Solo [Valkalah's Tears] Fishy Fighting

[Sirroco]

Timestamp: 40th of Summer, 513AV Location: The beach near Valkalah's Tears The casinor rocked rhythmically with the tide in the shallows off the beach, Sirroco balancing himself on the rail, fishing spear and atlatl in hand, before diving off the ship. He plunged into the water arrow straight, experiencing immediate joy as the noises of the airy world above were silenced by the familiar closeness of the sea water and its soft roar. Sun-heated skin was cooled, the current of the sea massaging his form. Tain scrambled over the edge after the Svefra, joining his friend as they shot through the water for an few ticks before surfacing. The otter immediately rolled onto its back, floating like a leaf on the undulating water. "Bum." Sirroco teased as he shook his head, whipping his long drenched hair out of his face. His hands and feet moved fluidly as he tread water, surveying his surroundings. To the west stretched the vast expanse of the Suvan Sea, a scintillating sheet of blue green that halted at the stark line of the horizon, from which the azure sky stretched upward. Syna's sun hovered over the dividing line, ready to make its daily drop behind the sea. To the east lifted the high cliffs of the Cyphrus coast, and Valkalah's Tears, a magnificent spectacle as water careened from the summit, down a smooth slide of volcanic rock that slid across the wide beach and into the sea. Down the coast nearby, the city of Riverfall clung to the cliffs, within its tiers the Bluevein made its own scenic plunge into the Suvan. Sirroco was excited for the Syka expedition, the idea of exploring the unknown enticing. But he felt trepidation as well. He had overheard stories of the Myrians of Falyndar, and some naysayers taunted that the fierce natives would certainly decimate the crew and devour their innards, if the tigers didn't. The Svefra did not give much credence to their doomspeak, but the danger sounded real indeed. Sirroco had no experience fighting. He had a cutlass, but never had to use it. He was quite adept at employing his fishing spears, but it was obvious that defending ones self in combat was nothing like jabbing a fish with a pointy stick. The swim and hunt was intended to distract from such concerns. He pulled the leather and glass swimming goggles from around his neck up over his face, drew a breath and slipped again beneath the waves. The Svefra looked about, seeing only a few stray, small silver fish. With little effort he allowed his Oceanus to work, feeling the constant motion of Laviku's currents across his skin. The easiest for him to sense were Otani, their relation to the Sea King strong, resonating clearing through the gnosis. Sirroco detected several in his life, and encountered one or two of the beautiful, curious creatures, but none on this day. The caressing of the water, read through the divine gift, told him that the tide was going out. After a few rolls and underwater flips, Sirocco propelled himself deeper into the sea. Just as his lungs began to burn, he spotted a sea bass of good size, but knew he did not have enough air to pursue it. Driving himself to the surface, the Svefra gulped in a fresh breath and immediately dove down again. A flash of bright scales betrayed the fish, and Sirroco drifted closer, setting the butt of the short spear to the spear-thrower, holding it with his right hand as he tread with the left. The fish moseyed about as the fisherman tried to remain still. When the creature turned its full flank to Sirroco, he flung the spear through the water, gripping the atlatl and propelling the missile. The spear's path stayed true and swift, streaking through the water like a barracuda. The steel spearhead, barbed on one side, pierced the fish behind the gills. Sirroco had already reached it, grabbed the spear and swam again to the surface, gasping in sea air again. The spear was held up out of the water, the seabass squiggling on the end. A small trace of blood had tainted the water, but the Svefra did not want to take the risk of running into a predator attracted to the kill. Calling to Tain, the fisherman swam back to the casinor, casting the fish and spear onto the deck before climbing back on board. Pulling the catch off of the spear, he tossed the fish in a small barrel of salt water and cleaned off the spear head. Hunting the fish had only temporarily distracted Sirroco from his concerns about safety in the jungles. Looking at the onery otter, the Svefra shrugged, gathered up a handful of items, and jumped overboard again. Chimes later, Sirroco was walking out of the surf, the short spear and thrower in his hand. He had also retrieved the cutlass from the boat. tucking the atlatl through his belt, the Svefra took the spear in both hands, as he had seen spearmen do. He tried a few thrusts. It felt awkward without the water surrounding him, carrying some of the weight of the spear. Tain scampered out of the water up onto the beach, looking up at Sirroco with his whiskers twitching. The Svefra peered down at his friend and shrugged. "Don't look at me like that. I know, a little late to start now!" OOCEdited into a solo after other participant was retired.