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

[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.

[wolfskin]

[ He forces himself to relax, if only a touch, hand resting on her shoulder.

As comforting as her words are she cannot protect him from his own dreams. ]

One could not ask for a fiercer protector. [ He is her brother, he king, the leader of their House. He is the one who should be protecting her. Yet he is exhausted and in no mood for an argument. ]

[wolfchild]

[ She smiles wanly. ]

You want to know what I do when I have nightmares?

[wolfskin]

What do you do?

[wolfchild]

I think of Jon. I think of you. Zelos too. And my dancing master. You make me brave.

Mayhaps you can think of someone too.

[wolfskin]

[ You make me brave.

He intakes a sharp breath, as if knife slipped into his lungs. It hurts as much as it warms, makes him breathe out of noise that is not quite a laugh and not quite a sigh.

Who would he think of? Father? Or Jeyne his ever loving wife.

Or mayhaps he will cling to his fear, for didn't Father once say that only time a man can truly be brave is when he is afraid? ]

Mayhaps I shall think of my family, my lady wife, and our uncle in Riverrun.

[wolfchild]

[ wait wait w a i t ]

You have a wife?

[wolfskin]

[ Oh... whoops? You didn't know little sis? ]

Aye, it was after we took the Crag. [ Lalala, glossing over most of the details. ] I took Jeyne Westerling as my wife before returning to Riverrun.

[wolfchild]

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You have a wife?