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"You want to learn how to swim?" Azul asks after hearing the human's sudden declaration. "And you decided to ask me for assistance?"
"Yes," Riddle nods, acting as if it's normal for a human to ask this of a merfolk. "More importantly, I want to put what I've learned into practice."
Reading guides and handbooks on how to swim is one thing, but putting them into practice is another. He's yet to speak of it to his underwater friend, wanting to be prepared for any form of swimming that the other may throw at him.
Besides, who else better to ask than someone who swims every day? Although it would be best to ask someone more familiar with human appendages. Azul, unlike most merfolk, has tentacles. What he lacks in speed, he makes up for in strength. He doesn't get washed away so easily like others when relaxing on the sandy shores.
"I must admit that you do know how to pick the most knowledgeable people to approach, but...you are aware that I have no practice swimming with legs?" Azul gestures to Riddle's own legs, which are against the sand.
"Perhaps I was too hasty in my decision," Riddle frowns. "I thought coming to you would be best."
It's not often the human comes to see him for help. Well, when it relates to the world beneath the waves, Riddle is more than curious to learn what he has to say. Albeit he's a little too trusting and believes everything he says, the merman would never dare spread misinformation.
"A little warning would have been nice..." Azul mumbles, but clears his throat before Riddle can ask him to repeat himself. "Perhaps I can offer some assistance. As long as you're ready to come into the water."
With that, Azul pushes himself away from the shore, letting the familiar water pull him back. He briefly disappears before reappearing further in the ocean. Not too far, yet not too close to the shore.
He waits, curious to see if the human is truly intent on learning how to swim or not. Riddle hesitates, as if not expecting to do this right now.
"I don't have the proper swimwear..."
"Is that really your concern? After I've offered you my services, you're going to deny them just like that?" Azul asks, pouting to help with his defeated act.
"No..." Riddle sighs. The human tosses his shirt and sandals aside, remaining in shorts as he slowly enters the water.
It's cold, and he shivers the more his body is taken into the ocean, yet he forces himself to keep moving.
Azul keeps a watchful eye on him. The way he wades into the water, how much energy this will take out of him. He's not completely clueless about how humans swim. Merfolk gossip about their struggles and how they flop around like guppies most of the time. They have different techniques, but the land dwellers make it work. And now, he can see how they swim up close.
"I just have to keep my head above water," Riddle says to himself while heading into the deeper water.
Azul watches as Riddle's feet no longer touch sand. The human slowly forces his body to move and make sure he doesn't sink. While keeping a distance to make sure he doesn't interrupt, his tentacles linger closer to the human. He has to make sure they don't get too close, but they're ready to shoot out in case something does happen.
"That's the easy part," Azul comments. "What's next on your list? I don't suggest practicing everything you've learned in one day unless you want to tire out your body."
"I know," Riddle huffs, although he really did want to try out everything he's learned. "Swimming requires the entire body and muscles to constantly be put to use. Overexertion would cause me to..."
He doesn't want to say it. The last thing he wants is his mother finding his body worn out from physical exhaustion.
"Please, assist where you deem necessary," Riddle says before his thoughts can stray.
Azul watches his rather...pitiful attempts at swimming. Riddle starts easy enough with the basics. Trying to float on his back doesn't require much stamina, but he's far too stiff as he repeats manual steps.
"You need to relax," Azul holds back from rolling his eyes as the human struggles. A lone tentacle presses against flesh, helping him keep afloat. "You feel like a rock trying to keep afloat."
The merman stays beside him. Riddle takes in a few breaths, trying to relax, but finds it difficult. After a few tries, with and without his tentacle support, he manages to do it on his own.
Next comes the breaststroke. It's more foreign to Azul, and he has to simply understand what he can from Riddle's repeated step-by-step instructions to himself. Something feels off about his swimming. It may be his posture, the fact that he's trying to be perfect at the start, or simply watching a human swim just feels unnatural.
Azul chimes in when he wants to. He gives Riddle tips that should work for both species. It's interesting to see what works and what doesn't.
"You're running out of steam," the merman comments. He's been keeping an eye on the human's stamina. His body is more accustomed to studying than extraneous physical activity.
"One more lap..."
Azul narrows his eyes at the disobedience. Granted, it was only a comment, but he expected him to better care for himself. With a sigh, a tentacle reaches out and wraps around his leg, ensuring he doesn't move.
"Aren't I your dear instructor?" Azul asks while swimming in front of him. Another tentacle threatens to grip his other leg if he protests. He makes sure that Riddle can see it under the water's surface. "You should take my suggestion to heart and take a break. If you come back tomorrow, I'm certain that you'll be more properly prepared."
Riddle glares at Azul as he feels the tentacle on his leg. His initial instinct is to try and break free, but he holds back. It's frustrating, but not enough to get under his skin.
"Very well. You have a point...Tomorrow, I expect a proper course."
"Of course. Anything for you, Riddle," Azul says with a sweet tone.
His tentacle slowly releases his leg, allowing the human to escape his grasp. Riddle swims to the shore, grabbing the rest of his belongings before taking his leave.
Azul's gaze lingers on the faint sucker marks left behind. They're quite obvious against fair skin. It wasn't his intention to do such a thing, but what's done is done. That's not something he should be worried about anyway. He has to study up on humans and their disastrous forms of swimming. He needs to assist his dear friend after all.