Otatso Wetlands in my rotten right hand

Although Equinox considered himself to be a decent and mannered man, the stranger's response came as a relief. Some men played the game so hard that any misstep or cultural ignorance was considered an intentional slight. He liked working with those who were rough around the edges; it allowed him room to speak freely without fear of losing face. He unraveled at the man's invitation and joined him in the pool (though truthfully, he would need a bath in something cleaner before the day was through).

The air is almost as thick as the mud we're standing in, he said. Heat was one thing, but the humidity was another. Thank you for the invitation. My name is Equinox.