deercountry | a catastrophe and yet a masterpiece

[ The old man walks with an empty basket over his shoulders. There's commotion coming from around the corner. His curiosity is piqued and the old man approaches to see what the problem is.

He sees the brightly colored teen grit her teeth. Those in front of her seem disgusted. How typical...Trenchees don't always like Sleepers... The idea brings a spur taste to the old man's mouth.

The question now is: to interfere or not to interfere? ]

What's going on?

[ The old man's voice carries out after the girl's discontent. He is uncertain of whether or not a fight is necessary. ]

[there are and have been a lot of days in which vi's answer would be a fight is always necessary but she's not wholly sure here, though she's not exactly listening to the more rational part of herself ...more like telling it to shut up and fuck off.]

Dunno. Maybe ask these shitbags. [her voice raises enough that the mouthy one turns again, and she shoots a glare back over her shoulder before ...vi blinks as she takes him in: not expecting an old man. one of them or one of ...is there an us? are sleepers an us? old? yeah. but that doesn't have to mean anything. this guy doesn't look frail. he looks ...she can't quite put her finger on it, but he wouldn't seem out of place in the lanes.]

Or don't. [definitely directed at them:] Because look who's just standing there like a bunch of goons. Call me a coward? Pffft. I'm not the one walking away. What the hell is with you people?

[she rubs at her cheek, fighting the urge to ask this stranger (this fellow sleeper?) Can you see it? This thing on my face? What's it telling you? ...she knows what it's telling her, and it only makes her ball her fists up tighter.]

[ The old man glances back at the Trenchies scurrying off. All bark, no bite. He thinks with a bitter taste. As his attention turns back on the girl, the old man's expression softens. ]

I understand. They aren't worth the fight. I'm sure you could easily take them on.

[ The old man's voice hushes to a whisper. ]

That's why they are afraid. Sleepers have abilities these folks don't have. They act out of ignorance and fear.

[ The old man returns to a level volume. He casts a sympathetic glance. ]

My name is Sato. If you need anything, just let me know.

[ He gives a sincere smile. ]

Even if that means just talking and listening.

[He's right: they're not. ~~Probably~~. One last glance backward, and then, for now they're an afterthought. What's not an afterthought, though is that little voice rising up through her flushed cheek, the one that whispers they're right, you know.. Though ...here's this man has telling her otherwise. It's a small comfort, and it feels incorrect somehow, but it's appreciated.]

Yeah, well, I'm full up on ignorance and fear. Got enough of it where I'm---

---where I was from. I get it, I'm just tired of it. And it's really dumb of them, too. If they can't ...if they don't have abilities like we do? Not gonna end well.

[this kindness? unexpected. not unwelcome, though. it's been a weird few days. and things have only been getting worse as the weather's warmed. as the sky chucks down all that rain.]

Okay. [it's almost a question, the way her voice rises up. but his smile seems sincere.] Sato, huh? I'm Vi. Just talking and listening. No catch?

It's a pleasure to meet you.

[ Sato provides a formal bow. He reflects on her previous statement. She must be used to dealing with aggravating behavior then. That's good, she will last well. Although the old man's experience in Trench is minimal, he at least has grown to understand quickly the importance of survival. ]

Just talking and listening.

[ He repeats the phrase.]

The only catch would be fishing, but I don't know how comfortable you are with boats!

[ Perhaps the joke won't make Vi laugh. After all, it's a bit lengthy. The old man grins and casts a gaze towards several passerbys. ]

If you have another place to chat, then that would be fine as well.

[the formal bow is one more unexpected thing - especially given the tone of trench right now. nothing about his gesture seems mocking, so forgive her if her mouth drops open just a fraction. and yeah she's used to all aggression all the time mostly - she'd only been a week out of prison before she found herself here.]

Not sure if I'm more of a talker or a listener. It's ...uh, been a while.

And that depends on what you consider a boat. I can't say I've even been on a fancy boat, or a big boat, but I've been on a dinghy, and I've helped build a shitty raft or two.

[give her a moment. catch. it's not hilariously funny, but it's kind of ...dad joke funny. and she appreciates a sense of humor more than some people. so she gives him a small smile, a nod, a yeah, i see what you did there.]

