Vacationing

[sentryslinger]

[Continuing this thread, in which Spy has convinced Engineer to spend a vacation with him. Fishing, fine dining, and some enemy bonding ensue.


Engineer steps into the elevator, hitting the button for their floor, pulling at his collar to loosen that next button.]

Hey, thanks again for the dinner and the suit. I'll have to put it to use some other time to justify your spendin' money on all this.

Comments

[sentryslinger]

[Engie steps in and closes the door, heading for the counter to browse what goods they've got before addressing the clerk.]

I'm gonna need a couple of those blueberry ones, if you don't mind. And whatever it is he'd like.

[not_onyourside]

Zhese ones wez zhe frosting.

[ And sprinkles. Okay, Spy is in a much better mood now.]

Breakfast I assume?

[sentryslinger]

As much as we're gonna get, so eat up. We might be out there a while.

[not_onyourside]

[ He takes the bag with their treats with a word of thanks, holding the door open for Engineer. ]

Just us and zhe fish hmmm? Sounds peaceful.

Do I have to row a boat for zhis?

[sentryslinger]

I figured I'd do the rowin', but you're welcome to if you'd like.

[To the docks they go, where he's already got the boat rented and ready. No one else is down there at the moment- it's just them, the boat, the sunrise, and the fish.]

[not_onyourside]

Eef you do not mind eet taking several hours I could row. How about you do zhat and I will make sure we do not hit any rocks?

[ He situates himself in the boat, stowing their gear at the bottom. ]

[sentryslinger]

[Engie sets the bucket inside, carefully stepping into the boat so as not to completely drench himself and grabbing the oars.]

If you row, it'll be time to head back by the time we get out.

[He pushes off, his rowing slow, methodical, and quiet.]

You see that log stickin' up in the middle of the lake?

[not_onyourside]

[He turns to look, admiring the mirrored surface of the lake, barely moving the further they got from the shore.]

Oui. Zhat ees where we are going?

[sentryslinger]

That's right. And if we're real quiet gettin' out there, we might be able to wrangle in whatever's livin' it in.

[not_onyourside]

Won't we just get tangled wez eet?

[He looks over the edge of the boat, trying to see below the surface without much luck. Who knew what kinds of things lived at the bottom of lakes.]

[sentryslinger]

Not if we're careful.

[The water reflects the sunlight and looks pretty on the surface, but beneath it is a muddy mess. Just how Engineer likes when he's fishing.

A little bit more rowing and they drift over to the log. Perfect. Tucking the oars into the boat, Engie grabs the nearest pole and reaches under his seat for the pail beneath it. This one, unlike the one that has their drinks in it, has worms.]

I'm expectin' this is somethin' best left to me, isn't it?

[not_onyourside]

[The boat lightly comes to rest against the log, holding them in place. Spy is briefly distracted by a small turtle that is sunning itself on it, reaching over to poke its feet so they get sucked into the shell and grinning.

Spy grimaces at the worms, wondering if he has the stomach to skewer one alive on a hook.]

Where did you even get worms zhat big?

[No he doesn't want to touch one.]

[sentryslinger]

You'd be surprised what you can find in the mud if you look.

[He laughs, hooking the worm and passing the rod over to Spy before digging out one for himself.]

There's a bait shop down the road. Got these little fellas from there.

[not_onyourside]

I am sure you are shocked, but I never go digging zhrough mud to see what ees een eet.

[He holds the rod, gripping the line so he can see the worm wriggling on it.]

Zhis seems cruel.

[sentryslinger]

It's how you catch the good ones. I'd have gotten us some lures, but I was actually hopin' to catch something big enough to eat.

[not_onyourside]

Alright.

[he tries to not imagine the worm is wriggling because it's in horrible agony and instead turns to the side of the boat.]

Now what do I do?

[sentryslinger]

[He takes his own rod in hand.]

You're going to want to hold your rod like this and cast. Watch.

[With a precise flick of his wrist, his bait goes flying, landing with a watery plunk far out in the lake.]

Don't swing too hard, now- don't want that hook in my eye.

[not_onyourside]

[He has no idea what Engineer just did. It seems the hook just flew off into the distance by magic.]

I -- what?

[He adjusts his hands to be in the right position just like Engie's are.]

[sentryslinger]

Here.

[Setting his rod down and propping it under his perch, he leans over to Spy and adjusts his hands on the rod, pushing his index finger over the line.]

You're gonna want to flick your wrist. Bring the end of the rod up over your head, then let go of the line when you're bringin' it down.

[not_onyourside]

Right. Very well.

[He does as instructed, but tentatively, clearly expecting the hook and the worm to somehow get embedded in his head. The hook plops into the water about half a meter away. Spy frowns.]

[sentryslinger]

Let go a bit soon there. Just reel it in and try again.

[not_onyourside]

[At least that part he can do without instruction, reeling it back in and silently breathing a word of thanks that it didn't get caught on the log. Or dredge up a boot.

He diligently puts his hands back in the proper position, flicking the line over his head and sending it sailing a good distance from the boat. It's not as far as Engineer's, but at least he didn't get their lines crossed.]

Like zhat?

[sentryslinger]

Perfect.

He grabs the bag of baked goods.]

Now we wait.

[not_onyourside]

How do I know eef I have a fish?

[He wedges the fishing rod in between his seat and the edge of the boat.]

[sentryslinger]

You'll see the string start pullin'. Got to react quick when it happens, but I expect we'll have to wait at least a little while. That's why we went ahead and got breakfast.

[He offers the bag to Spy.]