#me and some girlie ready to walk in the cold for girl scouts; in the dark; following some stranger; i was ready to be murdered for them lol

[fluffypotatey]

how come you can still live in the same state and yet encounter two types of girl scout cookies????

[elym13]

Queen’s Gambit Chapter 5

Yes, I know it has been at least a year. Yes, I am terribly sorry. Yes, I shall try to do better, but for now I offer this humble submission. Note the rest of the story is available at https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12579895/1/Queen-s-Gambit

Chapter 5

It was surprising to Elsa that the silence bothered her. After all those years, she would have thought that being alone in a room, in the inn near the Ledsham estate, would have been a relief —  not a problem. But the silence grated on her nerves, as did the gloves, as did the horrible scenes that flashed through her mind when she thought of Anna. And Elsa had been sitting here alone with her thoughts for hours.

She moved to the window and pushed it open. Behind the inn was a small stand of trees that screened it from the waterfront where they had landed in the very early hours of the morning. Charlotte had secured all of the rooms here, above a small tavern, so Elsa knew she was essentially alone. Carolina and Georg — Michael and Georg she corrected herself — had gone to scout the entrances to the castle. The Comtesse was napping in the room next door.

The open window allowed the breeze to help clear the stuffy room. Cold didn’t bother her, but heat did. Elsa removed her gloves placing them on a side table. Then with her hands on bottom of the window frame she leaned out and took a deep breath of the early fall air, craning her neck for a glimpse of the castle where they hoped, only hoped, that her sister and Kristoff were being held.

This was madness. Anna could be hundreds of miles away from here. She could be hurt, in pain, brutalized. Who knew what her captors were capable of? Anna … Anna could be dead.

The wood of the window groaned as it froze. With a start Elsa pulled her hands from the sill and thrust them outside. A stream of frost and ice shot from her hands into the woods, splintering a tree in its wake. She closed her eyes and tried to control it. Think of something warm, something safe, she chided herself, but that was a difficult task.

At last, she managed to pull the magic back into herself. She shivered, and she felt the trail of a tear running down her cheek. Quickly she pulled her gloves back on and then wiped it away. She was going mad. She needed a drink.

The tavern below the rooms was small, warm, and crowded. There was a carved wooden bar that curved around from the interior doorway, and a few tables scattered around the room. Booths on the outside walls under small windows and a plain red door to the street completed the decor. Elsa felt the urge to flee back up the stairs as soon as she came down them. But she couldn’t stand to be alone anymore, and she was in no mood to try to wake the Comtesse let alone talk to her. Plus she was going to have to deal with strangers in the immediate future without the armor of being royalty. She might as well start doing that today.

Elsa took in her surroundings trying to decide where she should land. The bar was occupied by a line of men, farmers by their dress but not peasants. They wore the dress of people who worked hard but had enough money to enjoy themselves at a bar and had more than one set of clothes to wear when they went there. The booths and tables were occupied by a more mixed crowd. More men than women for sure, but some couples sat with each other enjoying food and drink. Two tables were occupied with what Elsa assumed was a local militia. They were clearly military men, most wearing swords, all in coal black jackets and pants with brilliant silver buttons closing the jackets up to their chins. There were, of course, no other single women. But fortunately there was one empty table, and it was there that Elsa sat.

“What can I get fer ya, luv?” The barmaid called as she deftly avoided the hands of the militia men.

“Wine, do you have wine?”

“Aye.” The barmaid looked Elsa up and down. “But it’s not cheap. I’ll have to open the bottle ya know.”

“Oh, I can … I mean, her Excellency the Countess de Artois has made arrangements.” Elsa decided on the Avalonian version of the title.

“I see.”

Elsa felt the bar maid’s eye pierce into her soul, or whatever place lying came from. It felt strange, insulting … humiliating Elsa thought, to have someone question your word let alone your ability to pay for what you asked for.

“I’ll have to ask him,” the bar maid gestured with her head to the stout man behind the bar, the owner. “Sure you don’t want sumthin’ else?”

