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.

Vermin shadow stepped into the soft mud of shallow streamline without hesitation, eyes of ghostly pearl watching the method in practice. Slow, gentle currents, the coverings of water reeds and the gentle disturbance below the surface that marked their quarry.

Timing. No different than hunting field mice between blades of grass.

She wades through the water in slow strides, the flow of the stream offering some coverage to the disturbance of slender limbs drifting through. She moved to another set of reeds and moved to where the sun cast her shadow behind her.

Watching, she made her move, jaws snapping into the water and coming up... empty. She shook the droplets from her face. Skimmed his tailfin. She says with a huff, but there is no bitterness in it. Does a paw work better?

meredith shook her head, a small chuckle slipping past her lips. nah, she murmured, stepping closer to worm. it ain't 'bout the paw or the jaw—it's 'bout where the fish is headin', not where it is.

she moved beside worm, the gentle stream lapping at her legs. her sharp eyes scanned the water for a flicker of movement. watch, she said simply, her voice soft but firm.

her stance shifted slightly, weight balanced, patience etched into every line of her body. when a ripple betrayed a fish darting near, meredith struck—not at the fish itself, but just ahead of its path. her teeth clamped around its slippery body, pulling it from the water with a triumphant shake.

she dropped the fish onto the bank, grinning as she turned to worm. like that. try again—ya got the instincts, just need the aim.

Instinct.

That thing that spurred a fish to swim fresh from its egg, a bird to spread its wings for flight, a predator to kill.

A coyote to run. A wolf to chase.

What happened when instincts warred against eachother? She first watched Meredith's sharp strike, tearing through the water to pluck a writhing fish from the depths.

Worm gave it her shot, letting waters calm before wading off to another set of reeds, coyish ears attuned to every noise they could catch; and alerted by the sound of movement rippling against the cattails. Slow and patient, she watched the fish come into view beneath the clear surface. Worm lunged forward, jaws aiming predictively in front of the fish.

Teeth found scaley flesh, punctured through an eye and skewered on a canine, Worm pulled up with her prize clasped firmly in jaws of deep onyx. Got 'im. She remarked through a full mouth, the fish still battling despite its loss.

meredith whooped, her voice thick with her drawl as she splashed over to worm, tail wagging and water spraying everywhere. woohoo!!! good job, lady'! she hollered, her grin wide as she watched the fish squirm in worm's jaws.

lookit you, a natural fishin' queen already! she added, leaning in to inspect the catch with mock reverence. bet he didn't even see ya comin'. ol' slippery never stood a chance, huh?

meredith's eyes sparkled with humor, and she nudged worm playfully with her shoulder. now, don't go lettin' it think it can wriggle free! gotta show 'em who's boss.

Whoops and calls of praise sounded from behind, Worm too felt a smug satisfaction as the fish wriggled between her jaws, heavy on the tail-end and thwapping ceaselessly at the side of her face.

Keep fucking hitting me, and I will drag the guts from you while you're still alive.

What a nasty thought! Worm kept it tucked inside, depravity saved for when it was truly needed. She heeded Meredith's notion and waded back to the shoreline, readjusting her grip and sealing it's fishy demise with one sharp bite to the right place. No more squirming.

It's remarkably easier than catching deer. She chirped, staying on her belly, fish wedged between two thin limbs. Should we catch some more? Bring some back for the others? She queried, leering forward almost eagerly.

It was almost enough to make her forget what she was. What she was here to do.

Bait, to be dangled in front of the fish's mouth. Good thing Meredith had taught her how to kill fish.

meredith let out a bark of laughter, her voice carrying over the river like the echo of a seabird. aye, that's a good idea, worm, she replied, her tone light, but with the rough edge of a seasoned sailor’s drawl. she tossed a glance toward the water, her pale eyes scanning the rippling surface for the faint glimmer of scales beneath.

let's see if we can't catch a few more. show 'em what real fishers look like, aye? there was a grin on her face as she waded deeper into the river, the chill biting at her limbs but doing nothing to deter her enthusiasm. her tail flicked behind her, the gesture almost playful as she nodded toward worm.

you take that side; i'll keep to this one. we'll bring 'em back a proper haul. her gaze flicked to the fish clutched between worm's paws, her grin widening. and maybe you can show me that trick of yours for keepin' 'em still, yeah?

fade in your next?

yessir

A grin crept across dark features, and the vermin stood back to her feet, leaving the still fish on shore. Soon to be a pile of them, if the day was good. I think it was luck, really. But I remember where I put my teeth. now here's hoping that spot was the same for all of them.

Wet, cold limbs carried her to water once again, a serpentine tail flicking at the backs of her legs. She went where she was directed, hunter's eyes seeking for the idlest glimmer of scale, or smallest ripple of water that might've added to their haul. She needed to sharpen her skills at it anyways.

Another plucked from the flowing stream, its gills struggling against the cold air.