ota

[reeliable]

Who: Noctis and you!
Where: lakeside
When: post-cavern explorations
Rating pg-13
What: the best hobby in the universe; fishing! primarily fishing, does include some swimming



a: monster of the deep?

[If one goes exploring around the lake, Noctis is back at it again with his fishing rod in hand and a line cast out - but he does seem to be struggling a bit with whatever is on the other end of his reel. Digging his heels in, sinking a bit into the muck at the edge of the lake, Noct grunts with the effort of pulling his arms back. Spying someone, or rather hearing the footsteps before he takes his attention away from the water, he turns his head with a wild sort of smile - this is exciting, despite the struggle.]

Hey! Can you give me a hand? Just give me some extra weight, let's haul this thing to shore! [He's dying to know what he has hooked; though hopefully it isn't a pissed off mermaid. They're smart enough to unhook themselves, aren't they?]

b: seaweed and seafoam

[It's finally time for a break after fishing for the last several hours, and Noct has only ditched his boots on shore when he starts to wade in. The water feels nice, and even if he can spy mermaids further out into the lake, he doesn't quite have intentions to go all that far in. Bending to scoop up a handful of water, he casts a little grin at his company and turns, giving them a light splash that feels more like a misting for how little he could throw it.]

Want to come wading? Water's fine, and it should be safe enough if we don't go swan diving.

Comments

a

[fuck1ngusernam3]

[The footsteps Noctis heard in this case belong to a Hank and a dog. The former stops to frown at Noctis; the latter keeps ambling in whatever direction the most interesting smell's coming from.]

Nothing but bullshit's ever come out of that fuckin lake. You know that right?

[He does not, notably, get close enough to help Noctis in any way. Hank is less than happy about this lake. He is less than happy about a lot of things.]

[reeliable]

[But why tho Hank??

Noctis still struggles with his pole, determined to catch whatever is on the line, even as he makes that note of just how much Hank is staying away. Aw, come on. Grunting, feeling himself physically drag his heels a good few inches back into the muck again, Noct tries to take a few steps back once more.]

Nothing but fish as far as I'm concerned - merfolk count as fish, Nessie sort of counts, everything is either a fish or dead. [Such as the cavern explorations proving to have nothing really in them - just spooky words, things to warn them of, things to keep in the back of their minds when a situation here turns strange.]

[fuck1ngusernam3]

Well thanks, now I'm imagining an undead zombie fish on the end of that hook and honestly I'm kinda worried about it.

[Hank does walk a little closer at that, frowning at how deep the kid's feet've been pulled into the mud and leaning out, craning his neck to try and see for himself whatever's on the end of Noctis's hook.]

Besides, you say that like it proves me wrong, somehow. It doesn't.

[reeliable]

There is such thing as a mummy fish in my world - it's fiesty, only swims around Angelgard, and it's a pain to catch.

[Kind of like this - he had a boat and friends on hand to help him with that sucker, so when his boots sink into muck again and Noctis almost growls as he tries to step back a third time only to get dragged back into mud, he gives a small wheeze as he strains his arms again to reel - it actually clicks a handful of times this time, proving that Noct is winning out. It's just such a long process.]

So hey, I'll take a hand holding my jacket at this point, c'mon. [It's hard to think someone Noct's size could outlast a fish pulling this hard, but his stamina isn't as bad as it looks, though his arms are definitely taking the brunt of the strain.]

b.

[parttimes]

[Kou was probably woken up really early for this fishing trip, and by now? He's yawning, covering his mouth with one hand, and then blearily gives Noctis a deadpan stare.]

Yeah, no thanks, not interested.

[Make him do it, stop being a buzzkill, Kou.]

[reeliable]

Are you the kind of person who just hates to get wet?

[The earlier the better when it comes to fishing - so yeah, they have definitely been out here since the crack of dawn with mild threats of returning with a fish to wake Kou up. Giving him a cheekier look, then staggering out a little deeper into the water, Noct bends down to get his arms down into the water better - and make a much larger splash.

Either get drenched or get dragged in, Kou.]

[parttimes]

Ugh... no, it's not that. Exactly.

[It's kind of that.]

I'm not big on--

[WATER. UGH. The splash gets him pretty good; he wasn't expecting it, and he ends up pretty thoroughly wet, hair dripping into his face as he makes a face at Noctis.]

Really?

( a )

[protettore]

[When Gladio goes on foot in search of Noct, he knows he doesn't have to go far. It's just a matter of figuring out which corner of the lake he's camped himself out on. He's not surprised that his footsteps give him away, but he finds himself paused for a moment at the wild, excited expression upon Noct's face.

