Fishy Business and Scaredy-Cats - RPLOG
Participants
Date
16/4/480
Log
It is a nice, sunny morning, and the weather around Serenefall lake is certainly pleasant, with pleasant temperatures and a clear sky above. Various beings are enjoying the waters, despite the few dangerous cretins lurking in the waters below. One side of the shore, however, seems almost barren, with various beings by the shoreline visibly upset or otherwise crying... No-one seems physically hurt, though.
Fenris heard tell of atrange happenings, and there is no better bait for a Fenris than atrange happenings. The big tiger is dressed casually in a short vest and baggy trousers with a red bandana tied around his head and a fishing pole slung over his shoulder. "What has happened?" he asks, concerned by the weeping beings.
Lyas wanders into the area, hands in his pockets, still kitted out in his full Freeswording gear. Attracted by a strange rumour, the curious cat had diverted his steps here, on the way back home from work. At the sight of the sobbing crowd, the cat arches an eyebrow, grinning. No-one seems to be bleeding, so he strolls casually up to the nearest Being, prodding them with a long-clawed toe. "What's this? Sommun cut a banquet's worth of onions over here?" He drawls, tail flicking.
Reginald , having the day to himself, with no worry of work to preoccupy his thoughts, just so happened to be wandering in the area. Hoping for the serene view of the lake, with the soothing sounds of flowing water, to offer a restful break from his otherwise hectic life, the atmosphere is unfortunately broken by the sobs of some being's on the lakeshore. A little concerned, the lynx moves closer to investigate, but otherwise makes no other action at this time.
"It just... Started flinging insults at her. She didn't even do anything. Why'd it have to do that?" one otter-being offers, as he tries to soothe what seems to be his little sister. The other beings seem to have similar stories of undirected, pointed hatred, while two others seem to be bickering about something rather serious... One of them seems to have cheated on the other, and things aren't exactly going well, now that the other's found out... Perhaps best not to disturb -those- two.
"Who started flinging insults?" Fenris asks, looking around at the assortment of distraught beings, "one of them?" he tries, nodding at the altercation ahead.
Lyas is immediately drawn to the fighting couple. Against all good sense, the cat wanders past Fenris, with a nod and a grin, to stand close by the two, observing the argument. He hasn't much to say, yet - he just wants to watch a relationship going up in flames publicly. (He's probably not the only one, but he's certainly the most brazen).
What questions he currently has already being posed, Reginald instead takes the time to look around the group of beings for one that seems to not be distraught, unlike like the others. Perhaps, if found, that would be the individual responsible for all this. He does, however, give the bickering couple a wide birth.
"No. Not them. They got yelled at, too. That... That thing. In the water. it keeps yelling at anyone who even comes close to the shoreline," the otter-boy offers, still trying to console his little sister.
The bickering couple is still bickering, but at the same time, yet another being seems to erupt in tears, closer to the shoreline...
Fenris raises an eyebrow at that revelation and saunters toward the shoreline of the frigid lake to peer into the water. "Rime lamprey are ugly, but I've never actually heard them give insults," he says.
One ear turning to take in Fenris's conversation with the young otter, Lyas looks between the fighting couple and Reginald. Shrugging - the argument seems like it'll be going on for some time yet - he abandons his spot and walks over to the lynx, clapping him on the shoulder. "Hey, Reggie. Been a while!" he smiles. "Looks like a right bit a' chaos you've walked in for, huh?" The cat's manic grin only widens as he speaks, tail flicking playfullybehind him. He glances around as someone by the shoreline bursts into a fresh waterfall of tears. "Shall we see what all the fuss is over?"
"Look what we have here. Foxie's little bitch and two other scaredy-cats," comes a shout from the water, between the sound of bubbles, but clearly audible. "Come on into the water, it's nice," the voice calls out, before a short pause.
"Unless you're little scaredy-cats!"
