Vincent Hawk
Ireth
Sexy British Professor of Music
~ Sing like no one's listening ~
Posts: 722
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Post by Vincent Hawk on Sept 14, 2010 21:39:23 GMT -5
"Aye aye, captain." Vincent saluted Bolin with a grin, then moved to do as he was bidden. He found several large stones and arranged them in a rough circle, then headed off to gather firewood. Returning with an armful, he set up a pyramid of sticks on top of a small mound of kindling.
Hmm... Something was wrong with this picture. Matches, that was it. He looked around for Bolin, not knowing where the matches would be.
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Bolin Honghui
Keme
The Counselor is a TIGER
Curse not the darkness-- light a candle.
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Post by Bolin Honghui on Sept 15, 2010 22:31:22 GMT -5
--------------------------------------------
It was a good thing Bolin had waited to put on a shirt, because by the time he had dragged the merrow's body all the way to aroud the lake to pass the treeline on the other side, he was drenched in sweat. Beyond the little creek that fed the lake, the landscape roughened and jutted upward sharply. At the base of this cliff were a handful of caves, more than a few of which currently housed sleeping bears.
Bolin slung the fishbitch into the mouth of one of the larger caves. He heard a scraping noise and a snuffling inside.
Well, if bears enjoyed the taste of salmon, surely they would have no qualms about sampling a bit of Fae.
By the time he got back to Vincent, his perspiration had cooled him and dried from his body. Which meant that the hair on his arms and the back of his neck had risen with gooseflesh at the chill.
He saw Vincent searching around for something as he passed the perimeter of their camp.
"Um?"
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Vincent Hawk
Ireth
Sexy British Professor of Music
~ Sing like no one's listening ~
Posts: 722
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Post by Vincent Hawk on Sept 15, 2010 22:33:13 GMT -5
Vincent turned at the sound of Bolin returning, looking at him curiously. "What did you do with the body? Also, where are you keeping the matches?"
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Bolin Honghui
Keme
The Counselor is a TIGER
Curse not the darkness-- light a candle.
Posts: 127
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Post by Bolin Honghui on Sept 15, 2010 22:40:08 GMT -5
Bolin smirked. "Let's just say she'll be efficiently recycled. Completely environmentally friendly, I assure you."
That said, he opened the door of the truck and hopped up to sit in the passenger side, rifling through the glove compartments for a minute or two before returning to Vincent with full hands.
"Would you prefer strike-on-box matches in red or blue? I also have match books, a flint tin, and several lighters." At this last one, he grinned. A few was a severe understatement. He easily had a dozen in his hands.
"I used to smoke," he explained.
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Vincent Hawk
Ireth
Sexy British Professor of Music
~ Sing like no one's listening ~
Posts: 722
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Post by Vincent Hawk on Sept 15, 2010 22:48:19 GMT -5
Vincent laughed softly at the sight of the sheer amount of matches in Bolin's hands, nodding at the explanation. He chose a box of red strike-on-box matches, thanking him before returning to the fire ring and crouching beside it, striking a match.
Soon the sticks were engulfed in happily crackling flames. Vincent huddled close to the fire, grateful for the warmth. He briefly debated grabbing a blanket to wrap around himself, but decided it wasn't quite cold enough for that yet. The fire was perfectly adequate.
He gazed quietly into the flames, his eyes unfocusing as he became lost in his own thoughts. It chilled him to think that he had almost died... would have, if not for Bolin. And that wasn't even the first time he'd been in danger for his life. And knowing life at Dunehelden, it probably wasn't going to be the last.
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Bolin Honghui
Keme
The Counselor is a TIGER
Curse not the darkness-- light a candle.
Posts: 127
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Post by Bolin Honghui on Sept 15, 2010 22:53:46 GMT -5
Bolin, who by this time had managed to find and don his old grey hoodie with the bleach stains along the sleeves sat quietly for a few minutes before reaching over and flicking his friend on the shoulder.
"You're looking at the fire like it just asked you the meaning of life," he said, amusement in his voice despite a lack of any tone.
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Vincent Hawk
Ireth
Sexy British Professor of Music
~ Sing like no one's listening ~
Posts: 722
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Post by Vincent Hawk on Sept 15, 2010 23:10:00 GMT -5
"42," Vincent murmured in response to Bolin's comment, coming back to himself. He grinned briefly before sobering again.
"It's odd," he said after a pause. "This is the second time in a matter of weeks I've been in danger of dying, the closest I've yet come to it. Also the second time someone's had to tear the throat out of something to save my fool neck." He grimaced a little. "You'd think a man would learn. I'm too stubborn sometimes for my own good. Just my luck finding the one dangerous thing in that lake."
He shifted, sighing softly. "I don't seem to be doing a very good job of living up to my own name. 'Vincent' means 'invincible', but during these past several weeks I've been anything but. I know I'm only human, but it bothers me that for all my training as a Hunter and a warrior, I can't seem to save my own skin half the time, much less others. Just once I'd like the chance to be the hero, not the damsel in distress."
