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[indent][indent][indent][indent][justify][color=808080]As Tapeesa had leaned into him and quickly dozed off, he instinctively lifted an arm to wrap it around her shoulders to keep her in place. The second he did, he felt warmth fill his cheeks with color as he became a little self-conscious at the display. He knew how his kind gestures often got misinterpreted, and the last thing he needed was another incident like the night before. He didn’t mind the warmth of holding her, or the way her expression had softened completely as she slumbered in his arms. She looked cute, not that she didn’t always look–

[color=04ed42][i]Play it cool, Banes.[/i][/color]

Nate readjusted in his seat, making sure to hold Tapeesa steady as he watched what remained of the training course. His eyes shifted down the field towards the guy running the show, River. The man looked rather detached as folks ran the obstacles, taking notes on his little clipboard. Most groups didn’t seem as enthusiastic and competitive as the group he ran with. Had he known, he would have taken his time. He could have avoided the fall, and maybe his gracious benefactor wouldn’t have nearly collapsed into his arms. Her threat to treat his wounds did feel like an actual threat at this rate, and one that gave him pause. Certainly she would be like that with anyone, not just him. After all, she seemed pretty friendly with the tall dude with one arm… though he couldn’t blame her for that.

What could he blame her for anyway?

As the last group finished and River began to approach the stands, Nate turned to look back at Tapeesa. He took in a sharp inhale, stealing one last glance at her face as she rested peacefully against him. He felt guilty as he slowly rocked his body side to side, shaking her a little to wake her up. His voice was soft and low, whispering to her as he looked back towards River as the man was making his way towards the stands. [color=04ed42]"Wakey Wakey, Sleeping Bea-"[/color] he murmured, pausing as the last word caught in his throat. He rolled his eyes at his own awkwardness, his lips tightening into a tight lipped smile. Why the hell was he so damn nervous today?

Tapeesa slowly roused from the gentle rocking, quiet words, and the warmth of his breath tickling the loose hairs that dangle in front of her face. [color=0bbdaf]"[i]Mmm,[/i]"[/color] she moaned softly, raising her hand to rub her eyes as if she just woke from bed rather than having half passed out. [color=0bbdaf]"That's the second time you've called me that,"[/color] she mused quietly, turning her head slightly against his shoulder to steal a small glance up at him, squinting with a tired grin. It was small, a fleeting comment likely to mean nothing, but the coincidence made her smile grow, subconscious and unbidden. [I]Sleeping beauty… beauty.[/i] A small flutter tickled in her stomach. That wasn't something she was used to hearing. 

After rubbing her eyes with the heel of her palm and a small yawn, she slowly sat up. The tips of her fingers ran along the warmth left behind against her cheek. [color=0bbdaf]"You make a good pillow,"[/color] Tappi confessed sheepishly. There was something about Nate's presence that made her feel comfortable enough to fall asleep on him effortlessly. The realization made a warmth bloom across her face, but it was mostly hidden beneath the imprint of his shoulder against her cheek. It had been what? A day? Not even… And there was already an uncanny synchronicity between them. She felt strangely at ease sleeping against him, but there was also a small nagging guilt… like she was taking advantage of his kindness or making him uncomfortable.

Color filled Nate's cheeks at Tapeesa's comments, and he turned to meet her gaze with a matching grin. He let his hands drop from around her shoulders, opting instead to rock back and tap his shoulder against her. [color=04ed42]"You can use me as a pillow anytime."[/color] His words were sincere, even if he turned his head away as he spoke them. He chuckled softly as he dug deep in his head for some means of deflection. [color=04ed42]"Watch out, though, falling asleep on me twice since yesterday… might become a habit if you aren't careful."[/color]

While she could have sat up on her own—[i]should of[/i]—her shoulder sunk against Nate’s like an anchor, grounding her in his presence as she tried to blink the exhaustion from her eyes. Tappi hummed softly, her smile growing bashful as her dimples flourished to life. It was an innocent enough offer that stirred something warm inside her, making it hard for her to meet his gaze but seeking it all the same. [color=0bbdaf]"You make that sound like a bad thing…"[/color] Her voice was quiet, almost like a thought slipping free rather than words spoken into existence. There was a sudden, magnetic draw to take his hand. Her fingers twitched slightly, nearly acting without thought but stopped when her pinky reached the edge of her thigh. It was simple and effortless the night before, they didn’t overthink it… But they were no longer in the privacy of her cabin and the stupid heavy words she muttered in that privacy still hung in the air over them, dense with implications. 

