This is a fan-fiction of the manga Dazzle by Minari Endoh. I do not in any way own rights, nor am I affiliated with any manga publisher, author, anything like that. This fanfic is from my own creation and not in any way something appearing in any of the volumes. (That I know of—I don't read Japanese so I haven't read 6-9 yet)

Interlude on the Ship.

Before arrival on Acanea.

Alzeid stared at Rahzel, a drop of sweat on his pale cheek. "Uhhh…?"

She was standing in front of him in a black swimsuit, cloth straps crossing over her belly. A towel was slung over her shoulders and her hair was under a swim cap. "Teach me how to swim!"

Regaining himself from his shock he scowled. "Ask someone else!"

"I CAN'T! Don't tell me to do something I can't!" If she didn't have bare toes Alzeid swore she would have kicked him. "If I asked Baroqueheat…." She didn't actually explain it, but then again she didn't have to.

"Rayborn?" he sighed.

Her fist clenched, but he stood his ground. "Rayborn isn't well….he isn't strong like you or Baroqueheat. Besides! If I asked him he'd…..don't ask me to explain myself! He'd just…a kid!"

Alzeid wondered at her calling him a kid when he was pretty sure he was at least a year older than Rahzel. However…Rahzel was immature, but she was certainly very skilled. Rayborn on the other hand…..didn't want to be 'a dirty old man' and instead thought to play Twister with HIM. Unfortunately she had a point, and since he had decided to make sure she learned some stuff on the journey, and he didn't want to save her from drowning…

"Fine. Get in the water…"

"EEEK!" Water splashed against his face as he sat at the edge of the pool. He glared…

"Here's what you do." And he began to show her the motions. She picked it up quickly.

A laughing noise came from nearby. Alzeid turned and reached for his gun. Baroqueheat was laughing at him.

"Good job sensei, she swims beautifully," he laughed and then jumped into the pool fully clothed and grabbed Rahzel from behind. Rahzel squirmed and only then noticed he was there. She'd been busy swimming!

"I'll teach you a new stroke," he said into her ear then doubled over and tried to keep from drowning as the water turned red from his bloody nose.

Walking out of the pool, rubbing her fist, Rahzel smiled at Alzeid. "Thanks." Alzeid payed her no attention, but aimed his gun at Baroqueheat.

"No, no. Don't shoot!"