PSL for Renart

[advanced]

Comments

[advanced]

Oh.

[He was probably there at some point. If one side of Germany was Soviet controlled, and the Soviets held the Soldier for a time, he was likely deployed in that area. But he doesn't remember specifics. That's probably a blessing.]

But it must have come down, right? It wasn't there when I was there in the last couple of years.

[aigue]

It did. In the 1990s it was pulled down and the country was unified. There's some very famous video footage of that, if you ever want to see for yourself.

[advanced]

Maybe one day I will.

[He supposes he could even ask Zephyr for it, a highlight reel of all the things in the last seven decades that he doesn't know about, but he'd rather not.]

Did you ever see the wall in person? Were you there when it came down?

[aigue]

Yes and yes. I love seeing history in the making.

[She pauses where she is, glancing around. They've been walking a while.]

How are you doing?

[advanced]

[He raises an eyebrow at the question. Most people just assume he'll be good to keep up however long they go for.]

I think I have frostbite. Again.

[He doesn't. But damn, his feet are cold.]

[aigue]

[She grins at him, trotting over.]

Maybe we should stop for the rest of the day. I'm getting hungry.

[advanced]

I thought we were gonna get to some lodge with hot water.

[Though he's already swinging his pack down from his back as he says it.]

False advertising, if you ask me.

[aigue]

Tomorrow.

[She trots over, removing her bag as well, grinning.]

Unless the thought of one night outdoors is too much for you.

[advanced]

Might be, I've never camped out before.

[Okay, that's a stupid joke even for him.]

You're gonna have to teach me.

[aigue]

[.... She could be really terrible and turn that into something lewd.]

I could, but my idea of camping out is curling up on the ground.

[No tents, no sleeping bags, no campfires.]

[advanced]

You know, that was pretty much my idea of camping for a long time too.

[Though for different reasons than being a fox.]

Campfire smoke isn't a safe thing when you're hiding out, but I reckon we're probably safe enough here.

[aigue]

Could you start a campfire?

[If he's offering, she's interested.]

... Did you bring food to cook over it?

[advanced]

Of course, can't you?

[He knows she's technically a wild animal, but she's been around for centuries. Has she really never learned a basic skill like how to build a fire?]

[aigue]

Beowulf always took care of it.

[And when she was alone she never bothered. She shrugs.]

You could show me.

[advanced]

Sure.

[He glances her way, tiny smile tugging at his lips.]

I think I'd like to say that I'd taught an immortal something new, makes me sound more impressive than I am.

[aigue]

Hey now, you're very impressive. Not many people can say they've been through war while still being charming as hell, with some impressive muscles to boot.

[Okay that last one might be a little much, but....]

[advanced]

[He snorts, but he also goes ever so slightly pink in the cheeks as well. How is it that she can fluster him so easily.]

Hey... pretty sure we had a no flirting rule.

[aigue]

[She grins devilishly, feeling more than a little reckless thanks to trying to push down her more despairing emotions about Monty being gone.]

Oh no, I broke a rule. Better arrest me.

[advanced]

[He doesn't really know what to do with this, and it just makes the flush in his cheeks even more evident. A tiny traitorous whisper tells him that she's not with anyone any more, would it be so bad to flirt back? His feelings for her have never gone away despite their ups and downs, and--

--no. Damn it. No.

Even if he wanted to, it would be wrong to do it now. She's hurting, grieving, and he's here to be a friend, not some foul jerk who takes advantage of someone vulnerable.]

Have you ever been arrested?

[Maybe being obtuse and clinging to the thing that's absolutely not the point in what she said will help?]

[aigue]

[Realistically, she knows she shouldn't expect anything from her flirting. He's been adamantly against it, even with Monty gone, and she knows she's being pushy, but... she wants to. She wants to indulge herself, and a tiny part of her hopes he'll respond positively.

Absolutely unrealistic, but she still hopes.

His question, since it isn't completely dismissive, makes her want to push him a little more.]

Plenty of times. A few of those were in the bedroom, too.

[advanced]

Renart.

[It's a warning, a low growl of her name that's not entirely anger. He wants her, he's wanted her since he's known her, but it can't be. Why does she insist on torturing them both this way?]

Just-- stop it. I told you already, I'm not interested in being a substitute for Monty.

[aigue]

[In an instant her expression shifts to something more closed off, and she abruptly turns away.

It's selfish and petty of her, she knows, but she doesn't want to be anything but selfish and petty right now.]

I was only teasing you.

We should set up camp.

[advanced]

[He thinks about apologising, but in the end wouldn't that just lead to more of this same tangle of awkwardness? He can't be a proxy for Monty, even if he would let himself want her that way, he wouldn't want it to be like this. Not the poor second hand to what she really wants.

So he simply shrugs and turns to begin lighting the fire. It takes a bit more time with just one hand, but he's experienced enough that he gets it going eventually and leaves her to set up any kind of shelter.

It's not until the flames are crackling and he's set some rabbit meat to cook on a spit of wood over them that he speaks again.]

You know we couldn't do this in Norfinbury? Camp out, I mean.

[aigue]

[Renart, meanwhile, finds a log to go sit and sulk on. Very visibly sulk, even though she's fully aware of how childish this is. She doesn't care, she wants him to feel bad.

When he speaks up she glances over, frowning at him.]

Camping in the snow wouldn't be pleasant for most humans.

[advanced]

[Normally he'd try and pull her out of the sulk, but she earned it this time. Even if she's hurting from losing Monty, that doesn't mean he's here to be the substitute.]

Even worse there.

[He's not going to draw attention to her pouting if she's not, just continuing as if they're both behaving like adults.]

Everyone who stayed out past dark died, no exceptions.