Fantasy RPG Forum - Standing Trials

Posted: **Wed Jul 03, 2019 2:45 am**

10th of Ymiden 719

Cail walked around the ship looking around for her rod and bait. She wanted to work on some fishing with Paige, the child had been bragging about her skills. It was a shame to say that the Biqaj was far behind where her skills should have been. Though she was not above having the child help her learn better. Her father had always been really weird about accepting teaching from those younger than he was. It took some time, but the woman finally found what she was looking for. Though it was makeshift at best, the few times the pole had been used, it had worked well enough to catch enough to eat.

There had been plenty of times that the woman had the line snap from trying to reel in a fish that had too much power behind it. Digging around, she found the fishing line and hooks as well. There was nothing fancy about the hooks, they were just simple metal hooks. But that did not mean they were not effective in catching some kind of fish. Her mind was pulled back when the child called for her from above.

“Coming!” Cail called with a smile.

The woman walked up to the deck and chuckled seeing the pout on the child’s face as Triton prances around her. She could not believe it had been nearly two seasons since the Biqaj had met the child in the water. Truthfully it was thanks to the little Tuwana Oonah that the little one had survived. As good as Cail had gotten at sailing, she still missed things when focusing on steering instead of watching the rest of the area around her.

“Finally. You’ve been taking forever,” Paige pouted and hurried down the gang plan on to the pier.

“I’m sorry, it has been a while since I got a chance to actually stay in one place and fish,” Cail stated with a chuckle.

It brought back memories of when her mother had taken her out to fish as a child. The skill was something her father knew was necessary, but that he did not put much value in when it came to what he taught. The man had always been more about running his crew, navigation, and general ship maintenance. All of which were very important to the Biqaj races way of life. She remembered mentioning U’Frek just briefly when the storm had come in that day.

There were not many times, that the girl found herself in a position to call on the Immortal. It was something sacred that she only used if there was a storm big enough to cause damage to her ship or possibly cause her ship to overturn. Thankfully, the last big trip out to sail around the lake had been for fun just to feel free from the city for just a moment. Even though her blood called for freedom, her pockets called for money so the girl stayed where she could be paid. It was no always easy, but going out to sea with little provisions and no help would prove fatal for her.

Posted: **Tue Jul 09, 2019 10:53 pm**

Tree Talk Xanthean Common

There was a little skip in Oonah's step as she scurried along damp planks, nimbly dodging seamen and dock workers who were too busy to notice the Tunawa, trying not to be underfoot as she looked for the right ship. The last they spoke, her Biqaj friend had asked Oonah if she knew anything about fish. Sniffing distinctly she had claimed the fishy smells wafting about as her only true knowing; but, after thinking more about it, she knew some types of fish that swam in streams and those flying ones they had seen two season's past on Oonah virgin voyage.

But when asked 'Why?' the Biqaj woman went all secretive but for an invitation to visit totrial. Oonah couldn't wait to see what new adventure Cail had in store for them - if only she could find the right ship. She really could not tell it apart from many of the others floating about.

She had climbed across the mooring lines of several ships to look for Cail, Paige and Triton without luck. At the last one she had been called, 'Rat!', and nearly been beaned by a half-peeled turnip thrown by a ship's cook as he prepared for a meal. Just as she had begun to lose hope (and more than a little temper) she heard a familiar barking.

All lightness about her was gone as Oonah climbed over the rail onto the ship unable to completely erase the scowl creasing her face. "This ship not easy to find! Looks like all others and never in same place! For next time must you tell me how to know!" She must have really been frustrated because her Common was almost perfect.

Any angst seemed to evaporate when her eyes found something intriguing. Beside a long willow pole twisted about with lengths of light-weight cord was a wooden box that shone in the sunlight like a treasure. "Ohhhh!," Oonah coo'd and stepped closer. Admiring the bits and pieces brought to mind the various medical kits that the Order was putting together but she couldn't for the life of her figure out what this kit could be for.

