Catching Carp with Callu

[Just Fish] //tooltip: Skip the fucking, but stick around.
You ask the otter-girl if she wouldn't mind you joining her for a bit, but without any amorous activities. She gives you a quizzical, somewhat suspicious look.

[say:And what're you supposin' we'd do?] she asks, one eyebrow cocked.

Fish, you answer. It's not very often that one gets the opportunity to do something so calming in this place, and besides, she said that she always ends up with too much, so surely your presence wouldn't be too much of a burden. However, you don't exactly have your own equipment, as you tell her.

[say:Hrm...] The toned girl lets her rod rest on her thighs as she intently studies your face. Her expression is inscrutable for a few moments, but she eventually breaks out into a wry grin. [say:Why not? You jus' wait here, I'll be back quicker'n you can notice.]

True to her word, the otter-girl leaps into the lake and shoots off like an arrow. Faster, maybe, you think as you watch the white surf kicked up in her wake. She disappears out of sight, so for the moment, you do what she recommended and just take in the lakeside atmosphere. Your mind drifts in the serene, natural breeze, and it's almost a surprise when a nearby splash heralds her return.

Callu tosses a long pole in your direction with a grunt and then ambles back over to hers. [say:That un's a spare, but don't go breakin' it. They're a pain to make from scratch.] With that, she plops down and picks up her rod, returning her gaze to the water. You wait a few moments before asking her what you're supposed to do.

[say:Hn? Oh, right. Lemme getcha some bait...] She fishes around beside her with one hand without moving her eyes from the bobber and pulls out a wriggling worm, proceeding to thrust it your way. [say:You can jus' jab it on the hook. Should prolly fold it over a few times, they're wily out there. Snatch it clean off if ya' let 'em.]

You do as instructed, though it's kind of difficult with the worm stretching and retracting as you try to slip it on. However, you[if (spe > 40) {r dexterity allows you to manage it with little difficulty| manage it well enough}] and present her with the hooked bait.

She nods and shifts to the side. [say:Alright, now yer gonna wanna make sure not to cross my line when you cast. And, uh]—she glances over at you—[say:careful with the backswing.] She mimes a vague casting gesture with her free hand, and you study the practiced flick of her wrist, hoping you'll be able to do the same.

And then there's nothing to do but to do it. You start from a[if (singleleg) {n upright| standing}] position and dangle the line in front of you, taking a deep breath to prepare. After scanning the water and estimating the distance, you rear back and then let it fly, [if (spe > 40) {though you're fairly disappointed to see the bobber land well short of|pleased to see that the bobber has landed exactly}] where you wanted it.

[say:Hah! Well, not the worst I've seen. You might have some promise yet.]

You take the compliment for what it is and settle in next to the otter-girl. The two of you sit in relative silence as the minutes stretch on, but you don't really feel bored. Callu is a comforting presence; it's quite calming to see how content she is here, almost like it's her lake, and all the rest of you are just guests. She hauls in a fish before you, but throws it back with a slight grumble when she sees how small it is, and other than that, there's nothing to disturb the peace.

That is, until you get a tug that near yanks the pole out of your hands. You lean forward in surprise, but there's an undeniable excitement in your breast at having hooked a real one.

[say:Whaddaya got on there, a tigershark?] the otter asks with some degree of mirth. [say:Go on, set the— Jus' give it a good yank!]

You do so, and then follow the rest of her instructions as she helps you slowly, carefully reel in the fish. [if (str < 30) {You actually need a bit of help reeling it in, but the otter-girl is happy to provide it, her steady arms joining yours on the pole|The advice of an expert angler is invaluable, and you're able to make steady progress, your line coming closer and closer to the shore}] as you wait in anticipation. You can almost smell it roasting already.

And then with a splash, you yank it out of the water. It's huge, definitely over two feet long, and you feel immediate pride in your catch. Callu giggles as you struggle to swing it over before helping you with getting the hook free.

[say:Not bad, not at all,] she says. [say:Definitely a good meal. But it'll have to be stripped 'n cooked first.] She looks up at you. [say:You stickin' around for that, or...?]

You glance up at the sky and see that you've been here for a bit already. You should probably be getting back to camp soon, so you regretfully decline the offer.

[say:That's alright, I can handle it. Here, for yer trouble.] She pulls out a finished fillet and hands it over to you. [if (cor < 30) {Thanking her|Accepting her generosity}], you take it and stow it in your [inv] before waving goodbye as you set off for home.

//Some sort of tracking so that you can get your own fish next time you see her? I could be convinced, if anyone cares.