The Fellowship Grows, the Journey Continues (RP)

Lille surveys the campsite with silent satisfaction. Her lack of comment seems rather a theme for her; during the day’s travel, she had seemed mostly content with not speaking. Although her neutral expression can be hard to read at times, she seemed more comfortable in the silence of the trees and surroundings. By contrast, she had been most confused and uncomfortable when the group tried to do things like share introductions and make small talk. Sometimes she had responded briefly, but she also frequently slipped away to scout up the road, returning without a word.

Now, with familiar tasks to do again, she looks more at ease. Just past the edge of the camp she rolls over a small rotten log and spends a minute collecting grubs into her pot. Then she collects up her fishing pole and heads towards Ezme. "For your trap," Lille says, putting a small piece of sweet bread with dried apple into the trapper’s hand. "The rabbits and birds say they love it. I will be up the larger branch." She points with her pole to where the small creek near their campsite meets a larger stream. "Good luck." She shoulders her pole and heads off into the fading light of the day.

With a dubious nod of thanks to Lille, Ezmaray will scout the area to discover where the local animals are trafficking, then set some traps.

Roald leaves the hunting and fishing to Lille and Ezme who sound and act like they know what they are doing.
He helps Theo and Daryl with the camp.
When everything is set up he starts sharpening his dagger, in case some butchering has to be done.

Albert leaves the camp area to go and collect firewood. He decided to head in the direction that Lille was going. Not because he doesn't trust her, but he was a bit concerned about what she said earlier today. From what he could gather, someone close to her had died recently. Perhaps Lille could use someone to talk to and a prayer.

Lille frowns as she spots the older man following her. What could have gone wrong so fast? That campsite was quite perfect. She looks longingly up the hill where some boulders suggest a large, deep pool, ideal for fishing. She stifles a sigh and walks down to Albert, brushing an ambitious grub back down into her pot.

"What is it?" she asks tersely.

"Oh, I was just gathering wood." Albert says, obviously lying. "So, I was wondering... This person you spoke of. Jordan? Sounds like it was someone important to you. Did he pass away recently?" He picks up another branch, trying to act casual on his way to Lille.

Lille relaxes visibly once she hears that there’s no problem, but slides straight into confusion. Does he not know how to gather wood? Does he want... praise for it? "Jordash was my caregiver. He died just before I came to you." She brushes off the facts as if they are irrelevant, and points to the branches in his arms. "Those are great, but there are plenty more close to the campsite, and then you won’t have to carry them so far," she says in the tone of someone patiently advising a child.

"Ah yes. I think these might burn better, though." Albert replies.
"It was Jordash. Excuse my mistake." He continues as he finds a bit of moss that looks cozy enough to sit on. "I'm sorry for your loss. If it helps, I'd be happy to say a prayer for him. Wherever he may be now." He tries to talk solemnly. "I'm not sure how religious you are, but Raynor has been there for me through some rough times lately."

Lille stares and blinks owlishly as she tries to parse Albert’s claim about the wood, then fails and gives up. "I buried him near his favorite spot. I’ve never known words to change a creature’s death." She still seems to be struggling to grasp the relevance of his words. She stands awkwardly by him and thinks for another moment. "Is Raynor another adventurer?" And why can this not wait until later? Though there is still plenty of light, Lille can’t help but glance over her shoulder to the presumed fishing location.

"That sounds like you honored him in death." Albert replies. "Raynor is the god of conquest. He is the one who has tasked me with a greater mission. The one who needs our help to defea the darkness." He notices her looking at the water. "Ah, I'm keeping you from your fishing. I will try finding more wood over where you suggested." He smiles warmly and gets up to leave. "Happy to have you with us, Lille."

Satisfied with her trap placements, Ezmaray returns to camp to prepare some more simple treatments for the group's bee stings. As she does so, she glances at Theo. He, upon realizing he is of little use at the moment, has pulled out some light reading. She does not want to interrupt Theo from his momentary escapism, so she waits to catch his eye.

Now no longer in a high stakes emergency situation, the trapper is also hesitant to touch her companions. She almost looks a little awkward as she hands a readied clove to Roald, suggesting that he apply the treatment on his own.

Roald puts down his knive and stone and gladly accepts the garlic.
He likes the smell... But more so in food than on his skin.
'' I've got one in the back of my neck, a bee flew in my hood. Good thing they lose their stinger... Could you help me out Ezme? ''
Roald pulls down his collar to show her the spot.

Ezmaray is not sure what to think of Theo's behavior. She starts to open her mouth to say something, then pauses as he continues to stare intently at his book, refusing to look up. She snaps her mouth shut and turns dutifully back to the task of preparing the garlic, hoping no one saw the awkward exchange.

Upon hearing Roald's request, Ezme hesitates only briefly, "Oh... Of course." Stepping around him, she studies the red, swollen spot carefully for a shadow stinger, just barely making out something embedded in his skin there. "Let me... just..." Tentatively, she reaches out to gently scratch it off with her pinky nail, sheepishly noting as she does so how dirt-stained and sappy her hands are. She apologizes as Roald winces slightly at the scratch. "Sorry. Was removing stinger..." she explains. She rests one hand on his shoulder to steady him as she delicately rubs the clove over the sting site with the other. His shoulder is firm and warm under her hand.

"On plus side," Ezme muses as she works, trying to act casual, "mosquitos also do not like fresh garlic smell, so maybe you can repel them for bit... along with any ogling fangirls you would like to keep at bay," she adds with a quirk of the lips.

Her eyes dart back over to Theo to see if he is watching.

Lille’s fidgeting stills as Albert’s words finally get through to her. She locks eyes with him, her gaze intense, though her voice is soft. "Your having me also.. honors him." She thinks deeply for another moment, then reaches out her hand to touch his un-stung arm. "Thank you." Her last two words come with a small smile but a huge load of meaning. Then she turns away in quiet thought towards her task.

'' Auch...''
A muscle twitches in Roald's shoulder when the stinger gets removed from his neck. Ezme's hand feels rough and a bit cold.
''Thank you, that spot wasn't easy to reach, let alone to remove the stinger.''

'' If you don't mind me asking, where do you and Lille know each other from? There seems to be some level of connection between the two of you''