my old aches

She was too late to prevent the stream of water from the male; it splashed into her face and eyes, temporarily blinding her as she charged forward through the shallow water. The impact was affected by this, and unconsciously she slowed a little when her eyes closed, though she felt the connection and let loose a satisfied bark and waved her tail triumphantly.

It was only a brief triumph, however, as Kisu quickly retaliated. He was surprisingly quick even in the water, for one second he was passing his tongue over her face in an amiable greeting (or feigned truce?), and the next he had sprung his legs upon her back in an attempt to unbalance her. Despite her best efforts to square herself in the water, the silt underfoot was not enough to support her, and she went down with a playful growl, sending water surging around her.

She struggled to regain her feet — thankfully, the water wasn't deep enough to drown either of them if one became careless in their play — by lifting a forepaw to press against his chest. Her hope was that she could trick him into backing off slightly so she could right herself and launch a renewed ocean assault. Her plan was betrayed by a mischievous twinkle in her eye, but she believed her poker face was flawless, and so did nothing to hide it.