Aha, so the splashing was intentional. The water sent his way stole a little half-laugh that sounded like more of an amused huff. It was kind of funny… but he was still a priest. Dignified and authoritative, or something like that.

He could certainly be that, and most of the time he was… but not always. That much seemed clear from the way he had to force himself not to splash at her again.

Malachi hummed, unsure of how to respond at first when she offered her sympathies. He glanced out over the water, just to have his attention dragged back to Mable when she asked a truly silly question.

“Of course not,” he was quick to say, but his face? It suddenly looked more than a little unsure, despite his haste in denying such a thing. “I…”

…Was this his first time in a river? Why couldn’t he remember?

He knew how to swim, he knew that much, but had he ever actually stepped foot into a flowing river like this?

“…Maybe.”

Huh. It wasn’t something he’d ever thought about. Malachi’s brows furrowed for a moment, and his free hand lifted to push his hair behind his ear again.

“I suppose I have not done the other things either. At least not that I can remember. I spent most of my time-” practicing, he almost said, but then he’d have to deal with the follow-up question. Working, next, but that would bring similar issues… it wasn’t a lie though. “Working, usually.”

Malachi put his hand back into the water and sent another splash, slightly bigger.