Private Lake Horatio Ripples of the Stars

[MayoYume]

140 / 140

Astramancy

The stars glittered above, seemingly reacting to the small hand movements that Yume maintained as she stared at the sky above her. Her hands seemed to wave ever so slightly at her sides, as if in response to a musical rendition that only she could hear, the small smile upon her face suggesting that she was lost to the world around her as she conducted her own piece. The glittering, a shifting of brightness and dimming in the sky above her, almost appeared to dance as she conducted her theme. It reminded her of a dream she had once had, long ago...

Always so beautiful, even in the dead of night...it still amazes me how this place can look so real. It's like...

Her words drifted off as she remembered a camping trip she had partaken in with her mother's family, a place in the mountains of Canada. They had spent the night watching the stars within one of the dark zones, a place where no light filtered the skies above. Yume had been enthralled by the imagery, her young mind at the time amazed at the glow from above that seemed to fill her entire vision. She remembered turning to her mother at the time, and questioning about the wondrous lights in the sky, which shone down upon them.

Simpler times...and yet, such beauty. Perhaps I'll find it here. She'd been looking for it ever since she had found this game, had logged into the world. A world which she knew was dangerous, and yet...hidden beneath that danger were so many beauties, so many things that just yearned to be discovered and enjoyed.

Her eyes gazed about the lake, remember the not-so-long-ago meeting she had here, with a young maid by the name of Magnolia, and another individual whom she had hoped to meet once more. Both had been friendly, in their ways. Yume had been sad at their eventual departure, but had promised herself that she would find a way to reconnect with them, given the chance and time.

Her eyes shifted slightly to the left as her hands continued to dance, catching sight of something moving through the sky. It reminded her off a falling comet, or perhaps a falling star as one often found within the films and stories of legends. Whatever it was, Yume had to admit that it brought a certain brilliance to the overall display, a small piece that only accented the greater imagery.

Totemo utsukushī...

@Zera Leigh​

 

[Zera Leigh]

Bait, tackle, a new rod, a whole roll of line, and a barrel prepared by that odd fellow he met in town. Zera was still fascinated by it and wondered how it worked. He put his hand into the barrel and felt a faint chill wash over his fingertips. Perfect for preserving what he caught. He pulled his hand out and rubbed it thoughtfully before sitting down in the grass and watching the water. In the dark, his piercing eyes almost glowed in the reflection of the moonlight. The white-blue pinpricks scanning the surface of the lake thoughtfully before looking down at the latest addition to his tiny little library.

[The Tales of Erston Kay] was yet another series of silly but heroic (and sometimes romantic) tales of a particularly dubious character. Over the course of the various folk-tales and stories within, the titular character had grown from what amounted to a conman into the hero of his small town. It had been an uproarious read and Zera was contemplating reading it again when he felt something in the air that caught his attention. He looked up from his impromptu campsite, a single tent and bedroll angled towards the lake with a fire-pit and crate filled with the equipment he'd taken with him.

It wasn't much, but he was happy with it. He glanced over at the solitary wolf that lay curled next to his tent. Brisko had been the only member of his pack that Zera had taken with him during his wanderings. He wasn't a summon or a bonded pet, just a friend he'd made in the forests where his life in this world had started. He reached over with a pot-lid sized hand and rubbed the top of the wolf's head before glancing back towards the source of the strangeness in the air. A moment later he spotted something shift in the sky, like the stars themselves were moving about.

He frowned at first at the oddity before he began to catch the rythm of it. It was like the stars were dancing. With a grunt he pulled himself to his feet and walked to the edge of the water to get a better look.

"It's beautiful... what is this?"

His musings were interrupted by a voice not far to the right and he turned with a start to see a familiar face standing next to the water. Or rather, dancing. He opened his mouth to greet Yume but found himself transfixed for a moment. When she finally slowed her performance, he cleared his throat to let her know he was present before he spoke. His voice carried in the otherwise soundless air.

