Water Strider Protocol

The dry study was suffocating my amphibious power, so I marched past the terrace into the noon yard. In a shallow hollow on the flagstones lay an undisturbed rainwater puddle. An elite wetland outpost! A long-legged water strider dared to glide across the surface tension, skating without formal permission. Insolent aquatic agility! I dropped into a rigid squat and slammed a straight cedar twig across the water's center line to divide the basin into strict navigation corridors. The insect froze, anchored in proper tactical symmetry. I gave the surface a swift, authoritative lick to audit the pond film. Cold sky silt and pure biological tension. Order rules the pool.