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

[hellofist]

[She frowns because they both know even a small blade can end a life if it's used right. But he's alive, so she doesn't bother pointing that out.]

You're hiding it. Why?

[assassino]

I do not want to make Stephanie worry, that is all.

[hellofist]

Shouldn't have come, then. Should have... stayed home, healed.

[She's not really one to talk since a house fell on her and she's still here, but she doesn't have any stab wounds.]

Whose blade? What happened?

[assassino]

I'm a trained soldier and nearly twice your age, Cassandra, I know what I am capable of managing.

[He sighs.]

It was just a street brawl.

[hellofist]

[She rolls her eyes because that's just stupid.]

Want a prize? Still got stabbed, age doesn't matter.

[assassino]

I'm saying I have more than enough experience with injuries to know.

[Don't sass him, girl.]

[hellofist]

Not about that. Don't want Steph worrying? Don't put self in danger.

[She might sass him, but she does respect his abilities too. He's been fine this far and hidden his injury this well this whole time, so drawing attention to it won't help anything.]

Can you reach, to clean it?

[assassino]

I'm not putting myself in danger. And yes, I can.

[hellofist]

[And she had been having so much fun with him, too. She had been intending to offer to help but now she keeps that to herself.]

Tim packed medical stuff. Can use it, if you... need anything. Won't tell Stephanie.

[Normally this would be where she just left if he was going to be all surly at her, but Steph will come back here eventually. So instead, she pulls her pack over and lays down, using it as a pillow instead of using Ezio's lap. It'll have to do until her Steph-shaped pillow finishes fake peeing.]

[assassino]

[He shakes his head.]

Lana sent me with a care package.

[hellofist]

[Curiosity makes her look back over at him.]

Care package?

[It's not a term she's ever heard before.]

[assassino]

A package of things intended to provide care.

[hellofist]

Never would have guessed.

[She can be rude back.]

Just medicine? Tim gave... food, too.

[assassino]

I have Connor with me, we hunt for food.

[hellofist]

[Oh, speaking of that. She sits up again, turning to face him.]

What I do? Can't teach it. Don't want... everyone to know. Don't tell anyone else. [There's a pause, but then she adds,] Please.

[assassino]

[Mildly surprised look, but he clues in after a moment.]

Of course not.

[And then, with a smile:]

How did he ask?

[hellofist]

He said... you told him. Read what he wanted. I can't give it. Wouldn't, if I could.

[assassino]

[So much for asking directly; Connor, you little shit.]

Why not?

[hellofist]

Cain did it by... not teaching me speaking. Not letting me... hear words, see letters. Only ever saw bodies fighting. Never touched nicely. Only ever hit, shot me. That's how... I learned talking. Didn't learn real words... for seventeen years.

Would you do that, to someone?

[assassino]

Of course not.

[hellofist]

Me too. What I do... dies with me.

[assassino]

[He nods.]

Connor and I can do similar, you know. Perhaps to a less... detrimental degree.

[hellofist]

Didn't know. How were you taught?

[assassino]

It runs in the family.

[hellofist]

He's your family? Is he... little brother?