Turning to face the Tabby, the lynx nods in greeting, before his attention drifts back to the collection of sobbing beings. "Hey Lyas. 'thas been a while, indeed." Before the lynx can add anymore, however, it is then that a being by the shoreline joins the chorus of crying. "... Something feels off ... It's so much misery in one place just doesn't seem natural ..." The lynx then, at the tabby's suggestion, makes his way to the waterline just in time to receive the abuse. "... Well, that's ... certainly something ..." Calling out, he then continues. "I don't suppose you'd care to show yourself?"
Fenris flicks an ear and considers the water, then looks toward the shrine out in the middle of the lake, then back. "Why not?" he says focusing for just a moment on a bit of water mathemagic, the hopping into the cold, clear water!
Lyas wanders over to the lakeside, trailing after Reggie, but grimaces as Fenris hops right on in. "Naw, I think I'll stay up here, thanks," he says glibly, to the lake in general. "I like being dry." Stuffing his hands back into his pockets, he adds reflectively, "It's also easier to listen in on everything going on over THERE -" He waves his tail vaguely in the direction of the weeping crowd - "If I keep my ears up above the water, see."
"At least Foxie's bitch has some balls. Too bad that didn't really help you when those shadows attacked, huh? Must've made you feel reeeaaaal bad," that voice calls out, before it focuses back on Lyas and Reginald.
"You bunch of scaredy-cats just stay right there, like when you lost your cousin or your friends, huh?" it continues, seemingly knowing a little... Too much.
Fenris bobs quietly, looking around under the cold water, protected by his water magic. He is surprised that anyone would mention a shadow attack. He looks around for the source of the voice.
Lyas starts at the latest jabs the voice makes - how much of that was directed at him? He's not too sure, but it puts him on edge all the same. He flicks his gaze across to Reggie, then Fenris, bobbing in the lake. Must've been meant for them, too, right? Well, whatever the case... "Hey!" he complains, ear flicking in irritation, corner of his mouth pulled down in an exasperated scowl. "You don't get to say naught about folks' cousins or friends or Shadows or whatever. You're just a talkin' lake!" Bending down, he scoops a stone from the ground, lobbing it into the water. "See? Take that. An' you're not even a particularly clean lake. That's algae by your edge there, I'll swear."
Whilst, as of yet, this stranger's insults are still pretty vague, something seems ... off, and a little disconcerting about a few of his choices of words. ... Unsettled, the lynx rests his hand on his sword's hilt, as he calls out, a rumbling growl appended to the end of his exclamation. "You call two of us cowards, and appear to have insulted many a being without due cause! Yet, you hide beneath the water! Show your face, if you have anything worth a damn about you!"
"Did she scream?" that voice continues, directed at Fenris in particular, before Lyas's retort hits "A lake? A LAKE?" the voice bellows, as more and more bubbles rise to the surface. Something big must be approaching from below. "A lake, the scaredy-cat says. Thinks he's so great, breathing air and walking around."
"And then there's the other scaredy-cat. Gets himself hitched to a shadow, knowing full well that isn't going to end well when these other air-breathers wizen up and decide to end their little experiment in peace-making."
And still, those bubbles rise to the surface, full of what can only be described as hot air... Steam, even...
Fenris has no answer for the voice, though he frowns, certainly he knows what the voice is talking about. The tiger's eyes widen as scalding bubbles rise from below and he strokes quickly away to one side, watching for whatever monstrosity is rising!
"Yeah, a LAKE! A pretty crappy, SMALL lake at that!" Lyas yells back, tail lashing. If the unknown being intends to wage a war of insults, well, it's picked quite the target to spar with. "Don't go asking ME to swim in you. I been seein' your sister, the SEA, behind your back all this time, and lemme tell you, she's a lot more to offer!" He flings a hand up in disgust - a dramatic 'we're done!' movement - but doesn't go anywhere. The other two are still here, after all. And...it's better to be called a coward face to face than have it thrown after your retreating back...
Reginald, his patience being tested, and now with his Shadow mate being brought into things, has just about had enough of this stranger. Drawing his carbine from his back, but otherwise holding it at ease, the lynx calls out again. "You seem to know quite a lot about us. How, and why?" .. Then, whispering under his breath, he adds, "... you worthless piece of shit ..."
