Waiting for Godot

[slinged_shot]

Cuthbert Allgood sat by a small fire on the beach, watching the waves peacefully make the journey to shore, watching the foam wash up. The bodies of mermaids, he remembered hearing once as a child. The sound of the waves was like a lullaby, and it felt at that moment as if every living creature was asleep, except for himself

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[best_knight]

Tristan was very much used to the burning fire of the lone scout. He had been in that position for near on fifteen years, tending to fires by himself with none but his hawk and his horse for company. He approached slowly, hands off of his weapons to see what sort of man this was.

[slinged_shot]

Cuthbert eyed the strange man warily. "Hile stranger," he said. Then man approached with weapons sheathed, and Bert gave him the benefit of such a move. "Long days and pleasant nights."

[best_knight]

Tristan nodded his greeting. "Are you here alone?" he asked, voice hushed and almost overcome by the crackle of the fire.

[slinged_shot]

"Not if thee joins me," he replied with a laugh. "Unless you are a ghost from another time."

[wizard_errant]

Dairine can't sleep.

Her books, her computer, her iPod, none of it provides the distraction she's used to--even Spot is poor company, cranky as they both are over the gaping hole where their wizardry used to be. Before him, she wouldn't have thought a computer could be grumpy. But he is.

So she goes for a walk.

She pads along the beach, barefoot in cutoffs and t-shirt, silent. Listening to the ocean, the breeze, the sounds of the jungle in the distance. It should be comforting. It isn't. The conversation with Edward keeps coming back to haunt her--it's better you didn't do anything.

Well, fine, but she's still stuck here and alone and just fuck.

The tension radiating from the man by the fire is like a tangible, touchable thing. She stops, just shy of the flames, and looks at him.

[slinged_shot]

Cuthbert looks up at the girl and greets her with a brief smile. "Long days and pleasant nights to you, sai."

[wizard_errant]

"And may you have twice the number," she answers automatically, without thinking.

...Now that's a book it's been a long time since she read.

[slinged_shot]

He looked her over and laughed in surprise. "Thee is from Mid-World?" he asked, a little confused. Judginb by her appearance, he had not thought so. Perhaps she, like Jake, was from another time but had been taken to his own.

[hile_father]

Roland stood and watched the firelight cast Cuthbert's face into light and shadow from several feet away, his expression as impassive as ever, betraying no emotion.

He walked closer, his footsteps measured and silent. When he was six feet away, he called out softly, "Solitude or company?" If Bert wanted to be alone, Roland could understand and respect that.

[slinged_shot]

"Thy company is always welcome," Bert replied, not needing to turn his head to see who spoke. "As thee should know."

[hile_father]

Roland smiled and settled next to Cuthbert with a sigh. "Everyone needs solitude now and then," he answered. "Even you." Though not as much as most, because who then would listen to you talk? he thought, though it was with fondness rather than frustration, for now.

[slinged_shot]

"Nay, not me," Cuthbert protested. "And even if it were so, thee is as much a part of me as my hair, my skin. Indeed I have had thee longer." He smiled.

[vikingsdaughter]

It was late, after the party, and Astrid found herself unable to sleep. She tossed for a while in her hut, but ultimately decided a walk on the beach would do her good.

She saw the small fire, and didn't think a little conversation could hurt. Especially when she recognized the man watching over it. "Hello again, Mister Allgood. It's been a while since we met."

[slinged_shot]

Cuthbert looked over and smiled. "Sai Astrid," he said. "Thee is welcome to my humble fire." Although it had been a long time, Bert had not forgotten her face, or her name.

[vikingsdaughter]

"Thank you kindly." She sat, a little stiffly. Her back had started bothering her today. "What keeps you awake so late?"

[slinged_shot]

"The island keeps me awake," he replied with a laugh. "Silent as the grave and yet...alive."

[frakkup]

Her search for Orion at an end, Kara tossed her dead fish back into the ocean for some other happy predator and began her journey back to the caves. As she passed the distant glow of a fire she paused. It looked...it looked like there was a baby Leoben sitting by a fire in a funky hat. Kara walked forward a few more paces and stared.

[slinged_shot]

Cuthbert noticed the woman staring at him and arched a speculative eyebrow. "Hile," he called softly. "Long days and pleasant nights to you, sai."

[frakkup]

Oh, this was just frakked up. But there was no mistaking him for a cylon; Leoben's model just didn't come in a package that young. "Um. Thanks." Kara walked a little closer, still staring openly.

[slinged_shot]

Cuthbert watched the woman approach. "Do you need assistance, my lady?" He could not tell if her stare was lustful, or fearful.