It was a fine day, the sun was dancing across the water, and Kital had another conquest to brag about. Sure, she would've liked for her friend to be there to see her bringing back the fisherman's rod, but in a way this was better. Now she got to enjoy the anticipation, the joy of imagining the admiration on her friend's face while she shared her story. Maybe there'd even be food to share while she spoke. In short, Kital was in a grand mood as she made her way up the river. She was in such a good mood that she leapt gracefully into the air as she went, scattering droplets of water from her scales and enjoying the warmth of the sun in brief bursts before she splashed back down.<br/><br/>Until, in the middle of one such jump, she heard the distant, pained cry of an Nguruvilu.<br/><br/>The Matsuba's good cheer vanished before she hit the water. She swam swiftly back to the surface, but broke through more cautiously this time, just poking her head up to peek suspiciously in either direction. She wasn't far from the farmhouses, now; it wouldn't take her much longer to arrive. She dived back under and began to swim with purpose, trying not to think about the possibility that her friend had been caught, somehow, somewhere on land. Somewhere a Matsuba couldn't follow.<br/><br/>---<br/><br/>There, by the bank of the lake, crouched a human. He was... talking?... to a bag?... that presumably contained her friend. Kital could hear her voice, carrying over the water to where the Matsuba lurked, cautiously, by a group of rocks. They were too distant for her to make out any words. The human didn't<i>sound </i>angry, the way the fisherman always, but then... he didn't look much like they did, either, and who knew what that meant when it came to humans?<br/><br/>He was getting something out of his bag, that much was obvious. Kital couldn't tell what. She'd have to get closer. Slowly, she submerged, keeping her eyes on him as long as she could, and then she began to make her way carefully, quietly, towards the shore.<br/><br/>The human had made at least one mistake. He was in jumping distance.