melodiesoflife | [backdated] Touch What?

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[backdated] Touch What?

Who: Reno, Yuffie, and Johnny
What: Pursuing a hamster of the friendly variety
Where: Aqures Tosf
When: October 9 - 11

Reno had heard rumors about a monster so awful, so terrifying, it might have been the most feared creature on Crystallis. Another rumor said that there were friendly ones, or at least one, somewhere on the island of Aqures Tosf.

And the creature that inspired such awed whispers... was a hamster.

Reno couldn't believe it. It sounded absolutely ridiculous. All he had to do was touch a hamster, and he could receive a blessing? It probably wasn't even true. But what the hell -- he could do with a short vacation after that time looping bullshit. If he fought a few monsters in an old ruin, it wasn't the worst way to spend the time. It wasn't drinking, but considering the last few times he got shitfaced he ended up sleeping with strangers and falling into bad habits again, it would have to do.

He sent out a few recruitment messages via Mognet and the Quest Board, but it was understated. He wanted something small. After all, they were looking for a hamster -- they didn't want to scare it away. He needed just enough eyes to find it. And since people were so scared of them, Reno didn't really expect much of a response anyway.

So he was more than a little surprised to see who did show up to the meeting point. Maybe he should have signed his name. Because they seemed pretty surprised to see him, too.

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While the other two set to their tasks, Johnny would not only come back with enough firewood, but get the fire going as well. He'll have it ready to go so dinner could be made, in whatever form is might come in.

He's always a bit proud of himself when he manages to do things like this while camping.

"And I wasn't even a Boy Scout. Not bad, huh." Except that his companions don't know what Boy Scouts even are. Oh well.

Reno rolled his eyes, not taking Yuffie's words to heart -- well, not really. They were all just ribbing each other playfully, right? Just relieved to get off that damn boat, right?

"Hey, easy over there!" he scolded over his shoulder, noticing her shuffling about in his bag. "Goin' through other people's stuff, shit..."

Rude. Maybe she'd have something to cook for herself if she hadn't relied on him and Johnny to buy everything. Along with a metal mess kit, there was some oatmeal, instant coffee, and some packets that looked like surplus MREs from Esdham. It wasn't a lot, but he hadn't expected to be the one to feed everyone. Assuming Johnny brought his own food, and Yuffie contributed... something... then Reno would have no problem sharing. If not, there wouldn't be enough for the three of the for very long.

"What's a boy scout?" Reno asked.

"Who cares?"

Yuffie retorted softly, she didn't like things she didn't know and she was growing more annoyed. So she didn't bring anything to eat? It wasn't her fault that Mooshoo would frequently siphon her money so she didn't spend it all in one place. Which meant that she never had a lot on her.

She swiped some of his food and tossed it to Reno like she was sharing. She then ate his food without hesitation. She didn't eat a lot, he'd barely notice the small bit was gone honestly.

"It's probably just something to do with camping or starting fires."

Considering Johnny eats like a horse, he came well equipped with food, both pre-prepared and that in need of preparation. Surviving on MREs for any length of time was terrible, after all.

After setting up the fire, Johnny laid out a few extra around the fire so they have somewhere to sit. He plops down with his back to the fire, to look out at the area surrounding them.

"Yeah, don't worry about it. So what else is out here, anyway? Monster-wise I mean. Besides bloodthirsty hamsters. Anythin' we need to set up watch over?"

Reno glanced over at the crinkle of packaging. "Don't you fuckin' eat all my granola bars...!"

Nothing more eventful than that thankfully happened, and camp was set soon enough.

"Uhhh..." Reno scratched his cheek, realizing they probably should have talked about this sooner. "I think... Tonberries... among a few other things."

They'd definitely need to keep a watch.

"I think they mainly stick to the ruins, though," he offered. "And Marlboros aren't nocturnal, so... I think we really only need t' watch for zombies. And if anyone has white magic, it shouldn't be so bad."

Worst case scenario, he'd throw a potion at it.

Yuffie peeked over at Johnny's stash of food trying to decide if she wanted to swipe some. It looked so much better than the 15% of a granola bar she stole.

"Don't be so stingy." Her reply back to Reno was quick before finding a place to sit comfortable. Sitting for Yuffie meant sprawling with her legs out in front of her and then leaning back on her arms.

"I don't know if we have to keep watch all night. We can just set up some alarms or something. There are only three of us and we need our sleep." Plus it was cold and Yuffie didn't want to stay up but at the same time she didn't want to sleep either... it was conflicting.

