Big Salmon Lake in the corner with the scarlet letter

Up close, she certainly had an allure to her that he did not resist. Mordecai could have said the same of others he had met along her persuasion too. He allowed her to circle him as she seemingly appraised him, only coming to pause as she replied to his comment about being a gentleman. He had been ready to open his mouth in a response when she opted to take that moment to plunge ahead, leaving the copper-tinged Ostrega soaking at their so-called starting point.

Mordecai didn't bother with shaking the water loose from his coat, only dove in behind her with a bark of laughter. She already had a considerable lead on him, one that he did not seek to draw to a close swiftly. He did not expect to overtake her in swimming anyway, as the very sport itself was something that Mordecai was admitted not the greatest at. He could swim well enough, but speed had never been one of his finer points on water. The closest he could manage, or really the closest he dared to manage was enough to nip at her tail jokingly. The very action in itself was as though he suggested she swims! She swims!