A World Without Sun discussion

((Does she know how to swim? cos if she doesn't, I have a good idea))

"Mine too." he said. "The first real date I've had actually, in a long time."

((Lol. My idea's alreasy been half-taken))

((Yes she's a butterflyer but hint your idea first and I might change that)

She looked at him. "First real date, huh? Well it's my very first in- 14 years and counting.))

(Really?))

((I ws thinking mb he pushes her into the pool for fun or somethin' and she starts drowning. Maybe. I don't know....))

((I don't mind that))

((Ok then, let's try that...))

"My first in around three years." Nate said. "I went on a date when I was fourteen."

"Uh huh." Lyra said and looked down at the water nervously. She knew how to swim, yes, but ever since her near-drowning experience when she was on the road, she had never felt good around water again.

"Have you ever been around here?" Nate asked. "I haven't." he looked at the pool. "Swimming is not really my thing but I think swimming pools always look so cool."

She shook her head. "No… I used to swim. Before… something happened."

"Cool." he said, his eyes lighting up. "So you can swim." he looked at her. "What happened."

"Well I bet I'm out of practice. Someone tried to drown me." She said simply.

His eyes moved over her concernedly. "Someone tried to drown you?" he shivered. "That must be horrible."

She shook her head in amusement. "NO, it isn't horrible at all when someone's got their hand clamped around your throat and your lungs are burning." SHe grinned seeing his concerned expression. "Don't look at me like that. I'm fine."

"Okay." Nate looked away and grinned. "Sorry. Looks like I'm always concerned for you."

"Yeah. It does." She chuckled.

"I always am." he said. "Most of the time, at least."

She looked at him. "But why?"

He shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe because you're not scared of anything? Believe it or not, that is a serious concern."

She snorted. "I am scared of some things. But I'm willing to sand up to them."

"Understand my concern now?" he asked.

"Yes." She said.

Nate smiled. "We could sit down here for a little bit..." he gestured towards the pool. "It'll help you stand up to your fears."

“Uhhh, ok.” She said.

"Come on." Nate said holding her hand. "It's not so bad."

She smiled at him. "Fine then."

"Look." he said pointing o the water. "It even looks beautiful."

She chortled. "Never judge a book by its cover."

"That's too old." Nate said. "The water's bad only if you can't swim but...you can, right?"

"Yes, i can, but I;m out of practice…" She smiled a bit at him.

"It doesn't matter." Nate said. "It'll all come back to you. It always does."

She smiled at him. "Thanks, Nate."

He sat by the pool, his legs dangling in the water, holding Lyra's hand. He glanced at her.

She shot him what she hoped was a reassured smile.

Nate knew she could swim so he didn't see what the harm was in trying to make her do that. Slowly, so that she wouldn't notice what he was doing, he pushed her hard, into the water.

Lyra let out a yelp of surprise which was cut off short as she hit her head on the side, and slowly, began sloping out of the void of consciousness.

Nate knew it was a bad idea the second he did it. "Oh...crap." he said and jumped into the water after her. He held her by the arms and tried to lift her out.

Lyra's lungs were burning, as she tried to stay conscious to get air, but the pool was quite deep, and the breath she took was water, and not air. The world faded into darkness.

Nate pulled Lyra out of the water, mustering as much strength as he had. "I'm sorry." he whispered. "I'm so sorry." his teeth were chattering as he climbed out himself, his hair sticking close to his head.

Thanlfully there was no blood, or she could've been dead, but she lay still on the tiles that lined the dry borders of the pool. Her dark blode haor was plastered to her face.

"I'm sorry." Nate whispered looking at her. "I thought...." he didn't know what to say or what to do. "Please wake up." he pleaded.

"Oh my heavens above Nate, you idiot," the soft murmur escaped from Lyra's lips like a breeze, but there was no mistaking the smirk in her voice.

"Thank god." he hugged her harder than he ever had before. "I should get you inside....I'm so sorry."

"Calm down, Nate," she murmured in his ear, "It must've been my bad luck vibes. Relax, love."

"I c-can't relax." he said, his teeth chattering. He lifted her up carefully. "This time, I don't mind even if your brother does try to kill me."

Lyra lay her head on his shoulder and feebly put her arms around his neck as henpicked her up. "Now don't say that," she whispered, "for I would mind."

"Are you okay?" he whispered anxiously. "I could never forgive myself if you weren't." he ignored her previous statement.

"Yes," she whispered softly, and closed her eyes. "Now I'm safe," she murmured.

"I hope so." Nate said walking as quickly as he could towards the building, a chill seeping through his bones.

"Nate, are you alright?" She asked him, concerned.