(03) [Text/Open Commentlog]

[doctoral_bird]

[A basic question, but should probably be asked anyways. From what he's seen in the forest, there could very well be a mud goliath or monster in these waters.]

What is in the lake?

[After some searching 'n working, Malkus finally has some containers for gathering leeches and other tiny critters. With four jars, his journal and a net from the boat

Comments

[ghostly_stutter]

[If Chloe wanted answers, it looked as though she would have to find them herself. Searching the Keep's grounds didn't turn up much of anything--though she did stay away from anything leading underground. The thought of meandering through the forest alone filled her with slight trepidation, but she knew it needed to be done, and had yet to admit to herself that, after reading that strange letter, Chloe was in denial. She had been lied to before. Any moment now she would find a road, and then she would follow it until she located a payphone. She still had change in her pockets from being on the run.]

...!

[hearing a noise up ahead, Chloe yelps, then gasps and quickly covers her mouth with tremblings hands. She knew it was possible someone else was out here. Judging from the sound of swishing water, it seemed as though she hadn't found a road after all

[doctoral_bird]

[If you've ever wanted to spy on someone, you couldn't have picked a better person than Malkus. Although very jumpy, it isn't that hard to sneak up on the doctor if you mean to. Sadly, you won't gather much information from this man other than how NOT to catch a fish at the moment.

Perfect timing, Chloe! Malkus has finally yanked in a carp with the net! Now it's just a matter of getting this creature out of the water... Careful, Malkus, Care-]

D-D'OH god! No! Stop- Damn- Stop!

[Why must fish be so energetic the moment they touch air? It doesn't help that the doctor is horrified at this sudden flopping and slapping around, tossing the carp up a bit almost as if he's juggling it. In his panicked grabbing, Malkus fiercely grips the tail and seems to whip the carp back towards the lake like with a loud splash! It's alright, fish are dumb anyways...]

[ghostly_stutter]

[The mannerisms of the figure in the lake almost had Chloe laughing loud enough to give herself away. As it was, the trepidation she was feeling at the moment quickly eased and she stepped out from behind her tree, biting her lip and hoping not to startle him too terribly.]

U-um...excuse me?

[She edges a couple steps closer to the lake, relieved to see him emerged deep enough into the water that if he made any sudden moves toward her, she believed she would have enough time to run away. Then something catches her eye, and Chloe has to squint, eyes suddenly widening in disbelief. Was this man...human?]

[doctoral_bird]

[The doctor stared out into the lake, narrowing his eyes into a glare of spite. These fish will not escape him. Carp. Perch. All shall be caught... For science. He's so absorbed in his silent fishy death threats, that he almost doesn't notice the woman. When he does, he quickly freezes up, looking from side to side before spinning... Or slowly swirling around in the water to see this new face.

The cold, blank bird mask is silently looking directly at her.]

Erm...Hello th-...

[On second thought, the mask must muffle his voice and prevent it from traveling very far. The doctor chooses to raise his muddy gloved hand for a gentle wave instead!]

[thii2ii22tupiid]

*Sollux makes a habit of hanging out near (or on) the boathouse , but he usually doesn't find anyone else around it. He watches the doctor silently for a few moments, then his laughter probably gives him away.*

[doctoral_bird]

[Malkus is knee deep in the water, though he's crouched over as he digs his hands through the mud and weeds. He peers up at the direction of the laughing to see a familiar face.]

Hello there, Sollux! Come to fish as well?

[There must be fish here. Malkus can feel them brushing against his pant legs. Mocking him... Toying with him. Just BEGGING to be caught and put on display.]

[thii2ii22tupiid]

Is that what you're doing? You don't seem to be very good at it.

[doctoral_bird]

[The doctor paused for a moment, looking down into the water.]

Well fish aren't the only objective today. They're likely the hardest on the list to catch, actually. No no, leeches or any other aquatic creature would be just as fine.

[He resumed his mud digging, trying to see if he'd feel any sort of wiggling or scuttling deep in the soaked earth.]

I'm not much of a fisherman, I admit... Have you ever tried it?

[drinkuntilidie]

[Every time he goes fishing it's something. It's always something.]

Oi! Quit da damn splashin'! Joo be scarin' all da fish!]

[There's a frustrated troll waving his fishing rod at you Malkus.]

[doctoral_bird]

Hm? My apologies, sir! I was just trying to catch some as well.

[Malkus turns to face this rather angry sounding man.]

I suppose you've got a good point about possibly scaring-...

[Mother of god. What is that. The doctor quickly sinks down in the water, until only his masked face is visible. What demons reside near this lake? Sorry for the sudden fear. Malkus hasn't seen many creatures like you, Kevas.]

[drinkuntilidie]

If joo wanna catch sometin' den stop dancin' in da watah!

[What the hell is he doing now? And why does that mask look so familiar? Kevas drops his rod and marches toward Malkus to drag him out of the water. He will have his peaceful fishing trip dammit!]

[doctoral_bird]

[Oh god no it's coming for him. What was it yelling? It's gonna catch you? QUICK DO SOMETHING.]

Wh-What?! E-Err-Um...

[And with a plop, his head goes under, leaving his hat floating above. Perhaps Malkus can swim away-Daughgod water's rushing into his mask. He didn't take a breath before going under and he immediately regrets this. By the time he resurfaces, Kevas is already closing in. The splashing comes to a halt. Perhaps if Malkus plays dead, it will lose interest.

There he goes, belly up, floating still.]