MARCH UPDATE

POSTED ON Aug 22, 2022 14:37:28 GMT

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[attr="class","marshallpost"]

[attr="class","marshallposttext"]

The normal-looking Magikarp that Marshall next fished out of the water was no indication he would win their little contest, but that did not stop him from boasting at Lia with a grin. "Hah! I should be saying the same thing!"[break][break]

But he wasn't sure what exactly he'd challenge her to do if he did win. He didn't know her very well, just that she was pretty and intelligent and mature and loved to do things he loved, too. He mulled over this as he watched her haul up a Huntail out of the water, his grin softening to a smile as she scolded the Pokémon for its attitude.[break][break]

"Yeah, sure! Unlike all the times I was bored out of my mind on fishing trips with my dad, I'm having a lot of fun today. It's easy to pass the time talking with you, Lia."[break][break]

Marshall tried to say it casually, but he couldn't help the blush that reddened his cheeks and ears. He busied himself with teasing the line, hoping to draw the attention of a massive fish so he could have a better chance at winning.[break][break]

"Man, I'm starving," he said suddenly, changing the subject. "We didn't pack any snacks or lunch, did we?"[break][break]

SeVPf0S9

[attr="class","marshallpostooc"]

[break]

FISHING

reference chart[break][break]

08.15 Caught a small Mantine (13) 👑[break]
08.16 Caught an average Basculin (31)[break]
08.17 Caught an average Wishiwashi (66)[break]
08.18 Caught an average Mantine (45)[break]
08.19 Caught an average Mantine (61)[break]
08.20 Caught an average Whiscash (26)[break]
08.21 Caught an average Magikarp (50)[break]
08.22 Caught an average Huntail (35)

BY GUNSMILE

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Lia

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POSTED ON Aug 23, 2022 10:57:49 GMT

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He really is sweet, isn’t he? While Lia may be oblivious to the way @marshall blushes when telling her he enjoys talking to her, dismissing it as the effects of the sun, she’s more than aware of the rosy hues that warm up her cheeks when hearing such a thing.
[break][break]
Her attention turns to her fishing rod, to the line, to the water, to anything but him.
[break][break]
”Ha… I’m glad to hear that. I really like spending time with you too, Marshall. We should hangout more often.”
[break][break]
She tries to be casual about it, but it feels awkward. Like if she were no more than an inexperienced teenager once more. Time has passed, but she sure hasn’t gotten any better with these sorts of things, has she? She has never been any good at it.
[break][break]
Thankfully, Marshall is quick to change the subject to that of food, and just as he does, her reel begins to spin too.
[break][break]
”Oh! I did, actually! I figured we’d get hungry out here eventually.” What she reels in is a Mantine. Go figure. It’s like the universe itself is mocking her or something. With a sigh that comes closely followed by a self-deprecating chuckle, Lia works on releasing the Kite Pokémon. ”I made some sandwiches, they’re in my bag. They’re like… not amazing or anything, though. I’m not exactly the best cook out there.”
[break][break]
Far from it, actually, but simple club sandwiches are something even she can do just fine (while following an online recipe, but of course she won't say that). Still, better to have Marshall manage his expectations, right?

[break][break]

vfffb0DL

[break][break]

[attr="class","notes"]

LIA'S FISHING RECORD

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POSTED ON Aug 23, 2022 11:36:13 GMT

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Marshall's face lit up at the mention of sandwiches. While Lia reeled in a Mantine, he moved to the area of their boat where they had stashed their bags. "I'll get 'em out," he offered, though he was already halfway finished opening hers. [break][break]

He was careful not to poke or prod at any of the other pockets as he removed the carefully wrapped sandwiches. They were simple club sandwiches, but Marshall was a terrible cook, so anything was better than nothing. He grabbed his water bottle too and returned to where Lia sat. [break][break]

He unwrapped the sandwiches and handed one to her after she'd recast her fishing line. "Here you go." Then he took a bite from his own, munching contentedly on the bread, deli meat, and fresh vegetables. "Wow, this is delicious. You made these? I need to start making these." [break][break]

His fishing rod bent with a sudden bite. His meal balanced precariously in his lap, he reeled in a Huntail that looked suspiciously like the one Lia had caught earlier. But it was more passive, and he managed to release it back into the water without losing his lunch in the process. [break][break]

"What kinds of food are your favorites, Lia?" Marshall asked casually now that they were on the topic. [break][break]

KwhL9Uu2

[attr="class","marshallpostooc"]

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FISHING

BY GUNSMILE

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Lia

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Petalburg City, Hoenn

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POSTED ON Aug 24, 2022 11:04:11 GMT

