voicemail

[memlost]

[An upbeat male voice comes on:]

Hey, it's Morgan! If you were expecting a girl, you picked the wrong picture. If not, then congratulations! But sorry too, because this means I've missed you. Leave a message!

[Beep.]

(( ooc: feel free to use this for face-to-face interactions as well! just leave a date and voice/action/etc. in the header. ))

Comments

[bloodandblunder]

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. ]

[memlost]

[ 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. ]

[bloodandblunder]

[ 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?

[memlost]

No-- I can--

[ hurf

hurfgh

hrffufgfhgfhhghg

... ]

Yes, please.

[bloodandblunder]

[ ... 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! ]

[memlost]

[ ... 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. ]

[bloodandblunder]

Right!

[ and soon enough, well... ]

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

[memlost]

[ 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. ]

[bloodandblunder]

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

[memlost]

[ 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.

[bloodandblunder]

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.

[memlost]

[ ... 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.

[bloodandblunder]

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

[memlost]

I don't think it was unreasonable. We could've been anywhere.

[ Someday, they really will have fallen in a giant ditch somewhere and Noire will be the one to rescue them... as always. ]

I was worried when you and Morgan were gone because of that statue thing, but you had it ten times worse, I'd say.

[bloodandblunder]

[ there's a sigh at the mention (because that was an experience she'd rather not relive). ]

I'm just glad that you were both safe.

[memlost]

[ It's probably a bad thing that even her sighs are precious. He should feel a little bad over bringing up a bad association, but... no, there is only fondness as he offers a hand for hers. ]

We couldn't let you worry for too much longer. If you ate or slept any less, there'd be nothing left for us to come back to.

[bloodandblunder]

[ Just how smitten are you, Morgan-- but she'll reach back for his hand after she pulls off a glove, working her fingers in between his. It's been too long; she needs all the contact she can get. ]

I did eat, you know...

[memlost]

But you didn't sleep?

[ He smiles at the bareness of her hand and squeezes it gently, savoring the delicate tangle of their fingers. ]

[bloodandblunder]

... I tried. [ this, she will admit. ] But I was afraid I'd dream of you coming back, and then I'd wake up and it wouldn't be true.

[memlost]

[ Pause. ]

Gods, that might've been the most heartbreaking thing I've ever heard.

[bloodandblunder]

[ ... Oops. ]

A-ah, was it? I'm sorry--

[memlost]

[ He quickly shakes his head and gives her hand another squeeze. ]

Don't be. You're just being honest! And it's sweet, in a sad kind of way.

[ He considers her for a moment, and then her words. Then: ]

You should stay up here with me tonight.

[bloodandblunder]

... Eh?

[ wow, is this how their first night together goes, camped out on a cliff-- ]

[memlost]

[ If you mean with ROMANTIC FIRESIDE LODGING, then yes. Yes it is. ]

Stay with me! The open air will be refreshing. It might be just the thing you need for a good night's sleep.

[bloodandblunder]

[ Normally, she'd get a lot more flustered over this. But he's been missing for far too long, and his hand is warm in hers-- so slowly, she nods, face also warming. ]

A-all right. I don't really want to leave your side right now, anyway.