The Halfing and The Mousai (private Randin Mugworts)

[Falco Grenthumb]

Mid-afternoon, Kalendryas 26th,winter of Era X in the Age of the Darkening

Along a muddy bank a Halfling was crouched over, his grubby hands grabbing at the wet mud. After getting a handful of mud, the Halfling inspected his prize before pulling out the worms and placing them in a pouch on his belt. He repeated the process over and over again, mud oozing out of his hand every time he scraped some from the ground.

His black fishing rod was lent up against a nearby tree as he searched through the mud. He did not care for much company keeping mainly to himself except a few odd people like himself. Most of the time he was either eating or complaining about something or the other.

Once he was satisfied with the amount of worms in his pouch he picked up his fishing rod and waited impatiently for his usual companion. He had hated waiting but he snacked on one or two worms from his mouth, allowing them to be mashed up in his mouth before swallowing the poor wriggling creature.

Once his companion showed up he would see Falco leaning against a tree, he wasn’t hard to miss for a Halfling. He wore a plain white shirt which was missing the top button. Over that he wore a dark green waste coat with matching green breaches. Around his waist was his black belt which had 4 pouches, one which was now full with slimy worms.

[Randin Mugworts]

Outside of Narim, outside of the city's markets, outside of it's bustling streets, outside of the endless chatter that came from the crowd, outside of anything or anyone, was Randin and Falco's favorite fishing spot. Well...it was actually Falco's fishing spot, because to be honest, Randin didn't fish. He prefferred the vegetables and roots that grew alongside the bank, and occasionally snacked on them compared to Falco's nasty habit of eating worms. Just the thought of worms made Randin want to barf. How could one even touch the wriggling, disgusting creatures, let alone eat them. Nope, it was to be certain, that Randin despised worms. But he liked fish! Oh how he liked fish. Cooked. He liked fish cooked. His mouth watered at the prospect of a nice, battered fillet roasting goldenly over a small fire. Who couldn't like fish?

Randin Mugworts scurried along the short dirt trail that led from his small den outside of the city straight to the bank, occasionally shuffling about and stopping to pick up a few roots or vegetation he noticed, and stuffing them gently within the leather knapsack he carried. Falco only had learned the basics of fishing, so it wasn't unusual for the two to not get a catch. And if that ever happened, Randin at least wanted a bit of food to eat while they spent their day leisurely. He wore a dark-green travelling cloak over his small shoulders, and balanced the leather-brown knapsack upon his back as his four paws pattered down the dirt trail carefully yet swiftly. He was a fast bloke, sporting lean, fit muscles on his arms and legs. He bore a dark-red shimmering coat, with black midnight-hued eyes. A wolfish grin was commonly found on the small Mousai's features. "Going to be late! Going to be late!" the small Mousai chattered endlessly to himself as he walked, stopped, and picked up a few roots before walking some more, stopping, and so on. It was a repeated process he would never overcome, if he saw a fresh, untampered piece of a vegetable, it seemed only right to stop and pick it up.

Seemingly, this didn't help matters that he had woken up perfectly on time, and was just settling down to a nice healthy breakfast when his thoughts began to probe his mind. It was then that he had remembered the promise he had made to his impatient friend, the halfling, and he had leapt up with such agility that he had to sit down again just to get rid of the headache. Randin was a simple, patient fellow, where Falco...was just the opposite. Yet somehow the two had remained good friends since their childhood, and Randin had just turned into an adult, yet still acted as immature as ever.

"I'm here, I'm here, I'm here, I'm here!" Randin spoke in a loud tone, a slight squeaky accent held within it as most Mousai were known for. He gave his friend a wide smile, flashing pearly white teeth that had recently been polished. "Sorry for being late!" he spoke hastily as he completely ignored his friend and placed his knapsack by the pole. He then swiftly hurtled on towards the water where the bait was, and sat down and watched impatiently. "Fish biting today? Randin want to know.." he spoke, obviously not having mastered all of the Common language, a task that would have to be completed later. He grinned and looked over to his Halfling friend.

[Falco Grenthumb]

Falco saw his mousai companion hasting his way towards him; it was obvious he had once again forgotten the most important part of the week, fishing day. The Halfling tapped one of his hairy feet on the ground as he stared unhappily at Randin.

‘This is the fourth time over the last 3 patterns you’ve done this Randin. How many times must I say it to you, don’t be late!’

To any normal person it would have been funny watching Falco blow his lid however to the Mousai it was different. The Halflings faces became red and puffy while his breathing became quick and heavy.

‘Just for that, I’m going to make you put the worms onto the hook.’