"Hello there miss Yume!"

@Midnight Dreams

 

[MayoYume]

140 / 140

Astramancy

The voice startled her from her concentration, bringing her attention back to the present. She turned to find a familiar face staring at her, a soft and welcoming smile on their face. For a few seconds, she felt her mind reeling as she tried to place name to appearance, before she remembered where they had met one another, not so long ago.

Konbanwa, Zera-san. It's good to see you again. What brings you about this late into the eve?

She gave a short bow, a simple eshaku styled bow. She returned her gaze to the man for a brief moment, before looking around and spotting the encampment not so far away. A sign that he was, once again, engaged in his fishing that he seemed to favour.

Have you had any success this eve...with your fishing? It seems like an almost perfect night for it, from what the stars are saying.

Her eyes gazed upwards again, the skies seemingly having reverted to their normal glitter. For a brief second, she had considered trying to encompass the magic once more, to make the lights dance and shine in response to her calling. She'd expended a lot of energy doing it the first time, however, and realised that a break would likely be the best option, if only for the time being.

I've wondered, if it's alright to ask, do you fish specifically for the benefit of the lodge and to make a living, or do you find enjoyment in the activity itself? I've heard that it can be rather...calming, for some.

She had never enjoyed the sport herself - the activity something that she had always found to require a specific skill set and patience that she had never quite developed, ironically. That being said, she had many within her family whom had found the activity rather beneficial - including an uncle whom had taken it up in favour of meditation.

@Zera Leigh​

 

[Zera Leigh]

He chuckled nervously when she offered a bow to him, not used to that kind of greeting. Rubbing the back of his head he put a hand on his hip and glanced up at the stars thoughtfully. Was it really possible to get a feel for that kind of thing by just looking up at the sky? Certainly, it was a peaceful night, he hummed thoughtfully for a moment before glancing her way again and threw her a boisterous thumbs-up.

"Of course! Ha ha!"

It had been a remarkably good day for fishing and to be honest he was a bit over-loaded on catches. He hadn't expected for it to go so well. Selling them might not be a bad idea, though he wondered if perhaps he could donate them as well. That might be the more responsible thing to do. He scratched the back of his head when she returned her mysterious gaze to the stars and asked her question.

His expression relaxed after a moment of hesitation and he turned to look up at the stars himself;

"I've always wanted to go fishing. Read a lot about it..."

He trailed off for a moment and exhaled.

"It just seemed like fun, a way to ease the heart and mind, while also filling the belly! BA HA HA!"

He guffawed, slapping his stomach once with a powerful hand before glancing her way.

"And you? What eases your mind?"

He knew it was a bit of a personal question, but in the moment it felt like the right thing to ask. Nearby, Brisko shifted in his slumber and cracked an eye open to observe the woman for a moment before relaxing again. Lazy wolf, it would have been nice if it had alerted him to her presence. What if he had started reading out loud again? He rubbed his head, feeling a bit of warmth rise to his face, that would have been embarassing!

@Midnight Dreams

 

[MayoYume]

140 / 140

Astramancy

The man proffered the question in return, after confirming that he was new to the entire engagement. Not something that Yume had expected, based upon his success rates. But then again, this world brought about many different expectations - even when it came to the mundane.

For me...I guess, the night skies. There's something so Odayakana...serene...about their imagery. The way in which they almost seem to call to you, with secrets and stories of their own. The way that you can only find them in the hushed quiet of the darkest nights, undisturbed by light and noise...the way in which they glitter overhead, as if watching those beneath them. Ever present, and never intrusive...

A small smile had spread across her face, as if each word brought with it a feeling of pure joy. She knew that she was embellishing them ever so slightly, but she held no concerns over that. She knew that many didn't share her views - at least when it came to the night skies - but that they all had something that could be considered similar to them. Something that brought them peace, in a world of violence and ever-shifting chaos.

