I am not witty enough to come up with a proper title

[bustered]

Who: Zack (bustered) and Clove (prettyknives)
What: Camping!
When: continuation of this
Where: in... the forest... somewhere...
Rating: PGish

[Zack's quiet a moment after her answer, puzzling it over. He's not too sure of a quarry being a bad thing, at least as he knows it, but different worlds beget different things (and the whole concept of different worlds is still pretty strange!).

After a moment, he pulls his journal from the small bag he'd brought, chucking it across the campsite. It lands face-down, still closed -- it's his way of offering what privacy can be given.]

Being a soldier is... heh. There's a soldier and there's a SOLDIER, and it wasn't a pretty time for me, either.

Comments

[prettyknives]

[being in the Games, she's used to being watched. That this guy would cut off the connection to the rest of the castle interests her. She gives him a thoughtful look, trying to think of how best to play this]

The battlefield isn't supposed to be a pretty place. You fight, and you either win or you die. That's how it's supposed to work.

[bustered]

No, it's not pretty.

[He draws a leg up, curls an arm around it -- relaxed, just sort of hanging out. Or trying to, at least, because talking about a past like his -- like theirs? -- isn't always easy.]

Would you believe me if I told you that the battlefield was the easy part of it?

[prettyknives]

Yes, I would. It's what I've been taught to do my whole life. This day-to-day life is so boring and pointless in comparison.

[bustered]

Trust me, I'll take boring over being experimented on. But I'd think living out here would be at least a little interesting.

[prettyknives]

What kind of experiments?

[bustered]

The kind that would be called torture by a normal person. Being cut open, shot full of chemicals, and so drugged up you can't fight it off. There were times I'd wished I'd died instead of being 'recovered.'

[prettyknives]

Sounds like something that could happen in my own world.

[bustered]

Suppose our homes aren't too different after all.

[prettyknives]

[that gets a small smile to form on her lips. If she plays this right, he could be her Cato: the tall, strong swordsman who will fight with her]

These people don't understand. Is that why you left the castle?

[bustered]

[Well, he's got the tall and strong part nailed down at the least!]

Yeah, part of it. Sometimes it's just easier to clear your thoughts when you're away from large groups of people.

[prettyknives]

It is. I think you avoid a large part of things out here, too.

[she cuts her apple and eats the piece right off the knife blade] They rely too much on that place.

[bustered]

People like an easy life, I guess. Easy just doesn't work for me.

Does the castle's influence extend this far?

[prettyknives]

As long as we're in the Live Zone. That's what they call the place where people's powers and "magic" all work.

[bustered]

Mmm, someone mentioned something called the "Dead Zone" to me. Said you'd be safe from the castle, but prey to other nasties.

[prettyknives]

It depends on which danger you'd rather face, I guess.

[bustered]

And when.

And who's with you, I suppose.

[prettyknives]

Who's with you makes all the difference. But there's no one here from my world I could go with.

[bustered]

[looks at her sidelong]

No one here at all, or no one you trust?

[prettyknives]

Trust is something you need to earn, and they haven't earned mine.

[bustered]

Yeah, I know how that is. [And kind of telling that she's willing to share a camp with someone who's essentially a stranger. Funny how life works.] Guess I should say thanks -- again -- for letting me be here.

[prettyknives]

Like I said, there's plenty of room. And it seemed like you were looking for the space.

[bustered]

And the quiet, and good company. Seems I'm lucky enough to have all three right now.

[prettyknives]

[the slightest of smiles flickers on her lips]

I know I'll sleep easier with an experienced soldier close by. Most of the people here get too relaxed, despite knowing that it's a dangerous place.

[bustered]

I guess the castle's comfort makes it pretty easy for them. I don't think I could ever relax that much, to a point where I wouldn't be ready to meet an attack.

[prettyknives]

Same here. No matter what people in my world think.

[bustered]

You always been a loner?

[prettyknives]

In a way. You have to be, where I come from. I have a partner that I trust, but he's not here.

[bustered]

I know the feeling. [Because what is being betrayed by the company that was your whole world.] Looking for anyone?

[prettyknives]

[it's a different game with different rules. She nods] I could use someone.

[bustered]

[He's quiet a moment, thinking.]

Don't know what I can offer you, but from where I'm standing we're both kind of alone, so...

[prettyknives]

You're offering yourself. Sometimes that's enough.

[bustered]

[grin] Only if the offer's accepted.

[prettyknives]

[she holds out her hand] I accept.

[bustered]

[He takes it in a firm handshake, smile on his face.] Thanks, Clove.

[prettyknives]

[she smiles back at him. The other "bad guys" are interesting but this guy is a warrior like her]

I'm glad you came by.

[bustered]

I still think it's you I have to thank, for inviting me. But yeah, this has turned into a pretty good day.