River’s final approach and the clearing of his throat jarred her out of her thoughts. Her hands snapped together and were quickly pinned between her knees like she was caught redhanded doing something she shouldn’t have been. Tapeesa chewed on the inside of her cheek with her gaze focusing on the dirt smudged across the knees of her pink yoga pants. She didn’t overly care about his pacifying words, only wanting their results and little else. She had a hard time gauging how she did. It was pretty obvious she did not finish well, but she knew that she did a [i]little[/i] better than some of the others. That didn’t instill much confidence and left her anxious to hear her time. First and second place were filled with names she didn’t know aside from River, [i]obviously.[/i] Then in third place was Elias. An intangible tether tugged at the back of her head, enticing her to turn around and look for him in the crowd… She nearly did, but forced her gaze to remain forward. 

After a handful of results she didn’t care about, a name rang out that demanded her attention. [color=86a8ad]"11:01 Nathaniel Banes."[/color] Tapeesa slipped one hand free so she could gently poke the side of Nate’s leg with her finger in silent recognition of his time. It wasn’t surprising he did well, although he probably could have shaved a couple seconds if he didn’t waste time waving at her… Not that she was complaining, not entirely anyway.

River continued to list off more times and names, and with each one Tapeesa grew a little more nervous. She didn’t do [i]that[/i] bad, did she? Her brows tugged together, creasing in pensive frustration as the first failing time was mentioned. [color=86a8ad]"15:02 Tapeesa Nanuq."[/color]

[color=0bbdaf]"[i]What?![/i]"[/color] The words slipped out somewhere between a startled gasp and a whine of disbelief. Her eyes went wide after her outburst, shrinking into her seat as if it would hide her from the curious gazes or River’s judgemental stare. [color=0bbdaf]"Sorry... [i]Sorry,[/i]"[/color] Tapeesa muttered under her breath as she quickly buried her face into the palms of her hands. Two seconds… [i]Two seconds.[/i] Her mind immediately started replaying her run, honing in on every single slip, fall or misstep that could have made the difference between her passing or failing. She should have waited to heal the others, she should have focused more, pushed harder… [i]something.[/i]

A slight hiss of an exhale sounded from beside Tapeesa as he turned his gaze back in her direction, shrugging his shoulders. [color=04ed42]"That’s some rough luck, Tappi."[/color] He kept a smile on his face, still somewhat pleased with how he fared against most of the others in camp. A couple seconds over the desired time was not bad at all. [color=04ed42]"Pretty good for running a course blind."[/color] His words were soft and kind, doing his best to ease what tension he could. After all… what were a couple seconds in the grand scheme of things? Nate still didn’t understand the point of any of this to begin with, and an arbitrary time was just an arbitrary time.

She groaned into her palms before running her hands down her face with a defeated sigh. Tapeesa looked over at him with a defeated slump in her shoulders and a weak smile. He was trying to cheer her up, which counted for something. But still… [color=0bbdaf]"[i]Two seconds?[/i]"[/color] She sighed more in deflated acceptance than an actual [i]whine[/i]... kind of. [color=0bbdaf]"I should of—"[/color]

[color=86a8ad]"Anyone who finished in under fifteen minutes is excused for the rest of the day."[/color] The change in River’s tone as he reached the end of the list cut off Tapeesa’s hushed chastising. She looked over at Nate with an attempt at a reassuring smile that was more tight lipped than warm. Considering he finished with time to spare, he was free to go and she definitely didn’t want him feeling like he was obligated to linger around while she was forced to partake in whatever form of punishment for failing… [i]by two seconds[/i]... Even if she didn’t want to be left alone.

[color=86a8ad]"For everyone that remains, you will run the course a second time."[/color]

Tapeesa sucked in a sharp breath, half gasp half scoff. [i]Of course.[/i] Two seconds was all that separated her from leaving in search of lunch, but no… She was stuck running the course a second time. Sure, she got the tiniest of naps, but it did little to nothing to restore her energy… And she just [i]had[/i] to heal Wes after her run… Gods she really was just shooting herself in the foot. She sighed and buried her hands into her palms again, hiding her face, barely paying attention to whatever else River had to say… It didn’t matter.

Nate let out a sigh at the announcements. He let his head hang back, looking up towards the sky as he could practically feel the tension and anxiety radiating from Tapeesa. He took a breath, rolling his neck. [color=04ed42]"This sucks,"[/color] he muttered, lifting his hands up to his knees. He slowly rose to his feet, letting out a slight yawn. He looked down at Tapeesa, holding a hand out towards her. [color=04ed42]"Luckily we can take our time."[/color]

She heard him stand up and half expected him to leave, get food, maybe find a cabin or something, but he didn’t walk away. Nate’s words cut through her frustration like a knife, drawing her gaze past her fingers and to find his hand extended toward her. [color=0bbdaf]"[i]We?[/i]"[/color] A warmth she couldn’t describe blossomed in her chest and melted the tension that had quickly formed across her shoulders. [i]We[/i]... He said it again, not forced or intentional, but like a natural state of. He wasn’t going to leave her to suffer through it alone and that meant more than she could put into words. His kindness continued to surprise her and somehow made him [i]more[/i] attractive—which was dangerous if she was trying [i]not[/i] to have a crush on him… It wasn’t working. 

