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

[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?

[isak_cederstrom]

"Humanity is increasingly annoying that way," Isak agreed with a slight laugh. At the Colonel's question, he turned towards him and pretended to consider the man. "In my honest opinion? Quite easily."

[colonelcannibal]

Such a tyrant I would make, eh? Criminals might keep me sated to start with, I suppose, but people who annoy me are practically criminals . . . I'd likely end up with nothing but cannibals and bones.

Sounds lovely, really.

[isak_cederstrom]

"You could be a modern-day, cannibalized version of -- who was that Queen? The one who bathed in blood because she thought it made and kept her young?"

[colonelcannibal]

Elizabeth Bathory, ironically enough. I don't think she was actually a queen, though, just a noble of some sort.

[isak_cederstrom]

"Ah, yes -- that is the one I was thinking of. I have joked often that my sister does the same since she looks incredibly youthful for her age -- not that she is old, mind you, but she is aging better than the rest of us."

[colonelcannibal]

I don't see how bathing in blood was supposed to help with that, really. Blood isn't exactly good for bathing anyway.

[isak_cederstrom]

"I am not sure; I am afraid I am woefully ignorant in that department. The quip regarding my sister was mostly to piss her off," Isak admitted with a laugh.

[colonelcannibal]

How kind of you. *He grins.* Do you do that often?

[isak_cederstrom]

"Piss off my sister? Ja, rather constantly. But she does it to me, as well. It is the sort of relationship we have. We love each other more than anything, save for our brother, but because of that, we annoy the shit out of each other." Isak laughed, happy to talk and think about his siblings. "I would not have it any other way."

[colonelcannibal]

Love is strange like that, eh? People do such foolish things for its sake.

[isak_cederstrom]

"I agree. Although I would venture to say that things I have done for my siblings in the name of love or some kind of familial fealty were not always foolish. Often times .. necessary, in one way or the other."

[colonelcannibal]

Even needed actions can be foolish. Some would say that becoming what I am was foolish, but I would be long dead otherwise.

What have you done for them that was most needful?

[isak_cederstrom]

"I think we do whatever we need to in order to survive, whatever that might mean." Isak let out a bit of a sigh. "I -- protected them. From our father."

[colonelcannibal]

We do indeed.

Protected them how, exactly?

[isak_cederstrom]

Isak glanced over at the Colonel and then to the fire. He stayed quiet for a moment before sighing.

"He managed not to directly hit us, but it was -- mostly because we learned how to stay safe around him. If we had not -- it would have been a different story."