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]

[ 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]

[ loading, loading... ]

You have a wife?

[wolfskin]

[ Oh no, did he break baby sister? ]

I do. [ Or he did, before his death. ]

[wolfchild]

But you can't be wed!

[wolfskin]

[ What? ]

But I am, Arya.

[wolfchild]

But I wasn't there!

[wolfskin]

I- [ His head dips, gaze dropping from her. ] It was not planned. I am sorry you were not there.

[wolfchild]

Why wasn't it planned?

[wolfskin]

[ ARYA DON'T ASK A QUESTION LIKE THAT... ]

It is difficult to explain.

[wolfchild]

I'm not stupid! I can understand!

[wolfskin]

Arya, it is late. [ Can we not have this conversation? Please. ] You need to rest.

[wolfchild]

But I'm not tired.

[ But she gets the feeling that whatever happened she's not supposed to know. She wants to press, but Robb is more than her brother; he's her king. She has to mind his wishes. With a sigh, she curls at his side. ]

Can you tell me of her, at least?

[wolfskin]

[ He wraps his arm around her, relieved she did not press further. ]

She is soft and sweet, understanding and patient. I was wounded when we took the Crag and she nursed me back to health.

[wolfchild]

Is she pretty?

[wolfskin]

[ Robb clears his throat. ]

I think so, aye.

[wolfchild]

You think?