Within the box was a collection of several brightly painted corks, reds larger than the yellows. Both would be easy to see floating on top of the water. There were molded-lead sinkers of different weights and gleaming curves of sharp-barb hooks. She couldn't help but drift her fingers over a carved, wooden lure somewhat resembling a frog and a skein of cord - a piece of which tied together a colorful bundle of songbird feathers.

Looking between Cail and Paige she wondered, "Is task for us to do what with for these? Part of adventure plan?"

As they explained, Oonah gave another cry of delight to see a smaller dirt-filled box with a nice selection of grubs and worms. "Say you did not for dinner too!" Dangling her fingers selectively over the fish bait, Oonah pinched a particularly fat grub and popped it right into her mouth.

Posted: **Fri Jul 19, 2019 2:47 am**

Cail looked up at the sky to figure out what kind of time they had to work with. They did not want to be in the sun when it reached midway in the sky. That would cause it to be too hot to really do anything. Paige and Triton both whined ready to leave even though Oonah had still not arrived yet. The woman calmed them both by letting Paige play with Triton by throwing a stick he had brought on board several trials before. It wasn’t long after that they heard Oonah call out when she finally made it on board.

The face that greeted Cail made a nervous laugh come from inside of her. She did not think about how hard it would have been for someone Oonah’s size to find the ship. Chuckling gently, the woman apologized while scratching the back of her head. It was a relief to know that her friend had finally managed to find them.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean for you to get lost,” Cail stated.

She was glad when the woman hurried over to see what was in the tackle box. It had taken a while for the Biqaj to acquire all the things necessary for the pair to go fishing. Cail was so happy to see the woman begin to light up at the thought of going fishing. Even if she was not sure what all that entailed. The Biqaj went to answer but stopped short when Oonah mentioned lunch. She looked around for a split moment to see if Paige had brought some kind of food with them. It wasn’t until the little woman popped a grub in her mouth that Cail’s mind seemed to skip a beat.

“Oh, maybe we should have caught some more. I did not know that you liked to eat grubs,” Cail said.

She took the bucket from Paige letting her carry the pole. The woman allowed her friend to stay sitting in the bucket of bait for as long as she wished. The group set out through the city trying to find their way to the water. As they progressed, she began to hum while watching the city around them. She had heard stories of what other cities were like. Some were about the studies, others survival amongst the forest around them, and others survival amongst the citizens themselves. A part of her was glad that they had found a city that was not really one for a lot of fighting.

Of course her mind drifted to all the different things that had happened the last few seasons. The flame creatures had been something horrible to watch. She had opened her ship as a place for people to hide or move from the city with. There were not many that took the offering either not trusting her or not wanting to leave their home. Both of which were understandable reasons, she had been knew and the city was under attack. Any one who did not want to stay was a fool in her mind.

Paige calling her name caused the woman to look down at the child. Her mind quickly returned to her body as she looked around at where they had made it. The group had made it a little ways past the city away from where the ships were at. Smiling, the girl was glad that it would be a good place to start their little and venture.

“This looks like it should be good,” Cail stated.

Posted: **Tue Aug 06, 2019 2:35 am**

Tree Talk Xanthean Common

Perched on the lip of the bait bucket, as it swung in Cail's hand, Oonah helped herself to a another grub after offering one to each of her companions. Cail's blink and the blanching of Paige's face clearly indicated their desire to Not Partake. Even Triton turned his nose up after an initially eager interest then confused sniff.

Reaching in again for a particularly fat one, she heard the comment about needing to catch more and realized that there must be something more planned for these than a meal for her. Regretfully dropping it back into the bucket, Oonah fastidiously brushed the dark crumbs of worm dirt from her fingers. "Yes, worms and such with seeds and berries is good. Fleshes of the forest to eats. But what do with white worms if not for dinner?"

Paige piped in with a simple explanation as she swung the cord wrapped pole about before her in long swishing arcs. 'They are fish bait, Angel Oonah.' Her perk little nose crinkled in disgust, "The fishes like to eat grubs too."

That made sense to Oonah even if she didn't understand what the child meant by 'bait.' "To fishes we will feed dinner? Many fishes in big waters, think surely not enough have you caught to feed much!" Now concerned that she had helped herself to several that were supposed to be for the fish, Oonah diligently watched the ground for movement rather than the city scapes they passed through. Did fish eat bugs like she did too? Maybe a few grasshoppers could be added to the menu.

