Badou, in contrast, has got most of his torso visible above the waters as he reclines against the easy slope of a boulder, elbows propped. His skin remains mostly unmarred — save for a scar on the back and front of his right hand, years old, and one low on his right ribcage, fresh.

"'Lovely's pretty generous of you," Badou snorts, that amiable expression dropping momentarily as he casts a distrustful glance around. "But nothing's come out to try and eat us yet, so I guess it ain't too bad."