I guess Tentai kansoku - err, stargazing - is nothing like fishing, though. There's no thrill of the catch, no thrill of the success in...reeling?...in what you have lured. Still, I find it rather enjoyable. Spotting the way in which the glitters dance and react, especially in this world.

She shook herself, remembering that it was rather rude to carry on about her own enjoyments, without at least engaging the other party thoroughly. Her father would've sternly corrected her, by now. Were but he were here... She looked back at Zera, her smile still hovering on her face as she considered her next words.

Perhaps...if it's no trouble, you could introduce me to the activity? Fishing, I mean. I've never...really given it a try, in earnest. And I think the stars are shining so brightly, because of our meeting here. The chance to right wrongs never taken, so to speak...

@Zera Leigh​

 

[Zera Leigh]

Zera looked up at the sky thoughtfully as she spoke, his hands on his hips. The words she spun slowly drew a smile across his face as he appreciated the twinkle of the lights. Occasionally he would spot one that had a slightly different color than the others, perhaps a distant planet? He couldn't say for certain. He wondered if this world had telescopes. That would be nice. Out here, though, with nothing in the way of light pollution, the stars were a sea of colors and forms that stretched out past his imagination.

"I don't know about that..."

He glanced over at her, locking eyes with her before looking up at the stars.

"I'd say it has it's own thrill, they're always there, yes, but depending on where you are and when, they could be a little different. Not all constellations are in the sky, and sometimes you may even see something spectacular. A comet, or a shooting star. There's always something new, if you think about it..."

He trailed off and scratched the back of his head and cleared his throat, grinning sheepishly. He was about to apologize for correcting her about her own interests-or at least sharing his ignorant opinion-when she turned to him and made a request. He jolted a little, surprised, and smiled brightly; his beady white-blue eyes sparkling with delight. He hurried over to the tent, his heavy footfalls rousing Brisko who glowered at him impatiently before glancing towards the woman again. This time the wolf seemed to almost frown before looking up at him with a 'really? you're disturbing my sleep to impress some chick?' expression.

Zera returned the stare with a 'shut up, you, it's not like that and you have no right to talk' expression. The two of them stared one another down for a heartbeat before he grinned and rubbed the wolf's head. Grabbing his equipment and a pair of cushions he'd made by hand back at his old cottage, he quickly set them down on the beach of the lake along with the rest of his tools. He made a dramatic gesture to the humble looking cushion.

"I'll do my best!"

@Midnight Dreams

 

[MayoYume]

140 / 140

Astramancy

A flurry of movement met her request, as the man rushed to acquit themselves of the required materials. Yume watched as the creature at the tent - it appeared dog-like, from what she could see - stared at the man, before the two seemed to break their focus in a good-natured gesture.

The moments that followed would find the man rushing to return, laying out what appeared to be homemade cushions and an assortment of tools, before settling himself on one and waving towards the other in a gesture that Yume knew to be a request to join him. Carefully, ensuring her dress was pulled back as she knelt, she settled herself into a comfortable seiza position.

You'll have to excuse me...I do not have a large amount of experience with such activities. I shall follow your guidance on this matter, entirely.

She turned her attention wholly towards Zera, waiting for him to begin the instruction. She wasn't entirely sure of whether she would be interesting in earnest in the actual display and teachings she was about to receive, but she knew one thing - the man displayed a sense of honour, and excitement at the activity. That alone, was enough to engage and entertain Yume, an excitement in and of itself as she felt the very essence of his own energy towards an activity that he seemed to love.

I will save you the trouble of explaining the rod, at least...it's used to bash your companions on the head when they don't listen, Hai?

She smiled at her own joke, hoping that he would catch on to it and not consider her entirely incompetent or unaware.