"Like that time you LOST your COUSIN? Or like that time you almost spent the night with a bunch of sailors?" the voice calls out, as bubbles continue rising, and then... *plop*. A small goldfish with the angriest stare on its face rises from the depths, before floating off into the sky, a fishbowl appearing out of nowhere around it. "Try it, filthy airbreather. It's going to be just as futile as your attempts to save those friends of yours all those years ago. And just as futile as Foxie's bitch's attempts to save his family," it calls out. There is a lot of anger in that little package.
"You find yourself in the presence of the most powerful spirit of all. BOW BEFORE ME, FILTHY AIRBREATHERS."
Fenris surfaces from the water and watches the angry little goldfish rise. "Well," he says amiably, "Not Ser'ther, then. Do I need to stay in the water?" He asks, bemused by this turn of events.
The cat flinches as the fish mentions his cousin - again. That's not a topic he wishes to address. The other, however, requires adamant rebutting! "Oh COME ON - that is not - I wasn't going to -" He stops for a moment, red face thankfully hidden underneath his thick tabby coating, and grumbles, "I was NOT goin' to do that - we were handling things fine, an' the spending the night, uh, that was part of ZALTHAR'S cover story an' I did NOT agree to it...!" He probably shouldn't have said anything, really... the fish was addressing multiple targets, no-one had to know that was about him... "Also, if you know about that, you've got to know we all agreed we've not ever speak of it again... you giant... fishy... git."
"Oh joy ... A small scaled swimmer has gotten grand ideas about itself ..." The lynx mutters under his breath, adding in another growl, before then calling out as he takes aim with his carbine. "I have no idea what the hell you are, or how you seem to know so much about our history, but I think we've heard enough of the crap you have to say." And, with that, a sharp crack can be heard as the lynx depresses the trigger.
"You think -I- Care about your little agreements? Do Gods bother with the trifles of ants? You're little pawns in our game, scaredy-cat. Little playthings for us to toy with. Meant to worship us. You think Foxie thinks any different about it? He's just too much of a CHICKEN to say it or do anything about it," the fish calls out, as that shot flies straight through the bowl, without any sort of damage to the bowl, or the fish.
"Told you, little scaredy-cat."
"As for you... Foxie's little bitch. I'm almost offended that you think so little of me to put me in the same Court as that living noodle of water. 'Course, you wouldn't know any better, would you? Just another filthy airbreather."
Fenris is actually almost amused by the angry little fish. With the general and liberal hatred the thing is spreading around, it is almost more entertaining than offensive. "My apologies," he says, suppressing a grin, "I am afraid I don't know your name. But really, can I get out of the water?" He bobs gently on the surface.
Grimacing at the fish's latest speech, Lyas turns to Reggie. His ears fold back in concern - the jabs are clearly getting to the lynx - but the cat keeps his own tone light. We lost his footing a bit on that last exchange - best not to do that again. "Good idea," he shrugs, motioning towards the carbine. "Mayhap we'd do better with a fishing rod, though." Turning to shout over his shoulder, he calls to the fish, "HEY! What bait works for you? Worms? Elsewise I reckon I've an apple in my bag or there's beetles aplenty round here."
Reginald shoulders drop, as he lowers his weapon. "... fuck ..." he whispers, as he observes his futile attempt to rid them of the unwelcome stranger. The lynx can't help but let out a slight chuckle at Lyas' joke, however, even going as far as to ponder it as a legit plan for a few moments. However, after a little while, the lynx speaks up. "... So you are a spirit, then ... explains why you're such an annoyance, I guess ... Can't you see that you're not welcome here, fish? So, why not do us all a favour a piss off? ... Or, are you going to be a pain in our side like so many of your kind, and make us hunt out a mystical net to banish you, or some crap like that?"