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Once, back when Lia was only fifteen, she had slaved away in the kitchen for hours making Valentine’s Day chocolates for a boy she had a crush on. Back then, the nervous expectant feeling that had washed over her while waiting for him to try them had been much like how she feels while watching @marshall take a bite from the sandwich she made for him. Yet, that feeling is also immediately replaced by relief once he makes it clear that he likes it.
[break][break]
Things had gone much differently back then.
[break][break]
”I did, yeah. They’re pretty easy to make, I could show you sometime.” The words come without much thought, a smile lingering at her lips. Setting her fishing rod down, she calmly begins to unwrap her own sandwich, for eating with care is something that’s almost as if ingrained into her system.
[break][break]
”My favourites? Hmm… that’s a good question. I like all sorts of things.” Traditional foods immediately come to mind, but that’s mostly because of her family’s ryokan. They had been a main aspect of her upbringing, and they’re foods that bring comfort to her even now. ”Guess I mostly like simple things. There’s nothing like some ramen, you know? Ah, but I also love pizza, and there’s this food truck that always parks by the beach near my place in Lilycove? The tacos are to die f–”
[break][break]
Just as Lia starts thinking that she probably is talking too much, the boat begins to lean starboard, and realisation comes that something heavy and strong is pulling at her fishing rod.
[break][break]
”Seriously?!” She didn’t even get to take a bite from her sandwich before she had to put it aside, quickly standing and reaching for the rod. The thought of cutting the line comes to mind, fearing that whatever this is will actually manage to flip over the boat, but then there’s a resounding roar, and an enormous Gyarados breaks out of the water, looking down upon them.

[break][break]

OYWRPPxf

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[attr="class","notes"]

LIA'S FISHING RECORD

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POSTED ON Aug 24, 2022 11:40:26 GMT

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[attr="class","marshallpost"]

[attr="class","marshallposttext"]

Ramen, pizza, and tacos were absolutely on Marshall's list of favorite foods as well, but that was mostly because he was a bachelor who lived alone and could not cook to save his life. He had a subscription to one of those weekly meal kits, but they were so simple, they felt like cheating. [break][break]

"Oh man, I love tacos! We had a bangin' Paldean restaurant back home that was nothing more than a little hole in the wall. I come from a small town, so it was the only Paldean joint around, and it did not disappoint." [break][break]

Marshall reeled in a Bruxish as he chattered away. The colorful fish made him laugh when he saw, but he decided to release it back into the water. Only then did he resume his lunch. [break][break]

"I'll have to check out the taco trunk in Lilycove and see what they do differently." [break][break]

Before he could say anything else, however, the boat dipped as Lia's rod bent with the absurd strength of the Pokémon on its hook. The woman was already standing and pulling her catch out of the water when Marshall noticed that her sandwich was sliding precariously toward the edge of the boat. He snatched it up in his free hand, saving it from certain doom. [break][break]

"Another one?!" Marshall exclaimed in shock when the enormous Gyradaos emerged from the sea. Then he laughed incredulously. "If you aren't the winner of the contest, then I'll call foul!" [break][break]

Yeah, he definitely wasn't going to beat her, at least. [break][break]

_HScZJmZ

[attr="class","marshallpostooc"]

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FISHING

BY GUNSMILE

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Lia

She/Her

March 30th

Petalburg City, Hoenn

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POSTED ON Aug 25, 2022 10:04:24 GMT

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"That sounds amazing. I bet your hometown is really lovely. Petalburg isn't the smallest city out here, but growing up it always felt like everyone knew everyone."
[break][break]
It's nice to get to know more about him, and honestly, if it were up Lia, she'd just sit on this boat and chat with @marshall for hours upon hours. But, they had come here to fish, there's a competition going on for the Splashfest, and she has their own little contest to win.
[break][break]
"Ha! What happened to calling it beginner's luck? I could give you those tips after all, if you want." Lia teases him, gaze meeting his while giving him the brightest of grins. Her line is cast once more, and it's only then that she remembers her sandwich. Had she accidentally dropped it into the water while dealing with the Gyarados?! No, Marshall had actually managed to rescue it.
[break][break]
"Thanks for saving that one for me. My hero." She adds with a soft laugh, ignoring the fact that the words make her blush. Her next catch is a pretty large Horsea, and its soon released without any incidents.