“No,” Elsa answered firmly. “Wine, if you please.” She watched the woman saunter away, resisting the urge to send a chill wind up her skirt. Maybe it would warm up her soul.

“Girl, if you need someone to share your wine. Me and the boys would be happy to help.”

It took Elsa a moment to pinpoint who was speaking. But when one of the militia men winked at her, she knew she had her man.

“No, thank you.” She answered and then fixed her gaze across the room. This tavern could use a painting or two.

“We’d even pay fer it if you’d come over here.”

Elsa imagined a fine work she would call “The freezing of The Highlands” as a mural across the far wall.

“Oi, don’t be rude. We just wanna talk.”

The others chimed in, “Don’t mean no ‘arm girlie.” “Didn’t yer mother teach you manners.”

Elsa heard the scraping of a chair and then an unshaven face reeking of beer loomed in front of her.

“Shy then. Hows about we join you?”

“No, thank you.”

“Girl, you can’t drink alone. Ain’t right. Ain’t right a girlie sitting by ‘erself.”

Elsa looked away. Then to her utter surprise a hand fixed itself under her chin and pulled her back.

“Come’on luv. Don’t be that way.”

Elsa went rigid and looked him square in the eyes, furious.

“I will thank you to unhand my wife.”

Everyone at the two tables turned. Fitz took two steps closer intervening between the militia man and Elsa. “Back off, mate. We don’t want trouble.”

Elsa’s assailant moved closer to Fitz. “I ain’t yer mate, and you’re the one making trouble.”

“Please darling, go upstairs,” Fitz gestured up the stairs and gave a reassuring smile to Elsa.

“Caro - Fitz. No. You come with me.” Elsa put her hand on Fitz’s arm and squeezed.

“I can’t, dearest. But I shall be up soon.”

“Dearie, do what yer fella says. You don’t wanna be here when we teach ‘im a lesson.”

Fitz took Elsa’s hand off her arm and gently kissed her palm. “Please, go upstairs.”

“I won’t …”

“Go.” Fitz turned Elsa around and guided her to the staircase. “I shall be right up. You must trust me.”

Elsa sighed but nodded and then ran up the stairs.

*******

Fitz turned back and walked slowly to where militia men were standing. She placed her hand on the pommel of the sword at her side. “Now do we have a problem, gentlemen?”

“No boy, it’s you who is got the problem. You don’t got no manners. Don’t respect the military.” Both tables of the militia got to their feet and closed in around Fitz. “Seems you need a lesson.”

“If you ill-mannered buffoons are representative of the military here, then I don’t see why I should.” She looked around at the men surrounding her. “Cowardly as well, I see.” She poked the ringleader in his chest. “If you can’t stand up for yourself.”

“Mind your words boy. I’ll wipe the floor wid you.”

“Outside! Outside!” the man at the bar yelled. “No fighting in here.”

Fitz nodded at the owner. “Of course, my good man.” She started for the door, forcing her way through the circle of men. “Come now, if you’re so impatient to school me. If you are not a coward,” she remarked over her shoulder as she made her exit.

Once outside she looked carefully at the ground surrounding the tavern. It was dirt, packed by the near constant foot traffic. A good 20 feet was clear and hard, stone and root free, but she wouldn’t need that much. There was a set of posts set off to the right, likely for horses. Fitz carefully folded her coat and placed it atop one. She heard the raucous group coming out the door.  She turned and watched them assemble.

“Do you have a second?” Fitz called. She unsheathed her sword rechecking its balance in her hand. It was far and wide the finest sword she had ever held, and it felt like an extension of her arm, a very sharp deadly extension. Steel that was said to be able to cut through other lesser swords. And a gift from her beloved. She would use it well today.

“Loike I need a second, boy.”

Fitz rolled her shoulders feeling her suspenders move and her shirt pull up from its tuck. She would not have to worry about those binding. She noted the traditional military style suspenders on her opponent, two shoulder straps coming together to one strap in the rear. His well muscled arms became apparent as he shed his heavy jacket and tossed it to one of his fellows standing near. His shirt was plain, no stock, as none was necessary with his uniform’s high collar. A collar his thick neck strained against as he brought his sword to the ready.

