[Aniya]

Thatcher gave a small, surprised yip when he was drawn up and out of the water. Placed back onto dry land, he turned away from his rescuer and shook his body. Beads of water flung this way and that, flicked free of his curly coat.

“Did I ruin your time by the stream?” he asked curiously, a hint of amusement laced in his tone. Thatcher spared a quick glance back to the stream, as though he intended to purposefully jump back into it again, but ultimately fixed his attention onto the wolf before him.

“Yeah,” he scoffed, “the algae...” Thatcher trailed off, clearly embarrassed. He didn’t elaborate more on the fact that he’d probably just slipped due to his own off balance. “I meant to brag about how I’m an expert fisherman... or, hunter actually.” He gave a curt laugh. “You fish here too?”