A resigned smile, sad but full of immeasurable gratitude, pulled at the corner of her lips as she slid her hand into his. The warmth of Nate’s palm was grounding against her skin as her fingers wrapped around his hand, using his support to help pull herself to her feet. Tapeesa wobbled for a second as the initial head rush made her dizzy. She closed her eyes and held tight to him as she steadied herself. It only took a second or two before she loosened her grip with a sigh. [color=0bbdaf]"Sorry. Let’s just… Get this over with."[/color] Whether it was ok or not, Tappi didn’t pull away but guided them toward the course with a gentle hold that he could break free of if he wanted, but kept him close if he allowed it.

Nate didn't mind Tapeesa's tight grip, instinctively reaching his other hand to hold her shoulder steady. He imagined it might be another story if he could sense how painful her squeeze had been. He didn't let go, letting Tapeesa drag him along behind her. He was a little surprised that she continued to hold on to him, a small weight pressing in his chest. He was a little out of his element with such an obvious display, one he was almost certain he was overthinking. He looked out towards the course again, and the others preparing to run it again. [color=04ed42]"Consider this an unofficial favor for healing me… and an apology for keeping you up late."[/color] There was a slight edge of awkwardness to his words that his usual aloof attitude lacked, focusing on looking anywhere except at Tapeesa's shoulders and back.

Tapeesa scoffed as she reached the tires, slowly releasing his hand so she could tuck loose strands of hair behind her ears. She would give him the unofficial favor for the healing, if that made him feel better. Considering he couldn’t feel pain she imagined she’d be racking those up pretty quickly. [color=0bbdaf]"[i]An apology?[/i]"[/color] But an apology for keeping her up late? Her mind immediately hooked onto it, overthinking the meaning behind it as anything other than him possibly regretting it, especially with the subtle shift in his tone. [color=0bbdaf]"I don’t regret it,"[/color] she replied plainly, no blushing, no hesitation, just unfiltered honesty. [color=0bbdaf]"[i]Any[/i] of it,"[/color] she emphasized, sparing him a quick glance before turning toward the tires and starting her second run. 

Her brief nap did little to recharge her batteries and give her the amount of energy she needed to run through these obstacles. With every step Tappi’s legs felt like lead, slow to respond and heavy to lift. By the time she reached the last tires she was more walking than running just to avoid clipping her toe and tripping. If she had to run it again then fine, but she refused to fall on her face. She wasn’t being timed so the last thing she was going to do was rush through it and get herself hurt. The hurdles were easy [i]enough[/i] in the beginning, but the third demanded some level of vaulting or climbing. She stopped before it with her hands resting on the log and just stared at it. Her fingers rapped against the rough splintering wood as she built up the strength to jump. She definitely did not get as much height as she had wanted. She caught the log in her stomach with her upper body leaning over it to counter balance her weight and not lose the handful of inches she gained. Awkwardly, she swung her leg up over the log, getting herself upright to straddle it. She took a break for a second, sighing. [color=0bbdaf]"This is going to take forever,"[/color] she muttered to herself.

Going through the course a second time at a more relaxed pace was no sweat for Nate. He strolled through the tires with his hands shoved into his pockets casually. He trailed behind Tapeesa, watching her carefully. As his eyes fell on the hurdles, he smiled softly as he recalled how some of the others handled the obstacle. He jumped up onto the first one, proceeding to hop on top of the second, and then the third. While Tapeesa straddled that one, Nate remained perched and offered a small smile. [color=04ed42]"It would be nice if you would finish before dinner,"[/color] he smugly offered, his grin widening as he prepared to launch himself to the next one. [color=04ed42]"Or… we can try some shortcuts."[/color] He made the jump look simple, launching himself out and up to the next log. He crouched down to help regain his balance, before rising back up to full height and turning around to face her. [color=04ed42]"Want to give it a shot?"[/color]

Maybe it was because she was tired. Maybe it was because she was annoyed she failed by two freaking seconds and had to run the course again. Or maybe it was because she saw the ways other people got help compared to Nate just breezing through the course alongside her, not really helping but somehow highlighting her own failings… But it all just made her frustrated. Tapeesa knew his comment was supposed to be more playful but the smugness in his tone only picked at the wound. It wasn’t a balm but an irritant that made her feel like a burden. [color=0bbdaf]"I am tired,"[/color] she responded plainly, as if that was answer enough, not meeting his gaze or matching his smile. She swung her leg over to the other side of the log then slipped off, landing with a soft thud, stirring the dirt beneath her. 

