[Flashback] Fishing with Father

[Orin Fenix]

Orin Fenix Food Equals Love 5, Spring, 505 Orin was, for once in his life, actually, completely, unquestionably happy. The sun was shining, and Orin turned his face, eyes closed of course, to bask in its warmth. He sent a brief and silent prayer to Syna in thanks for her light. He didn’t know if she could hear his thoughts, but in his mind it didn’t hurt. The air was filled with the scent of growing things and Orin took a deep breath through his nose to soak it in. He sent a similar prayer to Caiyha, just to keep it fair. Birds were chirping and Orin strained his ears to hear them, even if they were likely just protesting the passage of intruders through their homes. It had been a long and cold winter, but spring had come early and gloriously. Orin was determined to enjoy all of it. Most important of all, Alexander, Orin’s father was beside him. Alexander had woken clearheaded and in a good mood, an event that Orin could count on the fingers of one hand. He had even ruffled Orin’s head over their breakfast of porridge. Apparently, the good weather had caused even Orin’s father’s perpetually dour spirits to rise. Since it was much to early for any of the spring planting to begin, and Alexander seemed unusually chipper and hadn’t reached for his drinks yet, Orin had already decided it was a wonderful day. His surprises weren’t over yet though. As Orin had watched, amazed Alexander had pulled two fishing poles out of the corner where they had been sitting, gathering dust and cobwebs for as long as Orin could remember. His father had turned to Orin and said gruffly, ”When I was your age, my old man, your grandpa, took me out fishing. I think it’s time to continue the family tradition, don’tcha think?” Orin took the proffered pole in a hand that he was proud only trembled slightly. The two of them had made their way to a secluded pool near the Outpost. There, Orin’s father had checked his pole, string and hook for signs of wear and tear. Orin copied him, even though he wasn’t quite sure what he was looking for. It all looked good, the string not unraveling at all. When his father grunted, apparently satisfied with the condition of the pole, Orin set his aside as well. The next step was a mystery to Orin. Having never fished before, he was waiting for his father to show him what to do. His father, however, had always been uncomfortable using his words, preferring to just show Orin how tasks were done. Alexander appeared to be digging in the dirt. Orin couldn’t fathom why, until his father triumphantly held up a worm, still wiggling. Orin’s eyes widened in understanding, and he dropped to his knees, scrabbling to dig a hole. The dirt felt moist under his fingers, probably because of its proximity to water. Soon enough, Orin discovered a worm of his own. It felt slimy in his fingers and Orin couldn’t wait to get rid of it. Still watching his father, Orin repeated his father’s motions as the fishing hook speared the worm. Then, the two of them stepped up to the water’s edge.

[Orin Fenix]

Orin Fenix Food Equals Love Orin bounced a little on his toes with excitement, causing the worm to bob in the air in a manner that was more than a bit comical. Orin couldn’t help but giggle at the sight. He quickly swallowed it when he saw his father’s disapproving glare, not wanting to spoil this so-far perfect day. Satisfied, his father turned his gaze back to the still water. Throwing the pole over his shoulder, he cast it out. It flew smoothly through the air, landing with a small splash near the center of the pond. Ripples spread out through the clear water in concentric patterns. It was blue, but just cloudy enough that Orin couldn’t see beneath the surface. However, he could already imagine the fish darting to nibble on the tasty treat being dangled in front of them. Orin couldn’t wait to get to work himself. He threw the pole over his shoulder. Unfortunately, he threw it over his shoulder with such force that it flew more upwards than backwards. It arced in its path before it landed over a branch. So, when Orin tried to throw it forward, it failed. Looking behind him, he nearly started crying, ashamed that he had already messed up so badly. Dropping the pole, he ran to the branch. Hopping up and down, he tried to reach it, but was much too short. Suddenly, he felt himself flying through the air and shrieked. His father laughed at his surprise, and juggled him up and down a few times. Finally Orin felt his father steady him. Orin reached up and began untangling the tangled string from the twigs it had wrapped itself around. He moved slowly so as not to tear it. A particularly stubborn strand refused to move. Orin jiggled it back and forth. It moved slightly with each movement he made, until it popped out from the two sticks it was stuck between. After that, the rest of the process went fairly smoothly. The worm had fallen off at some point during Orin’s issues, so he quickly scrambled to dig up a new one, not even minding the feeling of the dirt or the worm this time. He hooked it. His father, who had pulled his pole out of the water, came up behind Orin. Guiding his movements, he pulled Orin’s arms back carefully until the pole was mostly upright and just slight back. He then had Orin throw both arms forward in a smooth motion that caused the hook to fly until it plopped into the pond, causing just a bit of water to splash up. Releasing Orin, Alexander turned to his son. ”Very good! Now, try it on your own.” Practically glowing with the praise, Orin drew the line back to shore. Doing his best to replicate the motions, Orin put his pole in the air, then moved it forward as quickly and as accurately as possible. This time the hook went in the proper direction and landed where it was supposed to, in the water. Orin kept it there, looking to his father for approval. His father patted him on the back, then went to reclaim his pole and cast his own line.

