Completed [The Docks] Come Fish With Me! (Elem Bree)

[Ricky Maze]

502 AV, Spring Day 42

Ah yes the lovely sweet air of the salty spring breeze, it was always refreshing when the morning sun rose up to greet the lazy sky; for Ricky it was a good start of a fishing day.

Taking two rods with him was the idea that crossed his mind, the more lines cast out the better his odds. As he held the rods with care he picked up the jar of bait his pa left him, a vital nessecity should the fish be biting. Taking his gear out he headed to the docks, finding a decent spot to set up the rods and preparing them.

Knotting the line in some places necessary he tied on the hook, checked the line, then opened the jar. Worms awaited below, plentiful for fish, and ripe by the size; his father knew how to find the best bait. A secret yet taught to Ricky. He made sure the worm was secure onced hooked, and casted out both rods with thoughts relaxed as the ocean was.

[Elem Bree]

Elem was anxious to get out of the house that morning. His father had received a new batch of leather the day before, which meant he would be working hard on shoes. He would also be looking for Elem to help him and do more of the 'preparing to take over the business' thing that Elem really didn't want to do. He liked learning about shoes and how they helped your posture and feet, but working only with shoes sounded terrible. he was out the door at sunrise.

Not helping his father meant not so much as a copper miza for lunch or diversions, so Elem headed down to the docks. Sometimes he could get lunch or a copper from moving boxes or running messages. It never hurt and worse case, he could have something fun to watch with the activity there.As he approached, it seemed a little dead, even for dock standards. Fortunately he saw a boy, a little older, setting up a pair of fishing rods and it seemed like there was only one of him. Looking around, Elem's eyes brightened at the opportunity to help out and maybe catch lunch! Learning how to fish would surely help.

As he approached, he noticed he wasn't too much shorter. That was good. He hated being run off by older boys. "Hey there. You gonna fish with both poles? That ought to be interesting." Seemed like a good way in. Or maybe he actually was going to fish with both?!.

[Ricky Maze]

"Wha? Who is this little mate?" He mumbled to himself, seeing the young brown haired boy approach. He seemed a bit shy, but also curious about something. He mentioned the rods, perhaps he wanted to fish as well. Ricky looked to the rods deep in thought.

Hmm, he didn't bring one of his own. Maybe he can't because he doesn't own one, he doesn't really seem like the fishing type either. He turned to face the boy, somewhat younger than what Ricky was. Not too short either, he was actually tall enough in Ricky's book. Ricky then changed his mind as he clearly was thinking rather irrational. He gave a grin to the brown head.

It's a good thing i brought two rod's then. "You ever done any fishin'?" He asked with enthusiam.

[Elem Bree]

Phew. He was not getting ran off. Elem smiled and said, "I'm Elem Bree." His standard greeting. He always thought if he didn't want to help his Dad at the shop, maybe saying Bree often might help. Advertising. whatever the case, shoes were the farthest thing from the boy's mind as he was asked the question. "Sadly, no. I know it's crazy, being a Zeltivan who doesn't fish, but Dad always wants me to help in the shop, so I don't get much time to do it. What's your name?"

He felt okay with the older boy. he seemed nice enough. Plenty of the sailors had barnacles on their hearts and offered nothing but stern looks and the occasional petch in his direction. It was always nice to meet another friendly person. "Do you mind to show me how to use it?" His eyes scoured the rods and the jar of what had to be bait, as Elem could see movement in it. he wanted to actually hold the rod, but his manners were sure, thanks to his mother and the occasional hand slap from his father..

[Ricky Maze]

Now Bree was a name that seemed familiar, if only Ricky could remember where. Someone his pa knew probably, but Elem's had a nice flow to it. One that sounded rather hearty to Ricky. He gave a friendly grin as he followed through with the introductions. "Me names Ricky Maze, but some o' the other boy's call me Rick. I don't give a hoot really."

He turned to the rods, reached for one, and reeled the line back in. He turned back to Elem and showed the hook. "Fishin' is actually quite easy, once you get used to it." He moved away a bit in an effort to keep a safe distance, should the line fly near Elem.

"All ye' gotta do is swing the rod out, cast the line in the deep end, and reel 'er in a bit." He gave a slow step by step demostration as he spoke, then made sure there was enough space between them to show the real demonstration. "Like this!" Following through he casted the line as far as he could, until the worm plummeted within the ocean. He reeled in some and sat the rod down, pulling the other one in to give to Elem. "Now you try!" He encouraged with a grin.

[Elem Bree]

"Nice to meet you, Ricky." Perhaps it was truly his mother's influence, but Elem was just so much easier to deal with when civility was involved. Crass and angry folk just made life more difficult. It was a neverending process for those people, like a serpent biting its tail. Elem watched as Ricky showed him the hook, the worm squirming on its sharp end.