Tapeesa took a step forward approaching the four foot log hurdle with an exasperated sigh. She braced her hands against the coarse wood then paused, staring at a spiraling knot between her thumbs. [color=0bbdaf]"I’m not going to cheat to finish faster. That’s not how I learn anything."[/color] She jumped like the other hurdle, getting a little more height than the last so that she was able to wedge her leg against the log and roll herself over the top. Her landing was a little sloppy and she stumbled a few steps, but she made it nonetheless. She approached the last hurdle and groaned. Her hands rested on her bent knees as she hung her head for a second to muster up whatever strength she had. [color=0bbdaf]"If you don’t like my pace, no one is making you stay. I finished the first time on my own, I can do it again."[/color] She pushed off her knees and tackled the last log, sloppy, fumbling, and she definitely got some splinters, but she made it over. When her feet hit the ground she didn’t say anything, just walked toward the next obstacle, lowered herself onto her stomach and started crawling.

Nate hopped to the last hurdle, freezing only as Tapeesa's tone shifted. He looked back towards her, noticing that any warmth in her expression was gone. He turned away from her, taking in the rest of the course in his view. Showboating was evidently not the move here, but a small comment in her remarks dug under his skin. [color=04ed42]"I don't cheat,"[/color] he replied with a clipped tone. He shook his head, jumping down to the ground as he waited for Tapeesa.

[color=04ed42]"I'm not a liar either. I said I would run it again."[/color] He kept pace with her as she made her way to the next obstacle. He only spared the occasional nervous glance in her direction, as if making sure she was still there. [color=04ed42]"You're tapped out, and the course has some tricky parts. Maybe I don't want you getting hurt either."[/color] His words were as confident and genuine as they usually were, any embarrassment from the confession washed away with the shame of ticking his friend off. As Tapeesa lowered herself onto her stomach, Nate let out an uncomfortable sigh. He lowered himself down next to her, offering a couple final words before he began wiggling his way under the wood beams. [color=04ed42]"When we're done, I'll take a hike and give you some space."[/color]

A third of the way through, Tapeesa’s head face planted into the sand with a soft thud and a sigh that stirred the dirt and grit around her. She stayed there for a second or two, half tempted to just cease to exist there. She was frustrated with the course, with River, with Nate, with herself… with everything. But even in her frustration, she appreciated that he didn’t want her hurt, and that he cared beneath his words, but she didn’t want jokes or him showing off. She wanted a hand to bolster her and a shoulder to lean or cry on. It didn’t come out in her words or actions, getting all jumbled in her exhaustion and irritation which only made it all that much worse. 

After the second huff she lifted her head, sweat dampened skin now covered in a dusting of sand. [color=0bbdaf]"I don’t think you cheat,"[/color] she clarified to the earth, to her aching muscles, to Nate if he was listening. She continued pushing and pulling her way through the obstacle with gritted teeth, fueled by determination. [color=0bbdaf]"I also know you’re not a liar,"[/color] she grunted as she pulled herself to her feet at the end. She braced her hands against her knees as another wave of dizziness washed over her after standing up too fast. 

Tappi shook her head, trying to stave off the fuzziness that clouded her vision as she slowly, unsteadily approached the rope climb. She blew out a breath that puffed her cheeks as she grabbed the rope and looked up to see just how far she was expected to climb. She did it once, but now her arms felt like jello, weak and more like noodles than actually useful. She didn’t know if she could lift a child let alone herself, but she had to… somehow. Her forehead pressed against the braided cord, trying to gather her energy, strength, drive… [i]anything[/i] that could motivate her to move.

Nate followed wordlessly, pulling himself out of the sand with a slight grunt. He was not fond of the sand that clung to his skin under his shirt, matching only the uncomfortable feeling of sweat sticking his shirt to his back. He followed Tapeesa up to the rope, taking note of her hesitance. He wasn’t sure if she had the energy to climb as she had before. He paused as he watched her cling to the rope. She was irritated with him… but the last thing he needed was for her to fall and hurt herself. Wordlessly, he stepped up next to her. He took the end of the rope, being careful not to shake her as he wrapped it around the back of her left calf. He pulled the slack of the rope over the top of her left foot, and then began to reach for her right leg before stopping. [color=04ed42]"I’m going to touch you. This should help."[/color] Without waiting for permission, he placed a hand on her right foot and slowly moved the heel on top of the rope positioned on her other foot. As soon as she was in position, he quickly moved his hands away.

Her head lulled to the side, pressing her cheek against the rope as she watched him work around her, preparing her for the climb. Tapeesa didn’t question it, assuming he knew what he was talking about since he had finished fine the first time. There was a small part of her, deep behind her ribs that knotted uncomfortably when he felt the need to warn her before touching her, something he likely wouldn’t have done before she snapped… But now, everything felt out of sync, balancing on eggshells rather than resting in the comfortable ease they had before. The moment he finished, he moved away so quickly it was like touching her was painful… [i]burned.[/i] Tappi turned her head away as she cleared her throat, attempting to stave off the lump that wanted to form in her throat and hide the emotions that were usually painted plain across her face.

