[Catch-All] When in Doubt, Fish!

[sisterlyshield]

Who: Kisara, You
Where: Aldrip, Bodies of Water outside of Aldrip?
What: Just a casual catch-all for the month. Fishing! Geodes! More?
Warnings: Probably not? Probably not.


I. Tʜᴀᴛ ᴛʀᴏᴘʜʏ ɪs ᴍɪɴᴇ!

[Kisara hardly needs an excuse to go fishing. Even had there not been a tournament, she would be fishing with a great deal of gusto. The idea of being able to provide for others continues to be a worthy motivator. Kisara has always been best when she's taking care of others. To claim that it's fully altruistic, however, would also not necessarily be true. It's as much for her as it is for anyone else. Gives her time to think. Gives her time to piece things together. Gives her time to find an outlet for thoughts and feelings she otherwise would be holding protectively to herself.

But for now, between catching food for others and getting her hands on that rather modest sculpture, she has her most capable hands full. Although she's made some submissions here and there of fish she's caught, she's also paid visit to others taking part in the tournament, some of them just to watch, some of them with the interest to help them make some progress. It seems just like her to help those who might otherwise be considered competition. She understands, after all, that she might have an unfair advantage. Kisara appreciates a level playing field. There's no honour in it otherwise.

So maybe she's helping you out. Maybe she's the one with her line yet again in the water. Either way, Kisara's ready to make some quieter conversation. Can't go disturbing the fish overmuch, after all.]

How're you enjoying it so far? You have everything you need?

II. Wʜᴀᴛ's ɪɴ ᴀ ʀᴏᴄᴋ, ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴡʜɪᴄʜ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ sᴍᴇʟʟ... ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴀ ʀᴏᴄᴋ.

I'm not saying I want to give up fishing for working with rocks, but this is pretty cool.

[Kisara is a painstakingly careful woman, especially when it comes to something that requires a little more finesse. She'll be the first to admit that she isn't really elegant or graceful. Working with a small little hammer in an attempt to break open a rock without completely shattering it is a work of art in a way. If anything, she's probably been focusing a little too hard on this geode business.

With her little rock-hammer in hand, the furrow in her brow is deep. Tongue poking out from the corner of her mouth, she's tapping along the rock with care in an effort to break it open and get to the lustrous colour at its centre. What she'd like to do is give it to someone here, though maybe she can find a way to keep one for herself as well. Maybe someone will let her do a trade, because she has to admit that she's not eager to go spending money.

...She never really is.]

I feel like this is taking forever, though. I'm afraid I might grip it too hard and undo all of my hard work. Think you can help me out? Just a little tap.

[Just a little tap!]

III. Tʜᴇ ᴡɪʟᴅᴄᴀʀᴅ ᴏᴘᴛɪᴏɴ

[This is for everything else. If you would like something in particular, let me know! I'm happy to write a personalised starter for interested parties. You can contact me on Discord (in the server), via PM, or over on ofthesky.]

Comments

did somebody say rocks

[sincleavers]

[Plants and scarves and fashion are well outside of Alphen's wheelhouse, but rocks? Those are definitely in his comfort zone, and he's shown as much by helping to haul them around whenever people need an extra set of hands replenishing the geode stores or moving broken ones. Phew. Just like home. For now, he's taking a break from helping to see what all the talk is about, and so far...]

It really is, isn't it? I never would've thought that so many precious little things were hiding in something so ordinary. Kind of makes you wonder how people discover things like this, huh?

[Just a little tap. He really tries to remember that as he brings the hammer down, but it ends up as more of a thunk! The rock cracks, but doesn't break all the way. It's hard to tell whether it's splitting in two or in three pieces, though.]

ROCKIN AND ROLLIN

[sisterlyshield]

I'm willing to bet they discovered it entirely by accident. Isn't that how that kind of thing normally happens?

[In fact, she would venture to think that most of the discoveries made in the world happened because someone else just happened to stumble across them. People can't know everything, after all, and there are just too many unknown variables to take into consideration.

She watches Alphen's hammer make contact with the rock. A bit nosily on her part, Kisara leans over his shoulder to get a good look at the progress he's made. For being such a strong guy, she's pretty impressed that he has such discipline. Maybe it was just a lucky strike, though.]

Oh, that looks pretty good. Maybe one or two more hits should do it?

[sincleavers]

That's true. You never know what could really happen until you try...and that goes for accidents like that, too.

[He can't help but think of the Blazing Sword, when it comes to that. If they had never been ambushed in Calaglia...it's possible they might have discovered the Blazing Sword later, in some other equally accidental moment. But it certainly wouldn't have been available to them when they most needed it to defeat Balseph. Who knows? If not for that one accidental moment, the Gates of Fire might still be standing.

