Fishing (Rein Hazlemoon)

[Marlow]

40th day of Summer, 511 AV

Marlow was having a hard time choosing what kind of fishing equipment to buy.

Zeltiva is notorious for having food shortages and the food commonly available was fish and kelp. While his rescuer and benefactor was a fisherman he felt that since he was now up and about that he should at least try to help the old coot out. Besides, being able to catch your own food was an advantage.

"Now what was it the old man said?" He muttered to himself. You can fish by gathering by hand or using a spear, line, net or trap.

Thinking his options through he decided that he was most comfortable with using a spear, a line, or a net.

"Hmm. Lines requires buying additional fishing tackle so that leaves spear or net fishing. Choices choices."

[Rein Hazlemoon]

Would someone tell me why it is so blasted hot? Rein said aloud , well more shouted, to no one in particular. The folks milling around the docks cast strange looks his way as they cut a wide path for him to walk by. Rein was by no means a small man, but he felt the distance they were keeping to allow him to pass was a little insulting. Fuming in frustration the young mole sought out any kind of shade he could find. His stomach growled from not being fed within the last hour and sweat rolled down his back in steady streams. The weather was quite off today, he had never felt it that warm in all his time living in this region, even the sea breeze wasn't helping to cure the heat wave. The smell of fish wafted towards him pulling him forward on his feet. The idea of fresh fish made his mouth water and his face grow slack. He wiped the sweat from his brow and searched for the source of the delectable smell. Sweet Syna had plans for him that day, a rebellious bead of sweat that refused to be wiped away rolled down his forehead and onto his nose causing his glasses to slip and tumble off his nose. Rein felt panic beat in his chest as he reached forward to grab a hold of his prized possession, he felt his fingers brush the metal but was unable to get a good grip. He heard them land a few feet away but did not hear any shatter of glass. He sighed in relief and inched his way forward in the general direction of the glasses. His foot catching on something soft he went down in a show of flailing arms and spoken curses. Rein had stumbled into a fisher's net that a local had placed out to sell. The poor man was hopelessly tangled and the more he struggled the tighter the net seemed to become. One arm wiggled free and he managed to get a hold of something solid. Rein tried to pull himself up but the object gave way and he heard a sickening thump following by a long string of curses not muttered by himself. The poor Kelvic had managed to grab hold of a fishing spear and bring the rod down on some helpless bystander. This was turning out to be another eventful day for the clumsy mole.

[Marlow]

Marlow was looking at a harpoon when the man beside him stepped back and uttered a string of curses. He turned to look at what the commotion was about and saw that the haft of a fishing spear had hit the man. The cause was a plump fellow tangled up in a fishing net trying to get out. On the ground near the man was a strange-looking item made of copper wire and glass.

"Quit struggling. I'll help you out." Marlow called out. He held up a hand at the man who got struck by the falling fishing spear to placate the him. "I'm pretty sure that was an accident and there was no harm done, so let's just forget about the incident."

The man grunted his assent and moved away, obviously to put as much distance between him and the klutz.

Chuckling to himself Marlow leaned down to pick up the strange item before he turned to the trapped man. "You should be more careful friend. That could have ended up badly. Now stay still while I help you untangle yourself." Looking at the net Marlow noticed that it was really tangled up and it would require a bit of time to sort out to avoid damaging the net. Your struggles have really tangled this up so this might take a while. We don't want to damage the net, do we? So, what do I call you?" he said as he started working on the net.

[Rein Hazlemoon]

