Surviving is Not Fine Dining [Open]

[Behn]

Behn didn't think much about whether his new acquaintance truly understood him or not. He didn't care, he was more or less talking to himself truthfully. Alabaster was a city-boy, he couldn't really understand Behn's choice of words. Behn was accustomed to the wild, he knew the taste of wild, the flavor it gave you. He couldn't expect someone like this to truly understand. Behn couldn't get it out of his mind that Alabaster was practically marching through the wilderness like a bear (except not nearly as intimidating). If he knew anything of stealth, it sure as hell wasn't when it was to be used. "No you don't." Behn's frosty glare slowly lifted from the boiling pot and up at his guest. He shook his head slowly, though his gaze failed to fall from Alabaster's own eyes. "Nobody understands anything anyone else goes through. You don't understand me and my past anymore than I know you or yours. Maybe, just maybe you know difficulty, but not mine." Behn almost seemed to take something personally. One moment he was talking about the curse of civilization, and the next it reacted like a man with wounded pride. Behn sighed heavily as he looked back into his pot, stirring idly, slowly, without cease. He knew he shouldn't have snapped like that. Alabaster had only tried to find some sort of common ground, or at least pretend they had something in common. Behn knew he was only being friendly, though Behn hardly desired a friendship. Friendship was something he abandoned long ago, something he had lost the ability to care about or even desire. It wasn't until Behn had actually already speared the first bite that Alabaster had drawn his knife to join in the meal. Behn's eyes locked on the knife as if it was a deadly weapon that was intent on plunging into his chest. His own grip tightened on his knife, the other hand on the spear at his side. They were all subtle movements, but if Alabaster was to look into his eyes, he might just have seen him, read his concern. It wasn't that he believed himself to be in danger, or even that Reymon would attack, yet he couldn't shake the silent paranoia he felt. Some scars never really healed. Yet Alabaster proceeded to eat, and a piece of relief rinsed over Behn. He himself took another piece of meat from the pot and carefully ate it. The pot was small, the meal the same. It wouldn't take much for the two of them to finish it off. "I've got many things to do. You can stay here if you must. It will probably be dark before you get back to wherever you are from, or going. Whatever you plan to do, I suggest you get it done quick." Behn nodded slowly to himself as he took the pot, now emptied by the two men, his spear, his bow, and started walking off towards his cabin. There were many things to do indeed. While he was busy being friendly, sharing his food, and being suspicious of his guest all at the same time, he was wasting daylight that he needed to check traps, chop some wood, or to cover his small fire. Behn hadn't realized until now that he had somewhat offered to allow Alabaster to stay here for the night. He didn't particularly want the kid to stay, he was inexperienced for this place, he could even be dangerous because of it. Still, abandoning someone to the wild when they were so inexperienced would haunt him. If he at least offered, he could live with himself. He stopped to turn and face Alabaster, checking if he was following him, or already departing from the area. If he was planning on staying, Behn was going to put him to work.

[Archon]

Illumination of Development Behn +2 Cooking +1 Philosophy +1 Listening Lores: Making stew (Basic), Dangers of cooking with a knife, Dangers of boiling water Care to see more? : As most of the thread was spent in cooking, most of your experience is for Cooking. Also a bit of Pilosophy and Listening experience for your deep thoughts and focus on sounds. Alabaster Reymon +1 Subterfuge +1 Philosophy Lores: Smiling doesn't always help, Dealing with bad food Care to see more? : A bit of Philosophy experience for your musings on life, and a little Subterfuge for your attempts to hide your feelings on the food. Notes:An interesting little thread. A little bit of repetition of actions from both of you. Behn, a reminder to stay within your skill limits. And handful of survival skill points (Wilderness Survival and Trapping) would not make for an easy life in the wilderness as you have portrayed. Check the WIki for specifics on skills where available, and feel free to ask for help.