[Flashback] Becoming A Man (Solo)

by **Ricky Maze** on June 7th, 2011, 4:56 am

Summer 504 AV

Ricky's Age: 18, Days after the Storm: 3

Ricky sat in the chair facing the door of the old shack he was raised in, living here for so long with his dad. Now of course something has changed... It had been three days since Ricky last seen his father, three days since that terrible storm had passed, and now his father was missing. Now Ricky was left alone, waiting and hoping that his father would walk in soon and surprise him. His father was a real sailor and raised him right, a good heart and a good mind thank the gods. Ricky never knew his mother, apparently she lives somewhere far away. However a couple nights before his dad's disappearance he received a clue, a valuable heirloom given to him.

A pendant that looked simple because of it's string, but the piece that was attached was a delicate symbol. Glass made into what looked like a feather, which had to take much time and work into crafting. Only the best glass makers in the world can make such a small trinket, and those we're Inartans. They resided in Wind Reach, or so the books of the library read. That was the day the storm came, when his father went out to fish in the sea, when he went to study at the library, and when the harsh storm had hit. Now Ricky resided in the shack, waiting for a miracle for the miracle he wanted to happen.

by **Ricky Maze** on June 8th, 2011, 7:16 am

Day 7

There was still no sign of him, no sign of the man who raised the boy. Not a not or message, not even a trace of what would show that the fisherman was still there. All that was left of him was his small shack, his possessions, and the fisherman's boy. Yes Ricky was still alone, but he wasn't a boy anymore. He became an adult several months ago, and had been through many of the lectures and beatings a father should give. This father gave more, he gave lessons to Ricky. Teachings of how to be the right man, reasons that make things what they are, rules that always are to be followed, values well learned to be kept.

This man who Ricky thought to be his hero was a father and fisherman, and now he's gone. That left no excuse for Ricky to sit around and wait for something not likely to happen, instead it meant that he had to be smart. Learn to grow into the man his father wanted him to be, or to become the better man than his father wanted out of all aspect. "Learn well from your mistakes, and treat life as a treasure" his father would tell him, now that time has come.

Ricky has cooked small meals from time to time, learning as he picked up new ways to cook food and better things to and more desired taste. He often read at the library to research the rest of Mizahar, often the old tales of the gods came to interest. More importantly he was getting ready, planning a trip that would take several years just to get ready for. He wore the pendant with great spirit, hoping that someday after everything he waited for was done that he would see his mother. He could only imagine her from his father's tales, a beautiful goddess among women. Fairer than most, elegant and strong, a flawless woman that had such a delicate touch, and the pendant she wore then is the same one Ricky wore now.

Papa only told stories like she was something more, something unreal compared to real life. That's only because he saw beauty in her, and loved her to no end. Ricky thought to himself, sorting out what he knew from the stories he heard and the knowledge he gained while studying. The Inartan's are people that definitely fit the description that he gave to some extent, but the only real clue is this pendant. He looked down at the delicate glass feather, remembering the books that read about the glass work they made. Only the best can shape smaller objects out of glass though, so that would mean it was made by a careful dedicated person. One who no doubt was full of dedication and patience.

Wind Reach was his destination, if he was to find anything there it would be the necklaces crafter...and hopefully his mother.

by **Ricky Maze** on June 10th, 2011, 5:34 pm

Day 9

It never really occurred to Ricky at first but the more he focused on becoming the man his father was teaching him to be, the less he thought about his father returning back. For some reason, Ricky accepted that his father was gone and he had no idea why. To him though his father wasn't dead, because he could feel it in his bones. Somewhere out there his father was still alive, surely by this time he could've found an island or something. At least that's what his gut usually tells him, but he still felt lonely and missed his old man very much.

Learning more of the Inartan's their geography seems to be quite extraordinary, if not their ceremonies and daily routines. All this was indeed foreign to him, greater than him, but he was more interested in learning. Already he's learned some of the language he didn't know before, and if he made good progress he could probably learn to converse with an Inartan with little, if any, misunderstandings.

As for fishing it was Ricky's natural hobby, but if he didn't earn any coin then how could he afford to live? So the solution for him was to focus more than anything on angling great fish, learning from his papa well over his years he already had a fair amount of experience with fishing; but trading is a whole new level. Learning how to negotiate would surely take some time, but if he could earn enough money to live and save up enough he would eventually be able to travel in a few years.

by **Ricky Maze** on June 12th, 2011, 4:56 am

Day 14

There was still no sign of Ricky's father, but that didn't slow him down. Through hope and fear he has learned of more ways to live, through cooking to cleaning, to planning and studying he has come to a point where he is already growing into a finer man. Ricky picked up on his negotiability skills, but there weren't very much worth anything. His fishing was getting as good as his dad's though, and he learned more and more. The past couple of weeks have been hard on him, but he was now learning to be strong.

Recently Ricky found a stray dog wandering around, but he paid little attention to it anyway. He decided to feed the poor hungry animal the other day, which wouldn't really be much of a good idea considering the fact that it would probably follow him home. Still he fed the dog, and it seemed to be a nice dog too. It was a male, and no one seemed to bother with it unless they were shooing him off. He wanted to see about taking care of the animal, but he wouldn't have the time. Not with his situation anyway.

by **Ricky Maze** on June 18th, 2011, 10:09 pm

Day 23

Ricky couldn't help himself anymore and decided to take in the dog, after a serious incident with a group of kids. The poor dog was left alone and no way to defend himself when the little blighters decided to attack him, and now Odis usually laid down comfortable in the shack yet cautious of Ricky. Ricky in turn made sure that he was as well cautious that the dog didn't try anything, whether is was to try and bite him or mark is territory in the house Ricky made sure that he was to be the leader of the two.

That was a few days ago of course, and even though they had been a little less tense as they spent time together a bond had already forged. Now Odis was appearing to enjoy what attention he got, and he seemed more and more playful when it came to Ricky. Ricky of course began to wonder how and why he got into the situation of taking care of the dog, but then he remembers the lonely days before and occasionally smiles after some backup thought.

Day 30

Ricky and Odis have spent much time together, usually whenever Ricky is fishing Odis will happily play or sit and watch with such contempt Ricky was surprised. They both got along well with each other, and Ricky as learned much over the past days of his life. He still could learn much more too, but he had to save that for the adventure ahead. For now the road stretched before him was the one of patience, and he would have to wait a while before finally getting his gear together and getting to his destination. Planning and proceeding to the destinations was all he could do, and once he finally started on that path there was no going back. He could look forward to one thing though, the dog Odis that had come into his life will surely be there. Through and through with every sticky situation, Odis will be with him so long as they both drew their breathe. This made Ricky feel sure and positive, they both were partners for their life.

by **Archelon** on August 29th, 2011, 8:17 am

oocWith permission from Goss to help clear old threads from Liminal's office

Thread Award

"Don't worry Odis! I know those children can be mean sometimes too!"

And the Results!!!!:

Ricky :

Would you like some extra turtle sauce ? :