#9 - Winter Swim

Pale shapes in the water, against the mossy stone structure, were promising. However, there was no way to reach them from the safety of the stone dock. If willing to take the risk, it was time to go for a swim. If not, it was best to move on.

Disregarding weather or season, the water was ice cold and distracting. Submerging was the only way to try and reach the ingredients, but didn't help with getting a clear view. The water was rather murky today, as if something had thoroughly stirred the kelp deep below.

Reaching blindly for the Mercy's Lace, it was discovered that one of those three pale shapes weren't a plant or fungus at all -- but rather, the whiskers of a particularly round yet huge fish that was as pale as the genuine ingredients nearby. It woke suddenly, and made an instinctual gulp to “eat” the hand that grabbed it.

The inside of the mouth rubbed one's skin like sandpaper, though mercifully the fish only had a few stubby teeth that hurt but didn't puncture. Everything happened so fast. In its startled state, the fish frantically twisted in the water.

Having realised the hand wasn't food, or the one attached to it was too big to be eaten, the fish released its hostage. It fled into the kelp depths of the lake, leaving behind the student who was hopefully a decent swimmer -- as all that splashing made the docks too slippery to climb back onto. The stone boat ramps would have to do; it was a tricky alternative, but doable with enough determination.

The water stilled again. After that ordeal, it was a matter of deciding to go for the actual ingredients or leave the water as quickly as possible.