[SO-Sylira] The Simple Life

[Malus Tidalwave]

23rd of Summer 513 AV ________________________________________________________________ The coastal breeze gently played with Malus’ hair as the casinor softly rocked from the waves of the Sebakem Ocean lapping at its hull. A few miles east of Darva’s northern-most point, the The Windrunner sat, just at the mouth of the straight that separated the island from the mainland; a prime location for fishing. Or so the crew thought. “There isn’t anything catchable out here, at least not in the area.” A young woman with striking blue eyes swam alongside the small ship. “We might be better off if we move deeper into the straight, I feel a school of fish near the edge” she was referring to her ocean sense, granted by the Oceanus mark that rolled and flowed across her back, as real as the waves she was swimming through. “Alright Mira! Come back on board and we’ll move in closer” a man shouted from the side of the ship. Cal moved to go help a third Svefra, Kahne, who was already pulling in the fishing net; the muscular man’s shirtless back already covered in a thin sheen of sweat. The three started to make the preparations: Kahne pulled up the anchor after stowing the net, Mari started on the sails as Cal did the same. All the while Malus lay on his hammock that hung below the bowsprit of the ship strumming his guitar. A second woman swam in the waves beneath him. “Hey Nea” he said casually said in-between chords,“you might want to get back on the board. Sounds like we’re moving. You don’t want to get left behind do you?” Nea stopped her leisurely swim and looked up at Malus, “Well, of it means getting away from your playing…it might be worth it.” She said teasingly. “Oh come on! You know you can’t get enough of it” he replied, a small grin on his face. “Honestly, I have no Idea why your grandfather gave you that guitar, either one of your brothers could play it better than you.” Malus gave her a look of false indignation, in a mockingly hurt tone he replied “You insult me! Dany would just leave it around somewhere collecting dust, and Cal wouldn’t even know where to hold it! No, My grandfather recognized my genius.” He strummed the guitar to emphasize his last point. Nea Just laughed and pulled herself up the makeshift ladder they had placed on their mobile home. “You wouldn’t know genius if it swam up to you and bit in the ankle.” This time It was Malus’ turn to laugh, not replying but instead returning to his guitar. As Nea Pulled herself up out over the water, Malus couldn’t help but to peek over. Not one to wear clothing as she swam, her body was firm and athletic. Her hair clung to her, covering the top of her chest and back dripping water down her tanned skin, accentuating voluptuous figure. Admiring her body as she came out of the water, Malus’ eyes drifted from her toned legs up her torso past her cascasding hair to her face, which was was looking back at him an sly grin adorning her face. “Don’t you know its not nice to stare?” she asked as she climbed up the ladder. “Well, when there is so much to stare at…” he replied, locking eyes with her and grinning. Nea merely chuckled as she climbed over the rail heading to where she had left her clothing. Malus echoed the chuckle, reaching down to his wineskin, and removing the tied on cork, cascaded the rich red liquid into his open mouth before turning back to his carefree strumming. “Malus! Get over here and sail this ship, we need you behind the helm!” cried out Cal as he prepared to haul the sail. Slightly irked from being distracted from his idle relaxation, Malus shouted back “Get Dany to do it!” Cal sighed, knowing better than to argue back, and made his way to the door leading to the cabin and the decks below. “Dany! Get out here, we need you on the helm.” Out came a young man, not as tanned as the others. Wearing a white linen shirt and some trousers, Dany had short cropped blonde hair, a thin nose, narrow face and teal eyes. Not as tall as either one of his older brothers, he stood a few inches shorter than Cal, having to look up to meet his gaze. “Isn’t Mal going to do it?” he asked. “Nah, he is up at the front playing his guitar. You know how he gets.” Dany nodded, acknowledging the statement. “Besides, you need the practice. Don’t worry, you’ll do fine. There is a good breeze and the water is calm, thank Laviku. There is no way you could sink us!” Cal chuckled, politely teasing the youngest of the brothers and reassuring him at the same time. “Alright, but tell Mari not side ship driving, it gets annoying.” Dany stated, as he walked out of the cabin out into the deck. Following behind him, Cal merely laughed. _________________________________________________________________

[Malus Tidalwave]

