The expression on her face changed to one of concern for a moment, confused because she swore Margrett said Grayell wouldn't mind them taking the boat.
"But...I thought you said he wouldn't mind?"
With that sort of goal on the line Serenity had no choice but to win. She didn't believe Grayell would become especially furious, however, the mage wouldn't take that chance regardless.
"I'll have to make up for lost time then won't I?" she smirked.
Serenity looked forward and took in a deep breath, looking as if she was going to dive for this race, but then she suddenly reversed herself and faced Marg again.
With one great exhale she let out all the air and then some, attempting to push back Marg and then some. Serenity didn't summon up the full force of her magic, just enough to possibly disorient Margrett at least if she wasn't pushed back.
With that, Serenity took off in even side strokes, the only swimming technique she ever learned.
It did disorient her, pushing her back a little and tussling her wet hair. She blinked, surprised, then laughed, ducking low in the water and swimming after Serenity, looking a little like a shark. She went slowly at first, letting Serenity have the lead.
Serenity felt a little bad for pulling that trick on Margrett, but she wasn't a swimmer to begin with or very athletic. She looked back briefly to see if Margrett was OK. The guards-woman was and already on her way to catching up.
Serenity faced forward again and stroked faster. The lady went around the bow of the ship and bolted straight to the stern.
Margrett smirked and ducked under the water, diving under the boat. She watched as Serenity rounded the boat, and then waited until she passed, popping up behind her, laughing.
Swim! Swim for your life! She play-grabbed her shoulders, still letting her keep swimming.
The surprise would have made her jump if she could. She did shout out in surprise.
Serenity pushed away from Margrett with her feet, not very hard, but she used her body to spring away. The sudden rush of adrenaline from the scare hurried her around the stern, swimming with all her might which was now showing to be a bit sloppy.
The mage went around the stern and tried to bolt for where they started.
Margrett ducked under the boat again, and as Serenity neared the place where they'd started, she didn't see Marg at first. And then she popped up just in front of her, grinning mischievously.
Looks like you won, china doll. I'll be telling Gray about the boat, looks like. She swam a little closer, almost dangerously so, to see what she would do.
Serenity stopped suddenly in her tracks again, taken by surprise by Margrett's springing up from under the water as she did. When she stopped she realized her heart was racing rapidly and so wrapped her exhausted self around Margrett.
"You make my heart race," she whispered into her ear in a sigh. Her body was pressed against hers so the shade would be able to feel her heart beat. Serenity was quite warm.
Serenity's attempt to make the captain blush seemed to have succeeded, which she did as payback for the little scares she received in this race. The lady let out a giggle as she nodded her head.
"Yes, and I'm getting rather hungry."
All the poor swimming she did exhausted her and now that the adrenaline was fading, Serenity realized how hungry she was.
"Is there anything to eat on board the ship by chance?" she said as she began to climb back up.
Serenity accepted the hand and helped herself over the edge of the boat, where she caught her breath again.
"Oh, I should really exercise more often, my constitution is terrible. Perhaps you could put through some guard training, Margrett?" she finished, chuckling. She wasn't serious about the request, though after saying it she began to think it wasn't such a bad idea.
The lady held out the length of her hair over the edge of the boat and wrung it of lake water, continuing to do so until only drips remained. When she finished she turned to face Margrett before going for her clothes.
"Are you sure you'll want to give me this victory? I feel awful about the magic use..."
She hadn't realized yet what Margrett had been doing and assumed she was just a great swimmer due to her athleticism.