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[Moxie]

Moxie smiled happily, as she was right about the plant. Feeling the praise from her bondmate and hearing the words made her that much happier. She nodded her head at the honey comment, "Honey is good." She said chuckling. She was fond of the sticky sweetness actually.

As Beodan leaned down to collect the plant, Moxie watched him closely. He carefully cut where the petals met the stem, being very careful with the knife he was using. She tilted her head as he placed it in his pack, wondering why he needed it, but dismissed it. He was a Herbalist, he needed herbs, and one can never have too many of those she supposed.

As her bondmate approached he had a grin on his face that held the slyness of a fox, she took a cautious step back unsure of what this naked man was planning, but was tapped on the shoulder with him racing away yelling that she was it. She stood there for a moment blinking, unsure of what just happened, then realizing he wanted to play tag. She watched as he shifted into his horse form, she glanced down at her sore legs and shrugged. She would give it her best shot at least, "Hey.. Horses run faster. No cheating Kelvic!" She called out into the woods at the horse, laughing as she ran after her bondmate.

She pumped her legs into a run, wincing slightly as the pain raced up her thighs. Moxie wondered if this would be beneficial to the muscles, working out the kinks and soreness with exertion. Perhaps it was, perhaps it wasn't, now was not the time to think of such things as the small Konti ran as fast as her sore legs would carry her across the forest floor. A small fallen tree was on the ground and she jumped it, fumbling slightly, and continued her run after Beodan.

She was gaining on the horse, laughing breathlessly as her heart pounded inside her chest, getting closer, and closer. Until she felt the ground give away under her feet and she was falling, then hit her rear on the ground. It was not a deep hole but one which her small body could not get out of. She sat a bit dazed and confused as to what had just happened. They were playing tag, she was running, laughing, then she fell inside the ground. She blinked a few times as the confusion began to slip, she was in a hole. Moxie looked up and could see the forest above her, touching the side she willed her sore legs up. The hole was at least 8 feet deep, there was no way she could pull herself out with out some help. Fear raced through her, as her breathing became a bit sharper panic was setting in at her realization.

"Danny... Danny!" Moxie called out a bit breathless, the panic gripping at her heart, constricting her chest, making it difficult to breath as she looked around wildly with her head up, worried that her bondmate did not see her fall in, that he was still racing through the forest and had not noticed her. Then she remembered their connection, hoping he could feel the panic and fear that was coursing through her this very moment. She bit down on her bottom lip hard, trying to focus her mind elsewhere to ease her panic. As she waited for her bondmate to find her, at least she hoped he would.

Boxcode by Verena

[Beodan Clathony]

Beodan neighed gaily as Moxie gave chase, her boots crunching on leaves and plants as his hooves did the same. She was quick on her feet, and appeared to be catching up by the sound of it. He could hear her bright laughter bubbling out as she ran, he would have laughed too if he could. They jumped over fallen logs and through the trees in their game, the birds going silent to watch the loud game of chase. He picked up the speed a little bit, not wanting to get caught so early by his bondmate. Soon he could not hear her behind him anymore, so he slowed down to let her catch up. Nothing. Not a sound.

Dan walked tentatively back the way he had came. Had she turned this into a game of hide and seek on him, as revenge for surprising her with a game of tag? Well he would not be outdone! Just as his competitive side was going to take over, he felt a wave of panic flood over him through their bond, inciting the feeling in him as well. He looked around the forest quickly, his large head twisting left and right. His ears were perked up to see if he could hear her, or any commotion of her getting attacked by something. “Danny… Danny!” a shout came from somewhere to his left, sounding somewhat muffled. He made his way to the sound. There was nothing here. That was odd, just trees and bushes! He wandered around the area looking for his bondmate.

He could feel her nearby, somewhat below him? That did not make any sense at all! They were in a forest, the only other way to go was up if you climbed trees. The Kelvic lifted his head up, and scanned the canopy. Nothing there either, not that he had expected there to be. Moxie’s panic was getting worse. He closed his eyes to better locate her through the bond, cutting out all the other sense that were getting in the way. Following a pull, he climbed over a log and found a hole. He looked over the edge to see his bondmate standing at the bottom, a good three feet more hole above her. No wonder he did not see it before, the greenery hid the opening of the hole unless you were right next to it! Beneath her there were picked leaves and grasses weaved into a mesh of pliable branches. A trap. He thanked whatever gods would listen that there were no spikes at the bottom too.

