lunarlanterns

[lunarlanterns]

treetopdynamite​:

Catfish Fry || Toby & Luke  

“Hey now, don’t get all shy, buddy!” Luke spoke to his son and Leo buried his face into Luke’s chest after Toby’s greeting. The father sighed offered an apologetic smile to his friend. “Sorry, he’s kinda shy. Total opposite of his sister, I tell ya. More like his mom.” Luke set down the cooler, his earlier eager grin returning full force. 

“Awesome! It’s a pretty damned good catch if I say so myself! Not trying to show you up at your own game or nothin’, but I’m pretty impressed with myself!” He laughed and crouched down to pop off the top of the cooler to show off the fish to Toby. It sat atop a layer of melting ice, looking fresh as when it had been pulled out of the water. “I haven’t really cleaned it up or anything, sorry dude.”

It warmed the fisherman’s heart to see the child hide away against his father, a tender smile answering Luke’s apology. “It’s okay. We all feel a little shy sometimes.” He looked to his friend in admiration. “A wife and two kids, mayorship...” Toby rubbed the back of his neck, a bit bashful. “... You’ve done great, Luke. ... But--but I’m sure you don’t need me to tell you that...”

He watched as Luke opened the cooler, offering a nod of praise followed by a humored shrug of his shoulders. “It’s okay. I can accept being shown up. It’s a great catch. ♪” He chuckled warmly. “I don’t mind preparing it... if you want. I’ve got plenty of practice.”

#treetopdynamite

[lunarlanterns]

sea bass and sunset | renee & toby

melitsai​:

There was a lot on this man’s mind. Renee allowed herself to get a good look at him, tilting her head to the side to view his expression more clearly. It was written all over his face – the stress of this new island and whatever else was going on with his life. 

The brunette felt her eyebrows knit together in concern, Toby’s voice tugging at her heartstrings. His chuckle didn’t sound earnest in the least, and it only made the lines on her forehead become more prominent as worry settled in. It was like her to be so concerned for someone – even if she’d met them only a few moments ago. She pulled her knees toward her chest, hiding her chin beneath them. “I… I’m not so good with it, either.” A weary smile knitted across her lips as she spoke softly, hoping not to scare him away from divulging his emotions. “It’s the first time being away from my family for me, and… it’s a lot different, being on your own.”

Renee swallowed her embarrassment as she waved a hand toward him, as if she were wiping the conversation away. “S-Sorry, I’m not meaning to make it about me! I… can just relate, I suppose.”

She turned her eyes toward her fishing rod at the same time as him, his change in tone warming up her own expression. “Really? No wonder you knew this spot.” Renee grinned enthusiastically, reeling in her line and holding her rod up –it was beaten and old, but one that she’d brought from home. “It’s the best part! Relaxing while fishing is the best, and the sea breeze feels so nice, and you get to see the evening sun–!!” She paused abruptly, reaching a hand up to fluff her hair while a musical giggle escaped her. “S-Sorry, I got a little carried away.”

The way she curled in on herself, as if physically withdrawing from the stresses around her, did not go unnoticed by the fisherman. He watched her, sympathy tying a knot in his chest, and took another deep breath of the salt-heavy air. They were in the same boat (metaphorically speaking), two little fish in a big, blue, different sea. Unlike her, Toby hadn’t moved from his family--his uncle still called frequently, and he still visited Paolo and let the kid climb all over him. He was still on Leuda, where he’d always been. In that way, her problems felt bigger. He almost felt guilty for his stress.

“It really is different,” he agreed gently, mild smile finding its way back to his sunkissed features. “It’s okay. Don’t be sorry.” It was oddly relaxing to share his issues with another, regardless of his feelings of who was worst off. “Talk as you’d like,” Toby urged tenderly. “It’s not about me, or you. It’s just sharing.”

As Renee’s passion for fishing bubbled over in the form of laughter, Toby couldn’t help but suspect--hope--that they became good friends. Passion was such a beautiful thing, and the way it lit her up, brightened her eyes and her smile... It warmed him, just like the sunlight. He could only hope his passion could have a similar effect on others. “No, I don’t blame you,” he chuckled. “When you sit, and fish, and wait... it makes you see the beauty you might overlook, if you were busy with other things... if that makes sense.” He pushed his lips together and paused a second. “Kind of, um... a ‘stop and smell the roses’ type of thing... Except, more like... fish and smell the... fish, I guess,” he finished with a sheepish laugh.

