witchesreign | Action 002

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Action 002 | Balamb Town

[For the first time since his arrival, Ryu had departed from the Garden. His destination? Balamb Town. Between classes, he had done plenty of reading. What species of fish are native to the area, where the town is, things to do or examine, so on and so forth. Now he was ready to relax after so many weeks of classes. He looked up to the sky with a smile. Not a cloud in the sky, and not too hot, either. He couldn't ask for better conditions.]

I wonder if I can pick up some vinegar while I'm here... Maybe horseradish, too. If they even have those ingredients.

[Well, as much as he wanted to make shisu for some of his new friends, it took a back seat in his mind once the coast came into view. His grin couldn't get any bigger at this point, and the sight just made him move faster.]

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[Wandering the shops himself and apparently buying bright red yarn and another ball of orange yarn. Really you'd think the guy knit or something.]

Shouldn't be too hard to find.

You're out shopping, Marco?

[He offers a friendly wave, closing the distance to talk.]

How've you been?

Yup. [Waves back.]

Good, you?

I'm alright. Anything I can help you find?

Nah, I've got it. Anything you need help with though?

Oh, no, I think I'll be fine. Just out here to kick back and relax a bit!

Always a good plan, eh.

Say, Marco. I hope you aren't terribly sick of eating fish. I've got something I'd like for you to try later. It's a recipe from my world.

Luckily I don't get sick of fish. I lived my whole life on the ocean or islands. So long as I don't have to catch it, eh.

[Katara had come out to town by herself to buy a couple of toys for the kittens; she doubted Zuko knew how to entertain them! The people at the pet shop had recommended some unusual toys (fake wobbling mice? A small stick with a bom bom at the end?) which she had bought and was now carrying in a small bag.

She passes the harbor, pausing for a moment to enjoy the cool breeze brought by the sea-- and while it's warmer than home, it's enough to make her miss her world all over again. She's in no rush to head back to Garden; so instead, she inches closer to the edge of the pier, taking a seat to let her legs dangle over the edge.]

It's nice out here, isn't it? [He came up from behind, but still observing personal space.] Waiting for someone? If so, I can find another fishing spot.

[He didn't exactly recognize Katara from the Garden, but his blue hair might have drawn a little attention.]

[It takes a moment for Katara to realize someone's talking to her. She looks up, and the first thing she spots is the blue hair-- it's as blue as the sky! But thankfully she catches herself before she stares for an impolite amount of time.]

It is a nice day! And no, I'm not waiting for anyone-- feel free to fish here.

[It wouldn't be the first time someone on this world found his hair weird.]

Thanks. My name is Ryu.

[He takes a seat near Katara, fetching a hook and bait from his tackle box.]

Nice to meet you! I'm Katara.

[Katara watches Ryu with interest-- she's not unfamiliar with fishing as she use to go out with Sokka to fish when they were younger. Of course, now that she can waterbend they don't really resort to string tied to sticks anymore.]

Hoping to catch something big today?

I'm hoping to catch something period. I'm using bait from home, and I don't know what would catch the eye of local fish. I guess I need to do a little more reading.

[The hook hit the water a fair distance away, and slowly began sinking. Now the waiting game began.]

[She leans back on her arms, her gaze finding where the hook hits the water.]

It's been a while since I've gone fishing-- though, my brother is usually the one who fishes. He's not very good at it; I always manage to catch more stuff than he does.

[That earns a laugh out of him.]

Maybe I should give him some lessons, hm? You oughta show me how people do it where you come from. I bet I could learn a thing or two from it.

[Even with weeks devoted to sword play, training and...Things that he doesn't understand how they can be relevant to fighting, but still attempts to muscle through, Oswald hasn't completely forgotten that odd conversation he had with the newcomer. And this notion of fishing.

So, when he notices Ryu moving through the halls with that bizarre fishing pole, it's only natural that he elects to follow at a distance.

...Introduce himself and ask if he can come along? That's a preposterous notion.

...

...And has nothing to do with the fact that he might not understand how to properly express those things.]

[He's either blissfully unaware of Oswald's presence, which is entirely possible considering how excited he is about this, or stalking people is something of a custom where he comes from. Either way, Ryu is more than happy to lead the way from the Garden and into Balamb Town.

