Life After

[Red Thunder]

life after

the Neponset Settlement
early Spring, mid morning, clear skies, no rain

"We live by growth; we die by stagnation."
​

The birds chirped. It was a good sign.

Grandpa Joe sat at his thinking place, thinking. Considering. Reminiscing. Contemplating. His chair, like the pier on which it sat, creaked with age. Like his knees did, as he rocked his seat back and forth on its rockers. Age had been hard on them, but they were made of sterner stuff. They were built of sterner stuff. Closing in on seven decades, Joe felt like his bones were like the trees around them. Strong. Sturdy. A bit ornery. The pier had been one of the first real structures they'd made; easier to hook a fish in the middle of the river, as opposed to the bank. He smiled in pride.

Not his only source of pride, though. Emily, dear Emily, had nursed and cared for small Jonathan, Jacob, Jasper, and Jessica on this rocking chair. And they had each themselves gone on to be pillars of the Settlement. They made him proud, prouder than any platform or seat made of lumber.

Well. Mostly. Jonathan had taken to stories of Joe's own youthful expedition. Joe went still, the gentle creak of the rocker falling silent from lack of push. He could have prepared the boy better; he was certain of it. He should have prepared him better. Maybe, then, Jon would have returned. Maybe, then, Emily would still smile.

The Neponset River gurgled and bubbled happily. It was almost their lifeline. Their source of fresh, drinkable water, and an almost infallible provider of protein. Bass grew large in the absence of over-fishing from Before, and there were otherwise plenty of other varieties so as to allow for all tastes and preferences. Not only sustenance, but even on occasion a gift from debris upriver. Rarely, but often enough to encourage a watchful eye, some bit of technology or mechanism from Before would find itself caught in the reeds and rushes that lined the banks. Invariably, it would be put to good and creative use.

Not to say that the Settlement relied on such things. Situated where they were in an abandoned residential zone with some minor commercialization, long-enduring commodities were available for salvage. Solar panels, kitchen utensils, bicycles. Even a record player from some enthusiast from Before, though the needle had long been broken; the player as yet sat unused in a plastic tub, waiting for its missing piece, that it might fill the air once more with long forgotten songs of days far past.

The record player was just a fancy, though. A distraction to be considered during the small leisure periods their hard work could afford them. No, the past was gone. They were building for the future. Humanity, future Humanity, relied on them now. No one may have wished to live in such a time, Joe considered, pensively stroking his stubbled chin. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.

The pier groaned behind him, and he turned his head as best he might.

"It's almost time."

Dear Emily. Care lined her face, and her brow was taut in unbroken worry. Her lips tightened as her husband looked to her. Not angrily, but in an attempted smile; she had not managed a real one since-

"Of course," Joe replied, slowly rising from his chair with the aid of his cane. "Thank you."

Hand in hand, they left the pier and made their way toward the Gathering Hall.

Toward the future.

*
Clack clack clack

Grandpa Joe's stick cracked against wooden siding of the Gathering Hall. The noise drew a few eyes, but most of the small crowd still murmured excitedly. The meeting was all anyone could talk about. Had been for some time. Everyone had known the day was coming, of course; it had for each of them, years ago. But to see ones' children follow in their footsteps, to become independent contributors to their settlement, was itself more exciting than anything had ever been before. Even the land itself seemed to be filled with joy. With a warming Spring on the wind, the birds chirped happily, the breeze tickled the branches of the leaves, and even the River rushed and garbled happily.

Grandpa Joe clacked his stick again, adding a frustrated ahem for emphasis. It did the trick, and the crowd turned to look, though the murmurs didn't entirely go silent.

"We live by growth; we die by stagnation."

The old man said the words solemnly, head bowed and thick, black hair uncovered. He winced, shifting his weight more onto his stick; his knee twinged, never fully healed. The group had quieted, now, the somber air falling on everyone like a smothering blanket. There were memories in the old timers' minds, and rumor on the lips of their children, of the Journey to the Settlement, but neither tale nor even rumor were passed on to their descendants.

Suddenly, Joe smiled.

"It's time!" he called with a laugh, and life a mist before a stiff breeze, the four mood passed from the crowd. "Every so often, children have to make their own way in the world. It was true a hundred years, Before, and it's true now, in our life After! To have a house of their own, a farm or shop of their own. To Contribute! Well, today's the day. A spot's even been found here in Old Boston, maybe a quarter mile east across the River from us; close enough, but not so close. Where, exactly, will be your own choice.

"You'll be on your own, kids, on the day to day, but you'll still wanna trade with us old farts! Gets awful hard, you decide you don't wanna trade."

Looking to his side, Joe gestured at Emily, his long-suffering wife, and he smiled. She returned it sweetly before lifting a hammer and bringing it down onto an old bell. The resulting tone was broad and deep, and it was carried into the air by the wind. Nodding, Joe looked back to the crowd.

"That's for you, kids. That's your start. A new chapter in your life! Go make something of yourselves! We'll be watching you eagerly."
*​

This was just a formality. Something to mark the passage of time, the significance of the event. For significant it was. The last real Journey was- oh, half a century ago. And now, real expansion was happening. And all because the Settlement's small band of disparate people had managed to put aside whatever differences and squabbles they had between them for the betterment of all. Joe felt a glow of hope he'd not felt since Jon had left. And the rush of pride at the children going forward.