@Zera Leigh​

 

[Zera Leigh]

When he sat down next to her, it occurred to him just how small she was in comparison to himself. He glanced down at her posture and raised an eyebrow, a seiza position worked, he supposed, but they were probably going to be there for a while. He hoped the cushion was enough. He turned his attention to the rod and other materials, explaining them and their purpose as he went. From the bobber to the hook and tackle, he turned the hook over and showed her where the line would be attached before demonstrating how to tie it onto the hook tightly.

"It takes a bit of work to untie the line from the hook but it's worth it with this line in particular. It's a [Sturdy Fisherman's Line] I got from a quest while learning to fish. It won't break unless the fish is actually categorized as a monster."

He sounded proud when he said it, despite how silly the idea of going out of one's way to do a fishing quest would seem to most people in this world. For him, it had been an invaluable experience. He hummed a little while reaching for the rod and glanced up at her in surprise when she offered her explanation for the purpose of the rod. He stared at her for a few seconds in disbelief before his expression softened and a wry smile stretched across his face.

Bonk!

He tapped the rod against her forhead teasingly and chuckled, turning back to the end and working the line through the loops and coiling it around the simple mechanism as if he hadn't just done anything. Despite the size of his hands and fingers, they moved with a cautious deftness and patience. Zera had always been told that his eyes were kind of creepy back on earth, piercing. The error during character creation had made it even worse and one person had even told him they felt like he was looking through them. But right now, despite his knowledge, they'd softened as he worked gently through the motions.

He tilted his head a little to continue speaking;

"Every aspect of fishing is about patience, there's no need to rush. Make sure the hook is secured to the line as firmly as possible and thread the line into the mechanism with care. A misaligned line can get caught and jam it all up..."

He turned the rod over once in his hand before going through the quiet process of disassembling everything he'd just done. He turned to her and smiled;

"Your turn, take your time."

@Midnight Dreams

 

[MayoYume]

140 / 140

Astramancy

The fishing rod had tapped lightly against her forehead a few seconds after her joke, a smile spreading across her own face as she realised he had caught her humour. Something that she was glad for, at the very least. She could see the eyes of the man soften ever so slightly as his hands worked, the deftness seemingly defying the size and appearance of the appendages - something that many people likely would have found impossible to imagine.

Yume waited patiently, her hands folded on her lap in front of her as she watched the movements, trying to keep up with it all. Most of it was simple enough - the hardest part seemingly the knots and ties that would hold the hook and line together, strong enough to maintain it. Zera had mentioned the completion of a quest - confirming to her that he wasn't from this world, but rather a visitor - in order to obtain the line itself.

It sounds like you have put a lot of work into creating the perfect tools. Something that one must consider very Meiyo aru. You should be proud of what you've done, in this world or any other.

She seemed taken aback when the pieces were handed to her - disassembled and prepared for her own attempt to put it together. She took the pieces hesitantly, knowing that she was likely going to make a mistake with it. She'd practice working with wires - her own guitar in the real world required consistent maintenance and repair, and operated similarly to the fishing line that had been given to her.

Slowly, with patience and care, she began following the steps that Zera had shown her, her eyes focused on the tools. She guided the line through the loops, careful to maintain the tension so that the line didn't wrap around anything incidentally, speaking even as she worked.

It's very similar to working with a guitar...the strings must be kept taunt, so as to maintain the appropriate pressure on them. Tie them too loose, and your sound quality may be lost...tie them too tightly, and you risk them snapping...

Her final piece was straight tied, but as she looped the line around the hook - carefully attempting to create a slipknot that would not give way, her line suddenly twitched, and the piece locked into place. She glanced it over, before realising that she wouldn't be able to untie it, and turning with a small amount of shame towards Zera.

I seem to have created a final product...permanently. Gomen'nasai.

@Zera Leigh​

 

[Zera Leigh]

He watched in silence, grinning a bit when she hesitated at first. She worked quietly, her eyes fixed on the line and parts as she assembled the rod from the ground up. She was a quick study, clearly, and had worked with small materials before. Perhaps she had such a hobby back on earth? He glanced up at her face for a moment before looking back down at her hands as she guided it through the loops. When she started speaking he raised his eyebrows; so she was a musician.