"If you want I can watch out. I usually dont' fall asleep until sunrise anyway."

"You shouldn't stay up too late. We should get a move on early, and we need all of us to be in top shape just in case this hamster thing actually is a problem. So maybe alarms are the better idea."

He turns back towards the fire and his friends now.

"No white magic, but I got some potions. Best I can offer. Tonberries, though..." Ugh. That could be bad. Their camping spot seemed quiet so far, so maybe their luck would hold out, but Johnny didn't want to take any chances.

"Tonberries are slow, zombies are clumsy." Reno shrugged. "I think we can all agree on traps? Some string around our perimeter with stuff that makes noise -- I almost wish we had cans a' soup."

Except then they'd have to carry that weight around. Even if canned soup was delicious, and cans clanked most excellently. Too late now.

"I think we'll be okay," he continued with a smile, even it was a little nervous. "We got some decent jobs. We're smart. Once we get past everythin' else, how bad can a hamster be?"

On that note, he was ready to eat. Sure, MREs sucked in comparison to "real food," but they were convenient and Reno was hungry. They had a fire, clean water, a tent -- things were good.

Yuffie looked between them and sighed softly. She still wasn't going to sleep but that clearly wasn't important. She rose swiftly and then lightly tapped Johnny on the shoulder.

"Come help me set traps." She looked over at Reno. "Think you can guard the fire while we are gone?" It was clearly a very important task.

When Johnny was ready to follow she'd lead him towards the rim of the camp and tell him her plans for traps. One thing she was good at was setting traps for monsters. She had camped alone since she was child and she was very good at it considering she was still alive. One designating the task she'll disappear into the surrounding forest for a few details of her own.

Johnny's certain he can trust the ninja to set up some decent traps. It's something he welcomes learning, too, since he never knows when and where he might end up on his own again. Once confident in their set up, and after Yuffie takes off to do her own thing, Johnny returns to the camp, and plops himself down next to Reno to get some more to eat.

"We oughta go after horrible, bloodthirsty monsters more often. Makes for a good campin' trip."

"An' here I was, bein' afraid it was going to be a waste of time." Reno shot a small smile in Johnny's direction, feeling infinitely better now that things weren't weird between them. He probably shouldn't have worried.

"Worst case, we definitely get some decent experience beatin' the shit outta some things." Reno stretched and held out his hands toward the fire's warmth. "Maybe we'll get lucky an' something'll drop something valuable."

Apparently some of the monsters spit out their own crystals, if not chunks of gil. Reno never understood how monsters managed to give up gil, unless it was the remains of some other poor sap who didn't make it. Maybe one of these days a monster would cough up a pair of pants. He found himself chuckling, albeit morbidly, at the idea.

Yuffie came back a few minutes later, her cheeks were puffed up as she took a spot by the fire.

"Everything is set." She sounded annoyed but not at either of them. She rested her chin on her palm and looked between Johnny and Reno.

"Do we tell scary camp fire stories now?"

"Yeah. I think I know a few about some ninja-eatin' monsters." He shot Yuffie a grin. "Now, if we only had some marshmallows, this'd be a real camping trip."

It's not like they were going to have much to do for the rest of the night besides shooting the shit before turning in anyway.

"Well, it was your suggestion, so I'll let you go first."

Reno shot Yuffie a look. She seemed off still. Was she feeling sick again? He supposed he couldn't really blame her, since he'd been super uncomfortable starting off today too. But he still couldn't help but wonder what was bothering her so much.

"Marshmallows." He nodded wistfully in agreement with Johnny. "Shoulda' thought of that."

Either way, it looked like he'd have to think of a scary story.

The thought of Marshmallows made Yuffie’s stomach grumble and she hoped the other two didn’t notice. She looked between Reno and Johnny with a slight pout. She didn’t have very many scary stories that might knock their socks off, and the ones she didn’t know Reno probably knew too. That or they were just horrible stories about ShinRa she used to share.

Her dark eyes flicked between Reno and Johnny curiously.

“I’m not getting any younger. Someone start.” She was impatient for something to do, she didn’t want them to fall asleep and leave her awake. That would be awful.

"I dunno. I don't know a ton. Probably all I'd do is rip off some movie plot without realizin' it."

Johnny thinks that over for a moment before looking between the two.

"Though I guess you guys wouldn't know either way, huh. Okay then. Let me tell ya a little story 'bout..." Johnny tried to recall a movie he could recall well enough to turn into a story. "...A guy called Michael Myers."

