Into the Wild-(Invite)

[Louvel von der Marck]

The canvas bag in his hands still had the tags from the last trip he had made. Sun worshipped fingers that wore the remnants of calluses thanks to numerous long days outdoors worked at the thick paper using care not to ruin what was left of each one. Once the handful of tags were free the mementos were tucked into the top drawer where a colorful layer of the same were covering the bottom and waiting for the new additions to join in. Years and countless places were represented in the centuries old wood that slowly closed beneath the firm guidance of his hands. A shake of the bag he intended on making use of sent a small silver medallion the size of a pea bouncing over the unmade bed below. The gray and black expedition grade backpack dropped to the floor. As soon as the lost but hardly forgotten item was securely between his fingers the weight of his khaki short clad body settled on the edge of the bed. Flipping the miniature silver piece back and forth. From the moment of its rediscovery and looking it over his mind was traveling elsewhere back in time.

“Home is where you are in heart and mind.”

The brush of fingers across his wrist felt the same just as it had over twenty years ago. He could smell the scent of green tea in the moisture of the long strands of hair that drifted at his bare knee. He was afraid to look over and to find she was not there. That if he did everything he could smell and see would fade before he was ready to let go. Mossy orbs fixed on the silver object in his hold instead.

“But if you ever need a reminder then keep this with you.”

The warmth of lips found the surface of his fingers that were far larger and worn due to the time that passed since he was first given the token. A symbol that was to remind him no matter where he went, however far or high or deep that he would never be out of reach from what he was and whom he belonged to. He brought the tiny silver two sided piece to his lips and closed his eyes. The soothing warmth of her arms were around him, so strong, so much larger than the life that responsible for who he would become, who he was twenty years later sitting alone. He kept it with him anytime he traveled.The chain it was soldered to had broke in his descent from the second base camp. He at times held it in his mouth other times in the small liner pocket of his jacket. He needed to get another chain.

“ Ich werde bei dir sein. Blut von meinem Blut.

He inhaled deep finding the strength to stand like always and to look at the empty space where the scent of lemon grass began to surface. His hand curled up tight around the small treasure in his hand. The same hand traveled to his wallet that was resting on top of the dresser and tucked heirloom inside where it would be safe.

Thirty minutes later Louvel pulled his leg back from the motorcycle beneath him. He stretched his legs while walking around the black Harley Davidson Forty-eight. It was not his first choice for transportation despite how it looked. He liked what fit like a glove beneath him. That would be the beast of bike back at the estate that took more than a few time outs thanks to everything falling apart from the carburetor to the engine to the sprockets. Despite the pain in the *** it had proved to be over the years he would never give up on it. No matter how much it cost him. It was Otto’s. His father had it custom built and modified more than once to suit his continually changing tastes. It was a gift from his grandfather. The only gift Otto claimed he was ever given from the elder von der Marck. He was of the mind that even if they had a world of differences between them there was no denying the value of their shared history and yes their blood. His mother loved the motorcycle and there was that as well.

The door chimed as soon as his hand pulled it open to step inside. The sunglasses on his face were slid back to rest on the top of his head. He hooked a finger into the black elastic binder that held his hair back and let the sunbleached unruly mane to fall over his shoulders and back. The employee facing the shelves to the left gave him a welcoming nod while sliding the rock climbing chalk where it belonged.

“I will be with you soon as I get this put away.”
“No rush. Nothing major planned so take your time.”

Louvel walked towards the back where the fishing gear and the tents were on display. It was the only outfitters in the local area that he trusted to purchase his equipment from directly. The sounds of his steps were muffled by the worn hardwood beneath. He worked his way around the displays for canoes and the obvious supplies. The trip he had in mind was involving casual backpacking, fishing, hiking, camping and some care free climbing. No summits in mind on this adventure.The tents he had at home were nothing he wanted to drag out for some simple woods camping. In truth he preferred to sleep under the stars with a few blankets at most but he was sure Judah would appreciate a little something over his head. It never failed to rain when they went out.

“So what is the plan this time?” The college kid was usually more impressed with what adventure was coming up next for Louvel than what he could sell him. “Timbuktu? South Pole? Or…”
“Our great outdoors, man.” Louvel chuckled. “A little family time with my brother and perhaps my nephew if I am lucky.” He took a closer look at a Kaima two person tent. “This looks adequate. I likely will be sleeping outside so it will give them room. Tents are rarely my thing if it is not below freezing.”
“Cool. It is spark proof too.” The sales pitch was only that brief. “Seriously, what is it like at the top of Everest?”
“Cold.” He smirked. “Humbling and worth freezing your nuts off and losing your toes to reach.”
“Dude…” The dark topped head dropped down and looked at Louvel’s casual hiking boots in case there was some proof to be seen.
“I left with everything I went up with. Twice.” He pulled the box with the tent inside towards him and looked at the boxes lined up behind it. “I will be opening it up if that is okay. I am not interested in taking off and finding a pole is missing when I need it.”
“No problem.” The sound of the door chime rang and the employee looked towards the front of the store. “Ugh. I need to get back up to the front. I will be back. I got a trip coming up I want to ask you about.”

With that the sounds of metal clinking together was loud enough that Louvel was oblivious to anything else. He knelt down and shook the length of the box until pieces started to appear. The various parts to form the frame of the tent glided out first on the floor. He reached in and pulled at the green waterproof material inside. Judah was cool with green last he checked.

