[Room 1001]

[2goodarms]

Curtis is getting better at remembering they have unfettered access to water. He still forgets to shower sometimes, but when he does remember, he makes up for it by indulging for a good long while.

Sorry, Edgar. It's probably gonna be another forty-five minutes before you can get into the bathroom this morning.

Comments

[dejah_thoris]

Her right hand is tucked in her back pocket, and she's unconsciously rubbing a thumb over the scar. A moment later, she pulls her hand out and stretches the fingers wide, shakes it out, all while keeping her hand behind her back.

"Oh no, this water is clean. You could drink it without needing to boil it first."

[2goodarms]

Curtis catches the movement from the corner of his eye. He slants a long look Dejah's way -- more curious, a little troubled, and much less teasing.

She's been doing that an awful lot lately, despite her reassurances that her hand's fine.

"You sure?"

[dejah_thoris]

"I don't know the specifics of your immune system, but I'm fairly certain." She catches him glancing at her and tucks her hand away in her pocket again.

"Most of this water seems to be snow melt running off the mountains. It's why it's so cold."

[hate_gettin_older]

"It's colder in the mountains?"

Edgar glances up at Curtis: you saw that too?

[2goodarms]

Curtis nods, very slightiy. Yeah, he saw it too.

"Yeah," he says, and hesitates. "You know how they always checked the elevation when...?"

(For.a second, Andrew's scream rings in his ears.)

"It's 'cause it gets colder the higher you go."

[dejah_thoris]

"But we're not going that high today, not by a long shot."

She adjusts her grip around Curtis's waist. He's putting on more muscle every day. Feeling healthier. (She's trying not to think what he'll look like with his shirt off. It's not working.)

"Just up the crest of that hill. Where the tall grass is?"

[hate_gettin_older]

"And what's up there, then?"

Bring up the hand, or no? He's honestly not sure.

[dejah_thoris]

"The meadows. No trees, just tall grasses, flowers, a variety of insect life. And butterflies, supposedly." She hopes.

[2goodarms]

For now, Curtis seems willing to let the shit with Dejah's hand slide.

For now.

He adjusts his stride as the hill begins its upward slope. A few larger plants dot the grass as it begins to shade into the meadow proper. "You know anything about the other insects up there?"

[dejah_thoris]

"A few of them. There might be honey bees or ants. Both live in structured colonies with a hierarchical society, where specific roles are fulfilled by specific individuals. There might be dragonflies or mayflies, which also go through a transformation like butterflies. Other than that, I haven't got a clue."

[hate_gettin_older]

"If there's honeybees, does that mean there might be honey?"

[2goodarms]

Now that could be fun. Curtis turns a hopeful look on Dejah.

Honey's a much better insect byproduct than everything in those fucking protein blocks.

[dejah_thoris]

"I don't know! I've only read about them. I suppose if there were, there'd be a hive and you'd have to have special clothes to open it. They swarm and sting invaders, you know?"

[hate_gettin_older]

He glances at Curtis.

If a honeybee sting is anything like a flea bite, it isn't that bad.

[2goodarms]

"...Right, I forgot about that part." Rueful.

He remembers that bees sting, but those memories only include a single, sharp flash of pain. Multiplying that memory by -- how many bees are in a swarm, anyway? Fifty?

Yeah, it's not worth it, says the look on his face. Especially if they can get honey from Bar.

[dejah_thoris]

"I've read about bee keepers, though I haven't seen any formal hives around the bar." Dejah glances at Curtis. "Do you two often have entire conversations without ever opening your mouths?"

[hate_gettin_older]

"What? No," says Edgar, a bit bemused. "Why would we do that?"

[2goodarms]

"We've just been around each other a long time," Curtis adds, in mild protest.

[dejah_thoris]

"It's a handy skill to have when you're hunting, I'll admit."

She stands on a tip toe midstep and plants a kiss on Curtis's cheek.

"And when you don't want other people to overhear what you're saying," she teases.

[2goodarms]

"It's not like we're psychic."

He's grinning, though.

[hate_gettin_older]

"Wouldn't that be fuckin something, though?" Edgar grins back.

[dejah_thoris]

Dejah's chin dips to her chest and she laughs, low and rich.

"Be careful what you wish for, Edgar. It is a magical bar after all."

[2goodarms]

"Oh, god, last thing I need," deadpans Curtis. "Hearing what's going on in your fucking head all day."

And no way in hell does Edgar need to hear what's going on in Curtis' head.

[hate_gettin_older]

"Yeah, no, I was figuring on the psychic thing being something we could turn off." He snorts. "Believe me, times I don't need to hear what you're thinking either."

[dejah_thoris]

Dejah hides her face against Curtis's shoulder, chuckling under her breath.