William Shepherd (william_s) wrote in freedomtownic, @ 2019-09-20 20:53:00 |
|
|||
Entry tags: | drax (drax_destroy), william shepherd (william_s) |
Surf Day
Who: William and Drax
When: Over Summer
What: Making a new friend
Where: One of the Oahu beaches
Rating: Low
Status: Closed; Complete
Since the end of the school year and the official start of summer, William had been a volunteer lifeguard at one of the beaches of Oahu. He had the training, the skill and he loved the ocean. Right now he was sitting at one of the many lifeguard stands situated along the beach, watching people swim and surf, keeping them safe. For the most part people stayed within the safe zones provided, but he kept a watchful eye on children and people who disregarded the signage and got sucked into a rip current. Whether though sheer stupidity, lack of knowledge or a combination of the two. He spotted a big, tattooed(?) guy walking towards the beach from the distance and was quick to hop down from his perch. Something had caught this guys eye and he wasn't sure what just yet. "You look lost, my friend," he said by way of starting a conversation.
Drax himself loved the feeling of the sun on his skin. It warmed him on the outside and inside. He wanted to have an enjoyable day. After having traveled with the Guardians for so long, he was still getting used to being so tethered to one planet. Some of the people still traveled in their ships, and Drax was starting to wonder if maybe he should help out with another crew. He felt the need for more adventure.
The people on the beach, riding the waves were also having adventure on a smaller scale. Drax had walked closer to the water to get a better view, only to have another man approach him. "Yes, what are the people riding the waves on the plastic boards doing? I want to do that."
William smiled. While Drax looked imposing his demeanor was kinder than William expected. He scalded himself. People often mistook him for a brute when he was anything but. Perhaps the same could be said for this man too. "It's called surfboarding," he explained. "You take the board out and try to catch a wave." Drax was top-heavy, so it would be harder for him. Not impossible, but harder. "I've never met a person who didn't like it when they got the hang of it." He offered Drax a hand to shake. "William," he introduced himself.
Drax was a true warrior, but he had a gentler side, too. If he wasn't in battle (or planning to be in one), then he could be quite calm (unless drunk). "How does one catch a wave? Your fingers go right through the water." Drax couldn't help that he took things too literally. He just asked people to explain and moved on rather than get frustrated, though. "I am Drax," he said, grinning as he gave the other man a hearty handshake.
William's eyebrows shot up, quick to pick up the fact that Drax took his turn of phrase literally. He gave as good as he got with the handshake, smiling brilliantly. It was rare that he met someone who could match his strength. "Nice to meet you, Drax. And I should explain, by 'catch' I mean you stand up on the board and use it to ride the wave. It takes a lot of practice. Balance is key."
At least William was quick to catch it. "Ah, it is a metaphor! I am bad with those, but I am trying to learn." He always missed them, though. "Nice to meet you as well. I think I understand what you mean now. I have good balance. I would like to try this surfing."
William grinned. "Well, that's what I like to hear." He looked out to the ocean to make sure that no one was in duress. Not as many people were taking advantage of the beautiful weather, but summer wasn't over yet. "If you've got some time," he pointed over to a shack nearby, "ask to borrow one of the surfboards over there and I'll talk you through it." Fortunately he had strength enough to drag Drax out of the water if need be, so he wasn't so much concerned with that.
Drax nodded, walking over to where the boards were and, after some discussion, managed to get one for himself. He walked back over to William with a grin. "I have procured a board!" he said, holding it up over his head triumphantly.
William couldn't help it but chuckle. "You sure have!" There was something about Drax's enthusiasm that was infectious. Once Drax was closer to him, William instructed: "Now, before you take her out, I want you to set her on the sand and learn how to balance on her first."
Well, when Drax got excited, everyone was going to know it very quickly. He nodded, setting the board on the ground. "I am not sure how the sand will be similar to water, but I will take your word on this," he said.
"You gotta learn to walk before you can run," William tried to explain. He made a face. "This, I want you to learn about getting on the board quickly, because otherwise you'll miss the wave entirely." That made more sense, right? "And then you'll have to go back out and start again. You'll get it, though. You seem fast."
"I am very fast," Drax agreed. "I think I see what you mean. I must learn to balance on the board at all before trying it in the water." Drax could be very literal, but at least he wasn't dumb. Sometimes things just had to be explained to him in very plain language.
"Exactly," William replied with a grin. He asked for Drax to try it a few times while making small talk. "So where do you hail from Drax? Originally, I mean. Where were you before all of this?"
"Before I was here, I hailed from a planet far away that was wiped out by Thanos. My wife and daughter were killed, and I swore revenge. That is how I eventually became a team with Quill and the others." Drax starred off into the distance for a moment, thinking of them and letting out a sigh. "I have been with here helping people settle into this new life since we were still on our ship, before the ruler of Galador gave us this planet to settle on. It has been my life for several years now." He looked back to William with a smile. "And what of you? Where were you before you came here?"
"I'm sorry that you lost your family." William wasn't sure what to add to that. He'd be devastated if something ever happened Edie or any children that they'd have in the future. He decided not to dwell on the thought. "It must be fulfilling helping others the way that you do." He certainly felt that his life was fulfilling due to his work on Galador. "I was born in a place like this. Near the beach." He had a lot to share in between, but maybe once they got to know each other more. "I eventually moved to a place called L.A. I helped to counsel children back there and I'm happy to say that I'm doing that here now as well."
"It is a good way to keep focused and...I believe the phrase is 'grounded'?" As much as different phrases that humans used confused him, Drax was at least trying to learn some of them. It was the more creative ones that still confounded him. "It is good that you are able to continue your work here on Galador."
"'Grounded' is right," William replied, nodding, "and thank you. I think that I'm where I'm needed. Just as you are." He didn't let his words settle for long, however. The water was waiting for them. "Now let's see what you can make of yourself out there, Drax."