Beodan shifted back into a human form and asked nervously, “You okay, Moxie? Sorry it took me this long to find you! I’ll get you out of there, don’t worry.” He scrambled away from the hole. What to do? He did not have any rope with him, and did not think she did either. He looked around the forest floor for something he could use for her to climb out on, or at least pull her up.
There was a branch that could come up to his shoulders, which he picked up. It was covered in a fine green moss. He hit it against the floor, and a few bits of the decomposing wood fell off. It would hold, hopefully. He brought it back to her and stuck the larger end into the hole. “Grab hold, I’m going to lift you out!” he said, shaking the end briefly. He bent his knees and braced himself, ready to lift once she had grabbed it. “One...Two...Three,” he counted, ending the third count with a grunt and gave the branch a strong, steady tug.

[Moxie]

Panic started to consume her, the what ifs racing through her mind as she waited for Beodan to find her. "What if he does not come.. What if he can not find me.. What if he ran too far off and is lost.. What if I die here.. What if a large animal comes along and falls inside with me... Is that blood? Oh Gods.. I can't breath."The thoughts swirled inside her mind, making her breaths come out in short gasps as her chest constricted in the midst of a panic attack. Her body was in pain, though she could not locate exactly where it hurt, she just knew she was in pain. It was not severe pain but it was there. There was blood also, it was not a profuse amount but it still heightened her panic at the sight of it.

Moxie's body started to shake, her nerves erratic as panic addled her mind. She did not know Beodan was above her now, she could not hear his voice as everything was drowned out by a ringing in her ears, her mind consumed with the panic of being left and forgotten in a deep hole, out in the middle of the woods, which she did not even know. She wrapped her arms around her tightly, to keep from trembling too much, when she saw a small branch descending down. It looked old and had moss on it, Moxie blinked a bit dumbfounded as to how this branch came to be in the hole, then she looked up.

She saw Beodan's face then, the panic starting to recede at seeing him. She reached out with shaking hands, grasping the branch, too shaken to talk at the moment. Beodan counted then let out a grunt, as he pulled on the branch. "Am I that heavy.."She thought, as he gave a steady tug making another noise. Her thought process was a bit askew from the panic, instead of thinking of being saved panic only made negative thoughts cross through her mind. Once she was out of the hole and on the slightly dampened forest floor, she sat there a bit dazed. She looked over to Beodan opening her mouth but the words would not come out, instead her mouth looked awkward as it moved to talk but no sound emitting from her lips. She shut her mouth then looked back at the hole.

Moxie was not sure what this thing was, why it was here, and who did such a stupid thing in the forest. She was not sure what the point of a deep pit in a forest was, dismissing the thoughts she looked at Beodan again then she tackled him bringing his unclothed back down on the forest floor, with her body on top of his, wrapping her arms tightly around the man she did not let go instead she held on to him. She was unable to speak but the feelings of love, gratitude, and bliss flowed through her as she clung to the man before her. Leaning up she lightly kissed his cheek, then rested her head on his chest still clinging to him. Her body was still shaking slightly, the blood that was on her arm from a small cut smeared against her bondmates skin. Another small gash was on her leg that was slowly dripping blood. They were not life threatening, though the pain from them were finally registering, so mixed with all the positive feelings inside her, pain was prevalent as well. Moxie dismissed the pain pushing it to the side though, relishing the feel of Beodan and his protection.


.

Boxcode by Verena

[Beodan Clathony]

A few seconds of sharp effort paid off, and Beodan was rewarded by falling onto his arse. His rescued bondmate sitting just over the lip of the whole, blood flowing freely from scratches on her arm and leg. He frowned at the injuries, though he supposed it could have been much, much worse. Again a spiked pit came to mind. He noticed that his knuckles were white, still grasping the branch with all of the strength in his fingers. He tossed it to the side, and looked at his aching palms. The had little indentations of pink where abnormalities in the branch had pressed into his skin, cutting of circulation in the immediate area. He focused his attentions to Moxie, who looked shell shocked, her mouth open in a small, quivering “O” shape. She looked to be trying to speak, but the words were dying in her throat. She looked back to the hole with defeated and scornful eyes, and he was sure its maker would have been vaporized had he been directly in the path of her vision.

