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Viktor chuckled, finally getting the shape on the bottom front to what he wanted it to be. "So I can go canoeing offshore. I surf and kayak, but I've never gone canoeing anywhere..."
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"Interesting..." Glory mused. "The closest I've ever been to doing that was being on a pontoon on a lake. You know, not that I went into the water or anything. There's no way I'm getting into water where people are catching fish the size of my arm. That's why I don't go too far out into open ocean, either."
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"I'm not afraid of a fish," Viktor stated, quite plainly. "I don't care how big it is. I swim out into deeper ocean water all the time to surf. Of course, that presents problems on its own. Especially when it's a good area for shark activity."
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Glory shuddered.
"Sharks. Not my thing," she said. "You do your surfing bit, I'll stay closer to shore where there's less of a chance of me being eaten." |
"Sharks aren't really that violent unless they're provoked..." Viktor paused. "I lied. There are a few that are naturally aggressive. Bull sharks, for one. But they aren't common around here."
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"Like I said," Glory replied, "sharks aren't my thing. I'm perfectly happy in a chlorinated pool. Or in bits of the shallows where I can still see the bottom."
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"Pools aren't really my thing. I'd rather be out in open ocean."
There was a distant, dreamy look in Viktor's eyes as he spoke and started on shaping the back of the soon-to-be canoe. It seemed the ocean was a very beautiful thing in his eyes... |
"Suit yourself," Glory shrugged. "I don't mind the deeper water, as long as it's clear and I can see where I'm stepping. I would rather not step on something that could get mad at me for it."
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"Pssh. If I step on something and it wants a fight, I'll give it a fight, I guess," Viktor challenged, grinning. "I'd have my surfboard with me after all. And that could do some damage."
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"I was actually thinking something along the lines of an urchin or an anemone," Glory said. "You know, something that's designed to get revenge on whatever is foolish enough to step on it or touch it."
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Viktor shuddered, muttering something unsavory about 'poison ivy of the sea.' "I've stepped on an urchin before. In a tide pool..."
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"So you see my point," Glory pointed out. "I don't know, maybe I just need to get used to the open ocean. I didn't exactly grow up around it, you know."
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"I didn't, either," Viktor reminded her absently. "The middle of Siberia is not exactly ocean territory...and I was there until I turned seven. Then I moved here...and now I love the ocean. And I never want to see constant snow on the ground ever again."
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"I think this is the first summer I spent outside since I was a kid," Glory replied. "I never really liked the summer heat... I much prefer winter. There are only so many layers you can take off in the summer, but in the winter you can put as many on as you like."
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"Nude beaches are always an option in the summer..."
Viktor said that so bluntly, like it wasn't even a big deal to show off your naked greatness in front of complete strangers, who also happened to be naked. |
Glory blinked.
"You have got to be one of the strangest people I've ever met," she said. "Because that was definitely one of the strangest suggestions ever." |
Viktor chuckled. "If you've got it, flaunt it..." he half-sang, feeling that shaping the two ends into rough canoe-like endpoints was enough work for the day. He plopped down into his seat. "I'm not normal--that's for sure."
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"Normal is overrated," Glory agreed as she worked on a little trinket box for her grandmother, "but you're definitely a strange one."
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"Thanks," Viktor retorted, amused, as he stretched out in his chair. "Today is going to be somewhat peaceful, seeing as she's not here. Though, her friends are still here."
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"I'm kind of wondering where she is," Glory said. "I'd rather know what she's doing than not know and be surprised."
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Viktor grunted. "She said she was playing hooky today...I don't know if she's up to no good, but if she keyed your car outside, I've got scratch remover in my trunk..."
He then remembered something. "You going to try and make it tonight? To our restaurant?" |
Glory nodded.
"Of course," she replied. "Unless you've changed your mind..." |
Viktor shrugged. "We need work, you're offering. Seems simple enough for me. We pay well, and the tips aren't half bad, either, unless you get a couple regulars--a really old, really stingy couple that sits at the back of the restaurant. They don't tip..."
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"Eh, one couple that doesn't tip isn't so bad," Glory said. "I'll be there. What time do you want me there? I'm not exactly sure when 'dinner rush' starts around here."
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Viktor hummed softly, sneaking his phone out to text someone. "Anytime from five to six is good. The dinner rush varies from day to day. We don't wear uniforms--we just require dark, slightly dressy clothing. But anything is good for your first day."
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