The Beaches are Closed (Rita/Sharaku)

“But if your passport was already water-proof, you wouldn’t need to out-swim the cops.”   If it wasn’t clear by now, she was speaking of illegally enter a country using a body of water. She had assumed that you needed your passport to cover it. That was the basis of her argument, “Maybe it would just be easier to try a plane…”   She had to admit, it did involve less thinking. She just wasn’t very good at thinking when she was planning on relaxing. Her upper body was getting dry, so she dipped back under quickly. When she came back up, she moved the strands of her that were in her face to the side, “No worries. I don’t think we’re even arguing. More like, a difference of opinions.”   Because she thought the girl should have more faith in herself. She may not have known Rita, but she wanted her to have some confidence. As Rita swam away from them, Naomi would turn to Sharaku, “So, how did you meet her? You two seem to get along well enough. Friend from your home country?”   She doubted that, since that didn’t appear to be that close. It was clear they weren’t strangers, but they weren’t best buds either.

“Actually, I have no idea either. It just seemed like I was originally going somewhere. I don’t remember where that was anymore though.” She just had a bad habit of never stopping when it was a good idea. She would hum a little when Sharaku explained how he knew Rita, “Is that so? She seems like a nice girl.” She just said whatever came to her mind. Not like she was concerned with other understanding her at all moments. Some moments of randomness were a good idea. Naomi would give a small pout when Rita mentioned swimming, “We are swimming. Just very slowly. We’ll reach the other end in a few days.” In all honesty, talking and swimming at the same time was really hard. She couldn’t imagine holding a normal conversation that way. “We met at the museum, and Sharaku has begrudgingly put up with me since.” She gave a thumbs up when she said that. It wasn’t a lie. They did meet at the museum, but it wasn’t the reason they stuck together. Heck, half the time they ran across each other by accident. In fact, she wasn’t completely sure how often they had ever planned a meeting at this point.

Seeing her more often? What in the world did that even mean? Maybe she and Sharaku were hanging out more. She really had no idea, and it didn’t seem like they hung out in many of the same places. It was pretty clear that she didn’t recognize Rita’s name from when Hyde mentioned her. It’s not like Naomi had the best memory around, “Well, I’m sure it wouldn’t hurt to swim just a little.” She thought it would be hard to hold a conversation meanwhile, but if it was some ‘lazy swimming’ maybe it could work. To which she would immediately start wading as if she was really doing something impressive, “Now I am a force to be reckoned with. I go twice the speed as before.” She could actually swim more than that, but she didn’t want to be the first to leave. She had more respect than to leave others in her bubbles. Naomi’s eyes twinkled as Sharaku questioned what she meant by putting up with her, “You mean you really like me? Really? Truly?” Not that the world was that black and white, but she was in the middle of a bit. She couldn’t leave character now. Actually, she probably could, “Sorry. Sometimes I get this strange illusion that I’m funny.” In reality, she was hilarious. She would laugh at her own joke, joining in with Rita’s.

When Sharaku pointed out that she was still moving slowly, she would sigh, “Logic, my one weakness. If it has to be that way, though, I will go along with you. Time to kick it up to five times the speed.” She started swimming backwards, but didn’t go far. Instead, she’d turn around and start paddling around them, “See, I can swim. The problem is that I can’t hear you two if I go too far away.” She stopped back in her original spot and feigned a bow, but without going under, “That’s why logic is my enemy. It makes me think too much.” Not that she didn’t think. In fact, she was rather good at thinking. Logic just made her question every moment of her existence. That was the part she could do without. If only she were smart, she would know how to tell the difference between what was logical and what was her over analyzing.

She would laugh when both Sharaku and Rita made their statements about her asking if Sharaku liked her, “Sorry to disappoint, but Sharaku isn’t my type and I doubt I’m his.” Besides, she was loyal, and she already had her sights on somebody else, “And I was only joking. You know, they say laughter is the best medicine, so if we can find something to laugh at, maybe we’ll never get sick.” She was obviously using pseudo-science, “But I guess the common cold doesn’t obey that rule, so maybe it only works with the blues.” She would think for a moment before switching topics, “That’s something else though. I have no idea. I’m not a doctor of any sort, so don’t take your medical advice from me. I’ll be right back. You two enjoy some one on one time together.” She would flip onto her back and start swimming to the other end. She needed to clear her head for a moment so she’d stop thinking so much. She wanted to just swim and relax, not question everything.

“I don’t think I’m going to change any time soon.” She would state with a slight chuckle. She was stubborn that way. ‘Flat chests’? What in the world did that mean? She gave it some thought, figuring he didn’t mean small breasts the way Rita interpreted it… At least, she figured that’s what it meant, given the girls reaction. So, if a ‘flat chest’ wasn’t the same as ‘small breasts’ that meant only one thing: he meant men. She didn’t know Sharaku was gay, or at least bi. Honestly, she hadn’t given his sexuality much thought. Then again, she didn’t give anyone’s sexuality much thought. She would pat Rita on the shoulder trying to calm her down, “Don’t worry. I’m pretty sure you aren’t a target either.” When Rita mentioned she wasn’t in to men, she would gasp. Was Naomi the only one here that was straight? Not that there was a standard, she just thought it was odd that they were covering most (if not all) the bases.

As soon as Naomi reached the other end of the pool, her real plan began. Making sure they weren’t looking, she would dive underwater and swim back to them. This was her plan. She was going to be a water ninja- which probably was a stupid idea, considering the water was clear and they could easily see her. Still, she could try. As soon as she reached them, she would pop out of the water like a shell out a pistol. She was aiming to take them by surprise, but one never knew if her plan would work. As soon as she saw their reactions, she would smile, “Did I miss anything important?” She figured not, but you never knew.