Somehow, thinking about that makes him feel nostalgic. All said, he misses their days of traveling more than he's said out loud. For now, though, he examines the round rock in his hands, taking her suggestion to heart.]

Let's find out. Here goes nothing--

[Thunk! This one less gentle than the last, but it does the trick. The rock falls open roughly in two halves, though an entire chunk from one has come off as well, making three pieces total.]

[sisterlyshield]

[She can imagine a little what he might be getting at with that. Accidents aren't necessarily a bad thing. A lot can be discovered out of them. She's certainly seen enough of them in the recent times and she isn't sure she can consider then good or bad just yet. So far, they feel... not great.

But maybe they just need time. It sure feels like a lot of things need time.

Instead of weighing in, however, she lights up when he manages to crack the rock in half. Well, three pieces. The interior is an array of blues and purples. Beautiful to behold. Doesn't look like the kind of thing one would find inside of a rock. In a way, rocks are like people.]

Wow, look at that.

[With a grin, she looks over to him, gesturing to one of the pieces.]

You should keep one. You helped me get to it, after all.

[sincleavers]

[Much of Alphen's life has been defined by accidents -- at least, the parts of his life he can remember. Even if it feels like being in the wrong place at the wrong time, sometimes...somehow, it ends up turning out to be the right thing. It's a little incredible, honestly.

His face lights up with a grin as the rock comes apart. So much of his time in Calaglia was defined by them, and yet, he hardly knows the first thing about them. That metaphor hits a little closer to home...though, maybe not exactly in a way he likes, at the moment, when they're all surrounded by so many unknowns and unknowables. In any case, he tries to concentrate more on here and now, giving Kisara a bit of a surprised look.]

Really? I didn't do anything special, but...thanks, Kisara. [He picks up one of the pieces, thoughtfully turning it over in his hand. It's amazing, isn't it?]

It almost looks like the night sky, doesn't it? I never would have thought something like this was hidden inside that.

[sisterlyshield]

I mean, you helped me. Isn't that special enough?

[He's her friend. He'd stopped her from making what could have been, would have been a terrible mistake, even if she doesn't quite always agree with that. He's here in this world with her and the others. Little by little, she's trying to move forward, unsure of how to do so, but in a position of so much certainty, Alphen feels a bit like a rock himself. Steadfast and secure. If he can be so stable, then she has to try to be the same way.

Admiring the interior, Kisara's smile is undeniably fond.]

That's a good comparison. I guess it's sometimes so easy to get caught up in what's going on around us that we can miss out on that night sky. Maybe we'll both think of it every time we get a look. It's probably a little on the nose to say that even the simplest packages can have something beautiful. There's a life lesson here, maybe.

[sincleavers]

I guess I can't argue that. [... Or rather, he knows better than to argue that.

There's something really poetic about the idea that something so special can be hidden inside of something ordinary. It reminds him a little bit of their group -- on the surface, they all look like ordinary folk (aside, perhaps, from his mask). But with some care and a little bit of a push, their true potential really starts to shine through...

The same can be said of a lot of people and things, really, but it still feels kind of special. Makes the memento feel special, to.]

I know what you mean. In a way, it makes me think of Dahna. We've all been caught up in finding the lords and gathering the master cores...it's too easy to rush ahead, instead of taking a little bit of time to really appreciate all of our surroundings. Sometimes we need to slow down a bit and enjoy what we're doing.

i am so sorry

[aintyourdad]

[ The one thing, more than any other, that has convinced Joel he is definitely not in his own world, is this: that random strangers not only feel safe in approaching him, but sometimes seem to feel obligated to do so. It is, by far, the most baffling thing about this whole situation. The trust, the absolute, blind trust in the kindness of strangers.

His shoulders tense, though he doesn't otherwise change his position as he sits on the bank of the river, tying off his fishing line. ]

Do you do that a lot? Ask random strangers questions?

NEVER BE SORRY

[sisterlyshield]

Hm...

[Does she do that a lot? Kisara can admit that she's a friendly type. She wouldn't say she's the best with her conversation, but sometimes just a little show of kindness can go a long way. As long as one knows their audience, of course. In this situation when it comes to just talking about fishing, it seems like a relatively safe and trivial subject to approach.

Although some people just really like their peace and quiet. Joel's reaction could very well be what hers is when she's deep and involved with her fishing.]

I wouldn't say so. I just happened to be in the area. I appreciate people who are fishing. Didn't see the harm in it. And I'm not intending to scare off what you're trying to catch.

[Or what he's already caught.]

[aintyourdad]

Where I come from, talkin' to strangers is liable to get you killed.

[ He says this as a statement of fact - no implied threat or anything like that, simply an explanation as he continues to work with his tackle. He clearly isn't planning to attack her, anyway. It's just the only way to explain why so much questioning, why all these strangers trying to talk to him, puts him on edge. ]

It's dangerous. This place, it may not seem dangerous yet, but it is. One way or another, it is.