[break][break]

fbiiwBzP

[break][break]

[attr="class","notes"]

LIA'S FISHING RECORD

[break]
FISHING CHART FOR REFERENCE[break][break]

🎣 15.08 | WISHIWASHI (15) - AVERAGE SIZE (50) [break]
👑 16.08 | BARRASKEWDA (84) - DYNAMAX SIZE (91) [break]
🎣 17.08 | LANTURN (52) - DYNAMAX SIZE (91) [break]
🎣 18.08 | MAGIKARP (10) - AVERAGE SIZE (26) [break]
👑 19.08 | MAGIKARP (9) - SMALL SIZE (12) [break]
🎣 20.08 | WISHIWASHI (11) - AVERAGE SIZE (40) [break]
🎣 21.08 | HUNTAIL (62) - AVERAGE SIZE (60) [break]
🎣 22.08 | MANTINE (73) - AVERAGE SIZE (69) [break]
🎣 23.08 | GYARADOS (90) - DYNAMAX SIZE (92) [break]
🎣 24.08 | HORSEA (34) - LARGE SIZE (77) [break]
🎣 25.08 | REMORAID (39) - AVERAGE SIZE (55) [break]

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POSTED ON Aug 25, 2022 10:32:24 GMT

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[attr="class","marshallpost"]

[attr="class","marshallposttext"]

Marshall shrugged. "Accumula Town is nice, but it's tiny compared to other places in Unova, so everyone knows everyone there, too. When I won my first championship race, the whole town came out and threw a big party, like I was some big celebrity. It was kind of nuts."[break][break]

He laughed at the memory. He hadn't even been home; his parents called him on video chat and showed him the barbecue party that was taking place in their neighborhood. And when he finally did make a trip back home, everyone called him "champ" like it meant anything.[break][break]

Lia's fingers brushed against Marshall's when she took her sandwich back — an innocuous thing in any other situation, but the moment he felt the contact, he wanted nothing more than to hold her hand. But they were fishing, which meant his hands were already occupied.[break][break]

And then she called him her hero and he had to roll his eyes and laugh to hide his blush. He busied himself reeling in yet another Mantine. (They were seriously haunting him.)[break][break]

"You must be a Water-type trainer with the way you're catching those Pokémon. Have you thought about keeping any of them?"[break][break]

bvPV4Z3e

[attr="class","marshallpostooc"]

[break]

FISHING

reference chart[break][break]

08.15 Caught a small Mantine (13) 👑[break]
08.16 Caught an average Basculin (31)[break]
08.17 Caught an average Wishiwashi (66)[break]
08.18 Caught an average Mantine (45)[break]
08.19 Caught an average Mantine (61)[break]
08.20 Caught an average Whiscash (26)[break]
08.21 Caught an average Magikarp (50)[break]
08.22 Caught an average Huntail (35)[break]
08.23 Caught an average Bruxish (73)[break]
08.24 Caught an average Mantine (33)[break]
08.25 Caught a small Mantine (11)

BY GUNSMILE

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Lia

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March 30th

Petalburg City, Hoenn

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POSTED ON Aug 26, 2022 13:48:59 GMT

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It's surprisingly easy for her to imagine @marshall's hometown; to imagine all those people who had known him since he was a child gathering to celebrate his victory, being genuinely proud of him. It makes her happy for him.
[break][break]
"They must all be really proud of you, Marshall. It's kind of sweet, isn't it?" She smiles at him and honestly, even she feels kind of proud. She knows what it's like, after all, even if to a much lesser degree: to put all that effort and dedication into something you love and then be rewarded with the title of champion. While calmly having her sandwich, Lia decides to tell him about it:
[break][break]
"Back when I was in junior high and started winning Archery competitions, it was all everyone I knew would talk about when seeing me. Though, granted, that was also probably because my mom looooves to brag about it still."
[break][break]
She laughs lightly at that, taking a moment to reel in a Remoraid and then throw it back. Surprisingly, she hasn't seen a lot of particularly small fish. Shouldn't there be some fry around or something? Lia had heard catching one of those earned would earn her a crown..
[break][break]
"I actually only have like one Water type. Most my pokémon are birds." She admits with a smile, because she loves every single one of them. "Maybe that big Barraskewda from earlier? They have some nice abilities... What about you? Keeping one of your twenty Mantine?"
[break][break]
How could she resist teasing him about it?

