Since he did most of his swimming with his tail, Hadama had no need to let go of Ray's hand. It was a bit reassuring, as well, to have physical proof that she was close enough to be within the ring's influence, and between her own swimming and his water magic they were able to travel without it becoming a difficulty.
The mermanta was pleased with Ray's interest in his world. It was no less than his own curiosity towards the land creatures he saw from the canals - or ate, fried on a stick, from one of the market vendors - and he was happy to answer her questions and point out some of the more unusual denizens while the light lasted.
But as quickly as they descended, it didn't last long. The twilight waters lingered the longest, but when they reached the dark he slowed by necessity, peering with his shifted black manta eyes past the glow of their 'lantern.' Hmm. Perhaps... a thousand meters? We should be reaching the bottom soon... The Arclight went far deeper than that farther to the west, but although his manta shape could withstand the pressure this was as deep as he felt safe going.
And sure enough, a flat grey swathe rose up suddenly beneath them and Hadama twisted lithely in the water to bring them up short. At the edge of their light a long, spidery crab shifted away from their disturbance even as he ignored it and handed Ray the lantern so he could free a driftwood box from his satchel and scoop the sand into it. That crab may have some medicinal use, he mentioned conversationally. We can collect it next, if you would like?
The mermanta was pleased with Ray's interest in his world. It was no less than his own curiosity towards the land creatures he saw from the canals - or ate, fried on a stick, from one of the market vendors - and he was happy to answer her questions and point out some of the more unusual denizens while the light lasted.
But as quickly as they descended, it didn't last long. The twilight waters lingered the longest, but when they reached the dark he slowed by necessity, peering with his shifted black manta eyes past the glow of their 'lantern.' Hmm. Perhaps... a thousand meters? We should be reaching the bottom soon... The Arclight went far deeper than that farther to the west, but although his manta shape could withstand the pressure this was as deep as he felt safe going.
And sure enough, a flat grey swathe rose up suddenly beneath them and Hadama twisted lithely in the water to bring them up short. At the edge of their light a long, spidery crab shifted away from their disturbance even as he ignored it and handed Ray the lantern so he could free a driftwood box from his satchel and scoop the sand into it. That crab may have some medicinal use, he mentioned conversationally. We can collect it next, if you would like?