40th day of Summer, 511 AV Rein could smell the approach of another human and hear the soft steps of their leather shoes on the dock. Oh thank Kelwyn! He thought to himself as he felt the grip of the net loosen from around him. Was this stranger helping him? His suspicions were confirmed a moment later, You should be more careful friend. That could have ended up badly. Now stay still while I help you untangle yourself. Rein followed his orders and lay perfectly still in the tangle of ropes. Oh dear. I am so sorry to be a bother. This seems to happen everywhere I go. He wiggled his thumbs, all four of them, to assess how bad his situation was. Rope was bound tightly around his left hand making movement impossible but his right for the most part was free. Your struggles have really tangled this up so this might take a while. We don't want to damage the net, do we? So, what do I call you? He followed the man's directions and twisted when needed and pulled when needed, soon Rein found he had slack on most of his limbs. My name? Oh right...of course my name. What else would you possibly be asking for.Rein shook his head softly You may call be Rein. Rein Hazlemoon. I would offer you my hand but I seem to be in a bit of a bind right now. Rein chucked at his own joke, lost concentration and fell flat on his face again with a loud oomph. Slowly and carefully he got back on his feet making sure not to re-tangle any work they had already done. I cannot thank you enough for your help stranger. My glasses simply slipped from my face and down I went into a glorious pile of flailing limbs and muttered curses. Rein smiled a big toothy grin as he felt the last of the ropes fall away. With a deep sigh of relief he stepped out of the net and dusted off his brown cotton pants, not that you could see any dust on them. They were the color of the earth itself. Slowly he righted himself and turned in the direction, he believed, of the man and extended one hand. Now a proper introduction. What may I call you stranger?

[Marlow]

"Well Rein, I'm called Marlow. And I'm happy to have been of assistance." Marlow said in reply while clasping Rein's hand. "I assume that when you say 'glasses' you mean this thing." he added, pressing the strange item he found on the ground into Rein's palm.

"I was here to buy some fishing equipment and I wind up with a by-catch of human." chortling in amusement at his play on words. "What brings you to market if you don't mind me asking?"

[Rein Hazlemoon]

40th day of Summer, 511 AV Marlow eh? The human had a firm handshake that sent Rein's teeth rattling inside his skull. Rein felt an instant surge of respect for the man. A good firm handshake was a good firm judge of their character. Marlow handed Rein back his spectacles which Rein carefully slipped back onto his face with a sigh of relief, nothing had been broken. The man's face came into view a little clearer now, Rein squinted to get a better look at him. His skin was a deep olive which hinted at his life style on the sea. He had his dark brown hair tied back in a loose ponytail trailing down a past his shoulders. He oozed confidence and good humor. I was here to buy some fishing equipment and I wind up with a by-catch of human. Rein chuckled at his play on words which resulted in a very unflattering snort. What brings you to market if you don't mind me asking? The man asked him. Rein thought about it before he answered, I don't really think I had a reason. I just followed my nose. On a side note, do you know where I can get some fish?

[Marlow]

Marlow watched as Rein put on his glasses and was intrigued by how large it made his eyes appear. Huh. So that's what that thing was for. he thought.

"Followed your nose you said? Well, if you're following your nose and looking for fish then you're on the right path. The fishmongers are just past those stalls over there." Marlow pointed down the lane.

"Tell you what." he said, turning back to face Rein. "I'll accompany you. Just let me pay for this harpoon. I'll be going off to try and do some fishing later."

Marlow turned towards the stall he was at before the commotion started and counted out ten mizas for the harpoon he had been examining earlier.

[Rein Hazlemoon]

40th day of Summer, 511 AV Rein followed Marlow's finger with a wide smile on his face. The idea of a fresh fish in his belly made his almost wiggle with delight. Food seemed to be his own addiction in this world. Rein rubbed his stomach absentmindedly and nodded. That sound wonderful. He gave a puzzled look. But alas...I have never once in my life been fishing. With my hearty appetite and rotund appearance you would think I would be excellent hunter- err fisher I guess you would say. I believe you could say my talents have always run more towards eating said food then procuring it. He gave another toothy grin. But you know, I will try my best! He gave Marlow a strange little thumbs up sign with his first set of thumbs, the second lay next to his fingers curled into a fist. Rein watched as Marlow purchased a harpoon he had in his hands. Rein leaned in closer for a better look at the wears available and noticed a basic rod set off to the side. The vendor caught his eye and with a wink promised him it would be perfect for any beginner. Rein eagerly handed over a gold rimmed Miza and followed after Marlow with a new confident waggle in his awkward waddle. He proudly held his new rod in his hands. How hard could it be?