Ravyn: So, tonight, when she lays down to go to sleep, it's quiet around. Warm enough...the air's a calm 64 degrees...comfortable. It's good weather for sleeping, especially for those who have been getting used to the colder air of New York.

Avery Woods: She stays outside to sleep, having borrowed a blanket or two from one of the Natives there, wanting to see the stars here like she had at the beach back in South Carolina. She's already snuck out and had a few hits on her last roach too.

Ravyn: Eventually, the effects of the pot combine with the late hour and the balmy conditions lull her to sleep. The world fades away, as she starts to drift into murky dreams...and then, a sound comes from nearby. Footsteps, walking by. And the tap of a staff.

Avery Woods: She calls out, half asleep, half awake. "Hello?" eyes closed, having just gotten comfortably on her side and arm tucked under her.

Avery Woods: (+ head)

Ravyn: "Hey, there." The voice sounds older, sort of a weathered tone to it, like Johnny Cash's. The footsteps stop, and theres the slight sound of dirts grinding underfoot as the source of the voice pivots to look at her. "You look tired."

Avery Woods: When the voice starts talking to her, she slowly sits up, pulling the blanket around herself, looking slowly as she opens her eyes, for the source of the voice.

Ravyn: The man standing there is Native American, of an indeterminate age...somewhere over 40, possibly even 50. He's dressed in simple travelling clothes...a stonewashed jean shirt and matching pants, good sturdy hiking boots, and a black, brimmed hat. A small pack rests on his shoulder, and he leans against a six and a half-foot walking staff. There's a sense of wisdom in his eyes...something deep and very ancient there. "Evenin', Avery. How are you?"

Avery Woods: She tilts her head slightly when he addresses her. "I don't remember us meeting before....have we?" she asks, obvious Southern drawl from having been down here for the time she has.

Ravyn: "Once or twice," he says with a grin. "Yeah, we know each other." He gestures over in the direction of the road, a ways away. "My bike's over there...I feel like a walk tonight, though. Care to join me?"

Avery Woods: She smiles more as her senses start to come back to her. Standing up, she pulls the blanket around herself to help stay warm. "I'd love to."

Ravyn: "Great. Take your time geting as ready as you need...I'm not in a huge rush. We don't have that much time..." He nods with a smile. "But we got a little."

Avery Woods: "You going my way? Back to New York?" she asks. "Or somewhere else?"

Ravyn: "Yes," he says with a little bit of a grin at the non-committal answer. "Here and there...back and forth. Wherever things take me. I might just make it to the Big Apple, though. Lot of intreresting things going on there."

Avery Woods: "I'm supposed to head back tomorrow. But I don't mind making a detour."

Ravyn: He nods a little bit. "Better get ready, then. I think we got a long walk ahead of us."

Avery Woods: "I should definitely bring my snacks then. If you don't mind waiting....." she heads to one of the cabins where the rest of her things are.

Ravyn: "Not at all." He leans a little more on his staff, plucking a piece of long grass from the ground to stick in his mouth as he waits.

Avery Woods: It doesn't take her long to collect her sack that has her food and another small bag with some clothes in it, both worn crosswise over her shoulders. ((And yes, she's wearing the gold band on her left hand but you probably already figured that out))

Ravyn: ((*Nods*)) He smiles at her when she comes out ready, and looks off in the direction he was heading. "And away we go." He starts to walk along, moving at her side. A few long moments, before he looks over to her. "So how've you been, kid?"

Avery Woods: "I've been......" she considers, while they walk. "well.....there's been a lot of changes going on in my life lately. I hope you have been well...."

Ravyn: "Same old, same old," he says with a shrug. "Always some road ahead of me....and as long as the road's there, it keeps me happy. Hear tell you've had some interesting experiences up there on that island."

Avery Woods: She laughs softly. "You mean the one that sold for $24 back in the day?"

Ravyn: He chuckles a bit. "And that's if you really count glass beads at that price. That'd be the one, yeah."

Avery Woods: "There have been things going on there. I still feel like an outsider though. Not that I mind. I have different priorities now. I have another life to consider now."

Ravyn: He nods a little bit. "Yeah, you do. That makes you feel more of an outsider, or less of one?"

Avery Woods: "I'm still trying to figure it out. I think it'll make more of one," she opens the small sack and pulls out some grapes, offering the bag with them to her companion for the evening. "They say that I can help with something that's pretty important. Just I still feel just as much in the dark as I did before I knew there was something for me to help with," she laughs popping a few of the grapes into her mouth.

Ravyn: He plucks out a small handful of grabes with a gratful smile and a grin. "Always darkest before the dawn, I hear they say. I saw, it depends on what they consider dawn, but I don't think they meant it that literally."

Avery Woods: She nods finishing the grapes she had been eating. "Yes, an expression. Dawn and twilight have always been a time of uncertainty because of being between night and day."

Ravyn: "Which of the four do you like more," he asks curiously, anothe grape popping into his mouth as they walk.

Avery Woods: "I like twilight the best because then it turns to night. And I enjoy the darkness."

