The misadventures of a motley pair (not accepting requests at this time...)
 

Laramie and his dog, Bruno, padded softly through the forested hills. The halfling was dressed in his usual buckskin outfit, his pack slung over his shoulder with the ease of one used to long teaks through the wilds. He wistled a merry tune as he meandered along, in absolutely no particular hurry at all to get to the place he and Savi were meeting up to set off for Aramance, the next city over from Joruman. The hills really are quite beautiful this spring, he pondered, stopping to pick a few of the vondlin flowers that grew along the path. The flowers were in full bloom, their yellow petals opened up into a kind of seven-pointed star. Ah, vondlin flowers, Savi's favorites. I know she's nervous about leaving Joruman, maybe these will put her mind a bit at ease. Coming upon the small river that slowly wound it's way through the neraby hills, he looked around. The river was where he was supposed to meet Savi, and it seemed that she wasn't here yet. "Hmph," he muttered. "Typical Savi, running late as always." He pet Bruno's great head, and the dog panted contentedly. Remembering a stand of raspberry bushes that grew nearby, he started off towards them, in the hopes of a garnish to the picnic breakfast he'd packed. It was, after all, only about an hour after sunrise, and he seriously doubted Savi would remember to eat before departing her house. "Bruno, watch for Savi, will you boy?" he said to the dog. "Bark if she gets here before I get back." Bruno wagged his tail, understanding what Laramie wanted him to do. He lay down in a patch of sun and curled up, head resting upon his forepaws, to await his friend's return.

Shoot, shoot, shoot! Why is it that I can never make it on time? Salvaria rummaged through her pack, checking to make sure she had everything that she needed. Extra clothes, some bread, yarn... She stopped looking through her pack and sighed. I've never been away from home before... she thought to herself, and sighed again. It's going to be fun, calm down. Mom always says that there's things to learn that I can't from this house. She put on her cloak and her pack. Damn, my staff! Where is it? Savi threw the linens from her bed, and kicked the clothes on her floor. "Savi," her mother called, "you know Laramie is probably waiting for you."
"Yes, mother, I know! Have you seen my staff?" Salvaria continued to look around.
"You mean this?" her mother asked as she walked into her room and poked Savi with her staff.
"Yes, mom, thank you." She grabbed the staff and hugged her mother.
"Savi, I know you're probably scared about leaving. But I know you'll have fun."
"Yeah, you're probably right"
"I know that I am. It will just take a while before you realize it," her mother laughed. "You're not going to leave your room in this sort of disarray, are you?"
Salvaria looked up, and saw the mess she had created while searching for her staff. She sighed. At this rate, I'll make it to the river at noon.
"You go on, Savi. I'll take care of this for you."
"Really?" her mom nodded. "Thanks, mom. For everything."
"Oh, don't get mushy on me now."
Savi looked up and nodded at her mother. She took one last look around her room. I'm going to miss it here...
"Leave! Laramie's probably getting impatient by now."
Savi laughed, hugged her mother once again, and ran out of the house, headed toward the river.

Laramie returned to the clearing to find Bruno right where he'd left him and no sign of his friend. He looked around, then shrugged and headed towards the middle of the small clearing. Dropping his pack to the ground, he opened it and looked inside. Now where did that damn blanket get to...? Aha! Reaching to the pack, he proceeded to pull out a blanket, a basket full of cheese sandwiches, two waterskins, a small fishing pole and some tackle, and a large, sharp-looking knife. Unfolding the blanket, he laid it upon the ground and placed the basket and his pack on top of it. Quickly grabbing some dry wood from the edge of the edge of the forest, he arranged it into a small pile off to the side of the blanket. reaching into a pocket on his shirt, he pulled out a flint rock, unsheathing his dagger with the other hand. Striking the two together, he managed to get a small fire going. Adding more wood, he built up the fire until it was the proper size for a cookfire, though it would be some time before it was ready to cook anything on. It did, however, did some to disperse the nip of the spring morning. Gathering up his pole and tackle, he headed over to the river to do some fishing.