"It's funny how the simple skills we learn from one place can work well in so many others, it's all about application, spent a lot of time with stitches during my residency."

He spoke about earth quietly pausing once when she started her slip-knot but said nothing. Aha, that'll be hard to untie, she definitley is used to making secure knots. He nodded thoughtfully at the final construction and glanced up at her with a grin and a twinkle in his eye;

"Drivers and experience, right? Its barely an inch of line I'd have to cut to disassemble it, you're too hard on yourself. You did very well."

He chuckled and pat her head before turning his gaze on the water. Without dwelling on the minor error, he started to explain how to hold one's arm and how to tighten and release the line in order to cast it towards the water. He held up his own arm to demonstrate a few times, miming the act of casting and retracting the rod in the air. While he did, he pulled out the small jar of live bait he'd collected and set it to the side.

"The most important thing to remember is that hook is quite sharp, no need to be fierce with your cast. If the line whips around you could hurt yourself or someone nearby, nice and easy. Try a few casts for practice before we put bait on."

However she approached it, he'd offer small pointers here and there, reaching out with gentle hands to help adjust the bend of her arm and pointing out how she could shift her posture for a slightly better cast.

@Midnight Dreams

 

[MayoYume]

140 / 140

Astramancy

Gentle. The word popped into Yume's head in response to the adjustments that Zera made when she attempted her practice casts. He was calm, polite, and careful to not overpower or overwhelm her. Although his size spoke to someone of pure strength, Yume couldn't help but notice that his touch was soft, his movements controlled.

Wakarimashita...easy, controlled movements. Slight responses in order to obtain the reactions of the line. Just like a guitar - you don't want to Suramu - err...slam - the cords, but rather pluck them. Gently, with the tips of the fingers, like a caressing touch.

It was funny, like Zera had noted, how so many things came together in a way. She eased into the movements, allowing him to correct her whenever he felt necessary, before looking at the bait that he had pulled out earlier. Her eyes twinkled ever so slightly, and a sly smile crossed her face.

Onakagasuita? Those do not look as appetising as you may think. Although, given the chance it may make decent sashimi.

She wasn't entirely sure what the local sashimi in this world - were there any, to begin with - would taste like. Much less what would be used to create such a dish. Something for another day, perhaps? She put the thought aside, turning her attention back to Zera with a lingering smile. She had no idea how he would take her joke, but figured he would catch on, based off her earlier one.

@Zera Leigh​

 

[Zera Leigh]

He watched her cast a few times before nodding with satisfaction, she got a good range and had no problem keeping the hook out of dangerous places. Ultimately that was what one wanted. Smiling to himself he turned back to the bait and was starting to open it when she turned to him with a sly expression. His fingers twitched once over the jar and he glanced back up at her only for an impish expression to appear on his own face.

"Oh I'm not very hungry..."

He trailed off and removed the lid innocently, plucking a worm out and holding it between his fingers. He tilted his head and chuckled before abruptly raising the wriggling bait to her face. A faux-sinister expression decorating his face, making him look a little scary.

"He he he he! You can certainly have a try if you'd like!"

He wobbled the bait left and right playfully. It was the behavior of a stupid boy but he didn't care, if she wanted to make jokes he could too. Besides, it was fun! Of course he was doing this well aware that she was holding a fishing rod in her hands, fully expecting to get a whack on the head for his hijinks.

@Midnight Dreams

 

[MayoYume]

140 / 140

Astramancy

A worm. Unlike what she had been used to, for live bait, it appeared that Zera used worms - something that Yume had not expected in the least. As he waved the small thing in front of her face, she decided to play along - her smile broadening as she attempted to chomp on his fingers, being careful not to actually come anywhere near the small creature. The last thing she wanted was to accidentally actually eat the thing.

