Tweak

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Tweak says, "Nice. Wooden bullets?"

Dean Thomas (artistdean) wrote in finnigans_rpg,
@ 2015-05-07 17:11:00

Entry tags:

character: dean thomas, character: lucy spinks

RP: Splish, Splash, Splosh
Who: Lucy and Dean
What: A slightly surprise meeting
Where: Susan's house, pool room
When: Thursday 7th May
Rating: SFW for now

Dean cleaned up as usual on a Thursday and headed for Susan's pool room. It was far easier now he could just come here rather than going to the public pool. For one thing he could be far more flexible now he didn't have to stick to the regulated swim times, and also it was a bit of a saving on his wallet too. Especially since he could drop in for extra time if he wanted. Of course he'd built up enough of a routine that he still arrived somewhere around six most weeks and swam for at least an hour.

He'd dumped most of his stuff on one of the chairs before ducking into the cubicle to change just in case of visitors. He started with a few leisurely lengths before pushing back out of the pool, deciding he could do some diving practice. As usual he dived in from the deep end, going as far underwater as he could before surfacing to breathe and then swimming the rest of the length and back normally mostly sticking to front crawl. He was already leaning over to dive in for his third round of this exercise when he heard the door opening. He looked up, not realising he was basically at the point of no return and promptly belly-flopped into the pool with an "Oof!" and the vague sense that he'd seen a small woman in the doorway.

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addingvalue
2015-05-18 12:23 pm UTC (link)

Dean's rise to the surface and Lucy's trajectory towards him would have intersected had Lucy not been paying enough attention to slow her pace and hang back, trading water as Dean came up for air. "Are you okay?" she asked, raising her voice to be heard over their combined splashing. Now that Dean's head was above water there was less urgency about the situation, and Lucy became aware that her heart was racing from her aborted rescue mission. She bit her lip, trying not to laugh until she could be sure the swimmer was okay. It was definitely an unorthodox way to meet someone.

It was only when she could be sure Dean had taken a few breaths that Lucy remembered she still had no idea who he was or what he was doing here. "Who are you?" she asked, still trying to keep a straight face.

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artistdean
2015-05-18 11:53 pm UTC (link)

Dean managed to nod in answer to being asked if he was okay, although he did so while coughing in reaction to trying to gulp in air on top of the water he'd swallowed. "Will be," he croaked weakly, before coughing again. He turned his head and spat out some water. Horrible manners but he needed to get it out of his mouth and he wasn't going to swallow it. Inhaling it had been bad enough.

At least automatic treading water was something he did, legs and arms keeping him afloat with ease as he tried to find his breath once more. As he was trying to regain his composure, and the air in his lungs the young woman, who looked decidedly bedraggled having jumped in without changing, asked him who he was. He realised, suddenly, that this was Lucy, who Susan had told him about, and Susan had managed to forget to warn her about his visits. For some reason this made him laugh, sadly the sudden bark of laughter also made him cough again. He turned his head to the side so he didn't cough all over Lucy, and thankfully managed to suppress the cough fairly quickly. "I'm Dean, you must be Lucy," he said, smiling and holding out a hand. He could still feel the slight catch in his throat as he continued. "I'm one of Susan's best friends, I come every week pretty much, and she clearly forgot to warn you. C'mon, we should get out of the pool," he said, gesturing to the side with his head before striking out in a smooth movement.

On reaching the side he pushed himself up and out easily, rubbing briefly at his chest and belly where he'd hit the water. It was going to hurt for a little while, that much he knew.

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addingvalue
2015-05-20 08:23 am UTC (link)

Dean's coughing put an end to Lucy's impulse to laugh. He seemed to be treading water alright, but she didn't want him choking - especially if he was one of Susan's friends. And she had to believe he was, as it seemed unlikely there was any other way he could know her name. "At least she warned one of us," she said, frowning slightly as she shook his hand. She kept behind him as he swam towards the side, ready to offer assistance if he needed it.

It took some effort for her to haul her shorter frame out of the deep end, but rock climbing meant she had more upper body strength than was necessarily obvious from her appearance and she managed it without needing help. Once she was out, she stood and pulled her t-shirt off over her head, wringing it out over the side of the pool and moving to hang it over a railing. Possibly it would be almost-dry when it came time to walk back to the house.

She turned her attention back to Dean. "Breathing any easier?" she asked. "I can go grab you some water from the house."

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artistdean
2015-05-20 03:38 pm UTC (link)

"Sorry, she only told me you'd moved in, what? last week and she said she was going to tell you I use the pool, but she obviously forgot," said, keeping his head above the water for once as he swam to the side. Usually he was excessively eager to swim 'properly' and keep his head down.

