"Julian," Eleanor said as she glanced over her shoulder. "You might consider adjusting your approach."
"My approach is sufficient."
"It is not contributing."
"I was not aware that contribution was required."
"It is if you wish to remain part of the expedition," Lily pointed out.
Julian regarded her for a moment.
"And if I do not?"
Eleanor looked at him properly, and he swore that he could see disappointment in her eyes.
"Then I imagine you will be left behind."
Lily nodded, entirely in agreement.
"You will miss it," she said.
"Miss what?"
"Thething."
Julian exhaled, though there was the faintest shift in it now, something less entirely dismissive.
"Very well," he said. "What is required?"
Lily considered him carefully, as though assessing whether he could be trusted with the task.
"You have to look properly," she said.
"I am looking."
"No," she replied. "Properly."
Julian looked between them, then down at the surface of the lake. It did not change. Nothing appeared.
"This is not a productive method," he said.
"It is not meant to be productive," Eleanor replied.
"Then what is it meant to be?"
"Fun. It is meant to be fun."
Julian did not answer.
Lily shifted closer to him, taking his hand without hesitation and pulling it slightly downward.
"You have to come closer," she said.
"I am sufficiently close."
"No," she insisted. "You are not."
Julian allowed himself to be pulled the remaining distance, and he crouched beside them. For a moment, he said nothing. The three of them remained there, looking at the same still surface as though it might, at any moment, justify the attention being given to it.