oorah: (261)
ca$h hotdog🌭 ([personal profile] oorah) wrote in [community profile] quietplacelogs2018-03-17 11:38 am

IV. (closed-ish) i believe it is my duty to do my best to obey the scout oath and law

featuring: hotdog & his best eagle scouts
what's happening? boy scouts trip; hunting, fishing, camping, sound eatas
day: march 19-26
content warnings: animal death, general spookiness, sound eaters
notes: feel free to make your own toplevels encompassing whichever prompts you'd like, tag frank specifically, or create your own prompts!

day 1 | [ it's a regular expedition, and frank is feeling optimistic about the whole thing. the weather is clear and there should be a fair bit of game this time of year before the sound eaters get to them. he's spent over a day checking and checking over every detail, making sure they have everything they're going to need for the next six days. an abundance of sand, of course. from david and frank's personal stockpile but then he asked for everyone to bring along their own too. and then there are more normal supplies: flint, tents, sleeping rolls, knives and pots. it reminds him of bootcamp just as much as it reminds him of taking his kids out into the woods to disappear for days at a time. neither is an unpleasant memory on its own, but given everything that happened after, the framing of them seems all wrong. still, he's ready for this. and he knows the people who approached him about coming along need this too, whether they're coming to get away from the village, because they're hungry, or simply because they want to see the monsters who threaten their every day here.

frank goes around to every person on his list and collects them and their stuff in preparation to leave. it's a good mixture of ages and skillsets and he thinks they'll all have something to learn from one another out there. once they have everyone and everything (and a few tagalongs) they set out. a veritable ragtag troop of misfits. the first day is mostly just hiking and chatter. frank will stop along the path to show which berries are safe and which are poison. to teach them how to walk silently with and without sand. frank prefers not-sand, anything but sand. that it's a necessary evil here couldn't be any more soul-taxing, but as always he doesn't complain. he points out poisonous plants too on their way higher up into the overgrown cities. and when it's time to pitch camp for the night he patiently explains how to do so silently before passing out a meal of granola that micro made and berries they picked from earlier for dinner. ]


day 2 | [ when frank lays his head down on his roll to sleep the first night, all the sleepless nights and all his thwarted naps catch up with him. his exhaustion is complete and he sleeps on, unable to be awoken for the entire night and long into the next day. this is a lost day, where for once the steady presence of hotdog will be absent. he'll make his way out of his tent well after noon, upset with himself that he overslept and even more upset with micro and the other adults for not waking him. but everyone is doing alright without him, and maybe that's the true lesson here.

that night frank builds a small, quiet fire by the river, the current covering over the sound of the crackling flame enough to be safe for heating up some beans. over the fire he starts to tell a ghost story in sign language, directing everyone to raise their devices so they don't miss any part of the "scary" tale. he seems in better spirits than he's been in a long time, and he teaches lessons on knot-tying and knife-sharpening after that. then he puts out the fire and tells everyone to hurry on to bed. ]


day 3 | [ this day is an early riser, and it starts with fishing in the river they'd set up camp next to. passive lures are used to make the least noise and everyone participating is instructed to pull up the fish they catch with a sheet of cotton and then to stab the fish in the eye before they can thrash. next is rabbits, which are significantly easier to kill quietly if caught by surprise, but without the proper speed and accuracy they will scream. frank shows each person how to dispatch them efficiently and silently.

there's more hiking and foraging for the rest of the day and everything goes smoothly. they eat well that night and frank turns the floor over to anyone who might want to tell a story of their own or start a discussion. they'll see the sound eaters in the morning and he knows especially for those who haven't seen them yet, there's an anxiety that comes along with it. anticipation and dread both. he remembers exactly how it had felt his first weeks here and he wants to see them for himself again too. he wants to prove to himself that somehow it wasn't just a fluke. frank will encourage everyone, especially the kids, to go to sleep early, but if anyone should come by his tent he'll be awake most of the night. ]


day 4 | [ today's the day. there's a tension in the air that wasn't there previously, and they're close enough to the sound eater den to smell and taste copper now. the closer they get to the center of the city and the tower, the thinner the woods become. before they get too close, frank makes sure everyone understands: they must be perfect here. complete silence. he will understand if anyone wants to wait farther back but he's going in closer with the bulk of the group now. sand is laid with painstaking care to ensure they don't make a sound, up until the bramble-covered cobblestone disappears and all that used to be the eiffel tower park is now a pit of red dust.

