Scavenger hunt! Well, at least the scavenging part...

[alley_kit]

| characters | Kit and Orcelito, plus anybody else who wants help out
| date/time | 4-19/ early afternoon
| location | Around the base of the tree
| rating | G
| summary |Kit is poking around on the ground for something that can be made into/used as a weapon, or anything else that might be useful. Want to join her?

Kit wandered around through the grass near the tree's roots, trying to see if she could find anything useful. Especially something that could be useful as a weapon. A long thorn, maybe or a rock that could be shaped to have a nice edge. So far, she wasn't having much luck.

She might go farther out from the roots later if she didn't find anything, but she wanted to wait until the breeze died down a bit. That big, pink flower smelled funny, even from here, and she wasn't eager to go near it if she didn't have to. Besides, she'd heard some people had been having strange effects from it, and wasn't eager to find out whether or not cats were immune.

So for now, she stuck close to the roots, climbing over them or ducking under them where appropriate, as well as looking for any minor nooks, knotholes, or niches that might be accessible in the side of the tree proper. After all, who knew where she might find something interesting?

Comments

[princeandscholar]

“Outside?” He stares at her, uncomprehending. At first he wonders if she’s just staying inside the Tree but not in a house. That he could understand, for there are others camping in corners of the halls. But she meant outside. “Is that wise?” Clearly not, but he wants her to answer that for herself. “There are many dangers here. Will you be all right?”

He looks genuinely concerned. To him, she is just a girl with a single dagger to aid in her defense. And if she was wary of him (and he’s barely a head taller than her and not even armed), what must it be like out there in the dark?

“N-no, it’s fine, I would appreciate the help.” He replies promptly, as though dismissing an interruption. He’s still preoccupied with her previous statement. “Hasn’t anyone offered you a place to stay? There are rooms in other houses available.”

[dragonblood]

She expected a more suspicious reaction, frankly, so his concern (or confusion, or even both) comes as a surprise. It takes her a second to respond, and first she addresses his acceptance of her offer.

"All right." A nod, and now— "Yes, I'm fine. It's more comfortable, and..." And there's less people to worry about, with most of them staying inside the giant tree. Animals, no matter how large, are far easier to deal with than a human. She's learned that the hard way and will have to unlearn it with just as much difficulty. She may have had a bed to sleep in for most of her life and sometimes she misses it, but she's gotten used to the dirt and leaves, perhaps too easily.

"And it's cooler out there." A good enough substitute for her true reasons, and not a lie either. "I know some homes are still vacant, but the others can have them. I don't think I could be as fortunate as you and have one all to myself." And even then there would still be neighbors to worry about. She'd rather not.

She tilts her head a bit as she watches him. "You don't have to worry about it. I'm sleeping well."

[princeandscholar]

Comfortable? Outside? He still stares at her, baffled. Surely she jests – no, she’s quite serious. But that’s inconceivable (to someone who has slept in a warm room on a featherbed every day of his life). Either she has a very different definition of comfort than he does, or she’s trying to distract from the real issue.

Then she confirms his second suspicion. Aha. That he can understand. Yes, the outside would seem safer in comparison to being unconscious in a house with three complete strangers. He blocks off the doors before he goes to sleep and he still feels nervous.

His expression relaxes as the confusion evaporates. “Yes. I understand.” She probably does sleep better – he won’t deny that now. But he does wonder what she’ll do if something happens that makes it too dangerous to stay outside. This place is precarious, after all.

“Well,” he stands up, “Shall we go back outside, then?”

[dragonblood]

She stares right back, gaze unflinching but brow raised at the silence as she wonders what he's thinking about so strongly. Hopefully nothing bad now that she's went and revealed she sleeps outside the tree. But they've gotten on well enough so far, so likely not. Probably.

Seeing him relax is a sign that things are okay, and her own shoulders relax as she nods again. She's glad he does understand and won't ask further questions, because there are important things to do now. In the end, he's not such a terrible person.

Earlier she made good on her promise to clean up, so she gives a little 'mm-hmm' and even a small smile in reply before following him. Making wooden pens—not something she expected to do here, but carving never fails to entertain her and it will help pass the time while they remain stuck in this place. Even if no one wants them, she'll just keep the ones she made for herself, as reminders of her accomplishments. She can always show Liam when (if) she returns home.