As expected, Théadan was willing to try swimming, but seemed skeptical that it was as simple as lying back in the water and relinquishing his weight to the sea. Navia nodded sagely however, for it was all she’d ever had to do. She could barely remember learning how to float, but it had happened in the same ocean they stood in, the very same cove. If she could do it, surely Théadan could. So she was fully prepared to tell him as much to alleviate any uncertainties he was having over trusting the ocean to hold him up when he laid back. Only she didn’t get to do that, for Théadan chose that moment to use both hands to splash her has hard as he could, dousing her entire front before she could have the wits to bring her hands up and shield her face.<br/><br/>After a small stumble backward in surprise, Navia gasped while her hands rose from the water and shook to remove some of the water from them so she could use them to wipe her soaked face off. Exasperation was her initial reaction and she went to glare at him for splashing her when they were right in the middle of a conversation, but Théadan was behaving as if nothing had happened. Navia narrowed her gaze at him and even started to step forward so she could go after him for splashing her, but she really did want to teach him to swim, so she refrained. Instead she shrugged while pushing at more of the strands of hair that had fallen loose from her braid and wordlessly gestured for Théadan to try what she suggested.<br/><br/>At first it seemed like he was going to be just fine with floating. Théadan laid back, his feet came up, and his arms stretched out. Sounds were probably muted or watery for him, the waves caused his body to rise and fall with them, and Navia could not help the proud smile that she’d taught him something…until he was sinking. “Wait!” She gasped, starting forward to help as he dipped beneath the waterline again, a confused frown prominent on her dark features, but Théadan caught himself and stood back up, coughing up seawater. Navia could tell by the tone in his voice that he was disappointed and she was as well. Floating was simple, it tended to come naturally to people. Why was it hard for him?<br/><br/>“Maybe you didn’t relax enough, Théadan,” Navia stepped closer, trying to think of what else he could be doing wrong, “Everything looked fine, you had your arms out and your head back right, but staying relaxed helps. Let’s….well, why don’t you try again and I’ll put my hands under your back to see if I can help?” She didn’t really know what else to do. She’d just expected him to be able to do it without much instruction. Once he laid back again, she stepped closer and placed both hands flat upon his back, helping to keep him from sinking. Once she could feel he was relaxed and he wasn't relying so much on her arms, Navia was more confident he would float. “Okay, so maybe stretch your legs out some and make sure your arms are far apart, then I’ll step away,” she paused to laugh and shrug, offering him a guilty expression, “I don’t really know what else to do. Remember to relax!” Maybe she wasn’t a very good teacher after all. Before Théadan could protest, Navia removed her supporting hands and stepped back to see if he would remain afloat.