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

[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.

[gottaknockhard]

[The shift in her mood seems to put a damper on his teasing. She definitely has a way of piercing through his bullshit to strike at something he wasn't even thinking about at the time.]

You're in luck then. I don't write poetry.

[ensorceler]

[ Her smile returns then, as easily as if it had never gone, as she looks over to him with a teasing lilt. ]

For true, I have had my fill of poets, Master Spiegel.

[ Reaching out with her good arm, she brushes her fingertips across his shoulder in passing, trailing down his sleeve before she finally takes several steps beyond. ]

I much prefer men of action now.

[gottaknockhard]

[Spike makes a point of standing still at her touch, trying his damnedest not to get distracted.]

I'll take that as a compliment.

[ensorceler]

[ Good luck with that, Spike. ]

And what do you prefer?

[gottaknockhard]

Are you asking about my taste in women?

[Yeah, too late.]

[ensorceler]

[ She laughs but doesn't say anything. Should be obvious enough. ]

[gottaknockhard]

[He shakes his head. Be careful about walking that line with her, Spike.

This ought to be a fun trip.]

I should probably keep that from getting out.

[ensorceler]

It is not fair, when I have shared mine own cares with you.

[gottaknockhard]

I always did have a problem with manners.

[Seriously though, what broke in him that he can't even flirt properly...]