The Horse Kelvic was about to move closer and place an arm around her shoulder when the Konti whipped around and tackled him before he knew what was happening. Her petite form crashed into him and sent him to the ground with a sharp exhale of air. She now lay on top of him, her arms encircling him tightly as if he was a rock at sea and she a shipwrecked sailor. He could feel her gratitude and happiness strongly through their link, especially when he felt her soft lips pressing against his cheek. He felt his ears color a little, and hoped she would not notice. Her head sat just below his collarbone, and he brought an arm up to twist a hand in her alabaster hair. He could feel wet heat on his chest, her blood oozing out of her to dye his skin red. He held her, a hand rubbing the small of her back slowly, the other still on the back of her head. “You are safe now,” he murmured, planting a kiss on the top of her head, “Let’s get you patched up.”

Dan got to his feet and picked Moxie up, her knees draped over one arm and her back resting on the other. She could still have her head against his chest if she wanted to. He stepped around logs instead of over, he could not reliably hop over them with her in his arms. The packs, saddle. and picnic basket on the ground signaled that they had reached the start of their game. “Enough tag for one day, huh?” he said dryly, hoping to make her giggle and take her mind off the pain with a little humor. He set her down in the soft grass, and went over to their stuff. He tore a piece of cloth into strips from the picnic basket, and retrieved a small vial from his own pack. He uncorked it and came back over to her. “I’m sorry, this might sting for a second, but it will feel better in a chime,” he apologized, taking his index finger and dipped it into the crushed Vyfox flower pulp. It was a grey goop, and smelled a bit fermented. He met her eyes, apologizing non-verbally, and dabbed the paste onto the cut on her leg. Not wasting time, he took her hand and turned her arm over, quickly applying more to that scrape. With one strip he wiped off excess blood, and the other two he wrapped each injury with a simple, loose, yet firm, knot.

“All better!”

[Moxie]

Beodan's comforting words telling her that she was safe made her ease even more. Now that she was with him, she was safe, alone in that pit she was terrified. In his arms though, she felt like she would be protected. A kiss being planted on her head made her glance up, Beodan wanted to patch her up so she gave a feeble nod. Moxie was not the rough and tumble type of girl, sure she could be when there was a need for it. Other wise she was soft and peaceful and liked the feel of her bondmates arms around her, perhaps a bit more then she should have.

He picked her up, drapping her knees over one arm. She rested the side of her face against his chest as he carried her. She did not want his arms to be removed from her, her emotions and feelings towards him had been confusing, mixed, and she was lost at times with how she felt. At this very moment though, it was clear how much she truly cared about him. She loved him, needed him, he was as important to her as the clouds are in the sky. He was more then her bondmate, it was like he was a piece of her soul, a part of her being that she never wanted to lose again. Beodan's humor made her give a small smile, nodding her head, "Perhaps.. Not in woods.. Next time." She suggested, imaging the fields would of been a better place to have played that type of game.

They came back to their belongings, Beodan sitting her down making her bottom lip poke out slightly. She was not ready for those arms to leave her, though she had no choice in the matter, it made her pouty. Moxie watched him closely, observing what he was doing as she may need to do it to someone or even him one day. The horse-kelvic tore off a piece of cloth, tearing it into strips. He then received a vial of some type of pulpy substance. Uncorking it he came close to her, letting her know it may sting. Sucking in her lower lip to prepare for the sting she nodded her head. Dipping his index finger into the grey substance, that smelled not so pleasant, he dabbed it onto her leg then quickly to her arm. Moxie winced slightly taking in a sharp intake of air as she did so. It felt like a million ant bites in the cuts, it was indeed very unpleasant but she held on knowing it was for the best. Her small hands grabbed at the grass, clumping it into her palms as she squeezed the pain away on the cuts, taking it out on the poor grass. Wrapping her injuries in a tight know he was done, exclaiming that she was now all better.