"Sure. Whatever. You're no fun anyways," the fish offers, before floating closer to Lyas and Reginald. "You on the other hand... You've got potential. I mean, you're still a filthy airbreather, and you're still an ant before a God, but you've got potential, little scaredy-cat," it offers, hovering right before Lyas's face, allowing the cat to see its angry, ANGRY expression firsthand.
"A net? I'd like to see you -try-. I think I'm going to stay -right here- and I'm going to make sure you truly understand what it means to be angry."
Fenris hauls himself out of the water and flops onto the shore. He removes his bandana and wrings it out. He is interested in this strange Spirit, but he rises and starts to gently urges beings along their way, keeping an eye on the fish and the other felines.
Lyas squats in the mud at the edge of the lake, looking unimpressed. "Potential for what? Floatin' about in a lake eating seaweed? That's not an apprenticeship I'd like to take on. Least not while I've other options." Smirking, he balloons his cheeks and blows out - letting a gust of air huff across the fish's scaly brow. "Here's some a' that air you hate. Careful, don't breathe it in!" He throws a grin Reggie's way. "Forget the mystical net - grab some reeds, we can start on an ordinary one right now."
Reginald, upon that last comment, slowly stalks closer to the goldfish, till his whiskered muzzle resides just an inch or two from the bowel's edge. The feline's eyes drill deep into the spirit before him, and a growl emanates from within. "Well, by all means, great and almighty spirit, if you wish to stay, then stay. But, forgive me if I couldn't care less about what a tiny piece of food has to say." The lynx rounds off his sarcasm by baring his teeth threateningly at the spirit. "So, what does the all powerful spirit have to say to that?"
"Insults. Anger. TRUE POWER. Maybe you'll come around. Maybe you'll just keep on being a powerless little scaredy-cat, too afraid of taking the plunge," the fish offers to Lyas, as his gaze moves back to Reginald. "Your breath stinks. Though I wouldn't expect anything different from a filthy airbreather, either. At least Foxie's bitch over there shows some respect... Even if it's too insignificant to even matter," he calls out with a big, fishy frown on its face.
Fenris finishes ushering people away and returns, bowing to the odd Spirit. "You are kind to notice me," the tiger says amiably, "It is always exciting to meet a new Spirit."
Lyas grins wickedly. "Course my breath smells. I've been eating fish. Hey, you know you're surrounded by a bunch a' cats here... right? Little fella like you shouldn't be talking that way to the next step up on the food chain." As the goldfish's tirade continues, he puts on a blank expression. "I'm goin' to drink your water bowl," he says flatly, reaching out to grab the floating object from the air. Possibly not... the best of ideas, but there it is.
"HAH. You what respect, spirit? You want us filthy airbreathers to bow down before you? You think we're naught but pawns in some sick game? Well, I've got news for you, Spirit. Some may be dumb enough to bow down before the likes of you. But, most of us, who have a decent head upon our shoulders, will never cohort with sick things like you. And, if you push us, Spirit. If you pester us, or work us up, we will only be forced to find a way to end you. And, when that day comes, I'd happily pull the trigger. ... Now, I've wasted enough time with you." With a motion of his arm, and a turn, the lynx makes to leave.
"Yeah, you run, you little scaredy-cat!" the fish offers, seemingly undeterred. "You wanna try, pussy?" it continues, looking towards Lyas in particular, as the bowl seems far more solid than it was when the bullet was shot at it.
And then, there's Fenris, who just gets something of a quiet stare. "Exciting, he says. You should be -worshipping- me."
Fenris only smiles. "You are right, of course," the tiger says, "Your power is surely awe inspiring. It is an honor to stand in your shining presence." He shoots a glance toward Lyas.
"Oh, I'll fucking try, all right!" Lyas grins, with a steely glint in his eye. "I've drank worse stuff for my health than fishwater!" With a flourish, he reaches out! Taking hold of the bowl, he upends it into his mouth... well. It really isn't the least healthy thing he's ever drunk, at least.