Translation:

I'll be with you. Blood of my blood

[Hannah Lynn (DELETED 8242)]

Appearance

There was less than a week left before Hannah had the two day stretch off where she was supposed to be going camping with Jude. Pastor Jude. Just Jude. There were three ways Hannah 'saw' the male as. The first being some guy she met at a bar once-named just Jude. The guy she met at a bakery, who was a mix of Pastor Jude and then father Jude. Not the religious 'father,' but the single dad with a kid named August. However, no matter how she 'saw' him in the moments they were talking, Hannah enjoyed her time with the male and couldn't help but be a little excited for the adventure.

And even though Jude said to just bring her personal stuff, Hannah didn't want to show up practically empty handed. As nice as the offer was, in reality, Hannah had a firm belief that she was destined to stay in Harper Rock for a while. Which meant, why shouldn't she have her own basic camping supplies. Such as a sleeping bag for starters. After Hannah had searched the internet for a local outfitter's place, she jotted down the address to the one that seemed like it would have a little bit of anything and everything under the sun and not just larger items that were massed produced for larger excursions.

With the address on an orange post-it note, Hannah moved to her bedroom where she tugged off her hunter colored scrub top, followed by the same colored scrub bottoms and rummaged around in her drawers for a white tank top, blue jean shorts and a thin, gray colored pull-over. A brush was dragged through her hair before Hannah left the room and padded down the hallway where she slipped her feet into a pair of sandals. The note, along with her car keys were grabbed from the kitchen counter before Hannah vacated the apartment and headed to the elevator. Once on the main floor, Hannah moved to the city streets where her car was waiting for her about half a block down.

Once inside the car, Hannah pulled open the glove compartment and pulled out the GPS. The address from the post-it note was transferred to the device after a few small mishaps. After all, the only two places she really went were the hospital and the apartment. It wasn't often Hannah had to program things in her GPS. Once the satellite signal was found and the voice was directing her on what to do and where to go, Hannah was off to the outfitter's location.

When Hannah walked into the store, it seemed like a typical outfitter's store. The bell not only alerted employees someone was in the store, but that they were more than welcomed inside given the jovial ring above her head. Clothing in one area; for men and women. Which scored Hannah points as most places seemed highly geared towards the opposite gender. Then a counter for fishing and some supplies, which reminded her to stop at it and get a license. Then, to the back of that was boating and canoe possessions. Swinging to the left would be some hunting things that Hannah didn't know a single thing about, and then next to that was all the camping and camping miscellaneous stuff. Just the spot she needed and cut to, deciding on attaining the license later when someone who worked there appeared to be near the area. Hannah didn't have time to stand around and hope someone heard the bell being from the front entrance.

As she got closer, Hannah noticed a male's back in her line of vision, who seemed to be putting together a tent. As she approached, Hannah made an incorrect assumption that he worked here, putting up the latest and greatest model of tents to try and wrap people into buying them. Her right pointer finger moved to her left wrist and pulled at a brown rubber band that was wrapped around it, from earlier in the day, forgotten about after work. It stretched the band out enough to collect her loose hair in a sloppy pony tail, as she arched her neck just a little to glance at the back of the person's head. “Excuse me? I'm looking for a tent. Nothing top of the line, but nothing at the bottom. Waterproof, and-”

Hannah stopped dead in her tracks as she moved around the dissembled tent and the guy and saw just who it was. “Oh. Uhmmmmm...never mind. Sorry. I thought you worked here.” Hannah felt her stomach flip flop more or less when she thought back to the first time they met, a couple of months ago. When the airport had a serious mishap with their bags. Her cheeks flushed a bright pink thinking about how he had probably seen everything she was wearing right now, in her luggage that day. “You don't, do you?” Hannah's eyes moved from him, cheeks still warm as she looked for someone who appeared to work here, either by a name tag, or by a shirt that had the outfitter's logo on it.

[Louvel von der Marck]

Louvel: Louvel looked up. At first the legs in front of him meant nothing. They were there and really nothing unexpected. He was in a public shop why wouldn't people be around. People had legs. He gripped two poles he had fitted together as a test fully prepared to slide them back in the box. Instead he was stuck with them in his hands as his eyes fixed on the face to match the voice he likely would never forget. "Well, this is a surprise." The poles came apart while he stood up. "You come here often?" He looked over her shoulder to find his favorite employee giving a smirk of approval then disappearing.

Hannah Lynn: Surprise wasn't the word that came to Hannah's mind as she locked eyes with the airport stranger she thought she would never seen again. If only life would be so great. While he didn't actually answer her question, he did in a roundabout way. If she came here often, he would know, if he were an employee, wouldn't he? "No. Not really." Hannah glanced down at the poles in his possession and then looked away. "Well, you look busy...I think the one pole is the wrong way. Might explain why you can't construct it." Hannah said with a broad smile before she moved to the aisle that had boxes of tents lined up nicely, from cheapest and simplest, to most expensive and largest.

Louvel: Louvel looked at the tent then the poles in his hand. He Tried to remember this was no longer the airport. He knew where his luggage was at. It was empty and everything important within was safe and accounted for. The world was small. He had observed proof in the past with his travels. She was a remind though that just when he least expected it could shrink up instantly. He took the poles he was left standing with and shoved them one by one back into the box he tugged up to stand even to his waist. The employee with the name tag was peeking over at him and checking out Hannah as soon as she left him to dismantle the tent he would be buying. It was just fine. He nodded towards Hannah and sent the college kid where his attention obviously going to be whether or not he was ready to check out. Which he wasn;t. He had more items to pick up. He headed towards the sleeping bags.