He looks just the way he always would upon finding a fishing spot back home. The other three of their group having to linger behind and simply watch him, and while Gladio knows they put him through a lot of agony with their back-seat fishing and complaining, he knows that Ignis and Prompto feel it to: that satisfaction of watching Noct enjoy his life. Being happy.

It twists his gut and his chest hurts.

Ignore it. Don't be such a big damn baby, he tells himself. Don't let Noct suspect that Gladio hasn't seen him smile this way in months.]

You know what happened the last time I helped you with anything. [Gladio grumbles casually even as he approaches.] If there's trash-talking I'm out of here.

[reeliable]

Does it look like I'm in any condition to hassle you?

[Giving a half laugh even as he puts his attention back to the water, Noct tries to take another step back to get himself out of the mud, not entirely unaware of that momental pause Gladio had - something is on his mind, but he can't really place what. And now isn't really the time to think of it, with another lurch dragging him a couple of inches back into the mud and Noct thinks again that he's grateful his boots are waterproof.

He is filthy with mud at this point, and Gladio's extra muscle is going to be so good here.]

Pull me back, I just can't get out of the mud at this point. Every time I ease up, it takes the cue to run.

[protettore]

[He sort of wishes he had some kind of snappy comment to say, but Gladio can't think of one, and it'd be difficult to offer it anyway with the sheer joy and satisfaction that Noct continues to exude. He's definitely too distracted to spend any time teasing Gladio about anything. Any time he fishes, that's where his entire focus remains, upon the water and whatever he happens to hook.

Whatever has gotten his lure seems like trouble, but the exciting kind.

Gladio can only let out a quiet sigh as he rushes his pace to get behind Noct before what is on the other end of his line doesn't drag him in further to lose his footing.]

You picked a bad fishing spot. This is your own fault. [His own boots are going to be an absolute mess but it's better to keep them on to try and get better traction to keep Noct grounded. A large arm coils around Noct's waist and Gladio begins trying to pull him back.] You got any idea what's even in these waters? Not more of those horse fish?

A.

[hauhra]

[ Dark Bakura, on the other hand, is unsmiling as always, and is making a point of keeping his hands comfortably in his pockets while he watches Noctis struggle, which he does have to admit is amusing in its own right. The corner of his lips quirk in response to the sight, temporarily breaking the cool and collected facade he had worked so hard to put on. ]

Having seen what's in that lake even just from standing around the shores, I'm not entirely certain I want to... for all I know, there's something that's looking for its next meal on the other end of that line.

[reeliable]

[Ah, it's one of these sorts of guys - who just want to watch and get more fun in watching the fight than any of the reeling. Looking over with the words, then snorting as he tries to reef back on the pole and only manages to get dragged another inch in towards the water, Noct exhales a wheeze. He doesn't want to give this questionably strong fish up though!]

Probably, but if I can haul it to shore, maybe it'll be a meal for me instead. I'm pretty fond of a good salmon steak!

[hauhra]

Oh, I wouldn't count on that if I were you. Your salmon steak could just as easily end up being a Loch Ness steak instead.

[ He's grinning outright now, clearly having no qualms about the thought of making a meal out of the sea creature that had just been ferrying the people of the Temple about while they were down in the caverns. As far as he's concerned, food is food, whether you're a starving thief from ancient Egypt looking for any means to scrape by or the malevolent and vengeful spirit of that thief that's been forced back into a human body with needs that are impossible to ignore. However, "Nessie" is probably where the other people in this world will draw the line, and indeed, Bakura would have been bracing himself for some lame speech about sentimental attachment to the beast were it not for Noctis' approach to this particular catch -- ]

But then again, you seem like the adventurous type, too.

a!

[punshots]

[ Prompto might've appeared a little over-eager to join Noctis on this fishing trip, but look — he severely needs a distraction right now. That said...fishing is still not his favorite pastime. Or rather, watching Noct fish isn't his favorite pastime, and he doesn't even have his phone to entertain himself with this time.

So, he's fiddling with his camera a bit by the time Noct hooks his fish, though he's quick to stow it away as soon as the other calls out to him and dash over to lend a hand. Or two hands. Geez, this one's a big one, isn't it? ]

Man, what the hell did you hook, Noct? A whale?!

[ 'Cause that's kind of what it seems like! Still, he grabs a hold of the rod, pulling back with all his strength to help Noct haul his catch out of the water. ]

[reeliable]

[Just this once, Noct won't ask about Prompto's eagerness to actually go fishing - maybe he misses it, is his own optimistic thought. Maybe he really did like to sit back and watch! Maybe. He can tell himself this all he likes, when he knows it isn't the greatest most exciting thing ever, watching someone fish.

Grinning as Prompto comes to help though, shifting his grip to make room for extra hands, Noct pulls back with Prom as they start to back out of the mud.]