Nate hopped onto the rope next to her, taking a leap up to get into position. He swung his left leg to catch the rope, getting into the same position he had placed Tapeesa. [color=04ed42]"Think of an earthworm… you want to inch up. Focus on standing, not pulling. Your hands are just for hanging."[/color] The instructions were short, followed by him slowly pulling himself up the rope as he instructed. It did not bring the same strain on his muscles as attempting to just pull himself up. He only hoped it would help Tapeesa enough. But just in case, he hopped down from the rope to stand near the bottom of hers.

She blinked and drew in a breath before she let her gaze drift over to him, watching the way he inched up, focusing specifically on his feet. Tapeesa nodded her head, not the most convincing, but she normally was a fast learner so she could only hope it’d come in use, even when her brain felt like T.V. static. There was still a part of her that was scared of falling but she didn’t say it, instead remaining silently hopeful Nate would catch her if she did. 

Tapeesa wrung the rope between her hands, giving herself another minute of rest before she jumped like he had. She dangled only a foot or two over the ground, looking down at her feet trying to make sure it looked the same as it had for Nate before attempting to heed his words. First she lifted her knees, slipping her feet up higher but focusing on keeping the rope nestled where he placed it. Then stood up. It felt… [i]weird.[/i] She still had to rely on her arms to support her weight as she adjusted her legs, but at least she wasn’t having to pull herself up because she genuinely didn’t know how much her biceps could handle before giving out. Her climb was slower than the first time, still made her muscles ache with a burning fury. But with a steady, albeit weak pace, she made it to the top. The lowering though, that took more of her arms. She made it three-fourths of the way down and decided to drop the rest of the way before gravity or her exhaustion made that decision for her. 

When she landed she wobbled and her knees buckled, having no choice but to reach out and grab Nate’s shoulders so she didn’t fall over. She remained here, probably for a bit longer than she should, then slowly released her hold with a quiet, [color=0bbdaf]"Sorry."[/color] Her pace and drive were waning, but Tapeesa continued onto the next obstacle nevertheless. She stopped at the start of the rope bridge, recalling her fall and the bruises she was likely to have in places no one wanted to have them. She took her time studying the net and figuring out which way would be the best to cross instead of a blind hurry that messed her up the first time.

Nate’s instincts took over as Tapeesa fell, his hands quickly reaching out to help hold her in place. His hands wrapped around her waist, his breath catching in his throat as he judged her expression to make sure she hadn't hurt herself. His touch lingered as hers did, acting as a respectable support to lean against as she caught her breath. As she pulled away, Nate shook his head. [color=04ed42]"Don’t be. It’s what I’m here for."[/color] The admission was simple, but seemed to even surprise him a little as Tapeesa turned away. He cleared his throat, as if trying to pass the sudden nervous energy that flooded his system by the contact. His eyes focused on the dark mark on her neck, only just seeming to register how apparent it was.

Nate spoke up again, his words rushed as he followed. [color=04ed42]"That was good. It takes some time to get used to, and it’s a little easier to recover."[/color] Focusing on the course helped take his mind off the layers of tension that seemed to lie between them. Talking filled the silence, which seemed to be even worse than frustrated barbs. [color=04ed42]"For this… Just make sure you step with your arch so you can rebalance. Slow and steady."[/color] His tone was a little warmer, but he couldn’t exactly look Tapeesa in the eye as he got on the net bridge next to her. He slowed his own pace, taking in deeper breaths to give himself more things to focus on.

There was a faint smile that fought to come to light beneath her frustration and exhaustion at his comment before he hurried after her. It didn’t last long, disappearing almost as quickly as it came, but it was there, warm and unbidden under the irritation, not gone, just temporarily dormant. [color=0bbdaf]"I don’t know how much I plan on climbing ropes in the future,"[/color] she commented quietly, fairly flat but there was a ghost of her usual weightless lilt that clung to the tailend of her words. Tapeesa nodded her head, silently acknowledging his guidance as she took her first step out onto the net bridge. She used her hands to brace herself on either side, and kept her focus solely on her feet, preplanning every step and move before she took it. The wobbling made her head spin and her balance pitch, but whenever she felt herself swaying she closed her eyes and waited for it to pass. 

It took her a while to get across, but she eventually made it to the platform without slipping or falling through one of the holes. Tappi slowly approached the far end where ropes were waiting for different demigods to swing over the dark pool of water below. She took a second to shake her hands, if only to regain some finger and upper body strength. She made it across the first time, [i]barely[/i], so if she got a running start to get better momentum then she should be able to make it across… hopefully. She reached out and grabbed the rope, then took a couple steps back. At least if she fell there was water to catch her.

Before she could over think it, Tapeesa ran to the edge and jumped. She made it halfway across well enough, until her muscles gave under her own weight. Her hands slipped against the rope, trying to keep hold, but gravity eventually won, and she fell with a quiet squeal and a splash into the water below. A moment later her head popped up, breaking the surface of water with a cough and gasp. But she didn’t rush to get up, instead sitting shoulders deep in the shallow water, dejected like she was considering letting herself drown rather than continuing on.

