Totoka River reelingline

@Worm

perched on the smooth, cold rocks of the riverbed, meredith was fixated on the water below. the current was gentle here, just enough to send the occasional ripple over the glistening surface. beneath it, the fish darted and swayed, their silvery forms catching the muted light as they swam in mesmerizing patterns.

she didn’t move, her body still and her breathing quiet, blending into the natural rhythm of the river. the cool air brushed against her fur, the scent of wet stone and moss filling her senses. each flick of a tail beneath the water drew her gaze, her focus sharp as she studied them.

it was a moment of quiet observation, the kind she valued, though the tension in her muscles hinted that she was ready to act at any moment. for now, though, she watched, letting the river’s timeless dance hold her attention.

Worm kept to the spaces nobody else occupied, the outskirts, the shadows, whereever brought the least attention. It served her well, served others well, even if it was a sad habit.

Meredith did the opposite. She placed herself in the light with confidence, toyed the line of danger like it was her own to command. This was what Worm had observed in her time among them. The bait-wolf felt a flicker of something so dastardly kindred; even with their outward opposition.

Meredith was fun. Thrill-seeking, but clearly harbouring a sharpness; she watched it on display now, in the precise movements of her eyes, and the subtle tension coiled in her muscles.

What a terribly good combination they could be. Nowhere would be safe, not the light nor the dark.

Worm slipped from the brambles, not having been there all too long, nor did she wish to stay hidden. Does the captain not give you enough tasks? She asks lightly, coming to sit on the opposite side of the stream, her own eyes down-turned for just a moment.

meredith jumped slightly, her head snapping toward worm with wide eyes before the tension melted into a sheepish grin. oh! um… she hesitated, the mummer’s lilt thickening her words, ’e does—i’m jus’ quick wit’ ’em, s’all.

she gave a small shrug, her gaze flickering over worm with a mix of curiosity and amusement. ye scared the wits outta me, though, she added lightly, the words carrying a playful edge as her accent wrapped around them like a melody.

Worm quirked her head a little, the startle wasn't intentional, but she seemed to gleam some amusement from it. Ah- sorry. Bad habit a' mine. She said with a guilty exhale, letting shadowy shoulders roll forward. I'm too used to staying quiet.

It was how she made a living, anyways, and how she kept living. The outskirts, the shadows, anything but the spaces where others walked, abomination such as her had no place beneath the light. It wasn't a habit she would benefit from dropping, especially for the role they planned for her to take.

Either way, it hadn't been for a while that the vermin had the grace of other company.

meredith let out a small laugh, the sound light and unbothered, brushing off the moment like dust on her fur. s’alright, she said with a grin, tail giving a casual flick behind her. ye got me good, i’ll admit. but no harm done!

her gaze swept over worm, taking in the shadowed form with an ease that held no judgment. she cocked her head slightly, playful curiosity lighting her features. ye ever try fishin’, worm? she asked, her mummer’s lilt threading through the question. if ye’ve a mind for keepin’ quiet, ye might be good at it.

she motioned toward the water, the faint ripple of the current glinting in the light. come on, i’ll show ye. ‘s easier than ye’d think, and it might even come in handy one day! her smile widened, warm and inviting, as she turned toward the stream, pausing just long enough to see if worm would follow.

Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a life time

Honest? No. Worm remarked with a flick of coyish ears, her eyes downturned to the flowing stream between them, refractions of light dancing on the water.

It was a good idea to learn how, if this was where she would be until the debt was paid. She'd learn to love the taste of fish.

A salty breeze came off the coastline, chilled by sea; there was much bounty in the water, and she'd have been a fool to pass up on it. Limbs of slender ink moved to follow Meredith's charge, hopping the stream to meet her on the same side. I won't say no t' that.

meredith grinned, her sharp teeth flashing as she watched worm hop the stream to join her. alrigh', good, she said, her mummers accent rolling off her tongue with ease. first thing ye gotta know—fish ain't stupid. ye move too quick, shadow's too big? they'll scatter faster than a gull at high tide.

she stepped lightly into the shallows, her paws sinking into the cool silt. watch the water, she instructed, her voice soft but firm. see how they move? they like t' stay where the current's gentle. 's easier for 'em there. she tilted her head toward a patch of reeds where faint ripples betrayed the presence of fish. there. that's where ye wanna aim.

with a quick, practiced motion, meredith raised her paw and brought it down sharply into the water, her claws slicing through with precision. she missed on purpose, just barely, to keep the lesson going. timing's everything, she explained, stepping back to let worm take her place. ye wait till they're close enough, then strike. but no rushin' it, aye? patience is key.