River Fishing

Alexandria, banks of the Tornmawr, early afternoon

Summer has finally arrived here in Alexandros, the heat steadily building day after day. Now it finally feels 'hot' to most people here, and the wools of winter have given way to lighter garments, broad-brimmed hats, and parasols.

Seated on a small wooden folding stool on the back is a man dressed in simple linen clothes. A fishing rod is in his hand, and with a casual flick, he sends the line flying into the river, before letting it sit patiently. A large, wide-brimmed hat protects him from the sun, and the only sign he might be more than just a fisherman is the care that went into his clothing, from simple shoes to the breeches and tunic.

Simony arrives on foot, in a copper-coloured summer dress, barefoot and broad-rimmed hat. She spends a bit of time wiggling her toes in the grass, and looking a few bees as they lazily float about from flower to flower. Telamon is soon spotted, and a mischeivious grin crosses her expression.

The Goblin looms in from his side, "Catch anything?"

Telamon looks up, his dark eyes glinting beneath the shadow cast by the brim of his hat. His hair is tied back, hanging down past the base of his neck, and his expression is cheerful. "A few," he says, pointing to a large bucket. Inside are two big, dappled fish with jutting lower jaws. "Trying for a third before I go home, or Pothy will pout."

The tip of his rod twitches, and his eyes cut to the water, but evidently whatever it is hasn't taken the bait yet. "And I'm enjoying the weather, too."

She steps over to the bucket, and crouches down to get a good look at the fish, her nose wrinkling. "What sort of fish are these? Are they delicious?", she wonders, before returning to his side, settling down to lean her back against him. "Three should be a feast. What do you serve with them?"

Her hat tips towards Telamon as Simony glances up at the sun and towering white clouds. "Yes, it feels like not so long ago we were knee deep in snow and slush. Despite my allergy to the sun, I find it much more pleasing than biting cold and chest deep snow."

"Greatmouth bass. They usually prefer lakes, but the river moves slow enough I guess it works for them as well." Telamon tenses a moment, watching the lure out on the river, but then shakes his head, twitching the rod a bit. "I caught a few bream as well, but I threw those back."

He gives Simony a look. "You know... now that you've reached the vaunted heights of power, I'm surprised you haven't done something about that. I'm pretty sure with your grasp of the Raven's mysteries, you could ward yourself against the sun."

Her head tilts slightly at the names of the fish, and she nods. "I am glad that it is such an easy thing to do. Well, you at least make it look easy. Seems like a thing requiring patience and time, which lets you think while you wait."

"Well...", Simony says, tilting her head back again to peer at Telamon from an upside down perspective. "I do not relish the idea of permanently altering my body with magic. It seems like a dangerous proposition, when there are perfectly mundane solutions that perform the same purpose." She blinks owlishly before shrugging. "What magical solutions I do use to cover cvertain deficits are permanent, but I can choose not to wear them."

The half-elf smiles. "Patience is something that's hard to cultivate, but it's worth the effort to do so. And... it lets me relax. Think. Contemplate the world at a slower, more measured pace."

Telamon blinks at Simony and her reluctance. "But we change ourselves with magic regularly. I'm not saying you shouldn't be careful, but if one has the ability to ameliorate or heal a debilitation, why shouldn't it be cured?" He smiles cheerfully. "After all, Lana and I both fixed permanent spells on ourselves. Granted, those were improvements, not flaws, but the point stands."

Her expression is odd, one of unhappiness mixed with distaste. "I am not against using magics to repair what is broken, an injury, or some debilitation brought on by evil magics, for example." Not surprising for a cleric.

"And if people are born with deformities, I do not begrudge them getting those seen to. Yet I know people who have refused a regeneration of a lost limb, preferring instead to take on an artifice arm, or eye." Simony rubs at her cheek.

"But my ailment is easily ameliorated by a hat, Tel. It's no big deal, to be honest." She blows a breath out her nose. "But I fear making permanent modifications that are integral. I feel that is the start of a path that could lead to dangerous thinking. I am powerful... but, well, as an example, do you know how many clerics have gone down the loathesome path of lichdom? It seems hyperbolic... but, well... you see it over and over throughout history, people doing fantastic things with magic, curing all ailments and frailties... and falling from the light when their well earned pride leads them to believe they can deny the one thing that makes everyone equal in the end... death."

Telamon mulls the response over. "Honestly, I had figured lichdom was more of a wizard's risk rather than a cleric's. But I'll take your word for it." He reaches over to take Simony's hand, giving it a squeeze. "I just don't like seeing people enduring something that they don't have to."

He teases the lure with twitches of his fishing rod, eyeballing it before turning back to Simony. "Which reminds me, I have a new project, something you might be interested in. I'm looking to add a little extra to my defensive options -- a light mantle that offers protection against most blows. Think you're up to the challenge?"

"It happens more often with wizards, this seems to be true. But think about it... if one lives longer, one can continue one's god's good works. You can save more people. Encourage more people to worship. Spread more good across the world. I'm a cleric, I can walk the line, I know the dangers more intimately than a wizard does.. pride and power are a dizzying mix. And I intend to avoid my pride and my power mixing like that. I mean, my kind don't live as long as most other races. The temptation to correct what some may call some cruel oversight by the Gods is pretty high."

Her expression brightens then, as talk changes to new projects. "I would be pleased to attempt it for you. Tell me, do you have a specially prepared area in your home for such a thing? Or perhaps the SHining Chalice has some consideration for such things?"

"There's a certain amount of truth in that... though my metric has always been that it's less about how much time you have, and more about what you spend that time doing." Telamon snorts. "I've met elves who frankly have wasted their days, after all."