He followed Randin to the bank where he sat and for a few seconds he was blowing off steam. He looked at the mousai and studied him, he had grown into a fine adult but Falco didn’t look at him that way he only looked for his companion’s fishing rod.

‘What was the first thing I told you to buy when you turned into a full Mousai, Randin?’

His stuffy voice rose slightly as his eyes closed slightly as he looked at his well kept friend. This was a normal day to the pair of them, it was differently the odd couple in the world of Alleria.

[Randin Mugworts]

Randin shrugged off Falco's initial comments nonchalantly. To be precisely honest, it was his sixth day within three patterns to miss "Fishing Day", but Randin was surely not going to mention it. He only smiled and nodded, before putting on a slightly mocked show of being abashed of his actions. He apologized profusely to his friend, knowing how important fish were to the fat hobbit's belly. "Falco better leave fish for Randin this time..." the small Mousai muttered under his breath as he stared into the mirky waters of the bay, wondering how any fish could be in there...alive...or dead. He cautiously backed away from the shore and turned to rummage through his knapsack, before retrieving a nice tasteful root and munching on it with delight. "Falco want some?" he asked cheerfully through crammed teeth as he gave a quick bright smile of his two large front teeth. Everyone had to have their veggies...

Randin sat down by the bank with his friend, all paws laid out in a sitting position with his tail swishing silently behind him, like a grandfather clock. He watched the blue skyed horizon and the chill and distilling waters within it. Midnight-hued eyes glanced solemnly over to Falco, and he grimaced as he was told that he would be putting worms on the hook. "Randin won't touch worms. You put nasty, filthy, vile worms on hook," Randin spoke with a cold mean look in his eyes. He hated worms. Hated them.

He listened attentively to his friends question, and am amused grin quickly formed over his features. "Hmmm..." he thought aloud as his chin sunk into his paws and his brain began to debate. Falco had said a lot of things to get when he grew up. Tons. Millions before tons. Falco talked a lot. "Falco tell Randin to go and buy boat?" the small cheerful Mousai asked finally after a moment of silence, looking to his faithful friend for guidance.

[Falco Grenthumb]

Falco chose to ignore Randins muttering as he pulled out a worm from his pouch. The Halfling sat and carefully placed the worm on the end of his hook, not caring what pain it did for the little creature. Falco stood up and flicked his black fishing rod forward sending the piece of string with the hook flying into the air. His hazel eyes watched its quick decent into the water with a light plop.

Falco was happy with his cast siting once again on the wet grassy bank of the river. His round face turned towards Randin who sat close by saying something about a boat and more fish. The Halfling pulled another worm out of his pouch and a grin played on his pompous features.

‘Randin…my good Mousai friend. Can you go find me a stick that has a v-shaped end so I can lean my rod up against it.’

He then threw the worm at the Mousai to see his reaction, as soon as he had gone to find such a stick Falco thought over the idea of a boat. It would help him gain more fish meaning more of his favourite food though cakes came a close second. His large round belly rumbled at the thought of food and he couldn’t wait to eat his prize of today’s fishing.

[Randin Mugworts]

The Mousai waited calmly for an answer that simply would not come. His words were being ignored, once again, by the self-conscious, selfish, idiotic Halfling. But Randin didn't care, not one bit. He smiled happily as he planted a berry within his mouth and chewed admirably. He watched suspiciously as Falco pulled out another worm, and shuddered as the hairs of his nape rose...he had already guessed what Falco was going to do to it. "You need to stop eating worms," he spoke with a bit of a disgusted look before carrying on, "Randin thinks you are what you eat!" The small Mousai broke into a fit of giggles and laughs, clearly happy with the joke he had just pulled upon Falco the Halfling.

He settled down though and listened quietly once Falco began talking again, asking him to find a V-shaped stick. The small Mousai nodded quickly before dropping down to all paws, and began to move forward...when the ugliest worm he had ever seen in his entire life came through the air and hit him on the nose. He grimaced and rubbed his nose exceedingly too much as he glanced upwards at Falco and scowled. It was then though, in that precise moment, that Randin's small, tiny mind formed a plan. He deftly picked up the worm and promised not to look down at it, keeping it from silently wriggling away. He smiled cheerfully at Falco as he stepped behind the Halfling, speaking in a calm voice admist his inward laughter, "Randin thinks he saw stick near the knapsack." He concealed the worm as he walked by his friend, and then right when he was just behind the Halfling, he picked up the worm, stuck his tongue out at it, and dropped it into the mess of curly hair. He then hurriedly ran for his knapsack, and looked around for a v-shaped stick, waiting for Falco to notice the wriggling creature in his hair.

