It was too calm.
With all the delicacy of a sledgehammer, the little girl slapped her paw against the water, giggling to see the droplets fly and the ripples dance across the surface. That was Dagrún, the rioter, the peace-breaker, the one who could never bridle her tongue or stand a second of silence. She didn't allow the water to settle, either. When it appeared that things were beginning to quiet down, she slapped the water again and again. The lilting giggle seemed halfhearted today, however, strained like her mouth that she had contorted into some bitter line. Even now as her breath came raggedly, reluctantly from those flustering, failing lungs, Dagrún wondered why Mother had forbade her from swimming. "<b>I'm not tired!</b>" she whined to herself, smacking the churning water with that dramatic flare characteristic of those who were captives of youth and restlessness. But she was tired. Her sides heaved and her legs trembled, her sopping wet coat weighed heavy on her anemic frame.
"<b>MOM,</b>" she called behind her, her tone rich with melodramatic yearning, "<b>Puh-<i>leaaaasae</i> can I go swimming?</b>" Biting her lip, she searched her mind for any reason or compromise that would appeal to her mother. "<b>I...I'll come out the second I get tired!</b>" That was unlikely. "<b>And...and You can come in too! Like... if I pass out, it'll be alright cause you can drag me back!</b>" Inwardly, Dagrún congratulated herself for being so very clever, not imagining that her mother could even think of denying her now. For good measure, though, Dag turned on the charm. Flicking her ears backward and pouting like a tragic beauty-queen, she whined once more, "<b>PLEEEEEEEEEEEEASE!</b>"
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