Beaver Dam Master of the fish

The creek was officially now his favourite part of Relic Lore. It did not really matter which region of the vast woodland or even more open plains to the north he found himself wandering into he always seemed to end up relaxing and unwinding alongside the familiar and cool waters the Heartleaf Creek had to offer. Though it was mainly within the dense forest lands he preferred it the most. Rocks were scattered all around him in an assortment of sizes which kept him sharp and alertly on form as he tip-toed on his pads between them, weaving sometimes into the shallows of the creek itself before idly leaping back onto the bank once more. It was an endless cycle of a wolf with nothing better to do with his time, a lone wolf. Though while the creek as always the best source of water in the valley or anywhere close for that matter there was also another purpose it served that kept him so close. The first skill as a youth he was ever taught was not to fight or even to hunt or scout, it was to fish. To begin with he had been hopeless at it. His large and clumsy figure mixed with his impatience was a bad mix yet a nomadic mane wolf took pity on him and taught him to harness the skill into his survival that winter. Hunting small game was all well and easy if you were agile or were any good at it and so Weldering spent most of his time living off a diet of fish and only when granted with good health and strength would he try his luck at hunting game above the surface. Well that and scavenging, anything and everything was on the menu including clams at one point in his life. Soon an odd wooden structure caught his attention as his black ears flicked forwards. Feeling the urge to fish he immediately begun to formulate a plan to use this beaver dam to his advantage loping over with a stronger and fixed purpose now and clambering up onto the platform of logs, twigs and mud. The only thought on his mind was to scourer the middle of the stream for signs of fish as Weldering lowered his body down now crouching and staring coldly into the depths on the middle of the dam.

(This post was last modified: Aug 01, 2010, 12:40 AM by Weldering.)

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It brought the small wolf pleasure to find a body of water that wouldn't try to kill her. And it was even more pleasing because she'd come across it completely on accident! From dawn until this moment, she'd been walking along the creek that wound its way through most of Relic Lore, every so often pausing to looking into its depths. Her system of measurement was simple. If she could see the rocks at the bottom, she could swim, if she couldn't see them, she couldn't swim. It hadn't proved to be all the accurate yet, as the water that ran through the creek was clear in most places.

Eventually, she decided to lie on her belly and drop a foreleg into the water. If she could touch the rocks, then she could swim. And if not, then...you get the point. It was usually quite chilly and deep, leaving Borlla with nothing but one wet, cold leg. Until she in sight of what seemed to be an obstacle. A large brown structure blocked her view of what was ahead, which intensified her curiosity. Her casual walk turned into a joyous skip, and she came to the other side of the wooden construction. The water was nearly gone on this side, leaving Borlla with just enough water to enjoy. Better yet, there was no one around.

With a happy yip, she jumped into the shallows, floundering around in the cold, clear liquid before a small shadow was cast over the water. On her back, she rolled to her belly, head only half above water, like an alligator, blue eyes curious to what it was. A wolf, obviously, facing the way she'd be heading home. She wasn't sure what he was doing though, so she paddle-walked to the base and peered upward, raising her voice as best as she could, "Hey mister! What are you doing?"

(This post was last modified: Aug 04, 2010, 10:22 PM by Borlla.)

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The master of the fish was preparing to land his next meal. His patience as always was beginning to pay off as by now several medium sized fish were moving closer and closer to his still figure slumped partly into the cool creek water. With jowls slightly gaped and submerged he kept his black tipped nose above the crest of the water allowing him to breath. Both of his ebony socked forelimbs were draped over the edge of the log dangling smoothly down into the river. The fish were inching closer however within an instant they darted off. At first he held his position steady yet even he could hear splashing which had sent vibrations through the water of the dam upstream to the deeper collection pool which he was fishing within. It was only then did it dawn on him that something was behind him and sharply the black and silver brute turned. He was not sure what he would face or whether he would turn in time, he was almost certain that he would come face to face with a grizzly. A bear that was expecting to fish only to find a wolf sitting in their favourite spot. But instead of a ferocious growl there was a soft child's voice and Weldering found himself having to look down towards the bottom of the dam rather then ahead of him. He was not angry that his fishing had been disturbed by her, he had already forgotten and might have completely if she had not reminded him of what he'd been doing. It had been so long since he last saw a pup yet he swallowed hard putting his feelings behind him and putting on a smile. Borlla might have been wet from playing in the creek but the family scent of Tainn lingered and the Swift River Pack seemed like the only plausible explanation as to why there were pups around. Yet he had no idea that their pack had members as young as this, he had assumed Junai was the youngest - well until now. "Hello there, you must be one of the Tainn family? What's your name?" He asked curiously, though quickly offering his own name as well. "My name's Weldering, I'm a lone wolf but I know some of your older siblings." Adding an explanation of how he knew a little bit about her family. "I was fishing, did you want to join me? I can teach you if you like."