He does, however, make some side stops. Mostly browsing cooking ingredients, talking with the locals, and earning a few strange looks for his hair. Business as usual!]

[He really fails to see how this counts as 'relaxing.' It just appears to involve talking and looking cooking ingredients, ~~without buying anything and with no Pooka vendors or portals in sight~~ neither of which Oswald considers out of the ordinary.

And the former is still something he doesn't look ready to indulge in; the most interaction he has is just scowling at anyone who pauses long enough to make eye contact with him.

Which is a lot fewer then before; as much as he still holds the garden uniform in contempt, it draws a lot less attention then black, spiked armor.]

[Completing the business at hand, he settled on shopping later. At the very least, he would almost be able to replicate the recipe for Shisu.

Having made his way to the docks, he settled on one of the longer paths, setting his fishing rod and tackle box down and getting ready to fish. Line and bait preparation didn't take him very long, and soon enough, he tilted his rod back, and cast his line out into the water.]

I wonder if I can catch anything good out here...

[...Still no inkling on just what this all entails. It seems like there's nothing for it but to ask Ryu directly.

To Oswald's credit, he HAS learned something about getting people's attention; don't shove them on the shoulder, lest you get sent sailing through the air. He doesn't feel like swimming much today, either.

Instead, he just moves up close before speaking.]

"So this is what fishing entails?"

I was wondering when you'd speak up.

[He turns and addresses Oswald directly, keeping one hand firmly gripped on the fishing pole.]

Well, this is part of it. The other is catching fish and having good friends around.

"...You noticed me."

[He doesn't sound all that pleased about it, but doesn't phrase it as a question. Then again, this isn't the sort of stealth he's used to practicing. ~~Where killing anyone who sees him counts as going undiscovered. His definition of 'stealth' could still use some work.~~]

"I don't see either of those things, yet."

[He remarks, scanning the skyline and the water lapping beneath the docks.]

You don't do the things I have without learning to detect people around you.

[He pats the spot next to him, motioning to Oswald.]

Take a seat, enjoy the view. Relax a little!

[Oswald makes a monosyllabic sound in response. He's still not exactly thrilled about that, but at least it's because the person he was following is good at noticing things.

That spot also gets a dubious glance, almost like he expects it to clamp down on his feet and trap him. But after a moment, he kneels down into a sitting position, and takes another look at the ocean.]

"I've taken in the view. What happens next?"

[The response to Oswald's question didn't come from Ryu, but from the rod suddenly jerking in his hand.]

This happens next!

[Ryu hops to his feet, his eyes locked on where the line met the water. The way Ryu stood, this may as well be a war with whatever poor fish was in the water.]

[That's enough to get him on his feet, half wondering if the situation is going to call for swordplay. Although...There's nothing for him to attack, precisely, save for that line that keeps jerking back and forth.

Against his dignity, Oswald finds himself giving Ryu a confused look; just what exactly is one supposed to do, next?]

Reel in your catch!

[It was a tense three or four minutes, Ryu kept pulling and letting the fish pull. The struggle only went so long. There was a brief flash of the fish Ryu had been trying to catch, and then the line snaps, sending Ryu flopping back on the dock, and the fish safely escaping.]

Ow... [He rises from the ground, rubbing the back of his head.]

"I have the impression that isn't supposed to happen."

[Oswald glances down at Ryu, and then at the swiftly retreating fish. Forging in Erion was never this complicated; just grow plants for fruit, or something living that you could stab at until it stopped moving.]

"...Just stabbing them sounds like it would be more simple."

[Although at the moment, he's trying to determine just how one would get close enough to a fish to use a knife or a sword on it.]

If you think you can catch a fish by jumping into the water and flailing a sword around, be my guest. You'll only scare them off.

[Once he recovers from the failed fishing attempt, he repairs his broken line, puts on a new hook and bait, and casts the line out once again.]

The next one won't escape.

"I could manage it."

[And maybe? There's a faint, ghost of a possibility that he could. What he clearly can't manage is keeping from sounding a touch moody over it.

But after a moment of glowering, he also follows Ryu's lead and takes a seat again. Although...He keeps his hand close to his sword, just in case.]

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Action 002 | Balamb Town

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