Hopefully Reno and Yuffie would like the story of Halloween retold in all its gory detail.

After a story like that, sleeping was a little harder -- for some more than others. Eventually they all settled down. They had to have; Reno didn't remember all the details exactly, but they were all together when he woke up. The fact that they'd only had one tent kind of contributed.

Reno blinked his eyes open, trying to remember exactly where he was as sunlight streamed through the tent, the beams stained the color of the fabric. He was tangled in blankets and limbs, and was otherwise... uncomfortable.

That was Johnny's hand in his... and looked like a Johnny leg down there... And Yuffie was somehow nestled in between them, her own limbs sprawled over the two men. Reno coughed. "Uh... Hey."

It was warm and honestly Yuffie didn't want to wake up. Her hair is tousled all over the place as her dark brown eyes open and then turn towards Reno. She yawned feeling the tired grip of sleep melt away in the presence of the sun.

"Just a little longer."

She sighed softly and then nuzzled against Reno's chest, her arm curling around him while her leg curled around Johnny's.

Warmth means not moving.

As soon as the other two started to speak, Johnny's eyes popped open, and he sat up. Or he tried to, but found himself entangled in his cohorts. Johnny wasn't a very deep sleeper, and often woke up ready to fight if he was disturbed. It takes him a few moments to realize where he was and who was in the tent.

"Hnng. What? 'S it really time to get up already?"

Reno lost the small grip he had on his horned bedmate. His fingers were disappointed.

"I dunno, this li'l lady is making a convincing argument not to," Reno quipped, tucking his chin to look down at her as best he could from his prone position. After a moment he let his head fall back again, the strain on his neck not really worth confirming the obvious.

"I take it by us bein' all cozy means the traps were sufficient, and we're not dead."

"Not being dead is nice."

Yuffie wasn't ready to move yet. She curled tighter around the pair not wanting to let her warmth go. She usually liked getting up early but it wasn't as if she slept snuggled up to people often.

"It's still warmer here... we have some time... like 5 minutes at least."

It didn't seem like he was going to be able to get up without a lot of griping from the other two. Besides, they weren't in too much of a rush. After a moment, Johnny flops back down, fidgeting a bit until he got comfortable, and just maybe got him closer to Reno in the process.

"Yeah, yeah. Five more minutes, sure. Not that I'm one for gettin' up early anyway."

"Yeah. Five minutes." Not like Reno could move much anyway, without shoving Yuffie. And monsters would still be around in five minutes, or whenever he opened his eyes again. The cuddlefest was a little weird, but strangely enough? It was kind of nice. Reno's arm stretched out again and his hand curled around some part of Johnny. The sunlight was warm and he could certainly do worse for bedmates.

When they did rise, breakfast would be more of the same: pooling their rations for things they all liked, scrounging or "hunting" for anything else. The coffee wasn't great, but it was coffee, and that was something. Then they'd pack up camp, divide it among people to carry -- likely Johnny and Reno -- and search for this "scary" hamster while they had daylight to see. A whole day filled with hiking, sweat, and adventure. But for now, sleeping like this was nice.

Yuffie wasn’t moving, in fact the more Johnny and Reno cuddled together the warmer she felt because she was squished between them. It was weird but she honestly didn’t care. It was one of the few times she had slept without nightmares of horrible torture and she was going to enjoy every last minute of it. She began to mumble, not because she was asleep but just saying things as they came to mind. Her words didn’t make any sense but that wasn’t really the point.

After a few more minutes the sun peeked into their tent, streaming through the small opening at its front. It felt like the light was directed perfectly into Yuffie’s eyes making her grumble; this time sounding annoyed. She pushed her head into Reno’s chest trying to hide from the sunlight.

“Stupid sun… stupid cold…” She wasn’t talking to anyone in particular.

This was enough to finally rouse Johnny without jarring him. He looked at Yuffie entangled in between them, and at Reno's arm entangled with his own, and really didn't feel like moving much himself either. But they couldn't just lie here all morning. There was a long day ahead of them.

"Alright, guys. I hate to be the buzzkill, but we gotta get hamster hunting. Up and at 'em. You first."

That last sentence is punctuated by a gentle poke to Yuffie's shoulder with his free hand.

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shinra_dog - 2016-03-30 06:49 (UTC) - Expand

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thegreatninja - 2016-03-30 20:36 (UTC) - Expand

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[backdated] Touch What?

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time jump ahead?

time jump ahead!

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