(no subject)

[colonelcannibal]

 *The stream where Ives prefers to swim is cold, even in the heat of summer. Unnaturally so, perhaps. At its bank lays a cave, and there his secrets hide.

*The cave is mostly filled with bones. Skulls, jaws, fingers, the occasional arm or leg bone sucked clean of marrow. More complete skeletons deeper in, showing how his food preferences have evolved over time--or perhaps he simply learned more recipes.

*In the back of the cave, where the old bodies are deepest, a tree has grown. It exits through a hole in the roof that was undeniably carved by human hands--or what most people would call human, at least, no matter what their owner had to say on the matter.

*A farmer could tell you that the tree is an apple tree. The superstitious would have reason to think it the very tree of good and evil knowledge that doomed mankind to die. If so, however, it came from a most sinister Eden.

*Ives, being what he is, sees nothing wrong with sitting against the tree and eating the apples. They are by far the best he's ever eaten.*

Comments

[dr_jd_watson]

I was shot in the leg during the War. I tend not to walk long distances if it can be at all avoided. There's a rental car just over there.

[colonelcannibal]

Which war? There have been quite a few over the years, although I'd guess one of the world wars.

*He takes the passenger's seat and proceeds to direct the other man to a quite dilapidated old fort at the edge of the forest.* Welcome, my good man, to Fort Spencer. I'd say it's not as bad as it looks, except that I live here.

[dr_jd_watson]

World War Two. I've been in others, but that's the one that did the most lasting damage...

[He surveys the Fort, pursing his lips.]

All that's missing is the tourists with screaming children...

[colonelcannibal]

To make it a haunted house, you mean? I am well aware.

*He opens the gate and beckons the other man in.*

[dr_jd_watson]

[James enters, not fearfully but cautiously. He's well-aware that he could be walking into a trap, so he keeps his senses alert. He's armed, and a much better fighter than most people who don't know him well could possibly imagine. He doesn't let it make him cocky, though. He hasn't stayed alive as long as he has by being over-confident. But he also knows better than to let anything that could possibly be mistaken for fear show. Any casual observer would think he was treading ground covered a hundred times before. He always prefers to give that impression, whether he may be in potential danger or not.]

[colonelcannibal]

*There are no traps set for James specifically, but there are nuggets of gold shining in corners to catch the unwary. Ives leads his friend to the main house, where there is a kitchen. A stewpot is hanging over the fireplace, bubbling merrily.*

Oh good, it's almost ready.

[dr_jd_watson]

[James doesn't gag, but he does pull a face for a moment before composing himself.]

I think I might wait outside while you eat...

[colonelcannibal]

There's nothing recognizable in it, I promise, but if you want to sit in another room that's fine with me. I'll do my best to be quick, hmm?

[dr_jd_watson]

This whole thing may turn me into a vegetarian for a few decades...

[With those words, he steps outside for some fresh air.]

[colonelcannibal]

Huh. *Ives shrugs and ladles himself a nice big bowl of stew. The first bite is ambrosial to him, washing away the taste of mere animal meat, and he sets to with gusto.

*Outside it's quite pretty, despite the evident dilapidation. Birds are singing in the forest, a fox is sniffing around curiously and the sun is just beginning to set. Hopefully it will be enough to ease James a bit.*

[dr_jd_watson]

[James does relax somewhat. If he carries on a one-sided conversation with the fox about its own dietary habits, that's his business alone. And, of course, he enjoys the sunset immensely. He never used to have time for those before his death. Nowadays, he treasures every one.]

[colonelcannibal]

*The fox blinks at him for a bit, then wanders out of the fort to curl up in its den for a nap.

*After a while Ives comes out to look at the sunset with him.* Beautiful, isn't it? Sometimes I wish the sky could look like that all the time.

[dr_jd_watson]

No, the beauty would lose its impact if it were like that always.

[colonelcannibal]

It would eventually, yes, but sometimes I wish it anyway. Sunset always fades so fast . . .

I'm done eating, so you can come back in if you like. I put the rest of the stew away, too, if just seeing it is bad enough. *He smiles.* I didn't have too much, for your sake, but stew is better on the second day in any case.

[dr_jd_watson]

[James reenters the fort, still cautious, but showing no signs of squeamishness. Sometimes, it worries him more what he isn't squeamish about than what he is. He relies on his sense of delicacy where his instincts fail him.]

You have a lovely home. It's peaceful and beautiful up here...

[colonelcannibal]

*Everything unpleasant has been hidden away by this point, thankfully. Ives takes a seat near the fireplace, relaxing again.*

Well, mostly peaceful at any rate, but yes. I chose the place for a reason.

[dr_jd_watson]

Aside from its remoteness?

[colonelcannibal]

Well to be quite honest, I mostly chose it because it was a place I happened upon the first time I went hunting in these mountains. *A chuckle.* But also because it's a beautiful area.

[dr_jd_watson]

Well, it definitely is that...

Have you gotten a chance to watch the movie yet?

[colonelcannibal]

I must admit, I sometimes miss the people who were here when I first arrived. It was in 1847, however, so them living this long would be, ah, unlikely to say the least.

Not yet. Having internet issues at the moment *rolls eyes*

[dr_jd_watson]

There are downsides to immortality. The routine loss of old friends is just one of them.

What sort?

[colonelcannibal]

Not exactly friends, really, although I did try. Unfortunately, that was during the period that I still thought I could force people to be my friends by changing them . . .

It wasn't long before I was the only one here. It was a nice place, however, so I stayed.

stupid lag-times and signal interuptions left and right

[dr_jd_watson]

(ooc: still trying to pin down a cause and solution, but living in a basement can't help matters)

[James does his best not to think about how Ives ended up being the only one left. It was a longtime ago and sometimes ternity is its own punishment.]

Well, I can see why someone might stay...

[colonelcannibal]

*Best not ask for details, certainly.*

Rather hard to miss, really.

[dr_jd_watson]

Do you ever think it might be better if you lived closer to civilization? Might make it easier to remember that humans are more than just prey.