Private Finished Just an Obligation

Kayaking, huh? Alaude pursed his lips and nodded at the idea. He might not have had a lot of free time to do water sports or water activities in general, but Alaude was also an active person and he understood the fun in them-- although nobody probably knew that Alaude even understood what 'fun' meant.

"There's always the sea," he suggested. They were in an island, after all. It was quite easy to get to the water and come back, though of course one would have to know where it was safe to ride such small boats considering that some parts of the island had rocky edges and turbulent waves. If Theo was new to the island, it might not be such a good idea though. Alaude looked at him as he continued to speak. "Don't go alone, alright? There are creatures in the water, and there's the wave and the rocks." Alaude didn't know if Theo was invulnerable to those dangers or not, but as someone who suggested the idea, he might as well add the precaution.

"If you're fine with calmer water, there's also the lake just outside the campus," he suggested again. He wasn't sure how much safer or less the lake was compared to the sea, but it was still another place a newcomer would ought to see. "There are still all kinds of creature in the water but there won't be too many rocks at least. And it's big and deep enough for water sports."

He talked too much just now, Alaude realized. It didn't feel right. For a moment he might have even enjoyed the short conversation, but that was weird, and that was very unlike him. So he turned away-- clearing his throat but not because it felt awkward or anything, no-- and began to walk once more.

"In any case, let's move on, Mr. Bishop."

He continued towards the nearest buildings, which would be the classrooms for the high school and elementary levels. Alaude mused they didn't have to go inside to check every room. It would take too long and Theo might end up feeling that this tour was nothing but troublesome. Although if he already did because Alaude was such a bad guide, the latter really wouldn't blame him.

So he explained the general to-know things about the buildings before suggesting for them to move on to another place. Alaude was still thinking about the lake. He could also take Theo there if the guy wanted, but for now they were still inside the campus and it was better not to skip anything.

They walked by the cafeteria, so Alaude stopped and turned to Theo. "Are you hungry by any chance? Or I mean-- do you get hungry? And do you want to briefly take a break inside?"

Not that he was concerned or anything. It's onlh an S.O.P. to ask that if they were going to check the cafeteria, too.

Alaude actually considered the offer. He was silent for a while, neither saying yes or no, even until they've entered the cafeteria. It was a large hall of tables and chairs and people, and unlike outside, the air was cool and comfortable. But it was too wide and open a place despite the walls and roof surrounding it. Alaude didn't like walking around such a wide but confined place full of people, but for the new guy's sake, he decided to walk around with him.

Alaude suggested they have some lunch. He took Theo to the buffet area and afterwards took a seat somewhere near a wall. He explained many things as they talked; he gathered he might as well tell things about the academy he might forget once they start walking outside again-- the buffet, the student lounge which was another place that the students loved for gathering aside from the cafeteria, a brief history of the academy, the general atmosphere of the students and faculty, a quick intro for the contents of the school handbook, etc.

Alaude might have begun to feel less uncomfortable, considering he was really talking a lot. Although he hasn't smiled at all. By the time they were done and were heading back outside, Alaude turned to Theo and finally spoke about the latter's offer. It might have been a thing Theo had only said as the situation needed it, but Alaude still said, "If you can't find anyone to go show you the sea, you can find me in the Tech and Engineering Department. The building's at the northwestern side of the campus." After all, he was the one who had brought up the sea. The lake, too. "Do you perhaps want to go to the lake next? Or shall we make it our last destination before going back?"

A wave of relief washed over the anxiety inside Alaude that he didn't even know had built up. It was Theo's response. To Alaude, it sounded like some sort of affirmation that the instructor was doing this tour thing right. It's about his performance. Not for Theo's sake. Definitely not.

"You want to see the lake now?" The instructor nodded, pursing his lips a little. "It's no trouble at all. We could head there now. Unfortunately you'll have to bear walking with me under the sun a bit more before we get there, but... in any case, walking is good for digestion."

The instructor turned towards the direction of the woods that eventually led to the lake. The heat of the sun right over of their heads, plus the slightly full stomach, was slowing Alaude down and making him tired, but he continued and put his hands inside his jeans' pockets as he indulged in this slow stroll.

After a few minutes, they'd find themselves under the shades of thick trees, right in front of the nearest side of the lake to the academy. Unlike the rest of the academy campus, this place was cool, not only because of the shade bit also because of the fresh water and the wind caressing its surface and sharing its low temperature around. Alaude heaved a sigh when they reached it, and extended his right arm to gesture at the entire place.

"Here we are." The lake was vast, and the other side that was land was quite far away. It looked like the water shimmered with different colors. Alaude decided to sit on a big rock instead of walking around. He looked at his company, curious as to what kind of face he's been making. "What do you think, Mr. Bishop? Good enough for kayaking?"

Seeing that grin was an even better reward than before, and Alaude caught himself staring at Theo. He wasn't glaring or smiling, he just stared, his face blank, as if the other man's grin sent him deep in thought. When Theo actually spoke to him though, Alaude's eyes widened as he resurfaced to his senses. He quickly turned away, blinking the feeling of being captivated away from his eyes.

He turned to the water and etched into his memory what it looked like, what it felt like: the cool wind against his skin, the whisper of the wind against his ears, the sparkles of different colors bouncing off the lake into his eyes, the dancing shadows of the trees, the blue sky beyond-- and the strangely comforting presence of the other man. Alaude refused to admit he was feeling nice.

"Glad you think so," he said. He stood up and walked closer towards the water, and crouched down to tap its surface as if to check if anything underneath was going to react. Of course though, nothing did. "Just as I've said, it's best not to go into the water alone. I..." I'll come here with you, he wanted to say, but who was he to impose himself on someone who was practically a stranger? So he decided to express himself in a less imposing way. "I would like to learn kayaking sometime, if that's alright with you."

It's just an obligation, just an obligation, Alaude repeatedly thought to himself. He might be held responsible if something happens to Mr. Bishop if the man ever decided to visit the lake or the sea alone because of the instructor's suggestion, so of course the instructor should make sure nothing would happen in the first place. He'd have to tag along, at least until Theo gets used to the island and personally learns more about it. It was just an obligation. He wasn't looking forward to their next meeting. He wasn't looking forward to seeing Theo again. He wasn't finding the younger man's ecstatic grin amusing and adorable. Nope. Alaude wasn't going to ever admit to himself that all these things were merely excuses.

But he couldn't hold his laugh hearing how excited Theo was. He managed to tone it down into a chuckle before it was too late, fortunately.

He was looking at Theo again. "Just... don't be reckless without me--" Oh wait-- "I mean, without anyone, if you're alone, if there's no one to help if something goes wrong. Don't go around causing me trouble." Alaude stood up, patting the dirt and dust off from his jeans, trying hard to look natural, trying to act indifferent. What the hell was wrong with him??

"Right. So... do you want to stay a bit longer, or shall we move elsewhere?"