the half

The Lady was working in rapid time, bundling up some bedding, and tossing them in Lia’s general direction. With a silent cry, the red-marked wolf leaped forward and grabbed at them, tossing them over her back to keep them from dandling in the water.

The commanding tone brooked no arguments - not that Lia would have ever given any regardless. “As you please, my Lady!” she agreed, trying to adjust her grip. With her arms full of bedding, she turned, about to race back up to dry land, when Hanako was pushing something else in her direction. A beautiful jewellery box. Lia reached for the box, and the bedding began to slide off her back. With a cry she jerked her head up to keep it from sliding anymore. She had already grabbed the edges of the box, and it was tossed high in her mouth. She was holding on tight, not wanting to drop it when it suddenly opened, and its contents dropped to the water pooling in front of them with a 'plop'. Just as the sweeping tide came in even more fierce than before, almost shoving her off her feet and burying whatever had fallen in the water.