A Holiday by Decree
~~ Day 8 ~~
Sansa was crossing the lanai when Tyrion surfaced from underwater. Stroking with his hands, he walked through the glistening, bright blue pool water, which was chest high on him, to meet her at the pool's edge. She noticed how his face, neck, and arms had darkened considerably from the past few days in the sun; she knew she was still mostly very pale, being that the cuts of clothing she wore always kept her so covered up…
He smiled at her. "It's good to see you, my lady. I trust you've had a good midday rest. Do you believe you'll still come in for a dip today?" he asked.
"Uhm, yes… Daenerys' swimwear wasn't quite right on me though. I can try to swim with you now - that is, if you think it's alright, if I swim in this?" Sansa prevaricated nervously. He probably thinks me mad for suggesting getting in the water fully clothed.
Tyrion's reply was easygoing though. "No, I see no real problem. The fabric might get in the way less, if you tuck in the shirttail and roll the sleeves. You might have to change after, but it's so hot, catching a chill isn't really a problem," he smiled, as Sansa quickly followed his directions to tuck and roll her blouse.
She looked up and around at the water and Tyrion waiting expectantly. Trying swimming had certainly sounded nice when she had indicated her desire to try it. Now, looking at the pool though, she realized she had never really been in water larger or deeper than a shared bath. Not wanting to look too timid though, she urged herself down onto the edge of the pool wall and set aside her sandals. "The water's warm," Tyrion added kindly, before she lowered her legs over the edge.
The water was warm, but it still felt refreshing, as she had already begun to sweat in the camisole layered with the chemise. Spurred by Tyrion's welcoming expression and the niceness of the water, she lowered herself off the wall successfully, if a little clumsily. Where they stood, the water came up to her waist. She noticed how the chemise looked a little more transparent where it was wetted already; she only hoped the scars on her arms weren't dark enough to be noticeable.
Fortunately, soon she was distracted, as Tyrion explained about the pool, which was filled with salt water. They both wondered briefly about how the water was actually brought up to the pool and decided that it had to be quite the task to keep it filled and clean year round. It certainly explained why Sansa had seen so few swimming pools before.
Tyrion also explained that Sansa would be lucky to learn to swim in a saltwater pool. It would be calm but still have the natural, increased buoyancy of seawater, so her muscles would not need to work as hard to remain afloat.