(This post was last modified: Aug 05, 2010, 12:46 AM by Weldering.)

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The smile was promising, but her question wasn't answered for another moment. In the short period of silence, she sized up the wooden wall, and tested the lower sticks with her paws. Climbing was no option. She'd have to climb out of the creek and get up that way. No big deal, but she'd been quite excited at the prospect of getting to scale a wall. Of course, if he turned out to be a meanie, then she'd have to reason to go up and greet him, she'd just yell at him from below.

It was rather odd to Borlla that this wolf knew who she was. It seemed a lot of lone wolves she met knew who she was. Why was this? Her usual assumption was that one of her older siblings had come across them and been mean. Although, this wolf didn't seem mad or scared, which should have happened if Indru or them had been mean. He was nice and even offered to teach her how to fish. Fish. Fish? She'd never eaten fish before, let alone tried to catch any. "Sure!" Borlla yipped, spinning around to clamber out of the shallows, and climb up onto the dam. It was a little bit dangerous up there, especially for one with such wobbly legs, but she tried to stay near the far edge, so at least if she fell during her short journey to where he sat, she'd just fall into the shallows.

"I'm Borlla," She said, once she'd sat next to him, forgetting that she hadn't said anything. "How do you say your name? Wel-Wel-Wel-dring?" Her tongue flapped about uselessly as she butchered his name. After a moment, she stopped, ears twisting back in embarrassment. "Sorry." Her eyes flitted about for a moment, before spotting the moving shapes in the water. "...So how do you fish?"

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He was unsure whether she had learnt how to swim or not though took a note of how when she did clamber around and onto the wooden structure she remained on the safer side. Though if she was to take a tumble into the deeper waters Weldering would not hesitate to fish her out instead out what he was actually here to catch. As far as his name was concerned it had always caused confusion for pups to pronounce in the past - after all it contained more then one syllable. "Usually I'm just called Welde, a nickname." He explained offering her a much easier alternative. "Do you have any nickname Borlla?" Not asking her because her name was difficult to say or even memorise but just curious. His matching blue eyes met with hers briefly as he grinned quietly. Attention shifting back towards the water where several feet back from the wooden dam already the average sized fish were swimming around contently, yet not close enough at that precised moment. He hoped a point of his nose in the direction of them would get Borlla's attention. "It take's a lot of patience to fish, more so then hunting." It was the first and hardest lesson he had to accomplish when he had first been taught the skill. "I find it easier to put my paws and mouth in the water and stay still. After several minutes the fish will swim closer, but you have to judge your bite perfectly. It can take a long time for them to swim back again to you." Of course lessons were not so useful without examples as he begun to set his own haughty silver and black frame into position, muzzle partly submerged and foremitts tucked into the cool water. Yet with the water so deep where they were it would be so easy for her to topple over her own head if she tried. Lifting his head out for a moment. "Would you like to practice in the shallows? There are some little fish in there."

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She was eternally thankful that he hadn't been mad about his name. It wasn't her fault that she couldn't say it. Her tongue wouldn't do the right thing and was just messing everything up! "W-Welde," Borlla perked up a bit. That was much easier to say. It made her wish she had a fancy nickname. "I don't think so." Her nose scrunched up and she frowned, wishing her name was much more versatile.

They met eyes for a moment, and then she looked back at the water. They were so high up, and the water was definitely deep. She could barely see the stones at the bottom! Patience, Welde said, was needed. Well, she'd hunted before. She didn't remember having to wait to hunt, but it didn't sound so bad. Besides, the water was fun, even if you just had to sit there. As long as the fish were moving, her attention would probably keep her still and watchful. Sliding onto her belly, she did her best to drape her limbs into the pool, but she wasn't quite tall enough.

When he asked if she wanted to move to the shallower part of the stream, she was grateful. Not much fun could be had if she could only watch him the whole time. It was a tad bit disheartening though that she had to go back down, after all that trouble to get up. Of course, she didn't want to drown again. "That would be good. I almost drowned the other day! I'm not afraid of the water though." She assured him quickly, rising from her belly, waiting for him to lead the way, since he probably knew the better places to fish.