Fitz brought her blade up in a salute and was not the least bit surprised when the larger man rushed at her with a roar. It was a shame, she thought, she never got his name.

The larger man swung at her head clearly intending a saber cut. He was surprised when Fitz countered by merely moving her head, arm and blade in a quarter turn, interposing her sword between his and her face. Her arm moved back several inches with the force of the blow, but she did not flinch, and he could not reach her. He could not overpower her block even even he leaned in with his heavier body. She blocked his next blow, too, one to the other side of her head, simply by moving her blade, again catching his edge with the flat of her weapon. Her expression was impassive, and if she was working to keep him from reaching her she didn’t show it.

This continued for several long minutes. He tried moving more quickly, swiftly slashing from side to side. He tried varying shots from her head to her body and even one or two to her legs. As he increased his pace his blows had less force, but Fitz knew they were actually more deadly. Finally he tried a lunge at her chest. Fitz allowed his blade to run up hers, deftly deflecting it so it just passed her shoulder. She stopped him when they were hilt to hilt waited until he tried to overpower her one last time and then asked, as they were nose to nose, “Are you done with your lesson?”

When he responded with another grunt and push, she replied, “Good. Now I shall begin mine.”

Fitz pushed back with her weapon but then dropped and ducked under her opponents blade as she disengaged. She turned behind him, and she brought her blade across his back leaving a shallow cut that parted both his suspenders and shirt and left a bloody score in its wake.

The man snarled in pain and whirled. He started a flurry of attacks that Fitz parried while backing up slowly to keep him at range. Then she changed trajectory, abruptly stepping to his left. When he moved his sword to follow her, she feinted a lunge before continuing behind him bringing the tip of her sword across his left side. He swore as blood seeped onto his ruined shirt, but whirled keeping his blade between them. Fitz started a series of slashes at his face and then with a firm double beat dropped her blade. He was forced to block across his body, blade down. Fitz extended and the force of his own block drove her point across his right side. He grunted in pain, and then started a long paragraph of foul language as his pants, no longer held by his suspenders, dropped down around his boots. Fitz thanked whoever was in heaven that he was wearing drawers even if they were not especially clean.

“You bloody cow’s cunt,” the larger man swore. Tripping forward he struck out again at Fitz. This time Fitz easily blocked his blade, disengaged and then performed a backhanded thrust through his hand guard and into his wrist. His hand spasmed and he dropped his sword. Fitz pushed on his hip with her own sending him sprawling. As he went down on his back she kicked his sword aside and then put her left boot on his chest, the point of her sword right over his heart.

“This is not a bloody game,” Fitz said quietly. “It’s life and death. Right now your death.”

“Please,” the larger man begged.

“A quick death here.” Fitz poked at his chest and was rewarded with a small spot of blood that grew slowly. Then she dragged her sword down to his belly, leaving a thin line spreading red, this cut no deeper than the other superficial slashes bleeding into the dirt. “A much less quick death here. Although I will have the pleasure of imagining the pain you will be in as you die, your insides stinking and festering.”

“Please.”

“Or maybe,” Fitz’s blade dropped lower. “I just —”

“Captain Fitzwilliam! Stop that nonsense and come here instantly.” Charlotte’s voice rang out from the doorway.

Fitz sighed and brought her sword up. “You are saved by my employer’s dulcet tones. But I do hope you take your lesson from this.” Then with a nod to his fellows who were standing nearby, eyes wide, afraid to come any closer, she sheathed her sword and walked to the Comtesse.

“Your Excellency, how may I serve you.”

“You can get your arse inside before I have to take a horsewhip to you.”

“I was defending a lady’s honor.” Fitz offered her arm.

“I know what you were doing you idiot. Inside.”

Charlotte dragged Fitz inside and to the bar. Once there she dropped a small pile of gold coins in front of the tavern owner.