[sisterlyshield]

[She gets that, too. Elde Menancia was a shockingly peaceful place once Dohalim was instated as lord. Prior to him, talking was a greater concern. She could talk with her brother. The kids at the orphanage. Some others. But saying something to the wrong person? Having a Renan overhear her? Certainly a guarantee for a shorter life expectancy.]

I don't think you're wrong for thinking that.

[Kisara looks over her shoulder, resting a hand atop her hip with some consideration.]

I don't think anyone should be taking the situation for granted. I also think a tactical approach would make more sense, but I also understand that sometimes people are driven by their emotions.

[aintyourdad]

Your emotions bein' the helpful, talk-to-strangers sort?

[ Joel also isn't exactly big on telling his plans to strangers he just met, so he's not commenting on whatever his approach may or may not be. ]

[sisterlyshield]

Is that what it seems like?

[Where do her emotions lead her? Kisara isn't sure she knows the answer to that anymore. Protecting others, perhaps. That's how it's often been for her, but is she doing that for others, or is she doing that for herself?]

I guess I try to be helpful where I can be. I'd... like to be helpful. But I wouldn't say I'm very good at talking to others. I try, but I'm not very graceful with it.

[Like now. It's a wonder she's not completely put her foot in her mouth. Yet. She's great with advice and observation with people she knows. Not strangers.]

II

[baldrshand]

[Ethlyn's been fascinated by the jewelcrafter's demonstration of his craft--watching a skilled artisan at work is always a satisfying thing to do, and she's grateful that he's sharing his talents. That he's letting them participate is even more generous, and sensible that he's doing so at a step where mistakes won't hurt the process too much.

She looks over at Kisara, also at work on a geode, being very careful in her strikes. Ethlyn is approaching her own in the same way, caught in the difficulty that healers sometimes are in deciding whether it's best to deal with the problem gently or firmly, so she nods sympathetically to the request.]

Of course, I'd be happy to. [She eyes Kisara's geode critically for a moment, looking for a likely spot.] Here goes nothing...

[tap!]

[sisterlyshield]

[Ethlyn has a considerably more gentle touch than Kisara. It's not that Kisara can't harness that kind of discipline. It seems as if she constantly feels at odds with trying to be ladylike and not quite being able to achieve that. As a result, she can't help but feel a little sheepish when Ethlyn comes to the rescue.

She taps right on the rock, finishes the work Kisara's put into it, and she's able to carefully pry apart the geode. The interior is scattered shades of green and a splatter of blue. Kisara pauses for several moments, a bit taken by just how pretty it is. Sure, she's seen the others when they've been opened, but it's a little different when she's opening it herself.

Leaning over to Ethlyn, she offers her a half.]

Thanks for the help. Take a look!

[baldrshand]

[Ethlyn gives a little sound of delight when she succeeds at opening a crack on the geode, and she leans forward eagerly to see what's inside.]

Oh my... [She takes one half of the geode in her hand, turning it this way and that to watch the light sparkle off of the green and blue, changing the depth and the shade of the colors simply by changing the angle a little--and then she turns it over, looking at the rough grey exterior.] I never would have guessed that there was such beauty inside of such an ordinary-looking thing. I wonder how they can tell which rocks are really geodes?

[sisterlyshield]

That's a good question. I don't actually know, but it'd be worth asking. I imagine a lot of it probably has to do with exposure. When you've seen something enough, you eventually can recognise it pretty easily. If you're an expert in the field, then it probably doesn't take much thought either.

[But as it stands, Kisara wouldn't know a geode from any other rock. Dohalim would probably know. He'd be a worthy person to ask.]

I know someone here who's good with rocks. He might be able to tell you more, too. Pretty sure he worked with geodes and similar things back home. Whether you know a lot or a little, though, sure doesn't make it any less amazing.

[baldrshand]

[Ethlyn runs a finger over the rough exterior of the geode again, trying to see what might identify it to someone who can tell it from an ordinary rock.]

You're probably right. I can often tell whether someone has a break or a sprain just by looking at their limb. [She laughs a little self-deprecatingly as she hands the geode half back to Kisara.] But spotting geodes is a little less dire.

[Her expression becomes more interested when Kisara talks about knowing someone who's skilled in these things.]

Someone good with rocks? Do you mean a jeweler, or someone who uses them for other purposes? I'd be interested to talk to them.

[sisterlyshield]

There you have it.

[Point driven home. Refinement of skills, time, patience, and experience make them what they are in their respective fields. Kisara is probably a bit like that, too. Coming up against opponents, whether it be person or zeugle and she can probably determine weak points and where their vulnerabilities are. She could probably tie this back to fishing, too, but thankfully she's avoiding that subject for once.

