You've been in a bar brawl once or twice in your life, but you are not a fighter.
Eric has been swimming all his life, and he has a swimmer's body to show for it. From the way he holds the trident, you can sense that he knows how to use a weapon.
He rushes at you through the water and shouts a wordless yell. He means to impale you on the tines.
You don't know what to do. You're gonna die, and your life flashes before your eyes.
Then, SMACK, Clia's tail connects with Eric's head, and he gets knocked out. His head lolls to one side, and he drops the trident. His body starts floating up, like a dead goldfish.
As he drifts away, Clia says, "That's enough of you, you crazy bastard!"
You are stunned. "Is he... dead?"
"No, just knocked senseless," says Clia.
"I used to feel sorry for the guy," you say. "Now, not so much."
"Killing him might kill the mood," says Clia. She grabs your arm and pulls you along. "Enough waiting! Let's go be alone already!"