“I will thank you in advance for your discretion. And I would appreciate it if after these fine people finish their dinners, you might close for the night.”

“Oh, but nights my best time for business —  with the drinking and all.”

Charlotte added more coins to the pile.

“How could I ever refuse a lady such as you, your Grace?”

“Good. And if you would bring dinner and two bottles —  no four bottles — of your best wine upstairs to my room.”

***************

“How much of a simpleton are you?” Charlotte turned on Fitz once they were in her room. “I am sure the news of a brilliant duelist who humiliated a man at the “Drunken Ox,” or whatever this hellhole is called is not going to remain a secret. We were trying to be discreet.”

“Spotted Cow,” Elsa corrected, then she turned on Fitz, “Carolina, what did you do to that man?”

“He needed a lesson both in swordplay and in how not to offend a lady.”

“But did you …”

Charlotte cut Elsa off. “And you. What in god’s earth were you doing? First you freeze the forest, and then you go unaccompanied into a bar! Women do NOT go into a bar alone unless they want that — ” Charlotte waved her hand  “ — sort of attention.”

Elsa ignored the Comtesse,“I will not have you dueling in my name!”

“Do you not understand that the number of women in the world who can produce ice magically is somewhat limited?”

“Luv, I will not have wretched scum insulting you or any woman.”

“You promised not to duel.”

“In Arendelle. I will not slay your subjects, which really isn’t a problem since they do not insult you. But here this is what one does unless one is a coward.”

“For god’s sake, the two of you. Shut up!” Charlotte raised her voice as much as she felt was wise. “You,” she pointed at Fitz, “Keep that damn —

sword in your sheath until we need it. You,” now Charlotte pointed at Elsa,“Fitz does these things for some god forsaken sense of honor that she holds dear, and that she doesn’t in your kingdom is quite a measure of her love. Also please don’t freeze things.”

Fitz’s tone turned to contrition,“It was my fault, Charlotte. I shouldn’t have left her alone for so long. And she’s never been in a tavern, well one that doesn’t have her portrait on the wall.” She was interrupted by a knock on the door.

“Discreet,” Charlotte muttered, as she gestured for Fitz to open the door. It was a pair chamber maids knocking. They carried both the wine and their dinner, two roast chickens with potatoes and some cabbage dish. “Discreet,” she said again pouring herself a large glass of wine once the maids had left. “A discreet surveillance of the castle. Discreetly making our way into the bosom of Ledsham.” She glared at Fitz. “Georg is in his room NOT causing a fuss. So you will at least tell us what you found. Then you can go tell him dinner is served.”

Fitz took Elsa’s hand in hers and addressed the queen directly. She noted Elsa was again wearing the gloves. “It is very highly likely Anna and Kristoff are here. There are an inordinate number of guards. Two different regiments by the look of it. One being Ledsham’s own, which numbers about fifty men and two sergeants in its permanent full-time configuration and nearly one hundred with three officers at full strength. Then there is another, formed of the same blackguards who accosted you, in those black uniforms. They don’t belong to Ledsham. I don’t recognize them as any regiment from Avalon, and I know them all.”

“What?” Charlotte was surprised.

“Foreign or mercenaries, or quite probably both.” Fitz now turned to Charlotte. “That’s expensive and supports the idea that something in that castle is important enough to guard. That in turn suggests that Anna and Kristoff…” Fitz hesitated, ”That they are well enough to need guarding.”

“Thank goodness,” breathed Elsa, relief evident in her voice.

“Indeed,” agreed Charlotte.

Fitz continued, “We spent most of the day watching the front gate. It’s locked shut and under guard.”

“Not the best news, even if it supports your previous theory.” Charlotte tapped her lips with her forefinger.

“But in the morning, from quite early until almost noon, there is a lot of traffic. Food deliveries and what not. And some servants aren’t resident, so they are coming in as well. ”

“I would bet substantial sums that the guards get tired of unlocking and locking the gate. Plus there will be the confusion of two chains of command.”

“Indeed,” Fitz agreed, “Although the guard will be composed of the best men.”

