paradisabeyond | (no subject)

[Good evening, explorers! After departing from Cair Paradisa, the path was south at first, but turned west fairly early on. Skirting well south of Eldritch Forest, the travelers had camped near the edge of the Amber Steppe, not quite within sight of the forest that marks the Totem Coast. The grasses are parched brown by the heat, though greener patches mark the presence of water. It's near one of these - a small, bubbling stream leading west that Raine has chosen to follow as it will almost certainly run into the river marked on her map - that the travelers have made their camp.

The carts and wagons are arranged in a defensive circle, though the campers are free to set up their tents outside them as well as inside wher ethe rest of them are. There are small cooking fires scattered around as well as a large bonfire in the center for socializing.

Play music? Sing? Teach those poor non-Earth kids how to make s'mores? Or just sit around and socialize with others.

Or hide in your tent and ignore everyone, if you really want to.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Hm? [Is that what he looked so worried and upset about? She waves it off with a flick of her hand.] Don't worry about that.

[Don't worry? Don't worry? He's been brooding and sulking since it happened, and she thinks it's no big deal? He frowns a little.]

...You're not upset?

Well, not about the yelling, no. [Pause.] ...Should I be?

Well, I was...concerned that you would be, anyway. [He's still having a little trouble meeting her eyes.]

[A headtilt as she watches him.] ...Why? [She pokes him in the shoulder.] Did you think I couldn't handle you yelling a little bit?

[He opens his mouth, and closes it again helplessly.]

...I don't have an answer for that that doesn't sound stupid even before I say it.

[Martel can't help it, she starts laughing, leaning on his shoulder and muffling her giggles. He was so cute when he was flustered.]

[That just makes him blush, embarrassed, but he still doesn't have any words. So after a moment's consideration, he leans into her as well.

It was still a stupid thing to do. But...he doesn't want to fight. So he'll have to just let it go.

He's so good at that, after all.]

[She finally looks up, watching him blush and be awkward.] You are so cute when you're flustered.

[dryly:] Just what every man wants to hear. [But he puts an arm around her shoulders and kisses her hair gently. He likes just being able to be close to her.]

Well, you're handsome too, if I do say so myself. [She grins up at him.] However did I manage to snag you?

[He raises an eyebrow, looks her up and down skeptically. In the most sarcastic tone he can possibly manage:] I can't imagine.

[Seriously, Martel, stop selling yourself short.]

[Martel's grin grows even wider at that look.] Oh, so you do notice. I thought that you didn't.

[Oh, yes, blushing again. He glances away.]

...I notice.

[She's giggling like crazy at him now.] For the longest time, I thought I was doing something wrong. [Even with the amount of skin she manages to show.]

Not...not at all. [This line of conversation is making him rather warm and very uncomfortable. Sadly, he is drawing a total blank on ways to change the subject.]

You are so easy to tease, did you know that? [She leans up and kisses his cheek. There's his opening, if he wants to change the subject.]

I don't mean to be. [pout pout pout]

Of course you don't. That's what makes it cuter.

It's a good thing we're in love, or I don't know how we'd put up with each other. [He kisses her on the cheek to show he doesn't mean it.]