Terre Haute expedition: Camping Day 1

[lord_wizard]

[It's been a more or less uneventful day of travel for the expedition team. Not unexpected for the first leg of such a trip, and with any luck, it will stay that way.

As the sun starts to get low in the sky, Felix signals the group with a sharp whistle to stop, shortly after he feels the change. They've entered the Dead Zone. That sudden loss of power for anyone used to that sort of thing. Not an easy thing to adjust to, at first.]

"We've crossed into the border of the Dead Zone now. We should stop here for the night. Those of you with experience, help set up camp as needed. And I recommend a few of you working out a watch schedule. You never can tell what might be out here."

SET UP | CAMPFIRE | IN THE NIGHT

Comments

[whichwayyoulean]

[Well, this gangly guy is hanging around, and he's bossed around by women forever. He's finished setting up his own collapsible cottage and currently seems to be busying himself with putting stuff into it]

[ensorceler]

[ She's definitely staring, because...she wants that. She wants that now. It's so much better than anything she has. ]

You.

[whichwayyoulean]

[It is the coolest home in the universe. He blinks, turning to the sound of her voice]

...Me?

[ensorceler]

How did you fashion that? I must see.

[whichwayyoulean]

[He looks confused for a moment, before realising what she means]

You mean my cottage? Well, it's mostly made of lightweight metal and canvas, a little wood. I made it a while back, it took me a couple of weeks. It all folds away afterwards, to go into the wagon. [He juts a thumb at the wagon in question]

[ensorceler]

[ She walks closer, both jealous and impressed. She glances to the strange, gangly man again. She spoke to him just recently, didn't she? ]

It is an enclosure fit for a queen, I should think. I am envious.

[whichwayyoulean]

You think so? Thanks. I mean, the one I had back home had a lot more stuff inside, but this was made to make travelling easier.

And I can always make more, so long as there's an animal to pull the wagon.

[Give him a project Anne, he desperately needs projects]

[ensorceler]

[ Her smile softens, and she nods to him in polite acknowledgment of his skill. Need more useful people like this. ]

A master carpenter, then. How sad that I did not know before we departed, or I might have requested your skill.

Would you show me the inside?

[whichwayyoulean]

Among other things. I'm an inventor. But hey, I can always make you one for next time.

[He'll head to the door, opening it for]

Sure thing. It's not much, but it does what I need it to.

[ensorceler]

[ Lifting up her skirt, and doing her best to wipe off her riding boots first, she'll step in to look around, then over her shoulder to him. ]

Inventors with such...unique skills are hard to come by.

[ Seriously this is some weird architecture. ]

But there is room for more than one in here, is there not?

[whichwayyoulean]

[It is so rare for him to get recognition for his work, he's probably smiling like an idiot right now]

Oh...wow. Thanks!

[He glances around, nodding]

Sure, I keep it open to anyone who wants to sleep in here. Otherwise it's just me and Ted.

[ensorceler]

[ Who is Ted? Whatever. The idea of sleeping in the same room as men is...insane, but she's done a lot worse in Paradisa already. ]

Yes, it is the only one of it's kind I've seen, for sure, to be assembled by only one man. But more than three in here would make it far too crowded, I should think.

[ Inspecting some more, spacing her arms apart in a corner like she's measuring. Counting steps. ]

I would need privacy. You can hang some curtains here. Heavy ones. It must seem as if I have my own room.

[ She's not talking about 'next time' either, Mister Inventor. Also she is measuring out like half of it just for herself, if you're paying attention. ]

[whichwayyoulean]

[An adorable prepubescent boy. Just what you want hanging around, really]

Well, I had a lot of time on my hands.

[He's noticing that, and suddenly he feels that familiar feeling of DREAD. Wow, what does he even get himself into. One day he will learn not to be flattered by the ladies into doing things.

Ahahaha no he won't]

...I think I could manage that. I've got some spare material in the wagon.

[ensorceler]

Truly?

