Just a fun little scene

[hotshot1280]

*Trevor adjusts his backpack, pulling a battered pack of Marlboro menthols from the pocket on the left shoulder strap. As he shakes a cigarette loose and lights it, both with his left hand, he notices that the pack had been pristine less than an hour before, and laments to himself that he feels much the same way

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[caleb_z]

“Because we’ve both been busy lately, and haven’t had a chance to go hunting in entirely too long.” *Caleb looks at the hill in front of them, and wonders how much longer it is to the cabin.*

“If, uh .. if you don’t mind my inquiring, precisely how far back in the woods is you’re cabin?”

[hotshot1280]

A lot farther than it would have been if you would have just teleported us there. Or if you hadn't decided to leave your car down at the botom of the mountain.

[caleb_z]

*Caleb chuckles momentarily at Trevor’s grievances.*

“I warned you before we left that it would be inadvisable for me to attempt to teleport us to someplace I’ve yet to have visited. A hunting trip isn’t worth the risk of mortal jeopardy, after all. Additionally, I wouldn’t have had to leave my car at the lot if you had had the foresight to warn me that you wanted to take my 1969 Chevy Impala off the paved road!”

*Caleb continues to hike as he draws in breath. While he isn’t happy that he isn’t in the shape he was in when he was 25, he is pleased that he is still enduring as well as ever.*

“What on Earth possessed you to believe that I would take Alice off the paved road in the first place?”

[hotshot1280]

Momentarily forgot you're a pussy, so I guess that *is* my fault.

*Trevor spits his cigarette out without removing his hands from the straps of his pack, incinerating it to ash before it can hit the ground.*

How adventerous are you feeling?

[hotshot1280]

*Trevor notices a slight movement in the tree above Caleb, and after a quick look, fixes his attention back on Caleb.*

I already told you, I can put the fires out.

Plus, that's only a problem if I miss.

[caleb_z]

“I don’t, uh … doubt your aim, Trevor. Your discipline and control, however, seem to fluxuate with your moods, and as such are unpredictable and dangerous..” Which is why I’ll never understand your persistent refusal to allow me to train you.

*Caleb now notices that he and Trevor’s aren’t the only sizeable souls in the area. His eyes are drawn in the direction of the feeling.*

[hotshot1280]

*Trevor notices Caleb's glance, and looks back down at his jerky without bothering to follow his friend's gaze all the way to its source.*

Yes, as a matter of fact that *is* a naked guy in a tree. A naked indian guy, to be exact.

[fieldwalker]

*Sees them. At least one of them sees him. In a flurry of flying leaves, he jumps up another branch, concealing himself.*

*Two eyes peer down narrowly. He runs from them when he's hastiin. They shoot at him when he's lin. They run from him when he's neither. So... he waits.*

[fieldwalker]

Aditsan. *He returns the smile.* I named myself!

*Circling them slowly, he watches their hands carefully.* Are you both coh-ah-gh-- mm... do you, together... 'make fire'? You are hastiin... man, yes?

[hotshot1280]

I make fire. He mostly just talks a lot.

And yeah, we're both men. I'm not sure if the Navajo language has a word for 'meta-human', but that's why I 'make fire.'

*Waits for Caleb to chime in, then sighs at the slack-jawed look of awe on Caleb's face.*

And of course you gotta make me look like a liar.

*Looks back at Aditsan.*

Caleb, say hi.

[caleb_z]

*Caleb just stands there, no quite sure how to react to the situation. Normally his diplomatic prowess surpasses that of his long time best friend, but this creature obviously called for outside the box thinking.*

*And outside the box is where Trevor lives.*

"Hello." I'd imagine I resemble a deer stuck in headlights, right now.

[fieldwalker]

*Aditsan laughs heartily at Caleb's expression, giving him a swift whack on the back that probably has enough force to bowl someone of his own size over. He frowns as he realizes this, trying to pull his motion, and when that fails, holds firmly to Caleb's shoulder to keep him from falling over.*

You are most pleasant, hastiin-Caleb! You remind me of the be of this wood.

Now we are friend. What affair have you in these woods? Very few hastiin come here.

[hotshot1280]

And he's both.

*Trevor lowers his hands slightly.*

Now, why don't we all get to the cabin, and we can sit down and talk all about who's part horse, who's part demon, and all that fun stuff.

*Trevor glances up and down Aditsan, then thumbs one hand at his backpack.*

You'd probably be able to move a little faster with clothes on, by the way. I think some of mine will fit, but I don't have any shoes.

[caleb_z]

*Caleb's eyes remain fixed on Aditsan. While he's outwardly calm and relaxed, mentally he is planning a defensive strategy. This centaur has him nervous.*

*Because his finesse usually makes him good at social interaction, the fact that he is completely unsure how to proceed has him as uneasy as he was only moments before, when Aditsan was leveling a sword in his direction.*

[fieldwalker]

*The two men are still looking directly at each other. Aditsan knows that he could continue this for days if he must... lin are incredibly resilient.* But so are demons, he tells himself. And you do not know what powers he possesses. This may well be part of his trick, but you are short on options, and friends. If the firemaker is on chindi's side, you will lose. Add insult to injury that you know very little of the stolen weapon that you hold...

*And, then, with a grimace,* Not that they are aware of this. You must be clever like the ma'ii, but do not be as foolish.I will accept your coverings, hastiin-Trevor. *His eyes move away from Caleb for a brief moment, but then they are back on him. He's visibly relaxed, but his eyes say differently.* It is obvious to me, chindi-Caleb, that you are as anxious of my presence as I am now of yours. Chindi are well known for being excellent liars and tricksters

[hotshot1280]

*Trevor's eyebrows lift simultaneously.*

I'm not really all that 'agreeable' to dying, but that's not much of an issue, since it's Caleb, so sure, I'll hold your sword.

And then we can get up this mountain, because I'm starving. That beef jerky was a snack, not a meal.