Nate winced at the sight of Tapeesa’s fall, his own hands still gripping tight his own rope. His body moved before his mind or words could, jumping off the ledge and hanging onto the rope as it swung in an arc forward. He held on all the way until the end of its arc, looking over his shoulder and feeling that twist in his gut at the brief weightlessness. When he came swinging back down, he waited until he reached the lowest point before letting go. He splashed into the water himself, tumbling over himself as he clumsily tried to recover. When he did, he was positively soaked through and trudging over towards Tappi. [color=04ed42]"You ok, Tapeesa?"[/color] His tone was measured, calm, and did not match the concern lightly etched in his brows.

She felt the splash of water on the side of her face, but hardly noticed. She didn’t register that Nate willingly dropped into the water until he was standing in front of her. [i]Was she ok?[/i] No. Tapeesa was usually the type of girl who was able to find the silver lining in most situations, always optimistic, smiling, a power of will that no one could extinguish. But running the course a second time while exhausted, feeling like she was being punished for helping people, was like a slap to the face. Her light felt dim, like a candle holding on to the last bit of flame when the wax was all gone. Her spirits were low, lower than where she sat half submerged in a shallow pool of cold water, lower than she had felt in a long time. 

[color=0bbdaf]"I’m fine… I’m not hurt,"[/color] she finally answered, voice betraying her confidence with a soft waver. Her muscles ached and palms were raw, but it was nothing sleep wouldn’t fix. But the lump in her throat that she couldn’t swallow, it hurt with the embarrassment of failure and tears she didn’t want anyone to see. She sniffed, wiped her eyes with the heel of her palm, and stood up without a word. 

Slowly, with her head hanging and gaze fixed on the rippling water around her thighs, Tapeesa made her way toward the side of the pool. She braced her hands on the edge and started climbing out. She made it halfway out when her elbows buckled and she swayed backwards, feet slipping back into the pool. [color=0bbdaf]"Come on,"[/color] she grumbled under her breath and slapped her hands against the ground with a defeated sigh. 

After giving herself a minute to calm down and get ahold of her emotions before she broke down entirely, Tapeesa braced her hands against the edge of the pool a second time. Rather than trying to climb out with confidence, she just wanted out, however that came… Which turned into some clumsy childlike roll which covered her soaked skin and clothes with a layer of sand and dirt and whatever else lived along the floor of the arena. She got to her feet and made her way toward the balance beams with slow resignation. Using the beam for support, she gripped the wood with her sore hand while scuffing her shoes in the dirt to rid whatever moisture clung to them so she’d have better traction. 

When she was ready to tackle it, Tappi approached the incline and stopped with a heavy sigh. She remembered her getting dizzy and falling… and her head was already spinning. She didn’t want to ask for help, didn’t want to need it. She wanted Nate to offer, but at that point her pride was already bruised and deflated. So rather than hoping and waiting, or suffering through it only to fail, she turned her head toward him, too ashamed to meet his gaze. [color=0bbdaf]"Can I hold your hand… So I don’t fall?"[/color]

Nate had continued to follow slowly, watching her with the same anxiety she had for his run. Tapeesa was exhausted and clearly too tapped out to be able to learn anything from the experience. If he wasn't afraid she would pass out at any moment, he would be busy chewing out the egotistical and detached jackass running the show. Every step Tapeesa took instilled a deep frustration towards River, another on an ever-growing list of people who deserved retribution. That could wait until things were done.

Mixed with his simmering anger, Nate felt an uncomfortability he hadn't felt in some time. He wasn't sure how to help his friend, that almost supernatural warmth from their first meeting washed away to lay bare one simple truth: they were strangers. He didn't feel the pain she was experiencing, and his more carefree attitude towards the course left it hard for him to empathize. So, he followed Tapeesa with a newfound caution. When he stood beside her near the balance beams, the question sent a momentary shock through his system. His body moved before his mind, lifting his left hand to meet hers as he saddled up beside her. He slipped his palm against hers, his grip tight as he nodded. [color=04ed42]"Of course."[/color]

Even in her exhaustion and frustration, there was something grounding about the warmth of Nate’s palm pressed against hers. A soft, involuntary sigh slipped out at the touch, not out of annoyance or irritation, but relief… a quiet comfort that made it all a little more bearable. Her fingers wrapped around his hand, clinging to it like a support and a lifeline as she started climbing the rising beam. Her pace was slow, too slow to counterbalance her dizziness with speed. Every other step she wobbled and her grip tightened until she settled and moved again. When she was close enough to the end she jumped down, relying on Nate’s support to steady her if she started to tip over. 

