Friendship (3)

Writers: AL, Elyriel
Date Posted: 20th January 2009

Characters: Zelle, T'marek
Description: Zelle takes T'marek up on teaching her to whittle.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 13, day 14 of Turn 4

With a heavy sigh, T'marek grabbed the grub before it could fully submerge and stuck it on the hook. Tossing the line out into the water, he all but slumped back into his spot. Setting the pole between his legs, he left one hand holding it and rest his head against the rock again. "There. Fishing now. I'm not spoiling anything."

Zelle clicked her tongue but refrained from commenting. She sat next to the brownrider, wondering if one bath was going to get out all the sand that was surely going to stick to her after that. She was used to it, though, even after being in a mountainous Weyr. It actually felt good, comforting, a throw back to her former days. It wasn't quite like being on a ship, the salty sea air, the wind blowing in her face, but it was pleasant.

The greenrider sighed in a happy fashion and watched the waves dance over the surface of the water. Movement soon drew her out of her reverie and she looked to see T'marek's line jerking. "Tam! You've caught something!"

Immediately, T'marek jerked, his hand causing the pole to pull backwards. "What?" He asked, rubbing at his eyes with one hand, trying to understand what was happening. Looking at the pole in his hand, he started to reel in the line, blinking rapidly as the sun nearly blinded him. "Great." The brownrider grumbled. "Why couldn't you have been the one to catch the sharding fish."

"Because, they like you." Zelle giggled. "Ease it out, you don't want to pull too hard. Pull in, then let go, but not too much. You do want to make some headway."

Tossing her a look, the brownrider lifted one brow. "Girl, I've been fishing longer than you've been alive. I think I know how to reel in a fish." He turned his attention back to the packtail that was on the end of his line. Normally he enjoyed fishing, but today wasn't one of those times.

"Well well well! I didn't know you had it in you." Zelle teased gently, then went silent as she watched the man wrestle with his catch.

Unable to land it sitting down, T'marek stood and put his upper body strength into it. Not long after the fish was dangling from the line, flopping for all it was worth. "There, I've caught my fish. Your turn." He said as he grabbed his beltknife and speared the suffering creature through the head and immediately dropped to the ground to begin cleaning it.

"Still waiting on mine." Zelle jiggled her line a bit, but that didn't seem to do any good. She continued to sit and let her focus turn more on T'marek than on her pole. "Not a bad size considering how close to the shore we are."

"Not bad." The brownrider agreed, cleaning his knife in the water as he finished with the fish. Putting it on a large hook he placed it back in the water, tying a string to one end of the hook, the other end he looped around his boot. Picking up his pole he laid it down, then cleaned his hands and went back to his spot by the rock. "Let me know when you have yours cleaned. I still have that inspection to finish."

"I have to catch one first." Zelle stated, amused. "What inspection are you talking about? An inspection of your eyelids?"

"Exactly." T'marek murmured, relaxing, feeling all his muscles release their tension. "Shhhhh." The brownrider said quietly, willing sleep to claim him again.

"You are crazy." Zelle stated with a chuckle and settled down to wait. She supposed since he had gone along with everything she'd let him lie.

A while later, Zelle was nudging T'marek awake. "Hey...sleepyhead. Come on."

"What?" Came the thick, warbled reply. Not opening his eyes, the brownrider sighed heavily. "I can't have caught another fish, I didn't put my pole back in the water."

Zelle laughed. "No, but you've been asleep for a long time. I've caught two fish and built a fire in the time you've been sleeping. Actually, the fish are almost done. I thought you might like to eat."

Braving the day, T'marek opened one eye and winced. The smell of fish cooking finally made it's way through his sleep muddled senses, causing him to sit up. Opening both eyes he placed a hand over them and groaned. "Remind me never to indulge so heavily again."

"I'll do my best." Zelle offered her hand to the brownrider. "Come on, something to eat will do you good."

Reaching out the brownrider took the offered hand and allowed her to help him to his feet. He was careful not to tip her over though, he was no lightweight. "It smells good." His stomach rumbled which was a good sign. Earlier the smell of food had made him feel like he was going to be sick.

"You'll feel better once you eat." Zelle didn't release his hand but continued to tug him along further up the beach where a fire crackled merrily. It was too hot to get too close, but there was nothing like fish caught by one's self cooked over a fire made by one's self. "I do enjoy fresh fish."

"Me too." His eyes wandered over the fire, checking the way she fixed it. "Looks like you know what you're doing." T'marek replied, pleased that she hadn't ruined it.

"I'm glad you approve." Zelle finally released his hand and took one of the sticks upon which a fish was speared. "This one's the one you caught. I hope it's to your liking."

Taking the fish from her, he eyed it, then gave her what could maybe pass for a smile. "As hungry as I am, I'm sure it's perfect." The brownrider said, blowing on the fish to cool it enough to eat.

"Oh good, so if it's a little overcooked, you won't notice." Zelle took up her own fish and settled down to eat it. "Ah, this is the best, fresh fish cooked over an open fire and eating with a friend."

T'marek shook his head slowly, picking at a piece of fish and quickly placing it in his mouth. How she could consider him a friend after so short a time knowing him, he had no idea. Shells, he'd known people for turns he still didn't consider friends. "Mmmmm." The brownrider said, closing his eyes and savoring the taste. "Good."

"Good." Zelle agreed, munching happily. He might be a grump, but she could see there was more to him than met the eye. She would just simply have to convince him of it.

Last updated on the January 21st 2009

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Friendship (3)