trans_9 | Snow Sheltering [Closed]

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Snow Sheltering [Closed]

Today's trek to Pelau's glass desert had started as more of a ridiculous dare than a serious idea for Billy. Terrain to conquer just because he could? It sounded reckless, but the risk carried a reward for it too. If the rumors of a beautiful display of lights were true, he definitely wanted to be out there. Rumor also had it that a few of his friends were going, and he didn't want to be left behind.

After packing his supplies and telling a few people where he was going just to be sure, he'd set off. It was a long, slow trek, and he was sure that the others who had gone this way had long surpassed him. He was a Southern California native! The desert he was accustomed to trekking was considerably hotter and sandier.

Finally, though, he stumbled across a small half-finished shelter that another traveler had built for themselves some time ago. Exhausted as he was, he set about securing it. When it was comfortable enough for a few hours of rest, he put out a call to any friends who might be in the region. Oh, he hoped they were there.

{{Hey, it's me, Billy. Are any of you hungry? I have some food in the shelter.}}

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It's cool, Ronnae. He was completely confused, too. Not that it was surprising, given this was the third or fourth time they had all been together and something he'd said sparked a quick change of atmosphere. It was almost expected at this point.

So he'd do what he always did. Honesty.

"I am not exactly sure what I am supposed to say to you Billy, because you have gone so far off what we were speaking of that I am made to believe you have some underlying issues that you might wish to speak about."

That was some hardcore loathing for his people and planet, not to mention the bit about them being able to 'easily kill him'. That came off as downright awkward. His own people had summoned a legion of demons that still persisted after thousands of years, amongst a number of other disservices to Azeroth and even he didn't speak of them in such a manner, world teetering on the brink of destruction or not.

"And I did not mention anything of one being superior or inferior. That is not the point. Neither was if we would participate in such a thing or not. Nor was anyone setting up some sort of blame game or bringing in one's ignorance to the situation." Elune knows he'd be at the bottom of that list every time if that were the case.

"The offense was given at the wording describing the event and nothing more. I was not aware one's ability to take offense at words would spawn such feelings of anger, resentment and despair. I will keep that in mind." So he could remember to keep his mouth shut.

It was amusing that Ronnae compared it to a gathering between the Horde and Alliance. There weren't even any insults or drawn weapons to qualify for that; that and the sensibilities were far too sensitive in this case.

"I'm sorry," was all Billy could say at first. His face burned so badly with embarrassment that he hid it as soon as Ronnae gave him the chance.

"I should've just apologized to you for that, but I got caught up in other issues I've been confronted with since I got involved in this war. So I'm sorry that I offended you with my ignorance. It's...next time, just say 'shut up Billy'."

There was a lot more he was starting to realize, but this was no place to dump his issues---and he couldn't yet articulate it anyway.

"It happens to the best of us," Kaya said giving her brother an affectionate pat on the back. "We aren't made of stone. One day a disaster happens, we can't just be expected to magically get over it and get back to things like nothing happened. Even this issue we were talking about, things might have been said the wrong way because of what's happened the last few days. Honestly, I would go hunting with any of you, because I know none of us would ever look at what were doing as something to take away from something else."

For her part, dead animals had been something of a sore subject, and she realized it might have come out here, where it shouldn't have.

"And anyway, no one's going to tell you to shut up, not after this. But we fully reserve the right to tell you to shut up if you depress us some other day, ok?"

She winked at him, and smiled at the others.

Nokosi stood, took a few steps forward, then plopped down in front of Billy, legs crossed and arms resting against his legs. He sat silently, simply observing the other man in all his embarrassment as if he were trying to find something. After many slow seconds crawled by, he laughed and reached out a hand to pat Billy on the shoulder.

"You are far too quick to apologize for something that is not worth an apology and berate yourself on top of it. People get offended all the time--so what? I am not upset or angry, and I would not call for your silence, either."

He could 'magically' get over certain things and act like nothing happened, but that involved less magic and more failure to identify the issues as actual issues.

"That offense means that you are given a chance for knowledge you otherwise did not have. And beyond that, you learn what is important to people and why it is. Understanding is not always gained, but you have still aquired awareness. Looking at it like that...how could I ever tell you to 'shut up' about something? If one is irked and they do not explain the basis of that offense, they limit the awareness gained by the opposite party on what bothered them in the first place. In such a case they have no right to be offended because no understanding can be attained on either side, beyond a misplaced apology. And how useful is that?"

Nokosi paused, lips rising into a wide smile that reached his eyes, causing them to be nothing more than slits of silver light. He reached out and placed a hand in Billy's hair, playing with the fluffy strands up front. He moved down, readjusted his friend's glasses, then placed a hand against his crimson cheek. When it seemed that he was done being touchy, he withdrew his arm back to his lap.

