Private The Line Between Order and Trust

[Varin Mortifer]

VARIN MORTIFER

Equipment: Durum Mantle | Black Blade of Chandrila | Eye of The Dragon | Heavy Sith Mace​

“Out of food as in likely out of ration bars.”

Varin chuckled as he placed his hand over her shoulder.

His gaze flicked to the calm waters by the dock, her suggestion of someone learning new caused him to smirk. Likely she was talking about his swimming, normally he would agree with her. But today seemed like a perfect day for something else.

“You are correct, I do prefer solutions.”

He slowly got up and looked at her before he started to dress himself.

“As much as I love this view,”

His eyebrow arched as he looked directly at her as he picked up his spare clothes.

“We do need to find ways to feed ourselves.”

He slipped on his more field based pants. Darker colored, pocketed. Enough to hold smaller items he would need in the field of survival.

“Have you ever fished before?”

His gaze found hers as a small grin appeared on his face.

“It's rather relaxing really. Sitting down in the warm sun and breeze, enjoying a drink, some small talk company and the drive or the hopes to catch something.”

He looked down at a small crate by his bed as he slowly pulled it out. Inside was a small tackle box full of lures and a pole that he swiftly had to assemble first.

“It definitely requires more luck than skill though. But that’s where I think the entertainment lies. Regardless, you are awarded with something, if not food then you received moments of peace.”

He gently sat on the side of the bed closest to her, his hand resting softly on her leg.

Seren Gwyn​

 

[Seren Gwyn]

Seren watched him as he moved about the room, her gaze following the quiet efficiency of his routine. There was something grounding in it, the way he shifted so naturally from rest to purpose without losing the ease of the moment.

At his question, the faintest hint of amusement touched her lips.

"Fishing?" she echoed softly, tilting her head just slightly. "No…I can't say that I have."

She shifted, sitting up a bit more fully now, her posture relaxed but attentive as she watched him assemble the rod.

"I grew up in a house where food simply appeared," she admitted, her tone calm, unembarrassed, just honest. "Prepared, plated, and presented as if it required no effort at all. Cooking, hunting, anything resembling actual acquisition. Those were not skills I was encouraged to learn."

Her gaze flicked briefly to the tackle box, then back to him, something thoughtful settling behind her eyes.

"A minor failing in hindsight," she added, though there was no real regret in her voice. "One, I suppose I am now in the process of correcting."

When his hand rested against her leg, her attention returned fully to him, the faintest warmth threading into her expression.

"Though I doubt I'll be much help at first," she continued, a subtle hint of dry humor returning. "Unless the fish respond to negotiation."

A small pause, then softer: "But…I would like to learn." Her gaze held his, steady and open.

"And if it offers even half of what you just described…" A faint, genuine smile touched her lips. "…then it sounds like time well spent."

Varin Mortifer

 

[Varin Mortifer]

VARIN MORTIFER

Equipment: Durum Mantle | Black Blade of Chandrila | Eye of The Dragon | Heavy Sith Mace

He looked at her while she spoke. Speaking of her life of how she did not have to retrieve or hunt her own food. Many would see that as luxury, in his family though, that was seen as something that would be costly.

A faint smile touched his lips then he bent down and grabbed a second rod.

“Failure only happens when you quit in general. Not knowing how to do something because you were never taught is not failure.”

He gently handed her the disassembled rod.

“We will put the hooks on when we get to the dock, but for now, I can show you how to assemble it.”

He then set his rod near them for visual reference.

“Assembly is easy, much more simple than a lightsaber.”

A bit of humor touched the tone of his voice.

“Handle and reel should be fine, the rod itself will just need to be put together. Each section locks into place, and the highest point is the thinnest.”

To many, the explanation may seem mundane or unnecessary, but to Varin, when it came to learning something every detail was crucial.

“I will help as you go, then we can head out.”

He sat with her, watching her. Helping her out where she requested, allowing for moments of error and correction. Whenever she would ask questions he would answer to the best of his abilities.

Moments like these were always precious to him. They helped build trust with both individuals, and eventually became a learning experience for the both of them.

“Perhaps one of these days, I could take you on a hunt as well.”

He chuckled lightly as they finished her rod.

Seren Gwyn​