"Yeah. I admit, however, this isn't my idea of a good meal. I kind of miss city food. " Luke grimaced at the messily skinned meat. "Don't get me wrong, I'm not fond of stale gatorade and half-eaten dumpster burgers, but at least they're ready-made."
“That is true.” I said eyeing the meat warily.
"But, I guess beggars can't be choosers." He went back to cutting the meat into long strips and laying them out on a nearby rock. "Once we fry it up and add some foraged seasonings, this'll look a lot more appealing."
(I gotta go to bed, sorry. Maybe Amber will be able to join us again tomorrow)
(If anyone feels like it they can go ahead, I'm not gonna have much time to join y'all tonight)
Nathan nodded at Luke's remark. "This is how we ate when– where I come from." He swallowed. "It's been a long time and I'm a bit rusty, but I think we can make this into a pretty good meal."
“I think I’m gonna leave this for you guys to do, I’m going to the stream.” I stood up and walked in the direction of the stream, wanting to wash off before dinner. As I arrived, I took a deep breath and inhaled the scent of pine trees.
The sun was beginning to set by now. If you looked north, you could see the valley spread out below you, calm and quiet and still. A river ran through it, gilt by the sunlight, and the only movement came from a hawk circling slowly against the pink and lavender clouds. There were no roads, no houses, no city lights winking in the distance. Only wilderness for miles and miles.
It was beautiful, I took off my shoes and waded into the water a little bit, running my wet hands through my hair and washing my face. The water was cool to the touch but it didn’t bother me. If I had other clothes I’d swim but I didn’t. I could do that another day.
(I'll be back for a bit in a bit, sorry)
You saw Crash step out of the den, stretch, and hike up the slope towards you. He crouched down by the water and took a drink, then lay back on the bank and stared at the sky.
"It's weird, having so many people here," he said. "I'll have to do more hunting now. But I kinda like it, too."
I smiled weakly, “Yeah, I’m sorry you got mixed up in all of this.” I waded out of the water and sat down next to Crash, hugging my knees.
"'S'fine. I still don't know exactly how I met you guys, but I think it was a good thing. I didn't know how…..well….smart and nice humans could be until now." He yawned, showing off his pointed teeth. "I mean, Luke's still an idiot, if you ask me, but at least he can fight."
I made a breathy laugh, “Yeah, for a human he’s not that bad.”
He looked at you suddenly, with his dark eyes that knew not the meaning of tact. "Are you in love with him?"
(Me, a very tactful person: cringes for days)
“What? No.. no of course not…I don’t know, Crash.” A fell onto my back and let out a long breath.
"Hm." He relaxed and closed his eyes. "Well, if you're not, you should probably tell him. I know he's in love with you, or at least he sure acts like it."
“No he doesn’t. We’re just friends, I think. I don’t know, I’ve never been in love before.” I rolled onto my stomach and placed my chin on my hands.
"Well, okay. I guess you guys will figure it out." He yawned again. "Friends are good too. Better, actually, if you…..ask me…" he trailed off and you saw that he'd fallen asleep.
(gotta go, sadly, probably won't be on again until tomorrow……seeya!)
(Seeya!)
I giggled quietly and rested my head on my hands and did the same.
Meanwhile, after cutting up and cleaning all the meat, Luke straightened with a groan and surveyed their handiwork. "Well, that's a big meal right there. I don't think we can finish it all tonight." He walked around the edges of the clearing, gathering wood for a fire. "I suppose we could dry and preserve some of it, if we knew how."
Nathan followed suit and stood up. "I think I know how. We have to clean it out, stretch it and just let it out to dry under the sun." He thought a moment. "I think I remember a technique to keep the animals away too."
"Sweet. You're kind of literally a lifesaver, Nate." Luke flashed a grin. "Between your wilderness survival skills, my street smarts, Crash's brawn, and Maddie's brains, we make a great team."
Nathan nodded and grinned back. "We sure do." His gaze drifted to where Crash and Maddie had fallen asleep. He chuckled and nodded his head towards them.
Luke followed his gaze and snorted. "Those dorks. They'd sleep all day if we let them."
He turned, starting to say something else. Then his smile faded. "Uh….Nate? Behind you."