they're early enough to catch the tail end of the sunrise, casting an eerie haze over the scene. that same feeling of helplessness descends on him as the monsters make their climb from the tower, three distinct factions of the creatures that all move as one towards the middle of the clearing. there are younger ones than the young even, perhaps newborn. they have no eyes or mouth and the older ones seem to gather around them. every way they move is calculated; coordinated, like parts of a whole. the screams and cracking bones of the shambling, deformed middle children punctuate the silent space. the whole thing is eerie, of course, but frank doesn't feel fear the way he did the first time. there's something about these things that he identifies with, that he almost feels for. when he looks at them, it's like he knows them and it's on the tip of his tongue, but the words never come out.

they'll spend most of the day there, just watching. he encourages people to take video and pictures, but also to take breaks so no one gets overwhelmed and slips up. there's no dying on his watch -- not this time. not when he doesn't know what the consequences of it truly mean. almost reluctantly, he packs them up to hike some more, knowing it isn't safe to set up camp so close to theirs. there's no fire or lively stories tonight, just cold meat and beans and another early bedtime. ]


day 5 | [ they set out on their first day winding way back to town, but frank has his mind set on big game today. the farther they travel from the sound eaters the more life there is and when he sees a small cluster of deer in the distance he knows they have an opportunity. he instructs everyone to pour sand into a clearing up ahead, then to set out a pile of found berries and wait. it's a long and tedious stake-out, but frank is used to that. he signs Patience for all the kids watching, and finally one of the larger does wanders into their trap. frank aims his crossbow and as she looks up he takes his shot. the arrow lands clean and perfectly and she doesn't suffer, falling back into the sand with a soft noise of the granules being displaced. he holds up his hand for everyone to wait and make sure it wasn't enough to attract the sound eaters. when nothing comes, they'll load their bounty onto the cart and gather back up their sand before carrying on.

there's something about the day after seeing the beasts that's calm, a complacency that comes with knowing your enemy and looking him in the eye. well, teeth. they cover a lot of ground on this day, in attempts to make up for the lost day before the sound eaters. as it nears dark, there seems to be a colder front moving in, creating a layer of fog that has them winding up the day earlier than frank had anticipated. the fire is more for warmth that night than it had been previously, and with all the excitement most of them seem inclined to stay up and stay out late into the night. for the adults (and young adults???) frank brought some whiskey and now seems as good a time as any to break it out. ]


day 6 | [ the journey is beginning to wear on everyone, especially the children. frank will offer his shoulders or a piggyback to anyone who needs to take a load off for a while. there's more fishing as they cross through the other side of the river and the crisp air of the day feels welcome after the slight balminess that begun their trip. there's some urgency today to return to their routines. it feels weird to be out here instead of in town hall, airing their grievances to the town at large. though frank can't actually say he misses it. he would rather be out here even without the opportunity to speak and make noise.

another day of hiking passes more or less without incident. frank will be open to telling some war stories today and tonight if anyone should show interest. there are things he's getting better with: opening up used to be something he'd only do with his unit, even his family didn't get the full frank castle story all the way up until the end. this place has been about breaking patterns and cycles for him; about not making the same mistakes. he wants these people to know him, and to rely on him. it isn't as though he has anything to return to when his job here is done.

later on in the night, just after they've eaten supper, the rain will start up. it comes on sudden and without warning, drenching the party and extinguishing their carefully built fire. this can only mean one thing: frank runs to his tent and grabs his guitar. just don't request stairway to heaven. ]


day 7 | [ the next morning it's still raining, but with some effort they get an early start. and it isn't long before they see the outline of the village through the trees. they return before noon with 0 incidents and a lot more food than they left with. hopefully they've also gleaned some survival skills and a deeper understanding of one another and the terrain, to say nothing of the monster's lair they visited. it still feels like cheating death every time.

though it's a rain day, frank will find himself hard-pressed to do anything of worth today. he will most likely reunite with his dog and beeline for castle castle and take another long siesta if anyone wants to join him. feel free to open your day 7 prompts up to everyone for reunions and sharing what was learned! ]
list_maker: (Default)

OTA

[personal profile] list_maker 2018-03-18 12:55 am (UTC)(link)
Day 1: The Hike

[Arya keeps mostly outside the group as they walk, following at the rear, and keeping watch behind them. She's also watching the group in front of her. If anyone looks back at her the young woman's sharp eyes will lock on them as though she can somehow see right through them. As though she knows their darkest secrets and wants that person to know it. She doesn't actually, of course. But she's trying to get a sense of everyone here. Their motivations in coming. What kind of person they are. Some of them she knows, other's she does not.

