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

[wolfchild]

Is she going to stay?

[wolfskin]

Do you want her to stay?

[wolfchild]

[ Her eyes slide to him. No. No, she does not. Sansa had a year to come back to them. A year. And she refused, preferring to hide that she was a Stark, thinking it a condemned name—meaning she damned Catelyn and Arya from the start.

Now she wants to come back and Arya knows why. There's no loyalty. There's no love. She thinks Robb will keep her safe. She's a liar and craven and Arya hates her.

Sansa isn't a Stark. She's not even a Stone. The bastard name is too good for her. She's become a Lannister.

Lions have no place among wolves. ]

[wolfskin]

[ She need not say any words, the look on her face says all that needs to be said.

Sansa spoke of returning, said she could possibly abandon her armor for them (or was it for him?). Yet he knows the wound she inflicted on Arya is much too deep, she would not have their estranged sister.

He wants his family together, though would not be a happy house with the sisters at odds with each other. ]

I do not know if she will stay, I asked only that she remain with Mother while I was absent.

[wolfchild]

[ Arya makes no reply. She turns her back on Robb, curling up closer to Zelos. Whatever desire she had left for sleep is gone. But it's easier to pretend she's tired than continue a conversation she never wanted to be part of. ]

It's late. You should sleep.

[wilder]

[Zelos meanwhile starts stirring when he feels something curling up against him. He opens an eye lazily and looks around, very confused by what he sees]

Huh?

Starks...?

[wolfskin]

A─ [ Robb starts, only for his words to be cut off before they really have a chance to leave his mouth. ]

Ser Zelos. [ Welp, you weren't supposed to wake up. ] Apologies, we had not meant for you to wake.

[ Robb was literally just about to go. ]

[wolfchild]

[ Arya doesn't quite hide her stricken expression fast enough. She covers it up by glaring. ]

You go back to sleep!

[wilder]

[he is so confused right now, and being half asleep? He doesn't even think to have manners]

Where did you guys even come from?! You weren't in the group before-

- Did you guys stalk me or something?!

[wolfskin]

[ Zelos, you're complaining a bit too much for someone who is half awake. ]

No. [ Why would he even man. ] I came after Arya.

[wolfchild]

[ Arya will be oh so subtly kicking him. She mouths "Shut up!" ]

[wilder]

What- [Whoa suddenly kicked] Ow!

[And he realizes what that means by what robb says]

You mean- Augh! Aryaaaaaa! I even checked the wagons this time- how did you get out here?!

[wolfskin]

[ Whoops?! ]

[wolfchild]

[ Zelos, sweetie, we need to work on what shut up means. ]

Stop being stupid! You know I came out with you!

[ If you won't shut up then please play along ]

[wilder]

No, no I'd remember that!

[But at least he's getting the message somewhere, or exerting this much energy when he's still catching up on sleep is wearing him out]

Ugh, whatever. I'm too tired- I'm going back to sleep.

[wolfskin]

[ Robb's expression says he wants to say something, though no words leave his lips. He too is tired, he struggles to hide it with each passing moment, the ride and tearing of a limb that is not there has worn him down quite efficiently. ]

My apologies.

[ Didn't mean to wake you good ser. ]

[wolfchild]

[ Arya gets up with a frustrated sound. She picks the furthest spot she can while still remaining within view. Then she sits down against a tree, hugging her knees to her. ]

[wolfskin]

[ He hesitates for a moment before turning and joining Arya by her tree, he says nothing as he removes his cloak from his shoulders and sits. Using the large cloak as a blanket for her. Just as he does that Grey Wind pads over, all but flopping onto Robb and rubbing his head against his chest. ]

[wolfchild]

[ It tugs an unwilling smile from her. Arya pets Grey Wind, not once looking at Robb. After a while, she pushes at Grey Wind so she can lay her head in Robb's lap. ]

[wolfskin]

[ The wolf huffs in complaint but moves regardless, making Robb laugh softly. With laying in his lap and Grey Wind at his side he allows himself to relax, a hand draping lazily over his little sister. Eyes falling closed. ]

[wolfchild]

[ It's a few hours later when Arya startles awake. She had been dreaming—she had been running—and as fast she ran she could to catch up—when something grabbed her. Nothing has, but Robb feels tense. She looks up to find him awake. ]

Robb? Was there something? Why aren't you sleeping?

[wolfskin]

[ (Boom, boom, boom -)

He curses underneath his breath, hoping she would not wake. But she did and she questioned and he finds himself cornered. ]

It's nothing. [ It is a half true. ] Just a dream.

[wolfchild]

[ Understanding floods her. Arya sits up, chewing her lip. ]

They never feel like just dreams.

[wolfskin]

[ Inhale, exhale. Inhale, exhale.

This is not something he wants to burden her with, but it is too late for that isn't it? Arya is smart enough to know the subject of his dream, of his nightmare. ]

No, they don't. [ He tries a smile but it falls flat. ] It is alright, Arya, I'm fine.

[ Only he isn't. His muscles are tense, his gaze suspicious of the darkness surrounding them. ]

[wolfchild]

[ Arya sits next to him, embraces him. ]

I told you. I'd keep you safe too. I'll be your kingsguard.