Some Nights

by **Ricky Maze** on March 15th, 2014, 5:14 am

Some Nights
Summer 30th 498 AV, 13th Bell
Location: The Fisherman’s Shack

His bag was packed with but the essentials his father had told him he needed, thus now all that was left was to prepare to take in the comfort of his room once more, as Ricky knew good and well that he wouldn’t be seeing it for the next few weeks to come. He never actually took for granted that he was lucky to be given a roof over his head, yet it seems that now of course he was to settle for a less comfy bed just within the outskirts of Zeltiva as both Burt and Odis thought it a good time of the year to go camping. He didn’t understand the reasons as to why he had to do so, but both sailors had explained that he would need to learn how to live in the wilderness someday. Since he thought his father planned to one day take him along on a sailing trip, Ricky could only assume that his father intended to teach him quite a bit about camping and traveling while they were out in the city. Though not as troubled as the wilderness beyond the mountains surrounding Zeltiva, Odis claimed Mathew’s Bay still a fitting place to learn how to not only survive in the wilds but live and be a part of them.

Still not a lot of it made sense, in terms of why he had to learn all this. Maybe it was to better serve him in the future, either way though Ricky wasn’t all too excited to be away from the comfort of his room as well as the city. Once more he checked the contents he was supposed to pack, although they weren’t much since he’d been given a smaller bag compared to his fathers. "Shoes, check. Clothes, check. " Basic clothes that he could change into once his current ones were overly dirty, along with an extra pair of shoes while the worn ones he already wore might finally break on him in their absence from the city. "Soap, check. Toothbrush, check." The basic things he would need to keep clean while out in the wilderness, though he hadn’t a clue how if salt water worked just as well as fresh water in terms of bathing. He didn’t notice that Burt had came to his door as he was too involved in yet another double check with his inventory, a broad smile on his father’s face as he watched the child sort through his stuff once more and placed it in the bag from his bed.

"Ya ‘bout ready son?" Ricky turned around to see his father who waited for him, a small grin on the boy’s face as he fastened the flap of the back shut.

"Yea, Oi got everyt’in ya told me to git." He told Burt eagerly as he slid the strap over his shoulder, and then approached his father a with curiosity as to when they will leave. "Are we ‘bout t’ leave?"

"Aye, got everyt’in Oi’ll need packed too. Odis is waitin’ on us outside s’well." Burt assured his son with a firm rub through Ricky’s hair, both laughed a little as Ricky tried to hold his father’s hand prisoner in his own. Of course now he could see that Burt had his own backpack strapped to his back, stuffed with enough content to where it could likely burst if one wasn’t careful with it.

"What’s de wilderness like Pa? How’re we gonna live in it?" He pondered curiously as his father led him through the hall and to the entrance, Burt’s answers followed as they neared the door.

"Ye’ll find out soon enough when we git out dere, an’ we’re gonna live as we always do; as fisherman." He nudged Ricky out the door and into the light of the city and followed with a grin on his face, a familiar face waited to greet them just outside with his own large pack strapped on. With a weathered face and sharp eyes that always looked down to find young Ricky first, the man dressed in a very worn black shirt with the sleeves torn off and very faded cream pants with holes and patches adorned along the legs, Odis knelt down with a wide smile as Ricky ran up to hug the sailor.

"Uncle Odis!"

"Ricky me laddie! ‘Bout time y’ got out ‘ere an’ saw me boy!" The fisherman cheered as the two finally broke contact, Ricky’s eyes fell upon the tattoo on Odis’ right shoulder before he looked up to the man’s eyes. It was of a bovine guppy that’d splashed out of water, a rather large fish with pale scales. Ricky had no idea why he’d had that tattooed on his shoulder but among the other general places Odis had a tattoo, that one in particular was his favorite to look upon as catching that fish in general proved difficult most of the time.

"Yea Pa and Oi ‘ad t’ finish packin’, ya’ll got more stuff dan Oi do t’ough." He pointed out thoughtfully, considerate to the fact that his pack definitely looked smaller and lighter compared to theirs.

