"Don't know." Charlie chuckled. "But I have a tent we can share if it does. I don't mind." she added assuringly.
Elric didn't resume the previous conversation and instead reached over his shoulder. "Does anyone mind if I play some music?" he asked, as he pulled a lute off his back.
Daisy shook her head. "Don't mind at all." She said, though she fell back behind him a bit. She was sensitive to loud noise, so being right beside a bard while they were playing wasn't a great idea for them.
Irae shrugged. "Go ahead." She said, loud enough for Elric to hear, before turning back to Charlie. "Alright… Thank you." She muttered the last part.
“Please do.” Charlie smiled at Elric’s question before turning her grin back to Irae and nodding. “Of course.”
“Thank you.” Elric smiled softly as he strummed a few strings, making sure they were in tune first. After a couple of minor adjustments, he started playing a soft, slow but somehow still uplifting melody.
Daisy smiled, enjoying the music as they walked
Irae went silent again, watching the trees as they passed.
(Timeskip to night? Or when they reach the next town?)
(I'm fine with a skip to them finding a place to set up camp)
Charlie's eyes widened as she recognized the tune and started humming along, taking Irae's hand.
Elric sighed as he focused on the music, his shoulders dropping as his smile grew at the traveler's song.
Irae blushed, thankful again for her hood. She held Charlies hand happily.
They walked until the sun was starting to set, and Daisy pointed it out. "It'll get dark soon, we should set up camp."
“I agree.” Charlie nodded, looking towards the trees just off the road. “Does that look good to anyone else?” she asked, pointing to a clearing not too far away.
Elric shrugged, having put away his lute a while ago in a much better mood after playing a few songs.
Irae shrugged. "It looks fine to me." She said, turning towards it.
Daisy nodded. "If you guys think it looks fine, I'll agree." She said, moving towards it.
Charlie nodded and headed over to the clearing. “Who wants to help me set up?” she asked, curious who else had experience with camping.
Daisy joined her. "You'll have to tell me how, I haven't camped since I was a kid." She mentioned.
Irae walked over as well. "You'll have to instruct me as well." She said, but was willing to help.
Elric chuckled softly. “I know how to set up,” he informed kindly. “I’ve spent a lot of time on the road.”
“Ok.” Charlie nodded. “So, someone should set up a fire and I can use some help setting up the tent… or tents, if you guys prefer.”
Irae looked at Elric wearily. "I think two to a tent would be more comfortable. Or three, but I think four would be pushing it." She said, but offered to gather firewood.
Daisy offered to help with the tents.
Elric laughed at the look Rae gave him but nodded. “I have a tent as well.” he assured as he slid his pack off his back to get the second tent. “I’ll get some firewood.” he offered as he held his tent out.
“Thanks, Elric.” Charlie smiled, already starting on setting up the first tent.
Irae frowned, she had been hoping to do the job alone. She left the clearing before Elric did, hoping he'd go in an opposite direction.
Unfortunately, even though he noticed Rae’s cold treatment of him, Elric followed her but kept a fair distance in hopes that she wouldn't feel crowded while still being within earshot.
Charlie sighed as they walked off, also noticing the tension between Irae and Elric but she had wanted to talk to Daisy alone for a moment… or at least without Elric nearby.
Daisy approached Charlie. "Alright, how can I help?" She asked, unfolding Elric's tent.
Irae didn't really dislike Elric, she just didn't trust him. She gathered wood, watching him follow her out of the corner of her eye, being sure to keep her hood up.
“Setting up the tent isn't really that hard.” Charlie assured as she demonstrated how to unfold it. “But I want to fill you in on what we told Elric.” she admitted. “Just so our stories all match up.”
Elric stayed quiet as he picked up a variety of logs and twigs. He never obviously stared at her but he was making sure that neither of them would get lost.
Daisy nodded. "Makes sense. Go ahead." She said, just copying Charlie as she set up her tent. She could figure it out in her own, but it was easier to follow the instruction.
Irae didn't stare at Elric either, and she understood why he'd want to stay close, but she had been hoping for a chance to cool down. The day hadn't been overbearingly hot, and her cloak wasn't thick, but with her hood up all day, she was getting warm.
