72 Vol 2. pt. 9 Patch 2.0: The Wolf and the Serpen (2/2)

She shakes her head. This isn't the time for those sorts of thoughts.

”I see it!” Nehalennia announces, tracking the fish with her eyes. It is long, fat, and has three rows of sharp fins running along its back. Its head is elongated and features several sharp fangs lining its mouth.

”That's one ugly fish,” Fenrir says as an excited smile spreads across his lips. He was already excited, but seeing just how dangerous the fish looks makes him even more so. ”You ready? Pull up on three!”

”R-ready!”

”One… two… three!” Fenrir shouts! Both him and Nehalennia pull up on the rod as strongly as they can. The gem rapidly pulsates as the rod's tip is bent down past the base of the handle. All three of them struggle to bring this fish overboard. ”Keep pulling!” Fenrir shouts, obvious strain in his voice.

The fish's head is lifted up over the side of the ship, letting them sees its ugly and very, very upset face. Fenrir has never seen a fish as expressive as this one. He's pretty sure that this fish is wishing for the death of his family and everybody he cares about just from the look in its eyes!

”Almost got i—” Fenrir is interrupted by the line snapping, sending the fish flopping back down into the water to swim away with one of his lures!

The sudden loss of a counterweight sends both Fenrir and Nehalennia stumbling backward.

Nehalennia trips which causes her to knock over Fenrir.

Fenrir feels the back of his head hit the ship's deck. He winces in pain and reaches up to rub the back of his head. ”Damn it, the line wasn't able to handle that much weight,” he groans.

There's something wet on his face.

Something warm and wet is brushing against his face.

Fenrir turns his head and opens his eyes to look at what it is.

Rock is standing next to him and lapping at his face with her now-semi-fleshy tongue. ”Sorry, did the fall wake you up?” he asks her.

She barks, but she does it quietly so as to not disturb the others sleeping. It's more of a ”ruff” than a bark.

Fenrir turns his head to look up.

Nehalennia is lying directly on top of him, her face but inches away from his own with a soft blush on her cheeks. The tips of their noses rub together now that he's looking up at her.

Fenrir never noticed it before, but now that he's looking directly into her eyes so closely, he can see that her amber eyes are slitted like that of a snake's.

The closeness makes him blush as well. Even his ears twitch a bit out of nervousness.

”I – I am, thank you for catching me, my hero. But – umm, do you think you could release me so that I may get up?” Nehalennia asks.

Fenrir looks at where his arms are. One is wrapped tightly around her back, and the other is resting halfway on the base of her tail and halfway on her rear.

She blushes even more when she notices that he realizes it.

Fenrir immediately lets go of her and waits for her to get up before getting up himself.

”Sorry, I didn't mean to—” Fenrir starts talking.

”It is alright, my hero. I know you simply wished to catch me,” Nehalennia reassures him, straightening out her dress and hair.

Rock walks to her feet, sits down, and looks up at her.

Nehalennia looks down at Rock and blinks. ”How – how have I missed such a cute puppy? I swear that I did not see him on here before!” Nehalennia says.

”That's Rock, and she's a she. She also blends in with the ship pretty well, and she was sleeping over there,” he points near the front of the ship, ”when you first came here, so that's probably how. Oh, and she's friendly.”

Rock ruffs.

Nehalennia crouches down to pet the top of Rock's head, instantly gaining the rocky pup's trust and affection. ”A wolf, an orc, a rock puppy, an energetic girl engineer, and now a serpent! This is quite the crew you have assembled, my hero.”

”Oh? You're part of the crew now?” Fenrir teases.

”You did promise to save me, after all! That means you are stuck with me for as long as I am saved.”

”Guess you're stuck with me forever then.”

He cringes when he realizes just how rape-y that could sound, but Nehalennia is smiling just as kindly as ever at his words.

At least one of them is seemingly unaffected by cringe.