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Bernon nodded. "I'm inclined to agree with that idea. I may be physically ready for a long journey, but mentally, I think I need another day. Besides, there might be a bit more we can do to prepare, like talk to Rick about where exactly to find that uncle of his. Oh, and didn't he say he was gonna write us a letter of recommendation or something to take with us? We should probably remind him of that."
“Probably, it would be nice to, you know, actually know where we’re going. And actually have something under are belt in case his uncle doesn’t think we are who we say we are and what not,” Tanrial sighed, “Anyway, I’m sure even if we don’t get that recommendation we should be fine.”
"Probably." Mike mopped up his plate with a slice of bread and took a bite, standing up. "I'm ready to head out and say hi to them if you two are."
Tanrial finished her tea, placing the now empty cup back onto the counter, “I’m good to go,” She stood from her stool, “Bernon?”
"Right behind you," Bernon replied, joining them. "Actually, hold on. I'm going to go grab my journal to bring with us. You guys go ahead, I'll catch up."
He trotted off up the stairs. Mike glanced at Tanrial and nodded towards the tavern door, heading outside. "You know, I had a dream last night that he got stuck in bear form and decided to learn how to bake cookies so people would see him as less threatening. Seems pretty in-character, based on what I know about him."
Tanrial snorted, falling into step beside Mike with an eye roll, “Sounds like something he would do. Although for the sake of everyone and him, let’s just hope it doesn’t actually happen. Also, where did he even get the ingredients to make said cookies?”
"Beats me." Mike shook his head, walking down the beach towards the woods. "He just whipped it all out of thin air, I guess. You have any dreams last night?"
"If only that type of magic existed," She sighed, "Hmm, I don't think I had any, none that I can really remember. I vaguely remember something about a cactus and a tea pot but the details are all blurred."
"Sounds like a typical dream." Mike glanced back and waved as Bernon jogged out of the tavern after them. "You mean making things just appear isn't a kind of magic? I would have thought that was something at least powerful magic-users could do."
"Well… it's complicated. Technically speaking one can't make something just… form, like create something out of thin air. You can summon already existing items, though. Depending on the person depends on how far one can summon an item from. But actually creating an object requires more skill." Tanrial shrugged.
(I gtg to bed, seeya!)
"Huh. That's good to know, I guess. Even magic has some practical limitations." They reached the edge of the trees just as Bernon caught up to them. "Hey Bern, have you ever made real cookies before?"
Bernon blinked, trying to catch his breath. "Uh….not really? I made biscuits once, and plenty of breads with flour substitutes, and some knock-off ginger snaps even. But no, no cookies. Why, exactly?…."
Mike shrugged. "No reason, just curious. Let's keep moving."
(Byeee)
Tanrial chuckled, leaning over slightly to Bernon, "He had a dream you made cookies, that's why he as asking," She shrugged again, "Anyway, did you have any dreams Bernon? Hopefully better then both mine and Mikes?"
"Oh. Um….." Bernon tried to remember as they started down the path around the lake. "Wait, I did! I had the craziest dream where I was all covered in burns again but I had to drive that bulldozer we pulled out of the lake all the way to Ohio where my parents' farm used to be, and for some reason the bulldozer was like super fast, but then I had to go through a tunnel and I got stuck. But then you showed up, Mike, only you were wearing a really nice suit, and you told me I was late for a wedding, and it turned out that Rebka was getting married to that kid Eric–which is kinda creepy, if you think about it–and Tanrial was the priest and—wait." Bernon cut off and looked around, frowning. "Have either of you seen Ryker's kids anywhere since we got back? They were camping on the beach when we went shopping….do you think they finally decided where they wanted to settle down?"
(School. makes. me. want. to. die)
Tanrial shook her head, "I didn't see them when we got back. Then again it was late but… if they were still here we would have seen them, right?" She glanced between the two males, slightly worried.
(That's not good….Do you want to talk about it? I'm here to listen if you need me.)
Mike stopped walking and glanced back towards the village, thinking. "We can ask Polla when we get back," he said after a moment. "I didn't even think about it last night, and she didn't mention it. I guess if anything bad had happened to the kids, we would now about it by now." He turned and kept going. "We could also ask Rick when we see him, he probably knows what's going on too."
(Thanks it’s just… idk, it’s only the second week and I already have loads of assignments and homework and there’s a lot of pressure to get good grades since I’m known to be a straight A student. Plus friends and family being dicks and all so… yeah, no fun :/)
Tanrial nodded, “I feel like if anyone’s going to know it’ll be Rick. I mean, I assume he’s been backwards and forwards between the village and here the past few days so he’s probably seen something.”
(I'm sorry fam….it seems like so much unnecessary pressure and expectations are put on students these days, just because everyone "needs" to meet this random standard that somebody basically made up years ago. It's sad that your family's not being supportive of you either rn….take good care of yourself, okay? Only you get to say whether you're doing your best or not. hugs)
Bernon nodded. "Honestly, I feel like he's the kind of guy to adopt one or two of them if they asked. Um….do you remember the way, Mike?"