Ravyn: He grins a bit and nods. "Thought you might." A little shrug, as he looks ahead. They're making decent time. "Has to become day sometime, though, you know."

Avery Woods: "Yes, and maybe it's the day that frightens me the most."

Ravyn: "Why's that?"

Avery Woods: "I'm trying to figure it out. Maybe I prefer to be able to hide in the shadows."

Ravyn: "Could be...could be." He nods some to that. "Easier to see things by daylight. For you and for others."

Avery Woods: "I don't like to be seen really. But I agree. You can see things a lot easier in the light."

Ravyn: He smiles a touch underneath the brim of his hat, even as his eyes narrow, looking ahead of them. "Lotta things in the darkness up there. Things that could use bein' brought to light."

Avery Woods: "So I should be trying to find them and do just that?"

Ravyn: "Wouldn't hurt none." He nods a little bit. "Some of 'em might take some draggin'...they'll fight their damnedest to stay in the dark. Lotta folks like bein' in the darkness as much as you. An' I ain't talking about the nasties there, either."

Avery Woods: "I'm sure I'll go kickin' and screamin'," she laughs softly, eating a few more grapes. "I've got my own little skeltons too to deal with when I get back. One named Adriana."

Ravyn: "Ahhh, yeah." He chuckles a little bit. "Interested to see how that one plays out, I've gotta tell you, kid."

Avery Woods: "I'm not particularly interested. But I know I have to face it," she sighs softly.

Ravyn: "Never know." He shrugs non-chalantly with a bit of a smile. "She might just surprise you."

Avery Woods: "That's what Snyde keeps telling me," she shrugs a bit herself.

Ravyn: "Hmmm." He considers that, and nods. "Maybe he's right. Must know enough to do somethin' right, after all, if he's got you."

Avery Woods: That makes her smile a bit. She considers something but just eats some more grapes, still considering.

Ravyn: "Penny for your thoughts?" He looks at her with a grin. "Even got a Buffalo Nickel I picked up a couple years ago I'd be willin' to pay."

Avery Woods: "I wish he believed in us more. I think he's still expecting the carpet to just be ripped out from under him. It's hard to keep trying to convince him all the time that I'm not going anywhere....." then she laughs. "Oh, I know what this must look like though...me here. Him on the island. "

Ravyn: He nods a little bit. "You need your space. If he's serious about keepin' ya, he'll figure that out. Think he's got more brains then some give him credit for." He chuckles a bit, reaching into his pocket and coming out with the aforementioned Buffalo Nickel. He flicks it over toward her..

Avery Woods: "Most people hate him he tells me," she laughs catching the Nickel, or at least gives it her best try. "It was because of Adriana. But I have enjoyed having my space. So many things came at me at once. My mind couldn't sort it all out."

Ravyn: The nickel falls right into the palm of her hand. "Hmm. Yeah, it's easier to think when it's just you and the road." He looks ahead fondly. "Easier to put things in perspective."

Avery Woods: "Yes, it is," she considers at how it landed so perfectly, but only for a moment. "It is. I just wish I knew the best path to take to do more with myself. But I'm sure when I'm ready, the road will be there for me and I'll find my way."

Ravyn: He grins. "You're one of mine, kiddo. You'll always find the right road...even if it takes a bit of wandering to get there."

Avery Woods: "Do you think the baby will make it harder?" she asks.

Ravyn: "Without a doubt." He nods. "But it'll make it easier, too. Kids are like that. Very contradictory...but usually in the good way."

Avery Woods: "How did I know you'd say something like that," she laughs. "I mean the contradictions. I think the baby will be one of those .....forces....or fate.....that brings me back to the light."

Ravyn: "You knew because you knew the answer, of course." He chuckles softly. "It never fails to amaze me how many questions people ask, when they already know the answers." It's hardly reproaching in any way. He nods a little bit to the second part of that. "Yeah, I think you're probably right. You ready for that?"

Avery Woods: "I hope I am in a little under nine months."

Ravyn: "I think you will be. Whether you think so or not."

Avery Woods: "Do you think I'm ready to help Snyde and the others? Because I don't. I'm worried about risking the baby."

Ravyn: "Lots of ways to help without puttin' that little one at risk, Avery." He looks toward the sky. "Many ways to help as there are lights in the black. Just gotta figure out how. I think you'll manage it."

Avery Woods: ""Yes...there are many lights in the black," she looks up too.

Ravyn: He grins, looking to her. "See...even in the dark, you've got the light shinin' down on ya."

Avery Woods: "Hard to see that living in the city. Artificial light just isn't the same," she puts the empty bag that had the grapes in them back in her satchel. "I forgot how much I missed being in the country."

Ravyn: He nods. "Lot more open space to traverse out here. There in those big cities, you got boundaries, things blockin' your way. It's crowded. Harder to get around, you know?" He smiles a bit. "So many people, tryin' to get somewhere, and even though it ain't but a few steps, they just keep gettin' in each other's way and makin' it five times slower."