Best yet, Emily smiled again.

~~~
​

The journey begins. Tomorrow, you set off into the wide world to establish yourself, the expand on Humanity's small refuge of the Settlement. Pack your things, bid your loved ones farewell, get a deep sleep.

At first light, you head east for the river crossing.

At first light, you head toward the future.

CS thread
@rissa -Jaime & Melby
@PavellumPendulum -Monty & Chai
@DayDreamer -Calum & Artemis
@Jess Incognito -Nona
@Zarko Straadi -Mirielis
@Phi Chisym -Audrai​

 

[Zarko Straadi]

Soundtrack:

Mirielis:

Mirielis carefully checked over the biolembic, observing the communities of wetland organisms in each of its small egg-shaped pools, looking for any sign of ill health or interrupted water flow. The pools were connected by shallow gutters that curved in graceful arcs, aerating the water as it flowed downward from pool to pool. As a whole, the biolembic looked like a miniature river delta with the pools as nodes in its spreading network. The system treated Neponset's gray water, returning it to the stream as pure as when it had been first borrowed. The constructed biomes worked synergetically to transform pollutants into their own tissue, and this in turn allowed valuable elements such as nitrogen and phosphorus to be returned to the community as food and useful materials rather than serving to spawn toxic algal blooms in the stream.

Miri felt Venera's heart and soul deeply here. Elegant, parsimonious, loving toward nature and following Her path. And beauty, exquisite beauty. Her own heart and soul were here also; many of her hours had gone into helping Venera build this place, learning the art and lore of Bio-Alchemy at her feet. Mirielis wiped a tear as her throat constricted. She didn't have any evidence, just a dark feeling she couldn't shake, that her time with Venera was coming to an end. Venera had a romantic partner now, and younger Apprentices chosen from the children of the Settlement. Venera had been spending less time with her of late, nudging her toward designing projects on her own, and teaching and supervising the other Apprentices. And most recently, she had even seemed secretive on occasion, giving Miri something to do, then going off on errands whose purposes she kept to herself.

"Miri, when you have a moment, could you please meet me in the lab? I have something for you."

"Right away ma'am!" In truth, the biolembic mostly took care of itself. Its communities of organisms responded to changes in weather and in-flowing chemistry according to their own logic. "Operating" a biolembic was more like interacting with a being than tending to a machine, and sometimes it had the greater wisdom. Mirielis took a deep breath and blinked back further tears. She took in the biolembic and all that it represented, silently offering her gratitude. With that came resolve. The only way she had to fight for her place in this world was to be the best Apprentice she could be.

Entering the lab, she found Venera smiling her da Vinci smile. In front of her, wrapped in cloth and ribbon, was a rectangular shape. "It's for you. Open it," she said, sliding it across the workbench. Miri gave her a quizzical look. It wasn't her birthday, and certainly not Christmas. She gently pulled the bow loose to ensure that the ribbon could be re-used, then unwrapped the gift: a large tome with an elaborately tooled leather cover that closed with artfully-crafted locking metal clasps. The cover design was an arcane masterpiece of geometric diagrams, sigils, spirals, and knotwork pictographs arranged around and within a stylized spreading form that could have been a tree, a river delta, or a flash of lightning; the fractal branching patterns all formed under the same principles. To one well-versed in the teachings and symbolism of Bio-Alchemy, the cover conveyed an immense amount of information.

Mirielis gasped in awe. Crafting a book, especially a large book, was no mean feat in this age. Venera would have needed help from several of the tradespeople in the Settlement, and it would have been a significant project for all. "Thank you! It's...it's the most beautiful thing...but why...?" As she spoke, she delicately opened the cover to glimpse what mysteries might lie within. The parchment pages were blank.

"You've seen my Journals. The time has come for you to start writing one of your own." There was a wistful look in Venera's eyes, joyful, but mixed with sadness. Suddenly, Mirielis made the connection.

"The Expedition..." Venera nodded. "But...I..." Miri started to protest, to plead, to offer to work even harder...yet the existence of the book was incompatible with the idea that Venera might be displeased with her, so she could only look back with open-mouthed confusion. Venera came around the table and put her hands on Miri's shoulders.

"Mirielis, there are no words to express how proud I am of you, how happy and grateful I am that you came into my life. You are, and always will be, my first Apprentice. Please understand, all the way down to the deepest recesses of your soul, that this is nothing at all like what happened to you as a child. This is..." Venera sniffled and took a deep breath. "A teacher can only ever be a chrysalis for a student, offering a safe place for growth and development to happen. But the chrysalis must break open, and allow the student to emerge and spread their wings, or it becomes a prison and then a coffin. I can't hold you, no matter how much I want to. I have to break open and set you free.

"This is your time for emergence and transformation. Your time to fly. To help birth a new community, to take your place as one of those who rebuild the world. That is the heart of the Wisdom Keeper's path. You have always been close to me, but now you will need to learn how to become close to others as well. Teach them, learn from them, share in their joys and sorrows. Love them, and allow yourself to receive their love in return. Become their Wisdom Keeper as I have become Neponset's, and serve them well. This is your final test as an Apprentice." To emphasize this, she reached under the workbench and brought up another gift to set on the table: a modest cloth handbag, subtly embroidered in cream-colored thread on white, with its own array of arcane symbols and geometric patterns. Mirielis knew it would contain small vials of seeds, mushroom spores of different types, and a few crucial chemical compounds. Venera had one, a sacred symbol of her office.

"A year from now, I will visit you, and I am confident that I will be able to initiate you as a Wisdom Keeper in your own right. Then, when the time is right, you will choose an Apprentice of your own. I hope they will be to you what you have been to me." Tears were running down both of their faces now, and Venera pulled her into an embrace.


Miri silently followed Venera into the Gathering Hall. She wore a simple grey-white dress and hooded cloak, and carried her handbag--the formal garb of the Wisdom Keepers. With the entire population of Neponset assembled there, she had to fight an urge to press closer to Venera. Then she noticed a smaller group separated from the rest, all close to her own age, assembled at the focus of the crowd's attention. She felt an inner wall rise to block her from doing what she knew she had to do. Venera placed her hand on Miri's back and gave her a gentle pat and shove. Somehow that gave her the strength to walk over and take her place among the others.

She couldn't quite meet their eyes as she moved to join them, and she had to press her upper arms to her sides and clutch her handbag tight to avoid visibly trembling. But at least she was able to stand with what she hoped approached dignity while 'Grandpa' Joe conducted the ceremony and the crowd clapped and cheered. Then as the tone of the bell slowly faded, and the applause with it, a yawning gulf appeared in front of her: Now what?

 

[DayDreamer]

Calum

Craftsman​

---

Neponset River Settlement

Today was finally the day. Calum had been preparing for this for months. It was time to expand the Settlement. To create something new. He probably had chatted Rai's ear off with his ideas about how to organize their own settlement, how he wanted his workshop to be and perhaps what new Technology from Before they would encounter on their way to their new home. Oh yes, he had spent a considerable amount of time talking to her about those ideas of his while they were forging his own set of tools.

He had a vast array of those while he worked in his family's shop, but they weren't really his and taking them with him would have two major drawbacks. One, he would be stripping his father of his working tools and two, he would have to carry a siginificant amount of weight on the way to their new location. So he had settled with some of the tools he wouldn't have been able to make himself until a proper forge was built in their new community grounds.

