EXPEDITION: DEPARTURE

[ino]

[ To Terre Haute we go! Hope you've packed your things, travelers, because it's going to be a long trek there. Feel free to mingle about in the lobby with everyone else waiting to get going, or grab a bite to eat! After all, it might be awhile before you see fresh food again … ]

[ooc: LOBBY | KITCHEN | OUTSIDE ! Feel free to add your own sections!]

Comments

[selfless]

[Okay, looks like Colette is all ready to go! She's checking over her supplies. One backpack, one small sack with food for the journey. And a...... box?

That's actually a pretty big box. About half as big as her. Of course, for anyone who knows about Colette and her strength, they'll know that such a box is no problem for her. But still, it's awfully strange that it exists at all.

Want to come see what's up? Or just say hi? :D]

[bronwe]

[ That's a big box! Frodo is just loitering ner her for a few moments, debating in his head before finally offering: ]

Would you like me to help you with that?

[selfless]

[oh! The offer is sweet, so Colette smiles but shakes her head]

Thank you! But that's okay, I'm a lot stronger than I look. [hehe, she makes a silly little... salute gesture to be extra reaffirming]

[bronwe]

[ THAT'S CUTE, but not reassuring. ]

It would be terrible if you hurt yourself trying to carry it...

[selfless]

But I won't, I promise. [ah... she considers what the best way to show that it will be alright. After considering it for a moment, she bends over to pick it up, and while she's careful as she picks it up, it doesn't seem like the weight is giving her any trouble]

See?

[bronwe]

[ He reaches to help her balance the other side of the box anyway, in case the girl breaks her back. ]

I saw a wagon too, we could ask him to carry it with him.

[fanstheflame]

.... [Gale is eyeing the box with definite interest] ... What's in there?

[selfless]

[OH NOTHING, NOTHING AT ALL HOW ABOUT THAT WEATHER? :D]

Hm? Oh, um... Supplies! Important supplies.

[fanstheflame]

Seems like a box like that would be pretty hard to carry, though. Why not put it in smaller things that're easier to move?

[selfless]

Oh, the size isn't any problem for me. [she nods, trying to look confident] I'm a lot stronger than I seem!

And since it's not too heavy, having it all in one container is much more convenient.

ONCE UPON A TIME THERE WAS BOX.......

[wolfchild]

[ Aemon was saddled, Arya's bag secured to him. It only carried essentials: a change of clothes, a whetstone, hard bread, cheeses and salted meat, and Dornish wine for Cat did not keep ale or beer. Arya had led him out early and left him in the woods with Nymeria. She would slip her skin once they set out and gallop him out. Nymeria would be their protection.

Slipping inside Nymeria feels like pulling on a worn, warm glove. Arya fits in a way she does not with any other animal. But Aemon feels like wind. Untiring and so quick. It is not quite flying, but it is close enough to it—she can even outrace Nymeria then.

But before she can run she needs a safe place to leave her weak girl body. She is not just hiding from those who would bar her from coming; she has to hide from everyone.

Which is why she is chewing her lip, looking from the box to Colette's excited face. ]

Will you even be able to lift it?

[selfless]

[Excited, she was. There was something intrinsically fun about taking part in a scheme, and Colette was completely on board with this one. She nods at the question, looking over the box and Arya one more time...]

Mm hm! You look really light, and the box itself isn't very heavy. I'll be able to take good care of it, I promise.

1/2

[wolfchild]

All right.

[ Still unsure, she climbs inside it. ]

[wolfchild]

[ Only to pop back up to glare at Colette. ]

If you drop me, I will hit you.

[selfless]

[ooh, she peeks in as Arya jumps, attempting to see how she fits inside... She's still fretting that the box won't be comfortable enough, or she'll be too cramped. But then when she pops back out, Colette flails a bit, but can't help a tiny smile eeking out.

BUT SHE'LL TRY TO KEEP A SOLEMN FACE! At least so that Arya doesn't have to worry]

I won't. I'll take extra care to be extremely careful!

[rose_of_battle]

[And Sheena's one of those who knows about Colette, so she's perfectly calm as she approaches.]

Hi, Colette!

[selfless]

Sheena! [Colette turns around in a little hop and waves] I'm so excited that you're coming too!

[rose_of_battle]

Same here about you, Colette! After last week...

[She leaves the statement hanging as she peers at the box.]

What are you bringing this time?

[selfless]

Um, supplies! [aaaah... she was told to keep it secret, but Sheena is a friend. She looks unsure for a moment, before she lowers her voice to talk in an excited but hushed tone]

It's for a surprise, so I can't really talk about it.

[inafadingcrown]

[Galadriel approaches with a smile. They don't talk nearly often enough, but she does think of Colette fondly.]

I see you have decided not to pack lightly. [Yeah, she's curious about the box.]

[selfless]

[ah! Colette's smile only increases at the sight of a familiar and friendly person :D Although, she's a little dumbfounded by the question at first... until she looks at the box, then back at Galadriel. She laughs sheepishly as she puts two and two together]

Oh, yes... I realized at the last moment that there was a lot that I wanted to bring!

[inafadingcrown]

And you will have no trouble with it? It looks to be quite cumbersome.

[selfless]

Nope! I know I don't look very strong, but it's actually really light.

[foolreversed]

[Adachi has witnessed Colette's strength before so this isn't really a big surprise to him as it might be to the others but it is still... a little strange to see in action (or be able to see in action).]

T-That's an awful lot of stuff, don't you think...? You're making me worry I underpacked.

[selfless]

[oh no! she didn't mean to make anyone else worry. QUICK COLETTE, THINK OF SOMETHING! UM, UM, UM...]

I-It's not all for me! I'm helping... a friend carry her things.