[break][break]

6T1YDIiT

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LIA'S FISHING RECORD

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POSTED ON Aug 26, 2022 15:10:38 GMT

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Marshall sat up a little straighter when Lia mentioned archery. He listened intently. The more they had spent time learning about each other, the less he was surprised that she had participated in competitions, too. But the knowledge still felt so novel, so precious. He didn't want to miss a word.[break][break]

"Do you still practice archery?" he asked, leaning toward her with excited eagerness. "I've always wanted to try it but never got the chance."[break][break]

At that moment, his rod vibrated from a sudden tug on his hook. He turned his attention away from Lia to reel in another mantine, just in time for her to tease him about them.[break][break]

"Oh ha ha," Marshall remarked sarcastically as he let the Mantine go. "After Splashfest, I don't think I'll be able to look at another Mantine again." Then he laughed. "Besides, I already have a couple of Water-type Pokémon. You saw my Wailord during the swimsuit contest, right?"[break][break]

Memories of the contest — and Lia cheering loudly for him — surfaced in his mind.[break][break]

rS7k7BoH

[attr="class","marshallpostooc"]

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FISHING

reference chart[break][break]

BY GUNSMILE

[googlefont=Source Sans Pro]
[googlefont=Montserrat]
[newclass=.marshallpost]--accent:#D45A40;[/newclass]
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Azul

Lia

She/Her

March 30th

Petalburg City, Hoenn

Bisexual

Historian / Explorer

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187 height

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POSTED ON Aug 27, 2022 11:19:26 GMT

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"I do! Well, I don't practice Kyūdō much these days, I stopped competing when I graduated uni. Oh, that's traditional archery, by the way. Buuut.... I do have a compound bow I mostly use when doing ranger work. It took some time to adjust to it, but I think I like it better. I could teach you sometime, if you want."
[break][break]
She's probably ranting. She knows as much. But, that's the thing: Archery is something that actually matters to Lia. She enjoys talking about it, and that's probably obvious by how excited she sounds, to the point that even when she realizes she should stop talking, she still smiles at Marshall. A soft and gentle smile, paired with a subtle blush.
[break][break]
"Aw, come on. They're kind of cute!" The sound of her laughter joins his when talking about Mantine, but at the mention of the swimsuit contest, Lia pauses for a second while trying to free her latest catch from the hook. He had actually noticed she was there? And that she cheered for him? Gods, in retrospect, that's kind of embarrassing...
[break][break]
Still, Lia finds herself smiling.
[break][break]
"I did, yeah. It's a really cute one. What's its name?" She asks out of curiosity, carefully returning the Magikarp to the water.

[break][break]

9OxRR7xZ

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LIA'S FISHING RECORD

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POSTED ON Aug 27, 2022 17:22:58 GMT

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"Would you really teach me? I'd love that!" Marshall exclaimed, growing excited at the prospect, even as a tug on his line distracted him. He reeled in a rather agitated Basculin and gingerly removed the hook from the flopping fish before lowering it back into the water.[break][break]

He then cast his line out farther than normal. "His name's Axle! I don't know if you heard, but a bunch of Wailords beached here at Slateport themselves a month or two ago. I guess they were super distressed about the dome going up and not being able to swim out to their usual waters. I saw Axle on the beach with the others and thought I should try to help him, since he looked particularly weak. He agreed to go in a Pokéball and he's been with me ever since!"[break][break]

Pride filled Marshall's chest. He was not really good at Pokémon — he'd never had aspirations to be a trainer or Ranger himself — but being able to help at least one Wailord back then made him feel like he'd contributed to something bigger than himself.[break][break]

"He doesn't get to swim around much, though. If the dome goes away, I'll see if he wants to go free and like, rejoin his family or something."[break][break]

Marshall shrugged. Maybe it was better to avoid how much he felt the same — trapped in the dome, without any idea if he would be able to see his own family again.[break][break]

bN4YJpA1

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FISHING

reference chart[break][break]

BY GUNSMILE

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Lia

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Petalburg City, Hoenn

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POSTED ON Aug 28, 2022 15:48:16 GMT

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She finishes her sandwich while listening to him talk about his Wailord, the passing thought coming to mind that perhaps Marshall would make a good ranger if he ever wishes to pursue that path. He's kind. He's sweet, but she already knew that.
[break][break]
"Marshall, that's awesome. I'm glad you could help Axle, and the fact that you still want to return him to the wild is admirable. Not many people would do that." Secretly, selfishly, she hopes the Wailord will choose to stay with @marshall, because it's clear that he's fond of the pokémon.
[break][break]
Sadly, while she watches him reel in his next catch, Lia finds herself being almost pulled into the water by whatever tugs at her line. No more Mantine jokes for now.
[break][break]
"Wha–!" No time for words anyway, or for cursing, if the boat had almost been flipped before, it's by some miracle that it doesn't happen now, because the Basculin that Lia tries to reel in is truly a beast like no other. Bigger than the Barraskewda and even the Lanturn. It's huge, and inevitably, Lia finds herself losing the fight.
[break][break]
Splash.
[break][break]
She falls into cold sea water.
[break][break]
Is that what you'd call a Basculin Splash?