Savi reached the edge of the forest. It looked dark and scary to the average adventurer, but to her it looked like an old friend. She gave the sky one last check to make sure she had the right direction, and then set into the forest. She had to clear the outside, densest part where all of the bush was, but there was less as soon as you got into the forest because of the trees soaking up all of the sunlight. The bush scraped her feet and legs, and she winced. Ouch. She remembered the sense of urgency that she had had at her house, and started off sprinting.

The leaves from last fall crushed under Savi's feet. The sound caused all sorts of animals to scurry away. She passed a squirrel that gave her an inquisitive look, as if saying, What's the rush? Birds chirped and sang and bid the day good morning. The air smelled of damp earth and flowers, one of Savi's favorite scents in the whole world. She could spend the whole day here exploring. But she had to make it to Laramie as fast as she could. He's probably been waiting for a half-hour by now, she thought, and increased her pace.

The fish were biting, and Laramie was an excellent angler. He'd already caught two fish, and was playing a third on his line. Savi should be here by now... he mused, enjoying the scent of the fresh-bloomed sunroses on the riverbank. Getting the third fish to shore, he unhooked it and was about to cast back out again when Bruno suddenly raised an ear and looked up. Turning, laramie listened. Someone was moving through the brush at a very fast speed, and Laramie was unsure about who else would be up at this time of mormning. No-one friendly, he thought, quietly calling to Bruno. Savi wouldn't move that fast, especially if she'd just woke up. Besides, she'd be enjoying nature too much to move at much more than a stroll... "'Bush 'em, boy. When they enter the clearing. I'd dearly like to know who they are..." Bruno eyed the young halfling in understanding, and moved behind a large bush. Laramie did the same on the other side of the clearing, eyeing the forest nearest the noise. Unslinging his bow from his back, he nocked an arrow and waited.

As the bush got more dense and the sunlight got stronger, Salvaria knew she was reaching the end of the forest. In fact, she think she smelled a hint of woodsmoke, and knew that that was probably Laramie, already getting ready to cook. Shoot, I forgot to eat something, she remembered. But knowing Laramie, it's something delicious he's cooking. She cleared the last bit of forest and started to skip down the small hillside. Her cloak flowed behind her with each bound. Finally, I'm here! She was having fun, until she neglected to see the rock in front of her. She twisted her ankle and tripped. She tumbled head over heels all of the rest of the way down the hill until she reached the bottom. Owwww, damnit! Why am I such a clutz? She got up and smoothed her clothes and fixed her pack. I hope Laramie didn't see that...

Laramie didn't know which was funnier, the fact that Savi was actually running somewhere for once or the fact that she managed to tumble down a hill at topspeed by tripping over herself. He guffawed, easing his bowstring and quivering his arrow, walking out from behind the bush at the same time. Bruno was already at the girl's side, sniffing her and making sure she wasn't seriously hurt before licking her face. "Bruno, down boy!" Laramie laughed, coming to stand next to his friend. "Savi, I coulda sworn you was some bandit making like all hell towards the river, you was movin' so fast! Take more care next time, okay?" he admonished, looking down at his friend and trying to keep a straight face, but failing and giggling like mad. "Me and Bruno here were all set up to ambush your sorry ass."

"I was late, and I was trying to get here fast..." Savi started. She really didn't have anything to say. It was downright stupid of her to trip. She looked at Laramie's bow, and pushed away the thought of what would of happened if he shot her on accident. Bruno sniffed her, and she petted him. "Good boy." She looked up at Laramie, who had managed to contain his laughter but still had a smirk on his face. She tried to get up, but winced at the pain in her ankle. "So, are you going to stand there looking like that, or are you going to help me up? I twisted my ankle..." She reached up for his hand.

"I'm going to do nothing of the sort," Laramie said, rummaging through his pockets. "What I am going to do is make you drink this." He held up a vial of blue liquid, and showed it to Savi. "My house nurse wouldn't let be go before managing to fill at least half my pockets with potions and salves and the like. This is one of the more mild healing potions." He handed it to Savi. "Drink up! Then we can have breakfast."

