The boat floated still in the middle of the vast, shimmering lake, its reflection rippling across the water's surface like glass. The afternoon sun glowed warmly above them, casting a soft golden hue over everything it touched.
Cassius leaned over the side of the small wooden boat, his expression calm but focused, eyes scanning the gentle disturbance spreading from the end of Nala's long white tail.
Nala, meanwhile, held onto the edge of the boat from the outside, half-submerged in the cool water. Her tail stretched far out across the lake's surface, gleaming faintly in the sunlight. The very tip of it bobbed gently, where a small fishing hook and bait had been carefully tied.
"Now, Nala." Cassius murmured, watching the ripples intently. "Don't move. Not yet."
Nala squinted at him from where she floated, her expression scrunching up. "But Cassius, it tickles! All those fish nibbling at my tail…!"