Well...how can I...eat it...if you keep...moving it!

She giggled in between her words, attempting to maintain her composure and failing miserably. She knew that it was absurdity to be acting in such a childlike manner, but somehow the proper behaviour that she had been raised with had simply disappeared - leaving behind a chime of laughter as she enjoyed the moment.

A few moments passed, before she raised the hook - her attempts to chew on Zera and his bait passed momentarily behind. Still stifling small giggles, she tried to bring their attention back to the task at hand, hoping to return to a somewhat dignified position after her actions.

Shall we...tie it on, then? The fish might be hungrier now that they've heard our chorus. It would be a shame were they to find nourishment elsewhere!

She waited patiently, allowing Zera to perform the act of attaching the worm through the hook. She kept herself rigid and controlled, making sure not to jerk the rod at all, so as to avoid accidentally hooking him instead of the fish.

@Zera Leigh​

 

[Zera Leigh]

This girl...

Zera blinked and went wide eyed when she bit at his fingers, pulling his hand back and trying to keep the worm away from her mouth. His expression becoming almost frantic as heat rushed to his cheeks. Her expression became more and more mischevious and soon she was laughing. So she could laugh like that too, huh? He barked out a laugh of his own and finally pulled the worm away, just watching for a moment as the strictly controlled woman vanished. That's good. It looks like she needed that.

"I heard once that some fish like pretty sounds, maybe that laugh of yours will bring us some good luck?"

He said it all shamelessly before he plucked the hook from her fingers. With an amused look on his face he quietly set about attaching the bait to the hook, checking to make sure it was secure before handing it back over to her. He turned to face the water and gestured toward a spot about six meter out from the edge. He shifted a little to get behind her so that she could clearly see where he was pointing.

"Not too shallow, see if you can get it near that bundle of reeds, you see them?"

When she cast the line he would nod before going over the few things she could do to encourage a fish to bite. Even so, shifting the line slightly to agitate the bait would only do so much. He placed a hand on her shoulder and helped her ease into a comfortable posture.

"Now, just relax and wait, enjoy the surroundings. The bobber will tell you when it's time to take action..."

He said it in a low voice before returning to his seat and leaning back to glance up at the starry sky. He was glad that the chill had eased a little and the snow had mostly melted, though it was certainly not perfect weather, at least he didn't see his own breath. Maybe he should get the fire going again? He had a few extra blankets too that he could bring over. His thoughts danced around as he glanced down to check on the bobber before turning to see how she was doing.

@Midnight Dreams

 

[MayoYume]

140 / 140

Astramancy

Her cast had been slightly off, but not by a large margin. Something that she thanked her ancestors for. She had little practice with the movements used here, and found it outside of her centre of normalcy - not that she necessarily considered that a bad thing.

Silence fell over the two for a time, as they waited. Zera made sure to show her a few tricks towards lulling the creatures towards the line - all following a commentary about her own laughter. She considered the comment, fleeting and innocent.

Dear my friend...every day and night, always be with you...

Without taking her eyes off the line, she began her song softly. She didn't let her voice raise too high, not wanting to disturb the otherwise serene atmosphere that hovered over their small little oasis.

Hanashite mo madamada tarinai mama...Yuuyake ga machi wo someteyuku.

She felt her left hand twirl slightly, the bracelet on it seemingly reacting as she let the words flow. Above her, she could see the stars beginning to glimmer ever so slightly in response, as if dancing to the tune that rang out from her lips.

She continued, softly, letting the words spill out as she remembered the tune from so long ago. A piece that she had rather enjoyed, all things considered. She'd never been overly talented at singing - in fact, it was something she had avoided, for wanting not to be the centre of the performance. Still, it felt right in the moment and she found herself simply letting it flow.