"You know, I am actually surprised that you would view ignorance in such a completely negative light, Billy. Yes, it can breed misunderstanding and ill feelings, but that is only one possibility. As intelligent as you are, it means that there is a place in your mind or heart that is free to fill with something new; that there is always more to learn. After all, if one already knows everything, life would be quite boring, would it not?"

Ronnae had taken a step back once everyone came to comfort Billy and moved to the door while the others talked. Her ears were perked up as she listened even as she opened the door enough so she could see outside.

It felt odd, seeing someone else berate themselves as she was so accustomed to doing herself, albeit mentally. Especially someone who she considered to have very little to worry about since she thought and believed he was truly amazing, sometimes finding herself clinging onto him for strength whenever she was feeling down.

But it seemed that there were things they still needed to understand about each other and she felt that she had failed him at not realizing them. She'd keep it to herself for now however, feigning emotions was something she was really good at and she wasn't about to ruin the mood.

She just gazed into the wintry wonderland while sipping on another cup of hot chocolate she had poured herself during the conversation before the mood changed.

Billy wasn't sure where to start. He smiled awkwardly at all of them, waiting for the embarrassment to fade. They were right, of course. Why had he let the top off his feelings just then? There was a time and a place.

"Of course, Kaya. I trust you'll help me on the right track." Even if he needed another lecture.

He'd passively accepted Nokosi's comfort and lecture, waiting to respond until his thoughts were properly in order again. "No, I understand. I've lost sight of the bigger picture, and the trust we have. I let myself regress and I shouldn't. So..can we start this conversation over?" he asked tentatively.

"I'm aware of your connection and your reasons for hunting now. I don't think I'll ever truly understand, but I can learn some things about you. May I offer my assistance?"

He bit his lip, glancing over at Ronnae for just a second. He was sure he'd disappointed her with his weakness. This would need explaining.

Kaya smiled, and hugged the three of them. This scenario could have gone bad in so many ways, but because of how caring the two of them were, Billy was put to ease. It meant a lot to her to know that her Bonded brother had such good friends and girlfriends willing to help pick him up when he got this bad and doubted himself.

"Hunting is life in any world you go to, even yours, Billy. You may get the animals hides prepared, but someone has to hunt them and prepare them for human consumption. From what I read though, they also go through a lot of artificial ways of being preserved. This might be a good time to have some actually have real animal meat, and appreciate where it comes from."

She had no doubt they would all honor the animal they killed in their own way.

"I'll bet you can set some decent traps, Billy."

Nokosi was quick to return the hug. "Well, I was very excited about the prospect of creating traps with you. I promise this time I will not syrup and feather you. Accidentally."

With that said he stood to make room for Ronnae, then went back to his comfy spot against Fontaine. He was sure his chocolate milk was probably cold by now, but he'd drink the hell out of it anyways.

Ronnae wasn't expecting a hug, having been lost in thought while looking at the landscape.

"Oh, ah, yeah. I actually think Billy would be rather good at creating them since he's very clever and ingenious. It's be just as many of the inventions he already makes just with a set purpose."

He'd always been smart as far as she knew, not just smart, really damn smart. So she was more than confident that he'd succeed at anything he put his mind to.

"I'll do my best," Billy promised the group, gladly accepting the hugs. He was finally starting to feel better. Inventing and working were normal. He could do that.

"I wouldn't say all that," he said modestly, but he smiled at her regardless. "But I'm sure I can handle it. Did you want to get ready to head out?"

Kaya loved the hug, but even she had neglected her foamy, marshmallowy goodness with sprinkles...which seemed to at least be calling to her a little bit.

"Of course you wouldn't, that's what we're here for," Kaya said, ruffling his hair a bit. "But give us a moment to finish up our drinks, and then we'll see what's what."

Being warm with her friends, after all, was the best feeling she had in awhile.

If anything, he was probably the fastest to finish his meal and the slowest to drink that chocolate milk. One might have thought it was some fine wine with how patiently he drank in an attempt to enjoy the creamy flavor. And the sticky marshmallow now stuck in his barely-there mustache.

Once he'd finally finished, he thanked Billy once more and raised his arms in a cat-like stretch paired with a yawn.

"Ready."

Ronnie smiled and finished her drink early, deciding to start grabbing her things while the others finished so she'd be ready for their trip.

Once she was done, she gave a thumbs up to the group and sat down near the exit.

"Ready when you all are~" she chimed in.

Billy used the time to take care of putting out the fire. It was cold out there, but they had enough warm and dry clothing. They'd make it. He piled snow atop the ashes methodically, using the repetitive action as a means to get himself back under control. Spilling his heart out all over the place didn't reflect well on him.

