Open Oh its a beautiful thing

[Marino Oceangem]

It was a heady sensation having her so near. His thoughts almost sluggish and easily put off track by more earthly desires. He felt intoxicated but he hadn’t imbibed anything, not yet anyways though the desire was there if only to soften the edge of sensation that was burning bright. In this mood, everything was felt a shade more keenly and Marino favored Tazrae with an awkward grin.

“Less and less like proper cooking, more like warming what has been cooked.” He said chewing on his lower lip thoughtfully. It was something he planned to give an honest effort now that he had learned how to get a proper fire going, but when he was being honest with himself, the idea was overwhelming. He knew nothing about cooking nor the road he should start himself upon. The act of cooking was like swimming, though he suspected it probably had a good deal in common with sailing. With its special words that explain how all the pieces work together to produce the desired result. At least, that was how he was hoping it would go because he didn’t really know.

He didn’t dwell long on that thought however as with this mood, his attention was as fickle as the wind when one was becalmed. Which made him feel a pang of worry at the comparison though it was innocent enough how he arrived upon it. While logically he knew his idle musings didn’t have much of an effect on the course of things, he did have a conscious fear that somehow his thoughts might bring ill luck upon him no matter how innocent they may be. A burden he’d carried for many years for now that he had no trouble brushing off now with the powerful presence of Tazrae nearby.

As they wandered amongst the rocks he thought less and less of his troubles while he started becoming more conscious of Tazrae. How she moved. How she smelled. How the spray of droplets looked glistening off her skin. Eventually it came into his mind that he was probably being boring just standing there gawking, lost in the lurch of passion that the gears started turning to pull them to an activity that might pick up the slack in his conversational skills. Naturally, Twist was an easy crutch, the sea even more readily available and to his pleasure she accepted. An although he was reluctant to part from this moment they found themselves in, he didn’t want to ruin this good thing they had going together by trying to take it too fast. No matter how much his gut might disagree with him, his head was of the mind to keep on the task of becoming a better person before he indulged in such fantasies. Fantasies, why had he chosen that word.

Marino instinctively pushed down the thought as he plunged into the water. There was a tangle of kelp there that he was like as not to get caught in, and he preferred to avoid such dark embraces. Such was the stuff of night with no place haunting his thoughts under the beautiful sun’s rays. Watching Tazrae take to swimming after him proved to be potent fuel for avoiding such mental foils. He was impressed with how well she was taking to it, swimming with strong purpose with little to no fear of the sea. She’d have made a good Svefra if only the stars had aligned, of that he had no doubt. For the moment, it was simply a joy to see her take to it so spiritedly.

Such a joy in fact that he almost missed his point for coming out this way and belatedly realized his course. Looking a little chagrined he paused for her to take a look underwater before he spoke up. “Aye, its a bit farther than I realized. I suppose I’d been sitting on that beach for longer than I had realized.” He said, taking a glance at the island and back the way they had come to try to get his bearings. Out here on the flat of the water there was little to go on as the swells closer to shore had a way of blocking his vision though he felt like he had a strong understanding of where they were with the island to go on. “How about we take in that beauty on our way back to the beach, we can walk back to the casinor from there and perhaps grab something to refresh ourselves.” Marino said with a slight grin, briefly reaching up to touch her hand slightly. Rubbing her index finger between thumb and forefinger, he let that thought marinate for a moment before he directed himself towards where he thought the closest piece of shore might be. He was a little disappointed that Twist hadn’t been lurking in the waters here, but no doubt they could find him later on board the Seasilk.

“We’ll take it slow.” He said in a way that he hoped was reassuring as he started paddling forward with broad strokes of his arms and legs. Truthfully, he was feeling a bit worn as well. Sapped from the sun and his previously mounting passions that left him feeling a little drained as he pushed forward. His mouth was a bit parched as well, but not for water which he could take from the sea if he needed. For something a little more substantial that might quiet the buzzing in the back of his mind as the thoughts strayed everywhere.

“Before too long, you’ll be able to beat me across the water. Of that I have little doubt.” He said, looking over his shoulder with a broad smile. “You’ve got the mind to excel at anything you put it too.” The rest of the way to the shore proved to be a little more arduous than he intended as he didn’t exactly take the straight shot he’d been planning. More like an elongated curve as he slowly changed direction to adjust the the shore that came in sight on his right. Fortunately with the tide out, and the water low, they were able to start walking not long after that, though it was more like trudging out of the depths of the water that even had Marino wanting to sprawl out onto the warm sand when they finally got there. So he did, without thinking it over much, plopping down onto the sun baked sand to revel in the invigorating alive feeling that after a good swim always instilled in him. Then looking over at Tazrae, he jerked his head in the direction down the beach that would take them eventually to the Seasilk. “If we could get a couple of good drinks, and I could learn how to tie a hammock, I think I might have a good follow up before we get out on the water. Does that sound good to you?” He asked as he sat up, brushing some sand off his knees before taking a good look at her. If she accepted then he would start off in that direction, with a brief diversion to the Tidepool bar if he managed to spy Stuvantis there.

[Tazrae]

Tazrae had somewhat similar but opposite thoughts. To her, Marino was entertaining. She liked that he didn’t feel the need to fill their swim with banter. The sea was too beautiful and she was too new to it to actually carry on a good conversation while concentrating on her breathing, her swimming motions, and taking the time to look around. Everything out here was different. The water had a heaviness to it that held her up … a buoyancy… that air could not simply match. And there was energy all around them, rolling in as waves that lifted and dropped them in a pattern she didn’t understand. She wondered if it was one born hundreds of miles away out in the Suvan or if it was the world itself expanding and contracting its lungs someplace far away unseen. The salt on her lips from the water was a new sensation as well. Things floated around her that mesmerized her… kelp waved as if beckoning her to swim among it. Jellyfish wandered by. Fish of all sorts nibbled at her toes or came up to get a better look at her. Beneath her, just once, outlined dark against the coral she saw what she thought was a giant turtle.

There were sharks too. They cruised by beneath, so much part of the alien landscape below. They didn’t gather or take an interest, but Tazrae had seen them enough to recognize the danger. She kept close to Marino and tried to mimic his swimming. She tired before he did though and was relegated to that restful back position, kicking out and balancing with her arms that still propelled her forward.

He was like another sea creature himself. The man swam well and his skin was beautifully bronzed from where the sun shone down on him. He adjusted to the swell of the sea as if it didn’t even exist for him in a way that Tazrae admired. The water welcomed him where it just tolerated her. She could feel the difference acutely. He kept his eyes on her too, which was in a way reassuring. Taz felt as long as he was there, watchful as a child of Laviku, things would be fine. His gaze burned her slightly though… like his touch had earlier when she wrapped around him.

