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his teeth clamp always a second too late. this was the fifth fish to have slipped just in time from ghelan, and the young man was starting to get frustrated. all of his legs were submerged in lake, three paws splayed to clutch the sand beneath. it did not matter how cold of a morning it had been, or if he'll be named "snotnose" for the rest of the day.

he was actually frustrated since the first fish slipped from him, but each one tested his patience further. a sixth glimmer of silver tensed his muscles. seconds turn to minutes as he waits for it to burst. but akiak still was not ready. the fish leaps gracefully, mockingly. they'd gotten cocky — as its tail gives the boy a hearty slap across the cheek. patience worn thin, akiak gives up all hope for catching the fish when he dives headfirst, reaching for whatever he could grab.

emerging again only with a chunk of kelp caught between his jaws, and an unamused, expectant look in his on red eye for whatever ishmira has in store for him. his face seared, but when did it not.