Chapter 376 Chapter 376
Terah walked along the path, there were many footprints, so she knew it was okay to walk here. She had put on the jacket and shoes at Konner’s request, even though the snow didn’t bother her at all, but he would know best with things like this, so she did it.
The path was leading her to a building she hadn’t been to, and she was curious why so many were going there. If the size of the footprints were right, it was mostly the children. When she reached it, she stopped and looked at it. It was made of stone, as most of the buildings here seemed to be, there were no windows, so it wasn’t a greenhouse. She smirked, the greenhouse turned out to be glass and not green at all, but who was she to question the name of it.
Opening the door, she put just her head in and listened. She could hear laughing and splashing. Driven by curiosity, she stepped in and closed the door quietly. Going up the short ramp, she stopped and looked to see a large pool. Lillee, Nakisa and Kole were swimming in it. Nolyn sat at the end of the pool, reading a book.
“Terah,” Nakisa shouted and started swimming toward her. “Have you come for a swim with us?”
Terah smiled at her, then glanced to see Nolyn smiling at her. “I will talk with Nolyn right now.”
“Okay.” Nakisa dove under the water and swam back to the middle of the pool.
Taking off her coat, and kicking off the shoes, she left them sitting with the others on a bench beside the ramp. The air was warm, but not dry. The floor was cool on her feet though, so she knew Konner had helped to make this place, he knew how stone worked and must have found a way to make the air warm here.
She went over and sat on the chair beside Nolyn. She closed her book and just held it in her hand.
“This was built for the kids, so they can swim all year round.”
“They do not swim in the lake?” She watched Kole dive under and smile as he did it with ease.
“In the warmer months, they do.” Nolyn smiled when Kole poked Lillee then swam fast the other way. “Until the change, their skin is more susceptible to the cold though, so,” she waved her hand at the pool, “Konner and Reeves figured out a way to use freshwater but heat it so they don’t get a chill.”
“It is a very smart idea.” She smiled at Nolyn, “the children are lucky to be able to swim when they want.”
“Oh, it’s not really a want.” Nolyn set the book down behind her in the chair, “they can swim when they’re born,” she shrugged, “even one-form babies are able to, but to build strength and knowledge of how to move in the water, they swim every day.”
Terah looked at them, the way they moved in the water. “I would yearn for water and swimming every day.”
“I can’t imagine being without water.”
She looked to see a soft expression on Nolyn’s face. “There is water everywhere here,” she smiled at her, “I can be in it any time I want.” She leaned closer, “I woke up last night and swam in Konner’s pool in his house.” She shrugged, “I would have preferred the lake, but I don’t know the rules and when I can.”
“There are no rules with the lake.” Nolyn’s brow creased, “you can swim anytime you want.” She smirked, “it’s kind of who we are.”
Terah nodded, not wanting to disagree with her. “Konner said I should not swim with others until I am stronger and more adjusted.” She frowned, not sure if that was the word he had used. “Or settled, or,” she lifted a hand, “something like that.”
“Oh.” Nolyn watched the children for a moment. “You are pretty aggressive in the water,” she turned back to her, “with good reason. If I’d been denied water my whole life, I probably wouldn’t get out of it or want to share it either.” She got up and pulled her shirt over her head. Terah noted, that she wore one of those suit tops. “Come on.” She motioned to the pool, “this is a safe indoor swim, no fish or plants to bring it on,” she pulled her pants off and those sock things Terah still couldn’t bring herself to wear, “and I know you wouldn’t feel aggression toward the children in or out of the lake.”
“I would never hurt the children.” Her chest felt tight at the very thought.
“I know, come on, it’s warm, but still feels great.”
Terah stood up and then looked down at what she was wearing. “I do not have a suit on.”
Nolyn shrugged, and then pointed to the door on the other side, “there’s plenty in there, go grab one and hop in.”
Terah smiled, excitement filling her. She wanted to swim with the children, as her mother had her. “Yes.” she went toward the door with fast steps.