Hannah Lynn: There was no retort, or even an attempt to stop her. It was as nice as it was unexpected. The color to her cheeks started to dwindle as Hannah pulled a box from the wall it leaned on to glance at what the tent had to offer. Room enough for two; even though she wasn't planning on sharing her tent. She liked to have space, or at least her body did, since Hannah rarely ended, where she started before she got some shut eye. The employee came to the left of her, attempting to engage her in conversation. Attempting to get her to spend more money, she imagined, than Hannah anticipated spending. "So, what kind of tent are you looking for?" He looked at Hannah, his eyes on her legs, more than her face as he asked that. He was younger than her by a few years, which was evident in the way he stood and talked. "Uhm..." Hannah said as fingers moved over the box to the right of the one she was looking at and once again read the fine print on the box. "This seems right up my alley..." She confessed, waiting to see what he thought, as her eyes moved to where Louvel went, to make note to avoid that, or those areas.

Louvel: Louvel carried the box over his shoulder navigating its length to clear any displays or merchandise that he had to pass to get to the visible sleeping bags all rolled up and organized by the weather and elements the potential customer was anticipating. He ignored the usual section he would be focused on which was the pricey ones. The bags that were insulated and designed to keep you alive if zipped up correctly even after an avalanche rolled through. That is if one was lucky enough to ride it down and be worth saving once the snow was removed. again it appeared to be about colors more than the numerous brands that were available for the local area camping. He grabbed two and continued on his way towards the fishing gear.

Hannah Lynn: The employee tried to do some back and forth with her, but after Hannah assured him that this might be the only camping trip she was going to do before the weather gets too cold...and might do her entire time in Harper Rock, she more or less won the battle. Her eyes glanced over to the sleeping bags, thinking the guy from the airport would still be there, but it seemed he wasn't. Maybe, he had hopefully left. The employee offered to hold the tent at the checkout counter, which was a little sexist, but made things easier in the long run. With all the things she had to get...Hannah just agreed. She was positive she could manage it, but if he wanted to knock himself out. She turned in preparation of going to the fishing area to try and get that license, and saw Louvel looking at the tackle and other things. Well, he certainly didn't own that section. So Hannah moved to the counter and leaned across it, as she searched for the book that told her the licenses they sold as she pondered what license she might need for next week.

Louvel: Louvel was doing well with balancing the tent box over his shoulder. He could have left it to rest on the floor but he was more than conditioned to hauling around far more weight on his back so he thought nothing of it. The sleeping bags were resting in their warehouse roll formation on the floor next to his feet. The cases of lures was a little more difficult to sort through. He knew what to grab but there was enough to grab that it meant he needed to walk the tent towards the front. "Can I take that to the front for you?" The end of the box was tapped so it dipped just enough to get his attention. "Sure. That would be great." He released his right arm over the cardboard as it slid from his shoulder. "I will take the sleeping bags too. They will be at the front counter for you." No time was given to thank the outdoor shop employee as she moved to the front of the store. Instead he turned his attention back to the lures. Rapala, Nils Master and everything in between was plucked from the hooks and tossed onto the glass counter next to him. A salesperson was already pulling out a bag to gather up whatever landed in front of her. "I guess I could use some of these too." Weights, bobbers and of course what his eyes fixed on next. The fresh minnows darting around in the tank next to the lure counter. "I will take a couple days worth of minnows too." Figuring this was going to require him to have everything delivered since the bike sure wasn't going to carry it all he waited till she looked at him to confirm they still did in fact deliver. "Do you still deliver?" he glanced at what he had and hoped so. "Sure do."

Hannah Lynn: She tilted her head in his direction as Louvel seemed to be buying just about anything and everything under the sun. Hannah turned to face him better after he was done ordering his minnows. "Try and save some things for other people who like to fish?" Hannah grabbed the brochure needed, and glanced at the lakes and rivers each and every fish had ever been spotted or caught at, before she sighed. She had no idea where they were going, so hopefully just getting a one day residential license would work itself out, as she was sure they could find something else to do while camping. When the salesperson focused on Hannah, the woman simply smiled and tugged out her driver's license. "Hi! I need a residential one day license for fishing." The male nodded his head, then grabbed the paperwork she would need to fill out being a first time buyer. "And, I'll be buying a couple lures and bobbers too. If there are any left, that is." She shot a sidelong glance in Louvel's direction.

Louvel: Louvel took the bag containing the lures needed for the various types of fishing available in the part of Canada they currently stood in was handed over . "Alright, Sunshine, the rest is yours. Be sure to get yourself an outdoors card. Could come in handy."He winked. Hopefully she was able to get it in time before she headed wherever she was going. "Before they ring me up I need to get some line and can't forget the rod." He tried not to glance at Hannah when he said it. Luckily he was able to avoid doing it while he made his way to the extensive poles on display.

Hannah Lynn: She waited until he left before Hannah moved to where he had just been. She grabbed a cheap red and white bobber and chucked it at him out of minor annoyance. Her drive wasn't as good as her intent, as the thing fell a few steps shy of Louvel and bounced under the rack of rods. Before he could turn to see her looking at him, Hannah turned and kept fingering her way through the bobbers and lures, grabbing a little bit of everything before it was dumped on the counter. "And, I suppose I might need an outdoors card." She said under her breath. Rods, reels and poles wasn't something she was going to mess with, believing Jude would provide her with those things. "Don't forget a life vest. Sometimes people fall off, or are pushed off boats. Silly accidents." Hannah piped up from the counter before she started filling out the needed information.


