The raised eyebrow accompanied by soft laughter gave him pause.

Makara tried to explain the finer nuances of diving, but all Osamu could hear was 'smaller' followed shortly by the even more dreadful word of 'beginner'. He frowned deeply, the crease between his brows set like carved stone. Sure, the Samurai was getting on in years, perhaps a little long in the tooth and sporting a few more grey hairs than he remembered, but that didn't mean he was fragile. He was still just as capable as any strapping young man, and he observed Makara's waving tail as a sign of mockery.

Beginner divers.

Where Makara relaxed, Osamu tensed.


I am able to dive as well as anyone, he said with stubborn bravado, punctuated by a snort. It just seems needlessly foolish.

(The only contact with water he'd ever had thus far was the occasional doggy-paddle to cross over to Queen's Rest and back, as well as one or two refreshing dips in a hot springs.)

It did, however, give him pause the way Makara glanced down toward his paws - Osamu knew the gesture well, having once had hands, and now only dimly remembered the feel of a sword's hilt pressing into his palms. He wondered if the wolf had once possessed another shape as he, but chose not to push.

To his surprise, apparently there were more Makaras as well.

Osamu grimaced.

How many... Makaras are there? he asked. Ah, only because you are the first I have met.

'How did one protect the sea? It's water. It's right there. The sea,' he thought, 'if anything, is a cruel mistress with whims that cannot be discerned by any creature living or dead. A murdering, drowning, terrible ocean full of salt and fish and shit.'

The strange wolf tried to explain some of his language, although Osamu retained little; he found himself distracted by the pounding of the waves below and wondered what a beginner diver's grotto looked like by comparison. Not that he needed it.

He didn't need it.

Makara even offered -

I will swim with you.

- and Osamu declined.

Right here.

As his legs turned to stone, Osamu hoped that the Makara would choose to go first.

It would be a shame if he was suddenly summoned elsewhere.

When the waterlogged wolf couldn't hear it.