Dear My Friend
@Zera Leigh​

 

[Zera Leigh]

As they sat in silence he started to relax even more. It was hard to imagine that this was a world so full of danger and fear. He'd struggled for his life since the moment he arrived. People with strange powers called 'masteries' had come after him once or twice and he'd endured the unkind attention of monsters and people alike. His size had made it difficult for him to enter towns and he'd been questioned about his lineage on more than one occasion. Every day had seemed to be a way to mock his deepset pacifism; but here, right now, he was at peace.

Then she broke into song and he tore his eyes away from the scenery, looking at her with wide eyes. It had been an innocent comment, but, he flushed and looked back out at the water. His cold-looking eyes softening again as he watched the water. He didn't understand the words, but that was okay, he didn't need to. Was that japanese? It sounded similar to the language that old woman at the shelter used. He closed his eyes and let the sound wash over him, ignoring the glowing dots of color that he always saw when he closed his eyes and let his mind drift. He'd never found an explanation for the symptom and although it normally frightened him, he didn't mind it right now.

The wind blew over them and the trees rustled, clumps of snow that had been clinging to the tops of the trees broke apart and drifted on the breeze. He could hear Brisko getting up to wander about in the trees, probably to hunt his own prey or keep an eye out. He could sense the movements in her arms to his right. A few birds called out in the distance and the gentle flow of the water against the shore drew out small sounds of their own. He opened his eyes and focused on the bobber again. For a moment, just a brief moment, he could see something glowing in the water benath the dark surface. The shape twisted and wriggled, moving towards the bait. Unbenknownst to Zera, his own eyes had begun to glow with an eerie white-blue light.

The light beneath the water and within his eyes faded after a heartbeat, but something told him...

He reached for her hands slowly, pressing down gently and tilting the rod a little. He let out a low breath;

"Get ready..."

He breathed, quickly explaining where to move her fingers to prepare for reeling.

"Pull against the fish to wear it down..."

A moment later, the bobber dipped beneatht he water and he let out an excited breath.

"There!"

@Midnight Dreams

 

[MayoYume]

140 / 140

Astramancy

The song slowed as Yume saw Zera begin leaning forward, his eyes on the bobber in the water. She could see the anticipation, the way in which his focus became almost concreted towards it. Yume had seen that look on her family's faces, on her friend's faces whenever any of them had become engrained in what they were doing. A sign, usually, that something was about to happen.

Her instincts were correct, as the line suddenly jerked in her hand, pulled outwards by whatever had taken the bait. She reacted slowly, letting the line get further out before she began to resist against the pull. She was careful not to jerk too hard on the rod, remembering that there was a give and take required in such an event.

Slowly, she felt the line slacken, then pull taunt again. Over and over, the creature fighting for freedom, for control, fighting to try and break free of the trap it had just found itself in. Yume continued the flow of releasing the line ever so slightly, before pulling it back in - careful to never have too much stress on it, careful to never let it get too far out.

Slowly, ever so slowly, the fish came closer and closer to the shoreline, pulled in as it began to lose fight. Exhaustion, or simply realisation, causing the thing to give in and let itself be pulled to its finale. A few moments later, the line plopped out of the water, the catch flopping on the ground before them. Yume stared down at it for a few seconds, before bursting into laughter.

It would appear, Zera-san...that I have caught a rather large tadpole.

The thing on the end of the line appeared tadpole-ish in shape, no longer than the palm of her hand. Whatever it was, it was the oddest fish that Yume had ever seen.

@Zera Leigh​

 

[Zera Leigh]

Zera pulled his hand away, letting her take control. He watched, rapt, as she worked the line back and forth, left and right. The tiny creature on the other end fighting against her efforts. He clenched his fists now and then, a grin spreading on his face. The excitement of the unknown burning in his eyes. What kind of creature would it be? There were a lot of common fish in the lake but he'd caught a few unusual beasites in the past as well. Unfortunately he hadn't been able to identify them before they passed from the lack of water.