“At let’s say, 7 am? Do you think the sergeant will reward his best men with an 7 am watch?”

“I would. If the mission needed my best.”

“Yes, and I note you were an excellent officer. In your opinion is that true of Ledsham’s?”

Fitz thought and then shook her head no. What she recalled included capricious orders and blatant favoritism. Of course any unit reflected it’s head. A head that in this case might well be decorating the King’s outer bailey.

“And at any rate,” Charlotte stated, “I would certainly favor my grit in a battle of wills against any non-commissioned foot-soldier.”

Fitz chuckled, “Indeed, they do not stand a chance.”

Elsa was still thinking of Anna and Kristoff. “They are alive, and we’ve found them.” She felt tears of relief welling in her eyes. Fitz pulled her close into a hug and stroked her hair. “And now we will get them back.”

A/N: Art by Comickergirl; Patronage by @grrlgeek72, who was also the fine hostess at my artistic retreat when I was able to walk, think, visit the lake, and most importantly write. Proofing by @grrlgeek72 and @thegeekogecko, but all errors are because I ignored them adn continued to write.

[fishy12233]

Chronicles of Sturgia

Chapter 1, Part 1: “The Gorgeous Grove”

The only sound one could hear was the sound of chirping birds and running water. The gentle sunlight shone upon the peaceful cove, creating a grand rainbow among the waterfalls and reflecting off of the water with a brilliant light. This was the peaceful sanctuary that was Sunset Grove.

Seven years ago, Gabriella Reyes was banished into a forest ruined in the midst of war. She was left to die. However, through impossible odds, she managed to not only survive, but to also revive the forest into a grand sanctuary. It was a place of safety. Over seven years, it became a glimmer of hope among the shattered kingdom of Sturgia, especially now, when nowhere else was safe any longer. Gabby founded a quaint town of peace and happiness, hidden away from the dangers of the treacherous world. Many people came here so that they could be safe. They needed somewhere safe more than ever. Over seven years, Gabriella longed to see Samuel again. When the six children from Citrione City came out of that waterfall and into the cove below, the hope that the couple would be reunited began to glimmer once again.

The six children were wet, soggy and cold. But seeing the beautiful grove that they arrived in gave them strength.

When the six kids had crashed into the cove, they also crashed into two hapless villagers who were talking on top of large lily pads. These villagers were Dan Avidan and Arin Hanson in squirrel kigurumis. Before long, Gabriella Reyes and a large group of villagers showed up to help them. The kids introduced themselves and Gabby recognized Maddie and Susan as Samuel’s nieces, seeing it as a sign that Samuel was alive. They had grown so big since Gabby last saw them. She said that the kids were the second incident of someone coming in from the waterfall. The first incident was a girl from the kids’ school who somehow stumbled into the cave in Eagle Mountain and found herself in Sunset Grove. They also met Liana Culiseta, a wise and enigmatic woman who wore a long black dress that showed off her ankle. She also had seven very large, very wound up ponytails. Suddenly, they were interrupted by a large cackle. Everyone turned towards the large tree that stood in the middle of the forest. A bizarre girl stood on a branch.

“This scene is nice and all, but the queen wouldn’t like this. She ordered me, Robyn Avia, to burn down this forest. She can’t have people taking sanctuary here.”

The bizarre girl sent her phoenix down upon the villagers, frightening them. She resolved to burn down the forest, but she threw a tantrum when she realized that her fire attacks were being blocked by a hidden force coming from inside the large tree. Robyn flew away with her phoenix, vowing to find a way to stop the protective force. After the kids dried off, Liana told them to place the Diamond Step into a pedestal on a strange monument. It looked like some sort of large pavilion without a roof. There were eight pedestals, but Liana told them which one to put it on. Liana seemed extremely excited, but was trying to keep calm. Her eyes were always so squinty, but her excitement still showed through them. Once the shoes were on the pedestal, the world began to spin around the kids. A large flock of doves began flying around the pavilion as the world changed. Soon the kids entered another realm, and the pavilion changed into a large, circular stained glass window depicting Caroling Porter weeping by her husband, who lay comatose in bed. The surrounding forest had disappeared, leaving only darkness. The flock of doves flew away, and suddenly, Caroline Porter stood in front of them. She explained that the kids were now on a quest, a quest to find all eight items and stop the dark force that was controlling the queen. Caroline was one of the eight wizards who encountered this dark force nineteen years ago. The Diamond Step was a pair of shoes that belonged to Caroline’s life-sized porcelain doll. She couldn’t leave her house because her husband Gent was comatose due to the queen making an example of him at the royal parade seven years ago.

