Pam: This lake isn't as big as Misty Lake. Will it do?
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Duncan: Any will do. Fish can live in all sorts of water.
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The two found a small lake down in the deep part of The Great Youkai Forest. They got close to the water and saw bugs of all kinds flying across the water.
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Pam: Eh, lot's of bugs. Should we find a different spot or lake?
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Duncan: *Puts the tackle box down and sets it up.* Nope, this is perfect.
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Fish ranging from small to medium jumped out of the water and began biting the insects.
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Duncan: And they're hungry. Got your pole?
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Pam: *Brings it out* Yeah, how does it work? Do you swing it at the fish or impale them?
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Duncan: No, no. Here, I'll show y-you.
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Duncan grabs a worm out of the tackle box and hooked it.
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Duncan: First you put some bait on, then-*Readies the pole* aim at where you're gonna fish and pull it back-*Pulls the pole behind* and fling it.
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Duncan flings the pole forward and the bait flew far into the water.
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Duncan: Now it's your turn. Try to not cross my line.
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Pam mimicked what Duncan did.
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Pam: Okay, so now what, we wait?
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Duncan: Yep, pretty much.
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Pam: How do I know if a fish bites my hook?
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Duncan: Y-You see that thing floating above the hook? That's called a buoy. It'll go down when a fish takes the bait. Plus you would feel a small tug as well.
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Pam: Oh, so...We wait then.
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Duncan: Again, yep. It's really nice to just relax and enjoy the environment.
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Pam: Hmmm..Yeah, I do like that.
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Duncan: Really?
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Pam: Why do you think I tend to do solo missions or wake up early. I guess all I was missing was this.
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Duncan: I'd imagine that growing up, you would go out just to see the sunrise.
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Pam: Back when I was little, even growing up to a teen, I would get up early to help with my foster mother's chickens and I would always see the sunrise every time. I always thought that my real parents would be there watching over me. I never knew what they looked like or what they like and dislike, but I always imagine them like they've been with me forever.
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Duncan: So, what was your foster Ma, like?
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Pam: Ma?
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Duncan: What?
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Pam: *Chuckles* What kind of word is Ma?
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Duncan: Hey, I called my father Pa a lot.
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Pam: Hey, I'm just teasing ya. Marcia was her name and she was sweet. She owned a small house in the middle of this forest. I don't exactly remember where it is or what it looks like but I remember she had nothing but a chicken coop and a small tomato farm. I remember a time where she was sitting on her chair outside watching me as I play around. Despite how deep in the forest we were, we had a pretty good view of the sunrises.
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Duncan: Was? She isn't-
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Pam: A couple decades ago, she got too old and passed away. I decided to leave after I buried her in the backyard. I didn't want to live in an empty house and tend to some dying crops and a coop where there was hardly any chicken left. I decide that If I were to survive on my own, I would be mean and heartless and attack anyone even for food, but a part of me still wondered if my real parents wanted me to be that way and my "Ma" taught me the be a nice, caring person.
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Duncan: What happened to your real parents?
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Pam: Youkai hunters. They dropped me off at Marcia's place before they were hunted down.
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Duncan: I'm...really sorry for your loss. I hope you weren't as alone as I was.
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Pam: You had Beanie with you after your father's death, I had no body. No one wanted to be my friend or wanted to marry me, because I'm scary and my attitude helped that.
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Duncan: Well, The Bean was hardly there for me, but he stuck around.
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Pam: Whatever happened to your parents?
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Duncan: My mother: Kaz died of Cholera when I was four and my father: Riko died eight years ago. It was an accident at his workplace where he got hit in the head by a wooden plank and fell down as soon as a friend, who wasn't aware, dropped a bunch of bricks on him. If I remember correctly, the friend who had the wooden plank afterwards started to suffer from depression, believing he was to blame for. So yeah, I guess we're both similar but unlike you, people didn't want to be my friend because I wasn't as great as my father and no one wanted marriage because I wasn't as handsome as my father. I'm just happy I get to meet all of you guys and have you as friends. Heh, on the plus side, I don't have to compete with The Bean when it comes to love.
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Pam: Heh, yeah. Meanwhile I have to compete with Wriggle and Mystia.
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Duncan: Really?
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Pam: No..er, yes..Wha-I mean.
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Duncan's buoy sunk down and he felt a tug.
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Duncan: Oh! I got one.
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Pam: *To herself* Stupid. I really should shut my mouth.
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Duncan: Aaand, gotcha!
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Duncan reeled in a slightly small fish.
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Duncan: Ah, a Japanese Perch. Pretty common around here.
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Pam: S-So, do we eat it or...
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Duncan: Well, we can, but..
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Duncan grabbed the perch and threw it back into the water.
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Duncan: Gotta let that one grow up more. Now, let's try something else.
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Duncan grabbed a small block of cheese and hooked it, then pulled back and flung the line.
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Pam: Cheese?
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Duncan: Cheese is great. I believe there are some carps here so I think cheese will do just fine.
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Pam: What do you think of Mystia and Wriggle?
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Duncan: Miss Lorelei is okay. Not really my type but she does get the job done. She is nice though so that's okay. Miss Nightbug is nice too, but I feel bad for her.
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Pam: What do you mean?
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Duncan: Well, it's just that she's sweet but I fear that I would break her heart once I tell her I'm not into her. I thought at first those scents I had on me would help out finding love but I'm honestly sick of it. I want to be with someone who I would feel for and care for. Someone who I would unconditionally care for and love...
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Pam kept on listening to Duncan, losing track of time and just stand there in a trance, looking at him.
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Duncan: Blah, blah blah blah blah. Blah blah blah blah, blah..
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Pam started to lose what he was saying until...
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Duncan: Are you alright? You look like you're about to say something.
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Pam: *Blinks* Wha-oh..Nothing. I'm alright.
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Pam's buoy sunk down and her rod is twitching.
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Duncan: Oh, you got one.
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Pam grabbed hold of her rod and started to mimic what Duncan did.
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Pam: Mmmmurg. This one has a bit of heft to it.
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Duncan: I'll help.
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Duncan went behind Pam and put his hands on Pam's hands and started to pull as well, which made Pam blush heavily. eventually, they reeled up the culprit.
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Pam: Gah!
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Duncan: Hah...Heh..Holds the fish* You sir, are a fish.
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Pam: It's..big. What is it?
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Duncan: It's a Biwa Trout and a big one, no doubt.
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Pam: Is it edible?
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Duncan: Yep. *Puts it on a cloth and rolled it* I think it's time to call it a day.
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Pam: Yep. I gotta rest after what happened. *Looks at her hands*
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Duncan: What do you mean?
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Pam: N-Nothing.
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