Is it true that the water here's mostly safe? For fishing, I mean.

[and yeah, she's fine with getting the fuck out of here - but she's going to keep her cheek covered - it feels safer that way.]

[ Sato appreciates her response. To see someone crafty at her age reminds him of how adventurous he was in his youth. Perhaps talking more with people may jog my memory... He thinks with earnest. ]

Any survival skill will come in handy. Especially if you decide to step away from some of the more populated areas.

[ He takes a moment to recall his oceanic experience. ]

Fishing in the ocean is always tricky no matter what sea you're in. However, for the most of my time on open waters, the fish are plentiful.

[ Sato draws in close for a whisper. ]

Heck, even though the Trenchees don't favor us- they are still willing to bargain for resources.

[ He leans back with a smile. ]

So, whatever you can grab a hold of or craft- they will have an offer.

[ The old man then runs by a thought. ]

Have you found a shelter yet?

I have a place, but...

[she doesn't want to be there right now for reasons - she had thought she could find somewhere else to be, somewhere that wasn't the rookery - the idea of alayne seeing this mark and what might come next: no thank you. turns out finding an elsewhere to be came with a crowd - everyone out in full force - sleeper and trenchie alike. and she likes to keep her options open, even when perhaps she shouldn't. shit goes sideways quickly sometimes and she prefers to be prepared.]

I've fished over a bridge before, but not on open waters. I'm game for it, though. And yeah ...isn't it funny how even if they hate your guts, as soon as they need something you've got? Bam. There they are, like it's no big deal.

[grab a hold of? well, she hadn't intended on stealing - this was supposed to be a bit of a fresh start and all that - but she's not 100% against it. though she's got a few ideas that are a bit more ...above board.]

You got a boat nearby?

[ The old man nods in understanding. He appreciates the company. Especially, one with wit. While engaged with the idea of fishing, Sato becomes excited. ]

A bridge? That's a good spot to fish. The deeper you go, the better the luck!

[ He smiles brightly. ]

Though the real fun is trying to work with the waves. Otherwise, you lower your chances of hooking a bite. Or, your boat might become damaged. I've run in with a bit of luck and found an abandoned shop with a full scale mariner's ship.

[ The old man waves his hand towards another street. ]

My shop is on the beach towards that way. Have you fished in the afternoon before?

[ Sato wouldn't have thought fishing to be as fascinating. At least, until his life becomes dependent on the sport as a food source. ]

[a full shop and a boat? for free? better there than here, and:]

No shit? That's some luck you've got there. It's weird that there's so much stuff up for grabs here. Some of it's really nice. [she is no stranger to abandoned places, but in the undercity ...chances are if it's truly abandoned, it's for good reason.]

I have, yeah. But it was a long time ago. I was a kid, then. [says the barely twenty one year old. vi follows, looking back behind her in case someone's following. not yet. bullet dodged.]

It is good.

[ The old man says with a cheery smile. He leads the way towards a small shack. ]

Catch of the Day

Here we are home, sweet home.

[ Sato stands with a proud smile. ]

We should be able to have a good round. Do you need anything?

[ The old man minds his hospitality. ]

[it's ...nice. nice in that way that it's above ground and on the water all at once - two things that would have been impossible for her to think of existing in combination. sure, the prison she'd been kept in had been on an island - but it wasn't like she ever saw anything but her concrete walls there. it doesn't count.

home sweet home. she smiles when sato says that. takes in his smile and his stance, nodding.]

I hope so. Can't say I saw this one coming, but I'm not complaining.

A fishing rod, I guess?

[or does he use a net? it doesn't matter to her either way - she's learning all over again, but it's mostly just ...waiting, right? she can do that for a while - it's all she did for a very long time. and this kind of waiting - even with the mark on her cheek - this unconfined waiting that feels a lot safer than being in that crowd? it's far from an adrenaline rush, but it's ...good. the idea of being on a boat? even better. it could be that she's still so newly human that her squid-self remembers the comfort of the water, or it could be that the water's not toxic, and sato is the first real adult to show her any hospitality in a long time.]

[ The old man regards his guest with a smile. ]

Life's more interesting when you are faced with the unexpected.

[ Sato opens his little shack and walks inside to fetch his fishing gear. He can't help but to muse over the idea...]