Dean averted his eyes when she stripped out of her top, not sure what she might be wearing underneath. It was possible she'd already changed into her swimming gear, but he didn't exactly know her very well and it seemed inappropriate if she hadn't changed.

He took a carefully deeper breath. It was slightly sore and a tiny bit rattly but mostly fine. He nodded carefully. "Doing better, thanks," he said. "No need to get water though," he said. "I'll just grab my wand, it'll be quicker." Not that he thought there were any glasses around here anywhere (although he imagined Susan would put some in as soon as either of mentioned this little issue), but he could get clean water from his wand and drink it from his hand. "Thank you for jumping in to save me though," he said, before turning away and walking towards his pile of stuff on one of the loungers, bare feet slapping wetly on the tiles. "I probably shouldn't have looked up at that point," he said sheepishly. He was generally proud of how good his swimming was, simple diving too for that matter. He shuffled with his pockets until he found his wand and held it triumphantly.

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addingvalue
2015-05-26 10:45 am UTC (link)

Lucy noticed, amused, as Dean politely looked away while she changed. "It's okay, I'm decent." She gestured to the swimming costume. She had no reason to be ashamed of her body, but nor was she in the habit of stripping off in front of perfect strangers. Her hands went to check the state of her ponytail, which was sopping wet now but had otherwise held up decently.

She laughed off his thanks, feeling a little self-conscious about the unnecessary rescue attempt. "It looked like you needed it for a second there, and weeks of lifesaving skills lessons kicked in. If I can pick up a brick from the deep end of a pool after swimming twenty laps apparently I can save a drowning man." Lucy was honestly glad she hadn't had to try. She'd been tiny even as a child, but the height difference hadn't been anything like as big as it was now and she'd have struggled to get Dean to safety if he'd really been in danger.

She watched as he walked off to get his wand, chiding herself mentally for not thinking of that. Hers was in the house, which was probably for the best as she had no idea how it'd fare dunked underwater when she'd jumped in. "I didn't bring anything with me," she apologised. "It didn't seem worth it when the house is so close."

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artistdean
2015-05-26 04:13 pm UTC (link)

He chuckled and turned his head back again. "Sorry, I know a few people who don't care but I wasn't wanting to... not that you're not... um, I was being polite?" he said slightly flustered, adding a slightly forced and overenthusiastic smile at the end. Way to go at meeting someone he hadn't seen in years but was clearly a very nice person.

"Oh, I must try that some time!" he said and then shook his head. "Sorry, I didn't actually do lifesaving classes but I like trying to stretch myself." He shrugged slightly. "I mean bellyflops are never pleasant, so I really do appreciate the thought. Good news for the future is I'm usually fine. I'm a pretty regular swimmer."

He waved away her explanation. "Nah, it's fine. I come on my way back from work, I usually bring everything with me unless I'm planning to go back," he said. He cupped his left hand and carefully cast Aguamenti, scooping the stream of water that filled his palm to his mouth and slurping it up a few times before cancelling the spell.

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addingvalue
2015-05-29 02:45 pm UTC (link)

"Very polite," Lucy agreed, taking pity on his obvious awkwardness for a moment before she broke out a flirty smile. "Though I'm glad to know I'm not... um..." She raised an eyebrow at him, still smiling. She couldn't help it - awkwardness in men was just the most endearing thing.

She nodded enthusiastically at his appreciation of the classes. "I was the smallest swimmer there, unsurprisingly," she said, well aware her height was the first thing more people noticed. "But that just made me work harder. I wanted to prove I could do as much as the tallest person - if not more." And she had, too. "I really enjoyed it, is what I'm trying to say. I'm sure there must be adult classes somewhere." She could probably use a refresher herself, though she didn't say so for fear of appearing to come on too strong with someone she didn't actually know.

Once he was done drinking, and Lucy had bitten back her admiration for his casual use of magic, she ventured a little closer to where he was standing. "So how do you know Susan? From work?"

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artistdean
2015-05-29 09:06 pm UTC (link)

Thank Godric for skin that hides blushes Dean thought idly as Lucy smiled at him. He instead scratched absently at his stomach and ducked his head. "Yes, well," he swallowed and smiled at her politely. He recognised the flirting but didn't actually want to respond to it.