"Aye, dat be true laddie. ‘owever yer vagik fat’er an’ Oi got lots t’ carry compared t’ ya, later on when y’ git a bit bigger y’ll do de same." He assured Ricky with a gentle fist bump onto the boy’s right shoulder, Ricky laughed and did the same in return as Odis stood straight up once more. The adults checked with one another to make sure that all was ready, and after that Burt locked the door to their home before they finally set off along the shores of Zeltiva. With both the docks and Cerulean Pier behind them Ricky took in the look of the city as they walked the outskirts soon after, amazed to see that they would actually be headed outside into the wilderness of the bay to seek out a place to make their camp.

by **Ricky Maze** on March 18th, 2014, 8:13 pm

To Ricky’s surprise Zeltiva still somehow remained quite large in their sight of course, time and time again he wondered just how far they were going to venture out and only one answer somehow still remained; You’ll see. Of course he would, but he couldn’t help but wonder where they were going. Just what exactly they were going to do while they camped? Were they going to live off fish alone? Were they going to look for things to make living in outside the city easier? Where would they find it? None of these things Ricky knew, but he wanted to learn them of course. He was only a child and a child’s mind tended to easily wonder curiously about every little thing they came across, particularly the new stuff they’d yet to learn or pick up on. They’d strolled along the shore line for a while but then started to head for an area where the rocky terrain of the bay started to surround them, and sure enough the sight of the city was just well enough cut off from Ricky’s view by the rise in the jagged and pointy rocks that would soon make cliffs and slopes. Still they still somehow remained close to where they were in a comfortable distance from the city, yet when they’d reached an area where green soon decorated the dark brown slopes Ricky could only wonder even further where they’d ventured off to.

"Just a lil’ further." Burt recalled with a bit of a smile on his face, Odis bellowed with a laugh before he turned to look at his fellow sailor and the son that walked with him.

"Been an age ‘r two since we been ‘round ‘ere huh? Oi bet yer arse it’ll still be de same."

"Maybe." Burt chuckled with an arm extended to gently hold Ricky’s right shoulder, he pulled Ricky in just a little closer with a bigger smile casted down to him in turn. Ricky of course glanced up to him with a wide smile that showed his teeth, and then looked all around him once more to take in all the terrain. "Lost?" His father teased him with another chuckle, Ricky shrugged his shoulders childishly and looked back up to the face of his father as they continued their walk.

"Are we dere yet?" Burt laughed a little and Odis of course did so even more, both glad to have another one join them on this trip they were making.

"Just ‘bout son, dis area ‘as a nice spot t’ use f’r shelter. Ye’ll ‘ave a lotta fun campin’ out ‘ere wit’ us."

"Yea! Lotta fun learnin’ ‘ow t’ pitch a petchin’ tent, start de shyke outta campfires, an’ let’s not f’rget yer fishin!" Odis joined in overly enthusiastic, Burt could only watch his friend with a smirk as they came into a clearing. Finally they’d started to come to a halt under a place where trees seemed to cover much of the mountainous terrain around them, just enough to where they could still see the ocean in the distance. "Now," Odis slid his pack off onto the ground and obnoxiously sighed in relief from the lifted weight, a few loud clanks from some metallic items scared some birds off from the trees around, "Okay. Burt will pitch up our tents, Rick an' Oi’ll ‘ead out an’ collect some firewood."