"The next artifact is the Canary Cornucopia," Caroline said. "It's a sunflower located within the large tree in the middle of the forest. The tree is actually an abandoned facility named Twilea Incorporated. Go there. The Cornucopia is what protects the forest. If it's returned to the monument with the Diamond Step, it'll remain safe."

When the kids returned to Sunset Grove, they told Gabby everything that Caroline told them. They decided to explore Sunset Grove and prepare before entering the strange facility. Suzy, one of the villagers, volunteered to give them a tour. She showed them around the orchard, which was one of the town’s main food sources. The town mainly survived on fruit, fish, and honey. They also used imports from other towns, but they were isolated by recent events, making trade impossible. Suzy showed them to the beach, where they could see an island covered in shadow. It was a heavy contrast to the bright and sunny forest they were in right now. The kids saw one of the villagers sitting contemplatively on a nearby bench. She was a monkey who held a strange orb in her hands. It looked broken. Suzy showed them around town, including town hall, the salon, and the bank. A cat villager was delightfully playing the fiddle in the town square. Another cat villager sat by the train station painting blue things. He painted blue houses, blue cows, blue people, etc. It looks like he had run out of other paint colors. The train station was also out of order due to recent events. The kids visited the fruit cafe, the most popular restaurant in town. Smefanye, the owner, was really nice. Apparently, Smef was a model who was really popular a couple of years ago.

Afterwards, the kids went to the local store to restock. Peter saw a really cool beetle backpack with more space, so he bought it. Then, the kids got to watch the local band play a song. They called themselves the Coffee Shop Hipsters. The song they sang was a song of peace. The lyrics we're hopeful and empowering. It was a soothing song that also evoked a sense of adventure. The kids loved it.

The tour took the kids back into the woods, which had trees whose leaves were already changing. Suzy explained that the woods to the east had been frozen over, and that a large ice wall prevented anyone from going to the town in the north. They entered the camp site, which had a food truck that Dan and Arin were running. For some reason, they only sold variations of mac and cheese, from lasagna to fettucini alfredo. There was also a troop of small scouts, which was run by Gabby’s dad. Their campsite had a lot of modern commodities in it, like a projector screen and a laptop. Annie really loved the campsite, not because of the commodities, but because it reminded her of camping trips she went on. She happily devoured the food that the scouts offered her. Mr. Reyes told the kids that the troop was working on making a guidebook like the one the kids made for Citrione City. Apparently, there were two siblings, Trixie and Wayne Brodeur, who were also making their own guidebook. He suggested that if the kids added stuff from Sunset Grove into their own guidebook that it would help everyone gain as much information about Sturgia as possible. There was a strange cabin nearby. It belonged to Trixie and Wayne Brodeur, the park rangers. Suzy explained that they were always so busy obsessing over a strange book series that they found one day. The kids looked inside, and Suzy’s words rang true. Trixie and Wayne were inside, putting together a huge conspiracy theory chart that covered the walls. Sure enough, they were frantically reading through the 12 strange journals that they found. As the tour continued, the kids entered a strange part of the forest. The trees turned into white mushrooms, and a strange purple mist lingered in the air. Suzy said that this place was once called "Beau Village". To their surprise, there was a crashed UFO in the ground. An alien that looked like the same species as Retro was talking to three villagers: a librarian owl, a girly bunny, and a strange boy. He was also holding a strange creature. Weirded out, the kids walked away from the scene. After shopping around for a while, the kids were ready to enter Twilea Inc. However, as they were about to enter, the banker, Mr. Sauer, stopped them. “What do you think yer doin’, laddies? This is my property!”

