Episode 103

[spongetastic]

[Peter opens his journal, trying decide what to say. Other people have apologized for what happened because of the virus, but he can't seem to do it. That anger and frustration is still inside him; the castle just brought it out.

Apologies would feel flat anyway. Finally he settles for something completely neutral]

Holidays never were a great time for me. Not much has changed.

I've been thinking lately that I need a break. I wonder how the Dead Zone is this time of year?

Comments

[onlyanapple]

Probably cold, miserable and...well, dead.

[spongetastic]

That much I figured.

[onlyanapple]

Besides, given it's December, the castle will be playing silly buggers soon, so you'd be dragged back anyway.

[spongetastic]

No one said I had to make it easy, though.

[onlyanapple]

Well, no. There is that.

[peacockherald]

With the weather getting colder, I would not suggest that unless you are good at keeping warm at night, and that is far more difficult that it sounds.

[spongetastic]

I'm not too worried about that.

[peacockherald]

Even then, you will be contending with - more than likely - wildlife and you will be isolated from immediate help and any powers you have.

I just don't think it's worth anyone's risk.

[spongetastic]

I'm not going far. I just need to be away from the Live Zone for a while.

[peacockherald]

Still... I suppose if you stay just inside the Dead Zone border it could be safe enough. It just worries me, the things out there.

[spongetastic]

I'll be careful, but thanks for the concern.

[radiantwingedone]

What does it look like any other time of year?

[ While it sounds like a stupid return question... Duke honestly doesn't know. ]

[spongetastic]

I don't know, I've only been out there twice in the three years I've lived here.

[radiantwingedone]

.... then should you not know what it looks like?

[spongetastic]

I would hope things had changed a little in a year.

[radiantwingedone]

Would depend on things. Weather systems, geography. Is area mostly of rock, mostly of forest, sandy, grass-plains, mixed? Rocky terrain changes little but for quakes, hard rain, winds; can cause faults and rock-slides. Although does depend on composition of rock...

[spongetastic]

Uh... not exactly what I meant, but I wouldn't mind seeing if those things changed, too.

[radiantwingedone]

... Meant of the "I wish to be somewhere else, will phrase it this way", think. I would not know, either way, of changes.

[spongetastic]

I think we all wish to be somewhere else sometimes.

[radiantwingedone]

[ Lets check how much of a jerk he's feeling like being- ]

Debatable. Difficult to navigate sudden new places. However if new places involve lack of loss...

[spongetastic]

Loss is anywhere. It's just the kind of loss that changes.

[radiantwingedone]

Had meant castle-loss. Reason I know little of how things look.

[spongetastic]

Ah, right. Mine makes it hard for me to be a good nurse.

[radiantwingedone]

....Would say similar, however healing was not focus of former profession.

[spongetastic]

But you do know about healing? Because the clinic is always in need of people willing to help.

[radiantwingedone]

Think signed up on a list of people willing to work some time ago...

[ And he's in there once in a while. ]

[spongetastic]

Then we might have met. I'm in the clinic all the time.

[radiantwingedone]

.... If quiet may have missed-

[ Now he's wondering how many people he's walked by and never noticed simply because he can't hear them and

Now he feels like he should be paranoid... ]

[spongetastic]

I'll try to be louder next time.

[wishmadeinfire]

I would avoid the Dead Zone all together. The name alone is warning enough to stay enough.

[spongetastic]

I've been out there before.

[wishmadeinfire]

Then why would you want to go back?

[spongetastic]

No powers, and less castle influence.

[kungfuwitch]

[Oh she knows the feeling. She very much knows the feeling. She replies softly]

A break might be nice.

[spongetastic]

It won't be long. Just for a few days.

[kungfuwitch]

[She pauses for a moment]

Would you like some company? Or... [a few days away from your wife who had just been flirting with everyone in the castle...]

[spongetastic]

I wouldn't think of leaving without you.

[kungfuwitch]

[She smiles gently]

I know it was the castle but still.... I'm sorry.

[spongetastic]

I forgive you. And I'm sorry, too.

[kungfuwitch]

And I forgive you, too. [She sighs softly as it feels like a weight she didn't even know she'd been carrying lifts from her shoulders]

Come on. Let's get out of here for a little while.

[spongetastic]

Okay.

[kungfuwitch]

It'll be a proper honeymoon this time.

[pompous_today]

I am not sure going there would be a wise idea... but then again, I can understand the appeal of wanting to get away.

[spongetastic]

I've been out there before, but I appreciate the concern, doc.

[pompous_today]

Take care, then. We want you back hale and hearty.

[spongetastic]

I'll be back in a few days.

[pompous_today]

I will hold you to that. See you then.

[spongetastic]

See you then, doc.