"A good source of motivation can be a plus," he said. The difference between their heights rather made him feel like he was looming over her somewhat and he took half a pace backwards as much for the sake of his own personal space as hers. "I'm pretty sure they had adult classes at the pool I used to go to before Susan moved," he said, trying to recall if they were lifesaving classes or just straight adult swimming classes. he'd seen on the timetable. "I can dig out an old timetable and let you have it if you like?" he offered. "I mean the pool isn't too near here, but at least it's a start." He shrugged, he was happy setting himself tasks and using Susan's pool to dive for whatever he felt like since these days he pretty much only swam here, and alone or with close friends.

The idea that Lucy thought he might work with Susan made him snort out a surprised laugh that rolled on for several seconds. He smacked a hand over his mouth and taking a few seconds to compose himself before dropping it again, the amusement lingering around his mouth and eyes. "No, really not, we met at Hogwarts through Seamus, but you should tell her you asked if it was at work, because it will give her a good laugh I'm pretty sure." He coughed. "Sorry, shouldn't have laughed, but my little sisters laugh at me when I tell them I'll protect them from shitty boyfriends and ask if Susan can do it instead. Her: lovely but terrifying auror. Me? trained artist. Far less scary," he explained with appropriately overblown faces and hand gestures.

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addingvalue
2015-06-01 08:28 am UTC (link)

Dean's tight, polite smile and the way he took a step back from her as if she were a prowling tiger dashed cold water (metaphorically this time) over Lucy's brief flutter of interest. She enjoyed flirting and would even admit to liking it when she left boys flustered - but only when it was the good kind of flustered. Not the kind that implied a girlfriend who would definitely not approve of scantily-clad attempted rescuers making moves on their other halves.

"I'm sure I can find a pool nearby," she said, making the refusal polite. "Assuming I can find the hours in the day. I've been staying with Susan for... a month? And this is the first time I've used the pool. I probably shouldn't be signing up for more commitments until I know I can stick to them."

Lucy gave him a warmer smile at his laugh - and the mention of his sisters and their (potentially) shitty boyfriends. "At least you look like you could be scary," she pointed out, gesturing at herself again. "My sisters' boyfriends never take me seriously until it's too late." Lucy rarely got physical with creeps hitting on her sisters - but more than one had experienced the sharp edge of her tongue and the thunder of her righteous anger. Maybe there was a reason she and Susan still got on after all this time.

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artistdean
2015-06-01 10:16 am UTC (link)

Dean shrugged, not at all feeling hard done by. "Fair enough," he said. "Although, ouch that sounds like a busy schedule. I'm lucky that I mostly set my own and I can usually put aside an hour on a Thursday no matter what I have going on." He chuckled. "So, if you fancy coming by on a Thursday evening again I'll probably be here at least between six and seven." Sometimes he came earlier if he was finished for the day, sometimes he stayed longer if there was something on his mind or he got absorbed, but that hour was his most regular time. "Like I said I used to go to a pool more local to me, and I just switched to here at the same time when Susan moved."

"I've learned not to judge by appearances too much, but yes, the height thing should work in my favour in theory. Jess and Cat don't seem to think so though," he said and shrugged again. It was no skin off his nose. "Besides I'm fairly sure they're generally fine solving their own issues. Women in my family tend towards not being easily intimidated or cowed." Or if you got a slightly more thoroughly honest version of his opinions on Aunt Rose: being bloody terrifying.

"So, what is it you do that keeps you busy enough to not be able to use this beautiful place?" he asked. He spoke as he quickly wandered back to his pile of belongings and stowed his wand away again, not wanting to accidentally dunk it in the pool. Not that he thought it would actually do it much harm, but it was unnecessary really.

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addingvalue
2015-06-02 12:28 pm UTC (link)

"Makes sense," Lucy agreed. She could see the appeal of using Susan's pool, even if it was further out of Dean's way. It was free, for a start, and more private. All reasons she'd been telling herself she'd come herself, and here she was barely even been in the water yet. She glanced at the pool, eager to be swimming but not wanting to be rude.

She grinned at his description of the women in his family. "We're a mixed bunch," she said. "I've got three sisters - two older one younger. I'm the tomboy of the family, and a lot more willing to kick some prick's arse, if necessary." Jenny and Katie weren't exactly wilting flowers, nor damsels in distress needing to be saved at every opportunity - but nor had they grown up playing 'run, kick, tackle' with the boys. And Ali was more likely to date the creeps than chase them off, much to Lucy's annoyance. "Your sisters sound like fun."

Not sure quite where to begin, Lucy wet her lips. "A lot of things. Work, hobbies. I try to go rock-climbing once a week, or go to the gym there at least. Seeing my sister." She was still trying to adjust her life to her new surroundings. "Plus, I try to cook for Susan sometimes since I'm not paying her to stay here right now."

