Rutile's had their fair share of upstart juniors who think they know better than the doctor, but Antarcticite has never been one of them. It makes the conviction with which they confront Rutile all the more impressive - not an easy feat, given Antarc's youth and constitution. Even when they quaver a minute, the effect is not lost.

Rutile takes a moment to parse the situation. Antarcticite would have been just five hundred by now. Perhaps it is time they grew up.

"Very well," they allow, with the most subtle of smiles. "But only if you can keep up."

Then they turn and wade deeper and deeper into the water, not hesitating for a second before the waves close over their head.