hc:
Merlin children have a tendency to suck at swimming (at least at first). Much of being a merlin is aether usage, and kids learn the basics by first grounding themselves and then 'pulling' the aether up from the ground. (hc, js bc its either from the ground/body or from the air, and I feel like air is a more mature way of doing it. I'm thinking of elementary-level kids first learning. ) Water displaces all of that. There's no ground to feel. Pulling it from within yourself is hard because you're constantly moving to stay afloat. The breathing patterns you use to help stream aether now have to mesh with breathing in general while swimming. Floating is somewhat ok for them to master, but swimming beyond straight kicking requires intense training (which they receive). Not only that, but the sensory part. Everything sounds different underwater, disorienting levels of difference. Your sight is usually impaired, even if it is a little bit. Your sense of smell usually straight up goes away if they choose to breathe through their mouths. Also- they actually make sound when they move now. Startling, for children of stealth. For children built on precision and using their skills constantly, having those stripped or just moved down a bit is scary. Don't get me wrong, they receive that extra training, Merlins are pros in the water by the time any human can judge them on their skills , but just know it is usually HARD to get a grip on them.