Burt removed his bag and set it on the ground a little less loudly than Odis, a laugh escaped as he remarked on how Odis amused him with such a carefree attitude. He looked to Ricky and had the child set his bag down next to his, and with a few pats on the boy's back he said; "Go on." Of course, Ricky wondered what his father would be doing in the mean time while he and Odis collected wood.

by **Ricky Maze** on March 20th, 2014, 5:31 pm

Ricky caught up with Odis while the sailor walked around and between bushes and undergrowth in search of some decent sticks they could use for firewood, so far though he’d only been cursing at how small the ones he found were and how they’d never even last long enough to get the fire started. Once Ricky was next to his side he’d taken a less gruff look about his face and found himself smiling once again, and then Ricky in turn smiled up to the sailor with curiosity as to what he would learn. He was well used to the whole “in due time” answer both men reiterated upon asking, so he refrained from rolling out with a bunch of questions. "Ya feelin’ aight dere laddie? Bein’ awful quiet ye are!" Burt took notice as he watched Ricky look all around them with intrigue.

"Yea, just wonderin’ what Oi’m gonna learn first while Oi’m out ‘ere." He reflected without the need to ask any questions, already aware that he could very well be learning one right now in terms of gathering firewood. Odis of course laughed in amusement with a strong pat on Ricky’s shoulder, a playful yet rough rub to follow as he returned Ricky’s answer.

"Eager t’ learn are ya?! Yer endless curiosity tickles the shyke outta me ‘alf de time! Tell ye what, Oi t’ink Oi know a good lesson t’ teach ya already, one yer fat’er ‘asn’t t’ought important!"

"Really?" Ricky looked up to Burt with eyes big in interest, the sailor nodded with a smile and with much enthusiasm brought Ricky over near a tree with a few chuckles to well up in the process.

"See de tree now son?" Ricky nodded. "Course ya do, course ya do! Now listen ‘ere Rick, sometimes nature calls while yer out an’ ‘bout searchin’ the ground f’r firewood or ot’er dings. We bein’ men, ye too o’ course, are gifted wit’ somethin’ dat towner’s don’t ‘ave de luxury o’ doin’."

"What’s dat uncle Odis?" Ricky was fascinated to know what this gift was, especially now that he learned he’d been given it as well.

"Freedom f’r pissin’ on nature m’boy! ‘ere Oi’ll show ya, an’ ye do it too. Yer fat’er taught ya ‘ow t’ aim after all!" Odis bellowed just a little louder with another laugh, his hands brought down to the front of the waist area where he loosened his belt enough to lower his trousers. Ricky of course followed his example and in turn whipped out what would be his manhood, and both relieved themselves on the tree. Ricky couldn’t honestly help but find it fun and at the same time relaxing, as his bladder felt relieved too after they’d used the base of the tree as a target. Odis of course was loudly expressive with his relief with a sigh, he’d rolled back with eyes closed as he enjoyed his relief. "Syna’s flamin’ knicker’s dat feel’s better!" He said after a about a chime or two had passed, they both pulled their britches up after they were done and Odis laughed once more afterwards.

"Good work Rick, ye’ll be a professional pisser in no time while yer out ‘ere." He cheered as he nudged Ricky to walk onward with a hand, with that small yet interesting lesson behind them Ricky felt eager to learn whatever else Odis had to teach him. "Now t’ the more important lesson, gatherin’ firewood f’r campfires."

"Oi t’ought dat one was important?" Ricky reflected curiously, Odis looked puzzled for a moment then laughed a little more before he answered.

"It was m’boy! Not as important as dis lesson, but close enough Oi promise!" He assured the young boy with a wink. "Now when yer lookin’ f’r wood t’ burn it ‘as t’ be a good size. Normally it ‘elps t’ bring an axe t’ split some but we ain’t got one o’ d’ose. F’r now dough we wanna look f’r decent sticks ye can carry lad, an’ make sure dat dey’re dry too." He encouraged Ricky while his eyes searched the ground floor for decent sized sticks, the both of them didn’t really find much of any until they’d gone just a little deeper within the forest-like area. It was like nature around here was alive too, sounds of birds carried out all throughout the trees as lotuses sounded out in intervals. When Odis and Burt came across an old fallen tree the both of them considered themselves fortunate, and they soon arrived at the tree with grins on their faces as Odis rubbed his hands together.

