The merrow finally manages to twist and turn enough to reach at his face with a sharp claw, which gets a grumble of annoyance and an opening of jaws to let it free to twist away and (hopefully) flop back over into the water.

But by then, there's something else in front of him. Something else with horns and a confusing scent, and that's enough to drag his attention away. It's either a threat to his territory or to him, or something that could be torn apart and eaten, and right now, there's not much distinction between the three.

He shakes his head, his own horns front and center, in something that might be something of a territorial display, especially as he steps between Steak and the river, something he's clearly claimed as his own hunting grounds and food source. Rather than speak, he lets out a sound halfway between a growl and a bray in warning, even as he inches closer. Because despite the horns, this creature in front of him looks small and tender, smells like a feast, if one could manage to crack the hard shell its body. And that's enough to lure in his attention, despite the dangerous looking blades at his side.