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Bolin Honghui
Keme
The Counselor is a TIGER
Curse not the darkness-- light a candle.
Posts: 127
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Post by Bolin Honghui on Sept 17, 2010 16:39:25 GMT -5
Bolin rested his forearms on his thighs, watching the fire.
"You're not going to win every battle in life," he said quietly. "It's the fact that you keep on going, regardless, that's important." He gave Vincent a sidelong glance. "That's why they give you multiple lives in video games."
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Vincent Hawk
Ireth
Sexy British Professor of Music
~ Sing like no one's listening ~
Posts: 722
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Post by Vincent Hawk on Sept 17, 2010 16:45:56 GMT -5
Vincent had to smile, and chuckled softly. "I never was one for video games. But you ha--"
He was cut off by a sudden sharp sneeze, which he hastily smothered in his sleeve. Sniffling, he winced at the pain it had caused in his chest.
"Ow. As I was saying, you have a good point. That's all any of us can do, really. If we dwell on the past, the present passes us by."
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Bolin Honghui
Keme
The Counselor is a TIGER
Curse not the darkness-- light a candle.
Posts: 127
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Post by Bolin Honghui on Dec 15, 2010 21:34:24 GMT -5
Bolin smiled. He gave Vincent's shoulder a squeeze and stood.
"I'm going to get more blankets from the truck. You're going to have a veritable nest to sleep in tonight. I don't want you getting sick. Diana and Ariel would tan my hide." He smirked and went to the truck, returning a minute or two later with an armful of blankets and another sleeping bag. He shoved these into the tent and brought one to drape over his friend's shoulders.
"Are you hungry? I've got stuff for stew. I've learned not to count on catching fish the first night out."
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Vincent Hawk
Ireth
Sexy British Professor of Music
~ Sing like no one's listening ~
Posts: 722
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Post by Vincent Hawk on Dec 15, 2010 21:40:40 GMT -5
Vincent smirked back at Bolin, watching as the other man spoke. "Oh, I don't doubt that. Diana especially. You wouldn't like her when she's angry," he chuckled.
He waited patiently while Bolin brought the blankets out of the truck and shoved most of them into the tent, and gratefully wrapped the last one around himself as he answered. "I am rather hungry. It'll definitely help warm me up, too. Do you need any help?"
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Bolin Honghui
Keme
The Counselor is a TIGER
Curse not the darkness-- light a candle.
Posts: 127
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Post by Bolin Honghui on Dec 15, 2010 21:44:53 GMT -5
"Nope," Bolin said as he strode back over to the truck. From the back seat he produced several tightly sealed tupperwares and a pot full of utensils. He filled the pot halfway from a jug of water in the bed of the truck and hauled it one-armed over to the fire. He set up the collapsible frame and set it over the fire; the pot went onto that, and he went about chopping vegetables and slicing meat while the water boiled. While he worked, he whistled an odd little tune.
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Vincent Hawk
Ireth
Sexy British Professor of Music
~ Sing like no one's listening ~
Posts: 722
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Post by Vincent Hawk on Dec 15, 2010 21:49:23 GMT -5
Vincent watched contentedly as Bolin made supper, turning around so the fire could warm his back for a while. He sat curled with his knees pulled up to his chest and his arms wrapped around them, the blanket positioned to keep in as much heat as possible. He began humming to himself, improvising a harmony for the tune Bolin was whistling. It was quite a pretty tune, Vincent thought, though he didn't recognize it.
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Bolin Honghui
Keme
The Counselor is a TIGER
Curse not the darkness-- light a candle.
Posts: 127
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Post by Bolin Honghui on Dec 15, 2010 22:29:54 GMT -5
Bolin put veggies and meat into the pot, adding stock for the broth. He put in seasonings from several little bags he had, and placed the lid on the pot for the whole shebang to simmer. He smiled and stretched out by the fire, folding his arms beneath his head to watch the stars.
"The song's called 'Swimming Stars'," he said after a moment or two, referring to the tune he was whistling. "My little brother used to sing it when we were prepping the fish for the frying pan. He said it made the fish feel better about being eaten."
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Vincent Hawk
Ireth
Sexy British Professor of Music
~ Sing like no one's listening ~
Posts: 722
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Post by Vincent Hawk on Dec 15, 2010 22:38:21 GMT -5
Vincent chuckled softly, smiling and looking down at Bolin. "I didn't know you had a brother. So do I. I'm the younger one, though." He grinned. "Come to think of it, you remind me a lot of him. He's about your age, and has similar hobbies. I think you'd get along well if you two ever crossed paths."
Vincent lay down and mimicked Bolin's stargazing posture, draping the blanket over himself to keep warm, and staring quietly up into the night sky. He hadn't done any proper winter stargazing outside of Faerie in years. The sky was lovely this time of year.
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Bolin Honghui
Keme
The Counselor is a TIGER
Curse not the darkness-- light a candle.