Charlie nodded at the permission. “So, I’ve just been calling her Rae in front of him. But she gave him the story that she was in a cult before we met and that I rescued her.” she explained softly, not quite meeting Daisy’s gaze as she fiddled with the poles for the tent.
“It's a bit warm out today, isn't it?” Elric sighed contentedly. “Of course, it’ll get cooler once the sun sets.”
Daisy nodded. "That is a really good cover story, considering the actual circumstances." She mused, watching Charlie.
Irae shrugged and hmmed in acknowledgement, but didn't respond, instead focusing on a larger log, about twice as long as was needed, but otherwise perfect for firewood. "Should we grab this one and try to cut it, or just leave it?" She asked.
“I guess.” Charlie shrugged. “I’m just worried that it was too… strong a story, ya know? That… I only know of stuff that goes on in cults and Rae doesn't exactly seem like the victim type.” she admitted in concern.
Elric hummed as he looked over the log. “Uhh, I think it's ok but just make sure… I think that the tree is a Nymph’s home so, as long as the log isn't too it should be fine.”
"In any other situation I would agree- but I mean- it's kinda true. The Pantheon had some aspects of a cult, at least the way she describes it. And her wounds support it. It also explains why she had such little experience." Daisy mused, thinking.
"I don't think dead wood can be the home of nymphs.. dryads or hamadryads. Those ones are the wood and forest ones right? I get them mixed up with naiads.." Irae asked.
Charlie nodded and let out a slow breath. “Yeah. You have good points there. I guess I'm just nervous.” she shrugged. “Technically, I was assigned to protect her, to make sure she… fits in, as best she can, anyway.”
“As long as you’re sure it's dead wood.” Elric agreed. “I’m pretty sure naiads are generally water dwellers. But you're right. Nymph is a fairly general term for all of those. And if the wood is dead, so are they.”
Irae carefully picked up the log. "No roots, it's dead." She said, lifting it over her shoulder. "I'll cut it up back at camp then." She said.
Daisy nodded. "That must be nerve-wracking. I get how that might make you anxious. Let me know if there's any way I can help."
(Sorry for the late reply, today was not great)
Elric nodded, once again impressed by Rae’s strength. “Well, with that log, we should be good for the night.” he said as he shifted the bundle in his arms. “Shall we head back?”
“It kinda is.” Charlie admitted. “I’ve never really had to be responsible for someone else before. I mean, I’ve been in adventuring parties before and we all watched each other's backs but this is different.” she sighed as she finished setting up the tent and turned to help Daisy, if she still needed help. “I'm not… I’ve been called reckless before but the only one who's ever been at risk from that is myself.”
Irae nodded. "Sounds good." She said simply, heading back in the direction of camp.
"I doubt she will be in danger from your decisions. I'm a bit worried she'll put you in danger." Daisy said, getting a bit worried Elric might be getting close again. "She dosen't have the best reputation in terms of restraint."
Elric nodded and walked with Rae back towards the camp.
Charlie chuckled softly before giving Daisy a wide grin. “Neither do I.” she replied honestly. “I'm pretty sure I can handle any trouble she gets me into or we get into together.”
Daisy nodded. "Alright.." She trailed off.
Irae stepped into the clearing with the large log over one shoulder and some smaller pieces of wood in the other hand. She said nothing as she set it down, only pausing to ask. "Have we got an axe?"
Charlie smiled at Daisy in a semi-reassuring way and shrugged. She knew she may have just damaged the elf’s trust in her but… Well, she’d make it up to her later. “Yeah, I think I have a wood axe in my pack.” she answered, relieved that Irae was back, before opening her bag to look for it.
Elric placed his contribution of firewood next to Rae’s pile of normal and smaller-sized logs before moving to make a fire ring.
Daisy helped Elric, using some rocks to build a barrier and digging a small intent in the dirt to prevent the fire from spreading.
Irae accepted the axe and moved just far enough away not to hurt anyone if the axe slipped, before cutting the log into better sized pieces.
