Card StatsVignette
Battle Against the Fish (Part One)
Dwarfs' Mine - Lakeside
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We've reached the lake. Let's get fishing. |
Film Research Club Member A |
It's not gonna be easy fishing up enough food for our whole club... |
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Are you balking before you even give it a go? Show some drive, would you? |
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Why, hello there, Malleus. Fishing as well, I see. How are you faring? |
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I've yet to catch anything. |
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Ah... Perfect. How would you feel about a little competition? |
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A competition, you say? |
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Yes. What's fun about just fishing? I'd like to spice things up. Consider it a bit of camping recreation. What do you say? |
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Heh... Intriguing. A little fishing should be a trifle for me. |
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Then it's agreed. Let's see who catches a fish first! |
Film Research Club Member A |
You two are competing?! Amazing! |
Film Research Club Member B |
But Vil, have you ever fished before? |
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No. But neither has Malleus, I presume. |
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It's true. I barely left my castle back in Briar Valley. |
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I figured as much. Therefore, we're both amateurs competing on equal terms. But don't think I'll make this easy. I read a book on fishing and plenty of online articles before coming here. That means I have a chance, at least. |
Film Research Club Member B |
That's our Vil! |
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First, I need to prepare my gear. Just put the bug on the hook to serve as bait... Ugh... So this is what a live bug feels like. They're so squishy. |
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What's the matter? Are you giving up before you even cast your line? |
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Please. I was just mildly put off because it was unfamiliar to me. ...There. I've baited the hook and set up the float and reel. Now to cast the line... I just need to swing the rod forward and send the hook flying over the water. An overhead swing should get me enough distance. Now to swing the rod overhead and... Hrah! I did it! The hook landed right where I was aiming! |
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Oho. What a smooth cast, especially for your first time. I can't let myself be outdone. |
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I wouldn't be so relaxed if I were you. If a fish takes my bait, I have but to pull it out of the water. |
Film Research Club Member B |
Did you see the way Vil cast his line? What a beautiful sight! |
Film Research Club Member A |
For sure. And look the way he's gazing down at the water with his hair blowing in the breeze... This could be a fishing ad. |
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Heh. I always play to win, even against the great Malleus Draconia. And win I shall! |
One hour later...
Film Research Club Member A & B |
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............ |
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........................ I'm not getting ANYTHING! |
Battle Against the Fish (Part Two)
Dwarfs' Mine - Lakeside
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It's been a whole hour, and I've had no bites. What is the problem?! |
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Heh... So much for your bold claims. |
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Why are you so smug? You're not doing any better! Oh dear. I mustn't lose my cool over this. I'm a firm believer in playing for keeps, but that doesn't necessitate getting worked up. I must express equanimity, cunning, and beauty in victory. All right, let's just calm down and remember all the fishing tips we read. I believe the most important thing was to never make noise. Fish can hear raised voices, and they'll scatter if they do. |
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And here you were shouting at me just now. |
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A critical error on my part. I won't say another word to you until I catch something. Another tip was to relocate if you don't have any luck in a particular spot. I also read that fish like to gather in areas with lots of reeds and stumps. I'll try to find a place like that. |
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...Still no luck. Should I change my bait? I could try a lure. |
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...Nothing! Strange. Perhaps there aren't any fish in the lake. |
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I see some fish leaping about over there. |
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All right, so they're definitely in the lake. But I can't reach them with my line from over here. What should I try next? I could move again, or perhaps change my lure. No, wait. I know what this calls for... |
Film Research Club Member A |
Are you wading into the lake, Vil? But you'll ruin your cool outfit! |
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Don't look so shocked. If I can't reach the fish from the shore, the only thing to do is move closer. It's called wade fishing. You stand in the water and fish from there. It's a perfectly legitimate style of fishing. And if this doesn't pan out, I'll try another tack. You know, I had the wrong idea about this whole thing. It's not a fight against Malleus. It's a battle against the fish. |
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Heh heh heh... At Night Raven College, I'm Pomefiore's housewarden and the leader of the Film Research Club. I'm also a highly popular model. But such distinctions mean nothing to these fish. It's been a long time since I've fought as simply Vil Schoenheit. It's like I'm right back where I began. It's quite thrilling, really. |
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I... I caught one! |
Film Research Club Member A |
Nice going, Vil! |
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And with this, I have triumphed over Malleus. |
Film Research Club Member A |
I thought this was a battle against the fish, not Malleus. |
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Did I ever call the contest off? I think not. Heh heh heh, let's show Malleus my prize. |
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Have a look, Malleus. I've caught a fish. Victory is mine. |
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Actually, I just caught one as well. |
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You what...?! |
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I caught mine first, so the victory goes to me. |
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No, MINE came first! |
Film Research Club Member A |
Uh, guys... Let's just simmer down... |
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Besides, look at the size of your fish. It's pitiful. You call that fishing? Because I don't. |
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Hmph, it's bigger than what you caught. |
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Excuse me, my fish is clearly bigger. I win! |
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No, I win. |
Film Research Club Member B |
Both those fish are way too small to eat… But there's no way I can tell these two housewardens that! |
Pomefiore Dorm - Epel's Room
Months later...
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Oh, the latest issue of this magazine has an interview with Vil! Let's see... It's all about his time at Camp Vargas. Well, I'll be! I didn't know Vil could fish! "When I'm fishing, I go back to my roots," huh... This is so pretentious, I can't make heads or tails of it…but I guess it's kind of deep. |
Pomefiore Dorm - Vil's Room
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...Why yes, that sounds interesting. I'll take the job. Email me the full proposal, will you? Heh heh... My manager called with a job offer for a new commercial. It's for fishing gear! Their fisherman's attire looks rather slick. I'm looking forward to this. And the reason they reached out to me was because of the fishing interview I did—or because of Camp Vargas, in other words. It wasn't the most pleasant time, but perhaps I should be grateful to Coach Vargas and Malleus. Then again... If anyone deserves my gratitude, it's the fish. |
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