[Falco Grenthumb]

Falco didn’t feel the worm dropped into his hair by his furry companion; however he did turn around and give Randin a queer look. The Halfling watched the Mousai scuttle off to find the stick he requested, his gaze slowly returned back to the river. He plopped down on the river bank holding onto his new black rod which was his own pride and joy.

Falco hummed a tune to himself as he waited for the mousai to return with the stick. As he hummed his hazel eyes glanced at his hairy feet, his toe nails where dirty with grime. His hairy feet were exceptional hairy for a hobbit but the hair was a nice hazel colour. His belly rumbled and his head gazed down to his lump of fat around his waist, it hungered for fish, nice tasty fish.

‘Don’t worry; you will be feasting on tasty fish tonight.’

The Halfling sniggered to himself as his right hand pulled a long bit of grass out from the ground and put the end into his mouth. He chewed it as he waited for Randin to return, he was taking his time, he bellowed out to his friend

‘Randin! What taking you so long?!’

Falco didn’t turn his head around but sat constantly watching the river and the string at the end of his rod. He chewed on the long bit of grass sticking from his mouth as he hummed once again still not noticing the wriggly worm in his curly hair.

[Randin Mugworts]

OOC: Permission to bunny in finding a stick

Randin sniggered quietly behind Falco as the Halfling turned back in direction and faced the small river. He could not believe that Falco had not felt the wriggling creature in his hair, slowly squirming around the curly mop of a mess. "Randin will find stick now," the young Mousai spoke outloud, moreso to himself than to his wishful friend beside him. He swiftly walked over to his leather knapsack, took out another root, and munched on it thoughtfully before persuading his limbs to get up and aide him on his search for a v-shaped stick. He glanced around at the dirt and mud carefully, black midnight-hued eyes looking for just the right piece of wood.

He found it, half embedded within the mud, yet he saw the v-shape clearly enough. To be honest, it looked much more like a "y", yet he knew Falco would not object, it would only help in standing the fishing pole upright. Randin grinned broadly from ear to ear and scrambled over, tugging on the stick and releasing it from it's muddy doom. He found no problems in removing it, and quickly tossed it over to Falco, making sure the stick landed a few feet away from the Halfling. It would only complicate things if it hit him on the head, but it might have served the purpose of freeing the worm there from the curly brown hair.

"Randin tired, fish not biting much. Want to play hiding game?" the young reddish-brown Mousai suggested cheerfully. The hiding game was a game much similiar to hide-and-seek, where one of them counted and the other hid within a forest or thicket. The two had played it since...forever. Ever since they met, they had discovered it to be a playful way of spending the time when they fished. Randin looked over to his Halfling friend and waited for an answer.

[Falco Grenthumb]

When Randin had come back with the stick required, Falco dug the stick into the ground and lent his rod against it. He now lied back on the bank watching his rod while chewing on the bit of long grass protruding from his mouth. This was the life, relaxing on a cool bank why waiting for a fish to bite. The Halfling was blinded from the fact his companion was growing board and the fact he still had a worm in his hair.

It wasn’t till the mousai spoke up did he realise his friend had grown tired, he looked over at his friend. He gave him another queer look, he want to play hide and seek again, last time they played this, Falco had gone home and left Randin out all night hiding.

‘Why do you want to play hide and go seek? I’m quite happy waiting here for the fish to bite thank you!’

The Halfling snorted and relaxed as he began to think over the boat idea once again. He liked the idea but how would he raise enough money for such a thing except if he sold…

His head turned as he looked over to his companion, his hazel eyes studied the mousai before he spoke.

‘Randin…I forgot to tell you…I’m moving in with you next week.’

He turned his back to watch his rod as wide sneaky smile crept onto Falcos face knowing his friend wasn’t expecting that.

[Randin Mugworts]

The reddish-brown Mousai's ears drooped dissapointedly at his friend's thought about the game. For some reason, the stubborn Halfling wouldn't budge away from his fishing line, and Randin knew a good reason why. "Oh go eat worms," Randin jeered quietly as he scampered over to Falco and plopped down upon the muddy bank beside him, drawing the emerald cloak about his body for warmth as black, midnight-hued eyes studied the crashing and rolling of the waves.

His ears perked attentively as Falco spoke once again, and his jaw dropped silently. "What do you mean you are staying with Randin? Randin thinks you have no manners," the small Mousai complained along with a few other choice comments. After a while though, he quieted down and stopped his complaining, ending the discussion with a curt reply. "Well then, Randin will make you stay in the guest room, you can move in tommorow when you are ready," the small Mousai spoke with an audible sigh as he sat with his friend, studying the waves and hoping the fish would bite.