The Innkeeper should have been shy and modest around men. Her mother had drilled multiple awareness’s into her growing up. Keep herself safe, pure, and thus valuable to those around her. She had been reclusive, working in her courtyard garden. Once upon a time, a bare-chested Akalak would have made her blush and flee the area. But being around Marino had cured most of that for her. He had no self-consciousness about nudity. Because of him, Tazrae knew what a man looked like without clothing. She knew what a man looked like aroused because of a woman he thought lovely being in his arms. She wasn’t afraid of him anymore, nor did her mothers words that if a man could get close he’d violate her just to put a child in her intimidate her anymore. She knew it wasn’t true. Men had self-control and thought they might not be able to hide their appreciation, they certainly weren’t doing anything without the others consent.

Tazrae’s mother had spent a long hard childhood with Tazrae making her afraid. It was a fear she hadn’t shown outright, but the girl realized more and more that the sort of fear Tazrae’s mother had put into her had affected her deeply regardless. Such things were chains, of the sort Tazrae had no desire to wear here. So as the girl paddled after Marino, trying to keep up and yet not wanting to actually show how tired she was getting.

Marino had an easy plan…. And Tazrae easily agreed to it with a nod and a smile. Her eyes were busy, taking in the sea, the air, and the ocean all around them. So, she followed him, treading water and swimming. And as she swam, she decided not to let that sort of fear her mother wanted her to feel… an artificial sort… rule her anymore. Marino’s idea of slow was exceedingly fast to Tazrae, though she said nothing and kept up as best she could. He seemed almost regretful of how long the swim was taking. Taz wondered if it was due to her slowness or the actual distance involved.

And so, she trailed him as they came to where they could put their feet down and wade through the shallows and up on the sand. Then, completely unashamed, she collapsed on the soft fine grains and stretched under the sun, groaning. She pushed her wet hair out of her face and turned to find Marino’s location. Once she locked eyes on him, she smiled. “You sure know how to kill a girl…. I mean show a girl a good time.” She said with a laugh. “What happened to Twist, anyhow? Wasn’t he around or are your tavans truly wild and do what they want when they want… including not put in an appearance?” She said between panting breaths.

“I won’t be beating you anywhere, Marino. You swim like a fish.” She complimented, then rolled over so she was laying on her side. It was easier to pant that way and she could prop her head up on her hand. “I’m more like a turtle or even Creech doggy paddling. Thanks for getting us back to the beach safe.” She said softly.

She made him wait a full ten chimes while she panted and soaked up the sun. Then, finally, she climbed to her feet, brushed off the sand that clung to her all over, and nodded towards The Tidepool. “You won’t believe this, but I’m dying of thirst and starving as well. It’s motivating me to my feet faster than I thought it would. Do you think Stu has some appetizers?” She asked, knowing he’d have sweet fruit spirits and probably something hearty to feed her with if she got there. Taz loved other people’s cooking. She cooked often and liked to do so, but it felt decadent to get catered to as well.

Taking Marino’s hand with just a single pinky finger hooked onto his to link her to him… she walked side by side up the beach towards The Tidepool. Once they got there, she climbed the little hill to the dock that trailed out to where the bar perched.

Tazrae walked in ahead of Marino and chose a spot she could see the sea. Stu was working the counter and pointed up to a chalk board with some specials written on it. One intrigued her. It was a set of fried fish wraps with mango salsa. She lifted her voice to Stu… “Can I get two of those wraps with something fruity and strong?” She asked. The man nodded, grinned at Marino, and said…

“Out swimming? What will you have, son?” He asked, setting his bar towel aside to get started on Tazrae’s order and see if Marino wanted anything at all as well.

[Marino Oceangem]

There was something wonderfully beatific about lounging in the sand fresh after a swim. It was hard to pick his favorite part. Was it the way warm sand caressed his thighs? Or the feathery breeze that drifted in through the palms to blow across his skin. Maybe it was how his body felt after a swim. Tired yet full of a crackling energy that radiated through his smile. He passed a contented look over in Tazrae's direction. "Twist is of his own mind at times. A willful child with a penchant for hiding when someone goes looking. No doubt he'll show up once we're out on the casinor, pointedly paying him no mind. He can't stand not to be the center of attention." Marino finished with a wry look before rising out of the sand to brush himself off.

He took a moment to consider her question before nodding slightly. "I imagine he might have something going at this hour." His tone started off hestant but quickly regained its firmness as he took strength from a shared look with her. "its sounds perfect actually."

A part of him fluttered within when Tazrae curled her pinky finger around his as they walked down the beach. He felt suddenly lighter, more conscious of the way he was moving, the beat of his heart, the swell of his chest when he took a breath. It almost took him back to the ungainly states he felt as a young teen but he was too old for such nonsense now. Well, not too old to feel the same things he felt then. Just old enough to recognize the swell and know how to handle himself on it.

Tazrae broke from him then to stride up to the bar. He didn't mind, there was a small spark of joy at watching her walk ahead. Her enthusiasm for life was rubbing off on him. Marino kept his pace languid as he moved to catch up, and acknowledged Stu with a small wave of his hand. "Whatever she's having. I trust her taste more than my grasp of common." He said with a slight chuckle, jerking his head slightly towards the sign. Taking a seat beside Tazrae, he rapt his knuckles against the grain of the bar before resting his hands on top of one another. Looking over at Tazrae, he smiled.

"So what did you order?" He asked somewhat conspiratorially. Not that he was truly worried about what she picked. His pallet was generally indiscriminate and he'd known Stu to be a good cook thus far. The only thing he might not like would be something that was overtly bitter, and even that he could stomach for the sake of politeness. When the wraps came, he was pleasantly surprised by the taste and texture. The skin was crisp while the flesh was moist, and wholesome. Dipping it in the salsa helped keep the flavor fresh for every bite. To round off the refreshments was the fruity cocktail which had a surprising stoutness for such a pretty drink. Once he was finished, he brushed his fingertips together to get rid of the crumbs before taking up the drink in both hands. It was a delightful shade of orange that reminded him of mornings on the deck of the Seasilk.

"We were thinking about going out on my casinor, maybe doing a little fishing. Want us to bring you back anything?" Marino asked Stu, feeling a little more than cheery now that he had some food in him and time to soak in the good company. Drumming his fingers on the glass and taking a sip, he chanced a glance over at Tazrae next. "Twist might even help us out. He's got a knack for it."

