The snapping twigs and rustling leaves really don't leave Frank with much optimism, and he's ignored Penny bouncing in the water until something barrels out of the woods and sends him to his feet. It happens too quick, the realization that it's a dog—a regular dog, and friendly at that—and that his not-dog, odd and unfriendly-looking, is beyond excited to meet this other animal.

By the time Karen breaks the treeline, Frank's wrestling Penny against his torso with one arm and holding back Martha with the other, though she's thankfully more understanding of the touch than his croc-dog. "Easy—easy," Is his grumbling mutter to the creature in his arms before a quick, "Would you sit—" as he picks his head up to look at the dog on land.

And her owner, when the thudding grabs his attention.

He stills considerably, part in shock of who's staring back and the brick wall realization he's a deal more exposed than she's ever goddamn seen him. If it weren't for the edge of the spring he was pressed against it would have been worse. What Frank doesn't think about is what the water's done to him. Every blemish, every little scar and imperfection... gone. His hair (what little atop there is) curls ever so slightly and looks smoother without being wetted.

So when Martha barks in excitement to Penny's happy clicking, Frank unknowingly breaks the the image with a tip of his head and call of: "You just gonna stand there and stare all day or are you gonna get your dog, Karen?" In the same vein of frustration, not a drop of venom to be found in the question.



( I'm good with either, I can match with prose no problem!