"Thanks." She took the potion from him and opened it. She immediately wrinkled her nose at the smell of the potion. Well, if it's for my own good... She downed it and gagged. It had a taste to match its smell. But she could feel the pain and swelling going away. "Ahhh, relief. But are you sure your nurse gave you a potion? It smelled and tasted like sewage," she teased. She got up and gingerly tested her ankle. Much better. "Thanks again."

"Anytime," chuckled Laramie. "Now, I've got raspberries, cheese sandwhiches, and I'm about to fry some fish. Take what you'd like. The waterskin with the strap on it is yours, seeing as you probably didn't bring one of your own, eh?" Laramie eyed his friend's gear with a critical eye. "What gear did you manage to remember to bring, anyway?"

"Oh, no. Good thinking. And some raspberries and some fish sounds nice." As if to agree, her stomach gurgled at this point. "Oops, excuse me. I forgot to eat breakfast." She shrugged off her pack and emptied its contents. "I found this really awesome trunk in my attic. I think it belonged to my dad. Anyways, I found this ball of string. It's really strong," She took a length and pulled as hard as she could. "And it never seems to run out either... weird. I also found this!" She pulled up her sleeve and showed him the bracelet she found in the trunk. It seemed to be made out of silver and copper chain. At the place that the chains were welded together, there was a green gem. "It's really pretty, isn't it? I haven't seen anything like it before." She gestured back to the pack. "I also brought some money, some bread, and some extra clothes. And my staff, my cloak and my shoes. Since I don't have the luxury of an expanding pack."

Laramie sighed. "Well, I geuss it's good I came prepared then. By the gods, girl, did you even bring a sleeping roll? No matter, I brought a spare. Human sized, not halfling. But come, lets eat. The fish will be done in a minute." Front flipping over Bruno, who had laid down next to the pair and was inconvienently in the way, Laramie headed back towards the fire. Stopping by his pack, he reached in and rummage around a bit. Where'd I put my frying pan...? He proceeded to crawl partway into the pack, his legs sticking out the opening. "Aha! Found it!" he exclaimed, his shout somewhat muffled by the pack. Extracting himself, he went over to where he'd left the fish and deftly skinned them with his knife, flipping the fillets into the frying pan. This being done, he sat down next to the fire, snagging a sandwhich from the basket. Food in one hand, he detached the removable stand from his pan and set one on top of the other over the flames. "Oh! Almost forgot!" he exclaimed, smacking himself in the forehead with his sandwhich, suprising himself and sending the sandwhich flying before he realized what he'd done. Staring after it for a moment, he shrugged and looked over at Savi. "Well, don't dawdle girl, come here and eat! Besides, I've got a present for you."

Quietly snickering over the fact that Laramie smacked himself in the head with a sandwich, Salvaria put her stuff back into her bag and moved towards the pan. "Oh, a present? Laramie, you shouldn't have." And I didn't bring him anything. Great. What a nice friend I am. "How exactly am I supposed to eat this fish anyway, with my fingers?"

As Savi sat down next to him, Laramie shifted over to make room on the blanket. Reaching into a shirt pocket, he produced two sets of camp silverware. "No, silly, with these!" Grabbing another two sandwiches, he handed one to Savi and kept one himself. "As for the present, you'll have to close your eyes first!" He grinned happily and took a bite out of his sandwich. "Otherwise, it's not a suprise!"

'Surprise'? She took the sandwich and ate it quickly, considering how hungry she was. While waiting for the fish to finish cooking, she ate some of the raspberries and drank some of the water. She enjoyed the smell of the fish cooking, and noticed how much Bruno was enjoying it as well. She giggled, and started to pet him. "Oh Bruno, you are so silly."