Moxie gave him a smile, peering over at her attractive bondmate, wondering if he liked walking around naked. She liked it, she was a woman after all and appreciated the naked male body, it was only natural. Though she could not help but ponder if he liked it too or if it was just more common then clothes. Dismissing the question for another time she got up from the grass and sat in his lap, cuddling close to his body resting her head on his shoulder, "Thank you.. Danny.. You are my everything." Moxie said softly, nuzzling his neck slightly, inhaling his earthy, musky scent as she did so. Her hand rested on his right shoulder, the other on his leg. She wanted to feel him, making sure that he was real, then she returned her hands to his chest, "You rescued me. I will be grateful..always." She peered up into his eyes, then glanced at his lips. The brief, yet prevalent, thought crossed her mind as she wondered what his lips would feel like, what they would taste like, if she would like them against her own. Desire and longing flowed through her, making her blush slightly hoping he did not notice. Slowly looking away, she rose up from him, walking over to their belongings. It was not an appropriate thought to have, though she could not help but have them from time to time and this is what caused the conflict inside her. As she was not sure why she desired such things of the man, nor how he would feel if he knew.

The small Konti looked up at the sky, then backed to her bondmate, "We best go.. Before sun falls down." She gave him a bright smile, placing the packs on each shoulder, wincing slightly as it made her arm sting a bit, then lifting the saddle up. Her arm was not injured too much, but she was not one who was used to such pain, nor did she like it, and she was not one to suck it up too much either. If she was in pain, people would know it, she would not keep such information hidden. Moxie felt it was braver to be able to express oneself, then to keep yourself hidden.

Boxcode by Verena

[Beodan Clathony]

Beodan was graced with an angelic smile from his bondmate, it was all the payment he needed. He was content to simply enjoy each other's company it was time to go, to watch the breeze trickle through her hair, ruffling it gently. She rose and sat back down in his lap, causing his small smile to widen. He wrapped his arms around her once more, feeling the bandages, rough, next to her soft skin. She picked her head up from his shoulder and tucked it into his neck to murmur, “Thank you.. Danny.. You are my everything.” Her lips grazed the soft tissue of his neck as she nuzzled into him. It felt slightly ticklish, the normally not very accurate sensing skin (as opposed to the tip of a finger or a tongue) made him want to shiver at the contact. Any words that had been intended to be a response died in his throat at the sensation. In this case, just being spoke volumes.

Moxie moved a hand to his shoulder, where her head had just been, and another rest on his leg. They traced back to his chest, soft fingers drawing white hot lines in his skin, sending tingles up and down his spine at the foreign touch. Her hands were so very small in comparison to his torso. Dan pulled one hand away from her and looked at it. Rougher, tanner, made for use rather than chiseled by a god out of moonstone. Quite a contrast. He met her gaze, her large violet eyes shining in the canopy filtered sunlight. Her eyes broke away from his, settling slightly downward. He looked down as well, trying to see under the bridge of his nose. Did he have mud on his face? The tentative thought was wiped from his mind. Through their bond great desire pulsed into him, hitting him almost like a physical force. He sniffed softly and looked back up at her. He caught a blush lighting her face before she turned away and walked over to her belongings. Probably a good thing, because her own feelings had sparked his own. And growing arousal for him usually was literal.

Beodan sat for a few moments more, eyes staring off blankly in thought, then rose to join her. “Yes, we should get a move on,” he replied distractedly, still trying to sort through his and her feelings. He took the saddle from her with a smile, and threaded the strap around his torso, very loose as it was still adjusted to his horse form. He stepped a bit away from her and desired to be different. A flash of light lit up the forest, the sunless side of leaves glowing for an instant. They were ready to get on their way. He took up the picnic basket once more, the smells were becoming more and more tempting as the day went on. He waited for her to mount him, then set off along the river towards their destination. The river was on their right, getting almost imperceptibly wider as time went on.

The sun had dipped below the tops of the trees, casting taunt threads of light to stretch between gaps in leaves and the ground. It looks magical the threads always disappeared as he stepped through them though. Woven out of light? It was amazing. He picked up the pace a little, a three beat gait taking them to their destination with speed, about as fast as anyone could run. The sun was just about to sit on the horizon when they reached the entrance to the falls, the few clouds already turning a pastel pink on one side. The huge, towering waterfall cast tiny beads of mist into the air, and they too reflected the light of the sky about to burn. He slowed to a stop next to the pool beneath the falls, clops on the slightly damp rock petering out. He waited for her to dismount, and then shifted back into human form, letting the saddle side onto the waiting ground. He picked it up and hung it on a low branch, so it would not get wet. He looked at his bondmate with a smile. They had arrived!