Just as the Tabby lifts the bowel, Reginald's thought's clear enough for him to remember the promise he made to Baz. Letting out an utterance beneath his breath, he turns back around, hoping he has enough time to stop Lyas' foolish action, but now being unable to do more than just watch and hope ...
As Fenris's reaction mocks the little fish, the fish responds with an even angrier look than before. "Very good! Once more, with FEELING this time. You know, those things that get hurt so easily."
Lyas finds the water to be -very unpalatable, even to the point of making him angry with himself over the decision... And it doesn't seem like the water-level in the bowl is actually -dropping-...
Lyas takes a swig from the bowl, but immediately coughs it up again, eyes watering. "What the FUCK! Creators, that is foul!" Tail swishing behind him in fury - at his own stupidity, and at the ridiculous little fish, floating in its bowl, staring defiantly up at him - he growls - and takes another swig, forcing it down this time. This cat is stubborn (and doesn't learn quickly, either). However, when he pulls the bowl away again, gasping, it's apparent that the water level hasn't changed at all. He stares into it in a mixture of bafflement and rage. "I'm going to fill your bowl with porridge," he snaps. "An' if that don't work I will EAT you!"
Fenris looks surprised, then shakes his head. "I am sorry," he says, "I didn't mean to offend you. I'm honestly glad to meet you. What should we call you?" The tiger is trying not to laugh at the bizarre sight of Lyas trying to drink a spirit.
Reginald, his face filled with concern, sprints up to Lyas, coming into contact with the Tabby at quite a speed, albeit not enough to really shake either of them much. With his hand on the other cat's shoulder, and his arm resting across the other being's upper chest, he leans forward, and whispers into Lyas' ear. "That was stupid, Tabby. You don't know what might have happened. .. I made a promise to Baz to keep you safe, but doing things like that doesn't make my job easy." Backing off a little, his face hardening as he turned to the fish, he then raises his voice. ".. Besides, one doesn't tend to eat food that's gone off ... And, this thing's a few millennia out of date."
"How about Great? Magnificient. Magnamonious. Pick any of them you like," the fish offers, before suddenly, the bowl becomes non-solid, and Lyas finds his hands clasping together as the fish, bowl and all, passes right through him. "I'd like to see you try, scaredy-cat," the fish offers, as he passes right back through.
"Back for more, little pussy?"
Fenris has certainly not met a Spirit like this before. "It is an honor, Great. . . Fish?" he hazards, trying to carchthe attention of the two angry cats. "I think it would polite to introduce yourselves," he says with a forced smile, "Politely." He bows again to the fish, "I am Fenris," he says, "Though I am sure you know that."
The admonishment from Reginald takes Lyas by surprise, and he almost doesn't notice the bowl slipping away - until suddenly, his hands are meeting, the smooth glass of the bowl between them entirely dissipated. "What..." he mumbles, then jumps as the fishbowl passes back through him. Knocking into Reggie, he treads heavily on the other feline's foot. "For fuck's sake - surely there's some spirit code of manners sayin' how it's rude to just go straight through folk?!" He shoots Fenris a scowl, still standing on Reggie's foot. "I don't intend to make friends with the fish, and it sure as heck don't need tellin' my name. Or anything else about me, it seems!"
Reginald looks over to Fenris as he speaks, but, before he has a chance to reply, curses as the Tabby steps heavily on his foot, grimacing at the sudden pain, as he pulls away, trying to free his trapped appendage. It takes the lynx a good few moments to recompose himself, shaking his tender foot a little, before turning back to the group. "Forgive me if I think manners are wasted on this fish. It hasn't even cared to grace us with it's name, after all. So, if you want to waste your time with it, then, by all means, be my guest. I am only still here to make sure this tabby doesn't get himself killed." The lynx turns back to Lyas with a scolding look on his face, before letting out a sigh.
"We keep tabs on the interesting ones, you know. Why'd you think Foxie sought you out, instead of the myriad of other cities?"
"And you, little scaredy-cat. Little Lysander. I'm going to keep keeping my eye on you. There's plenty you could learn from me, I promise you," the fish offers. Reginald is largely ignored, although he does get another angry stare. Not that the fish has any other kinds of stares...