Laramie smiled at Bruno's behavior. "Actually, don't bother closing your eyes. I was only joking, there's no need for you to." As he was saying this, Laramie reached into the sandwich basket and brought out the bunch of vondlin flowers he'd hidden there. "I figured these'd be a good remedy for your nerves as any. Here, hold on a moment..." He tucked one behind her ear. When he leaned back to look at her again, he guffawed. "Oh my stars, Savi you look like you're 10 years old again!" Laramie tried to get ahold of himself, but failed miserably and started rolling about on the grass, busting a gut laughing.

Seeing Laramie laugh so hard made Salvaria herself laugh. Yeah, ten. I remember those years... She took the rest and inhaled deeply. She felt the tension melt away. The vondlin flowers reminded Savi of the stars at night, when she stayed up because she couldn't sleep. "Thank you so much Laramie. I regret it, but I didn't bring you anything. So you'll just have to accept a hug." She knew that the difference in heights created a problem for having hugs, so she stayed on her knees. Gods, I hope he doesn't think I'm trying to embarrass him...

Laramie got ahold of himself and gave Savi a quick hug. "Glad you like them. Now, I think these fish are done..." He turned back to the pan and sniffed. "Yep, they're done," he said, taking the pan off its holder and setting it on a nearby rock. "Eat up! Nobody likes cold fish!" Bruno nudged him then, nearly knocking him over. "I didn't forget about you, boy," Laramie chuckled, flipping one of the fish out of the pan with his knife to Bruno.

Salvaria used the silverwear she obtained earlier to put a piece of the savory-looking fish on the plate, along with some more of the raspberries. She then came and sat by Laramie. She quietly sat and enjoyed her fish. Doesn't just look good... but I would expect nothing less than perfection from him. She savored the last bite, then placed the silverwear on top of the plate and wiped her mouth with her sleeve. "My compliments to the chef! Delicious as always, Laramie."

"Thanks!" Laramie exclaimed. "Now, lets break camp and get going. Do you mind packing up? I've got to go find me a walkin' stick." And with that, he walked off into the forest, leaving Savi and Bruno in the clearing without waiting for an answer.

"But...!" It was too late. Laramie was already gone. She stared at Bruno as if he had the answer. But all he did was sneeze. "Thanks for all of your help, Bruno." How am I supposed to know how all of this stuff is supposed to go back? She rinsed the plates, pans and silverware in the river, and set them to dry. She shook the picnic blanket out to get rid of the crumbs, and then folded it. She placed the blanket in the basket. She retrieved the dried dinnerware and placed them into the picnic basket as well. Now, how am I supposed to put this into his pack? She opened the pack and pushed it in. Then, she pushed it father back. She continued to push it in until she couldn't reach it. And then, out of curiosity, she looked into the pack and found that she couldn't see the basket anymore. She crawled in. Where did that thing go? She finally found it. She tried to wiggle backwards, but to no prevail. Not again, thought Salvaria, how many times can I make myself look like a fool today? She tried wiggling again. Damn! She was really stuck. "Bruno, if you could offer your help now, it would be really appreciated."

Laramie returned from the forest, carrying a stick he'd found suitable to be his "walkin' stick". Upon reaching the clearing, there was no sign of Savi, and Bruno was just dozing in the sun. Odd... Where did Savi run off t- oh. Heehee. He noticed the tip of Savi's boot just inside his pack and figured out what she was doing. Quietly, he stole up next to his pack and quickly tied down the strap in front. He then lifted it onto his back, and was about to wake Bruno when he heard Savi from inside the pack trying to get Bruno's attention. He felt immediately sorry at his joke and untied the straps on his pack. Grabbing Savi's foot, he spun her around until her head was facing upwards. "Hi Savi! Um, what are you doing in my pack...?"

"Oh, hi," said Salvaria, "Umm. Well, I was trying to pack up. I was putting away the picnic basket, and was kind of curious about where the basket goes once it's in there.... it wasn't really a good idea. I got stuck." I'm so stupid. How do these things happen to me?

"Yeah, not the smartest idea you've ever had. Anyway, we'd best be going." Calling to Bruno, Laramie got onto his back. "You can ride in my pack for now, Savi."