Mr. Sauer was a strange man. In fact, he wasn’t a man at all. He looked like some sort of dinosaur with tiny eyes and fluffy bird feet. However, no one, not even Mr. Sauer, knew what he really was.

“What do you mean? We're the ones who’ve been trying to restore it to working order!” Gabby retaliated.

“That place is dangerous!” said Mr. Sauer. “If you want to go in and risk bein’ attacked by that girl, you laddies need to defeat me and my pigeons!”

The kids groaned, but they had no choice. Mr. Sauer’s pigeons pecked at their eyes annoyingly. Luckily for Chris, his glasses protected him. It was an annoying battle, but they managed to defeat him. Tired, Mr. Sauer called his secretary. The kids recognized her as one of their classmates. Mr Sauer had her unlock the door so that they could go through, accepting that they were strong enough to take on Robyn.

The six kids entered Twilea Incorporated, ready to face what lay before them.

[sargentsnowy-blog]

It was dark, the moon full as it shined with stars over the camp.

Max lie awake, staring at the top of his tent with the usual bored face as Neil's snoring rang his ears.

"No wonder I can't fucking sleep," he whispered, waiting silently for the sounds of feet crunching on the dirt and grass. "What us taking her so long?"

Just as he said it, the tent quickly unzipped revealing Nikki standing there proudly as the moon silhouetted her.

"Hi Max!" She whispered, pulling him out the futon that made the camp camp campers beds. "Ready?"

"Anything to get away from this guy's damn snoring."

The pair left the tent, tip toeing to the edge of the camp and avoiding a patrolling David. The animals were silent as the two walked to their nightly place.

The largest hill in Sleepy Peak Peak.

It was close, Max could even see it over the treetops that crowded his sight.

"Max," Nikki called, startling him. "Are you okay? You usually talk about finding David's weakness or shutting down this 'hell hole.'"

Max shrugged, "Maybe I'm not in the mood."

"Well then if you weren't in the mood you wouldn't have come out here with me every night."

Max clenched his teeth, walking up the hill to where a pine tree stood. He sat under its shade, Nikki sitting beside him. Only he scooted to the other side of the tree.

Nikki sighed, "What is your issue? You've never acted like this until now.

"Maybe I'm not in the fucking mood Nikki."

He heard the crunching of grass, and the next thing he knew, the girl was standing in front of him with her eyes glowing angrily.

"You're acting like an asshole. And you know I wouldn't call you that unless there was a good reason," Nikki stated, sitting beside him.

Max tried to move but she grabbed his arm.

"What is your issue?!" Max said, snatching his arm. "Maybe—"

"Why?! Your mom is a golddigger, you saw her trying to fuck Neil's dad, and you were run off by those flower scout bitches!

Nikki covered his mouth. "Who gives a crap about 'maybe'. I want to know the real shit. Tell me."

Max's eye twitched. "Fine." He rubbed his floof called hair. "Its just that, you're so happy."

"And?"

"Why? Your mom is a golddigger, you mom tried to fuck Neil's dad. YOU WERE RAN OUT BY THOSE FLOWERSCOUT BITCHES."

Nikki shrugged. "I don't get it."

"Its just..." Max calmed his voice, staring down to the grass. "You're so happy to live with all that, but my parents don't like me so they sent me to summer camp every year.

"You live with all that and those assholes tslkig about you but I'm mad that I come to the shit hole every summer? Beats me being with my parents."

Max felt something slam him face, making him gasp. Nikki had slapped him. Hard.

"Do you know how long I've wanted to go to summer camp? Very long, Max. You actually have it way easier. David and Gwen are basically your parents!"

Max scoffed. "When they're my parents they would've killed me first."

Nikki practically growled. "I've had to live with some crappy girly girls all last summer! And I was run out by them! I had to deal with my mother coming onto different people all school year!

"I put on a smile because I no longer care."