#melitsai #finally answered this #they make me happy #:')

[lunarlanterns]

tinastea​:

private lesson | open

Growing up, Tina and her family would visit the beach on vacation. She and her brothers would body board and surf. She loved the ocean. One thing she didn’t know how to do was scuba dive. She’d snorkeled before on one vacation where they visited some reefs. But she’d never gone farther below. And living on the islands Tina had gotten more and more into water activities.

She decided this summer was time to learn how to dive!

Tina showed up on the dock in her wetsuit ready to go.

“Yes!” Tina said excitedly, returning the man’s smile.

“Already suited up too!” She said proudly with a thumbs up.

The woman that approached was on the smaller side, with a youthful energy to her that Toby found enviable. At least he had high endurance in the water; he would hate to have her swimming laps around him...

Though maybe she’d be doing just that in due time. That would make him a good teacher, right?

“Perfect,” the fisherman praised warmly and with a smile.

“I was just giving our boat here a last check-over...” he explained as he turned back to it, pushing his hands to his hips. “... And I think we’re ready to go. ♫”

With that, he stepped aboard the motorboat and turned, extending his hand out to his student to help pull her aboard. “Are you used to boats? It’s hard not to be, living on the islands...” he admitted bashfully, supposing his question to be a bit stupid. “... But this is different from those big ferries.”

#you replied to this so long ago im sorry lol #tinastea

[lunarlanterns]

If your muse participated in the Beach Day event, you can reblog this post for 2 activity points. 

[lunarlanterns]

fishing - 7/1

dogfish shark -- reroll -- tuna - 2,600g

pufferfish - 560g

dogfish shark -- reroll -- bottle -- reroll -- sea bream - 349g

rubber boot -- reroll -- dogfish shark - 420g

sea bream - 349g

barracuda - weather: cloudy, success! - 15,000g

horse mackerel -- reroll -- stick - keep

black bass -- reroll -- sardine - 100g

horse mackerel - 181g

amago trout - 1,300g

6 rerolls w/ Mystic Fishing Pole

Hopefully he wasn’t overfishing barracudas...

He found a nice piece of driftwood, at least.

profits: 20,859g

new total: 31,040g

#pi:money #pi:fishing #pi:minigames #pi:inventory

[lunarlanterns]

Now that he had a little bit of extra money, he could stand to get this fishing pole replaced. It had done its job, but it was time to move on to greener pastures (or warmer waters, maybe). 

This thing was cool... He’d never even touched such a nice rod.

paid 32,000g to @geode-x-dude​ for a Mystic Fishing Pole

#go buy urself smthn pretty gray :eyelashes: #pi:money #pi:inventory #no jokes about that last line >:(

[lunarlanterns]

@lunarlanterns

#h2odefishiency #fish in the sea

[lunarlanterns]

activity check - 6/27

He was still in the process of unpacking, but so far, living at the shop was a dream come true. Located on the Ceto Boardwalk, all he had to do to see the ocean was step outside. 

Despite all his doubts... so far, he was managing okay.

Kiku mewled from the kitchen, summoning Toby back inside for dinner.

expenses:

-0g - living at Deep Blue Dives

profits:

+1,500g - first job at Deep Blue Dives

+3,000g - owning and operating Deep Blue Dives

+1,000g - second job at Oceanic Wonderland

new total: 42,181g

#pi:activity #pi:money

[lunarlanterns]

private lesson | open

Docked at Deep Blue Dives was a small motorboat, and the lanky fisherman aboard it was busying himself checking the boat over, ensuring there was enough fuel, and that all necessary supplies were on hand...

Toby straightened up, swiping the back of his hand over his sweat-dampened forehead. Content with the boat’s status, he took a huff of humid sea air. The sun was high in the sky, and his straw hat did little to repel the heat. It would be a blessing to finally get in the water.

He took hold of the bottom hem of his tank top, fanning it to force air into his shirt, when movement caught his attention and he turned his head in its direction.