I'm sort of hoping whatever it is, it doesn't have teeth. Got my tonberry lure on, that's already rare as it is, I wouldn't want to lose it at the bottom of this lake! [Well, some teeth, just nothing to chew the line through with - he might be using dragon's beard, but it could go if this fight keeps up for too long.]

[punshots]

No way, man! We're not letting this thing get away —

[ Or else all his boredom will have been for nothing! He can at least admit that this part of fishing is exciting — the catch, the reel, the unknown of what is at the other end of the rod. Whatever it is is putting up one hell of a fight, though, which can only be promising. ]

Anyway, don't worry about the lure, worry about our arms getting ripped off!

[ He shouts as he throws more of his weight against the rod and away from the water. This is intense! ]

B

[metagame]

[Lately he seems to always find Noctis by the lake. It's kind of nice, actually! A steady routine that he finds welcome since exploring from the caverns. The splash garners a grin in return; he reminds himself there's no fault in dropping his guard or relaxing.] I'll have to take your word on it.

[reeliable]

What, still not going to come out?

[Bending, just letting his hands run through the water as he fishes around and seeks out a handful of mud just to let it slip through his fingers, Noct lets touch guide him as he looks for rocks. Just whatever he could be walking along, vaguely wondering if there is a danger of fishing hooks - probably not for this lake, it was hidden for quite some time he thinks.]

[metagame]

Nah. [Atem sniffs while watching Noctis do... whatever he's doing. Searching for rocks?] You ever wear wet leather pants? It chafes.

[And it'd ruin them, too. Even if they're hideous and he's certain it'd do everyone a favor not to ever see them again, they belong to Yugi-- not him. He cannot make such a heroic sacrifice for a clothing item that doesn't belong to him. (They're also the only pair in this godforsaken temple that fit him appropriately but that's neither here or there. As for why he's wearing them... well, Accidents Occur When You Have the Memories of Two People in Your Head.)]

a, here i am, late again!!!

[cuedoves]

[ this guy again? at least he isn't hallucinating his dead fiancee anymore. that was awkward. anyway, zuko actually came out himself to try to fish -- he's no noctis, but he has decent skill at fishing and he's hungry -- so noct catches his eye even before he's calling out. but zuko, being only partially a jerk, comes over right away. ]

You got something big. I'm coming!

[ zuko's a strong guy, he'll lend his aid!!! ]

lateness is overrated :> welcome back zuzu

[reeliable]

[Shh, he's feeling a bit better by now.

Giving a grin as he realizes it's a familiar face approaching, Noct turns his attention back at the water as he's sure Zuko is coming to help even before he says so - but hearing it is reassuring, as he takes a step back and pulls back and up with the rod.]

I need a weight to anchor with, feeling up to the task? I've got to get out of the mud before we can haul this to shore.

zuzufreya is here for his buddy noct

[cuedoves]

You want me just to hold onto you?

[ he's made his way over now -- he can see noct struggling. hopefully he equipped his best gear and he's fishing level 10!!! ]

Don't let it pull you in. I'm here.

a

[chromatized]

I hope you have a plan for when it tries to eat us. [ because that's the way these things work! you hear about a giganto, you go find the giganto, the giganto tries to chew your face off as you desperately try not to die, you take the giganto parts and exchange them for gald, and then rinse and repeat.

despite Ludger's less than enthusiastic tone though, he's coming closer to give Noctis a hand. two hands, even! two extra hands on the fishing rod to try and help wrangle the catch to land.

if only he'd ever done any fishing in his life before now. ]

bless u ludger for knowing the system of a fetch quest

[reeliable]

It's called dragging it onto shore and eating it ourselves over a nice bonfire!

[When he hauls something out of the water, usually it is too tired to fight back - but with the way this thing is fighting the entire way to the surface tells him it's either a large fish... or something with teeth. Getting an extra pair of hands on the rod is such a relief for his back that he exhales a harder breath, before grinning and directing with a slow step back.]

Alright, on three we'll take two steps back out of this muck - and give it a pull, sound good? We might get it to breach the surface, I can feel that it's close!

his Crippling Debt made him extremely familiar with it lol

[chromatized]

Do you even know how to cook it?

[ Ludger returns the grin, because yeah, okay, even if they're about to be mauled, he's getting into the spirit of it! discovery! adventure! facing imminent death as a team! what's not to enjoy? ]

Got it. One, two-!

[ hm, you know, lake mud is surprisingly slick. if Jude were around, he'd probably explain it was a result of the clay and water interacting with each other.

for Ludger, it all boils down to 'dirt wet, shoes bad at gripping, whoops there goes my feet.' and since Noctis is right there...

well! bye Noctis, hope you weren't too attached to that "fish" you were trying to catch. ]