[Moxie]

Beodan and Moxie rode along the river's edge, as they headed towards the falls. Her mind was racing at the feelings that appeared inside her from his contact, the way he talked to her, treated her, it all made things bubble out inside that she had never felt before for another person. Her mind raced with these thoughts, only being ignored when she saw a towering waterfall before them. They had made it to Sunset Falls, the view spectacular. She dismounted Beodan, not stumbling as much as she normally did, but still not as graceful as most as she looked out over at the falls before them.

The falls descended from the Cobalt Mountains, in a drop off that appeared to go on for days. The rays of the setting sun glinted off the water of the falls, making them look as if a glistening fire was being poured from the top of the mountains. They were at the base of the falls, a almost whisper of a voice could be heard on the breeze, as the water hit the plunge pool. A soft breeze that carried the whisper, caressed the surface of the pool in a loving manner. Moxie gave a sigh of wonder at the sight, it was worth all they had been through to see this sight. Removing her clothing slowly, she set them to the side, dipping her tow in the pool of water. It was a delicious temperature and she could not help but wonder if Beodan liked swimming.

Moxie was a Konti, they were of land and water, with small gills behind her hair that was usually covered out of sight with her long, thick, white hair. Webbed dainty hands to help propel her in the water, she was a woman of the sea as much as the land. She dismissed the thought with a small chuckle as she glanced over her shoulder at Beodan. He was tall and muscular, standing there in his naked glory. His tan skin seemed to sparkle under the rays of the sun, the dark dusting of chest hair broken by the jagged white scar that stretched to his abdomen.

Moxie walked over, gliding softly towards him, touching the jagged scar with her right hand that started at his collar bone and tracing it down to where it ended at his abdomen, she let her hand linger there as she looked up into his chocolate brown eyes, a serious look upon her normally soft features, "You will never.. hurt again.. Not with me or by me." She promised in a soft tone, wrapping both arms around him in a tight embrace, her love and care streaming forth through their bond. She pulled back, still with her arms wrapped our him, her chin resting on his flesh as she peered up a with a twinkle in her eyes, "Hungry?" She asked, a soft smile tugging at the right corner of her mouth. She was not sure if he would enjoy what she had put in the picnic basic. She herself did not eat much meat, unless it was fish, preferring fruit above all else.


The Konti pulled away before he spoke grabbing the picnic basket and sitting it down between them, so he could lay out the blanket and eat with her if he wanted. After they ate she hoped they could go swimming in the plunge pool, it looked delightful and seemed to be calling for her to swim in it's depths. The cool water caressing her heated skin would be nice, especially since her muscles were so sore from the horseback riding she had yet to become accustomed to.

Boxcode by Verena

[Beodan Clathony]

Beodan followed his bondmate’s lead and looked up to the top of the falls towering above them. The distance was unimaginable, the water glowed orange and red as it fell down to the mortal world from the heavens. The entire top of the mountain was shrouded in a fine white fog, likely from all of the water droplets in the air spanning where they stood to where the peak cracked the sky. The sky was alight with every color from crimson to a soft blue as the sun started to dip below the horizon. The shadow of the land would slowly crawl up the side of the mountain, and they would be able to see the light against the top of the falls when they were long shrouded in darkness. The water looked very inviting, a sapphire mirror calling for them to jump into unknown depths. Moxie seemed to be feeling the same, as she stripped off her clothes into a small pile on the rocks. She was beautiful. Her scales shone in the light of the dying sun, sparkling as she moved. He could not take his eyes off her.

She stepped forward to dip a toe into the glassy water and seemed to like what she felt. She laughed, and looked back at him. Dan sent a smile at her and stepped forward to meet her as she approached. Her hand slid over his scar, rough and white, halting her movement as it tapered off to a point on his abdomen. She embraced him, with body and words, “You will never.. hurt again.. Not with me or by me.” He took her in his arms as well, feeling her heart beat against his. He closed his eyes, and sent feelings of love and protection back to her through their link, not trusting himself to speak. Her hair flowed as she pulled back a ways, her chin resting on his body. “Hungry?” his favorite person in the world asked with a half smile. He nodded eagerly. He had not eaten all day save for grass and young plants to keep him going on their journey. She went to retrieve the basket and he replied, “Just a little. I can’t wait to see what you packed! I put the berries I gathered in there too. Swim afterwards?”

