A Mouth that Praises and a Hand that Kills.

[Calette_Sentrinde]

Mark followed him quickly, pausing every so often to look at the fish around them. He wasn't quite sure where Jesse had gotten off to, but it couldn't have been too far, right? Even an Aussie could only swim so fast.

[Undefined Affections]

When Rex found Jesse, his brother stopped him and pointed up above them. There were two dolphins swimming around each other in a dance, like some kind of mating ritual. Rex found the dance very elegant, and he pulled Mark over to observe as well.

[Calette_Sentrinde]

Mark looked up, eyes widening. He'd never seen dolphins doing something quite like that before. Without thinking about it, he took hold of Rex's hand, staring up at the show. Ocean life was incredible. He couldn't imagine a better way to spend their day.

[Undefined Affections]

Rex glanced at Mark in surprise, but soon squeezed the man's hand. It really was an amazing sight, so rare for them to witness. The dolphins made squeaking noises in the water, loud enough for Rex to pick up, even when this deep in the ocean.

[Calette_Sentrinde]

Eventually, Mark let go of Rex's hand, squinting down at the distant ocean floor. Something was shining down there, and after considering the depth, he swam down towards it. It looked like a shell, or maybe a bit of old metal.

[Undefined Affections]

Rex and Jesse followed Mark, just as curiously to know what the man had seen. Jesse floated above them while Rex stayed close behind Mark. If only talking underwater was easy, but it was still difficult. "What do you see?" He tried, though the air bubbles got in his way.

[Calette_Sentrinde]

Mark glanced over his shoulder, then gestured, reaching down and finally picking up a bright white shell, which shone prettily despite the depth of the water. He had no idea if anything were still living in there, so he handled it gingerly.

[Undefined Affections]

Rex put his oxygen mask back on and moved closer to Mark. The shell was certainly eye-catching, but there could be a creature inside. He brushed his fingers over the smooth top.

[Calette_Sentrinde]

Mark jerked and dropped the shell when a few spindly legs came out of it. He seemed disappointed, the shell had been pretty, and he'd had a mind to take it with him- but he wasn't about to evict something living there just so that he could have a trinket. Fortunately, no harm had come to him as a result of his curiosity, but he would be more careful from then on.

[Undefined Affections]

Rex pulled Mark's head close and pressed his lips against the man's cheek before he placed his mask back on. It was a shame that the shell was occupied, but that was life. He waved Mark over to follow him and Jesse, since they'd both heard some faint whale calls.

[Calette_Sentrinde]

After a moment of hesitation, Mark followed his partner further out to sea, keeping an eye on the shadow of the boat they'd left anchored. The last thing they needed was to go so far they got lost. He had no idea how long 'standard' oxygen tanks lasted, but he didn't want to find out that way. Not for the first time, he wished their masks were the kind with microphones. The quiet was beautiful, but he missed being able to talk to Rex.

[Undefined Affections]

Rex swam past Jesse when he spotted the whale. There was only one, and it was just floating along. Having done this before, he slowly approached the large creature. He made sure he was in view so he wouldn't scare it. The whale's large eye followed him as he brushed his fingers along its tough exterior.

[Calette_Sentrinde]

Mark stayed behind, firmly convinced that this wasn't a good idea. That was a wild whale! He was going to keep a respectful distance, though he admired Rex's daring. That was his partner, alright. Mark should have expected it of Rex.

[Undefined Affections]

Rex smiled behind his mask as he pet the whale and swam around it. He made sure he was in the whale's sight at all times so he wouldn't startle the creature. When he'd had his fun, he said a silent goodbye to the whale and swam back to his brother and partner, giving them a thumbs up.

[Calette_Sentrinde]

Mark shook his head wryly, watching the whale for a few minutes more before he turned with Jesse and Rex to explore a little more.

When they'd been down for a length of time, Mark glanced up at the boat again, then decided it was probably time to be getting back up, anyway.