twenty one | drones up, bros down

[strike_you_out]

[Slugger and Pokey, who've been droned for committing their first murder together, decide to do what bros do best and go on a camping trip. Backdated to the afternoon and evening directly following Black Mage's untimely death.

(A) 726 Anderson Lane
[Housemates are welcome to notice Slugger's unusually high spirits as he gathers up the necessary

Comments

B

[birthclod]

[Back at 502 Ricardo Street in the morning, Clod has also watched as Pokey gathered his share of the camping supplies. She hasn't said much to him during then, but merely observed exactly what he was doing.

Pokey didn't especially look like a boy who would voluntarily go camping or would especially enjoy the experience.

Through somewhat of a coincidence, a little later on outside during Clod's usual wandering around town, she came across the camping grounds in the park. What the hey, she needed something to do anyway. She edges closer to the camping grounds to see what's up.]

[strike_you_out]

[Something rustles along the treeline and a kid she probably doesn't recognize steps out from the woods carrying a bundle of sticks under his arm. He doesn't appear to notice her yet as he piles the bundle upon a growing collection of firewood in front of a partially set-up tent.]

Hey, Pokey! How's the tent coming? Need some help?

[godisachild]

[Pokey at the moment is just trying to set up the spokes keeping the tent up. And having quite a hard time with it, though he takes it with good humor. It would appear that his usual attitude doesn't just disappear along with the droning, but his technical skill as well.]

Sure do Slugger! You think you can hold this little part still while I try to get the spoke in?

[birthclod]

Friend of yours, I take it. [She says now addressing her "brother", Pokey. Clod approaches the camping site and the two boys and turns her head exclusively in the direction where Slugger stands.]

Hello there.

[The boy is droned, Clod believes, but there's a fair chance that the "boys" may be droned. It's best to play along. There's nothing she can really do for either of them.

Might as well have fun.]

[strike_you_out]

Hey Clod.

[Slugger will reflect on this moment later and wonder how in the world his drone knew this girl's name when he's never met her. Presently, he'll give Pokey a "chiding" look by drone-standards.]

Pokey, you weren't supposed to tell. Gee wiz.

[godisachild]

I didn't.

[His voice is defensive, but still not as whining as he could pull off undroned. He clicks his tongue a bit as he stares at Clod.]

Man, Clod, I told you not to follow me! Go home! Mom and dad are probably worried about you and this is guy stuff only!

[birthclod]

Nuh-uh.

Mom and dad just wanted me to check up on you guys. They're more worried about you guys.

[Lying her way over to the boys, she sits down just a few feet away from the duo.]

You sure you tough guys can handle the night all alone?

[strike_you_out]

[Pretty soon he's smiling again, self-assured.]

'Course we can! There's no bears in Mayfield. And even if there were, Pokey and me could handle them. Right, Pokey?

[godisachild]

Uh well-

[Oh hey look the "coward" part of his personality when he's a drone isn't different. But he can't look bad in front of his pal, so he'll just nod his head.]

Yeah, 'course we would! That's easy!

'Sides, we're telling ghost stories and stuff tonight! I don't want you blaming me for ending up staying up all night scared.

[birthclod]

You're probably right. Girls just weren't meant for ghost stories.

[Clod gives what should pass off as an embarrassing giggle. The people she's talking to are drones, though so there's a good chance they wouldn't have able to tell, fortunately enough.

What catches the girl's attention now are the ashes and soot found around Slugger's pant leg. It appears he hasn't noticed that just yet. Clod recalls what Pokey said about the punishments this place doles out to those who would cause trouble.

It was easy to see what happened here.]

But it's not just the stories I'm worried about. Somebody...

[Putting on her most worried face which is quite a feat for the usually condescending little girl...]

Actually died here.

[strike_you_out]

[Slugger's brave smile gives way to curiosity. Even as a drone, he does love a good horror story. Or even a bad horror story considering the lame movies he loves to watch.]

You mean here in the park?

[godisachild]

[Pokey just groans and rolls his eyes. Clearly it's another one of his little sister's tall tales, and his frown just deepens as he looks back to her.]

Clod, quit it. No one's buying it.

[birthclod]

[The location... is a mystery. The same goes for the victim as well. All Clod knows is that somebody died and the method of murder was...]

That's right. In the park. And he was burned to death too. The woman didn't even see it coming.

You would've known too if you read the papers, Pokey.

[strike_you_out]

Burned to death...?

[For a passing moment, Slugger looks thoughtful and even inadvertently brushes a hand over the ash mark on his pant leg. But when he looks up again, it's with that vacant and painfully cheerful smile.]

I bet I know how this story goes. His ghost roams the park at night.

[godisachild]

[Pokey's expression sours a bit more too, and he looks at his hand. He doesn't know why. He almost, faintly, thinks he smells turpentine on it, but he pretty quickly brushes that thought aside before turning back to face Clod.]

I do so read the paper! I bet you're still just making stuff up.

'Sides, there's not really such a thing as ghosts. Not really...

I apologize for the typo in the last post. Gyack.

[birthclod]

Ghosts are one thing. All they can do is scare you. Murderers, on the other hand...

[Despite the worried look on Clod's face, she's actually laughing quite hard inside of her mind. The boys will return to their original selves soon enough.

Here's hoping they remember this little chat.]