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artistdean
2015-06-02 06:01 pm UTC (link)

Dean grinned too, he liked that she described herself as ready to kick someone's arse. "Yeah, my sisters are great. They're both younger than me and technically half-sisters, but they're smart, and funny and willing to kick my arse verbally or physically when necessary. Lack of magic and all." He was so proud of his family, especially with everything he'd put them through, and indeed they'd gone through between him in hiding and his PTSD when he'd returned.

"Oh, rock climbing sounds fun," he said. Not something he especially fancied himself, but a good activity all the same. He could definitely sympathise with the cooking for others thing though. "I've been known to feed the odd friend from time to time. And if there's cake around first thing in the morning it's probably from me. Although there probably won't be for a little while," he said. His run of sleeping potion banished the nightmares and insomnia which led to the middle of the night baking he often indulged in.

"So, swimming?" he suggested. He was definitely ready to get back in, standing around damp for too long was definitely starting to tend towards the chilly.

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addingvalue
2015-06-04 12:51 pm UTC (link)

Lucy chuckled. "Brothers need that sometimes, from what I hear," she agreed. Before Hogwarts she'd had a few guy friends she'd considered almost as close as brothers. For a moment, her posture drooped as she wondered what would have happened if she'd stayed at school in Sheffiled, grown up with Edward and Ben. Then she pulled herself up again - she'd never know and there was no point mooning over it. "Sisters too, so make sure you give as good as you get. They sound like they can take it." She smiled, mostly just joking since she didn't know his family well enough to actually advise.

"I love it," she agreed. "After school it was basically the second thing I found that I could actually be good at." Even now, she enjoyed knowing that lifting a little extra weight each session would improve her time on a challenging wall. The physical reality of it paired well with her late discovery of some mathematical ability.

At his word, she headed for the pool again, sliding into the water and diving under immediately to slick her hair back from her face. "I'll try to stay out of your way," she called up to him. "Unless you want to race?"

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artistdean
2015-06-04 08:02 pm UTC (link)

He smiled faintly. "Yeah, they get it back too. Jess less now she's up in York for Uni, but it just happens over the phone instead." His relationship with his sisters had pretty much always been good. There had been some wobbles when he was first at Hogwarts because he saw so little of them, but they'd gradually improved their relationship over the years.

He'd been about to go and grab his goggles anyway when her question came. He didn't mind a race, but he wasn't doing it without protecting his eyes a little, plus it wasn't too easy to do dive practice with another person using the pool. "Let me just put these on, then, sure we can race. Any particular stroke or distance? I can't butterfly very well though so that's out." He loped over and grabbed them from the side of the pool where he'd set them down and quickly fixed them over his eyes and slid into the pool.

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addingvalue
2015-06-05 05:49 pm UTC (link)

"Oof," Lucy said, grimacing slightly. "That's a long way from here." She still wasn't used to thinking of distances in terms of apparition and other magical means of transport. For a start, she didn't even known how to apparate, or have her licence, and brooms weren't all that practical during the day. "I'm so grateful my phone works here. It's one of the things I worried about when I moved."

Lucy readied herself against the side of the pool, feet braced against the wall. It wasn't exactly a proper racing start, but it was her version of one. She didn't expect to win. Dean was a regular swimmer, plus he had a hell of a lot of reach on her with his arms - but at least she could swim well enough to make it competitive. "Crawl's my stroke of choice," she said. "Or backstroke - but if I do backstroke in a pool I'm not familiar with I'll crack my head on the side and then you'll have to rescue me."

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artistdean
2015-06-05 08:06 pm UTC (link)

"Yeah, I mean I've apparated up a few times, but she's doing Biochemistry and has a social life and stuff so she's pretty busy," he said and shrugged. Jess was building a real independence for herself. He winced when Lucy mentioned her phone though. "Mine works at home usually, but not at the studio or if I'm the other side of the Leaky. I've caused a couple of minor panics staying there, but thankfully my parents know Susan's address just in case, and they answer owls if they get them." When he'd holed up with Seamus right after he'd broken up with Ophelia in particular had inspired a few interesting messages.

Dean moved himself to the end of the pool, a couple of arm spans between himself and Lucy. "Crawl it is then, I'd rather not break your head. There and back again?" he suggested. He had no idea if she could tumble turn, and he tended to find it a bit tight at the shallower end they'd be heading for (plus he wasn't that practised at it), and he had a feeling she was built a little more for speed than he was. A lot of his swimming was endurance based, although he also tried swimming at speed a few times every session or two. He waited for her assent before nodding. "On three then? One, two, three," he counted down evenly, the one hand he'd been gripping the edge of the pool with releasing as he launched himself forwards.

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