Max stared at her, an eyebrow raised.

"My life isn't easy. Its pretty hard. But..." Nikki turned to him, a smile wide on her face. "I try go make it better! And your schemes and angry talk make me happy like Neil! And if you aren't yourself, I'll make sure you go back to normal!"

Max was overly flustered. He was stiff, his floofy hair blowing in the wind. He put Gus head down and let out a small chuckle.

Nikki tilted her head towards him, confused.

His laugh got louder, and louder, until it echoed from Spooky Island.

He wasn't laughing evilly. He was laughing with actual joy. Nikki was completely freaked out.

"Ahah... Nikki! Ahaa!"

Nikki scooted away from him. "Why are you laughing?!"

"Because! You just said all those things about your life! And you're still smiling! That's... Actually pretty cool. Maybe you're rubbing off on me because that was one if the best laughs I've ever had!"

Nikki shrugged, smiling as she laid down on the hill. The grass was soft and nice, making the girl put her arms behind her head.

She patted the spot next to her, looking at Max with shining eyes. He laid beside her, staring up at the moon and stars.

The weight of today brought fatigue on his body, making him turn to Nikki only to see she was already asleep.

He pulled his hoodie over her before she got cold and fell asleep.

....

"Good morning Campbell Campers!" David called in his normal cheery voice. "We have a long day ahead of us! So let's get started!"

Neil woke up, yawning before looking to Max... 'S bed.

"Where the fuck is Max?"

The nerd got out of bed and ran out his tent, hearing Nerris following him.

"David!" They yelled in unison. "There's a camper missing!"

Neil and Nerris stopped beside each other, staring at David and Gwen.

"What the fuck do mean there's a camper missing?" Gwen said in her normal grumpy tone.

"Max is missing!" Neil yelled.

"So is Nikki!" Added Nerris.

David and Gwen looked at each other, nodding.

"Campers!" Gwen called to the gathering kids. "Max and Nikki are missing! We need to find them! We can't go down with another lost camper!"

A collected groan echoed over the crowd.

"No camp activities for a week!" David added.

Instantly, the clearing was empty, kids climbing over kids to get to the forest.

The counsellors shrugged before running to join them.

David and Gwen called for Max and Nikki at once, looking under bushes or climbing up trees.

But when David climbed up the tallest tree in the forest, he saw blue on a tall hill.

He let out a gasp before falling out the tree, a scream leaving his mouth all the way down.

Gwen watched David fall into a bush before he popped right out.

"Their on the hill!"

Gwen began to ran toward the hill, David following close behind. The hill was steep but not steel enough for 10 year olds. Steep enough for David but still.

As the adults climbed the tree and parted the bushes, the let out small gasps.

Both Max and Nikki were curled together, asleep. Nikki had Max's hoodie draping her as a cover while their hands were being held by the other.

David and Gwen let out an aww if approval and from how cute the situation was.

They climbed back down the hill, opting not to bother them since they've probably always did this until it got late.

A rustle in the bushes alerted Gwen making her tell David to stop only for all the campers to come crashing out.

"SHHHH." The pair hissed.

David sighed. "Max and Nikki are asleep in that hill." He pointed to the location. "Together."

Preston pushed forward, his eyes crazed and his mouth in a smile. "I must see this!"

All the campers surfers forward quietly, smiling as they climbed the hill, David and Gwen following.

Max and Nikki were still asleep, just more comfortable looking.

A small awe passed through everyone, the kids and counsellors opting to stay quiet.

They only watched the small movements they made, usually a mumble under the breath.

Until Max woke up, sitting up and giving a small yawn. He covered his eyes with his hand before looking down on Nikki.

A wide smile broke his face.

A giant gasp erupted from the bushes, causing Max to jump up with a flustered face. Over the bushes he saw retreating people, making him crack his knuckles.

He sighed, thinking he'll deal with it later before he sat down beside Nikki, waiting for her to wake up so they can go to the mess hall together.

.....

@skye667 you were the one that asked if I could do it to the makki fanfic shortage.