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

[ensorceler]

[ There's a little crinkle of her nose as she smiles in pleasure at his compliance, and she nods. Dropping her good arm to slide through his, so he can at least pretend to look like he's leading, she moves to stroll away to let her newfound busy bee do his thing. ]

Of course. Though I was warned of danger, should we not expect idle hours just as much? I have no doubts that you brought your...cigarettes, as well.

[gottaknockhard]

[Spike takes that as a cue, since he did just put one out before speaking up. Reaching into his pocket, he takes out the pack to hold up for her (after first taking another for himself.)

He really is a saint some days.]

Enough to cover the trip. You never know when you'll find a convenience store out in the woods.

[ensorceler]

You may jest, but trust not any merchant you find in the wood.

[ Pulling her arm free of his, Anne accepts the offer with a smile and a nod. She'll wait for him to light it as before, because...seriously what are lighters. Magic. ]

Or at the least, let me see his wares before making too hasty a judgment. Mayhap with cigarettes there will be cursed gold.

[gottaknockhard]

[And he does light it for her, as a reflex. They're starting to look like quite the couple.]

Now that might make it worth the trip. [Despite how miserable camping generally is, he spares a smile. It's the optimist in him.]

[ensorceler]

[ And as usual, she's the much better dressed of the two! Even in travel, Anne doesn't spare any detail when it comes to her fashion, though it might still be considered subdued. There is a lot less jewelry. ]

Oh, but what if the curse was your most profound nightmare? What if you were forced to walk only in the night for all eternity? How much gold would be worth it?

[gottaknockhard]

[Not much, judging by his shrug.]

It'd give you a good story to tell.

[ensorceler]

[ She must roll her eyes at that. ]

Ah, but then all you would have are stories. What of the people who might hear them? Dare they remain?

[gottaknockhard]

I might have to pay them to.

[How do vampires get friends, anyway?]

[ensorceler]

[ She doesn't even know about vampires, she really was just talking about night walking. ]

As I do? You think me cursed?

[gottaknockhard]

[He doesn't know much more, as many times as he's encountered them. It's just weird...]

Your luck isn't that bad.

[ensorceler]

I do not really believe in such. I create my own fortune.

[ She glances over her shoulder to the poor sap working on making her curtains as they speak. Well, at least she can get a good view of what everyone else is doing to set up while they walk. ]

And I would share it, lest you hasten to think me cruel.

[gottaknockhard]

[He's heard that before. As much as he's seen some poor sap scramble to make an impression.]

Did you have something in mind?

[ensorceler]

That all depends on what we discover during this journey.

[gottaknockhard]

Looks like you've made out so far.

[ensorceler]

Mm, yes, well I am so fortunate to have discovered such a useful treasure.

[ She grins up at him after another glance is sent Once-ler's way. ]

I did promise to share. You wish to borrow him?

[gottaknockhard]

[Spike can't help but raise an eyebrow. He follows her gaze, almost sympathetic.]

I think I can manage with the tent.

[ensorceler]

[ Yeah he knows what she did. ]

Do you think me cruel after all?

[gottaknockhard]

[All women are.]

You care a lot about what I think.

[ensorceler]

You assume much from simple curiosity, and that is not an answer.

[gottaknockhard]

It's usually better for me when I keep my opinions to myself.

[Smiling a little bit though. Teasing gets back at her for pulling his ear.]

[ensorceler]

[ Except he'll get another ear pull if he keeps it up! ]

You should not shield your opinions when a king or queen asks for them, but your avoidance is answer enough, I believe. I am hurt.

[gottaknockhard]

Don't take it personally. It could pay off for you out here.

[Still teasing, even if there's a real sentiment behind it. Never learns...]

[ensorceler]

Do you think?

[ Clasping her hands behind her, Anne twirls around in a flourish of skirts as she steps backwards a few steps while watching him. ]

There was another man who called me cruel once.

[gottaknockhard]

[Suddenly noticing how impractical that's going to seem a few days down the line, but he's more interested in that comment to bring it up.]

Only once, huh?

[ensorceler]

Uttered once to me, but then written in poetry to live for all eternity.

[ Turning back around, she stops to look at the campfire in the distance, a cloudy look in her eye. ]

I supposed if I was to be seen as cruel, I ought to live up to expectations. It is not difficult when you see the world for how it is. How every manner of thing may carry regret and misery, no matter the intention. After all, is loving not the cruelest act of all?

To steal a person's heart and never return it.