When he was bundled up and ready to leave, he felt almost normal and confident again. "I have everything I brought. It should be sufficient for building."

Kaya had been pacing herself, but now that she had finished with her food and drink, she looked refreshed and ready to go. She was glad to have this time with her friends, but now she was at least refreshed.

"Let's get going then." She was already in "go" mode, actually. This was her sort of her climate, after all.

Fontaine's yawn soon followed his master's, but he did not move just yet. It was a feat cramming himself into the small shelter--if he tried to leave first he'd have to bowl over everyone.

Nokosi walked to the door of the little hovel to wait, but paused along the way to smooth his hands over Kaya's, lace them together, then lay a kiss near her ear.

Ronnae hadn't seen much of what was behind her, she had already slipped past and out of the shelter, excited about the trip and the prospect of a good adventure together as a group. Even if there might not be any of the typical combat situations or anything, a nice walk, hike, fun time with her friends was very, very much needed!

So she waited outside with a pleasant smile on her face.

And there was Ronnae with her head in the clouds. Billy slipped past Nokosi and Kaya to give them their precious private moment, heading straight out into the cold to have one of their own. It definitely wasn't fair that the other two got the warm place.

He hiked over the snow to reach her side, still not quite confident in his snow legs yet. He was stable but slow. When he did get out there, he reached for Ronnae's hand.

"You'll bring all the glory home," Billy whispered to her with a smile, trying his best to integrate their ideals about hunting. "Or most of it. We'll help."

Kaya understood that her boyfriend was unique in the way he went about being in a relationship, but somehow, even with all of his quirks, he had a way of making her feel like she was walking on air. She flushed slightly at the kiss on the ear, and returned the favor with a nip to the neck.

She knew they would be out to join the others soon, but she did just want to say something to him.

"Thank you, for being here," she said. "I know we haven't been lovers long, but after everything that happened recently in the last fight, you were the reason I didn't lose myself completely. Knowing I had you to come home to makes all the difference, in everything."

As he listened, his eyebrows raised in pleasant surprise and a laugh escaped his throat. "You say too much, I think. I did not even participate in the last fight." No, he was off somewhere hidden, far off from the right state of mind to deal with it all.

"But...I appreciate it all the same," he continued, laying a hand on the top of her head. "When we have the time, you will have to tell me of all that went on during that time since I am unaware. I would be interested to hear of the trials you faced."

The warm hand and sweet whisper made her turn to face Billy as she smiled at him. "We will~" she mused.

For a few moments, she gazed lovingly at his eyes, as if the brisk, clean and pure air of the environment made them all the more intriguing.

"You know, every time I look into your eyes, I get reassured that we'll be fine.... I appreciate that love..."

With that said, she took opportunity of their small window of privacy to lean up on her tip toes to place a sweet, warm kiss on his lips, wrapping her arms around his neck to brace herself and continue the sweet embrace.

He felt so bundled up that they could only see each other's eyes! And that was fine with him. Ronnae's were beautiful.

Billy leaned in with a conspiratorial smile. "I'll be right here. You can show me what the hunt really means."

It was thrilling, standing together with only the quiet snowfall around them. He pulled her in to guard against the chill, obediently leaning down for a kiss. This was more than warm enough.

Just to keep her on her toes, he dipped in and out with a few teasing kisses. Nokosi and Kaya wouldn't be out yet...right?

Kaya curled up with him, although one could see that she was clearly hiding something in her eyes.

"It was...a very trying time, what happened to me," she admitted. "And I'm not ashamed to say I was not at my most merciful. It was a side of me I rarely show, and I don't think even Billy has seen that part of me."

She sighed, but at least looked a little happier. "But when it comes to times like that, and people I care about being in danger, the gloves come off. That's just how it is."

Kaya smiled. "And I'd just as well like to know what you did, even if you think it wasn't much."

It was almost a shame, he thought, that he missed it. While Ronnae had explained her time during the attack as unpleasant, it seemed as if it were downright awful for Kaya if she had abandoned her generally peaceful ways.

"I think that is the way it is with many people. I, for one, possess ambiguous morals when it concerns those who I have grown to care for. They are placed in a high spot of priority; I can understand."

Nokosi slung an arm around her neck and pointed to the door; he wouldn't want to have kept the other two waiting after all. "What I did was both boring and frightening in a way; as much as I still had my basic skills with a bow, my mind did not want to cooperate. But I can inform you of that later."

Getting a bit playful while they waited was a nice touch, especially during this time of repose and it was certainly something that she needed.

She giggled and tried to playfully avoid the kisses while trying to give some back, almost like a little spar!

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WALL OF TEXT uses: TL;DR. It's super effective! ._.

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