Cail announced their arrival at a very pretty beach rather like about any other beach that Oonah had ever seen, "Is good looks? Is water. Should have fish. How looks good different than other waters near?"

While Cail busied herself with the long pole and box of pretties, and Paige and Triton raced along the shoreline, Oonah stalked quietly through the stiff grasses following the elusive sounds of cricket chirps. If she made too much noise the wily insects stopped their music. Soon though, her waiting pause would be rewarded by their renewed calls and she would get a few steps closer.

Seeing a glossy brown carapace, Oonah cupped her twiggy fingers into a small basket-like shape which she darted forward and down atop a wriggling insect. Nearby chirps immediately stopped as the Tunawa lifted her prize. Plucking a thin but firm plant stalk, she pushed the greenery through the delicate membrane of the cricket's wing, effectively impaling without killing it.

She caught and strung several more before Paige caught on to what the little healer was doing. Giggles and groans mixed with 'No Triton!' soon followed. By the time Cail would call them back, they both had a tidy batch of cricket kabobs to donate to the fish dinners. The young girl announced, "Look what we caught, Cail!"

"Good about Nature's flesh... easy to find if know where to looks." Oonah grinned proudly, mirrored by Paige whose cheeks glowed with effort. "Though not always to catch easy!"

The tiny Tunawa was ready for the next steps, "So, how do fish know time to dinner come?"

Posted: **Sat Aug 10, 2019 5:20 pm**

She had not meant to make Oonah feel bad about eating the grubs. Before the woman could answer the question Paige piped up telling her the insects would be bait. A soft smile played on her lips as the little woman was concerned about how many grubs the group had to feed the fish with. Cail put the pail down and took the rod making sure that the line was good and the hook was unbent. She had snagged a box to use as somewhere to keep the fish. Picking it up, the woman tied a rope to the side then let it collect water about half way up it. If they were not careful anything they caught would go bad before they made it back home.

Putting the box on the shore where it wouldn’t float away, Cail looked around for a limb that could be used as an anchor point. Once it was secured, the woman would let it float in the water so the water would not get hotter than necessary. Sitting down on the sand, the Biqaj began to hum gently while working on tying the rope to the stick. She moved the box back into the water and before pushing the stick down into place. Once the woman was content with the strength of the stick, she looked over and clapped seeing the haul of crickets the pair had caught.

“That looks great, but I think you missed the meaning of what Paige said earlier. We are not actually just feeding the fish. We are doing what is called fishing. It’s kind of like hunting only with fish. A hunter sets traps and leaves some kind of meat for the target to come for. Then the trap kills the animal without feeling more pain than necessary. It’s the same way with fishing, the grubs are the “meat” to attract the fish to bite on the hook. When it tries to leave and the pole moves, a fisherman will jerk the pole back and the hook will keep the fish from getting away,” Cail explained not meaning to go that deep in depth.

But she knew better than to assume those who don’t eat fish or never go outside of a city to understand anything less. There had been many in the past that had looked at her strange for the way she had fed herself. Most of those people had been the ones that could afford to go and eat every day, three times a day at different restaurants; or had the money to send their workers to the market and cook for them.

Posted: **Tue Sep 10, 2019 11:46 pm**

Tree Talk Xanthean Common

Oonah listened with dawning understanding as Cail explained their true purpose in being there. "Hunting? Traps?" She couldn't help but remember the severed wolf's paw she had found caught in the metal jaws of a trap and how badly it hurt for her to get caught in one as well. She winced, not really believing that trapping fish wouldn't hurt, as her hand brushed against the cut, more of a crimp really, gouging the rough bark aross her mid-trunk.

Disbelieving even more so when she realized what the sharp, curved metal in the treasure box would be expected to do. "Does not sound like no hurt. Before ever you have been caught in trap to know no pain? Have I and hurt muchly it did! And I no die! Dying might hurt muchly more! Think I like maybe more for me eating meal for fishes and save fishes from eating to death!"