Now he had been spending his last couple of hours at his room, staring at the leather rolls sprawled open on his bed, checking that he hadn't forgotten any of the new tools and that they were all neatly packed to fit in his backpack along with his clothes and various other provisions for the Expedition. "Calum? Where are you lad?" He heard his grandather call from the main area of the house and he had to smack his forehead. Shit they were going to be late! "Coming Granpa!" He called back as he swiftly exited his room and rushed to meet with his parents and grandfather at the entrance to the house, hands running along his hair rapidly trying to smooth the mess of redish brown hair only for them to refuse to conform to a backwards pulled shape.

It felt as if they were the last people to join the Hall, but Grandpa Joe had still not made an appearance, which allowed Calum a sigh of relief. Thank God they were not late. Not today out of all days anyway. Looking around for where he should go, seeing how his parents had joined the crowd of adults, he spotted Mirielis and the rest of their adventurous group. "Well fancy seeing you all here." He joked as he joined their ranks. "Excited for....." he was cut off by Grandpa Joe's cough and clanking cane. Turning to face the Elder with an apologetic expression and a rub of his neck, he fell silently in line and listened closely to the ceremonial words.

We live by growth. We die by stagnation.

He really believed in this and he wanted to make sure that the new settlement would do exactly that. He would bust his ass to make it work.

APPEARANCE: Click here if you can't see the image

 

[PavellumPendulum]

montgomery

the stars will watch us

---

in love with our little Earth

---

❀ neponset settlement

---

He had been surprised that he'd been chosen.

His parents had told him as soon as they'd found out. They'd held him tight that night, gifting him a tart that they'd purchased in celebration. He'd felt his heart soar when he'd watched his mother sign that she was proud of him... But still, the heaviness in his chest remained. Monty had known ever since he'd lost his hearing that things would be different for him. He'd known that though people did not mock him nor did they go out of their way to make him feel like he didn't belong where he was, there was still a barrier between him and most people in the settlement.

But being chosen among many to go out and found the new settlement? The excitement in his stomach bubbled alongside anxiety. Even now, as his mother happily massaged his shoulders, as if hyping him up for a big game or something of that nature. The time to meet at the gathering hall loomed closer and closer and the food in his mouth wasn't exactly helping his churning stomach. His father had helped him prepare a kit with all the basics, cleaning cloths, bandages, scissors... Everything he needed to get started healing on his own.

He hugged his parents once more as they exited their home, signing what he felt was most important to say to them now, more than ever.

'I love you.'

His mother cried. Even while they stood at the gathering hall, Monty reading Grandpa Joe's lips in order to understand the speech, he could feel his mother shaking beside him. They were tears of joy, no doubt, but seeing her only son leaving the nest was something her eyes could not shut the floodgates on. His father had his arm around her, using his other to nudge Monty towards the group of people his age: the ones that had been selected.

It was obvious in his posture that he was socially awkward, but at least he'd found the courage to stand among his group of peers-to-be, instead of shrinking off into the crowd. That was a success in itself.

Now then... Into the future he went.

 

[DayDreamer]

Artemis

Huntress / Bushcrafter​

---

Neponset River Settlement

The long awaited Expansion Day was upon them. If only Artemis had been thirteen again, she would have gone out without waiting for the ceremony and the rest of their little group. But that overexcited little girl had grown up faster than most of the kids in the settlement. At least when it came to the outside world. Don't get her wrong, her blood still boiled in her veins. Her ancestors had been explorers and colonists after all, but her excitement was calm, calculated. She was not going to do the same mistake twice.

"The pack survives longer than the lone wolf." Her mother had told her the night before and now Artemis couldn't agree more with her. Still, her confident self was certain she could handle being alone now that she was older and more mature. If push came to shove, she knew how to survive without the Settlement's resources. Would it be easy? No, definitely not. Would she be able to live long enough to reach the Settlement? Definitely.

With her back leaning on the wall, she was at the front as was expected by them and she watched everyone arrive one by one. Green eyes were analyzing and assessing, measuring up her soon-to-be comrades like a wolf debating on the right moment to pounce on a deer. As always, the girl was in working clothes, hair secured out of the way with an elaborate network of braids. However, the bow that was usually on her back was absent. Even someone like her knew better than to bring a weapon in the Hall. It created a tense atmoshere and was outright rude. Her knife was ever present on her belt, but she felt it hardly counted as it was primarily a tool and not a weapon.

Her reactions varied from a smirk to a hard stare or a frown depending on the level of confidence each of her new teammates exhibited. No matter how valuable their skills, if they could not keep their heads while in a pinch, they were useless. If they had trouble communicating with others, it was going to be hard on everybody and needed additional planning to have things run smoothly.

She listened in on Grandpa Joe's little speech as well as the general mood in the Hall, catching bits and pieces of conversations here and there. Everybody felt positive about this. She too was optimistic as the circumstances of their departure seemed as ideal as they could ever be, but still she reigned her excitement in. The jaw-marks on her calf a bitter reminder of what excitement can do to people.

She had everything packed and ready to go, her horse was in good condition and the pair of rabbits her parents had given her as a startpoint for her own farm had been put in a cage that she could easily set up anywhere they made camp. The rest she would have to wait until enclosures were set up and hope her parents had a couple good years before they would give her a pair. Or perhaps she would have to go out herself and capture them from the herds roaming the area.

APPEARANCE: Click here if you can't see the image

 

[PavellumPendulum]

chuachai

our world is

---

worth fighting for

---

❀ neponset settlement

---

Was there anything more beautiful than a new day? A new adventure? New faces to meet, new sounds to hear, a new life, all to herself? It wasn't as if Chai spent every waking moment of the day wishing and hoping that she could leave their cozy settlement, but the moment her parents had dropped the news that she would be going off on her own, she'd been so excited she'd practically been vibrating everywhere she went. It wasn't as if she didn't love her family, but the thought of branching off on her own, in a new place, was nothing short of the opportunity of a lifetime! She'd always been the optimistic type anyway, so she was quite certain that this was just the thing she needed.

Her mother had weaved her a wreath. Dried flowers, leaves and other fragrant herbs lined it, delicately intertwined. Chai loved it, as she loved all gifts and all attention bestowed upon her. Her father had weaved her a bracelet, thick and beaded with cord. That too, she'd loved. She'd packed away all her things with her gifts from her parents and a hug from each of her siblings, filled with the knowledge that she would soon be able to be herself.

In the crowd, listening to Grandpa Joe's speech, she bounced in place happily, unable to rip her gaze away from her new group, watching each of them arrive. Of course, none of them seemed as visibly excited as she did, but she was sure that they certainly felt the same way! Right? They had to. This was an honour, a new journey, something to cherish and adore.

Holding onto the thick braided cords of her rucksack, she smiled brightly as the speech ended, waving excitedly to all the new faces in the group she was to depart with, barely able to stop herself from immediately launching into introductions.

 

[Jess Incognito]

RAMONA