[Tazrae]

The young woman smiled at him, her stomach rumbling. "Fresh fish wraps with mango salsa. I've never had mango salsa but it sounds delicious." She answered Marino, offering him a smile. She was starving after that swim and the drink came just in time. She sipped at it gratefully, glad someone else was taking care of her for once. And the wraps came soon after, leaving Tazrae not being shy about diving into her food. She ate with gusto, not knowing when the next meal would come with a day full of adventure planned with Marino. When she got a moment, she quietly requested Stu pack them a bit of travel friendly food for a dinner at sea or at least something to go with fresh grilled fish if they were lucky enough to catch anything. She was excited by the prospect of going back out on the Sea Silk and seeing Twist again.

With her stomach half full and her mouth freshly swallowed of its current enormous bite, Tazrae remembered she'd meant to ask Marino something.

"Oh! That's what I was going to ask you. Do you mind telling me what kinds of things your people eat from the sea that aren't fish? I need to expand my menu and ability to source foods, but I have no idea what's edible out where it's easy for me to harvest. So far, I've got clams, mussels in the freshwater, crabs, lobster, and a bit of seaweed. Is there anything else worth looking at to use? Anything I can add to that list you might know of?" She asked, her stomach full and her mind growing more active now.

The truth of it was, sailing with Marino was fun. It also had a quality to it that was slightly magical to the Innkeeper. She was looking forward to time with him out on his ship without anyone else around and without the immediate fear of drowning or being eaten by sharks. To her, he was a beautiful soul as lovely on the inside as he was on the outside. She had a hard time thinking of Syka without him being here... and she was grateful he stayed even when his pod moved on.

She had built something here, something he didn't seem to mind, and that too meant a lot to her. So when Stu cleaned their plates away and left a basket with her that looked like it was loaded with food and some sort of wineskin, she thanked the man profusely. He left her with a wink and stopped by Marino's side.

"If you two are going fishing, I could really use a big halibut. I'm getting low on my fish for fried fish wraps and fish and fries. Someone's going to have to bring me either a large halibut or a good crate of cod or I won't be serving food tomorrow. I'd clear your tab out for the trouble... and Tazrae's if you happen to bring two." He said with a grin, giving the two youths a goal for their fishing trip if nothing else.

"We have a lot of fisherman out here, but Halibut takes a boat and a good hand at sailing and fishing... a svefra... not old Mathias castings his line off his big old deck and bringing in a rock fish once in a while." He said with a laugh, shaking his head.

Tazrae smiled. She had no idea what a halibut was versus cod or even rockfish, but she suspected Marino would have no trouble with it. Maybe even Twist could help like the Svefra claimed his Tavan could. She didn't doubt one bit that Twist could help them fish, but she wasn't sure if he could tell the difference between types of fish. That would be interesting to know.

With the delivery of the basket, Tazrae rose. "Well, I think we're ready." She said, picking up her glass and finishing off her drink. She thanked Stu for the delicous meal, the basket, and the fruity drink.

"You ready?" She asked Marino, then walked with him out the door and paused, uncertain where his casinor was beached or tied off.

"Do you have any idea what a halibut is and if we can actually catch Stu a few? I'd love to help him out. He does so much for us and you know... he rarely takes coin for his trade. I run a tab then he comes over and eats at my place until he claims my tab is zeroed out and I never know if its true or not." She said with a laugh, laying an arm on Marino's arm.

While she listened to his answer and followed him whereever he started to lead, she also made one last suggestion.

"We never finished our question game. I know I have a few more questions for you. Do you want to keep playing? We could do Question or Dare.... if you don't want to answer the question, you can do a dare." She said, following him knowing the two of them could keep this contest going on day after day and probably year after year if the whim struck them. She didn't tire of talking to him and asking him questions. She already had several dozen ready for him.

Tazrae twisted a finger into her curls, pulling out the natural strand of hair straight and watching it bounce back without looking. It was a habit of hers when she was thinking deeply or nervous.

Word Count: 922

[Marino Oceangem]

There was something kinetic about that smile of hers. It pulled him in, made his heart skip a beat, and left him feeling warm on the inside for having seen such a treasure. He wanted to reach out to touch her then, but resisted. His fingers had a thin film on them from the meal. “I’ll have to remember this then, its quite good.” He managed between bites, grinning over at her occasionally as he sank into contentment. This was a good moment. Better than he had any right to ask for. There was a pleasant breeze off of the water, and he was surround by people he cared deeply for. An ideal environment for any Svefra.

Tazrae was speaking now an Marino leaned in to listen. To be closer to her, for any excuse. Her question drew him out of his daydream in a good way. It got him thinking about the good times he spent with the pod. About what they were happy to catch, and eat. He thought back to when he last ate a meal with his mothers. There was a pang in his heart at that bittersweet memory.

“I recall a great many things but perhaps it would be easier for me to show you than stumble for the word in common. Or, perhaps I can describe it and Stu will know.” He gave the man a glance, and a sidelong grin. Marino went ahead with his description. “We had these creatures that looked kind of like bugs, about as thick around as your thumb with many legs. An there were different sorts of these creatures scuttling about. Another favorite are these creatures shaped like stars that cling to the rocks. My mother would boil those for a long, long time before they were ready, usually with some spices.”

As he considered other creatures he might recall, Stuvantis broke in with his own interpretation. “A langoustine is what I think you are describing for the first creature. They are quite a treat boiled up and thrown in with a bit of salsa. A starfish is likely the second creature that you described. Something I can’t say I’ve ever tried before.” Marino looked surprised at that as he’d seen plenty of the creatures since he’d came to Syka. “You should. A little tough if you don’t boil them long enough, but a hearty addition to a soup.”

“I’ll take your word for it.” Stu said hesitantly, drawing a chuckle out of Marino. He was looking at Tazrae now, kind of wishing he had done more fishing with her before this point. It was a point he would have to make more in the future, especially because it seemed to help with her business at the Inn. Stu had disappeared for the moment, off to perhaps get that food prepared that Tazrae had requested. His own thoughts drifted towards their pending voyage. With his hunger sated, he was inclined to rush out there now on just a whim but his reason steered him to be patient, and his heart wanted to soak in this relaxing moment with her. He knew that there was no way of knowing how many more of these moments he had. No one could ever know that, which made them all the more precious.

He reached out to grasp her hand, not giving a petch right now if they were unclean. His fingers curling readily around her own before giving them a squeeze. Breathing in deeply through his nose, he was content to let the moment pass for a tick without saying anything. Just looking into those beautiful eyes of hers. Stu coming back brought him to the present as his eyes focused on the basket he’d brought, then onto the man himself. He offered Stu a genial smile as he moved to stand beside him.