When the creature finally gave in, Yume pulled it onto land where it flopped a few times. He blinked at it and Yume burst into laughter. A mysterious smile crossed his face as he got to his feet and hurried over to his tent, grabbing a bucket and racing back to the water where he quickly filled the bucket before racing over to her side. There he dropped to a knee and unhooked the creature from the line, dropping it into the water.

"What a find... WA HA HA! It is a strange looking fellow isn't it?"

He laughed heartily before peering inside the bucket thoughtfully. He reached into his thigh pouch and pulled out a small book that he flipped through a little, squinting at the pages in the dark before peering back at the critter. He rubbed his chin, making sure his suspicions were correct before closing the book.

"It's a baby dendral, I'll be damned..."

He let out a breath and looked up at her appreciatively.

"They're rare, never thought I'd see a live one myself. Definitely not safe to eat though, wa ha ha!"

He sat down comfortably.

"They're amphibians, dendrals are long snakes with little legs, kind of like a little dragon. Pretty aggressive in the wild but they're pretty tame when you raise them from infancy."

He sighed and rubbed his neck before looking up at her.

"According to my book their scales are prized by wealthy people though, no wonder they're hard to find. What do you want to do with it?"

@Midnight Dreams

 

[MayoYume]

140 / 140

Astramancy

Yume listened aptly as Zera explained what she had managed to reel in, her eyes widening slightly with surprise at the mention of dragons, and dragon-like creatures. She knew that the game itself was built upon a fantasy world, and yet, hearing about such things so casually really cemented it in for her.

What took her more by surprise, was Zera's question about what to do with it. He'd mentioned that it was no good for eating - but had hinted that there was value to be found in it, should they desire to do such a thing. Her eyes shifted to the small creature within the bucket, contemplating the decision she was being forced, ever so politely, to make.

What do I...want to do with it...?

She mumbled the words as she pondered the choices. She knew that for many, there would be no doubts in their minds - simply make a profit off something so small, so insignificant to them. The idea just didn't sit well with Yume, no matter how beneficial it might be in the long run. As she stared down at the amphibious creature, she knew that she wouldn't be able to suggest such action.

I do not wish to harm it...much less, sell it to those who would cause it harm...were it possible I would raise it as my own, but...I don't think that I would be the best fit for such a position. Perhaps...perhaps we should find someone to care for it, if it were so special? Or is it best to release it back into the wilds, where it can mature naturally and become that which it was meant to be?

She turned her gaze back to Zera, waiting to see what the larger man would suggest. She trusted his guidance here, as this was his territory of knowledge compared to her own.

@Zera Leigh​

 

[Zera Leigh]

Zera's eyes crinkled softly at the indecision on her face. He understood what she was feeling, but it was something she would have to face. Fishing was a hobby, and it could be fun, and something to enjoy. But it still involved the life of a living thing. A fisherman either ate or released their catches to the wild in most cases, but in a rare case like this there were other things to consider. A decision had to be made and there was no right answer. He reached up and put his hand on her head, patting it as she worked her way through her thoughts.

She was facing it and asking the serious questions. That was good.

"You don't think so?"

He nodded though, peering inside the bucket as the tiny creature swam in circles. She looked up from it at her and tilted his head. Releasing it was an option too, but there was always a chance that a poacher would come by. Then again, that could be years from now, and ultimately nature ran its course one way or another. It would die eventually. But thats why life was so precious. He turned and looked into the bucket with a thoughtful expression before turning to look up at her. He gave her a sad smile and reached down to stroke the spine of the creature.

"There's no right answer, Yume. All of them have consequences. What's important now is that you make the decision that is right for you and this little life you've acquired. I could make the choice for you, but what good would that do for you?"

He exhaled, there are hard lessons to learn from looking up at the stars, just like there were hard decisions from throwing a fishing line. He fixed her with those ice-blue eyes of his, sparkling with understanding.

"Just do what you think is right."

@MayoYume