Outside the Gathering Hall stood Nona and her mother as others headed inside. Mother stood holding her daughter at arms length with a look of pride in her eyes, reverie on her pursed smile. It waned somewhat when she raised a hand to her forehead to push back hair that was no longer there. Still, she straightened the short tufts with her long fingers and stayed surprisingly silent - a blessing.

"Ramona," she said finally, lowering her eyes to be on level with her shorter daughter's.

"You - " they spoke simultaneously, "I will survive," though with nuanced variations in attitude and intent.

"Yes," Genevieve nodded and looked off, "Yes," almost a whisper. For her mother, this was the chance Ramona had to make something of herself, be a leader. Nona didn't actually know if 'survive' meant 'not die'. Sometimes it felt like it meant do great things so that you will not be an embarrassment to me, or something along those lines. The word seemed to be left over from a time when things were more dire.

They entered the hall together, splitting up to find their own places in the Gathering Hall. Nona skirted the circle, moving quickly until a rough hand pulled on her wrist. She found herself in a one-armed bear hug with her father. She'd been so busy preparing and being given final lessons from her mother that she hadn't seen him in several days. The embrace was quick and when he pulled away, he pushed something small into her hand and said, "Go get 'em, tiger." She couldn't help but smile and roll her eyes. He just winked and shooed her onwards to the front.

She stood by with her new...group? - her new people, doing her best not to eye them each for too long. It was like seeing them in a new light, because from here on, everything would be different. Whether she was friend or acquaintance or disliked by any of them, moving forward they'd have to find a way to work together much much more than they needed to here. So many fewer hands to put to work, to rely on.

Callum was the only one for jokes - the rest of their small group seemed to be captivated by nerves, excitement, or both, herself included. This energy relieved itself through small fidgets. Grandpa Joe's words did not put anything at ease for her. She would be restless until the next day, until they set forth.

Ramona opened her hand to study the object her dad had given her: a dull metal circle with a rim, one side crushed in on itself. Snapple! The paint on the top was all flecked off, illegible, but he'd brought her these caps before, just a few over the years and only the ones whose inside messages weren't too faded to read. This one said:

Real Fact #17
A hummingbird weighs less than a penny.​

She couldn't help but smile again.
​

 

[Phi Chisym]

Audrai Akintunde
Seamstress/Leathersmith/Blacksmith/Forecaster​

A week-long celebration of family and friends, traditions old and new, was how Audrai began her road to new beginnings – and she still wasn't tuckered out. That, along with completing Calum's new forging tools and packing her own personal items and tools for the long trip abroad, didn't dull her senses or extinguish the energy boiling through her body. There was just too much to look forward to – too much to ponder on about this new adventure she was chosen to embark on. Even as she stood before her childhood home with tears threatening to dampen her mood, she still was on the edge of wonderment and itching to take that first step out of the settlement for the Long Journey.

"This is one of those kinds of days," she grinned as her lungs took in the freshness of spring and her eyes study the skies. "One of those kinds of days meant to be remembered..."

"One of those kinds of days destined for a song," her mother, Olufemi, stepped to her from behind and drew her into a final hug. "One of those kinds of days destined for a tear..."

Audrai turned around in shock, "Moma, no tears for me, please. I'm not going forever; just going for a-way, and will see you again." Her mother knew and didn't need an explanation, but the look Audrai found on her face seemed to beg for one. Olufemi only hugged her deeper, as if she could soak her back into her skin to keep in place forever.

"Now, now, she's not a baby, Olu." Audrai's smile raised towards her father, Musuma, a man who stood taller than the tallest oak in The Settlement - and just as strong. His billowing voice was solid but taunting with a giggle as it reached them. "She's well taught and quite capable of this adventure. We've talked about all of this, Love. Let her go..."

Musuma always took the place of strength within every family situation they've gone through, but even Audrai could see his red, swollen eyes from a night of tears. She dare not mention them - not this time. Not even for a chuckle. "Correct, Paapi! I am quite capable and well trained. This is nothing for me; nothing for an Akintunde!" Even as she said it, her confidence rose further to compensate for the heartache within at the sight of her parents standing together, their eyes upon her for the last time.

After a moment to just be together, Musuma helped his only child gather her bags and cart, and the three marched towards the Gathering Hall to congregate with the rest of The Settlement to see their futures off. No more hugs. No more tears. Instead of more goodbyes, Audrai and her parents and close family signaled with a hand over their eyes, and then their heart. then their lips - not in sight, but in heart, I will be. Turning on her heels, she left her family and crossed the room to meet her new family - the collective chosen for the Long Journey.

Taking a deep breath, she scanned the group she stood with - of the six, four faces she recognized: Calum - her best bud; Chai - a cheerful girl with awesome weaving skills, Monty - although an acquaintance she'd met a year ago after accidentally dropping her hammer on her foot, she's taken the chance to learn from him as well as about him; and Artemis - one she's still getting to know who has awesome taste in metalworks. The other three that were mixed among them were new faces she's never met personally, just seen from time to time throughout the village. It was nice to see familiarity, but a thrill for her to have the opportunity to meet new people. They were the buds of a new flower, one they had to plant themselves and nurture.

Challenge - Accepted!

 

[rissa]

MELBY

Location: Neponset's Gathering Hall
Mentions: hurrdurr

"We live by growth. We die by stagnation."

A chill shot down Melby's neck as Grandpa Joe finished his farewell speech. Although she knew this day would come, she still wasn't ready to accept it. She was aware she had to though — as Grandpa Joe had so succinctly pointed out, life waited for no one… especially those living in the life after. So while she wasn't ready to admit her time had come, she still went through the motions as if she were — because she had to. Because no matter how scared or nervous she may be, growth was essential to life, to survival, and starting tomorrow, she'd have to grow, she'd have to thrive… and most importantly of all, she'd have to survive.

Melby had spent the past few days frantically packing her most precious belongings, most of which included nearly a wagonful of freshly potted plants, wooden crates of gingerly packed herbs (some fresh, though most were dried and preserved, given to her by her parents who had spent the entire day prior combing through their reserves within the apothecary they owned), pots and pans and cooking utensils, rations, and freshly salted meat that she could share with her fellows as they made the trek to their new home.

New home.

She stole furtive glances at her new companions; a few she recognized, a few she had known since childhood, and some she had only seen once or twice before. Tomorrow and every day after that, Melby knew that their faces would become intimately recognizable. These people would become her family, in a way, as they would spent the rest of their lives working together, trading together, eating together…

After today, everything would change. Melby could only hope that it would be for the better.

After today and a good night's rest, she would make the trek to their new settlement, together, and Melby, with her gifted pack mule and wagonful of apothecary supplies and plants aplenty, could only hope that everything would be okay.

---

"You didn't have to come," Jaime said with a grunt, his voice low so he didn't interrupt Grandpa Joe's speech. He struggled under his father's weight, supporting his left side while his twin sister, Josette, supported his right.

"Of course I had to." His father said in reply, motioning him to hush, eyes forward in determination and pain.