[break][break]

4zP3svN_

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LIA'S FISHING RECORD

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POSTED ON Aug 28, 2022 17:47:58 GMT

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[attr="class","marshallpost"]

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Whatever Marshall was about to say in response to Lia died on his tongue the moment she fell off the boat, pulled into the water by whatever massive Pokémon was on the other end of her line.[break][break]

"LIA!" he shouted, alarmed and distressed. Without thinking, he threw aside his fishing rod and dove in after her. The Mantine on his hook broke free and swam away, startled.[break][break]

Though the saltwater stung his eyes, Marshall forced them open to scan the depths for his friend. The first thing he saw, however, was the absolutely enormous Basculin. Lia floated next to it. Marshall swam toward her, wrapped his arms around her, and started swimming upward. He didn't even stop to look if she was still holding her fishing rod.[break][break]

Mere moments later, the two breached the surface of the water. Panting, Marshall swam them toward the boat and helped Lia back into it. Once she was safe, he hauled himself over the edge and collapsed in a puddle on the boat's bottom.[break][break]

"Are you okay?!" he asked, turning to her with a worried expression. He looked over her quickly, searching for any obvious injuries.[break][break]

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FISHING

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BY GUNSMILE

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played by

Azul

Lia

She/Her

March 30th

Petalburg City, Hoenn

Bisexual

Historian / Explorer

League Archivist

187 height

I can and I will. Watch me.

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655 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @lia

POSTED ON Aug 29, 2022 16:35:07 GMT

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Instincts kick in, and at first, they're her saving grace. Lips now stripped of gloss thanks to the briny water press together, and she does her best not to breath in. Her eyes sting, and when her mysterious catch reveals itself to be a gigantic Basculin, Lia tells herself not to panic.
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It's then that arms wrap around her, and before she can even process what's going on, they're back on the surface and she can breathe again. @marshall to the rescue. Maybe he really is her hero.
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"Marshall! Wait–" She wants to tell him that she's not sure that the Basculin is free from the hook, that there's something else down there (the Octillery that unbeknownst to her will soon become the fish's dinner), and that she's worried about it. In the chaos of the situation and in her own shock, the words don't come, and after making it onto the boat, Lia can do no more than take a deep breath and sit with her back pressed against the hull.
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At least she still has her fishing rod, and she probably would have been fine since she's a pretty decent swimmer. But, the fact that Marshall had jumped in to help her with no hesitation at all...
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Lia feels rather silly for it, but it makes her heart flutter to think about it.
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"Marshall..." So, she looks at him, soaking wet as they both are now, and when she does so, she really can't help the slight smile that illuminates her expression. "Thank you."

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LIA'S FISHING RECORD

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i used to dream in the dark of palisades park.

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DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @Deleted

POSTED ON Aug 29, 2022 17:12:37 GMT

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With the crisis averted and Lia safe on the boat, Marshall felt the adrenaline seep out of his body. He slumped against the hull and rested his head against the top edge of it. He breathed a heavy sigh of relief. "I'm just glad you're not hurt," he murmured, instinctively reaching out for her hand.[break][break]

And then it occurred to him that Lia, talented as she was, could probably swim. A blush reddened his cheeks at the realization, and he froze before his hand could touch hers. He pulled it back hastily.[break][break]

"Uh, though, sorry you lost your catch," Marshall said lamely, looking away. His eyes fell upon his fishing rod that lay forgotten at the bottom of the boat. Somehow, the act of fishing had totally lost its interest. Yet he picked up the rod anyway and set it up right, line still dipping into the water below.[break][break]

As soon as he'd done that, the rod bent, indicating a bite. "Are you kidding me?" he muttered, reeling in a pint-sized Sharpedo. It was rather cute for a species that was mostly teeth, and Marshall smiled at it even as it tried to bite off his fingers. Finally, it splashed back into the water, though it was likely going to end up as dessert for that gigantic Basculin lurking nearby.[break][break]

It was then that Marshall noticed how uncomfortable fully drenched clothes were. Thankfully, he had dressed in his swim trunks just in case, but the water made his cotton shirt heavier than usual, and it felt awkward to wear. Without thinking twice, he pulled off the offensive article of clothing and spread it out on the back of a seat to dry in the sun.[break][break]

"I think the competition's about over," he said, turning to Lia again. "Let's give it a few more minutes, then head back?"[break][break]

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