“Halibut?” He asked his tone hesitant to which Stu replied by holding his hands out wide. “Fat fish that looks like a blade at an angle.” Marino nodded slowly, thinking he might have recalled seeing one of those before but it was hard to sort it from the rest of what he had seen underneath the water. “I think we’ll be up for the task then. I won’t have a problem with the sailing part though my fishing could certainly use improvement. I relish the opportunity Stu.” He added with a wide grin, patting the man on his elbow before turning towards Tazrae.

“I suppose I am” He replied, a broad smile still on his face as he finished of his drink while Tazrae had hers. With that basket coming along with them, he felt they were well prepared for an extended adventure out on the water which excited him. Her too he imagined as he moved to follow her from the bar, only to stop when she stopped.

“I think I’ve got a good idea of the fish he is talking about, and I’m certainly up for the challenge of catching a couple of big fish.” Marino said, feeling nice after hearing about how Stu and Tazrae cooperated together for the good of Syka. It reminded him why he had chosen to stay here even though his pod was bound for new waters. This was a good place, and he’d tell his pod that when they returned.

“I’d like that very much.” Marino said as he led the way down the shore towards the bungalows. His Seasilk was beached nearby when he’d came in from work that morning. It was a good way to buy time on thinking of her question, of the first question he would ask for the game, an what a fun one it was. He’d almost forgotten about it with all the buzz of late, but now that it was back in his mind, the idea was like a spark of activity. His mind a restless beast now with all of the possibilities unfolding before it. The idea came to him out of the depths.

“Were you afraid when those spirits appeared out of the totems?” Marino asked bluntly, tracing with his fingertips the glowing mark above his wrist. He had been. He had been so very afraid and he hadn’t felt like that in a long time. Of course it turned out to be more than alright in the end, but his first thought had been, ‘was this a mistake?”. Marino felt a small amount of shame at that thought now though he knew he had just been reacting to the moment. To the fantastically terrible emotions the appearance the goddess had raised in him. To see such power up close was a once in a life time experience.

He was almost reserved when he glanced at her again, though he did manage to eek out a nervous smile. As they continued on, the dot of the casinor grew larger, an his pace quickened a tad. These questions would be even better on the water, with his net in the water to hopefully catch something interesting. Marino reached out to hook his fingers through Tazrae’s as he listened to her response, and readied his mind for whatever question came from her lips.


WC - 1,201

[Tazrae]

The Svefra ate bugs from the sea? Tazrae was slightly taken aback, though she didn’t say anything having no idea what he was talking about. What had he said? Kind of like? Maybe they weren’t bugs at all, just resembling them? And, of course, she was careful to school her expression into one of interest rather than disgust. Marino’s accent was impressive, but his command of Common sometimes left his explanations lacking. Taz’s family had hardly eaten seafood, even in Riverfall, and especially after Tazrae’s father had died. Her mother Estra had preferred vegetables and fruits, claiming meat spoiled one’s complexion and waistline. And her mother had always claimed bottom-dwelling creatures like lobster and crab were garbage eaters. Tazrae didn’t care. Here in Syka, she ate these things to abundance, even adding clams and mussels to her diet and menu.

She had yet to try oysters, cockles, and scallops but she planned too soon enough. Stu had teased her about oysters which had caused her to skip over them the one opportunity she’d had to indulge. But she hoped the Svefra could give her more clues as to what was readily available and edible from the sea. If ever there were experts, Marino’s people would be candidates for sure to talk too.

“I would love to see it[list=][/list].” She said, not sure how in the world starfish were edible She had no idea what a langoustine was either. The word was utterly unfamiliar to her. Taz knew which fish to buy in the markets to bake or fry, but that was about the extent of her seafood knowledge. The Innkeeper did a lot of fishing, and utilized traps off the main dock, and dreamed of someday having a dock of her own to lay traps off of so she could have easier access to meat to put on her guests’ table.

But right now it was hard to think of food. Taz was full of Stu’s wraps which were always delicious and slightly relaxed from the alcohol he’d given her thinly disguised in the fruit juice. It was enough to make her forget about Svefra eating bugs out of the sea. She was a bit startled when Marino took her hand. She liked the affection – welcomed it even – and gently squeezed back. The Svefra was charming in his own way, sweet, and easy to be around. Marino left her then to get his marching orders from Stu on what they should catch while Tazrae claimed the basket and thanked the bartender quietly.

Taz used the opportunity to excuse herself and found Stu’s washroom to take care of the business of her bladder and wash up after the meal. She would be on the boat for Gods knew how long and had no idea how one took care of the calls of nature out to sea. She rejoined the men in short order and followed Marino down the shore towards the bungalows. As they approached the ship, even though it was still a tiny form in the distance Taz saw that the tide had come in. Like a child’s toy, the Casinor was gently tied off floating in shallow water as if eagerly awaiting their arrival.

They walked slowly towards it.

Marino agreed to the game and then surprised her with the depth of his question. She turned her wrist over and studied the mark upon it. She often visited the totems, washing any debris or inadvertent bird leaving off them when she was restless at her Inn. She knew some of the others must do the same for it was rare that she found them soiled and often that she found offerings at their bases. She mulled over the question and shook her head. “I should have been. Only a fool wouldn’t be… and I am most certainly that fool. I was… It was… it was a dream. I stared at them in wonder more than fear. It felt, at least for me, that I had stepped inside a tale of old filled with magic and Gods and Goddesses. I was having trouble grounding it in reality. I still hear their voices, you know… in my head. I visit them. I tend to the Shrine. They are very important to me and I want them to know how important they all are to us if we ever need them.” She whispered softly, thoughtfully.

“You’ve traveled the world. I’ve traveled only minimally… and that being the streets around my father’s Inn and later the courtyard of my step-father’s estate. You’ve probably seen things like the Guardians before. For me, it was an absolute first and I felt so small and insignificant. But being given the mark invited to take one of the spots available… it meant the world to me.” She said somewhat quietly, watching her sandaled feet sink into the sand.

“I can’t help but think there is an immediate threat looming over this Settlement if Kihala is taking an active roll in it. And I watch, daily, looking for signs of what might come. I keep training with my bow and taking trips with some of the people that go out in the jungle. I use the excuse of gathering food or learning how to survive, but the truth is I’m looking for what She warned us about.” Tazrae admitted.

They arrived at the Casinor and Taz saw that it would be just brief wade out into the shallows to be able to get into position to board the Seasilk. She let Marino take the lead though, not confident enough to just go jump on the man’s ship uninvited. She looked for Twist too, hoping to see his dorsal fin out in the water somewhere near. She was not concerned about him, not yet, because Marino didn’t seem to be. She took her cues from him on how the Tavan behaved.