Tapeesa gave herself a moment of grace to just stand there and steady herself on the flat, unmoving earth. It wasn’t until she was ready to move again that she gave his hand a gentle squeeze. [color=0bbdaf]"Thanks,"[/color] she whispered, quiet, verging on lifeless but no less gracious. Her fingers slowly slipped free as she approached the pool. She slowly sat on the edge, then lowered herself into the water. Tappi turned around, kicking off the wall into a back stroke, letting the effortless way she could float on her back buoy her and the occasional kick or stroke of her arms carry across the pool without exerting unneeded energy. 

When she reached the end, she stood up, resting her arms on the edge. She skimmed the pool in search of a ladder or stairs but found nothing. She sighed heavily at the realization that she had no choice but to ask for help again, or be stuck in the pool until she somehow mustered enough energy to pull herself out. Still, determined, she tried once but couldn’t even get up to her waist out of the water before slipping back in.

Tapeesa didn’t need to ask again, most of his focus on her ever-exhausted movements. He swooped in next to her, placing his hands on her sides. [color=04ed42]"Turn around."[/color] His tone was soft but firm. His hands coaxed her movement, ghosting across her skin until she faced him. He moved his hands only briefly to guide Tapeesa’s hands to the edge of the pool, before finding her hips once again. He glanced briefly at her face, his eyes quickly darting away as his already flushed cheeks felt hotter. His thumb tapped against her skin softly once, then twice. When he would have tapped her again, he instead bent his knees before lifting her up. He hoisted her up onto the pool’s edge, guiding her into a sitting position. A trace of a smile lined the corner of his lips, visible only for a brief moment before he moved beside her.

When Nate’s hands found her waist, she gasped quietly, involuntary and inaudible beneath the sloshing of water. The combination of his touch and gentle words, ignited her nerves, somehow making her pulse race when she barely had enough energy to exist. Tapeesa nodded her head, heeding his guidance and slowly turning to face him. A warmth that wasn’t from the course was already blooming across her cheeks when she looked up at him. For a second her hands hovered in the air above his arms, preparing to brace against his shoulders before he shifted them to the edge of the pool. When his hands found her sides again, the heat that kissed her skin only grew. It felt far too intimate for what it was, which only made it worse and added to her waves of emotions. She was ashamed that she needed help for something so basic, embarrassed that everyone in the arena could see them like that, and mad at herself for the thoughts she shouldn’t be having at a time like that. 

After the first tap she looked back up into his eyes. [color=0bbdaf]"Thank you,"[/color] she whispered, only loud enough to fill the space between them. When he lifted her up, Tapeesa helped shift her weight over the side to sit on the edge when he released her. But she was in no rush to stand up, not yet. She knew the log ladder was next and honestly, she didn’t have a single clue how she was going to manage climbing it. So rather than stressing herself out beneath it, Tappi gave herself a break… Five minutes wouldn’t hurt. She lightly kicked her legs back and forth in the water, wet shoes being the last of her concerns. After a second, when some of the red had faded from her cheeks, although not all of it, she looked over at Nate. [color=0bbdaf]"I’m sorry…"[/color] She didn’t elaborate but felt it covered just about everything, her attitude, her uselessness… all of it.

Nate's hold lingered for a longer moment than he had intended, standing before her. He took in the sight of her, any semblance of concern or frustration washed away by something else entirely. Surprise? Momentary awe? It melted away too quickly to discern, his head tilting back down to a resting state. He watched water drip from her hair to her shoulders and down to the fabric of her top. He quickly let go of Tapeesa and moved next to her at the pool's edge before he dared let baser thoughts prevail.

Nate settled on the pool's edge next to Tapeesa, his hands brushing his damp hair until it was slicked back. The quiet apology stirred him from his spiraling thoughts. He had assumed he was the one who needed to apologize, but had been entirely unable to ascertain precisely [i]what[/i] to apologize for. Insensitivity and carelessness were his closest approximation. She had been a little harsh in her tone, and the insinuation he was trying to get her to cheat made him more worried that she thought he was taking advantage of her. [i]Was he just using her?[/i] The thought that he was dampened his mood further, even if he had good intentions.

Regardless of his own self-doubts, her apology demanded a fair response. [color=04ed42]"It's all good."[/color] The words were automatic and casual, rehearsed over years of de-escalation. The pain and exhaustion from running the course [i]again[/i] was evidently wearing on her, and she was leaning on him more and more as they went on. He reached a hand up to Tapeesa's upper back, rubbing awkwardly back and forth. It was overly familiar, enough so for him to pause and slowly pull his hand back. He sniffed, moving his hand back to rub the back of his own neck. [color=04ed42]"Take all the time you need… I'd rather be here than back out in the cold anyways."[/color] The smile he flashed was a lot weaker and more hesitant than before, even if his tone was as genuine as ever.

His words felt… weird. Like something he’d tell someone else, missing their unbridled honesty. It all felt placating, lacking its usual sincerity… or, at least the sincerity she had come to know in the short amount of time they’ve known each other. Still genuine, not unkind, but distant in a way it wouldn’t have been earlier, more tense and less familiar. Maybe she could chalk it all up to the fact that they were strangers, but something in her stomach told her she messed something up… again. She seemed to be doing that a lot recently. 

