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"Why do you wait? Get in!" Miri beckons to Gale where he sits on the bank at a reasonable distance away from the river.
She'd been eager to show him the Dancing Falls - a favorite spot of hers growing up in the High Forest. Gale was familiar with the River Dessarin, of course. It spills into the Sea of Swords just south of Waterdeep, after all - he's seen and crossed it on the Zundbridge plenty of times. And Miri was right, the Dancing Falls, cascading down the equally awe-inspiring Lost Peaks, were quite a sight.
Just one he was comfortable admiring from a distance.
"I'm not really much of a fresh-water swimmer," Gale returns, holding his hands up in polite deference and trying to keep too much negativity from seeping into his tone. "I prefer to stick to the oceans. Or pools. Where it's sanitary. And not potentially full of an untold number of problematic flora and fauna."
"Gale, it's fine," Miri counters with a huff, lips twisting in that wry but perplexed amusement. She gestures to the falls, roaring some dozen meters to their left, and to the water in which she currently waded. "The water is quite nice."
"And you're more than welcome to it, my love," he returns with a soft smile, "I am content to enjoy the view. From over here."
Gale pats the soft patch of grass where he sits - the first clear spot from the rivers edge that was neither wet, nor muddy. He's grateful for the break - today's hiking had been rather arduous. But it was hard to put a damper on Miri's enthusiasm once she had her heart set on something. What is he to do in the face of that smile? Sparkling eyes and brilliant teeth, the excited squeeze of her fingers on his…
And she was quite set on bringing him to the Dancing Falls.
"You have been complaining for hours about the heat," Miri returns with a huff. She somehow manages to look radiant even soaking wet and pouting.
It probably helps that she has no bathing suit to speak of.
"And I shall see to it with magical means," Gale counters.
He conjures a fan as if in demonstration, using it to buffet himself with cool air. He's at least grateful to be dressed in a light linen shirt today. And that the dense canopy above them does an exceptional job of filtering most of the sun's harsh rays.
"Gale."
He tries not to wince at her tone.
"Please, my love," he attempts to soften her disappointment, "I am satisfied to watch you enjoy yourself."
Miri huffs a soft growl, trying her best to accept his position - if her barely contained pout is anything to go by- but clearly disgruntled by it.
"Fine."
She dips under the water, re-emerging further away with a splash. Gale sighs as he watches, leaning back on his hand after passing the fan to a mage hand. He really was content to just watch. Miri clearly enjoyed the surprisingly crystaline waters. She chased after fish and turtles, swam circuits. Very endearing. And not at all distractingly alluring.
His eyes lift to the canopy, admiring the environ. Still hoping to catch a glimpse of the wild tressyms Miri has mentioned seeing before. Gale lets his eyes close as he leans his head back, enjoying the moment's reprieve.
Enjoying it enough that he doesn't hear Miri exit the water. Not until it's far, far too late.
He catches a glimpse of glimmering wet copper skin and a wild, mischievous grin before he's suddenly airborne.
"Miri! NO—"
The water is ice cold as he breaks the surface. She's lucky he's a good swimmer or the shock might've led him to an inhale of the chill liquid.
He follows the light and rights himself, swimming towards the shallows and standing with a heavy gasp. When the rush breaks and sound floods back he hears Miri's laughter. Sparkling and joyous and hard to be mad at.
But he makes a show of glowering at her. Black trousers and white shirt absolutely sopping wet, hair clinging to his face and neck. But she just grins, unrepentant.
"Gods damn you, woman-"
Gale surges out of the water and races towards her, drawing a squeal that makes him laugh. And when he catches her, he returns the favor - her giggles broken only by her splash. Throwing his wet shirt from his frame, Gale leaps in after her.
Because perhaps swimming in this fresh water wasn't so bad after all. With the right company.