i want a hippopotamus for christmas

Tide visibly rolls his eyes, the moment Dread's back is turned. Sure, they're patrolling. What's the use patrolling in a swamp? Who would even want to come mess with a swamp? Estuary, he guesses, but like... it's basically a swamp. Really, why's he being dragged off for lessons? Davey had snuck out without him, leaving Tide to suffer on his own.

He'd at least pretend to sniff the border on this patrol. Vaguely listening to Dread, wandering after the man without paying the most attention to his surroundings. At least, not until there's the call. Hippos. Hell yeah.

Tide takes off like a bat out of hell, launching himself at the beast's heels. Snapping and snarling, the unholy terror in the boy's chest already unleashing. He's a bit feral. More than a bit, but the herdy thing instincts are strong. Go for the heels! The heels!

"speech"