finalflight | PSL; [YOU MAY BURY MY BODY]

[Shush, there's nothing to see here.

She points at the flamingo floatie with her free hand, now drifting in Warren's direction across the pool's surface. What does he mean "try what out"?]

I bought it for a reason.

I would have thought you bought it for yourself.

[ The pink flamingo seems at odds with Warren's... everything. He doesn't exactly seem keen to move from his seat. ]

I'll pass, thanks.

It's for both of us to use. Whoever wants to laze around in the pool and soak up the sun the most. Besides, they don't make a black flamingo floatie.

[Warren, don't be a fuddy-duddy.]

At least get into the water.

[ Girl. The look on Warren’s face suggests she’s pushing her luck. This wasn’t part of their deal – and she suggested the substitution without giving any stipulations – so he’s not exactly eager to comply. There are some lines that won’t be crossed, and apparently flamingo floaties are one of them. ]

I said I’ll pass.

[Yeah, well. She pushes. With pointed clarification.]

You're not even going to swim?

[ I can't believe this is the first thing they're going to argue over. ]

And you're so invested in this... why?

[Somehow, I can.]

Because maybe I want to get a good look at you. In the water.

[ Idly, as he leans back in his chair and resumes his book: ]

Maybe I'll consider it, when you're willing to tell me what you're up to directly, instead of hiding things behind your back.

[Wow, buddy, you really belong in the no-fun zone.

She stares at him for a long moment, then in an exhale-sigh:]

I was going to shoot you.

[What.]

...With this.

[She reveals what she's been hiding behind her back -- a water gun.]

But now you've officially drained away at least half of the fun. Honestly, Warren.

[ He just smirks. Of course. ]

I've been told it's a talent of mine.

[ Sucking the fun out of things. ]

[This man...]

That's not talent, that's called a deficiency. [ :)

Well, fine. She tosses the water gun into the pool and it hits with a little splash, bobbing up and down on the surface.]

Fine. I'll get you with it someday. But come on, get in the pool for just a few minutes, and then I'll leave you alone. And you can read to your heart's content. I promise.

Tomayto, tomahto.

[ Bland. But still, he lowers his book just a bit, eying her flatly. ]

You really aren't going to let this go, are you?

[A little brightly:]

Nope!

[ Oh my god. A sigh. ]

Fine. I know when to choose my battles.

[ And this is stupid. So, he sets his book and sunglasses aside to slide into the pool. He absolutely is keeping an eye on Makima. ]

[Wow, zero trust! Makima won't be reaching for her water gun anytime soon, alas, especially since it is slowly drifting over to the shallow end of the pool, while she remains standing near its middle.]

Perfect. See, that's not so hard.

[And with that, she sets her hat aside near her feet, then hops into the pool. As delicately as she can, yes, but she still splashes a little -- and on cue, as though they were waiting for her to go first, two of the larger dogs stand up, bark, and then jump into the pool, too. They break the surface moments later, utterly happy, and swim from one end to the next.

They don't splash Warren, at least. They don't even dive in close to him. Except for the little chihuahua, who hops in near the man, but is far too small to create much of a cannonball splash.

Makima pops up from beneath the water, red bangs clinging to the side of her face.]

The water feels nice! Not too cold, not too warm.

[ Warren’s not going to kick up a fuss over a little splashing, and it sure doesn’t escape his notice that the dogs take special care not to get in his way. It’s a little eerie how well-behaved they are, though he supposes he’ll get used to it. Just as he’ll get used to everything else.

He pauses, treading water as Makima resurfaces. ]

That is usually the point of a swimming pool.

[ No Fun Allowed. ]

[Why are you this way, Warren. You can seek power and still have fun while doing it.]

The point of a swimming pool is for fun, exercise, or relaxation.

[Anyway, she's swimming closer now, stopping just short of where Warren's treading water.]

I hope you're not going to be like this when we take the dogs for a walk.

[ He does have fun on occasion. Most people wouldn’t like his idea of fun, but that’s neither here nor there. She’ll get to see him loosen up eventually probably. ]

And just how are you expecting me to act, instead?

[Eventually probably.

She treads water, easing herself in a half-circle around him.]

Like it’s not some kind of punishment, ideally.

[My, look at these tattoos.]

You’ll break a girl’s heart, otherwise.

[ He rolls his eyes. He's not that bad, okay? (He is.)

After a moment, he angles his head to watch her. Ah, he has a pretty good idea about what she's looking at. ]

If you have questions, you might as well ask them.

[ Not gonna remark on the dog walking thing, apparently. ]

[You can’t avoid government assigned dog-walking fun forever.

If Warren allows it, Makima reaches out with a finger, just to gently press at one of the dark marks on his back, now that she’s swam behind him.]

I thought I’d spy proof of our contract somewhere, that’s all. But I see I’m getting more than I bargained for, visually.

[This is not actually a complaint— I mean what.]

Oh, if that’s what you’re looking for, it’s under the water.

[ Scandalous? No, not really.

He eases himself through the water until he can stand, stepping into the shallow end of the pool enough so she can see it, the dark silhouette of that chess piece emblazoned on his skin. The powers that be probably think they’re funny, or something, for picking that out. ]

The rest is magic. Shortcuts, so to speak, so I don’t have to physically cast.

[Not scandalous? How disappointing.

Except not really. The chess piece is just as compelling, if not more so, than whatever might be below the waistline. (no it's not, don't lie to yourself girl--) Makima eases forward just enough to find herself at the shallow section of the pool, too, following so she can get a better look. And again, the pad of her pointer finger traces down to that new marking.]

The powers that be must have a sense of humor. A chess piece... I like it.

[A horse's head. The knight. But also, what better symbol for control, other than a piece to be moved around on the board?]

Magic tattoos, though. That's clever. Do all wizards have something similar?

[ Scandal will just have to wait for now. Warren stays where he is, arm half-raised as she draws her finger over his skin. He’s not blind, and not so inhuman that he doesn’t realize how insanely hot Makima is, but he’s also a cautious sort. New as this arrangement is, better not to bring anything complicated into the mix just yet.

So, he lets her do as she pleases with a clinical sort of distance, before he finally brings his arm back down. Oh yes, he thought she might like it. ]

Usually only wizards who might find themselves in a fight.

And you definitely qualify, don't you.

[Oh, how many people has he faced-off against like he did against her? How many did not walk away from it? What a thought.

Makima drops her hand, finally, but she also does not remove herself from his personal space just yet.]

So what do these tattoos do... What are the spells that are worthy of a "shortcut"?

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