When he started rubbing her back, Tapeesa sighed softly. The warmth and soft rhythm easing some of her aches and discomfort. Her back slouched and shoulders curved in, melting and sinking into his touch. Then absent thought, she started to lean towards him, seeking his support and comfort. But then Nate pulled away leaving a vacuum between them and her skin cold where his hand had been a moment earlier. Where her body had relaxed all her muscles went rigid and tense. Her gaze fell to the wet fabric of her pants as her feet dangled in the water and hands gripped the edge of the pool. [color=0bbdaf]"Right… [i]cold,[/i]"[/color] she didn’t really reply, more echoed.

Tapeesa stayed there for another five minutes, sitting in the heavy silence as she let a fraction of her energy return. Finally she slipped her feet out of the water and stood up, not the most steady but once the head rush faded she was fine… [i]enough.[/i] She slowly approached the [i]giant[/i] log ladder while adjusting the damp straps of her sports bra and brushing her braids back over her shoulders. With a heavy sigh she braced her hands against the lowest rung and pulled herself up. She struggled to get her leg up over the log, pushing past strangled breaths and fatigued muscles to hoist herself up into a stable seated position. She gave herself a brief pause before using one of the rising beams as a support to stand and work on the next rung. Tappi continued the long, slow, and tenuous climb. When she reached the top she very pointedly kept her gaze locked on the splinters that peppered the log rather than looking down. She was already dizzy and didn’t need vertigo making it all worse. 

Well… she couldn't stay up there. The end was so close that Tapeesa was desperate to be done with it all. With a final sigh, she slowly swung her legs over one side of the log and started climbing down. Nearly every time she lowered to a new rung her feet wanted to slip out from under her, but she managed to secure a foothold before shifting her weight. It was sloppy and precarious, but worked well enough. It wasn’t until the final crossbeam that gravity won out… once again. Her hold was weak and she couldn't find the log with her toes, so when her grip went… so did she. Luckily she was close enough to the ground that she only stumbled backwards a couple steps and landed a bit hard on her bottom, but by that point she was truly [i]done.[/I]

She slapped her hands on the ground beside her with a frustrated grunt, stirring up dust and sand into a small cloud around her. Tapeesa couldn’t fight the tears that had been building with each obstacle and each fall. She could feel the heat in her cheeks, not the kind from a touch or lingering glance, but the kind that stung her eyes and grew alongside the lump in her throat. It blurred her vision and tightened in her chest. Desperate to be anywhere but trapped in that arena, as the tears started trailing down her cheeks, Tappi didn’t give herself a break or time to catch her breath. She walked to the final obstacle, sniffling and wiping at her eyes. She didn’t even bother attempting it correctly, just stepping over the hurdle straight into the small puddle of water without a care. 

[i]Finished.[/i] Finally finished. 

Nate had quietly followed Tapeesa, climbing up underneath her and back down below her to try and catch her if she fell. Granted, he wasn't exactly sure [i]how[/i] he would catch her without injuring himself severely, but foresight was not exactly one of his strengths. When she slipped at the end, he had reached a futile arm out. She fell outward, just out of his reach. The only saving grace was that she had fallen at the end. The look on her face surprised him, and she was off before he could even check on her.

Tapeesa wanted nothing more than to collapse to the ground and let the world pass on around her. It was so frustrating… all of it. She’d never felt so pathetic and weak before in her life, and it was on display before a camp full of people she didn’t know. As if looking incompetent in front of strangers wasn’t bad enough, it happened in front of Nate, which added five more layers of complication to a mess of emotions that were already churning inside her. There was only so much she could handle before she started to feel herself slipping through the cracks. More than anything, she needed to get out of that arena before the last pieces of her shattered and she broke down with an audience. 

She crossed the arena with a renewed vigor, keeping her gaze on the dirt that stirred at her feet, wiping away any tears before they dared slip free. Tapeesa hardly noticed her clothes miraculously drying a second time as she approached the stands. She probably would have braved the harsh bite of winter while dripping wet if it meant she was free from training. Without stopping, she scooped up her parka and hoodie as she passed by the bench her and Nate had occupied earlier, then headed directly toward the exit.

As Tapeesa stormed off, Nate hesitated near his own clothes in the stands. All the effort trying to help amounted to nothing, and he slowly picked up the pack of cigarettes he had left on his hoodie. It was instinctual, the quick movements to lift another menthol to his lips. He paused before lighting it, removing the cigarette so he could slip on his hoodie and jacket first. Each second, his stomach and his mind grumbled. By the time Nate flicked open his lighter, his frustrations became audible. [color=04ed42]"I hate this fucking place,"[/color] he murmered, shuffling his way out the other side of the arena. His feet took him in the direction of the lake, hoping the nicotine would calm his frayed nerves.[/color][/justify][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent]

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