[Orin Fenix]

Orin Fenix Food Equals Love Orin hadn’t realized exactly how much of fishing was simply waiting. And waiting. And waiting. And standing. And waiting some more. Basically, it was a whole lot of doing nothing for a long time. Orin honestly couldn’t believe did this for fun. On their days off no less! Maybe it was supposed to be relaxing or something, or maybe the activity was more enjoyable with company or friends, or maybe Orin was simply doing it wrong, although how he could be standing holding the pole wrong was beyond him. Orin was incredibly bored but he didn’t dare voice his opinion. His father was calm and good-humored and Orin really didn’t want to do anything that could potentially ruin the mood. However, Orin was full of nervous energy. He kept fidgeting. It caused his line to bob and dart along the surface of the water. It made a funny pattern. Orin watched the rings spread out. He wanted to be moving like that, running around the forest, jumping into the trees. But, even more, this time with his father was precious to him and Orin tried to still his hands. His father seemed oblivious to it all as the sun crept steadily across the sky. Orin’s skin started to feel quite warm. He knew from experience that his fair skin didn’t handle too much sunlight, but his father’s tanned and wind-weathered face obviously was used to it. His father definitely didn’t realize how easily Orin burned in direct view of the sun. But still, Orin wouldn’t give up this moment for anything. So he stood resolutely as the skin on his arms became pinker and pinker. Suddenly, Alexander’s line bobbed, and Orin’s father jerked forward slightly. Orin dropped his pole in surprise and it rolled away, the line going slack from the suddenly lack of tension. His father strained, muscles in his arms bulging against his shirt, but seemed unable to pull the fish out of the water. The pole curved as the two forces fought for control. Orin was terrified that either the pole would snapped or his father would get pulled under by what Orin could only imagine was a monster fish. Running to his father, his own pole forgotten, Orin slipped between under his father’s arms and turned putting his back against his father’s chest. Although Orin wasn’t strong, he hoped that their combined weight would be enough. Hopefully Orin could tip the tide of this battle. Pushing against the ground, Orin gripped the smooth wood of his father’s fishing pole in both hands. He tugged with all his might. His father, seeming to appreciate the moral support if nothing else, because Orin certainly wasn’t much of a physical difference, redoubled his own efforts. Together, they began making progress in the tug of war, although the fish was still holding its own for a while. However, Alexander gave one last mighty heave, and with a giant splash, an enormous fish came out of the pond, hooked at the end of the line. It landed by their feet, and began flopping around desperately.

[Orin Fenix]

Orin Fenix Food Equals Love ”Oh shyke, it’s a pike. Look at that bugger!” Alexander exclaimed. Orin knowing nothing of fish, peered curiously at the now helpless animal. It was bouncing around, gills fluttering, as it apparently couldn’t exist outside the pond that was its home. It was large and long, one of the biggest fish Orin had ever seen in his life before. Which, admittedly, wasn’t many, since the typical diet was pork, mutton, or beef. Fish was only for special occasions. Maybe fish were usually this size and Orin just hadn’t realized it before now. Orin’s father quickly grabbed the fish before it could accidently slip back into the water. Alexander also grabbed the bucket that Orin had no idea why he had brought it along. His father dunked it in and removed it from the pond so quickly that it sloshed over. Setting it on the ground, Alexander threw the pike in. Orin peered at it for a closer look. It was a strange olive green color, with three sets of fins on both sides. The fins were a curious color, almost red. While Orin couldn’t get a good view of the underside, it looked to be a much lighter shade, almost a greenish-yellow or even close to white. It appeared spotted to Orin, until he realized that those were simply scales. The fish quickly settled in to its new confines. It didn’t quite fit, so it had to curve around the outside edges. Orin figured that had to be incredibly uncomfortable for the fish and he almost felt a pang of pity for it. Then Orin saw a glimpse of the sharp teeth. As Alexander reached back into the water carefully, he removed the pike. He wrestled against its mouth and Orin was afraid the pike would bite him with those sharp backwards pointing teeth. However, his father carefully kept his fingers out of the mouth as he angled the hook out. Also, the pike seemed much too busy just surviving, its head and its tail wiggling frantically in his father’s grip. Orin could almost see it relax as it was placed back in the bucket, although that was most likely all in his imagination. He didn’t think fish of any kind were capable of intelligent thought. His father took up his pole again. ”Now, the reason I put ‘em in there,” Alexander explained, gesturing vaguely towards the bucket, ”is because that’ll keep ‘em fresher. Once we catch a few more, we’ll work on cleaning ‘em and whatnot. Now get back to work young man! Daylight’s a wastin’” Orin smiling, ran back to his pole which had been laying on the ground this entire time. His line was drifting and it looked like his hook might have sank all the way to the bottom of the pond. Pulling it out, Orin resumed his position by the water’s edge. Excitement rising, he threw the pole up, then out. The motion felt much smoother now, even though he’d only successfully completed it once before. Fishing was turning out to be a lot more thrilling than Orin had expected it to be. He settled in to wait with no signs of boredom this time.

