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snorting an i will, but there's no energy left in him to try even an idea as stupid as that. he sits while submerged, shoulders sinking further and white beard dripping and drying in the wind.

ghelan lets her take a step forward, his attention gazing outwards before it sneaks a peek: he finds a smile trying to wriggle free, lips caught by ishmira's teeth to not let any more of it slip through. but ghelan sees it, sees the stifled laughter in her blue eyes and pale face.
and though he knows she laughs at him, the tension that clogged the air between them lifts. instead of a retort, he gives her his fullest smile and heartiest chuckle. it's worse, i'm losing to fish.

there's silence again. he does not move to ruin ishmira's hunt. instead, he watches carefully, observing as much as he could while both were submerged. like heron, each step close is deliberate and careful. and, somehow, when she snatches her paw forward, the water ripples and protests. and by the snarky look she passes him, ghelan frowns.
ishmira never finishes the hunt, though. well? he cranes his head low. kill it already, don't torture it.

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