Louvel: Louvel watched the bobber click its way in reduced bounces until it ultimately rolled under the rack in front of him. He didn't turn around immediately. He smirked instead while he pulled a rod from the display and checked out its flexibility. A few glances at the rod eyes placement had him pondering open or closed reel for Judah. Louvel preferred open reel casting. That meant he would grab two open and one closed to go with three rods once he decided on which ones were best. A chuckle had him turning to find the sales employee walking up to him and joining in with his amusement at the comment on needing a life jacket. Rather than intrude further in what did not involve him the clerk played it safe and took up the issue of the right rod. "You want a long or short one?" As far as Louvel was concerned that was a good question. "Why? How far away is she right now?

Hannah Lynn: Hannah looked up from the almost finished out forms and glanced between the sales person and then Louvel. "Are men always on about sizes?" She rolled her right shoulder before jotting down her driver's license information. "Besides, it doesn't matter how big or little his rod is, he wouldn't be able to come anywhere near me from there." Hannah muttered under her breath before she pocketed her license in the back of her shorts, turned and glanced at the sleeping bags. More specifically, the sleeping bags Louvel had. "Does this one come in red?" She looked to the sales guy next to Louvel, waiting to hear from him directly.

[Hannah Lynn (DELETED 8242)]

Louvel: Louvel glanced down at the bag in question while holding the long rod minus the reel in his hands. She sort of answered his question as she was far closer than he first gave her credit for. He looked at Hannah then to the salesperson that seemed to be all too comfortable with dividing his attention between the two of them. "It actually does. I just haven't put them out yet. I can go back and get one if you are interested." He glanced back to Louvel as if he needed permission to leave to do so. "It's fine. I need to take a couple minutes and choose which poles I want." Louvel inched his boot around his sleeping bags and pulled them a little closer to where he stood.

Hannah Lynn: Hannah heard the bags slid and she glanced at Louvel. "Really?" She shook her head and turned at him more, so that they were now face to face, the sales guy all but forgotten. "I'm not a thief. Besides, I want red. Which you don't have." Hannah stated, eyes still on Louvel. "If I didn't take your...underwear, shirts or...whatever else was in your bag, I'm not going to steal sleeping bags I don't want." She leaned an elbow against the counter, noticing the difference in height between them now, more than ever.

Louvel: Louvel eyed the clerk who bagged up his lures who seemed rather interested in their interaction. She took the hint and turned towards the shelf behind her. Louvel fixed his gaze back on Hannah who seemed to open that door that really wasn't fully closed the last time they shared some space. "That is really appreciated..." He lowered the volume of his voice as he allowed the rod to roll between his fingers into a spin before reaching around her as he stepped in to return the pole where it was before he removed it from the rack. "Hannah." He leaned over and picked up the sleeping bags. "Don't forget repellent and garlic spray. There is a lot of nightlife that bites..." He shifted the bags under each arm. "Hard." The employee hunting down the red sleeping bag returned. "He is right. There is all sorts of crazy ****...sorry wildlife out there. I hope you aren't going out alone." He ignored Louvel and seemed entirely focused on what her answer would be.

Hannah Lynn: Hannah attempted to turn away as Louvel started talking. "I try." She said as he moved around her and said her name. "If only someone made a repellent that repelled all things annoying." Hannah said, seemingly casually, though a smirk apparent on her features. "I'm sure every single woman on earth would buy a case." Her eyes drifted to the male that brought her a red sleeping bag. She smiled appreciatively in his direction. "And no. I'm going with a friend. Safer to travel in pairs, right?" She grabbed the bag from the guy, before addressing the other thing stated. "What sort of crazy ****? Other than bears and wolves?"

Louvel: Louvel soured at the comment. As if men wouldn't need it too? She was proof walking on two feet. Who was the one who was tossing a bobber only minutes before? "There is the wolverine who has been known to chase bears away when it is in a mood. Killer whales are spotted off shore in the right spots so keep that in mind of you are doing off the coast diving. Massasauga Rattler is the only poisonous snake you may encounter so be aware of your surroundings at all times and perhaps pick up a first aid kit just in case. The Fiddleback spider or what you may have heard of called the Brown recluse spider is something to also avoid. Nasty bite if you never seen one." He shivers a little while Louvel is seemingly all the more interested in what the guy has to say. He leans back on the counter with his arms still wrapped around the sleeping bags. "And the Elk are to be avoided at all costs. Walk the distance to stay far enough away that they aren't tempted to charge at you. Nothing like a ton of fresh meat coming at you like a freight train to get your blood pumping. Then there is the impressive polar bear..." He paused when Louvel gave him a look that said he was likely stretching it for where they were at. "But yeah, not likely going to see one of those. Moose too like the Elk. Stay away from them too. Cougars. They come out of nowhere so not sure what to say there. They will drag you off to the brush and have at you before you can think about swinging. And concern numero uno for you should be the grizzly bear. Again, you find yourself with one pull out your prayer beads and hope for a ******* miracle." He eyed both. "Sorry. I forgot I was still on the clock." Louvel shook his head. "You have been paying attention in class haven't you? I am impressed." Lou allowed one of the sleeping bags to sit on the counter and patted the guy on the shoulder.

Hannah Lynn: Even Hannah raised a brow at the mention of a polar bear. How unlikely would that be? Pretty, she assumed. "Well, thank you. I'll make sure my friend knows what to look out for too." Hannah moved her piles of things closer together. "Actually. I need some rope." Hannah spun from the two of them, to glance at where the rope for climbing might be at. "Though, I suspect my friend might have some...but better to be safe than sorry." Hannah decided aloud before she looked at the both of them. "I don't believe in luck. Or prayer." She said before walking away from the two having their little moment of guydom, in search of the rope she hoped they had here.