“Oh, hello,” he smiled wearily, cheeks flushed by the heat. “Are you here for the lesson...?”

#pi:open #pi:leuda #who wants a private lesson with this hunk :eyelashes:

[lunarlanterns]

fishing - 6/26

horse mackerel - 181g

sea bass - 500g

rubber boot - 1g

flounder - 1,200g

octopus - 5,400g

sea bass - 500g

flounder - 1,200g

squid - 5,400g

large trout - 720g

horse mackerel - 181g

Who keeps throwing boots in the water...?

Maybe someone lost it at the beach...

... Or maybe someone just tossed it. He hoped it was the former.

He looked out at the sea and murmured a soft apology.

profits: 15,283g

new total: 36,681g

#pi:minigames #pi:fishing #pi:money

[lunarlanterns]

sea bass and sunset | renee & toby

melitsai​:

Toby’s question played on the wind while she considered how much she wanted to tell him. Renee was an open enough person, and to be honest, he’d seem like the least threatening man she’d met in a while – especially when stood next to her coworkers. She tilted her chin up toward the sky, orange glow melting into her skin as she nodded curtly. “True.” She felt silly, as if playing a game of truth or dare with a stranger. 

Toby started speaking before she even needed to ask. It seemed they were the same sort of personality type, and it was easy to talk to a stranger. Her chestnut eyes fell toward him as he talked about his grievances, and she felt her brows knit together in concern for the man. When he apologized, Renee clicked her tongue. “Why are you apologizing? There’s no burden too heavy to tell a stranger.” A childish grin found it’s way on her expression before she looked back out to the sea.

“I do understand… These islands are wonderful, but changes are so quick…” Renee let a sigh float on the breeze. “It may be hard to keep up at first, but soon, it’ll become a new routine – and we’ll find ourselves begging for more.” She giggled lightly. “It’s fun for life to be different sometimes, right?”

One could read Toby like a book. Everything was out in the open, whether he liked it or not--and sometimes he didn’t. He was an inherently honest person, a horrible liar who found it hard to keep thoughts and emotions concealed. Even if he said nothing, his emotions shown through his face, clear as water.

With some, he at least attempted to mute his thoughts, feeling too uncomfortable and shy to voice them. With a stranger, in particular. But with this generous young woman... His words flowed with ease. Her very presence was a truth potion.

Another soft laugh passed his lips. “Sorry... Force of habit, I guess.” No burden too heavy to tell a stranger... But Renee didn’t feel like a stranger. She felt like an old friend, loyal and kind.

“You’re right,” he answered softly, calmly, as the stress in his muscles was carried away by the sea wind. “I’m just... not so good at handling the different. I’m not great with change, I guess.” A faint, self-deprecating chuckle punctuated this as he watched the sun meet the horizon.

Toby took a glance down at the fishing rod settled next to the girl. He’d seen it earlier, but only now acknowledged it, now that he was feeling a bit better. “I like to fish, too. ♪“ The fisherman smiled warmly, affection for the hobby sweetening his tone. “A lot of people don’t like the whole waiting part of it... Waiting for a bite. But sitting by the water is a good use of time, I think.”

#melitsai #sea bass and sunset

[lunarlanterns]

With a smile that seemed to stretch from ear to ear and a big straw hat to shade it from the sun, Toby was perfectly at home among the sand, waves, and beach-goers.

This would be fun. He would have to give the swim competitions a try...!

(If asked, he seems oblivious to the alternate meaning of his shirt.)

#pi:beachday2020 #pi:wardrobe #i wish i had more icons of him #theres surprisingly not much for gin

[lunarlanterns]

activity check - 6/13

The beaches were filling to the brim with activity, and Toby couldn’t be more happy. The shore was pretty all year round... but it was a lot more fun to swim during the summer than the winter.

A perfect time to dive, too. ♫

expenses:

-2,000g - living in Bell Hotel

profits:

+1,500g - first job at Deep Blue Dives

+3,000g - owning and operating Deep Blue Dives

+1,000g - second job at Oceanic Wonderland

new total: 21,398g

#pi:activity #pi:money

[lunarlanterns]

surf’s up! | alex & toby

@gridballgod​

Toby had a bad little habit... Specifically, sticking inside his comfort zone as if his life depended on it.

