Anders loses his stroke and flounders for a minute, standing to correct himself.

"That was lap four by the way. Congratulations on failing to count."

"I...was actually enjoying it. It's quite nice."

"Do feel free to keep going by all means. Don't let me stop you."

“It’s relaxing. I get why people do it so often now.”

Circe smirks. "Glad you learned that."

“You’ll be less glad once I get a taste for the open ocean,” Anders jokes. 

"Ah. But taste for the open ocean is a boon when that's where you make your living."

“Ah, true. Though I’m hoping to remain not shark bait.” Anders goes back to floating, feeling a little more at ease, despite everything. 

"Deke's taking care of loading those supplies, by the way," Mischa says conversationally. "Riita's partners said they'd lend a hand."

"And Deke's letting them near the Shard? Have pigs started to fly?"

Anders turns himself so he can watch the conversation.

"No, but Deke also recognises when help is useful."

"Just because we don't want strangers on the Shard doesn't mean we can't recognise that."

Mischa looks pointedly at Anders.

"Sharkbait is a different case."

“They sort of had to take me in. I got dumped in the middle of the ocean.”

"If Circe was feeling more irritable she could've just left you."

"She could've, and I'm thankful that she didn't."

"No-one has any faith in me," Circe says, although she doesn't sound all that concerned. "And that probably isn't wrong."

"Give it time, let me get to know you better. Then perhaps I'll have some faith to lose," Anders laughs.

"Probably better if you don't build any faith. Just assume I'm gonna be the worst. Save us all a lot of time."

"Oh, I don't know. Usually it's the good people who say that."

Circe laughs, and starts to walk out of the pool. "You're the first person to ever accuse me of being good."

"Accuse you of being good? Well, that is telling," Anders jokes back. He goes to follow her out.