Big Salmon Lake i played soldier, you played king

She absently watched the rivulets of water stream from his ear, uncomfortable thinking about her fear of the water. She took a second to think before she answered, a few seconds of silence passing between them. 

"It's the swimming," she explained. "I used to live by the sea, and once, not too long ago actually... I saw a very young wolf drown." The topic was heavy, but the memory was growing distant and less painful. She felt the usual pangs of sadness and guilt, but they dissipated quickly, leaving only phobia. 

"so I just choose  to keep my distance now." she gave a hesitant half-grin.

"I'm Esme, by the way."