memlost | voicemail

[ there are thirty missed calls, at least. After that, one a day.

... Morgan, please come back. ]

[ After he's finally fished it out of the unfortunate huge crack in his very dark room, Morgan checks his phone.

and

60+ missed calls??

Gosh.

It's like his heart's vacated his chest and left a big ball of guilt in its place. He knew she must've been worried sick, but the evidence on his screen glares like an accusation. After some time and thought, he (finally) calls her back. ]

Hey, Noire? Are you busy tonight?

[ Completely oblivious to the amount of guilt currently swamping her boyfriend, Noire just sounds pleasantly surprised. ]

Tonight? No... was there something you wanted to do?

I just thought I'd like to see you, is all.

[ ... and as an afterthought: ]

Though I could use some help setting up camp somewhere. Judging by all the loose bits in my house, I don't think I should stay here for much longer.

[ There is a GIANT STONE WALL bisecting it and all. ]

Ah... um, then I can help you look for something! And I'd like to see you, too!

[ Eheh. As always, she's the cutest. ]

Are you at your house? I'll meet you there!

[ click. Apparently it was a rhetorical question. ]

Mor--??

[ well, yes she is. At least she can meet him outside of it. ]

[ Someone should train him out of that hang-up habit someday. Except he hangs up before anyone can do it.

Once he's moused his away through the appropriate wall tunnel (by now, he's a big ball of dust and dirt), he jogs over to Noire's house. When he manages to catch sight of her, he lights up in the growing dark. ]

Noire!

[ He continues his jog up until the last moment and ends his journey with a firmly pressed kiss to her forehead. ]

Thanks for waiting. Ready?

Almost--

[ and before he can lean back, she'll leave a light kiss on his cheek. ]

I'm ready.

[ Oh no, stop... He'll forget how guilty he's supposed to be feeling. He hefts the hobo sack he brought along with him containing sheets, blanket, and pillow, if only to channel his happiness into something. ]

Great! First on the to-do list: find the perfect campsite. I was thinking about a spot at the top of the cliffs.

... Will that be enough? [ she's already giving the bag a concerned glance. ] It's still cold at night...

That's where part two comes in: gather up some firewood! There should be some bits of paper and broken up chairs around I can use. Then there's part 3: find some wood and tinder dry enough to spark up a fire with. It's been a long time since I've had to do it, but I suppose now's a good a time as any to brush up on my outdoorsmanship. Then part 4: haul it all back to camp, so I can do part 5, which is to set up a tent...

[ ... And so on and so forth... Camping sure is effort. ]

Then we should get moving. Maybe we can gather up kindling while we're looking for a good spot? One of my arrows should work to give you a decent spark for a fire...

[ yep, she's just rolling with it. This is just so romantic. ]

[ Is she swooning yet? She looks a little like she might be swooning. ]

Sounds like a plan. Let's get to work!

[ As many steps as there are in his convoluted mission plan, it shouldn't take too long for them to find a good spot at the rim of the sinkhole (each one is really as good as any) and drag over some random busted up furniture. He'll leave the arrow sparking to her as he tangles with his bedsheets to make a decent tent. ]

[ and she'll take it seriously, coaxing a few sparks off an arrowhead and getting a small fire going. At which point, she'll look over at the Bedsheet Warrior. ]

... Do you need help?

No-- I can--

[ hurf

hurfgh

hrffufgfhgfhhghg

... ]

Yes, please.

[ ... Is she giggling? Maybe a little. But she's also moving over to help. ]

If you anchor them with rocks for now, you can rearrange them properly one at a time.

[ tent-making time! ]

[ ... Well, if it makes Noire laugh, he'll suffer any defeat. Obediently, he trots off to find some hefty weights nearby and dumps them all in a pile by the sheets. ]

All right. So if we put these here, and drape these this way...

[ Gosh, it's almost starting to look like a real tent. ]

Right!

[ and soon enough, well... ]

It's not very spacious, but I think that should work.

[ He surveys their work with satisfaction. A little fire, a blanket, and a tent. It's a cozy little arrangement, but he's never been one for elaborate needs. ]

Great work, if I do say so myself! It's almost like we're out Shepherding again.

[ Except. Micro-sized. In any case, he plops next to the fire and pats the spot next to him. With the stars coming out, it's starting to get chilly. ]

Except with less marching. [ But sure, she'll settle herself down beside him. Girl still has no meat on her bones. ]

[ Girl. Girl why. But that is the norm for her, so he reaches for his blanket and pulls it over their shoulders.

There are no crickets, of course, or any hint of nature around, so the camp experience is somewhat muted. But the fire crackles with life, there's still a glimpse of stars above, and the housing spiral below is dotted with lights as residents go about their nightly business. All in all, there've been worse views.

After a thought, he turns slightly toward Noire. ]

Thanks for helping. I didn't mean to keep you out for so late.

I don't mind. [ and she tilts her head towards him, answer emerging easily and earnestly. ]

Spending time with you is always a good thing... [ her voice softens to something more wistful. ] I really missed it.

[ ... His smile fades at that, remembering his phone. His head droops onto hers. ]

I'm really sorry for worrying you. I know, we couldn't help it, but it still feels pretty rotten.

I probably panicked unreasonably... [ and here's a welcome weight she's missed. ] You don't have to apologize.

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