But if there was anyone who could coax him out of his shell of safety, it was a good friend of his: Alex. The two were seemingly polar opposites, schoolmates whose paths had rarely crossed. They’d had different hobbies and lifestyles that had blocked any friendship from forming, but after meeting up again by chance, he had found that they clicked better than one might expect. They were now what Toby considered pretty close.

The two had struck up a deal: if Toby would give surfing a try, Alex would go on a dive with him. The fisherman couldn’t turn such an offer down.

He stood barefoot on the sand, in swim shorts and a loose navy blue tank top (he was a bit shy about being shirtless, to be honest). The waves lapped at the shore just steps away. He wasn’t necessarily scared, but more concerned about inevitably failing. The surfboard tucked under his arm was awkwardly big, his brow lightly creased in trepidation.

“I’m ready...” he mumbled, more to himself than to Alex. “... How do we start?” he asked meekly and with a soft chuckle to his tone, turning his head towards his friend.

#here it is bb #gridballgod #surf's up

[lunarlanterns]

treetopdynamite‌:

@lunarlanterns​

Equipped with a baby bag on his shoulder and Leo strapped in facing his chest in a baby sling, Luke made his way towards the docks where he expected to find his long-time friend, Toby. After all, the ocean was certainly the man’s first love, and Luke always knew he could count on finding Toby somewhere nearby the water. In his free hand, Luke carried with him a cooler that contained a catfish he’d caught earlier that day when he went fishing. As heavy as it was, he knew just the person to take it to to share with. 

“Hey, Toby!” Luke yelled out once he spotted his friend. Leo fussed against Luke’s chest at the volume and Luke mumbled a quiet apology to the child, and waited until he got closer to Toby to speak up again. “What’s up man? You busy? I got a catfish and I was thinking we could deep fry it! Doesn’t that sound awesome? Oh yeah–” Luke turned to the side so that Leo could see Toby. “Say hi to Toby, Leo!” The baby only sighed and closed his eyes, his quiet demeanor shining through. 

When he wasn’t working, Toby could reliably be found by the water. Leuda was a busy place, fast-moving and restless, and so he kept to its beaches and docks as much as he could.

It didn’t take long for Luke to find him, seated on one of the docks with his feet dangling over the edge. The endless song of the waves sapped his stresses from him as he lived off the salty air--until he was pulled from his reverie by a call from behind him.

Toby lifted his head and looked behind him, propped up on his palms against the old boards of the dock. As he recognized the figure in the distance, a grin spread across his face and he clambered to his feet.

“Hi, Luke,” he greeted his old friend warmly, the affection in his features growing even warmer as he noticed the child strapped to him. It was always amazing to see what a life Luke had made for himself. “Hey, Leo.” A wave of a lanky hand accented his greeting, a faint chuckle to his tone. What a cute little guy. “It’s so good to see both of you.” Toby perked up. “That sounds great...! Thank you for the offer. Some lunch right now sounds perfect.”

Catfish Fry || Toby & Luke

#thank you for writing this up!! <3 its perfect #i love them already #treetopdynamite #catfish fry

[lunarlanterns]

fishing - 5/31

flounder - 1,200g

sardine - 100g

fish fossil - 3,000g

sea bass - 500g

stick - 10g

cod - 230g

barracuda - weather: sunny! - 15,000

flounder - 1,200g

black bass - 280g

black bass - 280g

proof

At the end of his fishing session, his poor, flimsy fishing rod had nearly snapped on multiple occasions--how he caught a fossil, he wasn’t quite sure--but Toby left the dock with a beaming smile on his face.

profits: 21,800g

new total: 47,898g

#pi:fishing #pi:minigames #pi:money #eyes emoji #king of the barracudas

[lunarlanterns]

activity check - 5/30

He had an idea...

He’d need to really start saving up, though...

expenses:

-1,000g - living in Mire Apartments

profits:

+1,500g - first job at Oceanic Wonderland

+1,000g - second job at Minera Hot Springs

new total: 26,098g

#pi:money #pi:activity