by **Ricky Maze** on March 31st, 2014, 8:52 pm

"Yes dis’ll work nicely ‘ere, be quick Rick an’ gat’er up some ole wood. Remember what Oi told ya, it ‘as t’ be good sized an’ dry." Odis nudged for Ricky to go to the other end of the tree while he quickly started to scour the base for some pretty hefty limbs, while Ricky started to gather somewhat medium sized branches of wood he could hear Odis grunt continuously, the tree occasionally jerked with each grunt until at last the snap of wood would fill the air. The sailor literally ripped what he could off the tree, stripped as much wood as he could carry from it so that he could load larger portions between both arms. It took about half a bell’s worth but when they’d gotten all they could and carried it, they were back into the campsite where Burten had already pitched their tents and started unloading the essentials they would need to sleep within them.

He looked pretty amused to see Ricky carry as much wood as he could, but even better found himself unable to stop laughing when Ricky told him about the lesson Odis taught him. Though Ricky wasn’t sure why it was all too funny, Odis and Burt seemed to crack jokes at one another about it all the same so the boy merely joined in the laughter out of his own fun. Next came the set up of the campfire which was to happen soon, Burt had taken to show Ricky how to set up a proper fire so that wood could burn well and feed the flames for overnight heat and light. He started by placing a few branches together in a pile that looked somewhat orderly, though larger portions of the wood seemed to cover the others. It was a all the more a sort of terrible made pyramid shame in the beginning, with further wood and branches layered over the center as Burt made Ricky bring fallen dried leaves. With the leaves stuffed around the core of the set up Ricky watched as Burt layered more of the dried leaves he brought over the outer reaches of the wood, once that had been finished Burt had Ricky help him collect large stones to place around the would be campfire pit, although Ricky had to somewhat drag a few stones because he wasn’t strong enough to carry them yet.

Finally when they had finished with the set up Ricky was told by Burt to watch closely, and then his father took out an odd looking rock and a piece of metal. It was something called flint and steel, used to help start fires out in the wilderness, and it was in fact not a toy to be played with. For about several chimes Burt seemed to scrape the flint and steel together, yet nothing seemed to happen at all when he did so. It happened for a little while longer as Burt started to grow rather aggravated with it, until at last Odis prodded him about not being able to light a fire. The jokes made the moment all the more funnier to watch, but when Odis took over the flint and steel he only needed to firmly brush the two together just about four times. Each time he did so little lights that were called sparks seemed to flicker onto the leaves and wood, and then die out momentarily afterwards as Burt tried again. After the fourth time smoke seemed to rise from the leaves underneath his hands, then at last flames started to slowly rise as the sailor just barely blew on them to fan the heat.

Within a chime or so the flames finally started to come alive and engulf the rest of the leaves, and the wood in turn, and then cracked and popped as fire and smoke filled the makeshift pit Burt and Ricky made. "Dere! Bloody vagik dunno ‘ow t’ start a fire, Laviku’s shame dat is!" He teased Burt with a cackle, the men both prodded and punted to one another almost in a brotherly sense afterwards. Once the moment had passed though they were both focused on Ricky, who had watched the fire burn from the moment the sparks created embers of life.

"Anyways t’at’s ‘ow yew make a campfire son." Burten assured the boy with a hand ruffled through his hair affectionately, Ricky laughed with a big grin as he mentally remembered the steps taken to make the fire. Although he sort of wanted to play with the fire he knew well enough it wasn’t a toy, as his father told him time and time again when he would put wood into the hearth at home. The men made sure to try and finish the set up of the area shortly afterwards and then finally found their selves nearly done with it, they still had to set up a rack to hang any caught fish to dry as well as a few other things. For now though Ricky’s first day out in the wilderness seemed to be over, for the next dozen of days though Ricky would have much to learn about the wilderness.

by **Fractale** on May 24th, 2014, 4:52 pm

Ricky Maze :

If there are any questions or concerns send a PM my way and we'll do what we can to work it out.

Wilderness Survival	+2 XP
Land Navigation	+1 XP
Organization	+1 XP

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