Colin's posts

"......." he was silent, before he pulled his knees up close.

"I'm just being paranoid." he said.

"That's all." he mumbled.

"Just paranoid... we're fine... I'M fine..." he said further.

But he couldn't help darting his gaze around.

He had a strong feeling SOMEONE was there.

...or SOMETHING.

By the time she had finished cleaning up everything she was told to, Adym returned with some food. Specifically, he had quite a variety of vegetables, what looked to be rice, and some meat.

"All right." he said.

"And yes, some of these vegetables are for sauce only." he told her.

"But I'm going to make up some rice, meat, and vegetables." he continued.

"....." he was then silent, as he shifted his gaze about.

'...I swear I feel like we're being watched...' he thought.

He then shook his head slightly, and scratched at his chin.

"If you want to continue to help, I can hand you the vegetables that need peeling."

Adym paused for a moment.

"Hm." he mumbled.

"Check the kitchen." he told her.

"I need a pan, a pot, some spoons and knives, and... like, a cup. Not even a measuring cup, just a cup." he said.

"And a couple of bowls." he added.

"I didn't get a chance to check to see how stocked the kitchen was, in terms of supplies." he admitted.

"And if any are dusty or dirty, clean them up a bit?" he asked further.

"....no. No, it doesn't." Adym muttered.

"I... that... hm." he mumbled.

"It sounds vaguely familiar, but... something's off about it." he told her.

"Can't say WHAT, exactly, though..." he then admitted.

"Anyway, food and drink." he said.

"I'll make something up for us." he told her.

"In the meantime... try to ignore the howls. We'll be safe in here."

"Ah, there's another room." he told her.

"I'll use that one." he said.

"You can use this one." he added.

What he hadn't told her was that the other room was essentially a room where there wasn't anything, but he wasn't going to say that. Callie deserved to sleep in a bed, and he was more accustomed to using his leaves than she was.

So he would give her this amenity.

"Feel like eating or drinking?" he asked.

"I can make sure we have food and drink within a half-hour." he offered her, as they heard a howl in the distance, much like the one that they had heard when they first entered the forest.

It was still just as ominous... but seemed closer to them than the one from their first entering.

Ryker just pinched the bridge of his nose.

"...all right, all right." he said.

"Yet, I get it." he growled.

"You don't need to be an ASS about it." he said further, before pausing.

"Not you!" he quickly told Eke.

"My... other self... is saying I'm a doormat at times, especially for her." he mumbled.

Ryker just sighed.

"Oh?" he asked.

"And why is that?" he asked further.

"You referring to the woman that's been helping us?" he asked him.

"Or something else." he wondered.

"Because when I go out there, she tells me that I should be in here. And when I'm in here, you tell me I should be outside." he went on.

"Gettin' kinda old to keep goin' back and forth."

After a few minutes, Adym found her.

"Place seems sturdy." he said.

"I think we'll be good here for the night." he told her.

He then paused, and looked around.

"Yeah, we should be good." he repeated.

'I hope.' he thought.

'What is this constant feeling of ominousness I have...?'

"Indeed." Adym replied.

"And there are proper beds and such in here." he continued.

"It's literally meant to give travellers in here a break from the elements." he went on.

"......" he was then silent, and looked around.

"Hm." he mumbled.

"That being said, I'm going to make sure the windows and such are properly secured." he told her.

"I have no idea how long it's been since someone stayed here, or even stepped INTO this place." he reasoned.

"...a cabin?" Adym asked.

He then paused for a moment, before his expression brightened.

"Yes!" he replied.

"Yes, we should!" he told her.

"If I remember rightly, that was built specifically for weary travellers." he said further.

"Serves as a bit of a signpost as well, shows you're going in the right direction." he explained.

"The fact that you saw it is a very good thing."

Over the course of their travelling, Callie noticed Adym was acting strange.

He seemed to be more nervous.

He looked over his shoulders more.

And he always seemed like he was expecting something to jump out at him.

"...damn it." he finally growled.

"What is happening here?" he asked the air.

"Did that bastard's reach finally get here?"

"No." Adym replied.

"Not for distance, anyway." he said.

"Time? Another week." he told her.

"The forest plays tricks, not even elves are immune to it." he went on, as they heard rushing water.

"We'll fill our water skins here." he said, as the river came into view.

"Maybe catch any fish in it."

"A stream?" Adym asked.

"That will be handy, yes." he told her.

"Water is always good." he went on.

"And the water in here is clear and delicious." he continued.

'...usually.' he then thought.

'I can't say for sure with this weird... darkness...' he went on, before shaking his head.

"Anyway." he said.

"Let's go." he told her, making his way to the left, where Callie had motioned to.

Again, Adym felt guilty.

He... felt that she was panicking, even if subconsciously. Like there was a raging tempest of panic somewhere inside her, threatening to break loose.

And there was nothing he could do to help.

So, he helped her pack things up, and the little creatures left her quiver and exited the cave, runty one included.

"....all right." Adym mumbled.

"We have water and snacks at the ready. Guess we should get moving."