"It is nice to be noticed," Fenris says amiably, then he looks around to be sure that most beings seem to have vacated the area. "It has been a pleasure," he says nodding to the others, "But I think it may be time for me to leave the rest of you to your own devices."
The fish's words catch Lyas halfway through shrugging to Reggie - grinning again, palms raised as if to ask, 'what do you expect of me?' The use of his full name wipes the smirk away, though, replacing it with a twitch of irritation - then an overacted, deep scowl. "Hey. Hey, no. Drawin' on folks' worst humiliations, heck, even their deepest darkest secrets, that's one thing. Full names, though? That's crossing a line a' common decency. What'd you do to get it, anyway? Snoop through my drawers, check for little name-tags sewn on?" The cat snorts and shakes his head. "You should be ashamed, little fish. All the dumb shit you could throw back in my face, an' that's what you choose?" He looks back at Fenris in surprise as he announces his intention to leave - he'd sort of thought Fenris was in charge here.
The lynx looks between Lyas, the fish, and Fenris, before letting out another sigh, and turning back to the first. "I think we should follow Fenris' lead, Lyas. That .. thing .. just like the rest of it's kind, is not worth the effort. .. You'd have a more productive conversation speaking with a real goldfish, than that spirit ..."
"Just a bunch of scaredy-cats. Can't even deal with being insulted. Can't deal with having their full name used. Pitiful, really," the fish chastises, as it continues looking at the different beings, floating around, and generally, not seeming like it wants to leave the beings alone.
Reginald, having heard enough of what this fish has to say, just lets out a growl. Resting a hand firmly on the tabby's shoulder, he places pressure on the other feline to move away from this source of irritation, and whispers in a hushed voice to him. "I think we are done here, Lyas. Let what it says go, as it's nothing but hot air and a waste of space. .. Come on, lets get you home."
Fenris sighs, looking around at the abandoned beach. "Great Fish," he says, "You are incredibly rude. I imagine that it is part of your nature and that you can only encourage that behavior. I hoped to convince you to move on with some kindness, but you seem intent on making this as unpleasant as possible." The tiger returns to stand in front of the floating fish bowl. "Are you a friend of the Puzzler?" he asks, "Do you have friends?"
Lyas lets himself be steered away, but not without a parting comment. "Your bowl's trash!" He yells back, over his shoulder. "Get a proper aquarium, you pauper!" Seems like the cat was having fun arguing...
"Not a friend of mine. Though a court, we clearly share. Fish, time to go, now," the voice of the puzzler calls out. Not in rhyme for once, but certainly with a certain rhythm to it.
Almost effortlessly, the zoot-suited fox pulls the fish from its bowl, and tosses it into the rift he stepped through. "My condolences. A pleasant fish, he is not. Unfortunately."
"You, the tabby one. Would you like to keep the bowl? It's harmless, promise," the fox offers, as he holds out what is now a perfectly ordinary bowl.
Breaking free of Reginald's grip, the tabby cat turns back, raising one eyebrow. "I just said that thing was trash. But..." He saunters up and takes the bowl from the Puzzler's hands. "If it makes that fuckin' fish homeless, I guess I'll have it!" Lazily, he salutes the Puzzler and Fenris with the bowl, then swivels on his heel, catching up to where Reginald is waiting.
Fenris gives the Puzzler a pleasant smile and sticks his hands in his pockets. "Have you eaten yet?" he asks, "It is nearly dinner time, I know a great place." He had not really expected his Spirit patron to make an appearance, but he is pleased to see the fox.
"Lots of work to do. I'm afraid I can't stay long. You'll see me more, soon," the puzzler offers, as he, too, passes through the rift.
"Have a nice day, still. The weather is pleasant, no? Untill next we meet."
Lyas would find the bowl to be just a regular bowl, if he were to test. Even the water inside, while still tasting awful, isn't filled with that same sense of hatred as it was moments before.