[Orin Fenix]

Orin Fenix Food Equals Love Orin’s line bobbed, the hook and worm hidden from sight. He’d already been waiting for the better part of the day now and still there were no bites. He was of the opinion that whatever they had done to the pike had scared off all the other fish in the pond. But still, his father didn’t show any signs of packing in for the day so Orin, in his own childlike way, was sticking to the course as much as possible. He wanted his dad to be proud of him and he’d do anything to prove it. Even standing here when he had already decided that nothing was going to come of it. As long as Alexander was out here, Orin would be out here. Even if they had to stay all night. Even if it started raining. Whatever happened, Orin refused to break before his dad did. Nothing else Orin had done had managed to impress him, but maybe this would finally do. Even if there was only the smallest chance that it would work, Orin would do everything in his power to seize it with all his power. His father remained totally oblivious to Orin’s thoughts and seemed content just to stand there. Orin watched him out of the corner of his eye for any sign. He was so focused on Alexander that when his line jerked, he was completely unprepared. Luckily, he managed to keep hold of his pole. Hands clenched tightly around the wood, Orin felt himself panicking. Despite his death grip, he felt as if he were losing control of the entire situation. ”Dad, what do I do?!” he cried out, losing his hard won composure. ”Pull, pull as hard as you can!” Hearing his father’s instructions calmed Orin. Although he knew what he was supposed to do, he’d never really been in this situation before. And Orin didn’t always react predictably or well when he was confronted by something new. It was probably why so many bad things happened to him. He knew people didn’t really like him and that was probably part of the reason. But all this introspection wasn’t helping him land the fish. He gave an experimental tug, but nothing seemed to happen. Frowning so hard it caused furrows to appear between his eyebrows, Orin added more strength to his tugs. The fish seemed to increase its resistance correspondingly and Orin’s shoulders were starting to feel the strain. Feeling annoyed, Orin channeled that and gave a mighty pull. With a splash a fish popped out and came towards Orin. With a congratulatory yell, Orin reached down to pick up with catch. It was wet, obviously, and the scales felt strange against his skin. Remembering his dad’s catch earlier, he removed the hook from the fish’s mouth. It was caught and stubborn, and the constant motions of the still living fish didn’t help. Finally it came free, and Orin turned triumphantly. ”Da, I did it, I did it! Look, look!” Orin was practically jumping around his father. He was full of energy and joy. Chuckling, Alexander dutifully examined Orin’s fish. It was much smaller than the pike, but Orin was still inordinately proud of it, even though he had no idea what type it is. His dad reached over and ruffled his hair. Orin felt tears spring into his eyes at the unexpected surge of emotion he felt. But, they were happy tears, though Orin didn’t dare cry in front of his dad. He was sure that a silly smile was stretched across his face though.

[Devi]

Your Grades have arrived! Orin Skills: Fishing - 5XP Socialization - 2XP Observation - 4XP Lores: Happy Memory: Fishing with father. Fishing: How to cast a line. Fishing: Using worms for bait. Fishing: Not for the impatient. Fishing: Catching a Pike Comments: Lovely thread, very bittersweet reading knowing the other side of Orin's relationship with his father. I'll be interested to see if you have any other memories to share, whether good or bad, of Alexander. It would be lovely if fishing for present-day Orin triggered a particular reaction because of this memory! A quick note - on the second paragraph of your fourth post, it looks like the sentence at the end may be incomplete, may be worth a quick tweak! Let me know if you have any questions and don't forget to edit your post in the Grade Request Thread. Happy Writing!