“My question to you is…. what do you think the greatest threat to Syka is? Was the Goddess pointing at something specific and I’m just too stupid to see it or ….” She let the question trail off, not wanting to pile multiple parts into one round, but really wanting to know what Marino thought anyhow.

Taz glanced at the sun, raised her hand, and counted the finger-widths to the horizon. The distance was nearly six of her fingers. Six bells to sundown then. The girl was tired, but the food had done a lot to recharge her. Was she really going to spend the whole day with Marino doing no work? The thought was strange to her because she was so used to being elbow deep in dough or laundry. The work at the Inn rarely ceased. It was quickly becoming time where she’d need some help. James had promised to look around while in Riverfall again for a likely candidate. And even though the Inn had no guests today, there were a million things she could be doing. Tazrae caught the thought almost before it was out of her head. Spending time with Marino was important. She enjoyed herself with him and liked his company. He was a hard worker too so she suspected he enjoyed the respite as well.

Once they were safely aboard, Tazrae helped Marino pull the anchor line and stow it and then got out of his way so he could sail them out into the bay. She’d wait for his response with a mixture of curiosity and dread though. She should have kept the questions lighter.

Word Count: 1256

[Marino Oceangem]

Marino smiled gently. He hadn’t expected to hear that sentiment from her but all the same once those words were spoken they felt right to him. She had such strength that manifested itself in surprising ways. Leaving everything to start anew here. Trusting him to guide her on their first swim together. An now this. There didn’t seem to be anything this woman couldn’t do. He found that thought comforting even as he searched himself for the words he would say to her about his own trepidation. Fear was a poison he didn’t like to keep near his heart. Better to set it free, out in the open where it could flit away.

“I have thought of her words as well, and there are times I feel stuck by them. Unable to move, simply overwhelmed by the knowledge. My mind can’t help but go back to a time when last there was an ominous warning. The storm. An I can’t help but to worry for my family, to wish there was some way I could get word out to them easily from here. But…” He said, pausing to look at the sand for a moment as they walked. “I worry about everyone here as well and I struggle to sort out just how I should prepare.” Marino sighed, and fumbled over what else he could say to explain all the emotions that moment had woken in him.

It was difficult to follow her bravery with his own doubts. He felt certain enough that the rest of the Sykans would be able to meet this threat, however about himself he was less certain. If he was terrified by the goddess that was meant to help him, what use was he against the enemy she warned them about. Above all else he was worried that he would become a detriment to the community when the threat struck. A rock that threatened to drag someone under. He didn’t want to be a burden.

Their conversation continued on and eventually the reached the Seasilk, bobbing lightly in the shallow water. It warmed his heart somewhat to remember why they were hear. To distance himself from such dour thoughts, if only for the breath he took taking in the beautiful sight of the casinor. He patted the hull of the ship lovingly as they closed the distance.

Turning towards Tazrae, he offered to help her up onto the deck before coming aboard himself after untying the line. There was a chattering bark he recognized from somewhere deeper in the sea, and Marino smiled to himself at the noise as he regarded Tazrae. Twist always did have great timing, waiting till he was busy with the ship to turn up. Oh well, his tavan would just have to wait as he got the Seasilk righted for her voyage. Tazrae had a question to fill the void left after his own, and it was one Marino found particularly poignant.

“I have wondered if the storm that brought us the totems was a sign of what was to come. A hint of how we must prepare, but the way she phrased it makes me think whatever is coming will not be natural. Which makes me think it will be people who will come for us, and that is what gives me the most worry. People can be very destructive when they put their minds to it.” Marino said. His voice was somber as his mind lingered on the men that took advantage of his people after the great storm. Such tragedies should bring people together an yet he only saw the worst of people in those following days. He still had nightmares from that time. Dealing with the bodies of those who washed up on shore, and those who could not fit in the caves. The faces of those they left behind felt like they followed him when he found himself in situations of great strife.

As preoccupied as his mind was in the wake of her question he had time to feel thankful for her help setting up the Casinor. He would have been dragging his feet otherwise and having her moving along side him gave him just the infusion of energy he needed to establish a rhythm. Before too long, he had the sails drawn and the nose of the Casinor pointed out to the open sea. Twist was doing his best to distract from the work by hopping out of the sea and flipping several times. Marino longed to be in the water with him now, but his body needed a little more respite before they got back out into the water. An besides they were supposed to be learning how to catch this fish of Stu’s which was a problem he hadn’t yet tried considering the answer for. He had his net, and some fishing line which was a start he supposed though he hadn’t admitted to Tazrae about how few were the fish he’d caught so far.

Guiding the wheel gently to the left, Marino set their course to pass by the island when he thought of his follow up question. “If you had to make a sacrifice, what would you choose to give up?” He asked. The oddness of the question became apparent to him from the moment it left his lips, but for some reason it just clicked along with what they had been talking about. Perhaps he was in need of some respite with his pipe though he found that urge more destructive than anything else. He wanted his mind clear for their activity today as it was likely to use all of him to figure out how to catch this fish. Or at least have a chance at it as he was by no means certain about catching it.

While he listened to her speak, he sought out the deeper waters of the sea. Then when he felt comfortable or more likely, let Twist’s chirping get to him, he brought the Seasilk to a stop. Once the sails were up and the boat was rocking gently to a standstill, he went to the edge of the rail to look down at Twist below. His Tavan’s excitement was twofold as he anticipated them and his tricks became more elaborate. Marino found his friends antics heartening. Leaning against the railing, he turned over to Tazrae.

“Ready to have a look below. I’m interested in seeing if I found a good spot for our fish.” Marino said, and hopped overboard without a second thought.

WC - 1,092

[Tazrae]

Syka had a flavor to it. Tazrae could be anywhere in the world with her eyes closed and she’d know whether or not she was in Syka. The salty air tinged with the rich earthy tang of the jungle prevailed in the late mornings and early afternoons as the airflow carried itself off Falyndar’s wild land and out to sea. When the winds changed of an evening and the turquoise waters darkened, their scent carried onto shore along with the cries of sea birds. Somewhere around noon, when Syna was high in the sky there was a blending of both.

Tazrae loved such things, the middle ground, wherein there was two things coming together as one. She liked the spaces that marked boundaries and the beginning and ending of things. She liked the pause before the next thing came… the liminal. The beach too was one of those special places for her because it was a boundary. And it felt, in that moment walking with Marino, that they were in one of those places. He liked lighthearted and casual. Tazrae, if she were honest with herself, liked deep and serious. And after her question was asked and before his answer was forthcoming, they were in one of those pauses… a transitional zone that made her wonder if the change was one he’d accept.