Louvel: Louvel watched her walk off as did the employee next to him. "Of course she doesn't. Look at her." The outfitter sales clerk commented without looking at Louvel. "She has all the confidence in the world looking like she..." He suddenly realized he was saying it out loud. "Hey, sorry. You don't see many that look like she does coming in here." Louvel shrugged. "Consider yourself lucky. I feel for the one going with her since she is looking to buy some rope. I would sleep with one eye open that is for sure." Lou scooped up the sleeping bag from the counter and started for the check out. "So, if you aren't with her...you aren't right?" He followed behind as Louvel walked. "No. Hell no. I met her in the airport. Got locked up in a room with her." The kid was on his heels. "You are lucky. How did that happen?" Louvel looked back. "Take my advice. Check any bag you pick up in the baggage claim. Make sure your name is on it before you leave or you could end up meeting the likes of her." Louvel unloaded his rolled up bags on the counter. "I would never get that lucky. Seriously. I got stood up for homecoming last year." The clerk confessed.

Hannah Lynn: Hannah heard most of everything that was said, even rolling her eyes at the clerk thinking he might be with her. Or that she would be with him. Fingers searched the various colors of rope and brands before sighing. She poked her head around the side of the aisle when the two seemed to be done talking about her. "If you don't have a brand, can I special order it? I need it in about...four, or five days tops." She came back to them, saddling up right besides Louvel. "It's for climbing, but you're right. It could rock his world for the night." Hannah's cheeks rose in color, clearing second guessing if she should have said that, because it really was just for climbing. "Anyways, I need some Mammut...infinity. Any way to special order that? I don't mind if I have to pick it up here." She assured the clerk with a subtle smile.

Louvel: Louvel deadpanned when the employees jaw nearly dropped on the floor and his tongue started rolling out. He gave the kid a firm nudge knowing he probably would remember it was said and what it inferred for a lot longer than being stood up for homecoming. "See what I mean. Check.your.tags." Louvel shook his head but even he was giving her a second look until her items in her suitcase came back to haunt his mind. He really felt for her outdoor companion the more he thought about it. "Pretty sure that is my sign to pay up and head on out." He smiled to the female who made her way behind the cash register. "Will this be cash or charge, Sir?" Louvel pulled out his credit card and sent it face down across the counter. Not that he didn't trust Hannah's viewing it. It just happened to be how the card came out of his wallet. Unbeknownst to him a small silver medallion barely the size of the top of a pencil eraser also came free from the leather wallet and fell at his feet. "Can you send it out to the estate? Same place as always?" He asked as he slid the card back in his wallet when she handed him the receipt. “Of course. We can have it delivered tonight.”

Hannah Lynn: Hannah was multi-tasking between what was going on, and the kid that was nudged from Louvel a few seconds ago. She didn't miss the word 'estate' and wondered if every single male she knew...by choice or some other means was well off. Apparently Jude lived in a manor, Levi was a C.E.O. that had people doing things for him him; anything from giving him haircuts to serving his cat and suddenly Louvel had an estate. "We can, but there's an extra service fee charge." The sales guy finally said when he came out of his coma. "That's fine. So, the tent, the license, the fishing stuff, sleeping bag and then the rope. What's my total?" Hannah asked as she started opening her purse and pulling out a variety of colored Canadian bills. Back home she wouldn't have any money to spare, but when the Golden Serpents were paying for her utilities, food and rent each month...Hannah had a lot of spare cash. About the only perk of the entire ordeal going on. "Here you go." She slapped down three hundred dollars and some change on the counter, while looking at Louvel's back. "Big mistake forgoing that life vest." Hannah said with a smirk on her lips as she waited for her change.

Louvel: Louvel smirked not that she would see it as he headed towards the door to leave. "I swim like a shark. I was born to beat the odds. There is nothing I fear..."The sunglasses went over his eyes and just as he felt he was making a smooth exit he heard the kid speak up. "Except grabbing the wrong bag." An amused roll of laughter was left in his wake. ONce he was outside he couldn't help but laugh as well. The clerk had a point and he would let him have it. It was the truth in a roundabout way. He would certainly check anything he took possession of in the future. Lifting a long leg over the bike left him settling into the seat as he fired it up. a nudge of his heel and a rock forward of the bike had it free from the kickstand and ready to roll. He glanced back at the door of the shop and grinned as he took off. He didn't need any life vest.

Hannah Lynn: "I guess he never watched the movie 'Jaws.'" Hannah said as she closed her purse, her eyes catching the glint of something shiny not far from where Louvel had been. "It was actually me who grabbed the wrong bag. So many shades of wrong." Hannah moved to the small shiny thing on the ground and picked it up. She debated giving it to the woman who apparently had his address, but it was very likely she was going to see him again at some stage. After all, here they were months later. "I'll be back on Tuesday, unless you give me a call early." Hannah grabbed a pen, a fishing license application and jotted it down on the back of the license. "Call me." Of course why he would call her, versus why she wanted him to call her would probably be two very different reasons. Which was why she gave him the office number that was for her, adam and the other woman's name Hannah forgot, as she worked very part time. Hannah stuffed the objects in a cart and headed out for the night, glad to survive yet another encounter with Louvel. Even if this one wasn't as terrible as the last.

