[Coolshaymin]

In a pool at a building off the square for a relaxing form of exercise was Seriri. She was simply enjoying the waters since no one was around at this hour. The rest of the building had various exercising equipment but the pool was the only one she could use. Still, it was nice to swim alone and practice her singing every now and then.

She would come here when more people was around too but she was not sure that would work out. She did not want any chances with something hungry that swims. Still, the quiet was nice and it was much bigger than the tank at Ciel's place. She was so into her singing however she was not paying much attention to her surroundings. Probably would be easy to catch her by surprise.

Rina

[Rina]

"......"

Physical activity helps relieve stress. Though, for Schezo, he's not exactly the kind of guy you'd see at the gym. He'd go on walks or practice his swordplay on an open field, but that's it. Still...he's got a lot on his mind, and maybe a change of pace would help get his mind off of them. As he passed by the pool, he noticed a splash at the corner of his eye.

"Hm?"

Wait, what season is it? Are pools even this crowded at this time? Schezo took a closer look at the pool, noticing that there is someone in there. Not any ordinary someone, either. He saw a mermaid. Specifically, it was Seriri. He remembered that Seriri could traverse dry land thanks to a trinket, but this was one of odd few times he saw her in water. Well, there had to be water somewhere in the Sphere, the seas aren't safe either. He'd get closer...but he might startle her, so he watched from a distance so she'd notice first.

[Coolshaymin]

Seriri continued to play around in the water for a bit. It still felt more natural and soothing than land. Even though she did not have that much issue on land, it was nice to play in bodies of water. Then she noticed someone out of the corner of her eye. Her instincts caused her to stop and she lowered herself in the water. Maybe whoever it was did not see her and would just pass by.

"..."

Though, now that she looked at them directly. They seemed familiar... Wait a second... She knew who that was! It was a relief it was someone familiar that she knows would not want to eat her. She was not expecting to see him here but the company definitely would not hurt.

"Schezo! What a surprise to see you!"

She greeted him and was kind of relieved he chose not to surprise her. That could of lead to a less than friendly greeting. She swam to the edge of the pool and pulled herself partially up. "How have you been?" Seriri asked.

[Rina]

"Pleasure to see you again."

Schezo approached the poolside to greet the mermaid. It's a good thing she remembered who he is, otherwise he'd have to deal with a distressed mermaid. Playing patient helped too. Though...what can he do?

"At least...it would be a pleasure, if there weren't so much thoughts plaguing my mind."

Schezo sighed, merely sitting by the poolside with his legs crossed, not wanting to put his legs in the pool. He really needed something to work off his restlessness, but he can't get in the pool like this. Swimming in armor is ludicrous! At least he had someone to talk to for the most part...

[Coolshaymin]

"You are having bad thoughts?"

Seriri made the observation for a moment before being silent for a few seconds. He did look kind of troubled now that she thought about. She was not exactly sure on why he was so bothered though. Still, it looked like he really need a friend to listen right now. Well, she was her friend and she did want to try and help him when he was feeling down.

"Why don't you tell me about it then? I am not sure how much it would help but I would happily listen."

[Rina]

"...I suppose I can tell you..."

Schezo couldn't help but give a troubled sigh. He rarely ever tells what's on his mind because he rarely gets sympathy for it. But since Seriri ask, he might as well confide with her. After all, who else would he tell it to?

"...have you ever felt...troubled when pursuing a personal goal? I've recently had a talk with Rulue, and she's lost her way with her pursuits. I wished to try and relax, but my talk with her only made more mental discord with my thoughts. I've been holding onto my pursuits for as long as I remembered, but..."

Schezo's eyes wandered away from eye contact as he explained...They seem dead-eyed, even.

"...am I approaching it wrong...? If I continue to chase it recklessly, am I stubborn? It's consuming my peace of mind, and I wish to engage in something else to divert it. Some physical activity would aid in relieving my stress, but what...?"

Well, there's a pool here. If he had some swimwear, he'd probably take a dip and swim around leisurely. That'd help shake things up.

[Coolshaymin]

Seriri listened to Schezo as he told her what was on his mind. She could not help but notice he did not mention what his personal goal was. Still, she doubted he would have one that could be considered bad. After all, as far as she knew, Schezo was a good person.

"As long as you are not hurting anyone and believe in them, you should go for your goal. I am not sure what it is or how you go for it but I am sure you will figure something out. I sometimes have trouble with my own. But, if you have nothing to strive for, what is fueling you?"

Seriri replied before cheering up a little. She was not going to just let Schezo dwell on that. He needed something to do to keep his mind off whatever's bothering him. A swim would surely help him calm down a little and soothe his mind. It definitely helped her.

"Hey, there's plenty of room for both of us in here. You look like you could use some relaxing and I could use a swim partner. Why don't you come in? There should be some spare swimsuits in the changing rooms if you need one," She offered cheerfully.

