a rather sticky situation

Finally, the woman seemed to get what he was saying. She stopped her splashing, realization dawning on her face when she saw the stick he was pushing out to her. Eagerly, her jaws latched onto the veritable lifeboat he provided, and as soon as contact was made he hoisted back with as much strength as he could muster. But, it didn’t take nearly as much as he thought it would. She was pulled out in one motion, the remaining momentum sending Takeshi staggering back and falling onto his butt, his teeth clacking painfully on the rough bark. He spit it out, lifting a paw to rub his jaw with a wince.

The Dragon Prince watched her spit up watery sand with concern, already preparing himself to swiftly take her to his sister to be looked at. However, that didn’t seem to be needed. Suddenly, she was up on her feet and flinging her mud-logged body at him, her slight frame, light and a full foot shorter than her, basically bounced off of his massive, heavy body. He blinked in surprise as he looked down at her, dodging an airborne slough of mud that flew from her tail. She babbled hysterically in a foreign tongue that he didn’t understand, and it dawned on him why she hadn’t immediately followed his instructions. Did she even speak common tongue?

Takeshi lifted his paw, gently patting her shoulder awkwardly. He had no problem with physical affection when it came to his own family, but strangers were a completely different story. “It’s okay, you’re safe now,” he rumbled, unsure if she would even understand him.

Speech