"Yeah, it's not much farther. I guess we should be careful, though….if that water beast doesn't recognize us when we enter her territory, she could get a bit….aggressive."
(hugs back Thanks. And It sucks because I can’t get on notebook as much like… it helps to talk to you and everyone else and write but because I’m so busy I can’t. And when I can everyone is asleep)
“Well, if we say we know Rick and Snatch we should be fine, right? And if those two see us first then we won’t have too much of a problem… hopefully.”
(Yeah, I wish we weren't in opposite time zones, that really sucks. And I'm busier too these days :( But if you ever want to talk more about stuff when we're online together, just let me know, k? You're one of my best friends and I want to be there for you when I can.)
"Yeah, fingers crossed." Mike pushed aside some branches blocking the path, glancing around cautiously. "So far, so good–"
As if he'd jinxed them by saying it, there was suddenly a low growl from the bushes up ahead. Mike flinched backward, pulling out his knife. "Dangit. don't move, guys."
(Same back to you, too)
“Do we just have the worst luck in the world or what?” Tanrial mumbled, making sure to be ready with her magic in case they decided to attack.
(thanks ^^)
The growling got closer and closer, along with a rustling of leaves and a flash of movement. Then, just as Mike was getting ready to spring into action, a surprisingly small shape came bounding into view.
"Raaarrr!" Snatch yelled excitedly, flaring open her fluffy wings and leaping in circles. "I'm a huge forest beast! Did I scare you guys? You sure looked scared, haha!"
(I swear I'm going to fucking kill myself or my mum. I don't ask for anything and the one time I ask to go out with my friend to both our bf's soccer game I get yelled at for having an 'attitude.' ffs)
Tanrial released a breath she didn't know she was holding, shaking her head with a slightly amused smile, "Jeez, Snatch. Don't ever do that again. You scared the hell out of me, that's for sure."
(Ouch…..that doesn't sound very fair of her :( I don't think wanting to go to a soccer game is a good reason to get yelled at. She really didn't give any reason at all for not letting you go?)
Snatch giggled and jumped up into Bernon's arms, almost making him drop her again as she shifted into her human form. "I missed you guys! You were gone forever and you never came to visit! Pa even had to go out looking for you, ya stupids!"
Bernon laughed. "We're sorry, kiddo. We would've come back a lot sooner if we could have. Are your parents busy right now? We'd like to say hi to all of you if that's all right."
"I guess that's okay," Snatch decided, hopping back to the ground and scampering off. "C'mon, I'll take you to 'em!"
(None. She asked for my friends address, the bus times and then the place of the game which I didn’t know at the time and she yelled at me. Even after I gave her all the details she was still pissed)
“Slow down Snatch! Some of us aren’t as young and energetic as you are!” She sighed, though headed off to follow the young girl.
(wow, just wow)
Snatch slowed down, but only slightly, leading them through the trees to the shore of the second lake. "Look," she said, pointing. "Pa's building us a house!"
Sure enough, the framework and foundation of a modest cottage stood at the edge of the trees several yards away. Rick could be seen cutting wood to size nearby, chatting happily with Fear the water beast, who was sunbathing on a large rock over the water. They both looked quite content and relaxed.
(And that concludes today’s episode of Carys has a crap home life and doesn’t want to be there but she can’t leave cause she ain’t an aduuuuult)
“Aww, that’s so nice of him,” Tanrial ruffled Snatch’s hair with a grin, “Although I wouldn’t expect anything less. He’s being a good dad, I presume?”
(Stay strong, only a few more years and then you can move on to bigger things. Hugs during the ad break after the episode)
Snatch nodded. "He's great! He lets me sit on his shoulders and he's super tall, so I can see for miles when I'm up there! Plus he plays with me and doesn't steal Mommy too much. He's teaching me how to fish the human way, and Mommy's teaching me how to fish the not-human way, so pretty soon I'll be the best fisher ever!" She turned and dashed over to her adoptive parents. "Mommy! Pa! Guess who's finally back!"
Rick glanced up curiously, setting down his tools. When he saw the trio, his face lit up. "Well now, that's a sight for sore eyes! I was getting mighty worried about you three. C'mon over!"
(Tune in next week and we may see a mental break down happen, who knows… sighs)
The trio headed over, making their way through the sand before stopping right by Rick, “Nice place you got here, looks like it’ll realllly keep the rain out.”
(I hope not, but I will still tune in come what may)
Rick laughed. "You got that right. Hopefully I'll have her rafters 'n shingles on in a week or so. Until then we're campin' on the beach."
Fear spoke up for the first time. "He's going to make us an icebox." She still kept her eyes locked on them cautiously, but didn't seem likely to flee or attack. "So we can keep food longer without hunting."
"That's right," Rick agreed. "Fear can make water turn to ice, see, so it shouldn't be too hard to whip up a nice refrigerator for meat and greens 'n stuff. But enough about us. Where were you three?"
(ha.. ha… the game got cancelled…. screams into a pillow)
Tanrial let out a nervous laugh, rubbing at the back of her neck, "Ah yeah, see we were on the way back from the nearby town when that huge storm hit. Bernon got separated from Mike and I and uh, Mike and I got captured by bandits."