[Rina]

"Not hurt anyone, you say?"

Schezo let out a senile-sounding laugh. Oh boy, if that was key to hanging onto his goal, then he already dun screwed up from the very beginning. He can't bring himself to just lay it out though. His pride is still clinging onto his weakened image. Not all would be heavy, as Seriri suggested swimming around in the pool. Schezo snapped out of his daze, thinking that'll help matters.

"Ah- So there is swimwear I can change into? In which case, do give me a moment..."

Schezo stood up from the poolside and made his way to the changing rooms. Though, Seriri would need to be a bit patient. Armor isn't the easiest thing to put on and take off, after all.

[Coolshaymin]

"Sure! I will stay right here!"

Seriri watched Schezo go to change while she thought more on what he said.

"He seemed to act weird when I said not hurting anyone..."

Was he really intending to hurt someone as part of his goal? What kind of goal would he possibly have that makes him want to do that? Maybe she was thinking too much about it though she was not sure what he found funny. She lowered herself back into the water and thought about it some more regardless. Well, maybe it was best that was she did not ask him for now. Though it still bothered her a bit... Still, she waited for Schezo to come back.

[Rina]

After a few moments of fumbling with the armor and stowing it away in a rental locker, Schezo eventually came out in swimwear. It's nothing special, just blue-black, but it'll do. As he approached the pool, he looked uncertain about how to go about getting into the water. Just jump in, or ease himself into the water? After all, it's going to be cold either way.

"Um...are you there?"

Schezo crouched down at the side and into the waters, wondering where she went. It's not that clear, and Seriri being generally blue made her a bit hard to see from the blue-painted floor of the pool.

[Coolshaymin]

Seriri just waited in the water for a moment as Schezo came out. She was still thinking about what he said but decided to put it away for a moment. After all, her goal was to cheer the depressed wizard up and she had an idea on how to do that. She stealthily made closer to Schezo before rising up suddenly and splashing water at him in an attempt to get him wet before he even got in.

"Come on, Schezo! Stop being so hesitant! The water's fine but it's not like you are going to catch me on shore," Seriri called out playfully.

[Rina]

"Agh that's cold!"

Schezo was taken aback with the sudden splash of water and sudden chill that surged through his body. Well, he has to get used to the water, one way or another. As he's already splashed wet, might as well jump in. Schezo eased himself into the pool a bit, shivering a bit from the sudden shift of coldness. It didn't take long for him to get in the water, and it's of a suitable amount of depth for him too. Right now, he's casually treading the surface, just about ready to dive down if she wants him to.

"Well...I'm in the pool."

[Coolshaymin]

"Your body just needs to adjust to it. It's not like you will catch a cold," Seriri replied to Schezo while she floated back... Though, can she really be sure he wouldn't  freeze? She was a mermaid so maybe the water just did not effect her as much as the human... Understanding other forms sometimes due to usually staying away from it. The fear of being eaten was kind of a harm on her being social. She felt no reason to feel that way to Schezo though as he settled in. After all, he did offer to be her friend so he can't be that bad.

"Yeah, you are. You still need to get something other than your brain moving though. So let's play tag! Catch me!"

Suggesting either of those things she doubted she would request of most people. She had no reason to fear him though so she felt no reason to second guess it. Instead, she turned around and lightly yet playfully hit him with the end of her fin before swimming away from Schezo. Not sure how much he would be into the antics but she was willing to try what she could to get him to relax and think of fun for now.

[Rina]

He'll need to adjust to it, being someone of the surface, but he'll be fine. The water itself isn't nearly cold enough to turn Schezo into a popsicle, it's just below his usual body temperature. Though, that does bring an interesting thought. If water is a natural environment to her, how does the open air feel when she's out of it? Most mermaids are bound to the sea, after all.

"Oh no you don't!"

After that playful tail slap, Schezo began swimming after her. Schezo, surprisingly, can swim just fine. He has the basics down, but his speed could use work. He began pursuing her, kicking and swimming freestyle to propel himself.

[Coolshaymin]

"You're a pretty good swimmer, Schezo. Still, if you want to catch me you have to be a little quicker than that."

Seriri urged on as her natural swimming ability put her ahead of Schezo easily. She did not have speed issues like him but it was encouraging him and he seemed to be enjoying it. Though, she did have the disadvantage the pool was not that big for her to swim around. It was fairly big but nothing like an ocean of endless waters. Regardless, she wanted to play with Schezo further. So, from what happened earlier she got an idea.

"How about we change things up a bit? Try and keep an eye out!~"

Seriri called before suddenly dived under the water. She tried to use his obvious losing sight of her earlier to play around with him more. However, that was not all she was trying to do. If he paid close enough attention, he may be able to notice her swimming around him.