• PM To Join • [Cyrene Bay] Pining Away

[Nivasi Zyq'Dariav]

74 Ymiden, Arc 716

It was good to be back on open waters, muscles straining as she hauled in a net of fish. It was perhaps good that she was stepping out of her comfort zone and engaging with the rest of the world but it was also good, very good, to have some time to herself doing what she knew. Besides, at heart Nivasi would always be an introvert, and she needed this time alone with endless horizons, wind in her hair and the sweet salt tang in her nose. One foot on the railing, to brace herself, she hauled again.

Instead of finally managing to get the net and its haul aboard however, she was rewarded with a crack as the railing snapped and she was dumped on her ass, net and fish falling back into the water. Only a tendency to have a length of rope tied to the net ensured she didn't permanently lose it. She lay for a moment, eyes flashing silver as she looked up into the sunny blue sky, winded and surprised and still in that moment where she didn't want to move in case doing so brought on the pain that shock had thus far kept away.

Still, there was no point in shying away from it for too long. Reality was what it was, and no amount of denial would change it. Filling her lungs with one long in-drawn breath through the nose, she moved to rise, wincing. Standing, she took account of herself. Leg was scraped where it had broken the railing, but though it stung and small beads of blood gathered, there was no real damage. Likely her... pride would be black and blue, but as a whole, she was fine.

That done she moved on to what was more important, the Bravi'os. With a muttered curse she ran her hands over the railing. Thumb crumbled another bit of wood off near the break. Dry rot! Damn and double damn! Perhaps lucky though, it took some effort to crumble, it was just starting, it may not have spread yet.

[Nivasi Zyq'Dariav]

With a sigh she went below to fetch her hatchet and saw. She set to work immediately, removeing the affected area. Closer inspection showed that it was a different sort of wood than the rest, likely less rot resistant. Someone had skimped when making her beloved ship. perhaps they thought because it would almost always be above water it would be all right. It was not. Frowning, brows furrowed, she continued to saw. Though her hands were rough from work, the rarely used tool sat in places not usually used, and she could feel blisters forming. Well, that wasn't such a big deal, and soon there would be new callusses.

Offending area removed, she circled the vessel, checking the rest of the railing. She couldn't realistically check the entire boat, but the most likely culprit was the rail. A full check showed no other weakened areas however, and for that at least she was grateful. For the time being, always conscious of the fact that there was no one looking after her but herself, she tied rope across the now much less safe section, so an unlikely wave or unlucky trip couldn't send her into the ocean without at least a little trouble.

This done, she moved on to the next of her priorities, her net. With the rope tied to it she pulled it in easily enough, and was torn on whether to curse all she'd lost, when she'd been fighting to get it into the boat before, or to give thanks that it was still half full and not all had been lost.

Aie, as if it is a choice, both! I am upset at what was in my hands and lost, but thankful for what remains.

Choosing to either put in the smoker, or gut and store in the barrels depending on size and species, as well as throwing a few back, she processed the modest catch. She spent the rest of the Trial casting her nets, catching more and building her stock until the suns began to set. This done, she tacked back in closer to land before setting anchor. Going below, she settled into her hammock. Sleep came quickly after a day of work.

[Nivasi Zyq'Dariav]

The next morning she woke early with the suns, as was her habit. She followed the coast until she found a small bay, the steep angle of the beach was testament to the strong undertow that plagued it. Knowing that the tide was about half way out, she beached her ship, and lowered the anchor to boot. Taking saw, hatchet, shovel, her smaller waterproof bag, and tinderbox, she went ashore.

She didn't go far into the woods that lined the coast, Nivasi did not like the forest. She didn't think she ever would. The way the roof of leaves seemed to crowd in on her, hiding the sky made her intensely nervous and claustrophobic. She went just far enough to find a small pine tree. She could very nearly circle all the way around the thickest part of its trunk with both hands. It looked young and healthy. perfect. Taking the axe, she inexpertly trimmed the lower branches from one side, clearing a space. This done, she swung the axe, mildly paranoid about somehow managing to take her own leg off. She didn't, and though the swing was a little tentative, the axehead buried itself into the tree with a satisfying thunk. Getting it out again took a little more work, she wiggled it until it was freed.

Well, this isn't so bad, I'll not be changing careers any time soon, but I can do this!

She thought cheerfully as she swung again.

...and hit about a foot off from her original strike. She scowled at the tree as she wiggled the axe loose, she'd been trying to hit the same spot again. Axe freed, she lined it up with the first strike, drew back, and hit again. Almost precisely between the two existing marks.

"U'freks eyes!"

She swore. Cue a good half break of chopping at the tree, and turning the trunk into a proper mess. She was probably half way though, and the tree still stood strong, for all that it looked like a particularly large mouse had been nibbling at it. Sweating, Nivasi sat for a moment, before laying back with a groan. She thought she'd been in good shape, but this was using different muscles. As well as the blister, her back and arms were protesting. She rested for a quarter break before rising and going at it again. She was getting a bit better, but she could still only hit within about a handspan of where she meant to.