Everyone loves a quicky! p=

Her house was finally built, though it was still quite empty. She had moved her packs from the stables, but she hadn't unpacked much. Without any furniture there was no where for her to put her things anyway. Her swords hung from the rafters against the wall. The punching bag she had made from buckskin and filled with sand hung in a corner. Once the rains slowed in frequency she would hang it outside. The Dauphine had offered to help her look for furniture in Lunenburg. An offer she would need to take her up on soon. For now though four of her six packs were laid on the floor as a makeshift bed on top of a large bison skill that she had laid out as a temporary rug. Which she was curled up on in her halfling form. She was awake but still undecided on what she was to do for the day and so she had yet to move from the mattress of leathers.

The voice that called to her from outside brought an instantaneous smile to her lips and much needed motivation to arise from her bed. She gave herself a good shake before swiftly changing to two legs.One Sec. She hollered towards the door. She grabbed her blade and belt off the floor. Reaching into of the bags that was not apart of her bed, she pulled out a satchel of dried meat. As she stepped out of her cabin she had already managed to get her blade strapped in place, but she still fumbled one handed with the buckle of her belt as she held the bag of meet in other. Good Morning, Toliy! Pleasant surprise seeing you. Noticing the pole he carried she added, We're going fishing? She was excited. It surely showed on her face.

She had found herself thinking of the Russo man more and more lately. She was almost getting used to the way he made her stomach flutter. It no longer filled her with the self consciousness it had. At least not as badly. She tied the bag of jerky to the belt seated loosely on her hips. She shook her head and laughed. What does fishing have to do with drowning? She looked up from the string of the leather pouch to see him knocking on the trunk of a tree. She cocked her head to the side. And what's that about? The grin still in place on her maw with laughter in her eyes.

Secretly she had been hoping that he would come and take her to the sea sometime. Living a landlocked life she had no ties to the sea, but he had turned her curiosity towards. It was only because of him she had any desire to know the ocean. She would be just as happy with her seas of grass and a horse for a vessel. Lead the way, Captain. She wrinkled her nose and pushed her tongue out slightly between her teeth.

The Mississippi was the meanest water's Anann was familiar with. Though its floods were hardly anything to compare with the waves that pounded the rocky shoreline. Now she had to worry about fish dragging her into its depths? She had never heard of a fish dragging anyone into a pond or a lake. The bigger the water the bigger the fish maybe? How big a fish you talking about here? She tried to hide the fact she found the idea of being drug into the ocean by a fish a tad bit unnerving. She doubted he would anything horrible happen. Right?

Superstition. Anann's life, her one prior to the miracles pack, had been built upon superstition. Though it had nothing to do with knocking on wood or any such thing. It seemed it went right along with 'better safe than sorry' or so she figured. So, knocking on the wood breaks the jinx? She asked, making sure she had understood correctly. And that was supposing there was a jinx at all. Sounds like you've got the day planned then. She said with no objections. She had no qualms spending time with the Russian man.

Anann had expected more of a leisurely stroll to the beach. Instead their pace was a brisk one with the Russo leading the way. Reassuring her as they went that they would not be attempting to fish up any monstrous fish from the shores. The slight hurry that he seemed to be in only fed her excitement and wonder for what the day might hold. The more sandy the turf became the faster he seemed to move his feet. The scent of the ocean and it sounds growing stronger and stronger with every step.

Once the waters came into view he bolted, urging her to follow. By now the three year old woman hardly felt her age as she chased after him. Agile fingers pulled at the straps of her blade and belt, releasing the buckles as she ran. Leaving them to fall behind her on the sandy beach. She broke through the surf. The water slowing her charge as it swallowed her legs. The cold of the water made her gasp as it permeated the fur of her thighs, chilling the flesh beneath. Her tail still above the water swayed behind her getting damp as it brushed across the water. The currents were gentle here but she could still feel the push and pull of the water as it lapped at the shores. She didn't know quite what to think as she took it all in her face beaming and her tongue oddly still as she ran her hands over the surface of the water feeling it cool wetness against her finger pads. She looked out over the vast body of water before brown orbs turned to Anatoliy. He finally had gotten her into the embrace of the sea, now what?

This feels like a fail post x.x

The initial shock of the cold water faded. It wasn't so bad at all. It was cool but not a chilling cold. The whole sea to play in and she just stood there grinning like a child. The amber woman knew how to swim thought she seldom ever ventured into waters for anything other than a bath. No, not so bad at all! Its been a long time since Ive went for a swim. Unless you count a bath as swimming. Her tone was slightly nostalgic as she though of the times she had went swimming with her siblings, the ever watchful Rem making sure none of the pups might drown. Those days seeming like a different lifetime now as she stood now in a place she never dreamed she would be. Well, since we're being honest, I've been waiting for you to bring me here. So I think it was a good idea. She found she had to look away from him, the statement making her feel vulnerable. Oh how she hated that feeling.