Avery Woods: "Yes. I agree. I prefer the open road like this. You know exactly what I mean I'm sure. But now I have a new life starting in the city. So I need to figure out a way to make the best of it."

Ravyn: "You'll make do, I wager." He reaches into a pocket, pulling out a hand-rolled cigarette and pops it into his mouth. A foot raises mid-stride as a match follows the cigarette, and he leans down to strike the match on his boot, flaring it to life and bringing it up to light the smoke. Somehow, he manages to do the whole thing in one smooth motion, the step following through. "Gotta watch out for some things, though. Not everything in the dark is a potential ally." He gives her a sidelong glance at that.

Avery Woods: "Like the .....what did he call them.....started with a N....had to do with the mother and son. I don't know much about that sort of thing, but I don't think I'd be all that trusting either since I've been told." There is a wistful look as he lights up, she would like the last few drags left on her own -cig- "Or you mean there is something else that I haven't heard about yet?"

Ravyn: He nods a little. "Little of both, really. Gotta watch out for them N-folk. Gotta assume you meanin' the Fallen Ones by that. Be careful of them...they're some sly devils...and the devils they serve go beyond sly. But there's more then that, even in this little world. An' in some cases, they're closer then you can imagine. Not so close you can smell the brimstone on 'em, but there's things older then this world out there. My side of things is gettin' bad, these days. Travellers on my road are gettin' less an' less safe...and some things are openin' up, slippin' free. You're safe as you can be right now...just keep them pretty little browns peeled, just in case."

Avery Woods: "I'll do my best. I reckon that Snyde'll help teach me along the way. I'm hoping he's a decent judge of folks given what he's done before. But I'll be careful. I have to now..." her hand moves to her stomach for a moment, perhaps she does out of her finally getting a better grasp of the changes coming in her life soon down the road.

Ravyn: "Yeah, I reckon you do." He smiles and moves a little closer, his hand coming to rest on Avery's. "Gonna be a good kid, kid. Grow up to be strong and true. They'll do you proud. Maybe, if I'm lucky, one day, they'll be one-a mine, like you."

Avery Woods: "They'll?" she asks, looking up to him, part of her just wanting to hug him suddenly, but he gets a big smile. "So I'm gonna be having a bigger family huh? Then I'd better be sure they come looking for you and take really good care of you."

Ravyn: "They'll." He grins. "Meant it as to me non-gender specific, kiddo. I ain't spillin' the beans yet. Not unless ya want me to." He nods, smiling at that last bit. "You're one of the good ones, y'know that?"

Avery Woods: She smiles. "I kinda like a little bit of the traditional old mystery...even if I didn't use a pee stick," she giggles. "How's that...am I too good though....to be taken advantage of?"

Ravyn: "Mmmm." He takes a drag off his smoke, considering that. "You've an amiable nature. Thinkin' you see the best in folk, most of the time. It ain't a fault by any stretch...just gotta know when to trust that feelin' in your gut that tells you somethin' ain't right about someone."

Avery Woods: "I'm fixin' to give it a good try," she nods. "Though most'd said that I'd be wastin' my time on Snyde from what he's told me."

Ravyn: "Yeah...and you trusted your gut. It's got you here...done you right so far. Don't see no reason to go back on that yet." He stops there a moment, looking around the landscape. "Yeah. Think we've gone far enough. You can handle the road the rest of the way...always have been able to. I got a few places to wander, but I figure you may just be seein' me up on that island."

Avery Woods: "I'd like that," she smiles. She gives him a gentle hug. "Thank you.....I think I'm ready to go back now."

Ravyn: He nods, and slips an arm around her, hugging her back. "Yeah. Yeah, I think you are. Take care-a yourself, kiddo. An' when or if ya get a chance, say hi to Tala for me. Ask Snyde...he'll know, if he hasn't already told ya."

Avery Woods: She smiles more. "Oh yes, I haven't met her, but I think I will be soon."

Ravyn: "She's good folk. Met her a stretch back. Watch out for them wolves-a hers, though. They're protective." He smiles, and claps her lighty on the back...and she wakes up with the feel of cool metal in the palm of her hand. ((Per+Awareness))

Avery Woods: ((per/aware: 3,8,1,2,6,))

Avery Woods: ((hehe...she actually knows about the wolves too *laugh* came up in the last phone call scene done with Snyde))

Ravyn: The buffallo nickel in her hand flares a bit with magic, before fading to a quiet spules. She can feel it, but it's likely too weak for others to do so in it's current, dormant state.

Avery Woods: ((Oooooh....cool. ))

Avery Woods: ((Almost had forgotten about that nickel *Grin*))

Ravyn: ((*G*)) It's still night...probably no more then a few hours have passed. Avery does feel refreshed though, as if she's had a full night's sleep...possibly several. ((Any WP that's been spent is returned))

Avery Woods: ((Almost spent WP for that roll, but decided against it))

Avery Woods: She needs the rest since she's had not been sleeping really good lately. It will help her on her ride back.

Ravyn: ((And finite. *S*))