expiationlogs | [Catch-All] When in Doubt, Fish!

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fire emblem geneaology: ethlyn

[Catch-All] When in Doubt, Fish!

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.]

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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.]

[He recognizes it for the compliment that it is, and looks only momentarily startled before letting out a soft laugh, just this side of sheepish.]

Do I? It is entirely by accident, if so.

[Still, he smiles, and it feels a great relief to be able to do that with any degree of ease in her presence again, even if only briefly. His efforts continue steadily, and a small crease appears between his eyebrows as he narrows his focus.]

I am certain that you can gain a similar understanding, if you wish. Anyone who is willing to listen might hear the earth speak.

[It's difficult to tell if he's being literal or not, but there's little time to ask about it— he gives his chisel one last hit before drawing up to his full height and holding his tools out to her in offering.]

Would you like to do the honors? It is nearly ready to split, I believe.

I don’t think the earth really has anything to say to me. I also don’t know what I would say to it.

[Although ‘it’ might be a harsh way of putting that. Either way, she feels a little sheepish over the idea. She can’t imagine that she has a future in rocks of any kind. It’s just not… her. That’d be like trying to imagine Dohalim becoming some master fisherman. It’s just not going to happen.

When he makes mention of the geode in question, she stays right where she is and instead, shakes her head. He may have come here to lend her some assistance, but she can remember more than once that he wants to be more self-sufficient. It’s a good opportunity to show not just her, but others what he can do. Not necessarily a means of ‘showing off.’ More like a means of…

Well. Maybe helping him find himself.]

Why not keep at it? You’re doing a good job. I don’t think you need my help for this one. Besides, since I’ve been watching you, I have a better idea of how to handle it going forward. I can probably do the next one on my own.

Are you certain?

[He raises both brows, mildly surprised by the suggestion— though he had been happy to assist, he had not intended to rob her of the reveal.]

I suppose it could continue to serve as demonstration. I may as well see it through.

[He highly doubts she would have said so if she weren't sure; that's simply the sort of woman Kisara was, and though he doesn't want to give voice to the thought or draw too much attention to it, this moment is, perhaps, the friendliest they've had in a long while. It is not like the way things were as he left them in Pelegion, but something closer to friendship than not, and that is something more valuable to him than any stone.

Giving a nod of confirmation, he proceeds to split the rock open, and it breaks to reveal layers of blue and white running through its center, sparkling in the light of the work area.

He smiles, clearly pleased.]

An excellent find. Stunning, is it not?

[She suspects she doesn’t need to really provide him an answer. Kisara isn’t the type to say things that she doesn’t mean and it’s a rare situation when she should speak without thinking a little on it first. But like anyone else, they’ve all witnessed that she is extremely human. Instead of a wordy response, she simply nods and motions, as if it’s a wordless beckon for him to continue. She can get the next one. Kisara somehow gets the feeling this won’t be the only time that she gets herself involved with geodes.

As he splits the rock open, she leans in to get a better look at the innards. Faced with the stunning blue and white, for several moments, Kisara can only quietly admire. She never would have thought anything of stones. To her, they’ve always just been… rocks. Clearly she’s been sleeping on them. Perhaps too wrapped up in her own affairs to take notice before.]

It is.

[Reaching over, she follows the curves of the blue using her forefinger with a smile.] This part makes me think of the rivers back in Menancia. Right outside of Viscint. And this…? [Gesturing toward the white, she continues.] Kind of like Cyslodia, right? I’ve never seen it myself, but that’s what I read.

[He nods, his gaze lingering on the upward curve of her lips before he shifts it to follow the path her forefinger takes. It's such a small thing, a pleasant moment that may well before forgotten by her even before the day is out, but he is glad to see her smile in any circumstance, to see some glimpse of the Kisara he considers himself fortunate to have come to know.

Strained though their friendship may be, moments of happiness, however small, are worth far more than their own weight in gald.]

When you describe it as such, it brings to mind the idea of another world all its own inside these stones— rivers, peaks, valleys. Much like souls, no two geodes will ever be the same, each with its own story beneath the surface, waiting to be told.

[Translation: "nice rock."]

[If she notices his keen attention, and on some level she must, Kisara chooses very deliberately not to address it or pay it any more attention than she feels is particularly needed. It helps that he distracts her from it with characteristic poetry. He wouldn’t be Dohalim if he wasn’t doing that.

It almost feels normal for some moments, though it’s anything but. She can pretend, however, for at least a breath or two.
Maybe more.]

That’s definitely one way to put it. How very… poetic of you.