Posts: 127
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Post by Bolin Honghui on Dec 15, 2010 22:53:17 GMT -5
Bolin propped himself up on his elbows to grin over at Vincent. "You're the younger brother, eh? Zhiqiang was born when I was in college. He'll be turning twenty-two in a few months."
Bolin checked the stew, then settled back down. "What's your brother's name?"
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Vincent Hawk
Ireth
Sexy British Professor of Music
~ Sing like no one's listening ~
Posts: 722
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Post by Vincent Hawk on Dec 15, 2010 22:58:09 GMT -5
"Wow. That's quite the age gap." Vincent grinned, sitting up a bit to look over at Bolin. "My brother's name is Dominic. Everyone calls him Dom. What's your brother like?" he asked curiously. He was a bit leery of trying to pronounce the name yet.
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Bolin Honghui
Keme
The Counselor is a TIGER
Curse not the darkness-- light a candle.
Posts: 127
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Post by Bolin Honghui on Dec 15, 2010 23:06:20 GMT -5
Bolin sighed. He hadn't been able to see a proper sky full of stars for a while. The view was comforting to him.
"Zhiqiang's sorta like me." He smirked. "He seems to have gotten the social grace gene that skipped me, however. The kid's in college himself now. He wants to be a psychologist." He chuckled and flicked a bit of ash from the front of his hoodie. "He'd like you. He was an actor when he was younger. I think that's why he liked going camping with me so much. He got to get away from everyone."
Bolin shrugged. "Your turn."
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Vincent Hawk
Ireth
Sexy British Professor of Music
~ Sing like no one's listening ~
Posts: 722
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Post by Vincent Hawk on Dec 15, 2010 23:25:43 GMT -5
Vincent grinned. "Mm. Where to start. Dom is a bit like me. He was always more into athletics and the like than I was. He used to have to literally drag me outside to play football with him when we were teenagers," he recalled with a laugh. "I always wanted to stay inside and read plays or sing. In return I forced him to attend every school play and choir performance I was ever a part of. We got along, though. He was the best man at my wedding to Christine. That was probably the first and almost the only time I've ever seen him wear a suit. The second time was at Christine's funeral."
He paused for a moment of solemn, reverent silence, then smiled and spoke again. "Right now Dom's teaching P.E. at a high school in Leeds."
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Bolin Honghui
Keme
The Counselor is a TIGER
Curse not the darkness-- light a candle.
Posts: 127
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Post by Bolin Honghui on May 6, 2013 22:13:58 GMT -5
Bolin sat up to give the stew a bit of a stir, respecting the moment of silence.
"How long has he been teaching for? Maybe he should come and visit; I'd like to meet him." He gave Vincent a light grin and tipped his head a bit.
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Vincent Hawk
Ireth
Sexy British Professor of Music
~ Sing like no one's listening ~
Posts: 722
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Post by Vincent Hawk on May 6, 2013 22:21:17 GMT -5
"Eight, maybe nine years now," Vincent answered, leaning slightly back. He grinned at the suggestion. "Ooh, that could be fun. I'll bring it up over Christmas break if I can, and see what he says."
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Bolin Honghui
Keme
The Counselor is a TIGER
Curse not the darkness-- light a candle.
Posts: 127
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Post by Bolin Honghui on May 6, 2013 22:27:38 GMT -5
Bolin spooned the stew into the two bowls he had brought out with all the cooking supplies and handed one to his friend.
"Mayhap we can go fishing again as a group. And I'll check the lake for merrows beforehand." He chuckled and shifted a bit so he was sitting cross-legged. "Are you still chilled? I've got some curry powder I can add to the stew that should warm you up, if you'd like."
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Vincent Hawk
Ireth
Sexy British Professor of Music
~ Sing like no one's listening ~
Posts: 722
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Post by Vincent Hawk on May 6, 2013 22:36:25 GMT -5
"I should hope so," Vincent chuckled as he accepted the bowl. "Just a little. I don't think a bit of spice will do me any harm. Unless you've been taking cooking lessons from Ellie." He grinned.
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Bolin Honghui
Keme
The Counselor is a TIGER
Curse not the darkness-- light a candle.
Posts: 127
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Post by Bolin Honghui on May 6, 2013 22:38:34 GMT -5
Bolin blushed a bit and chuckled. "No lessons, but she did recommend the curry powder to me and I ended up loving it. I put it on my eggs in the morning." He carefully sprinkled a bit of the clay-red poweder into Vincent's bowl then did the same to his own.
"It's got a bit of a nutty aftertaste. It works well with the stew, I think."
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Vincent Hawk
Ireth
Sexy British Professor of Music
~ Sing like no one's listening ~
Posts: 722
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Post by Vincent Hawk on May 6, 2013 22:47:42 GMT -5
"Fair enough." Vincent stirred the curry into his stew, then blew on it and took a bite. It was indeed quite good; he nodded and let out an appreciative "Mm!" as he chewed. He swallowed and grinned. "You're right, it does work quite nicely."
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