I know things may become hectic, but to be on your toes does well to keep you from boredom. Every little inconvenience or delightful surprise may bring a new lesson to learn.

[ The old man grabs a tackle box and rod. Before heading out to the boat he realizes that... Maybe she needs something. Sato pays close attention to his hospitality. He enjoys new company. ]

Did you need a drink or something to eat before going aboard?

[ Ooc: Sorry for the delay- was away and focused on finishing some chapters before my contract ends! Hope all is well with you- stay blessed and creative! ]

Edited 2022-08-03 22:09 (UTC)

[he is not wrong, there. a lot of the unexpected can be good, as she is learning - even in the middle of ...other bad stuff. she also can't say that she hasn't learned from some unexpected turns.]

Boring is definitely not how I'd describe Trench. But hectic, inconvenient, surprising and even delightful would all make the list.

[vi is not keeping a list - but if she were: sato's assessment tracks.]

A word of warning: I'm never gonna say no to a snack.

[ooc: no worries! glad you got stuff done, and back at ya :)]

Very well!

Sato cheers.

After all, going out to fish requires a lot of energy.

The old man invites her inside to a small table. He gathers a pot of tea and a couple of plates featuring several pieces of lightly salted fish.

It's not much, but here you go.

Sato sets the plates down and pours tea.

Just let me know if you need anything else!

[vi will sit and wait as patiently as she's able, watching as he pours the tea, sets the plates - salted fish! she could almost cry. she tries not to grab the fish as if it's the first thing she's eaten in days. it isn't - she's just unused to so much food so readily offered - and it's downed quickly. did she even chew? it's a mystery for the ages.

she's almost embarrassed, but she's to grateful in this moment to stay that way. she's a bit more polite about the tea - she doesn't gulp or slurp - she sips as she's seen alayne do it, or at least an approximation of that. she could never be so graceful, and she's fine with that.]

Not much? This is great. You live here all by yourself? [it's not necessarily a bad thing.]

I do.

[ The old man smiles. Being alone on the shores doesn't seem to bother him. ]

Living alone is like, playing a video game on hard mode.

[ He pauses for a moment. He remembers that there was another person who had no idea of what video games are. ]

Have you played any before?

[ Sato can't help his interest on the subject- he often finds himself playing games rather than working! ]

[again: solitude might have been a thing she sought out here, if alayne hadn't found her first. she didn't mind it ...when it was her choice. having it forced on her via prison? notsomuch. she could do without that kind of solitude probably forever.]

I guess I'm pretty good at hard mode.

[a sip of tea, as she thinks.] Played? Not really. I think I know the kinds of games you mean, in a sense. There was stuff like that back home, but not for us. Not for people like me.

[anything like that would end up sold or traded for food, other things, for sure. it would likely have come from piltover.]

We played a lot of games, though. Machines that you fight, machines that you shoot.

Not for people like you?

[ The thought sounds confusing at first. Maybe her family couldn't afford them. Video games can be pricey. Sato remembers vaguely how people could only play in arcades for years before having their own system. As for fighting machines...]

So, you were training for combat? I don't recall seeing much of that back at home...Then again, I do forget a lot!

[ He gives a dry laugh. As the old man finishes his snack, he has more on his mind.]

You know- surviving takes on a whole new level when you have to play in real-time. I can tell, you've been through much challenges but I appreciate your tenacity.

[ Sato sighs. He shakes his head and gives a smile. ]

Are you ready to go fishing?

[ He doesn't want to lead her to talk about matters that would be uncomfortable. Sometimes the best thing is to fish and relax. ]

[vi finishes her tea and sets down the little cup gently and letting out a breath.]

We ...didn't have a lot to go around, and a lot of what we got our hands on we had to sell. [understatement of the highest order, and she chews her lip a moment, but she isn't embarrassed, just thoughtful, deciding how much to reveal: how much to make her shit someone else's problem.]

Spent my childhood in a slum, below a whole city that wanted to pretend that trash like me didn't exist. Thing is, there's 'trash' everywhere, and it doesn't have anything to do with where you live or what you have. Most of us "undercity scum", at least in The Lanes, we had each other's backs, and while it lasted it was worth a more than any fancy thing topside, even their sunlight and clean air. We had to fight for a lot of what we had. We had to fight for each other, and that meant something.