[ She turns to face him again, a bright smile on her face. Walking over to the door, Anne reaches out to take his hands. Gosh he is so tall, but she can do this! ]

You are ever prepared, Master Inventor. I would remember this sharp mind of yours, as well as this open and warm generosity to your lady sovereign.

[whichwayyoulean]

[Oh hey wait, that's something new. He blinks, surprised]

You're a queen? Wow. I've never had loyalty around before.

[Should he clean the place up more? WHAT DO YOU DO?!]

[ensorceler]

[ The poor fool! He didn't even know. Granted, her travel clothes aren't quite as ornate as normal, but she's still pretty dressed up. Then again, he seemed too blinded by flattery to notice anything, which is good for her. ]

I have been acting Regent in Cair Paradisa, though I understand news does not carry the same weight here it would any other realm. I would not have any less respect paid to me merely because I am a woman without a retinue, do you understand?

[whichwayyoulean]

[Sounds about right for him. But hey, he sure isn't about the disrespect a freaking QUEEN]

Why would anyone do that? I mean, you're a queen, that kind of demands respect, right? [Yeah, wow, how do you even talk to royalty?] Do I call you.... what? Youre Highness? Your Majesty? I'm pretty new to this.

[ensorceler]

[ His reaction is so base, so sincere, that Anne can't help but burst into laughter. It's genuine, but she still has the shame to cover her mouth and try to stifle it down to a giggle.

Pulling off her riding gloves, Anne holds out her other hand, only a single ring on her finger as she doesn't want to lose her jewelry now, does she? ]

You may kiss my hand with care, and call me your Highness or Majesty at your most charming discretion.

[whichwayyoulean]

[He made the queen laugh. He clearly wins at...something as far as he's concerned. But wow, hand kissing, there's something new. Man, he hopes he doesn't mess this up.

He'll lean over as carefully as he can with his gangly frame to carefully kiss her hand]

Well, it's nice to meet you, you Majesty. I'm the Once-ler.

[ensorceler]

The Once-ler?

[ Like The Doctor? Well, that's just silly. Then again, inventors could be quite...special, couldn't they? The look of this creation alone could tell her that.

She'll still smile and incline her head, only curtsying along with because he seems the type to so easily fluster, and she is happy to milk it. ]

No doubt because you are one of a kind? I am Anne Boleyn, an original as well. Perhaps our meeting was fate.

[whichwayyoulean]

[It does make him clear his throat, yep, definitely flustered here]

More like my mom had some issues. But hey, it's nice to meet another original.

[ensorceler]

[ Another laugh, shorter this time. ]

I think you ought to pay your mother the utmost respect and care, for you would not have that great mind of yours without her.

[ You know, at least birthing you.

Tongue in cheek, she waves a hand so that she can have the room to pass out into the fresh air, and to glance to her horse and the small wagon she had trailed behind it. Where is he... ]

I must have someone carry my things in. It seems that some items in the tent might need to be...rearranged [ removed ] in order to accommodate. But I would not feel safe leaving my belongings out here so unprotected when I already know of some here who would wish me ill. And should I need to come out in the dead of the night and fetch something...

[whichwayyoulean]

Oh trust me, I do. Err...did. [Before she disowned him forever.

Still, he glances out to the wagon in question]

That isn't a problem, I can bring your stuff in as soon as I've put the curtain up. So I can arrange it how you'd want it. You don't have to worry about stepping out in the night.

[ensorceler]

[ Her smile lightens again, and with the lightest of head tilts, she touches a hand to his arm in passing. ]

More and more I find myself humbled and in your debt, sir.

[ She stops at her horse nearby, and another glance around. Maybe she should just look for smoke that isn't a campfire. Whatever, raising her voice. ]

Master Spiegel.

[gottaknockhard]

[By pure coincidence, Spike so happens to be within ear shot. And maybe less of a coincidence in that he's smoking. He enjoys crowds about as much as he enjoys camping and horses, so he needs something to keep him sane.

Of course, he approaches as casual as he can after he hears his name, like he hasn't been watching the whole time. They're just friends.]

What's up? [He always forgets the 'your majesty'...]