocked, not because it'd jumped out of the water, but because of the two people apparently riding it's back! Luckily for them they'd be recording almost everything for a documentary that they'd be presenting to the BBC, this was bound to get their program a lot of publicity... They didn't even have to ask the mysterious duo's permission since you could barely make their faces out.
A glowing green Camera floating not far away snaps a few pictures before hiding itself amidst the waves.
Back in the water Reima and Ciri had just ridden the "Orca Express", The Orca's eyes return to normal from it's Axii induced mind control. It makes a calming noise before swimming away, seemingly confused at what'd just happened.
Ciri waves at it as it leaves them before turning to Reima and bickering about how exciting that was, they'd been holding onto it's fin while it travelled a couple kilometres under water, needless to say, they'd probably be the only people that have or ever will ride a Killer Whale.
Reima can't help the smile from forming on his face, he'd been telekinetically controlling a camera he'd previously brought and had it take photo's of them during the peak of the whales jump. He didn't know how they'd turn out but one things for sure, Geralt'll be amused when he sees those photo's...
Once the two eventually returned to the beach the time was around 5-6pm, many beach goers were leaving or had already left. This isn't he case for Reim and Ciri however, they didn't need to work and had no prior arrangements that'd make them unable to stay, and with the relaxed face on his companions face, Reima was unwilling to leave just yet. Besides, they hadn't tried any of the beach side food yet.
They walk side by side across the beach looking for an interesting place to eat, Ciri points to various stores that sell burgers, hot-dogs and other commonly found foods. Reima refused each time however, the reason? "This is England and we're near the sea. If we don't eat fish and chips I'll castrate myself."... Needless to say, after that declaration Reima couldn't and wouldn't eat anything else, to the chagrin of his companion.
Eventually they found a store selling cod and chips and they wasted no time in ordering and finding themselves a seat. The store was nice but if Reima could change one thing? It'd be the creepy dude trying to flirt with Ciri, neither found it amusing but both were worried he'd do something weird to her food. Once the plump man gave them the boxed food Reima swapped his with Ciri's, while it might be paranoia, he'd rather take the bullet for her... He's a gentleman afterall???
Ciri looks confused at the forked stick she had been handed and glances at Reima, "Do we not get proper cutlery?"
Reima waves away her worries, "It's tradition... And cheaper." he says prodding his own wooden fork in her direction.
The meal itself was average, the fish was alright but the batter was greasy and falling apart. The chips were the same and are only edible with liberal use of vinegar and ketchup.
Ciri "Reima?" she asks while eating.
Reima "Ciri?" he parrots her, causing her nose to wrinkle.
Ciri "I'm being serious."
Reima "Fine, what's up?"
Ciri "This all, feels weird... Like we're wasting precious time, we should be doing something proactive like training." she says sincerely.
Reima nods, he can see why she'd be thinking that, she does have interdimentional wraith cosplaying elves after her booty, so it's a warranted worry. "Relax Ciri, no one can constantly fight or train." he says remembering his time spent in Dark Souls. "You have to rest at some point, if you're too overworked then your progress may be stunted, breaks like the one we're having today is good for your mind and body. You'd know this if you read the book on muscular hypertrophy that I'd given you a couple days ago.
She sheepishly looks away a this, "I guess you're right... I've had a great time today, Reima." she says with genuine emotion.
He smiles at her, "I'm glad, you always seem so stressed out. If doing this can ease your burden then I'm content. Perhaps when all of this is over we can take our friends somewhere similar?"
She nods, "I'd like that."
After they're done with with the food they quickly leave, not noticing or ignoring the fat man's glaring at Ciri. They continue to walk around the beech, arms brushing against each other occasionally, a comfortable silence between them.
Reima spots a stand they'd previously walked past in his focussed attempt to find fish and chips, he unconsciously starts salivating at the smell of it. Ciri notices his heavy gaze and looks in the same direction.
Ciri "You want to get some treats? I could still eat." she says, this being the last thing Reima needs before he's briskly walking towards the stand.
"Hello, what can I do fo-" the woman is cut off as Reima states "As many dohnuts this £50 note can buy me."
...
"O-ok sir." she says as he cashes the note and walks back into the stand.
Ciri "Do you really need that many?" she asks curiously.
Reima "Ciri, you've never had a soft warm sugar doughnut before. If there was such a thing as heaven, and it didn't look like McDocnalds, it'd defnitely be covered in these doughnuts." he says with absolute certainty.
Around 10 minutes later the woman comes back with a huge bag of doughnuts, "60 doughnuts sir." she says as she hands it to him, the heat from the sugary treats causing the paper bag to warm his fingers...
Reima "Thanks" he says to the lady before turning to Ciri, "Quick, let's find somewhere to sit before these get cold."
In the end they find themselves sitting in a few lounge chairs overlooking the ocean, both have a couple of alcoholic drinks next to them as they occasionally pop a doughnut into their mouths. Ciri herself must have eaten 14 of them, she felt so full that the only thing she'd managed to get down her gullet is the drink Reima had bought them, though, she'd never thought the combination of "Coke" and "Whisky" would go well together... Personally she'd prefer something more fruity but this'll do, it's significantly better than the piss the commoners would usually drink.
They idly rest on the chairs as the sky turns yellow and the sun starts to set, Reima looks at Ciri, her bloated belly and unwomanly posture making him smile, "Yep, that's Ciri." he muses to himself mentally.
Reima "So, your first time at an English beach been?" he asks, already fully knowing the answer.
Ciri "Wonderful, though I'd prefer it without the people..." she mutters the last part.
Reima grins "There is another type of beach, it's called a nudist-" he doesn't finish his sentence due to a doughnut colliding with the side of his head.
They both lock eyes for a moment before bursting into laughter, truly, this was an amazing day.
So that's the end of the beach mini-arc, enjoy it as it'll probably be a while before it happens again...
Hopefully you guys liked how I'm trying to build both Reima and Ciri's character, if you have any criticisms I'd love to hear them.
If you enjoy my content or want to read ahead please go to https://www.p.atreon.com/Nagross, I'd appreciate it.
As always, if I missed anyting please let me know.
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