For once, Jaime said nothing in return. He simply stood there, at the back of the Gathering Hall, with his father and his broken leg. He'd broken his clutch three days prior and hadn't found a replacement just yet — not that he was supposed to be on it at all, according to Neponset's healer — but here they were, listening to Grandpa Joe's speech.

His father had been rather sentimental the past few days, staring at Jaime with odd expressions and red-rimmed eyes. He had decided not to ask, to just go with the flow and allow the excitement of discovering something entirely new consume him. Josette wouldn't be accompanying the set of travellers, not at first anyways, as Grandpa Joe had allowed her to stay and care for their father until he was able to return to work. Until then - Jaime would be on his own. He wasn't sure how he felt about that, but he decided that this trek would simply be another exciting adventure, just like his excursions out into the unknown.

Both he, his dad, and his sister flinched when Miss Emily brought the hammer down unto the bell, signaling the beginning of a new adventure and the beginning of his new life. His father smiled softly, a little brokenly, and took turns kissing the top of each of their heads.

"C'mon," he said roughly, "You heard Joe, it's time for a good night's rest. Tomorrow-", his voice cracked rather uncharacteristically, and he cleared his throat before continuing. "Tomorrow everything will change. You both ought to be well rested."

Jaime and Josette slowly made their way back to their home with their dad in tow. Jaime glanced back at the Hall, his eyes alight with both excitement and trepidation. He was already ready for their departure. He needn't pack much; he had his gear, his clothes, and the few sentimental items he owned already packed. Jaime was always packed and ready to go… this time… this time he just wouldn't be returning.

At least not to this place.

JAIME

Location: Neponset's Gathering Hall
Mentions: hurrdurr

 

[Red Thunder]

life after

the Neponset Settlement
early Spring, mid morning, clear skies, no rain

"We live by growth; we die by stagnation."
​

"I'm not going."

The pack lay discarded on the table, emptied of its contents. Rolled vellum littered the area, broken by tools of the cartographer's trade. One in particular, a compass of apparently ancient heritage, was held by a weathered hand, the lines of care and thick calluses folding around the device carefully. The older man studied it, remembered it, before shifting focus.

"I didn't ask."

"No; you didn't."

The boy's arms were still crossed, heaven help him. All he was given was the flat, uncommunicative surface of the boy's back. That is, he was given it after the boy had extracted the carefully packed equipment from the bag. The man wished absentmindedly for that anger; at least it was a response.

"Don't be like that, Ryan. It's not as if you're in charge."

"And it's not as if you want to live vicariously through me."

As if in answer, the man, Gordon, winced, feet tingling, like they had been sat on for too long and were expected to function normally. Well, foot tingling. The phantom sensations bothered Gordon occasionally. Better that, though, than the sound of the roar again. Living or dreaming, he'd take most anything else.

Gordon blinked away the digression, frowning at the boy's disrespect and truthfulness. Slowly, he began returning the material back to the pack, as much to accomplish the necessary task as to keep his hands from strangling the little cuss. His eyes flitted to the corner, his mouth grimacing; even years later, the quiet looks he'd shared with his wife were a hard habit to break.

"I'm not like to hear from you again, Ryan. My livin is done; that bear saw to that." With an almost reference, Gordon placed the compass in last, its brass casing tarnished and old but still catching and throwing back bits of sunlight that filtered through the dust that seemed to hang in the air perpetually. "You still wanna see the ocean, right? See that big water?"

Ryan's frame stiffened, and his head rotated slightly. A smile blossomed on Gordon's face.

"Then make some progress. North, South, West. That's all more city. Ruins and failure from Before." Securing the pack, Gordon slid it across the table toward Ryan. "Go see what is to come After."

Ryan turned his head back away, and his body seemed to go even more rigid, if that was possible. The muscles at his ears worked, and Gordon fancied he could hear the boy grinding his teeth together in frustrated contemplation.

The think of weight onto the wooden surface finally broke the spell, and Ryan actually looked. Gordon's hand lay on the sheathed blade of a Bowie style knife some eight inches long. Ryan's eyes widened, mouth gaping in complaint. But Gordon shook his head.

"You'll need it more, now. Maybe it'll do better for you against those damned bears."

The corners of the boy's eyes glistened. His bones relaxed, and he laid hands on pack and knife.

"Ok," he answered with cracked voice. "Ok."


[[[]]]


The Settlement gathered at first light, the day after Grandpa Joe's speech. The day after his annointment ceremony. That's what it was, really, an annointment, and every single adult knew it. Spread the population, spread the growth. Spread the growth, increase the odds of survival. A cold, calculating approach, and more than one stomach knotted at the thought of that impersonal idea's implementation. Yet, Survival was the order of the day. And to survive, the Settlement must grow.

A slight mist swirled about the town, the air still cold and wet from the night dew, the clouds as yet persisting until the sun could burn them off or drive them away. The people had at least with appropriate gear for the weather and were therefore as warm and dry as may be afforded. Few birds sang in the gray dawn, a discordant harmony to the Neponset River's persistent but subdued melody.

Grandma Emily stood under an awning, managing to stay mostly dry; no one expected Grandpa Joe out in this weather, given his fragile constitution. She held a small board up to her eyes closely, and she squinted. Meticulously, she called out the names of those in the expedition, glancing up after each babe to ensure they answered. There were in total fifteen.

They had been gathered at the East edge of the Settlement, the parents and guardians forming a kind of half circle, leaving the way forward open to those within.

Lastly, Grandma Emily called a final name.

"Ryan Thomas."

A young man in his mid-twenties raised a hand. Standing perhaps 6'2", he was a kind of beacon among his peers. He was ruddy, but actually tan, and his hair and stubbled beard were a dark blonde. Notably, he was a complete stranger to everyone present, save few of the adults. Emily smiled and addressed the team.

"Ryan is not your leader; you should make decisions as a group, and if that involves electing a leader, well then, great." She tapped her temple. "But Ryan can get you where you need to be. He's a cartographer, the son of a cartographer, so if you have questions about the land or the ruins in 'em, ask.

"Now!" She tossed aside the board and stuck her finger toward the vague shape of the obscured rising sun. "You got a bit of ground to cover, I think, so you best start. God-speed. Now git."

The murmurs from the crowd were filled with frustration at the lack of ceremony, but Ryan shrugged.

"C'mon," he called to his comrades. "We've got a bit of ground to cover."

Without waiting to check who if any had even acknowledged his direction, he began trotting off into the woods

CS thread
@rissa -Jaime & Melby
@PavellumPendulum -Monty & Chai
@DayDreamer -Calum & Artemis
@Jess Incognito -Nona
@Zarko Straadi -Mirielis
@Phi Chisym -Audrai​

 

[PavellumPendulum]

chuachai

Interactions:

---

everyone

---

❀ neponset settlement -> woods

---

Just after dawn, their small group was gathered near the edge of town. Her parents, along with everyone else's families had gathered to see them off. The braided bracelet from her father rested on her wrist and she held it against her with great pride, smiling brightly at her siblings whenever they met her gaze. The twins had cried all of last night, insisting on sleeping in her bed. Though it pained her to leave them, she knew that eventually, they would be allowed to visit. Hopefully, it would give her a chance to show them how cool she could be in her independence, how reliable she could be, even without her parents!

Of course, if she even said that out loud, she was sure her family would burst out laughing. For now, she would start with not forgetting to close her ends every time she weaved a thin fabric.

Chai watched as the final tree of a man stepped out after being called, staring up at him and his blank expression. She would've stared longer, curious, if not for the sudden lack of a goodbye ceremony. Snapping out of her staring, she waved quickly to her family, entire body swaying, before trotting off to follow Ryan Thomas and his stubbly beard.

