He had no intention of leaving the kind human girl who had helped him, nor was he the type to swear off an activity because of one bad experience that was as much a fluke as anything else. But he also had no desire to remain in range of the octopus's rage when a little judicious finning could get him far enough away to avoid a repeat performance.
A glance showed that Kenza was likewise smart enough to remove herself from the cephalopod's equations; learning from his lesson what not to do when a creature with eight arms decided to wrestle.
As their erstwhile nemesis was summarily plopped back into the waves, Hadama turned his gaze solemnly to Kenza's teasing, his face completely serious as he gave a slow nod of confirmation. "After I see what is on the end of the line, yes." He'd sate his curiosity first, and only then would he sacrifice his hook, if the price would be too high.
In this case, it hadn't been worth freeing the fishing hook from the boot. He might have won the war, but the mermanta had definitely lost the battle as he flexed his hand and elbow carefully before sinking down into the waves to let the saltwater soothe the welts.
"Extremely," he agreed to the unpleasantness of his new bruises. "But they will heal." All things in time, if one had patience. He turned his attention back to Kenza and dipped his head gratefully. "Thank you. I am in your debt."
A glance showed that Kenza was likewise smart enough to remove herself from the cephalopod's equations; learning from his lesson what not to do when a creature with eight arms decided to wrestle.
As their erstwhile nemesis was summarily plopped back into the waves, Hadama turned his gaze solemnly to Kenza's teasing, his face completely serious as he gave a slow nod of confirmation. "After I see what is on the end of the line, yes." He'd sate his curiosity first, and only then would he sacrifice his hook, if the price would be too high.
In this case, it hadn't been worth freeing the fishing hook from the boot. He might have won the war, but the mermanta had definitely lost the battle as he flexed his hand and elbow carefully before sinking down into the waves to let the saltwater soothe the welts.
"Extremely," he agreed to the unpleasantness of his new bruises. "But they will heal." All things in time, if one had patience. He turned his attention back to Kenza and dipped his head gratefully. "Thank you. I am in your debt."