[Judah Marck]

The return to his very own little house had felt strange, he'd barely spent any time there over the past few months since he'd been staying at the Manor. At first it had been just the adults, Leonie had stayed too and Louvel was a calming presence while they got Alaric adjusted, but Louvel had taken off on one of his trips which had left Jude and Leonie to their own devices. Alaric was doing ok, it would be difficult for him to adjust and to learn what this new world held for him. Judah was using his trademark patience, which some had described as saintly, to get through the teething problems; both literal and figurative. All the while he was studiously trying to avoid drinking too much, or finding himself caught in a situation where he might allow himself to get wrapped up Leonie's vibrant nature, the Lioness of the family had her charms and Jude was far from immune to them. Where the hell was Austin this month? Somewhere in Asia, but he rarely got a postcard and he still didn't know what was going on there. Had they ever gotten so far as discussing it? No, Jude had wanted time, he'd wanted to figure it out. He loved Austin, and he'd finally had the courage to own up to that fact but was there a future for them? He couldn't say, and right now relationships weren't something he had the energy to focus on.

The dark haired man huffed out a sigh at himself, hauling a box of camping supplies down from the cupboard to join the others he'd brought into the lounge room to sort through. There were fishing supplies, two tents, a number of sleeping bags and other bits and pieces. It had been a few months since he'd gone camping, but he made it a habit of maintaining his gear anyway, though his immediate family weren't overly sporty or outdoorsy they had enjoyed family road trips and camping trips. Louvel and Jude had spent many hours sharing a tent, giggling and gossiping as kids, Louvel often convincing Jude on clear night to drag his sleeping bag out and sleep under the stars instead. It held a lot of good memories for him, this getting ready to get out into the great outdoors and a new smile of excitement had replaced his frustrated twist of lips. This would be fun, he reminded himself.

It didn't take long to figure out what he needed and haul it all into the car, loading it up. He'd stopped by a camping supplies store to pick up anything that needed replacing and gone to the supermarket to get food, water and of course the necessary marshmallows, chocolate and crackers. What was a camping trip without those? The manor house was quiet when he got back, Jude making quick work of putting the food supplies in the fridge before climbing the stairs to find where his son had gotten to. He found him with Louvel, asleep on the man's chest while he read to him. Soon he'd be too old to cuddle like that, Jude thought, he feared he'd blink his eyes and August would be a teenager giving him lip and refusing hugs. Maybe not? Maybe he would be so used to the close and easy way his family was with each other that he'd grow up welcoming hugs, sure they'd turn into one that held a manly pat on the back but a hug was a hug.

Louvel pointed vaguely at the kid, shrugging as if to say he was afraid to move him and Jude had to laugh. Lou had been remarkable, when August had come to stay with them after they were certain Alaric wouldn't harm him he'd taken well to his Uncle duties, helping out on occasion by picking August up from school or taking him to extracurricular activities... On the back of a motorcycle, sure, but he'd made sure the kid had a helmet and wore protective clothing unlike himself. It was a relief, a welcome helping hand and Jude was beginning to think how strange it would feel to move back to that small house permanently. Jude moved forward, carefully disentangling his son from Louvel and lifting him, cradling the young man to his chest. He was going to be taller than his father, thank gosh, Jude only stood at 5'9" and while his larger than life personality often made up for his stature he was hoping August would have at least a few inches on him. Already at seven years old he was getting difficult to hold, to carry and it would only be a matter of time before he was too big. Jude tried to savour these little moments, being Daddy for just a little while longer.

The family went to bed, Jude rising early to get August and himself ready. August's grandparents arrived at the crack of dawn, collecting the still dozy child with excitable discussions about what fun they would have that weekend, while August could barely keep his eyes open. Hannah was due to arrive shortly, he'd given her the address and told her to get there by 8, that way they had plenty of time to get to the campsite and set up before dark. He'd hired a larger car for the excursion, designed for going off road and with ample room for three adults and their supplies. Jude already attached rod's to the roof, having to laugh when he saw that Louvel had gone and picked up more supplies. "Oh, because we haven't got enough, brother?" He'd remarked, but excitedly looked over them and swapped out some of the older gear for the newer, shinier models. Things were going smoothly, the packing took less time than he'd allowed for and now all they needed was the last member of their group. The food was being packed, Judah grabbing a quick breakfast while he waited for Hannah. He had forgotten, he realised, to tell Hannah that Louvel would be joining them though he was sure he'd mentioned that his cousin knew some great spots and while he had mentioned that a woman would be joining them, Lou had been more intent on teasing his cousin fondly than asking too many details about her.

He hoped they'd get along, he liked them both so why shouldn't they? This was going to be a good weekend, he told himself, and he wasn't going to worry about a thing.

[Louvel von der Marck]

Louvel had to release the one massive canvas pack that rested over his shoulder. It wasn’t the weight that held him tighter to the earth beneath him that called for him to do so. It happened to be that he felt the annoyance at the back of his neck impossible to put off dealing with. Without any announcement of his discovery that he was wearing another shirt that clearly was a close match for one of his but evidentally was anything but that. Both hands reached back and in that minimal amount of time he decided he had tugged off the last shirt with a tag against his skin. From that moment forward if it had a tag, his or not, he was relieving himself of the inconvenience without losing the shirt off his back while doing it. A soft hiss of soft material being ripped was followed by Louvel’s hand disappearing into his pocket. He leaned over and hoisted the pack he arrived carside with and tossed it where it would fit.