He was not that partial to meat, even in human form. Sure it was okay, but he would much rather have some form of plant matter. Beans, vegetables, nuts, fruit, gourds. It all was good! He was happy to see a similar assortment to his list in the basket, minus the gourds. It was not the season for those anyway. He sat down next to her and took a leaf of lettuce and a palm full of berries. He ate unhurriedly, though he was ever conscious of the desire to go in the water they shared. The sunset was in full swing as they ate, finishing just as the sun would dip below the world. The perfect time for a swim! He stood up and offered her a hand, “Shall we?” he said with smile.

[Moxie]

They sat on the blanket that the picnic basket came with, eating slowly looking out at the water before them. Moxie had packed plenty of food she had hoped anyway, with the berried Beodan added she had also purchased apples, walnuts, cheese, Elder berries and wine to drink. She sipped on her wine, munching on some cheese as she did so. She was not exactly hungry but she was a little and they had a long ride back. So she ate away on an apple too, drinking more of the wine she had brought with them in a jug she had bought for that purpose. The wine was making her feel a little fuzzy in the mind, as she swallowed the last bit at Beodan's question and smile.

Moxie gave a nod, smiling brightly at him as she stood up on slightly wobbly feet giggling, "Yes!" She exclaimed happily, as she ran to the water and jumped into the cooling depths. Beodan did not know much of the Konti, as she had yet to tell him everything. She did not mention that she could breath underwater, or that she had the mark of Avalis on her right rib cage near the center that looked like a shimmering tattoo on her skin. Moxie supposed that now was the best time for him to learn though, as she popped her head out from the depths laughing. Her stark white hair was now wet as the mass weighed it down to look straight, her little curl at the ends no more. She brushed the wet mess from her face, giving Beodan a devious grin, she dived underwater once more. Breathing underwater she glanced around, it was getting dark so the light was becoming more dim, but the rays that did escape made little jewel like creatures glint in the light. Moxie gave a delightful laugh, it sounding muffled making bubbles rise to the top.


She looked up waiting to see the panicking Beodan. Once he dove underneath the water to find her, she would be there smiling and laughing under the water. Moxie wondered if he would be shocked, mad, or maybe he would even find it disgusting that she could breath underwater. She would point to the small gills behind her ears, wondering if he ever even noticed them before, then she would swim to the top to break surface so they could speak on the matter.

Boxcode by Verena

[Beodan Clathony]

The slightly cloudy, purple liquid had tasted a little like ale, but sweeter, almost like the difference between nuts and fruit. It seemed a little stronger than ale too. Beodan had not had any before, though he had heard of ‘wine’. Ale was cheaper! He drank enough of it to feel a buzz. Wow, it was a good deal stronger than any ale he had had, he had only consumed a mouthful or twelve. Good stuff! Moxie got to her feet, teetering back and forth, then ran to the rocky edge and jumped in. A huge splash of water turned into gemstones in the air, and her alabaster hair disappearing under the cool surface. He smiled at her antics when she came up for air, wiping her clingy locks from her face. She slipped below the surface once more with an evil smirk that sent a shiver up his spine, the smile freezing on his face.

Dan stood waiting for her to resurface, but she did not. He rolled his eyes and smiled to himself. Had she given him the slip and was now waiting behind a rock somewhere? Well he would find her quick if that was her game! He set his face into a playfully determined mask and jumped into the pool with a whoop. Bubbles rose around him as he drifted to the bottom. He blinked his eyes open, getting used to the feeling of extra liquid under the lids. It was blurry, but he could easily make out the crimson sky above him, trickling through the surface down to him It was magical. He looked forward at movement, and there stood his bondmate. Moxie was laughing at him, which was odd. She was using all of her air. Even now his lungs ached, so he pushed off the bottom and took a breath. He sank back down to find her more or less in the same spot, just more giggly than full out laughing. He stuck his tongue out with a smile, though his brow was furrowed. How was she not dead?

Moxie extend a finger behind her ear, and Beodan swam over to look. A small, scaled slit lay in the skin, pulsing every so often. He had thought it was a scar or something. He mouthed to her, “Gills?” a pocket of air rising to the surface. That was so cool! She could breath underwater! She would be able to escape anyone if she wanted. Well, besides other Konti of course, but still. She pointed upwards and they surfaced. He spat and wiped the water from his eyes and gave her a wet grin, “Wow, you’re like a fish! I had no idea you could do that. If I was you, I would never leave the water. The freedom to just go. How far can you go down?”