[Trinity]

It wasn't much, and barely noticable, the tug on the little rigged up fishing line.. if a person could call an improper contraption of a thing such as Falco and Radin had rigged up to hope fish bit at. The little metal hook had snagged in the mouth of a mindless little fish though all too soon as he bit into the worm, swallowing it off the hook's end.. But the hook wouldn't leave.

So, the fish, as any other fish would do in this situation -- panicked.
He thrashed about, wriggling and writhing all over the place and creating quite a fuss above the surface. The sticks thrashed and made quite the movement, showing that something was indeed biting at the other end -- or rather, trying to get itself away before the hobbit could reach it. Talks of anything else would likely have been cut short as eyes diverted to this tug of the line. They would have to act quick to catch the little lively thing!

[Falco Grenthumb]

The Battle of the Halfling and Fish

As Randin spoke about Falco staying in a guest room, he dozily stared back at his fishing line, it kind of tinged. The Halfling sat back up, his hazel coloured eyes stared at the fishing line which tinged again, had a fish taken the bait? His belly hungered for fish, it was like a six senses, knowing a fish had taken the bait.

His rod began to shake violently as the fish began to panic; Falco launched himself at his black rod grabbing hold of it. He tugged his fishing rod to the side slightly as he stepped back trying to pull the fish in. His face began to go slightly red as the battle with the fish had commenced, he wasn’t going to lose, he was going to win and his belly was set on it.

He pulled his rod back as he taken a step backwards hoping to bring the fish to the surface. The concentration on the Halfling face was immense putting forward his strength to bring this fish in. He spoke loud and quick words to his companion who seem to enjoy watching this battle as if it was a puppet show.

Randin… you dumb wit! Get ready to catch the thing when I pull it in!’

He pulled it with all his might and weight as he fell backwards bring the rod with him, but had he pulled the fish out the water…

[Randin Mugworts]

Randin arched a bemused eyebrow at the scene. He had noticed the line begin to tug, and then the swivel around in the water, obviously having caught itself a prize...without Falco's help. This made him chuckle quietly, and he was about to address his friend that a fish had taken the bait when Falco leapt up with amazing agility (for his large size), and began running over to reel in the bait.

Falco was correct, Randin watched the scene play on like a puppet show as he sat crisscrossed upon the bank. He giggled at his friend's antics, but immediatly leapt up when his friend called for aid. With a swift nod, he collected the v-shaped stick from the ground, ready to use it to prevent the fish from crawling back into the water. A small pink tongue found it's way outside it's confinement and licked Randin's lips hungerly. He was on his tip-toes, ready to pounce on the fish and hold it down while Falco killed it.

[Trinity]

OoC: For Future reference Trinity hates OoCs. They make her unhappy.

As the halfling pulled, the fish struggled against him and fought for it's life, just like anything caught without it's permission would do. It tossed, it splashed, and when it finally got itself on land, it had suddenly relenquished it's frightened frenzy and forced the little man to fall flat on his bum as the force struggling against him ceased to exist. The fish flopped around on the bank for a few seconds, gasping for the air of the water it'd been in and finding none. Randin's fur got a little wet as he waited, the fish still having retained a bit of the water.

But finally, the fish breathed it's life, suffocating to death. What a horrible way to die. But alas, sometimes those who breathed water had to die to satisfy those that breathed the air. It was a food chain, and nothing more. The poor fish was the cycle's victim this brightening. Yep, the balance had selected him, the blue-scaled average salt-water fish, about 2 feet long and rather well sized for a fish, to die. His scales.. they were rather beautiful. But weren't all fish usually beautiful? Weren't that brilliant now, in fact, they were kind of covered with the dirt he'd flopped around in before death. A few twitches of his tail as he fought the end and the remainder of them that happened as his brain stopped thinking, heart stopped beating, lungs stopped breathing.. The contraction of muscles gave the fish one last lurch before it died.

Looked like supper was theirs for the taking, on any account.

[Randin Mugworts]

Randin stared hungrily at the finally dead fish, his pinkish tongue coming out to lick his lips. His eyes were wide as they studied luminously upon the frail, tasty, scrumptious fillet before him. Instinctively, through years of trained experience, he reached forward and took the fish promptly yet carefully, before running off down the bank. "MINE! Thanks Falco!" he yelled as he scurried faster. Yes...that was it, the pure brilliance that radiated from the small Mousai was too intense for words. Make the fat worm-eating, bugger-flinging, ugly-looking Halfling do all the work. Randin, was a genius, and as he always said. 'Make stupider people do it for you.' That was exactly what Falco was, at any rate, even if Randin didn't quite think his friend brainless.

Nonetheless though, he ran faster down the bank, hoping his friend would be too lazy to catch up.