Surprisingly, he did. For how long, she wasn’t certain, but she’d enjoy it while it lasted.

A pause to gather his thoughts, then soon enough words spilled out carefully mulled over and purposely spoken as if they were crisp even on his own tongue. They stretched as deep as the sea the moment they left his lips and she knew he took the topic seriously. People. Marino feared people. Tazrae wondered what he meant by that? Was it the tourism that The Founders had just opened the settlement up too? Was it strangers, Svefra even, that would invade in the night by storming beaches? Tazrae was afraid for a moment, very afraid, then reminded herself that the totems guarded all ways… not just the sea or sky. So if Kihala’s gift to them did so, that meant that the Goddess herself didn’t know what direction the danger would come from… otherwise wouldn’t her help be concentrated?

Before much more could be said, they were setting out to sea. Tazrae remembered the steps and followed Marino’s called directions in a blind trust of someone who could not contemplate the other making a mistake. Marino’s own confidence gave her a measure of her own and she moved around the Seasilk helping where she could until she found herself on the rail. Her sandals had long since been discarded long with her wrap and she stood with her toes curling into the smooth wood of the deck. She leaned out over the water, noting how fast it was getting deep, and then she smiled and waved when Twist jumped from the water and started frolicking alongside him. At least the dolphin was fine. She’d been worried when they hadn’t seen him earlier.

Marino’s question startled her slightly. Taz paused, reached up and shoved her unruly curls behind an ear, and really thought about what he asked. What did a sacrifice mean? A sacrifice to what? She leaned against the rail and watched the water pass by the keel, peering into the depths below.

“The only thing I really have of meaning is my Inn and my dog. I would never sacrifice a life, so it would have to be The Protea. I think people get attached to things and to places, to possessions… and the truth is being alive is so much more important than that. Why would I need to sacrifice? Haven’t I sacrificed time already? I do so daily volunteering to help with things… keeping up the shrine, pitching in on some of the meals at the Commons. So Time and The Protea I suspect… that’s all I have that’s my own and of enough importance to matter.” She said softly, glancing at him. It was a weird question and she wondered what drove it.

Marino was quiet, focused, and she understood that he needed to put his attention on the boat just then. She quietly watched Twist’s antics and then Marino dismissing himself from the land to join the sea. He was a beautiful man, but wild… like the ocean and the breeze and all the creatures around them. He was a lot like his tavan, she thought, as he dove down and enjoyed the sea. Had he always been a Svefra? Taz had read about people having past lives and she wondered if maybe in some distant place he had been somewhere with no water and that was why he loved it so much now. It was a fanciful idea, but one she mulled on a bit as she pulled off her long-sleeved thin shirt and the skirt that gripped her waist. She left on the bikini and had long since kicked her sandals off to one side of the cabin, having no need of them on the smooth wood of the Seasilk.

She ambled over to the place where he’d jumped in and sat down to watch him, not quite ready to rejoin him in the water just yet. Taz had spent half the morning following him through the water and wasn’t sure more swimming was playing good dice. She’d already rolled multiple times and had the imaginary set of ivory cubes in her mind land on ‘not drowning’ too many times for her to come up comfortable with rolling again.

The ship bobbed on gentle waves, its undulating motion lulling her into a restful teasing mood. “I read about reincarnation once. There’s this person – a god I imagine – who judges us at our death and we can either go to the land of the dead or come back as new life. Reincarnation he called it. We live countless lives, over and over again, and come back. He wasn’t the only person who talked about it. Someone stayed at our Inn once, just before my father died… well he was there during most of his illness… and he talked about it too. He told me that I had lived before… and that I was a warrior.” She said, offering Marino a tidbit. “He said he could see the past lives of others. He said I liked blood on my hands and that I would never settle down in Riverfall to do what my mother thought I should.” She said softly, then leaned down, lowering her voice.

“Do you believe in such things? Reincarnation I mean? That you’ve lived before?” She asked him quietly. She’d wait for him to answer her question before she continued.


“That man said such things when he was visiting. Tagath Darsul was his name. Do you know he even told me my mother wasn’t my real mother? He said he saw the dead sometimes and that my real mother was dead and living in the Inn my family used to have in Riverfall as a Spirit.” She added, slipping of the ship and carefully into the water where she started treading the undulating waves, keeping one hand on the boat. “I confronted my father about it… it was such a weird thing. He started to look serious and to tell me something but my mother interrupted. She laughed and said that I was being ridiculous telling tales like that.” Tazrae added. She shook her head, closed her eyes, and dove beneath the waves, awkwardly, and opened her eyes to look around.

It was beautiful beneath the waves, out in the turquoise water that had turned more green in the afternoon sun. She looked around for Marino, surfacing to drag in a breath, then paddled to the ship to get her hand on it again. The waters were deep here, far deeper than she thought she could dive to touch the sand and coral below.

“What is that? Twelve? Fourteen feet down?” She asked, guessing. It was hard for her to judge distance in the water or even under it. “Are the fish Stu wanted here? I have no idea what they look like.” She added with a smile.

Word Count: 1379

[Marino Oceangem]

Sacrifice. It was a word he knew uncommonly well. When his first tavan got sick, he was asked to make a choice. A heavy burden for a child to bear but one his mother insisted on. So Marino took care of him, and told himself it was for the good of the pod. Tazrae’s sacrifice made sense. It was a beautiful thing she was offering. A piece of herself with one caveat. To never take a life, which made him feel unexpectedly hollow inside.

While he had not had a hand in taking their lives, he still felt keenly those they lost in the Spring of 512. Choices had to be made, there was not enough room in the cave. It was the same decision as had been made for his otter. To sever the weakened part before it rotted the rest. A callus reasoning that made him feel lesser in her eyes even though he had yet to share that particular story. He wasn’t even sure if he would just because he couldn’t bare to see the look in her eyes.

He wished he had time to look into those eyes more but the sea called to him. “You have such wisdom for someone who has not traveled much.” Marino said, his voice soft as he looked wistfully away. The sails demanded his attention now, and he responded. It felt good the way the ship responded to his call. Grounded him in a way. Made him feel more real than imagined. He twisted the halyard left even as Tazrae helped him at the wheel. She’d make a fine sailor one day with a bit of experience. Maybe even save his neck if he found himself in over his neck.

The thought made him smile. She was his compass here at Syka. More than anyone else. When all felt loss, he could trust her intuition to steer him right. It was the only reason he found the wherewithal to recover that day when the goddess appeared. When she turned his world upside down and reshaped it into something uncertainly beautiful.

