Mythical creatures get lonely too, yanno.
(Cracky. But probably cracky enough to actually happen. Idek I haven't written anything in a long long time, don't judge me.)
Heeeeeeave, hoooooo.
Heeeeeeave, hoooooo.
Heee-e-eave. ... ... ...Ho.
He's only about a hundred yards from shore when he flops back against the bottom of the boat. His legs are up, knees bent over the wood plank seat. The oars hang in mid-air, water dripping off them while Taiki catches his breath. The downside of being rail-thin? No muscle or stamina for when you need to row out into the middle of a dark, deserted lake. Day three and he's pretty sure his back is wrecked. A gulp of cold, wet Scottish air and he climbs back up onto the seat.
A third of the way to his destination and he gives up. This will have to do. Pulling the oars in, he drops them up against a wall of the one-man rowboat. Next Taiki reaches for the enormous olive drab bag -so painful- and snags a canvas strap, hauling it closer. A godawful stench erupts from the pack just as soon as he has it open -- rotting fish. Unfazed, Taiki pulls the sealed plastic sack out and sets it by his feet. The boat wobbles and he pauses, glancing over the edge at the black water. He waits, concentrating a moment before turning back to his bag.
It takes twenty minutes to blow up the giant beach ball and odd green alligator. They're both tossed out as they're finished -- the boat is too small and Taiki thinks it unwise to keep toys so close to his physical person.
When everything is arranged he shifts his attention back to the lake. The plastic inflated toys drift off and he knows the occupants are about. The sound of water sloshing behind him and Taiki turns, just in time to catch a tentacle as it bats at the ball. A dark limb intercepts and there's a keening sound from below -- he's mostly sure it's positive. Five long long octopus arms encircle the multi-colored ball and drag it away. It disappears below the surface for a few moments before rushing back up, catching air before it hits with just a tiny wet plop!
Looking straight down, Taiki finds himself face to eyeball with the original inhabitant. He gives her a little wave before reaching for the bag of dead flavored fish.
"How is the Oklahoma Octopus settling in?" A pause. "Ah, I apologize. Mildred. How is Mildred settling in?" A garble from under the boat and he nods. "I thought this might be a better arrangement -- I am glad you agreed to it." The tie sealing the plastic sack comes away and he dumps the contents overboard. Black eyes blink and water and he's forced to turn away. The smell is horrible but Nessie had been specific in her request. "Have you..." Erg, he can taste it in the air. A slow breath and he starts again. "Have you been doing your neck exercises?" The water churns out in front of him and he nods, satisfied. "It is the only way -- you have to take care of your body as you age."
...A huff from below sends a spray of dirty, cold, cayenne-flavored dead fish water up at him. A sixth sense is invaluable but there's little that can be done when one is trapped in a rickety one-person rowboat in the middle of Loch Ness.
Heeeeeeave, hoooooo.
Heeeeeeave, hoooooo.
Heee-e-eave. ... ... ...Ho.
He's only about a hundred yards from shore when he flops back against the bottom of the boat. His legs are up, knees bent over the wood plank seat. The oars hang in mid-air, water dripping off them while Taiki catches his breath. The downside of being rail-thin? No muscle or stamina for when you need to row out into the middle of a dark, deserted lake. Day three and he's pretty sure his back is wrecked. A gulp of cold, wet Scottish air and he climbs back up onto the seat.
A third of the way to his destination and he gives up. This will have to do. Pulling the oars in, he drops them up against a wall of the one-man rowboat. Next Taiki reaches for the enormous olive drab bag -so painful- and snags a canvas strap, hauling it closer. A godawful stench erupts from the pack just as soon as he has it open -- rotting fish. Unfazed, Taiki pulls the sealed plastic sack out and sets it by his feet. The boat wobbles and he pauses, glancing over the edge at the black water. He waits, concentrating a moment before turning back to his bag.
It takes twenty minutes to blow up the giant beach ball and odd green alligator. They're both tossed out as they're finished -- the boat is too small and Taiki thinks it unwise to keep toys so close to his physical person.
When everything is arranged he shifts his attention back to the lake. The plastic inflated toys drift off and he knows the occupants are about. The sound of water sloshing behind him and Taiki turns, just in time to catch a tentacle as it bats at the ball. A dark limb intercepts and there's a keening sound from below -- he's mostly sure it's positive. Five long long octopus arms encircle the multi-colored ball and drag it away. It disappears below the surface for a few moments before rushing back up, catching air before it hits with just a tiny wet plop!
Looking straight down, Taiki finds himself face to eyeball with the original inhabitant. He gives her a little wave before reaching for the bag of dead flavored fish.
"How is the Oklahoma Octopus settling in?" A pause. "Ah, I apologize. Mildred. How is Mildred settling in?" A garble from under the boat and he nods. "I thought this might be a better arrangement -- I am glad you agreed to it." The tie sealing the plastic sack comes away and he dumps the contents overboard. Black eyes blink and water and he's forced to turn away. The smell is horrible but Nessie had been specific in her request. "Have you..." Erg, he can taste it in the air. A slow breath and he starts again. "Have you been doing your neck exercises?" The water churns out in front of him and he nods, satisfied. "It is the only way -- you have to take care of your body as you age."
...A huff from below sends a spray of dirty, cold, cayenne-flavored dead fish water up at him. A sixth sense is invaluable but there's little that can be done when one is trapped in a rickety one-person rowboat in the middle of Loch Ness.