What? He was ready to get out of the water, but they were only half wet. That's not swimming and he had said they were going swimming. And so she just simply looked at him as he headed towards the shore. Ah! She yelled. Throwing her arms up to block the wave the man sent at her. With eyes squinted shut to keep the water out of them she splashed back rather blindly, laughing all the while. You're not gettin to shore until your wet from head to toe! She dived at him arms reaching out to pull him under with her as she more or less fell into the sea's grasp.

With all the splashing and laughing it was unavoidable that Anann ended up with a mouthful of salt water more than once. Ugh the stuff was aweful, she did her best not to swallow any of the stuff. Yes way! She said as she felt her arms grasp him. Her lower body might have been adjusted to the waters cool temperature but it wasn't so for the rest of her. The gasp it caused her to make as she went under left her coming up sputtering. Laughing once she had air back in her lungs.

She felt strong arms around her waist. She struggled against them half heartedly. She kicked and squirmed as he tossed her, splashing water around more than anything else. She let herself sink to the sand bottom of the shallow water as she was tossed, pushing off the bottom she stood back up out of the water. Is that a bad thing? She flicked the surface of the water with a single finger send a tiny splash in Anatoliy's direction. Then shook her head trying to rid it of some of the water running through her fur. They were wet enough now that she was satisified. Though it was hardly from actual swimming. So are you ready to quit fooling around and get to teaching me to fish. She crossed her arms trying to act serious but she could keep the laughter from her face.

Anann was one for rough housing. It came naturally to her since even in her youth her days had been largely spent training and sparring. So it was good that she found it fun and enjoyable, and not always serious. It had not seemed to chase away Anatoliy, not yet anyway. Well I'm glad you haven't written me off, yet. She said, a silly grin still on her face. She believed they were both having fun, she certainly was. While they still hadn't technically gone swimming but they were both sopping wet now and so if he was ready to move on to the fishing so was she. I'm not trying to get rid of you at all, silly. You were the one that wanted to get out of the water without even getting wet! She stated, crossing her arms across her chest, routing her own nose up in the air. No, she did not want to end this day quickly. Not if this was just the start of their fun.

We can't fish here? She asked as they made their way to the shore. She knew next to nothing about fishing. Anann preferred the meat from animals of the four-legged variety. Sometimes the occasional bird. She had seen others fish the rivers and lakes but that was as close as she had ever come to attempting it herself. When he looked back at her, she tilted her head at him as if to say "Who me? Wouldn't ever!" Though she still bore a slightly guilty grin from her last tackle. She put up her hands in surrender. Ill behave. For now. Upon making it to shore she gave her self a good shake, trying to rid herself of the water the seemed to flow in streams through her water logged pelt. huh? Stop him from what? She turned to look at him, noting the water running from his shorts. The water soaked material clinging to him. She stifled a laugh. So take them off. Maybe ring them out? She looked around the beach for her discarded belt and dagger, moving to pick them up. It wasn't her fault he had striped before running straight into the sea. Unless you're shy? She had thought maybe that's why he hadn't shed them in the first place. Wasn't that the reason the others wore cloths, to hide what they didn't want seen. Promise I won't look. She gave a glance to the to soaked fabric he donned. A sly grin probably leaving him to doubt whether or not she could be trusted in the matter. She carried her items for now. She put them back on once she had dried out a bit.

xD Anann is so clueless that Toliy is a hybrid due to his size lol not that she would care anyway.

Anann knew nothing of the salt waters and the odd way it would dry in her fur, leaving behind the devolved salts that the water carried. She would learn soon enough how it would stiffen the hairs and leave her with a rather uncomfortable, if not itchy pelt. Even if she had known it doubtfully have changed nothing. For the fun had been well worth the slight discomfort that was yet to come. The company can make all the difference in the world. There was no other that she would rather be with or that could have tempted her into the sea. It was only her interest for the man that brought her any interest in the sea.

It seemed the Russo had little issue with shedding his shorts as seemed to pause only due to Anann's questioning. A devilish grin the only response she had for his question. Her eyes never drifting downward though as removed the soaked article of clothing. As he attempted to wring the water from his shorts, Anann tried to shake more of the dripping water from herself. A job that could be more effectively done if she bothered to shift her form, but found it not worth trouble.

