Ouroboros Spine In the early morning

Ajei struck fast, but the fish scattered like lightning bugs blinking out of existence. He had prepared already a, better luck next time grimace for the girl, but incredibly, one of them had been caught by her quick paws.

"You struck like a rattler," he marveled, dipping his head to sniff at the fish. His tail wheeled as he replayed the very brief "hunt" in his mind. He wasn't sure he'd ever move that quick, but it was damn impressive to see Ajei do it. "I guess it must be a little easier when there's not so much ice," he mused, looking back out at the river. "This place'll be real pretty come springtime." He glanced at Ajei. "I guess I don't need to tell you that."

He crouched near the water again, his eyes sharp as he searched for more moving shadows.