Ryker just smiled.

"Well, that's really good." he said.

"Seriously, that's awesome." he told him.

"The fact that you're not scared any longer is a real help." he continued.

"Do you think you want to actually try swimming now?" he asked.

"Or work up to it?"

Ryker nodded.

"Gotcha." he said.

"At least you're comfortable here." he commented, as the fish continued to swim around Eke.

"....huh." he mumbled.

"It's like they know you're here... but they're fine with it." he went on.

"Like they're not... scared of you. Wary, but not scared."

The fish that Eke touched flinched a little, but it didn't seem to swim away quickly. It looked like it had merely been surprised by the sudden touch, but wasn't scared.

Ryker just crossed his arms over his chest and thought for a moment.

"Maybe." he said.

He then looked at a fish swimming by him, and placed his hand in the water, which caused the creature to quickly dart away and join the others.

"I think it's because you have a natural connection with nature." he commented.

"Yes, you not showing yourself to be a threat is a big part of it, but I think the fish have just accepted that you are... well... they're nature, you're part of it, too." he went on.

"I'm a human, so I'm more of an invader here. They're far warier of MY presence."

"Still doesn't change who you are or what you are." Ryker replied.

"Form or no, you are you." he said further.

"That's all there is to it." he chuckled.

He then watched as the fish started to clump around Eke, almost hiding around him.

"Eh?" he mumbled.

He then looked out and saw a larger shadow, about the size of a bass.

"Looks like there's a predator about." he commented.

"Feel like having some fish for dinner?" he asked Eke.

"You can keep the little ones safe, and I'LL go out and catch that bigg'un."

"Good." Ryker replied.

"Just stay there and don't move." he told him.

"No matter WHAT." he stressed.

He then started to go further out into the lake, until he was actually swimming, before it looked like something grabbed him and pulled him under the water.

"Woa-!" he managed to get out, before he was gone from Eke's sight.

However, he popped up a few seconds later.

"Woah, nelly!" he exclaimed.

"Eke, just hang on there for a moment!" he exclaimed, before diving under again, and some serious bubbles started to rise up from the underwater thrashing.

After a few moments, the bubbles and froth stopped, and the water became unnervingly still... and Eke then saw the water become a little darker, and a little more red...

...mere seconds before Ryker's head breached the surface.

"Eke!" he shouted out.

"We're eatin' good TONIGHT!" he declared, as he started to slowly make his way towards him... and looking like as he was swimming, he was dragging something along in the water.

Ryker had just managed to make it to shore as well, when he saw Eke faint.

"Eke!?" he exclaimed, making his way over.

"...." he was silent, before sighing.

"All right, guess I need to get you to bed." he mumbled.

Which he did. He took Eke back to their home-on-wheels, making sure he was dry before laying him down in bed.

Then, after doing so, he brought his 'catch' closer to their camp, and started to butcher it up so they could eat it later.

Ryker had heard all that was happening inside.

"CALM!" he called.

"DON'T HAVE A CONNIPTION!" he warned.

"AND I'M JUST OUTSIDE!" he added.

He then looked at the monstrous fish in front of him, and sighed.

"Maybe should cook up a filet for him..."

".....sorry." Ryker apologised.

"I got... caught up." he told him.

"I mean... that thing had fight in it. A LOT." he continued.

"And it was cool to wrestle with it." he said further.

"But sorry if I made you worry."

Ryker just crossed his arms over his chest.

"Oh?" he replied.

"Is that so." he said.

"Is that a matter of fact." he went on.

He then just placed his hand on Eke's head, and ruffled his hair slightly.

"Duly noted." he told him.

"Again, sorry." he apologised, pulling him into a hug.