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Borlla's name was quite short already so thinking of ways to make it smaller and still sound good was difficult. The only combinations he could think of were either Bo, Bor or La. It was not even worth it. He was just glad that she did not seem too disappointed that he could not come up with a decent nickname for her. Yet he was at least able to teach her to fish and that was good enough for him. It was much clearer now what ability she had when it came down to being in the water and this only made him feel more comfortable taking her back from the deeper water as he began to lead the way across the logs of the dam to the bank again and then down into the smaller pool. His bright twilight blue eyes darting across the surface, roving his gaze from one side to the other looking for the best location. "I think over here..." He muttered as he waded though the water towards a few scattered rocks just off to one side of the bank. "Some of the smaller fish have scattered behind that rock, but when they think it's safe they will start to come out again." His long legs pulling his body out of the water now and moving along on the rocks above the surface to help guide her into a goo position. "If the water is shallow like this you can just stand still, let the fish swim up to you. But keep your mouth slightly open ready and low." Would his little cheechako show patience? Only time could tell yet it was a skill that took time and practice. Hopefully considering Borlla lived alongside a river it may end up being a regular thing for her like it had become for him whilst growing up.

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Carefully, she waded her way through the shallows, the water lapping at her chin as she followed Weldering. She hadn't noticed any fish in the pool before, but perhaps it just made all the more obvious that she was a cheechako at the whole fishing thing. Disturbances in the water scared the fish, and after what her new mentor said, she definitely knew it. It only made her walk all the more daintily before pulling herself onto the rocks beside him.

She listened without saying a word in response, and put on quite a serious face as she slid onto her belly again, trying to mimic how he looked before. Forepaws slid carefully into the water as she stared down into it, and she let the water lap at the underside of her muzzle, before letting out a little breath, which sent the water rippling. "So...I just have to wait now?" Her eyes shifted, trying to looking at the gray and black brute. It probably would have been easier if she'd taken his more recent advice of just standing, but lying down felt more fun.

She focused on the water again, trying to breath lighter, but the water continued to ripple lightly around her muzzle. Spotting a few shiny movements under the water, she tensed up, going so far as to hold her breath. Doubt was beginning to seep in. She'd hunted before, she even caught a woodchuck...But the fish looked so slippery and small. How was she supposed to catch them?

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Watching Borlla closely she pulled himself up onto the rock beside him and then into position. Yet even the smallest of things such as dripping water from her soaked pelt hitting the surface was a disturbance. It was a good piece of luck that the sun was high in the sky and it was a fine summer day allowing for her coat to be dry within minutes. He did not feel the need to mention it, there were a lot of more important other details to fishing yet now she understood the basics to begin he did not want to overwhelm someone as small as her with too much information. She just needed the remember the most important part, patience. The chances of her catching a fish were not too high, they were small and nimble yet panic stricken fish did tend to swim in every conceivable direction and sometimes that meant straight into an open mouth. With a nod and a satisfied grin he moved backwards onto the grass of the bank again. "That's it, now you just have to wait. It'll take a lot of practice." He muttered keeping his voice quiet. "While you're doing that I'll go get us some lunch." He explained slinking off back to his position before where the water was deeper in the middle of the creek on other side of the beaver dam. It would probably be easier to fish without her beside him setting his full concentration on the task. Besides with her fishing below if he managed to catch a couple of fish it would not matter too much if she was successful or not today Borlla would still get something to eat for her hard work.

(This post was last modified: Aug 06, 2010, 06:58 AM by Weldering.)

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As she crouched there awkwardly, eyes doing their best to twist in their sockets to follow the gray and black wolf away, Borlla got nervous. She stared back at the water with the most awful sensation in her gut and a horrible yeuk running up and down her spine. But not a muscle did she move. Welde said he was going to get them lunch. She'd feel awful if she couldn't catch at least one fish. This stranger was catching food for her and she wouldn't even be able to repay him.

What a silly thought for a wolf that enjoyed beating up strangers, rather then feeling guilty for not helping them.

And if it wasn't the nerves that got it, it would definitely be the patience. It was running dangerously thin at this point, although she hadn't been crouched for very long. She could see all the fish, but they were on the other side of the pool. Borlla snuffled, she slowly lowered down her muzzle, jaws parted wide, into the water. It was a very strange sensation, but that's what he'd done earlier. She almost couldn't focus on the water, too busy trying to remember to breathe out her nose and now out her mouth. The fish were getting closer now, since she'd stopped dripping on the water. Her whole body screamed to move, wondering why they were being forced to stay so still. Come on! She cried out silently, watching a small silver sliver get closer and closer before...

Borlla rose out of the water, cheeks slightly protruded, mind not quite sure what to do. Water...Water...Land! Fish couldn't breathe, or escape, on land. Still breathing through her nose, she balanced carefully from stone to stone until she hopped up to where the grass was. With a cough, she emptied the contents of her mouth (mostly water) onto the grass, minus one tiny silver fish. It bounced their gasping for air, and she could only watch it, gleamy eyed admittedly(she was incredibly proud of herself for not really doing anything but sticking her mouth in the water), not entirely sure how to disengage something so small. She'd watched Indru snap the neck of the woodchuck, but...The fish didn't seem to have one.

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