Each moment Frank stops to explain something to the group, she mostly ignores him. What they can eat and what they cannot, how to be quiet, she knows these things. She'll perk up when he points out a poisonous plant and berries and when everyone else begins to depart she'll use the leather of her outfit to grab the plant without touching it with skin to take some in few pouches she's got around her belt. They may be useful later.

Some of the others may not even know she's behind them until they turn around. Arya doesn't approach anyone as they trek, but if anyone comes back to speak with her, she'll acknowledge them.]



Day 3: Hunting

[Arya fishes in the morning gladly enough and makes quick work of any fish caught, killing them instantly with her Valyrian steel dagger as they are pulled from the water and on to the cotton.

But its the rabbit hunting in which she's in her element. Arya does long for a bow of her own, but Needle will have to do. And she's quick. Silent as she sneaks up on the rabbits in the wood on their pre-laid sand. It reminds her of Syrio's training in King Landing, having to chase and catch stray cats. 'Swift as a deer. Quiet as a shadow. Quick as a snake. Calm as still water.'

Needle is unsheathed in a flash and the rabbit's neck snapped before it even knows what's happened.

In the evening, she'll eat and 'listen to' (ie. read message of) anyone who's got stories to tell, but she won't tell any of her own. Her life is interesting certainly, but they aren't happy stories. They aren't fun. They're horrific and the thing of nightmares. And they're already heading toward something terrifying and she sees no reason to add to that fear.

Eventually she'll find herself away from the group, leaning up against a tree and lost in her own thoughts. Sansa is here, in Reims. But she finds herself wondering after her brothers. Where were they now? Jon and Bran. Were they dead, like the rest of her family...? Would she ever get back to them?]
deadboywalking: (Default)

day 1

[personal profile] deadboywalking 2018-03-19 12:04 am (UTC)(link)
[Being one of the smallest and physically weakest people here means that Will spends a lot of time at the back of the group. A lot. He has to stop frequently to catch his breath or get rocks out of his shoes or whatever, so Arya's probably going to see a lot of him.

Each time, he'll give her a sheepish wave. Hi again.
]
list_maker: (which way?)

[personal profile] list_maker 2018-03-19 12:50 am (UTC)(link)
[Each time he sees her and waves at her, Arya gets progressively more interested. It surprises her that Frank is bringing so many younger children along with them on this trip. It's interesting. She's about the same size as Will but she's used to long treks on foot, looks far more in her element than Will.

He almost reminds her of Rickon, her little brother. And that thought causes a pang of hurt in her stomach. And she moves to his side the next time he needs to take a break. And then she signs.]
Are you alright, Will? Do you need some water? I can carry some of your things. [She reaches into her own pack for her water pouch.]
deadboywalking: ([:(] alone in a crowd)

[personal profile] deadboywalking 2018-03-19 02:27 am (UTC)(link)
[Will blinks at her moving hands, still a bit slow on the sign language thing. His own fingers are clumsy, a little shaky from weariness, but he manages:]

I'm okay. Just kinda tired. Sorry.
list_maker: (my name is arya)

[personal profile] list_maker 2018-03-20 02:41 am (UTC)(link)
Why are you apologizing? [Arya asks, frowning at him with a tilted head.] You're allowed to be tired.
deadboywalking: ([:(] alone in a crowd)

[personal profile] deadboywalking 2018-03-21 03:05 am (UTC)(link)
[Will frowns seriously for a moment, trying to summon up the right signs.]

Slow. I'm slow.
list_maker: (wind)

[personal profile] list_maker 2018-03-22 02:00 am (UTC)(link)
[It's clear he's struggling with the signs so Arya pulls out her device and waits from him to do the same.] Then everyone will wait. There's no rush here. No life or death [They aren't on the run. Now, they may find death when they get to the Sound Eaters, but his being slow had no bearing on that.]
deadboywalking: (Default)

[personal profile] deadboywalking 2018-03-22 02:52 am (UTC)(link)
[Will looks relieved, pulling out his as well, though he's also not great at texting and walking.] people might get frustrated, though. having to wait around.
list_maker: (which way?)

[personal profile] list_maker 2018-03-22 03:00 am (UTC)(link)
They say something. You tell them to fuck off. Or I will. [She's no problem telling anyone off.]

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list_maker: (really?)