Eyes that carried the same rich hue of healthy moss filled woods took a few seconds to size up the vehicle his brother had chosen for the adventure they were to embark on. He leaned over the driver's door since the window was down and checked out the miles. It had seen a couple years of trips. Finding Judah out of view his hand reached in and opened the door. Without a word he hopped into the driver's seat and checked things out. Every option that could be had was included. He gripped the steering wheel once then let go as he slid back out to stand on solid ground. He heard Jude comment on the amount of gear that accumulated with his donations to the cause.

“There is never enough when it comes to heading out for the great outdoors.” Lou shut the door and leaned over briefly to check out the tread on the tires out of habit more than serious concern for where they were heading. “Do I need to tell you the story of how I survived a week on one shoe, a bag of ramen noodles and a salvaged Guidepost magazine?”

Sun worshipped hands patted the outside of the door in approval before he moved to search for Jude. Out of all of the examples of his tours of the great outdoors he told that particular story the most. Yet this time he felt compelled to add for the first time after all the times he brought up his heroic tale that he also had at his disposal a swiss army knife and knowledge that he would be saved within a week since his checkpoint had him tracked by gps. Louvel was highly skilled and a survivalist thanks to several near death experiences in his extensive travel history. Roughing it was hardly without some sort of back up plan. He landed in enough rock bottom places in need of rescue that he knew he could count on someone coming in after him.

“I have to confess they had me tracked the whole time by gps and I had a swiss army knife. I didn’t really need to chew through the leather to get free like I claimed. I did really break my front tooth on a rock though.”

Lou stood there and deadpanned as his words did a return pass through his head. Now the story sounded pretty empty like a bowl of cornflakes without milk. Even more bizarre was that he actually admitted it. Out loud. To Judah. The one person he had routinely impressed with it over the years whenever his cousin was apprehensive on his packing skills.

“She isn’t going to be soaked in a cloud of perfume and warning us against her refusal to break a nail to save a life is she?”

Louvel asked while double checking the side pouches of his bag where he had set it. All were filled with the various grappling hooks he nearly forgot. Last spot he needed to re-check was his back pocket. He pulled out his wallet and opened it up. Confidently he pulled at the various spots where he would have tucked away a small silver medallion. The very same one he never left without when going on a trip close to home or abroad.

“Hold that thought.” He said with his hand stuffing the wallet back in his pocket and heading towards the small keeper’s cottage where he last saw it. “I need to get something before we leave.”

[Hannah Lynn (DELETED 8242)]

Each day and night that passed brought a little more apprehension than the day and night before. Hannah was taking part in an internal debate with...herself. With caution. Since her arrival in Harper Rock, Hannah had started to notice things becoming darker and dangerous with each passing night. However, the cause of the darker tide was unknown. Was it due to the vampires, as rumored, or was it due to the mass populace of humans? Part of Hannah believed that it wasn't so much the vampires as it was the humans. Which reminded her that people; of all types and walks in life can be dangerous.

And so, while she packed a backpack the color of emerald, there were still some things she could put in the pack. Should put the pack. As if not putting the items in the pack would prevent her from being able to go. Until a message was texted to her. An address. It appeared Jude didn't forget or get too busy to go camping after all, like Hannah had somewhat...she didn't want to say hoped; more like planned on happening. They were both busy people and life happened. A reasonable excuse to fall back on.

At a semi-reluctant pace, Hannah moved to her bedroom and grabbed the three pair of socks she put off to the side for the trip, but had yet to pack. With them in the bag, that only meant that she had made up her mind. But, first thing was first. She grabbed her phone off the bed and stuffed that into a pocket in the green backpack before the woman was out the door, wearing a black pair of yoga pants and a sage colored tank top. Before she got too far, Hannah spun back, unlocked the door and grabbed a hair holder from the small table near the door. The same table she typically dumped her keys to her car and apartment at. Along with her hospital badge, whatever hair contraption she was using that day and any cash in her scrub top.

With a band around her wrist, Hannah was back out the door, locking it and heading to the elevator. While the elevator took Hannah to the main floor, she debated calling her sister on the face-time app and just letting her know where she was going. But chances were, she wouldn't be anywhere near her phone. And even if she was, it was unlikely she would hear it. So Hannah just settled on texting her dad with something pretty vague. 'Gone Camping over night. Talk soon!' No location, as didn't most phones have GPS tracking in it anyways? She was positive hers did.

The elevator glided open and Hannah stepped out and then moved out of the apartment complex. She shifted the weight of the backpack on her shoulders as Hannah did a little hop, decided to collect her hair and put it in a low pony. The door was unlocked with the key fab to the car as Hannah made her way around the car and tossed the pack in the passenger seat of the car. The camping gear she had picked up or ordered was in the back and trunk. She sat in the driver's seat and held the key in her hand. She was going to wait until her dad replied back with something. He would, but only if he wasn't in bed yet. The key was placed in the ignition, turned on and the radio turned on softly as she waited. She was going to be a little late, but at least someone would know what she was up to the next couple days.

And just as the second song started hitting its chorus line, her phone lit up and it vibrated in the cup holder area. A simple reply back; 'have fun.' Hannah was known for being logical, smart and safe. Her father saw no reason to say anything else, which relieved Hannah slightly. He wasn't worried, so why should she? The car was put into drive before Hannah sped off to the location she plugged in the GPS while waiting for her dad to reply to her.

