Greatwater Lake Swimming shouldn't be that hard, right?

The hellhound never likes moving about in broad daylight. His brindled pelt of ash and soot make him a better night crawler than anything. The pattern on his fur allows for camouflage and the colors ease him into the background of the shadows. But not only that, his double coat makes daytime almost unbearable. He still has some fat on him along with the thick muscle he totes around and he finds himself panting excessively when the heat soaks through.

Yet, the physical body requires needs and water is one of them. Which is way he is even moving right now in the first place and not held up in a secluded cave or beneath the shade of a large oak tree until nightfall. 

No, he moves towards the familiar lake he remembers almost dying at when he was only a pup. The same lake that rushed him down the river just north of it and pushed him borderline lifeless body back onto the shore. Where pale woman Kukutux had found him. He’s grateful, but her banishment makes a sour feeling reside until his chest. 

Stop thinking, my little hellhound. You know it’s not good for you. Banesteppe whispers from beside him as Alduin walks at a leisurely pace up to the lake.

“Mm.” Is all he gets out as a reply from the brindled beast. 

His ghostly companion rolls his eyes, a sarcastic sneer coming to his handsome alien face. The attitude, Alduin. Lose it.

“Maybe when you lose yours.” He comments back drably in a deep, smokey voice. 

Banesteppe goes on to complain more, but Alduin doesn’t find himself listening one bit. Rather he spots something — or rather someone — near the lakes edge. He eyes down their form the entirety of the way, all the way until his own paws reach water.

The only moment he looks away, is when he dips his own body into the water. Moving in all the way up to the middle of his ribs, he dips his head a pinch and also begins lapping at the water with a black-purple tongue. Occasionally his eyes wander back towards the strangers form. Always on high alert and ready to a fight, he knows not to take his eyes off or turn his back to a stranger.