With a gentle wind bowing crosswise, the Seasilk traveled through the narrow channel out into the open sea. The current took them by the hand like a lover, pulling them out swiftly onto the open sea where he eventually found a spot he liked. Twist too actually if his behavior was anything to go by. An Tazrae he hoped. He really hoped.

Marino cut the sails, slowing them down a couple of paces till they glided above a patch of sea darker than the rest. He breathed out a sigh, and wished love to Laviku which was always in his heart when endeavoring out to sea before he wound up turning to Tazrae whom was all hands to help him pull her to keel. He smiled tentatively.

The mood was perfect for a story such as hers. A lull in the activity that left room for more. For words to fill the void. To allow for feelings to .bloom out of such solemn soil. She told a fantastical tale of other lives, ones that fell into another like sand through an open palm. He’d thought of such things once. A long time ago of what sort of adventures he’d have if he was another person. One of those men of land. Beyond hoping that he was a good man, he didn’t think much of it. Just a boy playing off of tales for his own amusement. Clouds did not reach him then. Not for a long while till he lost his uncle, an later his tavan. Then doubts were all he had. It crushed those fragile dreams when the last blow came.

It grew a bit strange when she mentioned the bit about her mother. He wasn’t sure what to make of it, but it gave him a strange feeling in his gut. Though when he dug, he couldn’t quite pinpoint what felt off about it. Just felt that it was strange that a guest would say that to her. Such a thing was almost unheard of amongst those the Svefra gave a ride to. Possibly because they feared being dumped overboard for such a careless mistake. Still it felt like he should say something. Give a voice to stamp what had transpired. She had given him a lot to think about after all. Of the lives that might have led into his and the ones his would lead into, Laviku willing. But first the water.

Marino felt rejuvenated splashing into the water, and coming up to see Tazrae sparkling above him. Still a little water in his eye maybe, though he didn’t mind seeing Tazrae in such a light.

“You look beautiful, and yes I hope. I’m about to check, but I figure I owe you a question to mull over while I do. What was a favorite story of your fathers? One he used to tell you when you were young before you slept. I have an inkling I’d like to hear that, though I’m willing to supply a dare if you want.” Marino said, and winked before diving underneath the water.

An then he was looking with his minds eye. His memory of the fish he’d seen below the water, hoping for a big one like Stu had mentioned. There were all sorts floating nearby. Floating colorful images but none quite how he remembered. He plunged deeper. Hoping to scour the sea floor. Twist dived with him, curious about his course. Marino smile. It was a comfort having his eyes down here. They were much keener than his own and could watch for the invisible monsters of the deep. At least he hoped. His lungs prickled with the first signs of needing air so he started up at a leisurely stroke. Surfacing to see Tazrae again. Taking in a deep breath before he grabbed the side of the Seasilk and heaved himself onboard.

“I didn’t see what I was looking for. I think we’ll run a little deeper and drop our lines in.” He offered by way of explanation before going to set the Seasilk to drift with the current. Deeper into the sea. He didn’t allow it to stretch for long. Just enough that he felt he would have a different set of opportunities down below. Then after he had gotten them properly stopped, he went below to grab his net, some line and a few hooks before coming to the side of the casinor.

“I’m not exactly sure if this will work for catching it, but I figure it is worth a try. Which one would you like to use first?” Marino asked, smiling broadly at Tazrae.


WC - 1,122

[Tazrae]

Tazrae spent just a bit of time in the water looking beneath the waves before she found herself back aboard The Seasilk. It wasn’t a conscious decision, but her body had participated in more than enough swimming exercise for the day and she wanted to enjoy the fishing from the deck, not from the water. The woman hated to admit it to herself, but her stamina wasn’t that of a Svefra born and raised on the water. Swimming took more muscles than Tazrae used in a month, and while the young woman had refilled her energy at Stu’s place… she knew her limits. So instead, she took to sitting on the edge of the deck and letting her feet dangle down the wooden side where she could still talk to Marino and enjoy his company … but relax.

He’d neatly avoided answering her question about Reincarnation. Tazrae was mildly disappointed at that, but gave him a pass on the thought that he might not appreciate such discussion. Not everyone liked philosophy, and she’d discovered a conversational partner that did like the topic. The young Innkeeper had quickly found out that her neighbor Mathias’ deck was almost always filled with older men that liked to sit around and tell stories or discuss history and philosophy. She’d wandered that way a time or two when loneliness overtook her. And once there, no one had seemed to mind if she just hung out to listen and join in… especially if she brought a treat for them to snack on. Marino seemed to her to be much more of a ‘get things done’ than a ‘sit around and think about things’ type person. And she appreciated both types… but keeping up with Marino’s stamina might be a problem.

So she just watched him and hoped he didn’t mind so much.

Tazrae was soft around the edges because she’d been kept at home and out of society most of her life. Syka was changing that. She’d never walked anywhere in her life. There had been carriages and deliveries. Yet here, there was room to roam and an environment to do so. She needed to change her physical strength and was doing so, slowly, for work around the Inn and even exploring the jungle was actually hard physical labor.

Marino was in really good shape. He didn’t seem to have any excess flesh on him and boundless energy. She wondered if he was born that way or if his years on the sea did that to him. Slowly, sitting on the edge of the Seasilk, Tazrae didn’t want to exactly be him. But she admired what he represented and what he could achieve. She wasn’t so assured of her own success… not when swimming most of the morning wore her out. And she didn’t quite know how to change that.


“Each day we are becoming a creature of splendid glory or one of unthinkable horror.” Tazrae muttered to herself. It was a quote from someone famous she’d heard from somewhere and it stuck with her. What did that actually mean? She assumed it meant choices in life where hers to make and that instead of shades of grey there were actual black and white pathways? She didn’t like life fitting into neat little unsurprising boxes of organization. Her mind didn’t run on those pathways. And even when Marino complimented her as they’d sailed into the first spot to check out the water – it hadn’t hit skin deep. She’d just smiled her thanks and said nothing, not having words to express her own periodic bouts of melancholy.

She remained rather quiet especially after she told him about her mother, what the visitor had said, and decided it had probably been the wrong thing to say. He hadn’t commented about it at all, just like he hadn’t answered her question earlier. It was a solemn telling anyhow, and she supposed she was dragging the trip down. Suddenly, even though it was Marino, she was regretting her agreement to come with him.

The compliment he paid her didn’t even remotely cheer her up. She didn’t care about looks. She was doing less than stellar entertaining him and the game was all but a flop if he was going to ignore her questions altogether. She felt a bit like a fool and only nodded to what he said. He wanted a story? Inwardly she sighed. She’d have rather heard something personal about him in turn, because she was proving to be less than good company to him on this trip already. Maybe she should dare him?