His long strides were perhaps double those of Chai's making it hard for her to keep up with him without jogging slightly, but it was obvious from her wide grin that she was ecstatic to be on her way. "Mr. Ryan Thomas," she said, (she tended to add Mr. to men's names for no apparent reason other than it being fun to say), "Nice to meet you!"

She turned on her heels, slowing her pace slightly to walk backwards to face the group, "Nice to meet you guys too. Except Audrai because I already know you. And Jaime, heheheheh." She waved excitedly at the two in question with both hands.

 

[Zarko Straadi]

Mirielis gave a flicker of a smile to Calum's joke, but otherwise kept her expression solemn to honor Grandfather Joe's ceremony. As the piercing tone of the bell faded, the ceremony ended with it, and she felt herself plunging over a cliff: Socialize! Her heart skipped a beat when Chuachai's animated waving and bright smile turned her way. Audrai was stunning as always, radiating confidence; Melby, quiet and mysterious, face shrouded behind shiny black tresses. I could talk to her about her apothecary work, she thought. We will probably be working closely together...

Mirielis felt eyes on her, and turned to see Artemis regarding her with a predatory gaze. Huh? What did I ever do to her?! Well...I haven't exactly talked to her before, so maybe she thinks I hate her? I'll have to try at some point...

Before she could attempt to talk to anyone, the ceremony broke up, and the members of her group were either overrun by friends, family, and members of the community offering congratulations, or wound up in conversations with one another. As if pushed by unseen force, Miri found herself on the edge of the crowd, all but invisible. Venera would want me to try, she thought, but that thought was like a hamster scrabbling at the walls of its cage. Picking a person to talk to was one thing; diving into a crowd to compete for attention was something else entirely. Thankfully, the ordeal did not last long, as everyone--Mirielis included--needed to go make sure they had everything packed for the next day's journey.

...

Miri blinked in surprise at the appearance of this new young man she had never seen before. Where did he come from? Why would the Elders keep him secret from us until now? she wondered. I guess he is one of us now in any case. Cartography? He will know the surveyor's art, probably. I should ask him to t-- Her thoughts were interrupted by Ryan's abrupt departure. Grandmother Emily might have just finished saying that he was not their leader, but he seemed to have other ideas. If we just follow him, doesn't that make him our leader? Or at least let him unilaterally decide where our new Settlement will be? It is not a Wisdom Keeper's path to engage in contests over power, she reminded herself.

Her eyes flicked to Audrai, then to Artemis. They seemed to be the most likely loci of opposition to Ryan's "leadership:" Audrai, because Miri had a feeling she would be the one to hold the group together and smooth over rivalries in favor of consensus; Artemis, because who dared to try and push her around?

Then Chuachai, bright with enthusiasm, took off after Ryan. Um... Miri thought, looking at her cargo bike and trailer. With its bamboo frame, leaf-spring suspension, and pitch-sealed rolled canvas tires, it would have looked peculiar to any cycling enthusiast from Before. Though it was designed for uneven terrain, rushing through the forest at a jogging pace with her precious chemist's glassware was not an appealing option. A glance toward Melby's wagon load of plants and apothecary supplies. She wouldn't be winning any races through the woods either. He won't be much of a 'leader' if he can't take the characteristics of the party he's leading into account, she thought. So what do Melby and I do if all the fast-movers take off after him and leave us behind? Try to track them? We should stick together at least.

Mirielis mounted up and edged her vehicle over toward Melby's, careful to keep some distance to avoid spooking or annoying Melby's mule. Taking a deep breath, she gathered resolve.

"...Hello..."

 

[DayDreamer]

Artemis

Huntress / Bushcrafter​

---

Neponset River Settlement

Last night had been a true feast in Artemis' household and everyone had been happy and full by the time they went to sleep. The next day promised full of surprises and so it did. Artemis looked at the cartographer in slight awe as well cautiousness. She had never seen him around before and while she knew that cartography entailed a lot of scouting, she wondered why the man hadn't showed up in the Settlement before. She hardly believed that he only showed up whenever she wasn't around to see him.

"C'mon. We've got a bit of ground to cover." Ryan announced and automatically took the lead, not really checking if everybody could keep up with his pace. It was natural to assume the lead in this stage of their journey but Artemis didn't like his lack of care about the slowest members of the group, who also happened to be one of the most important and useful for their long term survival. "Oh we're gonna have a problem you and me buddy." She muttered under her breath as she moved her dun mustang next to the two carts.

While she would have no problem keeping up with their newest team member, she would rather not stress the pair of rabbits lying on the cage that was carefully secured on her horse's back, saddle bags filled with necessities for camping and setting up a tannery. She also doubted that the two women would be able to find them if Ryan moved too fast for them to try and catch up, but she knew how to navigate the forests and if need be, she could be their guide back to the rest of the team.

This time, she was decked in full outting gear, he belt accomodated more than just her knife. A one handed axe and several pouches were present and her bow and quiver full with arrows were strapped on her back. One could say she was armed to the teeth as a hunting spear was strapped on her saddle as well. But despite her menacing appearance, her eyes sparked with the spirit of adventure and the challenges ahead. "So much for him not being the leader." She sighed as she made her presence known.

APPEARANCE: Click here if you can't see the image

 

[Phi Chisym]

Audrai Akintunde
Seamstress/Leathersmith/Blacksmith/Forecaster
Interaction: Chai, Calum, Artemis
​

"Ryan Thomas."

Audrai's eyes shot up like everyone else's as the newcomer appeared from the crowd and took his place among the chosen. She was perplexed because she was not able to recall his face. She's never seen Ryan around the settlement - and with all of her skill-sets, she meets a lot of people. Besides, her parents knew everyone in town. One thing they taught her was to know your team, keep connected to their spirits, so you can better understand how to work with them and gain their respect. So, he was just another new face to become acquainted with.

Thomas... the son of a cartographer? She thought as Elder Emily expressed more about Ryan. Audrai knew a few cartographers that her father spoke about, but none of them she could recall held the same last name. Curious, she scanned the faces of the others in line to read their first impressions. So far, no one looked too thrilled.

"Now! You got a bit of ground to cover, I think, so you best start. God-speed. Now git."

As the crowd murmured, unimpressed at the lack of enthusiasm in their historical departure, Audrai giggled silently. She's knitted plenty of throws and shawls for Elder Emily and learned quickly that the woman held a spunk that she never held back. She told things as she saw them, and held no regrets about what came out of her mouth. I'm going to miss her feisty spirit. Quite frankly, Audrai had a sore heart beneath her excitement, for she knew homesickness would hit her as soon as the scent of the settlement left her nose. Shrugging her hiking backpack tighter over her shoulders, Audrai began to double-check to ensure her two foraging hammers were secured well across the bottom of her pack. They were easily accessible for defense if ever needed. Just then, an unfamiliar voice suddenly spoke up to drive the chosen into action.

"C'mon, we've got a bit of ground to cover."

Her brow raised as the newcomer turned on his heels and began marching towards the beginning of their journey, disregarding those with more of a load, as well as the recent statement noted by their Elder. Instantly, Audrai could feel a collective decline in moral from the other members of the group as they all watched Ryan move on... alone.

