Walking the Line (attn. Alyshia)

Never take Nature for granted. She can be your best friend, or your worst enemy. Be prepared.

Ezekiel understood that well. His first port of call had been Nachton’s Park Rangers. They’d been mighty helpful and impressed by his questioning and sense of responsibility.

The topographical map of C. John Apollo Park and Nature Preserve was easy to read, and the hiking trails had been marked clearly and well explained. Ezekiel had made note of the fire alert status (low), expected weather forecast (good), and animal danger (that depended on who was doing the hunting).

The Ranger had recommended a two and a half hour hike out to Hill 234. The track wasn’t one of the most commonly used, but it brought hikers out to a cabin in the forest that overlooked the ocean.

The cabin was maintained by the Park Rangers and had a working CB radio, a full tank of propane that provided heating, cooking, lighting and hot water, and emergency medical supplies and water containers. Hikers were expected to bring their own bedding which was considered the norm, but to Ezekiel’s mind it wasn’t exactly roughing it.

But he deferred to the Rangers advice, and at least if there was an emergency it would be relatively easy to get help. Not that Ezekiel expected any trouble.

Ezekiel laid down the security deposit on the Cabin and gave his driver's license information, received the keys, and provided details on his and Alyshia’s departure and return time. One of the Rangers offered to drive the pair out to the track and pick them up the next day. That made transportation a lot easier, and Ezekiel was glad of the offer.

Second port of call had been a Sporting Goods store on the Strip that the Park Rangers had recommended. Ezekiel had already made a list of items and equipment he needed to get and the shop clerk was more than happy to help supplement Ezekiel’s existing equipment with more supplies.

Ezekiel arrived back at the Den around 11:00am and started packing his backpack. Be prepared. He’d packed more than he needed, but it was better than being caught out with less than he wanted.

Ezekiel left all the details of his little hiking venture with Xeph and then caught a taxi back to the Strip. The Ranger had said he’d pick the pair up at 2:00pm from the Sporting Goods store. Ezekiel dropped off his backpack at the Sporting Goods store and headed off down to where Alyshia worked.

A couple of people stared at the man in military issue khaki who was striding down the street humming away happily to himself. And a few even recognized that Johnny Cash song that passed his lips.

But of course no-one bothered to stop the man and ask him if it was “I Walk the Line.”

And that suited Ezekiel just fine.

Alyshia 17 years ago
She had just finished another cup of cylon tea and was whiping her hands on a napkin as Ezekiel tilted her head back and kissed her on the lips, blushing madly in front of the shopowner she placed her hands on his chest kissing him back sweetly.

Giggling softly at his remark she smiled at him, the blush still evident on her cheecks.

"That was some dessert"

Pulling back from the kiss she turned to the shopkeeper thanking him for the great meal, turning back to Ezekiel she reached out to take his hand, jumping gracefully of her chair she wrapped her arms around his waist looking up at him with a questioning look.

"Ready to head out to the sports store?"
Ezekiel 17 years ago
"Okay ramblers, let's get rambling."

He waved back at the storekeeper and let Alyshia guide him out of the deli.

Ezekiel walked slowly down the street, mindful of her smaller stride.

The music store was down a side street across from the Sporting Goods store and Ezekiel pointed out the neon violin that hung outside the store.

It didn't take Ezekiel long to retrieve his guitar and pay for the new black hard case it was stored in.

The pair strolled arm in arm back to the Sporting Goods store, with ten minutes to spare. Ezekiel handed the guitar case to Alyshia while he grabbed both backpacks and placed them outside the store on the sidewalk.

Thanking the store manager, Ezekiel took both Alyshia and the guitar case in hand and waited outside by the backpacks.

In a short while a brown and white SUV pulled up in front of the pair. The Park Ranger coat of arms emblazoned on the side.

Ezekiel helped the ranger pack the gear in the back.

With a minor flourish, Ezekiel opened the passenger side door and bowed to Alyshia.

"After you, sweetheart."

((ooc - Ezekiel out))
Alyshia 17 years ago
Holding on to his arm Aly walked out of the deli, waving cheerfully to the owner and promissing him they would surely come back one day.

Heading towards the music shop she looked around while Ezekiel payed for the guitar and the new casing it was in, they retrieved their backpacks and other belongings from the sport store and waited for the park ranger to come and pick them up, holding onto the guitar as Ezekiel took care of the rest.

Seeing the brown SUV pull up she got a little nervous for some reasson.. their adventure would begin now.. no turning back from this point on, they would be alone.. in nature with a full moon coming out in a couple of hours.

Giving him a little nervous smile she took his hand as he opened the cardoor for her, getting inside she looked down at her nails.. why was she feeling so nervous? didn't she trust him? no she did.. it was just the fact that for the first time in her life she felt so close to a man and to be honest she wasn't quite sure how to hanle all of it.

As Ezekiel got in on the other side of the car they drove off towards the park.

(( ooc. Alyshia out too. please lock thread ))