She would be little use in finding a decent fishing spot. Although once Toliy explained it, she could easily see why the beach would not work well. Though she did not know what rays were and could only guess that it was some type of fish. As they walked to higher ground and steeper shores Anann hooked her arm in Anatoliy's, her hand resting on this arm near the wet jean fabric. Glanced up at him as she did with a slightly nervous smile. Of coarse we can go back to my place. I have plenty of left over wood for a fire. And does fish go with rum? She had been looking for an excuse to break out the corked bottle. And though she didn't know now that they would need to rinse away the salt, there was a spring and creeks all around her home.

He found them a potential fishing spot rather quickly and Anann followed him, wading out the a cluster of rock that they would apparently be fishing from rather than the actual shore itself. He was the teacher and she was the student and realized that she knew nothing about fishing she didn't question it. She simply did her best not to slip as she climbed atop the algae covered rock.

While the honey-hued woman was not adverse to physical contact, but she generally kept a standard three pace rule. Of coarse there were those that were allowed within her comfort barrier and naturally during any sort of sparring session it was impossible to uphold. However, when she found herself in the company of Anatoliy there was a growing desire to be closer. Still when she had rested her hand in the crook of his arm she could help but feel a sliver of doubt that it would be unwanted. His golden eyes held only the slightest confusing and certainly no disdain before he turned his gaze back to the sea with perhaps a bit of a grin on his face. It was a shame that had had further to walk. Red Wine? Hm, I'll keep a look out for a bottle and maybe we can find out sometime. She rather like the prospect of the idea.

Before they waded out to the rocks they were to fish from, Anann went ahead and put her belt back on, with its pouch of dried meat, and strapped on the small blade. It was better to get it wet than risk losing it completely. Climbing on top of the rocks themselves was harder than she would have liked to admit. What with the push and pull of the water, as well as the slick surface. She simply nodded when he asked if she was ready. She gave the tin a curious look as she took it from him. Unsure at first what it for, but once she opened it up it was rather obvious. She made a bit of face at the slimy little creatures the tin housed. She plucked one of the wriggling, slimy worms from the tin and replaced the lid. She watched him with a grin on her face as his big hands quickly and nimbly threaded the hook and tied the barely visible line.

The hook securely fastened to the line he passed it to her. She took it carefully not wanting to snag either one of them with the barbed hook. She looked at both the worm and the hook, trying to decide how she was suppose to put the two together. Starting at well, one end of the worm (which was the eating end and which was the pooping end she had no clue nor desire to know) she ran the hook through it as far as she could before it barbed end exited the bait worm. Did I do it right? She asked, holding up the hook and bait for his inspection.

I is a wee bit confused as to if Toliy casted the line or not Xd but Anann don't know how to lolz ...I got a lil long winded XD

It was a simple task, she knew that. Still it was the first time she had ever attempted baiting a hook. Dark eyes watched his face intently as he looked at the squirming worm she had threaded onto the hook. His hand guiding hers so that he might get a better look at it. The warmth of his hand on her brought a smile to her lips. It faded slightly and her ears tilted back as he seemed unsure of her work at first. Though they bounced right back as it met his approval.

Carefully, he took the hook from and let hang from the end of the rod. Which was then placed in Anann's honey hued hands. She gave Toliy a questioning look as she took hold of it. She had no idea what she was suppose to do with the rod and line. It felt foreign in her hand and vastly lighter than the bladed weapons she was accustomed to wielding. He moved to stand behind her and Anann moved to stand closer to the edge of the rock they stood on, giving him ample room. His arms wrapped around her, finding her hands yet again and adjusting her grip on the pole. She looked up and over her shoulder at him, listening to his every word. She nodded. How do I get the hook out in the water? She was not sure if she was just suppose to toss it out there or what. All she did know is that she was in no hurry to break there contact.

---

Once the line was in the water there was little to do except to hold on to the rod. She could feel the soft tug of the current though the pole in her hands but she hadn't felt anything that made her believe there might be a fish on the end of her line. So tell me Toliy, what is like on the otherside? She motioned across the water with her snout. She had heard stories even in the land locked area she had lived in, but none from a source she trusted with any accuracy. Curiosity not so much about the lands far away and unseen but more the man that had come from such a place. Though it seemed she would have to wait for the answer, feeling a tug on the end of her line. At one time she had been expecting just such a tug but the wait had made her lax and the pull from the other end startled her causing her to jerk the pole. Toliy! I think I've got something. She looked to him. What now?