[personal profile] list_maker 2018-03-21 09:15 pm (UTC)(link)
[Arya side eyes him as he sits at a slight distance. There's a flash of amusement in her eyes. She knows what you're doing Frank, curled up like that. And he's right in assuming she's not intimidated to begin with. She's good at reading people and Frank could be dangerous, but just not to anyone young. She's noticed how he is with the other children and teenagers on this trip. And even if he were openly dangerous, she probably wouldn't have cared then, either. She's not known for an overabundance of fear, even when warranted.

A moment later she fishes out her device to answer.]
With the hunting? Thank you.

list_maker: (my name is arya)

[personal profile] list_maker 2018-03-27 08:17 pm (UTC)(link)
[It means a little. If only because she appreciates when an adult, especially a man, doesn't openly dismiss her or her skills.] I wanted to come. I haven't been hunting since I got here. And I want to see them, the Sound Eaters. Everyone keeps talking about them. But it's different to see a thing than hear about it. To know.
list_maker: (blind)

[personal profile] list_maker 2018-04-01 03:18 am (UTC)(link)
I agree. [Arya is no fan of ignorance. She wants to know her enemies. Know what she's up against. She turns her gaze to the others in the camp then back to him.]

Do you think there's actually a way out of this place? That we can return home or are we stuck? [She doesn't want to believe she can't get back. There's too much left to do.]
list_maker: (preparing for a fight)

[personal profile] list_maker 2018-04-10 07:54 pm (UTC)(link)
[That's Arya's way. Not beating around the bush. So goes right for the important questions. Listening, she wants to believe him. Someone has come back so it is possible to leave. Still. The skepticism shows a moment on her face.] Or some of them could have just died and not reset.

[If they were going to be pragmatic. That's the more likely scenario. But...] But I hope you're right. [She might be more comfortable with death than most, but that didn't mean she was okay with innocent people being killed.]
whists: (pic#11441703)

Day 1

[personal profile] whists 2018-03-21 11:51 pm (UTC)(link)
[Emily isn't the only one hanging around near the back of the group, and she's not surprised to find that one of the people is Arya. The girl strikes a chord with her, a little similar, a lot different. She notices the way Arya reacts to the poisonous plants, watching her take samples of them.

She finds herself falling into step with the girl, hands moving as she uses the native sign language.]
What are you thinking of using them for?

[There's no judgement in Emily's face as she asks, just the quirk of a smile and raised eyebrows.]
list_maker: (faces)

[personal profile] list_maker 2018-03-22 02:12 am (UTC)(link)
[Arya glances up at Emily, still picking a few more berries and stuffing them into her pouch. Then she signs back.] Might need them. If people I know show up.

Also might work on the Sound Eaters.
whists: (pic#11441709)

[personal profile] whists 2018-03-23 02:16 am (UTC)(link)
[Emily finds herself nodding at that. There's a certain trepidation in the idea of people they know showing up. In Arya's case, it seems as though she's waiting for future enemies. But she wonders: if time becomes screwed up, is it possible for people from the past to come through?

Could she have to face her Aunt Delilah again?]
And if they keep coming back?

That's worth a test.
list_maker: (wind)

[personal profile] list_maker 2018-03-23 02:33 am (UTC)(link)
If they keep coming back. I'll keep trying anyway. [It would give Arya a chance to make them really suffer.

She gets one more berry and turns her attentions fully on Emily.]
On the Sound Eaters. Yes, I think so too.
whists: (pic#11433874)

[personal profile] whists 2018-03-23 03:02 am (UTC)(link)
I have a hard time telling if you're just that stubborn or foolish. [But Emily cracks a smile as she signs it. Listen, she's not going to be the one to tell you that revenge is bad, because revenge is great.]

They can be hurt. It's a start.
list_maker: (valar morghulis)

[personal profile] list_maker 2018-03-23 11:44 pm (UTC)(link)
A bit of both? [Arya smiles back at her. For as serious as she can be, she does still have a sense of humor.]

Just have to be able to sneak up on one of the Sound Eaters to try.
whists: (pic#11441702)

[personal profile] whists 2018-03-28 06:16 am (UTC)(link)
It happens to the best of us. [Ah, a smile. It makes her look young, in Emily's opinion. It's a good look.]

I could attempt that.
list_maker: (Default)

[personal profile] list_maker 2018-03-29 11:47 pm (UTC)(link)
You can? [Arya is curious now, leaning forward toward Emily] You can get close enough to them? How?

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