nine and seventy. voice.

[naughtbutlife]

Tis sweltering here, and I am wearing wool. Admittedly, it only seems a poor decision now, for later in the evening when the air cools I keep very warm indeed.

How is everyone else faring? I trust that no one has gotten ill yet, and that no one has gone hungry.

Comments

[cauchemal]

[Mal is down to a tank top and her linen trousers, which are rolled up to the knee. Being on a beach is something of a psychological trigger for her, and she's been pointedly trying not to think about it while currently trying to bust open a coconut and retain the liquid inside. It's not going well. On the one hand, there are three split coconuts ready to eat. On the other, most of the coconut water is now all over Mal. Fourth time's the charm, maybe?]

[naughtbutlife]

[Angelica stops her work and watches Mal struggle with the coconuts, the heat almost making her wish that she was the one covered in coconut water instead of animal flesh.

That's it, she's done with work.]

We've done enough for now, think you?

[cauchemal]

[Just then, Mal sheared off the top end of the coconut and managed just at that moment to tilt it up, so only a little of the liquid splashed out.]

Aha!

[Big, triumphant smile. She offers the coconut to Angelica.]

Yes, I think I shall rest on my laurels here.

[naughtbutlife]

[Angelica smiles and looks down at her hands, making a look of disgust at the gore.]

That looks marvellous, but excuse me for a moment, Mal.

[She gets to her feet and makes a dash towards the ocean, stepping into the waves in order to rinse of her arms and hands. The salt water gets into her cuts and scrapes, and she's cringing slightly as she returns to Mal and flumps down beside her exhaustedly. Taking the coconut and sipping the water inside with a gracious nod, she looks off towards the ocean.]

The cavern where we fetched our drinking water - think you that might be a lovely place for a swim?

[cauchemal]

[In the meantime, Mal has picked up some of the previously-broken coconuts and is using one shell to dig the meat out of the other. Mm, fresh coconut.]

I think that's a very good idea. I would not mind getting away from the sun and the beach for a little while.

[She has pointedly not gone in the water on the beach, as Angelica may have noticed.]

[naughtbutlife]

[Angelica has noticed her discomfort, but unfortunately the meaning of a beach for Mal escapes her. She is, however, eager to do some exploring and spend some time away from the smoke of the fire, and is glad Mal feels the same.

She finishes off the coconut water and climbs to her feet.]

Come then, Mal. The fire and all else will survive without us. [Though maybe wild animals might make off with some of their food. She's not too worried about it though.]

[cauchemal]

[Relieved, Mal gets to her feet as well and sets off with Angelica.]

At least there's no sign of rain. As ports have gone, I think that in general, this is not so bad.

[naughtbutlife]

I very much agree.

[She holds on to her skirt as she picks her way through the jungle floor.]

My very first port was much like this one, only much more troublesome. There were berries that made people sing, murderous rabbits, vicious mermaids, and other such magical mischief added on top of just trying to survive. It was...very interesting.

[cauchemal]

[Mal pulls up short.]

Murderous rabbits?

[She looks around, as if half expecting to see one.]

[naughtbutlife]

[Angelica just snickers softly to herself and continues on.]

Aye. They drove my husband and his inmate up a tree.

[cauchemal]

[Mal shakes her head, amused.]

It's like a Monty Python movie. At least there are no-

[And she breaks off. A very big spider is crawling up Angelica's skirt, having hitched a ride when she brushed past a bit of greenery.]

Angelica? Hold very still.

[naughtbutlife]

Monty Python - [She stops abruptly, holding out her arms and refusing to look down for fear what's gotten Mal's attention.

She whispers:] W-what is it?

[cauchemal]

[Mal hasn't taken her eyes off the spider and is trying to grope around for a stick or something to knock it away. The thing is about the size of her hand. In a very small voice:]

Spider.

[naughtbutlife]

Spider?

[Well, spiders aren't so bad, but jungle spiders? Angelica takes a deep, shaky breath in.

No need to panic, no need to panic....]

Where?

[cauchemal]

[Mal's got her hand on a stick and is getting ready to flick the spider off.]

Right ... there.

[And the spider goes flying -- right at Mal's face. She lets off an absolutely bloodcurdling scream and stumbles backward, flailing wildly. She trips over a rock and lands flat on her ass, still flailing at the spider that may or may not actually be anywhere on her.]

Getitoffgetitoff--!

[naughtbutlife]

[It's one of those moments where everything happens so fast that it's difficult to understand what's really going on. Angelica is still standing completely still when the spider "flies" at Mal, but she dives right into action when her inmate starts flailing on the jungle floor.]

Mal! Mal, hold on! I'll --

[It's then that she sees the spider strut idling wandering away from them, completely unscathed and definitely not bothered by their antics.]

Tis off, tis off! [She offers her a hand.]