[she blinks at his compliment - it's been a long time since anyone qualifying as an adult has said something like that to her as well. now she's a bit embarrassed. not for anything she's said, but for the length of it. there's a pride in her words, though, and her smile remains as she tells what she tells.]

Ready as I'll ever be. Maybe you can tell me about your old home, or what games you like to play while we fish. Y'know, if you want to.

I see.

The old man expresses his sympathies. Somewhere amidst his failed memories, Sato feels as though he faced a similar issue. Why does life always have to play a game of 'us' versus 'them?' He sighs.

Sometimes despite being thrown into the bullpen, so to speak, people grow stronger because of that adversity.

He takes a moment to grab a couple of rods and an extra tackle box. With a warm smile, Sato nods.

I'm sure we can continue this chat aboard. After all, fishing is a great place for talking.

As he prepares to lead the way, Sato looks ahead to the sky. He admires the ocean's beauty in spite of it bringing him to the strange land. Sato enters the boat and waits for her to climb aboard. Once all are set, he brings the boat several yards out to sea. The waves are calm as he anchors the vessel. Sato hands her a rod and prepares opens the tackle box. The old man baits his hook then casts it into the sea.

May we have some luck!

Sato cheers. As some time passes, he attempts to draw upon some old memories. After all, Vi has been open about her previous situation. It's only fair. He thinks with a somber smile.

There's a lot of details that are blurred, but I think that I had a relatively boring childhood in contrast to yours. That's probably why I sought out as many thrills as I could...Perhaps, you can say that I was a regular daredevil. However, I think that my mindset eventually led to some risky decisions...If I could remember more, than maybe I would share.

He regards Vi with a thumbs up.

I appreciate your honesty. I know, it's not easy to talk about certain things. But at least I know one thing is sure--you can count on me as your comrade!

[vi will step in without hesitation, and yes, the ocean is beautiful - this ocean that's strange and frightening and somehow feels like home - an ocean that's responsible for birthing them here in the first place.

the fishing rod is nicer than any that came before it, and she takes a moment to examine it, appreciate - before reaching into the box and baiting her hook, too. that part's muscle memory she didn't think she still had. her cast's not as good as it could be, but it's not shit, and she huffs a small laugh as it plunks on the surface - sinks.

who the fuck would have thought this would even be possible?

vi nods when he mentions thrillseeking, being a bit of a daredevil in a way that says get seeking thrills. risky decisions, too.]

Still a bit of a daredevil, here. Working on that, trying to get it to be less regular. Not sure how that'll turn out.

[a good natured shrug and a pause.]

I'm not used to counting on people anymore. It's ...weird. Hard, even. But I'm trying to let that go. It can't be just me anymore. It's supposed to be different here.

[it's tons different. she's fishing on water that isn't full of toxic waste, breathing in air that's breathable. talking to this man like she's known him for at least a few days. maybe it's because she's not herself yet. maybe it's because she is.]

I understand.

[ The old man responds pensively. He treads through the recesses of his mind to reach a conclusion. ]

I think, that being Sleepers, we ought to stick together. Perhaps, given this new terrain, we will come across good allies and friends.

[Sato gives a warm smile. His eyes glint towards the sea. He carefully looks overboard and points to the water. ]

Maybe we'll have better luck in a moment! Incredible sight, right?

[The old man appears jovial. He shows Vi a school of fish swirling in the depths below. ]

Seems like a good plan, yeah. I'd rather make allies than enemies.

[though, to be fair? she's used to making enemies. wasn't always the case. the trenchies don't seem to want them here this month. what had changed? the month, the patron - but she doesn't know any of this, yet.

what she does know is that she feels a spot of calm amid excitement - and her excitement isn't fueled by danger - and those fish - what a sigh that is.]

Hell yeah, it is.

[and maybe. maybe they will. she catches herself holding her breath in hope - she doesn't need to do that to catch fish, not like this. she waits, waits. and ...there's the tug.]

I've got one. I've got a bite.

a catastrophe and yet a masterpiece

Re: 2: you cannot hide

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apologies for the delay i did not see the notif!

Re: No worries! :)

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OPTION 1

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