A Camping Trip With Isak

[colonelcannibal]

 *Ives is enjoying himself tremendously. It's been too long since he went camping, doing so again is a lot of fun--especially with a friend. (The fact that he has a friend is pretty amazing all by itself.) He enjoys pointing things out, and enjoys even more when Isak notices things for himself.*

We can go fishing tomorrow, if you would like? Or just swim, one way or the other.

Comments

[colonelcannibal]

*He watches happily as his friend pulls in a trout.* Looks good enough to eat, hmm?

[isak_cederstrom]

"Åh, what good luck!" Isak exclaimed, grabbing the line to hold up the wriggling fish in the air. "I did not think I would really catch anything out here!" He was beaming from ear to ear. He carefully removed the hook from the fish's mouth, then glanced around. He grabbed a bucket, filled it with water, then placed the sloshing fish inside of it. He set it near him and rinsed his hands off in the river. "I have not had fresh fish like this in a long time. I am already excited to eat it."

[colonelcannibal]

I've made sure that this land is as pristine and bountiful as it was before white men came. Anything else would be a travesty. That means there are plenty of fish, plenty of deer, plenty of idiots trying to hunt the deer . . .

[isak_cederstrom]

"It is good you kept it that way," Isak said with a nod. "I am afraid that we come and ruin most things." He smiles a bit, though there's something a little sour in it. "At least you know that you will have a constant food supply for as long as you stay out here."

[colonelcannibal]

Humans are quite good at ruining things, yes.

Would you rather I not remind you of what I am? I know it's not the most, ah, relaxing bit of information, exactly.

[isak_cederstrom]

"I know what you are, Ives. I made my peace with that long ago. I am afraid some of my friends do not feel so -- positively, about my coming out here and spending time in your company. But I know what you are and the risks I take. I think I am able to look at it objectively enough to avoid feeling very uncomfortable."

[colonelcannibal]

If they worry so much then they ought to be here to keep an eye on you, hmm? Since they aren't, they can go hang for all I care.

[isak_cederstrom]

"I suppose you make a good point. I dismissed a lot of their fears and claims of my -- lack of sanity. I enjoy your company. I should be allowed to make my own decisions."

[colonelcannibal]

I will do my best to stay good company. I certainly enjoy yours, after all, and it's only fair if you like mine as well.

[isak_cederstrom]

"That is appreciated, Ives." Isak offered a smile and then wedged the end of his fishing pole between some rocks. He stood and stretched his arms over head, debating whether to go into the water for a dip.

[colonelcannibal]

*Ives has less of a debate to make: he slips into the river easily when he sees the other thinking about it.* Are you coming in? The water is . . . well, hardly warm. But it's certainly refreshing, eh?

[isak_cederstrom]

"I like it cold!" Isak said with a laugh. He stripped down to his bathing suit bottoms and began to wade into water. The temperature of the water sent a jolt through him, but woke him up instantaneously. "Ah! It is perhaps a bit colder than I was thinking, but it is very nice!" he said, going in deeper.

[colonelcannibal]

It certainly keeps one alert, does it not? *Ives is quite a good swimmer, his strength and speed doing him well.*

[isak_cederstrom]

Isak bent his legs to bring the water up towards his shoulders, then dunked his head back into the water to slick the hair away from his face. He wiped the water from his eyes and smiled.

"It does. It feels very nice."

[colonelcannibal]

*He lays down on a sandbar in the middle of the river.* I remember the very first time I was in this spot like it was yesterday. Rather strange, really, since your great-grandfather probably wasn't born yet at the time.

[isak_cederstrom]

"I do not know much about my lineage further back than my grandparents," Isak replied thoughtfully. "I have seen their names on family trees, and we have linked our bloodline back rather far, but no one was very -- forthcoming with information about them."

[colonelcannibal]

People don't pay much attention to history in general, I'm afraid. Not even when it's all around them. *He shrugs, relaxing into the sand.* This is a nice spot for a picnic, don't you think?

[isak_cederstrom]

"Mm, I do not think it was so much -- a lack of appreciation for history, so much as -- skeletons in the proverbial closet that no one wanted to expose." Isak gave a slight shrug in an attempt to hide the fact that he had spent a lot of time thinking about this. He was grateful for the distraction of food. He glanced around and smiled. "I agree. That sounds very good."

[colonelcannibal]

That as well, yes. People are not taught history that would make their country look bad. Even though that's the most important thing to learn in many ways.

I could make a fire and cook the fish, if you'd like?

[isak_cederstrom]

"I would appreciate that, tack," Isak replied with a nod. "Hopefully no grandparent of mine brought about the downfall of any great civilization. I think it more has to do with illicit affairs, money squandering, and less-than-pleasant personalities."

[colonelcannibal]

*He puts a campfire together, then starts to clean the fish.* Enough people like that can destroy civilizations on their own, I think. It's just not as exciting a fall.

[isak_cederstrom]

Isak waded back out of the river and grabbed a towel to lightly dry himself off. He approached the campfire to warm himself and let the heat do the rest of the drying.

"That is a good point. Especially if those types of people get into any sort of powerful position."

[colonelcannibal]

*He sets the fish cooking, then starts to warm himself as well.*

God forbid, eh? Although they tend to be worrisomely good at it.

[isak_cederstrom]

"They do. But if you are the type of person who has no concerns for anything but yourself, then you will do whatever it takes to get you into those positions. I believe that is why they are often so good at it."

[colonelcannibal]

Indeed. Skill at getting into power is often proof that one should not have it. Humanity is annoying that way, hmm?

I daresay I've got a fair bit of that skill myself. Can you imagine me in power over anyone?