Paige, pipped in, "Oh No! They don't always have to die! We don't keep the little ones or the ones not good to eat. Those we toss back. Sometimes people go fishing just to do what they call 'catch and release.' They fish just for the fun of it! Cail? May I show Oonah how it works?"

Receiving the 'go ahead' from Cail, Paige swishes her pole through the air with a big grin, watching the bait and tackle fly through the air before plopping into deeper water. It really happened too fast for Oonah to see but as Cail prepared a separate pole, she expected she would get more chances to study and get the technique down.

Standing attentive, waiting for what comes next to happen at any moment, Oonah nodded eagerly as Paige directed, "Now watch for the little red bobber to go under. As soon as it goes all the way down you jerk the pole up and start walking backwards quick and steady to draw the line in."

Watched and waited. Sure, they had some good talks, shared rumors and told stories.

Watched and waited. They laughed at Trident's antics chasing the shadows of noisy white seagulls that dipped and dogged as they tried to steal from the grub bucket.

Sometimes Paige or Cail would pull their lines to shore only to find the bait gone. Once, Paige unexpectely leapt up and squealed "Fish ON!" only to dip her pole and huff a pout when it escaped before she could pull it to shore. "Nevermind."

Oonah didn't know whether to feel more sorry for her friends or better for the fishes that apparently weren't hungry to-trial so would live for another. At least, eyeing how many grubs were still left, the little Tunawa knew She'd have a good dinner tonght.

And then it happened. Oonah, who hadn't really been paying much attention - blinked - and the bobber was Just Gone. "Hey loo..." Paige was jerking the tip of her pole up before she could finish her sentance.

A large, pale, slick body jumped from the water *SPLASH* as the little girl sang, "Goooot Onnne!" and began to pull her line back. Trident barked and jumped about while Oonah danced from one foot to the other and clapped. They saw the line where it met the water's surface zip forward then back, pulling as hard as it was being pulled. *SPLASH* In sun dappled spray the fish again jumped from the water, jerking its head about trying to shake free. It looked bigger than Oonah!

All reservations about trapping and killing fish were instantly dissolved and she just couldn't help herself. Oonah darted forward alongside of Triton who began whining and biting at the water while kicking up sand as he tried to help. Splashing about in the shallow waters less than helpful, the Tunawa tried to get closer without tangling herself in the taught line. "Get it out before it gets away!"

Posted: **Wed Sep 25, 2019 3:03 pm**

Cail listened closely when Oonah started asking her about ever being in a trap herself. That was a no in the woman’s mind, but she had helped a few large fish and babies back to the water. The female had also helped free dogs from cages when “masters” were not looking. When Oonah spoke about having been caught in a trap before Cail was astonished. The little woman did not seem to be bothered by an injury of any kind. Trying to go through her mind, the Biqaj fought to remember what kind of traps would be hard for the little woman to see.

That did not narrow the list in the slightest though. Taking a deep breath, the woman looked down at her friend trying not to have a look of pity on her face. Most hated when a person looked down upon them or at least assumed that’s what someone was doing. Focusing back on the process at hand, the girl tried to decide how to best calm her friends fears without making things worse. Thankfully Paige jumped up with an answer as to how it all worked along with different types of catching styles.

When it seemed Oonah was satisfied the woman relaxed knowing her friend would not be upset the entire time they were out. Cail smiled and watched as the child cast her line out into the water. She was going to be a great fisherman or rather fisherwoman when she grew up. There was a quietness around the group as they stayed close to the shoreline. The woman sat down with her back to a rock watching as Paige holds the rod like a little trooper. Brown eyes scanned the waters not only around the bobber but also farther out incase they would need to move later on. Stretching her arms above her head, the Biqaj fought the urge to close her eyes and take a nap while waiting.

“You got this!” Cail called with a smile the first time Paige tried to pull in a fish.

Standing up the woman walked over and made sure the hook was still straight. Content with its status, she let Paige put on more bait and throw it out into the water again. Cail looked over at the little woman and finally took notice of the funny looking cloak that she was wearing. The Biqaj tried not to be super nosey when it came to her friends or rather her “friend”s life. When they first met Cail had managed to insult her on accident which had not been her intentions.

