Post by orpheus on Apr 7, 2020 15:03:11 GMT
Learning the Ropes
SPONSOR: Some Elderly Mermaids (Myrtle Village)
DESCRIPTION:
The art of twining rope is an ancient method that goes back to the very beginnings of our seafaring kind. Whether it is to make nets, weave cloth, or bind together beams on a boat, this all begins with the art of cordage. Sit with us! Grab some vegetable fibers, and we'll show you how to roll the threads. It's more delicate than it looks to get an even cord without lumps. Meanwhile we'll share some stories and we can pay each other good company.
PREREQUSITES:
- Level 1
OBJECTIVES:
- Learn how to twine rope with the elderly mermaids.
- Spend an afternoon helping them make rope.
REWARDS:
- 40 EXP
- A small roll of twine
Note: No payment, since they are teaching you for free.
DESCRIPTION:
The art of twining rope is an ancient method that goes back to the very beginnings of our seafaring kind. Whether it is to make nets, weave cloth, or bind together beams on a boat, this all begins with the art of cordage. Sit with us! Grab some vegetable fibers, and we'll show you how to roll the threads. It's more delicate than it looks to get an even cord without lumps. Meanwhile we'll share some stories and we can pay each other good company.
PREREQUSITES:
- Level 1
OBJECTIVES:
- Learn how to twine rope with the elderly mermaids.
- Spend an afternoon helping them make rope.
REWARDS:
- 40 EXP
- A small roll of twine
Note: No payment, since they are teaching you for free.
Orpheus had made a deal, and he would honour it. He promised to watch over the woman's father as he was making twine as well as be his talking buddy. It didn't sound that hard. Orpheus thought to himself as he opened the door and wandered in. It was easy to spot the woman's father as he was the only male here. He was happily chatting up some female elders, making them blush. Damn playboy. Having had a bad experience with a playboy hero before, Orpheus felt a slight tinge of anger against the old man. He forcefully sat next to the old man which made the old ladies pull back.
"Hey boy, don't you have any respect for your elders?" The man angrily whispered. "I do. That's why I sat here." Orpheus coldly responded. The old man let out a small Tch and continued his work. Orpheus followed suit as he was instructed by the nearest female elder.
"God this is hard." Orpheus softly grumbled aloud. He had tried to do this for over 20 minutes, failing the first step multiple times. Multiple elders had tried and given up on him, all except one. Orpheus glanced over at the male elder who had a smile on his face. "Do you need some help son? All you have to do is ask. This humble and great elder would be happy to instruct you. After I finish teaching you, You'll be able to create the strongest string imaginable from just two strands of grass." The male elder happily boasted as he wore the biggest and widest shit eating grin his face could muster. Orpheus didn't want to accept his help, but he had too. He couldn't just up and leave ;after all, he had made a deal.
"Ok now spin it like that"
"Alright."
"No. What the fish are you doing?" The old man yelled.
"Exactly what you said"
"No you're not. You're supposed to do it this way not that way! You're a bumbling idiot!"
"But that's what I'm doing?!"
"If that's what you're doing, why isn't it becoming a string?"
"Because I don't know the next step!"
"Why would I tell you the next step, when yOU CAN'T EVEN DO THIS STEP RIGHT."
"AUGGHHHHHH" Frustrated, they both simultaneously screamed.
"You... You are the fucking devil you know that. I feel like I've just lost 2 years of my life!" The old man yelled.
"Well I wouldn't even be here if your daughter didn't make me."
"What?"
"Hell. I wanted to go to bed and take a rest after climbing a fucking coconut tree and wagoning back 50 fucking coconuts. But, I had to be a man of my word and be here to watch over you and talk. God I'm done." Orpheus angrily yelled back as he went to leave.
At least that's over with. I can't say I didn't tr-
A hand grasped Orpheus's shoulder. It was an elder from before.
"Please forgive Oltür... He's been having a rough time."
"I understand that, but we all go through rough times. That doesn't excuse how he's behaving."
"His wife... recently passed away. She died from Scaling's disease."
Upon hearing that, Orpheus was riddled with guilt. He had assumed that Oltür was a playboy, but instead he was a man trying to process his emotions. Even worse, he had intruded on the man and even made him feel worse. Orpheus let out a big sigh
"I'll go in and apologise."
"Will you also stay? Please. With you around, we finally saw a remnant of his old stubborn self. He'd normally join our twining sessions, hit on us, and then leave. But today was different, he actually stayed to help you!"
"You don't mind being hit on?"
"It's mostly harmless. He has never taken any of us elders home.", The elder said as she covered her mouth and let out a slight giggle.
"I understand."
"Shall we go back then?" The elder asked.
"Yes."
"So you came back. At least you're a man of your word." Oltür grumbled, as Orpheus walked through the door.Orpheus sat next to Oltür and continued to work silently. Oltür also remained silent.
"You're doing it wrong. Here.", Oltür grabbed Orpheus's hands and guided him through the steps of twining.
"Thanks."
"Look kid. I'm sorry about yelling at you. I've just been... down. You're even doing my daughter a favour."
"It's Fine. Let bygones be bygones. Look." Orpheus displayed a perfectly twined rope to Oltür.
"Hey. Good job. You know I once made a perfect twine just like that on my trip too..."
Orpheus and Oltür talked throughout the afternoon, sharing stories and stories. Eventually they finished twining their ropes and parted ways.
Summary: Orpheus met an Old man named Oltür. He appeared to be a playboy, but was a man going through the motions. His wife had recently died due to Scaling's disease.
Tags: Myrtle Village, Oltür
