Night 50: Forest

[girlsandgadgets]

[From here.]The treeline was a welcome sight after the long trek from the quarry, the cold winds fighting the pair the entire time, trying to push them back into the relative protection of the institution's walls. The building may have provided refuge from the elements, but the horrors within had been worse than anything they'd seen outside thus

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[for_a_song]

Gren was grateful when Edgar seemed to agree with his choice... he was sure the man had weighed the options himself and while it wasn't an ideal situation, it was probably better for the both of them. He kept an eye out as they headed for the trees, still wary of anything that might be lurking around in such a blighted landscape. The wind was picking up, and while it stung his face, Gren didn't pay much attention to it. Years ago, it might have registered that it was becoming bitterly cold, but he'd spent the last three years on Callisto, where a day above freezing was a fairytale, and the cold was a constant companion. Compared to that, the weather here was fairly balmy, though he wasn't completely immune. He stuffed his free hand into the pocket of his pants, vaguely wishing for a pair of gloves

[girlsandgadgets]

A few minutes of silence passed, giving Edgar a chance to rest. The dense trees managed to keep some of the winds at bay, though the temperature was still far too low for his liking. His mind traveled to Figaro- the warmth of the air, the warmth of the people, stone walls, fireplaces, the desert sun, clothing that was both attractive and practical- he couldn't help but think of his home when the situation seemed bleak

[tartaros_avatar]

[From here]

The treeline was rather abrupt, and quite dense. It might make navigation difficult, but as long as he could determine where the moon was, it should keep them all oriented. Recluse drew his sword, slicing away a branch in his path as he led the way, examining the ground. It almost looked as if there might be a path here, but whether human or animal-made, he couldn't tell.

[gargantuanlaugh]

Their leader had started off quickly, almost leaving Gant behind but the chief was not about to start walking around alone. Though it almost seemed pointless. What did they expect to find here in a forest other than potentially vicious wild life?

Or maybe there was something to be had. After all, if they couldn't just walk away from the institute he was going to have to find an alternate means of escape. Perhaps the exit was here, hidden in the woods! It wasn't likely. Still, he needed to focus on the positives of this venture. But it certainly was hard with all the low-hanging branches and ivy tripping him up. Recluse was doing an excellent job at clearing away brush, but even Lucy couldn't get rid of everything.

"Gotta admit, I'm better adapted to traversing an urban jungle," the chief panted, talking to no one in particular. The underbrush caught and tore at his sweatpants, but he managed to keep from tripping. Really, how could anyone enjoy living out in the sticks like this?

[oneman_onekill]

Niikura cast an admiring and envious eye toward Recluse's sword as the blade cut through another bit of greenery blocking their way. He had no idea that such things were even possible to obtain, but now that he'd seen one, he almost felt like abandoning this exploration deal and begging Recluse to tell him how and where to get a real blade. The possibilities once he had a proper sword in hand were, well, endless

[tartaros_avatar]

"It isn't my favorite kind of environment either," Recluse replied, ducking below a branch several inches above the other's heads. For years, his only real preference was for darkness, although the sensitivity of his eyes had become controllable over the years. Now that he was vulnerable again, a forest really was one of the worst places to have to force his way through. Still, it was far better than last night's lake.

"We're on a path, although I can't make out any destination point yet." The trees weren't thin enough for that.