“Oonah, if I may ask. What is the green cloak you wear?” Cail asked cocking her head to the side.

It wasn’t long after that Paige jerked back and actually hooked a fish. Smiling, the woman waded into the water as Triton barked and bit at the water. Laughing watching the dog and Tunawa scramble to help, Cail grabbed the wire and pulled it up out of the water to see what the catch was. Inspecting the fish closely and its size, she decided to throw it back with how small it was.

“Just a baby,” Cail said and put it in the water to breath letting everyone see it.

“It’s so cute! How can you tell it’s a baby though?” Paige asked.

“By the breed of fish. The whiskers here tell me its what is called a catfish. The adults are much bigger,” Cail stated and laughed when Triton licked the flat head.

Removing the hook, the biqaj moved deeper in the water and slowly let the fish go watching as it swam away. Turning she moved back to shore and smiled as Paige was already casting again. She knew the child would keep going till she got an adult they could keep.

Posted: **Tue Oct 15, 2019 1:58 am**

Tree Talk Xanthean Common

After all of the excitement of the catch Oonah's closely inspected the slimy cool-fleshed body. It had no scales whatsoever, but very sharp spines along its top and side fins and two very long fleshy whiskers at the corners of its wide mouth. She watched closely as Cail grasped it by the gills, manuevering it about until she was able to twist the hook free from its thick lip. "Just a baby?" Oonah felt a little let down that they wouldn't be keeping the fish, but if it were just a baby... well that wouldn't be right. It would be like taking Caza'Ria from Qit. You just didn't do that to mothers and children. "If just young, how much bigger do old cat-fish get?"

Oonah grinned with pride when asked about her green cloak. She was sure her friend realized that the little Tunawa typically didn't like being restricted by clothing that got caught on her bark. Her cloak was a different story. Lifting the side hems of the fabric Oonah twirled about showing how it rippled about her tiny body. "Is means Order of Adunih has me acceptable. Means I to be a healer of all kinds of people! Like for Paige on rescue but more. Just new and learning things, but is nice to belong with others like to care for sick and injured. Is nice very. Live and eat at Order and know more people to learn from and me to teach."

She didn't hear the scuffle going on behind her as she bounced several times, high upon her toes and down again, "Yestertrial in market, a woman seen by me for care said, 'Blessed trial, Healer Oonah.' Just like friends we be!" It seemed that having a little bit of recognition really ment something special to the naturally reclusive Tunawa.

All attention turned at a sharp yelp and Paige's wail, "Owww! Triton, STOP!"

Posted: **Wed Oct 16, 2019 7:28 pm**

Cail smiled when the woman seemed a little confused. She was sure that to the Tunawa everything seemed large. The young Biqaj was not sure how she would feel with the world looking so large an intimidating. She gave Oonah a lot of credit for being willing to do things that were out of her comfort zone.

She was glad to see that Oonah was much more open to the idea of learning more. The woman had been worried that their companion for the day was going to be against fishing altogether. Sitting down, Cail put her back against a warm rock to relax letting Paige do her thing. When it came to fishing in a group, the biqaj enjoyed watching others catch more than catching herself. The question about the size of a catfish caused the woman to pause and think for a moment.

“I have heard tales of fishermen catching catfish that weighed six hundred forty-six pounds. Though that is in placed where they are not fished for much or have a lot of prey around. Most of the times they range about six feet long possibly a little longer. The one that Paige caught looked to be around two feet, it still had some growing. It is always best with that species of fish to let it get above three feet. Otherwise it won’t be any good to eat,” Cail explained.

The sparkle that seemed to appear in her friend’s eye made the woman smile. She had never seen Oonah so excited to talk about something that was not her race or culture. Of course, when they met had been the only time, she had really asked the woman anything about her people. The Biqaj felt ashamed that she had not tried to invest more time in their relationship. But the little Tunawa always seemed so busy doing something.

“The order of Adunith?” Cail said quietly.

