Skill Learnings - Ketucari

Water sleeks off his feathers and fur as he comes up for air. This particular river tributary ran deep, and in the cool depths many large fish could be found. Could. The last time he dove he didn't see any. He lashes his tail to turn towards the river bank to rethink his plan, water sloshing around him in his irritation. Tonight his people have a feast planned, and Aborakota desperately wants to help provide for the people who raised him; like the older ketucari who come and go as they please, often with freshkill to share. In the distance he hears the people preparing the coals in the cooking pits, cutting up food, spicing the pots, warm conversation in the warm dawn light. He centers himself with a deep breath like the elders taught him, the anxious tension in his body bleeds away as he goes through the breathing exercises. 

After a few minutes he shakes off what little water remains in coat and reapplies the water oils to his coat; his adult coat still hadn't grown in completely, and it was a must to keep him from being completely soaked. The process of rubbing the oil in everywhere he can reach gives him time to contemplate his fishing methods. The adults make it seem so easy, they just dive in and come out with a fish, he thinks. He thinks back to the few glimpses he's had of Danuoc. How her body moved through the water, sleek, movements optimized for the water. This time as he swims out, he makes his movements as streamlined and smooth as he can, going off his memories of the goddess. The movements are strange at first, but they fall together like the machines from the Cities being reassembled after maintenance. Within minutes, swimming feels so easy and natural. 

Was I overthinking it? He startles from his wonder when he realizes he needs to be fishing, and by now he's surely alerted every fish up and down river of his presence. But... the freedom of movement he has in the water is something he's never experienced before. There is joy there. Now that he knows, he can never look at a body of water without seeing the potential there. He lets the current pull at him, and only paddles enough to keep the camp in easy earshot. Aborakota takes another deep breath, and dives. This part is harder, but, not like before. He can dart through the water, and by angling his tail just so he can move like a sparrow. His eyes adjust to the light, and he realizes he can see flashes of sleek bodies ahead of him.

Aborakota moves once he has a target, jaws snap, and a tail slaps him in the face. He kicks from the river bed to give him additional thrust in his turn and snaps again, this time his tusks sink into sleek wriggling body. The strength of the fish surprises him, and he almost loses grip on it several times. It's a decent size, he thinks, especially for a stew. Pride helps propel him towards the bank where he kills the fish with a clean bite. He goes to head towards the camp, but is unsure if he should try cleaning it first, or leave that to the people who experience in such matters. Isn't the point of this to help them with the feast? And with that thought he washes his claws off in the water. He'd watched fish cleaning since he was brought to his people as a cub. He knew how it should be done, where to cut, how deep, but actually doing it was a different matter. 

His claws graze off the sturdier than expected scales. Oh right, it needs to be descaled too...

***

A few hours later and he looks with pride at the string of fish in the water. The water drips down the fish as he lifts them to take them back to camp. He walks into camp with pride, the morning sun still rising. His people accept the offering, and then shoe him away to his own devices. The water called to him. With little more thought than water Aborakota found himself at the river's edge. His claws dig into the mud, toes slowly sinking. A feeling of deep desire and connection took root in his chest. One step. The water moves around his limbs, and he slips into it with a contented sigh. Light flashes off the ripples his body makes, and then, he dives. This feeling of freedom and connection to the water is euphoric.

Until today, he never really considered a joy in water. He'd only ever considered it to be a source of necessary water, not something to revel in. River plants dance in the current. He takes in the sights until his lungs scream for air. Too short. He breaks the surface and his breath comes out ragged. He evens his breathing out enough to take a deep lungful of air and dives again. The world underwater entrances him. 

***

An elder is sitting on the bank, waiting for him to surface. He startles when he sees her, pelt gleaming, tusks shining. He knows immediately what she's there for.

"I'm so sorry, I didn't track the ti-" he starts.

She cuts him off, "No worries, cub. I know the feeling quite well. The water, it calls to you, yes?"

He nods his head, water streaming down his body as he climbs onto the riverbank, legs weak. He stumbles, and she holds out an arm to support him.

"Easy there cub. You're not used to extended time in the water yet. You're the one they call Aborakota?" she asks him.

"Yes, Matriarch, and thank you," he says, bowing his head.

She chuckles, "I'm no matriarch, but I appreciate the respect. Come now, cub, there's a feast to be had. The water will be there another day. Tonight is a night for celebration and thanks."