The older boy pulled his arm back and swung the rod forward, the line flying off into the deeper water with a soft splash. He saw how to turn the reel. Maybe it wasn't hard at all. Elem hoped so, sucking on his teeth a little as he thought. the moment of truth had arrived, however, and Elem took his own rod up and pointed it behind him, holding it as he had seen Ricky do. His grip on the rod was like iron, more worried about losing something that wasn't his than relaxing.

Elem held his breath a little and threw his arm forward, holding the rod tightly and watching the line fly out and make its own little splash, allowing him to breathe again, a smile on his face. He looked at Ricky, laughing a little. "I did it!" He was so proud of himself, remembering at once to reel the line in a little. Elem's shoulders finally dropped as he started to enjoy himself a little. Maybe it wasn't hard at all!

[Ricky Maze]

He watched in awe as he witnessed the boy cast, a little on the firm side but very quick to learn. He even remembered to reel in the line even in all the excitement, the characteristics of a natural. Elem did have the Zeltivan spirit in him after all.

Proud of seeing Elem perform so well for such a beginner, Ricky grinned as he patted Elem on the shoulder. "Great job! All you need now is patience, wait until a fish tugs on the line hard. That's when ya hook a good one!" He stated as he grabbed his rod, he sat at the edge of the dock with patient eyes, keeping close observation on the line.

So far nothing tugged, but one can never know. He looked back to Elem with a grin. "The best part of fishing is the patience, ya gotta wait a while til they bite." He said, offering Elem a spot next to him.

[Elem Bree]

The initial tingle of accomplishment passing, Elem listened to Ricky, realizing it would be time to wait on the fish. He looked at the water, knowing full well whether he could see the fish or not didn't make much difference. Taking a seat next to Ricky, Elem was careful again not to drop the rod. It was sort of exctiing not knowing when the fish would bite! He could see that the other boy was watching the line, so he stared at his own, waiting for some kind of movement.

"So when it tugs, I tug back? And reel? What if it is really big? Have you ever caught a really big fish?" Elem had seen some of the local fishermen with fish larger than him. He knew he would lose the rod then and a lump came up in his throat, his grip tightening on the rod. His words were directed at Ricky, but elem never turned his head. His eyes sat right on the line, hoping on one hand that it would move. The other hand just gripped the rod like it was an extension of his hand.

[Ricky Maze]

So many questions filled Elem it make Ricky chuckle, he remembered when he would ask so many questions to his pa when it came to something new. Now he had experienced the same, the exact feeling he had was one that his pa no doubt feels. Proud. He was definitely proud, the fact that he was now a role model to someone made it clear. "Don't worry, if it is a big one I'll help you reel 'er in, but yea just wait until you feel a good tug. Then pull the rod in when ya reel." He reassured Elem with a smile, happy to see such a eager fishing spirit. He kept a close eye on both lines so that Elem could relax a bit, hoping that his mind would be eased in knowing Ricky was watching over him. He felt a slight tug on his line, but one that wasn't good enough for him to pull. He whispered to Elem as his eyes remained focused on the line, "the fish are out to play." He let a impish smile loose.

[Elem Bree]

So now it was time to hurry up and wait. While trying to heed Ricky's words, Elem remained focused on the line. However, after a few minutes of this intense staring, he managed to blink a few times.Then came a small breath, his shoulders dropped in relaxation and his grip loosened. Not too much , mind you, but enough to stop making his palms pink with the effort. He noticed the movement of Ricky's line and wondered why he didn't pull in. Must be some master fisherman's secret, Elem thought to himself.

So it was time to watch the waves and listen to the sounds of the harbor. The ship and dockworkers were finally at it, their calls and grunts of labor beginning to fill the empty space that had been only full of lazy lapping of waves prior. Schools of terns hovered and squawked over schoolso fo fish a bit far out for the boys and their lines to fly to. Elem thought it was probably a good indicator, so he managed to watch them on occasion as well.

Just like that, Elem felt the rod jump in his hand, his reflexes jumping back. He got something! Feeling the rod pull as something ran with the hook, Elem caught the reel with his other hand and began to turn it. it was an odd sensation, feeling the fish move side to side, looking for a way to escape. Each time it would swim to one side, Elem would pull the opposite direction, reeling each time he felt any slack. Soon he could see a small golden shape beneath the choppy water and he worked his way up to his knees.

When he pulled the fish out, it flopped and slapped in rebellion, a small golden sun perch, its spines flexing. To a seasoned fisherman, it was probably something to throw back, but to Elem, it was a whopper!