Leaving the Gathering Hall, she found her packed cart in place - attached to her young ox, Usef, which her father helped her raise. Ryan was already crossing the settlement's threshold and would soon be lost in the dark foliage surrounding it. Audrai avoids worrying about his actions and continued to watch the others to read their reactions to the cartographer's sure-footedness. It was clear that they were a bit frazzled at their guide's sudden appearance to their group, and how - to them - he seemed to take on the appearance of a leader after it was expressed that he wasn't. This is not the sort of start we need... she thought as she checked the tarp over her wood and metal cart she built for the journey.

Chai shortened the distance to quickly catch up with Ryan to initiate a friendly introduction. Typical, Chai was always a bubbly joy to be around and prone to spontaneous chipperness no matter the situation. Audrai rolled her eyes with a playfully smile as she watches the little rabbit hop away, "Don't talk his ear off, Chai!" Her young friend turned around, keeping up with Ryan while walking backwards to face everyone else. Her cheerful disposition was a nice ice-breaker after their interesting start.

"Nice to meet you guys too, except for Audrai because I already know you. And Jaime, hehe hehe." She waved excitedly with both hands, and Audrai responded with the same enthusiasm.

Glancing around her, she found the two other chosen that also had heavy carts of necessary needs for building their trade shops. They were also staring down Ryan's back while preparing to take the rear of the caravan. She'll get a chance to meet them as they go. Even though her cart wasn't as large as theirs, her wares were quite heavy. Rolls of leather and fabric, and some pieces of metal, along with her forging tools and mini anvil, and her personal effects; Usef had the bulk of her load, but Audrai had more than two-times her body weight on her back to haul. Contrary to popular belief, her petite size can easily deceive the eye, for she was a powerhouse blacksmith; strong enough to carry her load with the stamina of an antelope. Her father made sure she could handle this major requirement before considering training his only child in becoming a blacksmith in the first place.

"Hey, Calum!" Audrai motioned for him while she double-checked her cart and mount. She pulled a pair of leather gloves out of her capri pants and slipped them on. "All in place?" she asked, hoping he didn't forget his new foraging tools after they spent forever to complete them. Giving her buddy a grin and a soft elbow jab, Audrai giggled, "We can't turn back now, but who would want to do that, right?" After all their countless days and nights talking about their grand inventions and dream ideas on how they want to build their new workshops, they were actually on their way towards turning those dreams into their new realities. Audrai was about to inquire about her friend's thoughts on the new arrival, but Artemis' voice caught her attention.

"So much for him not being the leader," she sighed as she moved her horse forward with the rest of the caboose.

"A guide," Audrai noted, "Not a leader. If he forgets, I believe everyone will remind him; hopefully… in a respectable way." Giving Usef's head a scratch, she grabbed his guiding reigns to awaken his steps to move forward. "I hope he's not one who forgets things quickly... we don't need an inner conflict before we even start this journey."

 

[DayDreamer]

Calum

Craftsman​

---

Neponset River Settlement

Callum had been just as clueless to Ryan's existence as much as everybody else in their little group.However he welcomed another member in their ranks. Especially one who seemed as fit and as usefull as Ryan. Muscle power while not the most important element in this endeavour was valuable and knowledge of the terrain even more. He had waved in a welcoming motion to the man, but apparently, he had other ideas as he seemed eager to just leave the Settlement as fast as he could. Now that was curious, but it didn't let it bother him.

Audrai was his priority and he made his way over, shouldering his pack a bit better. Unlike a lot of people, Calum's family did not have the animals for him to have a cart of his own, so he was going to travel light compared to several other members. He was more than capable of fixing those carts or making more however and so he didn't let it get to him. He didn't have too much stuff to carry either way.

"Hey Rai! All nice and packed since yesterday." He said with a chuckle and patted his bursting backpac fondly. "No turning back! We gonna bust this thing through!" He agreed and a lopsided smile appeared on his lips as Chai was bouncing with excitement. Despite some annoyance or outright hostility that was felt from some of the others, Calum was willing to give the guy a chance and was quicky to follow Audrai's comment with his own thoughts.

"The guy hasn't been in the Settlement before. Maybe he is not used to this whole guide thing. We will just to yell at him to stop if we lose sight of him. It will be fine." He assured those within reach and passed his hand through his hair once, hoping to tame it a little bit. He wasn't asking much, just so that the few strands that usually refused to cooperate to just stay smoothed back to keep out of his eyes. Of course if it was that easy, then he wouldn't have developed this habbit of passing his hands through his hair.

APPEARANCE: Click here if you can't see the image

 

[rissa]

MELBY

Location: Neponset's Eastern Edge
Mentions: Mirielis

Melby sat in the rumble seat, her mule's reins tight in her hands. She was surprised at the lack of ceremony and even more surprised when the young cartographer, Ryan Thomas, barely spared a word and a glance before turning heel and leading the way onwards. Melby shook her head, waved at her parents, and ushered the mule forward. Darla, her mule, had barely taken a few steps forward before conversation grew and that made her smile; if anything, this was a rather good start to a long and (more than likely) fretful journey. Mere moments later it seemed, did a voice peep up to her left.

She glanced over, through a sheet of dark hair that sufficiently hid the wine-colored birthmark marring her face, and noticed Mirielis on her riding contraption. Melby smiled and replied in kind. She didn't know the Wisdom Keeper very well, but Melby recognized most of the settlement's residents, as many had come through the doors of her parent's apothecary for some reason or another.

"Hello," Melby said kindly, "Excited? I am — I just hope Darla and I here can keep up. I don't wanna push her too far too soon," She glanced forward at the trailing form of Jaime and Ryan and all the rest. "But I'm sure they'll keep us in mind. Especially since I have a good bit of food waiting for us when we take our first break."

---

As their escort took off, Jaime took a second to glance back -- at the rushing Neponset river, at the families gathered round, at Grandma Emily, and then, finally, with a hopeful smile on his face, at his father and twin sister Josette. He tried to tell them, sans words, that everything would be okay, that they'd see each other again, that… that… Jaime turned back around and dragged a sleeve across his eyes. Saying goodbye was a lot harder than he imagined it'd be, so when Chai broke the awkward transition, Jaime was grateful.

He waved back with forced enthusiasm, which was quite an unusual feeling for Jaime, and lengthened his stride. He wasn't as tall as their newfound companion, but Jaime was used to being alone in the unknown, and wondered what experiences thus far the man had faced. When he was side-by-side with Ryan, he turned to look at him.

"About how far is it?" Jaime asked curiously, wondering if he had travelled through it during his expeditions over the past few years without even realizing it. "Name's Jaime by the way, nice to meet ya'."

JAIME

Location: Neponset's Eastern Edge
Mentions: Ryan, Chai

 

[Jess Incognito]

NONA

Most of the settlement stood close together in the dewy morning air, light creeping across the landscape as they waited. One by one they stepped up to the group.

At the final name, Nona looked between Grandma Emily and Ryan. She marveled at the cartographer, wondering how much more of the world he had seen and recorded. She wondered if he had come to the settlement alone and what the elders had seen in him as so useful to send a stranger along. Or maybe he'd been around a lot longer than she even knew... Questions. Answers guarded by a grim, hard-set expression.

He was quick to step ahead and got right to it. Nona was instinctively wary of the stranger, but also, frankly, glad to be beyond the ceremony of the last few days. Glad to put foot to trail. She waved goodbye, but when she turned her back on all the people she knew, she breathed that first breath of fresh air, of adventure, with exuberance.