______________________________________________________________ The small vessel carried the small crew further into the straight, a steady breaze filling the sails as Dany steered. The spray of the water when the waves met the bow of casinor began to reach Malus in his little perch, and, more out of concern for his guitar than himself, finally climbed out onto the deck. He walked towards the cabin, casually sidestepping the few crates and piles of rope, seemingly unaffected by the sway of the boat, whistling the entire time. Both Mira and Kahne were preparing the net, unknotting it and spreading it out over the deck. Cal stood at the stern, preparing their heavy fishing rod. After stowing his guitar, Malus moved to accompany Cal. Dany stood at the helm, a few feet away. " So what do you think is swimming around here?" he said, leaning his back against the railing. "I'm not sure, it could be a school of mahi", relishing the thought of having mahi for dinner, Malus smiled. "Ill take care of the pole, go help out Kahne and Mari with the net". Cal handed the heavy shaft to Malus, saying "catch us something good", before walking away. Malus took the fishing rod, bracing the shaft against his legs, and prepared the line. He weaved the fishing line through the hoops ment to guide the line. At the end, he took and old fish hook about half the size of his palm lighlty rusted from years of use, and with a knot, tied it to the fishing line. About a foot up the line, Malus added a small weigh, one from the fishing kit, to make sure that the line went deep. To the hook he wrapped some color full strips of cloth to act as a lure. The fishing pole ready, Malus caste it out behind the casinor, the weight dragging the line down below the surface. Now it was jusy a matter of patience. Time passed slowly, at a leisurely pace as Malus waited for a bite. Leaning against the rail, he peered at the clouds over head and watched as the changed from one form to another. He wasnt sure how long had passed, but suddenly he saw the Fishing rod jump. Reacting quickly, Malus carefully reeled it in, stopping briefly every once in while to tire out the fish. Once he managed to get it close enough, Malus saw that it was a small yellow fin tuna, perfect bait for what he wanted to catch. Bringing it on board, Malus took out his knife and quickly cut the fish into relatively small strips of meat. Replacing the cloth with one such piece, Malus repeated the entire process. With the line caste, now all Malus had to do was wait. And wait. The others were dealing with their respective tasks, either working the net, tending the sails, or in Dany's case keeping the small ship on course. "Catch anything yet?" yelled Cal? "Just some bait!" replied Malus "Nothing yet!". Cal nodded and returned to his work. It wouldn't be good not catch anything, the crew of Svefra haven't had much luck in the past few days, resulting in them eating old dried strips of fish, and while it kept you fed and your energies up, it they were all looking forward to some fresh fish. about 30 chimes later, or so he guessed, he felt a pull on the rod. He felt it again, this time harder than the first. There was something on the other end of the line, and it felt big. A grin flashed upon Malus' face, looking forward to fresh food tonight. For what seemed like the better part of a bell, Malus fought with the fish, trying to reel it in while at the same time trying not to break the line. Seeing the struggle, Cal came up behind him, and when Malus' arms felt like giving out, he transferred the pole to him. Finally, after a particularly difficult struggle, the fish seemed to tire out, and Cal was able to reel it close enough to for Kahne, who had arrived just moments before, to pull the fish on board. The three men looked down at the fish and all grinned. at their feet lay a 6 foot long Wahoo. They would definitely eat well tonight. ______________________________________________________________

[Malus Tidalwave]

Several hours later, the small crew found themselves sitting around a fire on some beach. The casinor lay moored near the beach, rocking gently by the waves and being held in place by its anchor. Right next to the small fire they had placed a few flat rocks. The fire heated the rocks, which in turn they used to cook the strips of fish that Kahne and Cal had prepared. There were only a few strips left. After they had caught the wahoo, they had caught a few other smaller fish, primarily tuna, which they used to add variation to their dinner.

Each of the Svefra sat comfortably, thanks to having found some old stumps and logs to use. Malus rested his back on one such log, sitting on the warm sand, strumming his gea’tar. They passed around the wine skin, having filled it just before starting, and by now they’ve all started to feel its affects. Being full with a fresh catch, warm from the setting sun and the crackling fire, and cheerful from the wine, the group simply enjoyed the moment. Cal and Kahne were swapping old stories; Dany napped of to the side, Malus relaxed by plucking the strings, while both Mari and Nea teased each other over one thing or another.

This was the life that they lived. No cares or worries to speak of, free to do as they wish and enjoy what they could. The sun set on this marry bunch, the soft waves provided by Laviku a soft lullaby. It was an easy life they lived. A simple life.

[Eldritch]

Hey there Malus, I just thought I should make you aware of an issue with your character sheet.

-You need to account for the living expenses of your NPC's otherwise they will probably either die or be similarly vanished. Your ledger also seems to be in the negatives... not sure how that occurred.

Once these issues are fixed, send me a PM and I'll award you your grade.