Alder frowns as Nerissa hold her hand out for the knife. How could he expect someone so small to handle an upset hippocampus alone? The worst part was she wasn't wrong. His magic was running out fast; already the swim back to shore seemed like it would take eons. Would he even have the strength to make it back if he pushed it much further? He studies her with concern for a moment before reluctantly handing over the knife. Before Neri can depart he grips her wrist, forcing her to look back at him; his silver eyes were intent as he watches her face.
It's precious to me, he relayed telepathically. The knife. Bring it back to me, okay? He ruffled her hair, trying to hide how concerned he was. After a second of hesitation he turns to the hippocampus behind him; the barest touch at the creature's nape directed it towards the shore.
They were nearly there when the current struck. The hippocampus whinnies in distress as the powerful current sends them both tumbling. Alder's bubble pops once again; he thrashes in the water as drowning became a sudden and very real threat. He can make out out just the barest hint of bubblegum pink floating in the distance, and regret wells up inside him. He'd barely left home and already drug himself and Neri into serious trouble. The thought of her losing another person she cared for - so soon after the loss of Rivvy - clears his head, and he drives himself up towards the surface with a hard kick. The hippocampus joins him a second later, allowing him to weave his hands into her mane; he half-swims, half is drug through the water towards shore. Ignoring the panicky shaking of his hands, he draws a salve from his pack and quickly treats the hippocampus' wounds.
A few moments later Neri and the other make their way towards him from some distance away; he repeats the treatment on the second hippocampus before he even dares to look at her. His smile is a bit forced when he finally raises his silver eyes to her.
"Well that was... fun..."
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