The group started off after their guide at different paces, with Nona slowing after glancing back. She paused, falling into step with the last of the group when they neared with their carts and animals. She herself had only a pack with some basic supplies, a few snap traps strapped to the back so that they didn't clang as she walked. The straps were loose around her shoulders as they should be, all the weight bearing on her hips. Still, it was heavy and she wasn't used to it.

She listened to Artemis and Rai's concerns silently, watching some others move on ahead. She was thankful for Calum's optimism here. She nodded her head somewhat in self-assurance, adding, "Our pace will even out." She hoped that was true. She just didn't want to start keeping track of points against anyone before the Settlement was out of view. "Or," she smiled crookedly, "Maybe he'll wear himself out before midday." This she doubted completely, but the thought made him seem friendlier.
​

 

[Red Thunder]

life after

the Neponset Settlement
early Spring, mid morning, clear skies, no rain


"We live by growth; we die by stagnation."
​

Being a parent is a difficult, up-hill, often thankless task, fraught with the struggle of wills and the impatience of exhaustion. As long as the child lives at home, safe within the confines of parental protection, mother and father often struggle with entrusting them with the freedom they need, the freedom they crave: judging when a child is ready for greater responsibility is not always plain, and parents are responsible for their well-being while they yet live in their house. But the child needs to become independent, to establish themselves, and for all the heartache and struggle parenting can bring, sending a child off can be exceedingly difficult.

All cheeks were wet as family and friends said their goodbyes, and not just from the mist. Kisses exchanged, hugs given, as appropriate, and William Nguyen set off a small firecracker he'd prepared for such an occasion. The pop sliced through the air, causing the local songbirds to complain bitterly to the folks below but easing the built up tension among the Settlement's inhabitants, and very soon tears turned to cheers. Even applause rose into the air, and the songbirds, put out by the lack of courtesy by their neighbors, rose with it, muttering under their breath.

Spirits in the caravan were generally good. Groups of three and four walked together, talking in the quiet volume they had been trained in all their lives. Their movements were similarly considered and cautious, each step subconsciously considered by years of honed instinct to find as easy a path and as quiet a path as they might. Before, the grandparents used to tell them, you could go about without a care for what heard you. But now, After, you had to be careful. The care did not dampen spirits, however, and most looked to only just contain their excitement or anticipation.

If Ryan had heard the complaints about the pace, he didn't give any sign. The muscles in his face were tense, and his eyes scanned their surroundings even as they tread a well known and well worn path. He twitched as Chai greeted him suddenly, and he eyed her with confusion.

"Uh. Hi?"

But he was saved by her own shift of conversational prey to those behind them, encouraged in the act by Audrai. Shrugging, Ryan eyed the path again. It was a road through the woods, a hiking trail Before, if the occasional, faded signage was any indication, and if any of the group were familiar at all, they would recognize it as the best eastward path to the river. Foot traffic passed easily, and two or three people could manage walking together just fine. The carts had a bit more trouble, in as great if not greater part due to the ruts that the regular beat of feet and the excavations of rain water will develop. Yet they made good time. It would take them perhaps an hour to reach the ford across the river.

This Ryan conveyed to Jaime at his inquiry, glancing at him as he did.

"Honestly, it's not a great pace; the wagons are gonna drag us down. I dunno how they think they're gonna cross the Neponset without trouble." Here shrugged, his cheek tightening briefly in vague disdain. He fell quiet, the suppressed crunch of grass and twigs filling his silence. Looking at the boy again, he nodded in greeting. "Good to meet you, Jaime."

CS thread
@rissa -Jaime & Melby
@PavellumPendulum -Monty & Chai
@DayDreamer -Calum & Artemis
@Jess Incognito -Nona
@Zarko Straadi -Mirielis
@Phi Chisym -Audrai​

 

[PavellumPendulum]

montgomery

interactions:

---

Mirielis & Melby

---

❀ neponset settlement -> woods

---

It seemed as if they were onto a rocky start. His parents had seen him off. The lack of a proper ceremony seemed to have put everyone off, but any complaints would have to be postponed for now with this Ryan person immediately pushing the group forward. The ones without carts had quickly made their way to the front of the line, leaving those with more supplies to trudge their way through. Thankfully, it wasn't too difficult of a path, but Monty still found himself wincing as he watched the gap between the carts and the others grow larger and larger. He was soon near the back with both Melby (a familiar face, thank god) and another girl...

He'd admit that he was bad at names. He'd seen her before, he was sure, but her name was not something he could place his finger on. It was hard to really follow any conversations that were going on, since he could not see many mouths, seeing as everyone was facing forward. He didn't bother trying to make up much ground: the majority of the things in his cart were probably better off not being shaken too much.

Pulling himself a bit closer to be near the two girls in the rear, he timidly waved a hello. The nervousness in the pit of his stomach was most definitely not helping, but he knew that he'd have to try. Melby was the only one to his knowledge that could sign and staying back for the whole trip would not smooth any future conversations he would have with anyone else.

 

[Zarko Straadi]

Mirielis
Interactions: Melby, Artemis, Monty
Mentions: Audrai, Ryan, Callum

Soundtrack for the journey:

"Hello," Melby said kindly, "Excited? I am — I just hope Darla and I here can keep up. I don't wanna push her too far too soon," She glanced forward at the trailing form of Jaime and Ryan and all the rest. "But I'm sure they'll keep us in mind. Especially since I have a good bit of food waiting for us when we take our first break."

"...Yes--"

"So much for him not being the leader," another voice said with a sigh, echoing Miri's thoughts. Miri turned to see Artemis in full array, the very image of her namesake goddess. Though she could have easily galloped ahead, she kept pace with the carts. Miri felt relief wash over her. The others could run as fast as they liked; she had no doubt that Artemis would be able to track them if necessary. Looking up at the huntress high on her horse, Miri just knew her voice wouldn't cooperate if she tried to talk to her, but she managed to offer a fleeting smile and mouth a 'thank you.'

"A guide," Audrai's smooth voice said, "Not a leader. If he forgets, I believe everyone will remind him; hopefully… in a respectable way." The beautiful artist was almost as intimidating as Artemis, but for entirely different reasons. "I hope he's not one who forgets things quickly... we don't need an inner conflict before we even start this journey."

"The guy hasn't been in the Settlement before. Maybe he is not used to this whole guide thing. We will just to yell at him to stop if we lose sight of him. It will be fine," Callum said, his voice bright with optimism.

Miri's lips subtly turned to a Mona Lisa smile, not unlike her teacher's. With Artemis to keep us together physically, and Audrai and Callum in spirit, we'll be alright, she thought.

With a bit of flat terrain, Miri pedaled a little faster for a moment so she could coast and stand in the pedals, turn around, and give a final farewell wave to Venera and the rest of the settlement. She felt a pang, missing her already, but still managed a smile. That's when she caught a meek wave from Monty. She turned her attention to him and waved back, though words refused to come on short notice. Melby! she thought, turning back to her interrupted conversation.

"Yes...I am. They won't...want to leave food behind," she said, giving Melby a shy smile. "But...I wish we could have planned our route together." What if Ryan wants to go somewhere we can't follow? Monty can't talk, he'll be left out! she thought. Miri turned toward Monty again. "Could you...please...teach me to sign when we have the time?"