Little Quiet One

Saracyn pursed his lips tight to prevent himself from scoffing derisively when Fia explained that she didn't know how to swim. It was just in his nature to be sardonic and disparaging by default, nothing personal against his baby sister specifically. The little pup seemed so reserved, so shy, around basically everyone except their parents. He didn't remember being such a timid little thing when he was her age. It was kind of pathetic, really. A Mendacium, the exceptionally grand family they were, and here she was acting as meek as a lamb instead of the proud and mighty wolf she was. Saracyn didn't know whether he should pity Fiametta or laugh at the ridiculousness of it. In the end, he did neither, remaining quiet while neither sibling said another word. He looked about the lake, perhaps trying to avoid the awkwardness between him and his sister, or perhaps just trying to figure out what the hell he was supposed to do with her.

A soft splashing of water caught his attention, keen ears swiveling in her direction, followed by his piercing cerulean gaze. He saw Fia had crept closer to the edge of the lake, dipping one paw into the rippling surface as if experimenting with the mere existence of water. Sara pursed his lips while he considered her and his options. He could still just get up and leave, but with Fia inching closer and closer to the water, how long would it be before she got the stones to try and go in? What if something happened and she ended up drowning? He wouldn't be able to handle the lamenting wails of his parents if they lost their pup all because he hadn't given a shit. Saracyn breathed a sigh and clicked his teeth together while he pondered his options, looking down at the little pup who shared his red-hued color palette all the while. Deep down he knew what he was going to do even before he made the decision.

With another hefty sigh, Saracyn stood up and stretched out his limbs, arching his back to limber up his body for the unexpected exercise it was about to get. "Well, I guess I'd better show you if you're gonna keep hanging out around the lake," he muttered, stepping forward until his large white-tipped paws were submerged in the shallow water. The lake was cool, still returning to its normal temperatures after the winter, but at least it wouldn't be bitterly cold to the fur-coated wolves. He looked down to Fia once again, waiting for her to step into the shallow water with him. At this level, it would likely only come up to just below her knees on her legs. "Dad taught me and Ava how to swim when we were about your age so we wouldn't drown ourselves in the lake. You can learn too." He still remembered the lessons Alastor had taught him and his twin when they were wee pups and the different methods he had used.

After giving Fia a little while to adjust to the water, Saracyn would slide down to lower his belly into the cool water, bringing himself down to Fia's level. "Climb up on my back. We're going a bit deeper." This would be an exercise in trust as much as a practical lesson on how to swim. Would Fiametta trust her brooding brother to keep her safe?

"Saracyn Mendacium"