"You were good at that earlier, by the way," Rehan chirped, slowing down to walk in time with Eleanora, as the bedraggled-looking group made their way toward the Griffon Wing dorm. "The fishing. I didn't know you knew how to fish!"
"Of course I know how to fish," huffed Eleanora, starting to move slightly faster as they continue along the path. "I'm a Kithraanzuth. I know how to do many things."
"Oh, yeah," he grinned. "Makes sense. But, like, you don't just know how to fish, you're good at it, too."
"Yes, I am," she muttered, stopping in her tracks for a moment. "But you are not to tell anybody. Understood? Nobody can know."
Rehan turned to look at her with a slightly bewildered expression.
"Uh, yeah, sure," he said. "Your secret's safe with me. Uh, us?"
There was an awkward silence for a few moments as they continued to travel, before Rehan eventually piped up again.
"... So, do you eat 'em?"
Eleanora stopped moving again and simply glared.
"I operate under a catch-and-release policy," she said haughtily, a pout almost gracing her lips, before she realised how undignified that would be and composed herself.
"Ohhhhh."
Another moment of silence.
"... Man, why would you even do it, then?"
Eleanora gritted her teeth, trying her hardest not to let her irritation show on her face. How could she even explain it? It's not like Rehan would understand. In the short time she'd known the short catboy, she had quickly come to the realisation that they'd had drastically different upbringings. How could someone so relaxed and easy-going understand the expectations on her shoulders? She didn't need to explain her reasons to him. It was none of his business.
Rehan quickly noticed that a response wasn't coming, and he turned to look at Eleanora, his expression slightly startled.
"Ah, sorry," he said sheepishly, as he ran a hand through his already-ruffled hair. "That was kinda rude. I guess you've got your reasons. Like... well. You're a Kithraanzuth. Must be hard, y'know... like, names can be pretty heavy. I've seen how much the Princess struggles."
He bit his lip, as though physically cutting off his own words.
"But... but the fishing was still really impressive! You did good. Feel proud of yourself!"
He grinned back at Eleanora, then began to dance further along, as carefree as always.
Eleanora lowered her head in thought as she also continued along the path.
Feel proud of yourself. Hm.