She was so glad to hear that Oonah’s work in this Order thing was being recognized among the people of Rharne. The more the woman thought about her own life goals, the more lost she felt. It seemed like there was never any real training given when she was young on how to build relationships with those she would be working with. Everything had been about making sure that the ship stayed afloat, and that the captain knew how to navigate on the sea. The sudden scream from Paige pulled the woman from her thoughts.

She turned to look and see what had happened. Paige stood there with a hook all the way through the side of her leg. It did not help that Triton was trying to “help” by grabbing the pole and pulling. Jumping up the woman ran over and dismissed Triton to go lay down. The dog whined and slowly put the pole down and went to sit by the rock where Cail had been previously.

“Okay okay shhhh,” Cail said gently trying to calm Paige as she cried, “I know it hurts. Take a deep breath okay?”

Posted: **Fri Nov 01, 2019 12:23 am**

Tree Talk Xanthean Common

Oonah couldn't see what all the fuss was about with Triton jumping about and Cail swooping in on Paige like a mother hen; but as things settled a little the Tunawa winced at the predicament. She could tell that Paige was trying to be brave with her face scrunched all up to hold back tears. Oonah knew exactly what needed to be done first and confidently stepped up to do so.

Examining the hook where it entered the young girl's flesh, Oonah found the area had already grown angry red from the hook being yanked about before Triton had been called away.

Catching Paige's tear-welling gaze, Oonah spoke in soothing command, "Paige, stay brave and good to stay calm for quick done and over." Before the young girl could pull away in dread, Oonah swiftly cut the line close to the hook with a small sharp blade she had seen in the tackle box that she supposed was ment for such purpose.

She then quickly dug through her ever-present healers kit and chirped an 'Aha,' pulling forth a small bottle of clear liquid. "Fish spit and worm gut and beach dirt and sea! Hook not clean. Not clean mean muchly sicker wound. Must to clean wound some before hook out and more after hook out to keep bad spirits away." The little healer didn't know much about fish hooks but she knew more than she wanted to about bad spirits. There were some out there so bad that even the tiniest ones could kill a person. No, Oonah wouldn't be sharing that tidbit with these two. She was learning how to not always speak without considering her patient first.

Uncorking the bottle, Oonah warned, "Grain alcohol. Most like for to drink for silly in head but good to drown bad spirits too. Like big hornet sting this will hurt." She looked up to Cail, waiting for a signal that the woman was ready. At the nod she tipped the bottle over the hook for a quick splash.

"owww Owww OOWWW," Paige cried, jerking back in Cail's strong arms as Triton whimpered sympathetically.

How the hook's barbs had lodged in the wound gave Oonah a twang of unease. It looked huge and quite stuck which really brought to light how effective a fish hook could be. No matter how she wanted to save the day, she realized that maybe she wasn't the best one here to take care of the next step. All afternoon, both Paige and Cail had wrangled their catches into submission as they almost magically wriggled and twitched the invasive hooks from the fishes' lips. Cail had been asking about Oonah being a healer and this could be a great opportunity for the woman to become more of a hero to Paige...

Oonah nodded decisively, "To me listen, know I not much for fish hooks. But lots of knowing and muchly doing have done by Cail. Is better, think I, for experience here over no knowing at all." She watched Paige closely, purposely Not looking at Cail for her reaction. "If sings I for distracting and Triton come for comfort and warmth, would k be for Cail to free hook from you?"

Triton whined, tail thumping to hear his name and began to belly crawl slowly but steady to rest against Paige's side. His slim pink tongue kissed her hand before he shoved his nose up under her arm to tuck against her side.

With little whimpers and shiny, tear-smudged cheeks, Paige's shoulders shrugged indecisively; but Oonah watched as the thought began to sink in as the smart little girl figured the rational behind the request. She trusted both of these women so would go along with whatever they decided. Her quivering chin bobbed a nod as she whispered, "Yes, please."

Stepping back, proud and satisfied, only then did Oonah dare look to see Cail's reaction. She confirmed any question that she saw, "You can do This better than I."

Fantasy RPG Forum - Standing Trials

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