[She hesitates just a moment after. Every time she’s tempted to say his name, habit kicks in. She’s called him her ‘lord’ for long enough that it’s become almost a part of her. Trying to call him something else is not quite something she’s come to terms with.]

You should use some of your free time here to write some. Maybe fill their libraries with it.

Do you think so?

[Of course she must. Kisara had never been inclined to say things she didn't mean, after all, and he's certain this is no exception, though it's more encouragement than he feels he can rightfully expect from her at this point. Still, it sparks a smile, one that is equal parts soft and genuine.]

I do not know that many would appreciate my love of verse.

[Their companions were certainly weary of it, after a certain point— one it hadn't taken them long to reach.]

Perhaps the natives will be more receptive to it than our friends.

[She doesn't really know for sure, but the people in this world likely aren't facing the same issues that Dahna is. At least not to Kisara's immediate knowledge. If the conjecture is true, they might be more inclined toward poetry or other such things. They seem fond of their ballads, after all, if late nights at the tavern are any indication.

It may only be a matter of time before one of the tongues gets a hold of something Dohalim's written and turns it into lyrical song.]

Do you really have anything to lose by trying to find out?

[Maybe she shouldn't be encouraging him, but in the way that he's trying to be independent, it seems as if it might be more beneficial for him to have support, even if Kisara's offering it from a distance.]

I suppose not.

[Encouragement from her in particular means more than it would from most, even if he cannot tell her so— and despite their current situation, it is not as though his passions have changed.]

I had not given it much thought, truth be told. Our circumstances have lead to my mind being elsewhere, but perhaps I might indulge while we have some downtime... though I do not wish to waste time that can be put to good use, otherwise.

[A conundrum— they certainly do have time here, but he's been making an effort to make himself useful, to better himself. He does not want to let that fall by the wayside.]

[She can understand where he's coming from. Dohalim is in a unique position. The others have their own priorities, their own focuses. He has his past behind him. A man he wasn't proud of and wants to be more than. In this world, he's had no shortage of opportunities to make that happen, though he likely has spent a majority of his time concentrating on that rather than self-indulgence.

A little of the latter would probably not kill him.]

I think you'll have time to do both. Opportunities to put yourself to good use and opportunities to share your poetry. Who knows, maybe the poetry will do more good than you realise. You probably have time to figure that out, too.

There is certainly time.

[He concedes to that aloud at last, allowing himself to relax just a touch. Her encouragement means a great deal to him— he values the opinions of each and every one of her friends, but for more reasons than he can count, he holds hers in the highest regard.]

If you think it may be good for me, then I will be sure to take it into consideration. Our being here does not necessarily mean we need abandon our passions, does it?

[He sounds as though it truly is the first time he's given it much thought, but he does intend to keep it in mind now.]

Should I write something, would you like to be the first to see?

[He does not normally ask— usually he simply recites his poetry without preamble— but in this case, perhaps it is best to ensure it would be well-received, first.]

[He ought to take it into consideration for himself rather than because she thinks it would be good for him. It is likely that he means it in a complimentary way, however. Not because he's incapable of thinking for himself, but because he holds her opinion in high regard. She can't imagine why that might be. Such a thought process will not make up for actions of the past.

Or inaction, as it were, and what such has led to.

When he offers to share his potential future works with her, it doesn't take much time for uncertainty to flutter its way across her expression. Kisara wears it well when it comes to matters of artistry. If it was fishing or cooking, maybe she'd be able to lend better opinion.]

I don't know that I'd be much help, honestly. I don't know the first thing about that kind of stuff.

Perhaps not, but that only makes your opinion all the more valuable.

[There is, he will admit, a touch of bias to be had here, though there is a practical angle to it, as well.]

Your response will be honest, if nothing else. That means far more to me than how 'experienced' someone is with poetry— it should be accessible to all, the same as music. It is meant to evoke an emotional response in whoever may hear it, not only those who have pursued it themselves.

[On one hand, she gets it. Having the objective perspective makes Kisara a prime candidate for offering opinion. She is less likely to be moved by such things. They won't impact her the same way that they would impact someone like Dohalim. But still, without the expertise, she has to wonder if she's really the right audience for these kinds of things. Without the experience, without more of that knowledge, isn't she a little ill-informed to provide him insight that would be more useful?]

I would be nothing but honest with you. As ever I've been. As I ever intend to be. At least, to the best of my ability.

[Shifting her weight a touch, she settles a hand atop her hip, gesturing idly with the other as she continues.]

If you're sure. I'll help out where I can, but no promises that anything I say will be helpful.

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[Catch-All] When in Doubt, Fish!

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