This is about rocks, after all.]

A jeweller? Oh, nothing like that. [She can't help laughing a little bit. Picturing Dohalim doing any kind of tedious labour like that seems completely unlike him. He likely doesn't have the discipline for it. This is a man who Kisara has had to dress on more than one occasion, after all.] A lord, actually. With an interest in relics and rocks and things like that. His artes let him make use of the earth, so he has a little control over rocks and plants.

we rock

[menancia]

They are not quite so delicate as you might think.

[That said, he can certainly understand her hesitation to use too much force— while he cannot call himself a rock expert by any means, his experience in manipulating earth astral energy for so many years means he does have something of an affinity for them, and he cannot deny that he is curious to see more of what these geodes have hidden inside of them, stunning as they are.

He smiles, raising his own little hammer in offering.]

I would be happy to give it my best, regardless. It is not so different from chiseling debris from an artifact that's been underground. A steady touch and a bit of patience seem to be the key.

[sisterlyshield]

[The fact that he sounds so knowledgeable about it really isn't a big surprise. This sort of thing is right in his wheelhouse, after all. She's certain she heard his arrival before he announced it with his voice, but she has to wonder if she would have asked had she known it was him.

Things continue to be strained at best, though she can't quite explain how their last little run-in with one another went the way that it did. She's still trying to figure that one out. Best that no one else asks about it, because she's almost positive she won't be able to provide an answer.]

Somehow, I'm not surprised at all to hear this from you. Makes me wonder if you've been at this for a while. You're welcome to take a crack at it if you want. Otherwise, I'll just keep going at it myself.

[She offers over her geode. If the situation were different, perhaps, Kisara might feel a little more proud of that tongue-in-cheek humour, but somehow she thinks it might be wasted on this occasion.]

[menancia]

[In truth, he feels it's safe to assume that Kisara hadn't realized he was the person nearest to her when she'd asked for assistance, but he is glad that she hasn't immediately rebuffed him even so— she would have been well within her rights to do so, but it would seem she is making an earnest effort to go beyond simply civility, and he is humbled by it. Of course, Kisara has never been one to do the bare minimum in any situation, and despite the complexity of their current relationship, he supposes the same standards apply.

For that, he is grateful.]

A 'crack,' hmm?

[He smiles knowingly, taking the geode in one hand as she offers it.]

I will make an attempt, though I will leave the reveal of splitting it open to you. That, after all, is the best part.

[He wouldn't want her to miss out on it. Once the geode is sitting steadily, he takes his own little hammer and chisel and begins to work at its surface, pressing his lips together as he carefully but soundly taps at it.]

Have you managed any others thus far?

[sisterlyshield]

[Perhaps the humour hasn't gone completely to waste. At least, he seems to get it. Not really his brand of humour, however.

She takes him in for some moments. He handles everything with so much grace, even when he knows that where they stand with one another is tumultuous at best. Much like her feelings when she really takes the time to try parsing through them for understanding.]

No. Not yet. I watched others open their own, though. I was concerned that I might be a little too hard on it and I didn't want to accidentally break it.

[Especially not since she was considering actually giving him a part. Although now that idea seems terribly silly if he's the one putting in the effort to open it for her. She might have to open another specifically just to get around that.]

Sounds like you know what you're doing, though. I feel like I would have known if you were breaking geodes back in Viscint.

[menancia]

No doubt you would— there is little that ever escaped your notice.

[It was part of what made her an excellent guard captain, part of why he had come to trust her so implicitly. If only he had managed to be so observant himself— for just a moment, his gaze looks distant, darkened, but he quickly composes himself.

Now is not the time.

He gives the chisel another sharp tap with his hammer, harder this time, and a small dip appears in its surface, a foothold for further efforts.]

I have broken some that have turned up during my pursuit of Dahnan artifacts, but I confess to an advantage thanks to my time spent manipulating earth-aligned astral energy. Just as artifacts seem to speak, so, too, do stones. Still, while the crystals within are beautiful, they are not so fragile. You are in no danger of harming them.

[sisterlyshield]

Oh, that's true. You've been using astral energy longer than I have, after all. You probably have a very good understanding of how the earth works.

[And other things that go hand-in-hand with it. Ore. Gemstones. Crystals. Geodes. And so on. A part of her realises that she's never really talked about that kind of thing with him. Maybe because of the line that was drawn between them as lord and servant. Having any kind of personal conversation with him just has never seemed appropriate.

She wouldn't necessarily say that it's appropriate now either, but...

Maybe it's just easier to focus on his geode breaking skills than anything else that surrounds the complexity that is Dohalim's person. She ships the way she stands and finally just leans onto the nearest support to watch him.]

Somehow you even make this look elegant.

[It's a compliment. Really.]