Then she remembered a story, one she loved… and decided to tell a story her father had told her of that day. “There is a day in Riverfall… the 60th of spring… called Sweetday. It’s all about celebrating candy and sweets. They give children packets of tickets the kids can use to buy sweets at various vendors. And the vendors compete to make the most appealing treats for the children to buy with the tickets. Then, at the end of the day the vendor with the most tickets collected gets their spot free in the market for the whole of the next year.” She prefaced the story with that tidbit, then looked thoughtful as Marino started roaming the boat to move it to a different position. Tazrae moved to be in a spot he could still hear her story while taking the ship deeper out before he anchored it again.

“There was a Miser that lived in Riverfall. He spent all his time building his wealth, hoarding his coin, and only spent it on the bare necessities feeding his wife, children, and servants only enough to survive. He was never generous with them and only dolled out coin as was absolutely necessary. He was wildly rich too, running a successful business in the Warrens. But that didn’t make him a good person.” She said quietly.

“He was incredibly miserly. He was so much so that his family was suffering and his servants kept leaving one after another. His wife prayed to Ionu for help. Their children starved mostly while the man’s coffers got heavy. Little did she know, the Trickster heard her.” Tazrae said, leading into the tale. “One day, the miser passed a confectioner that was making an exotic flavor of hard candy and he wanted one so bad he could barely think. The smell was divine. He did not stop however, because he thought if he bought himself one, he’d have to buy his wife, children, and servants candy as well… and candy was a waste of good coin. But he couldn’t get the smell out of his mind… all day he paced at home after his work was done and finally he asked his wife to go fetch him some after explaining to her that he smelled it and now couldn’t get the smell out of his mind… that it was driving him insane.” She said, smiling slightly at the thought.

“His wife was delighted! She exclaimed it was a generous thing he did and that they could afford to get everyone in the household some of the candy as a treat. She was thinking of her children and her servants who were hard working but never tasted sugar much. The miser slapped his wife for the thought and told her to only bring him back candy. Heartbroken she did so, going to town and getting the candy at the place he described and returning home. She bought enough for everyone, hoping the man would change his mind, but in the end, the miser ate it all himself.” She added, shaking her head.

“The next day he went off to work… but returned early. He smiled at his wife, exclaimed over her bruised cheek, and told her as an apology he was going to throw open his coffers and give generously to everyone in the household including the children and servants. The wife knew her husband and knew this man wasn’t him, but did as he said and helped him distribute most of his wealth to everyone around him, including his neighbors and people that lived up and down the row of estates where they lived. About halfway through this process, the real miser came home, saw what was happening, and called for the Kuvay’Nas. The guards soon arrived and stared at both men who looked identical appalled. But they were determined to get it sorted out.” Tazrae said, looking thoughtful. She was starting to have second thoughts about this being the right story… but she continued on.

“Ionu and the Miser stood side by side, one looking relaxed and at ease, and one looking furious. The Kuvay’Nas looked to the wife and decided, of both men, she and only she could decide who her real husband was. They asked her for honesty and to please tell her which was her husband. The other, they claimed, they would lock up especially if he was a thief. Well, the wife knew the man had taken no coin for himself, and had instead only given away her real husband’s wealth that he had so miserably horded over the years. And she looked to her children, both boys well fed and not hungry for the first time in a long time. Then she met the man’s eyes who was bright red and angry, and something passed between them. Then she looked at Ionu disguised as her husband and indicated him as her true husband.” The man’s jaw dropped and he couldn’t believe his wife’s betrayal. He rounded on her, enraged, and the Divine that stood beside him froze time a breath or two.” Tazrae said, taking a deep breath.

“Ionu looked at the man and then gestured to his wife, her children, and the servants that were happier than they’d been in a long time. He told the man that he had a beautiful family, but he’d been mistreating them with his miserly way.” Tazrae changed her voice… adopting a man’s tenor as best she could with her low alto whisper.

“You are about to lose it all because of your greed. You have a beautiful family. You have people that love you. You have more coin than you need. And yet you don’t feed them… you don’t nurture them. You don’t appreciate them. Even yesterday you struck her… this beautiful woman that gave you your sons… because she suggested you treat your sons who were hungry.” Tazrae said, in a voice not her own.

“I will let them take you away, charge you with impersonating a wealthy Rivarian, and you will never see this family again. Or you can promise to love and honor them, keep them well fed and spoiled, of which I will periodically check back to make sure you are keeping your end of the bargain. In return, you’ll have your life, an opportunity to make more money, and a chance to change your ways. In a year from now I want to see that if given the choice, your wife will choose you every time over some unknown stranger.” Tazrae intoned, still mimicking the Trickster’s voice.

“The man readily agreed. He didn’t want death in a combat arena or to be held behind bars and interrogated while they tried to find out how he changed his appearance. So he told the Trickster he would do it. And that he’d be a more generous husband to his wife and family… even to the servants.” Tazrae said, then smiled.

“So, before time unfroze, Ionu switched places with the man, pushing him over to where Ionu had been standing and taking his place as the accused. Ionu let the Kuvvay’Nas lead him away… for bars could not hold this being. And the woman was yet again stuck with her miserly husband. Only the man took what Ionu had told him to heart. And he took what little wealth he had left – for he could make more – and sponsored the first Sweetday, buying all the tickets the children were given free for them to spend in the market and then paying for the booth the business got free for the rest of the year. Everyone in Riverfall wants to know who the man is, but so far, only the Kuvay’Nas seem to know. And Ionu checks on the family, quite often, taking the place of a child or the wife, or even the Miser himself to make sure the man has redeemed himself and changed his ways.” Tazrae said, offering a smile to Marino and hoping the story was good enough.

She waited for his reaction to the story, then watched as he brought forth the net, line, and a few hooks. Tazrae shook her head thoughtfully. “I know nothing of net fishing. I’ve line fished before with a pole. I could have brought my gear but I didn’t think about it. I don’t know anything about just line and hook… don’t we need bait? Do you have poles?” She asked, knowing nothing about fishing off a boat. She was good at setting crab pots and lobster traps off a dock, and had cast a line out a time or two off the main dock, but she honestly had very little fishing experience.

“You choose for me.” She said, not bothering with a question or to continue the game. He hadn’t really asked her a question anyhow, just for a story which she was happy to give him. She had no idea if they could catch the fish Stu wanted anyhow or even what those types of fish looked like. And truthfully, she felt as useless as a necklace on a pig in the current situation.

Word Count: 2290