The change in subject makes Tel's face brighten as well, and he nods. "Not at home, sadly. The Chalice Observatory has secure rooms for such work, but not at the meeting house. Stiger mentioned that the insurance rates are ridiculously high for magical enchanting and experimentation, if you're within the city."

"Ah, sadly, other practicioners of magic have spoiled things for us with wreckless endangerment of the city.", the Goblin says with a slight frown. "I shall never understand such things. If you enjoy the city and its environs, why endanger it? Why force its caretakers to make such decisions against you? It is very silly."

She hrms. "Well, I suppose the monastery is as good as any, I just wanted to give you the option of not having to travel too far from home to witness my progress. I also relished the idea of perhaps a nice dinner and company too, with the safety that comes with powerful sorcerers." Simony lets out a giggle. "That way I could kill multiple birds with one stone, yes?"

"Honestly, the travel is not so bad. Flight does tend to help, even if I can't teleport." Telamon suddenly pulls on the rod, and curses softly. "Blast." He begins bringing in the line, the hook neatly cleaned when it comes out of the water. "Clever fellows," he muses, as he sticks another worm on the hook and casts the line back out.

"And what makes you think I can't supply a nice dinner, either? I could do anything from bringing Wyvern Wraps up to casting magnificent mansion." Telamon grins. "After all, if you've got ability, might as well play with it."

The Goblin watches bemusedly at his curse and subsequent re-worming of the hook. "Well you are offering them a free dinner after all. Sometimes they succeed and get off scotfree." She giggles lightly.

"Oh, you know what I mean though. It's nice to have a proper sit down and tea served by invisible servants, and to chat with house pixies and wander your greenhouse." Simony's broad grin returns. "While my home is simple out of necessity and devotion, and lacks nothing that I need, your home is comfortable and pleasing. Something you've got and should play with more."

Telamon raises an eyebrow. "It's my home, Simony. I kind of spend a great deal of time there as is. But I can't do serious magical experimentation there -- in fact, I usually do my alchemy work outside." He chuckles. "Every time I think about setting up the alchemy lab in my study, I get nervous. Maybe I should put a little outbuilding there... but that'll cut into my gardens. Decisions, decisions..."

"Tell you what, though. Why don't you come by tomorrow night with a list of things you'll need for this project. We can have dinner, and I'll see about getting the materials purchased and shipped to the monastery for you. That way, we all win."

Her grin persists. "Ah, your fear is perhaps similar to my fear about permanent magical changes to my body. Sure, though, enchanting is hrm, less dangerous? But I do understand."

Her expression grows thoughtful. "I'll bring my notebook, and we can go over what you want done and I'll work out what I need from there. I've also got some veggies I can bring. The tomatoes are growing like crazy this year, and the potatoes and carrots have done very well too. I could bring a basket to add to dinner. I could help make it, if you so desired."

His expression becomes wry. "More like my fear is rooted in 'I don't want my alchemy lab to turn into a gnomish fireworks display again'. If nothing else, Lana would kill me." Telamon watches his lure twitch again, his foot absently tapping on the turf.

"That sounds like an excellent idea. I don't mind having an extra hand in the kitchen, and it's fun to trade recipes while we work. I'm sure Pothy won't mind either." Telamon furrows his brow suddenly, as the lure twitches again. "Speaking of Pothy... I -think- this might be his dinner..."

Simony snorts and chuckles, nodding profusely. "Well, I suppose that is the danger of an alchemy lab. But uhm... next time you are working on some alchemy, may I be present to observe?"

Another laugh at the mention of Pothy. "I imagine the look on his face if you told him his dinner got away. But the markets are still open. If time is a limiting factor, you could always buy your fish there, and give him a freshly caught one."

Telamon suddenly gives the rod a tug, and the length of wood bends but does not break. "There we go...." As he slowly brings the line in, he smirks. "Ah, but I promised I would catch a fish for him. Besides, it got me out of the house while Lana had some friends over. Sometimes it's good to not be underfoot -- so to speak."

It seems Tel's instincts were good, as a third greatmouth bass is hauled from the river. With deft movements, he strips the hook from its angry jaw, dumping it into the water-filled bucket. "And to answer your question -- of course. I'm going to compound a few things tomorrow, so maybe you can come by early."

The Goblin steps forward, to peer curiously into the water as the fish is reeled in. And claps happily as it is successfully caught, moving to eye the fish in the bucket for a few moments. "Such a big mouth. It must eat other, smaller fish."

She nods happily at the suggestion to come over early. "If you like, I could bring over breakfast? At least, the food part. You have excellent taste in teas, so I would leave that up to you."

Telamon nods. "They prey on insects when smaller, but when they get big... smaller fish become their prey. And they seem to be doing better. The city council's been working on cleaning out the river. Fines for dumping refuse into it, and the last couple of times thieves have tried to drop loot in, well... my suggestion for watch swimmers seems to have been heard." He grins impishly.

"By all means, you have good taste in breakfast. But, ah... leave the hot sauce at home. That sort of thing is -not- something I want to handle that early in the morning." Tel offers Simony a hand to shake. "Deal?"

"Ah, yes, a worthy thing that, cleaning up the river." Her nose wrinkles. "Cities are smelly enough as it is, and having a big smelly river running through it just adds to the misery. That's also a worthy goal for magical exploration, a means to clean up the water properly, with laws in place to prevent future pollution."

Her grin is broad and she shakes his hand enthusiastically. "Deal. No, the idea I have is savoury and sweet. An easy recipe, and it is easy to scale up or down. You may have heard of it, or even had it. But I think you will enjoy it."