[Judah Marck]

It felt like forever since Jude had taken the time out to go camping, to enjoy a bit of a holiday that wasn't work or family related. Indeed, the last time he remembered sleeping under the stars was when he and Louvel had been in Germany, though they had rented a gorgeous little house in the woods one night they'd decided to brave the outdoors. The two men had made a makeshift bedding area out of picnic blankets and piles of pillows, blankets and sheets which they happily fell into. It was like sleeping on a cloud, floating just above the world with nothing to disturb them but the gentle sounds of nature occasionally calling out. They'd needed it, that little vacation and the discussions they shared in that sanctuary had lead him down a path that had shaped his life today. Jude wasn't sure whether to hug or strangle his cousin for that, though the advice had been sound at the time he had at times pondered how different things would be if he hadn't received support and encouragement from the von der Marck's.

They had faith in him, and that weighed heavily on Jude's mind at times as it meant that the decisions he made would impact them all. He had hoped that with Alaric's return he might take over the care of them, Jude merely assisting where needed but it was a very different time the man found himself in and he was still adjusting. There was no grudge held towards the man for that, he understood how hard it must be and was patient, trying to build him up so that he might once more be the great patriarch they needed.

Louvel excused himself inside to collect something he'd forgotten, leaving Jude to his thoughts and go through the process of checking they had packed everything from the list. The list was long, but he'd rather be thorough even for a short trip. He'd made a point of leaving behind maps with their locations and estimated times of arrival to ensure that if anything happened someone would know where they were, he'd even dropped by to visit the ranger's office in the more remote areas. Just as his cousin disappeared from sight a car pulled into the driveway, and the through the tinted window he could just make out that it was a feminine figure. Hannah, he assumed and give a friendly move, gesturing that she should pull up near him. They'd rearrange the cars, ensure hers was safe for the short while they'd be away. It was all coming together now.

[Louvel von der Marck]

Three drawers had been turned over as well as the bottom of the bed lifted. Louvel stood there with a stare that should be cutting through everything in the way of locating his medallion. He had it for how long? Ages. It had went continent hopping with him, survived an avalanche and it nearly was swallowed as he had no choice to dive from the failing climbing rope to a climbing partners line before the whole damn tent disappeared several hundred feet below. Even then if he had swallowed it he would have finally got it back. It was that important. That irreplaceable. A few minutes of shuffling the drawers back in order and respective places he closed his eyes standing in the very spot he last saw it. No special power to locate it came to him as he willed it to. He shook his head in disappointment. As if there really was such a thing.

The sounds of a car driving up to the property caught his attention. Time was up. He would be leaving without it. It was likely in the room somewhere and the search would have to be abandoned. No one came into the cottage except for him and there was no chance of it being swept up in a cleaning spree. The estate cleaning staff knew that his space was off limits to their exceptional upkeep skills. It would just have to wait. He glanced out the window but from the vantage point he currently had all that he could make out was the very edge of a bumper and Jude doing his routine of traffic cop waving an arm likely to get the vehicle that just arrived a suitable parking spot that would be where it would rest until their trip was over.

Stepping out of the door he double checked the security system and found it was set. Usually he would lock it but there was that missing treasure somewhere inside and he was not about to risk anything else happening to separate him from what could not be replaced. The cell phone he barely used for calls was slid into the pocket of his worn comfortably fitting jeans. The dull press and grind of his steps on the ground would be familiar to his brother as he rounded the outside of the small place he considered home.

“I guess I will be leaving without it.” He announced checking out the car.

Finding Judah still dealing with the one yet to step out in view he turned and eyed the cycle without it’s custom cover. Lou made a point to pull it from the small storage shed that likely was once used for staff to dry meats and canning farther back than he would ever remember. Shaking out the black tarp with adjustable zipping and snap options he quickly went to work to glove fit it to the bike.

A t t i r e

[Hannah Lynn (DELETED 8242)]

With Jude's direction, Hannah put the black, four door sedan in the spot he indicated. She smiled, regardless of the butterflies she felt, then shoved them way down into the pit of her stomach. Hannah turned the engine off before she grabbed the bag she packed from the passenger seat. "Breathe. Everything will be fine. It's just one night." Hannah coaxed to herself before she did what she directed herself to do. Jude was nothing but nice to her and helpful and he wasn't looking at her in the way of 'come over for dinner, so I can have you for dinner.' "God, Hannah." She rolled her eyes at herself before her left hand pulled the handle and the door swung open.

She had heard a muffled voice while Hannah grabbed her backpack, honestly expecting it to be whoever was watching August, so imagine her surprise when Hannah stood up and peered over the car to see....Mr. Takethewrongluggage standing there. It wouldn't have been impossible to see the surprised look on her face and in her eyes as Hannah's startled eyes looked between Louvel and Jude. This was the last place she expected to see him, but wasn't that normally the case?

And suddenly it all came to a halting revelation. Jude had called his cousin, who was like a brother, 'Lou.' Louvel had been at the outfitters store. How had she completely missed all the clues? "Uhm...Hiiii." Hannah said, focusing on Louvel, as a foot rose and rested on the interior of the car, her arms crossing and laying on the roof of the car. It was then that it struck her. "Oh, don't run off yet. I have something of yours. From the other night. After the airport. I mean-you'll see." Hannah said before she slunk down and opened the middle console in her car. It was evident she was oblivious to the fact that Louvel was coming with her and Jude. There was a riffling noise that could be heard; some papers and some cd's being tossed to the seat, before Hannah said in a muffled fashion "Got it!"

Once again, she emerged from the car, holding a small silver medallion as she leaned over the roof for the second time for the night. "I think this is yours? It wasn't anyone's who was working there and it's not mine." Hannah had it placed between her thumb and her pointer finger, eyes on Louvel, waiting for a denial or the confirmation she hoped she would be getting.