pandakatiefominz
Wraith
"You have plenty of life to live," Dark assured him.
"Or you can host your own some day."
"Or you can host your own some day."
How Green Becomes Wood
- Thread starter pandakatiefominz
- Start date
BookKnight
Well-Known Member
"Now that is a dream!" Alec sighed wistfully.
Xander shook his head. "You've never planned anything big in your life. What makes you think you can plan a ball?"
"Tenacity and delusion!" Alec chirped while Xander rolled his eyes.
Not long after, it was time to head out for the HEMA tournament Peter had invited them to go to, and Milo had been hired for as a photographer. Alec had gone back and forth over whether or not to go, but ultimately decided not to. He had no interest in HEMA whatsoever, so why should he? He'd just get bored. He still felt anxious about Xander being gone so long and so far away, but he knew this was good for them and was determined to push through and maybe even enjoy the time himself.
Xander had been chosen to be the driver, to keep things simple, and it had ended up being him, Peter, Milo, and another friend of Peter's named David whom Xander had seen in passing but never really hung out with. The plan was to head out early, go to the first day of the tournament, collapse at the hotel, go to the second day of the tournament, hotel sleep, and then there was a final bit at the tournament that was mostly awards and things. They could be on the road before lunch, if they wanted, or they could eat there and then leave. The tournament also had break times if they wanted to go see anything nearby in the city. Xander had zero interest, but if the others wanted, he was willing to drive them.
So, before the sun had fully risen, he'd tossed his duffel bag into the van, checked his snack box, said goodbye to his parents and siblings, and headed off to pick everyone up. Peter offered to help drive, but Xander refused. He liked driving his van. If it had been a long trip, he'd have considered sharing the responsibility, but this was not a bad trip. There were even some interesting things and wildlife to see on the way. Once they arrived, Milo was given a special badge when they checked in and briefed on where he could and could not go. Everything was pretty clearly marked, so as long as he didn't get distracted while taking pictures and accidentally stumble into someone else's bout, he'd be fine. Xander, Peter, and David - who turned out to be a chill, quiet guy who was easy to talk to - found good seats with one saved for Milo. Xander wandered sometimes with Milo, but he didn't want to get in his way. The HEMA people were almost all very cool people. There were a couple of grumps, because there always were in a large group, but they were mostly pretty cool people joking around with each other and comparing notes and tips. And there were weapons. So many weapons. Mostly swords and shields, but there was a strong showing of other things, too. Xander was hypnotized.
Over lunch and the other breaks, Peter suggested a couple of places to go check out to get some fresh air and food, and it was a pretty fun time. There was no strict schedule to adhere to as long as Milo got plenty of good HEMA pictures. The hotel later on turned out to be very comfortable with two beds, a cot, and a couch. Xander took the cot, and Peter offered to take the couch, leaving the two beds for David and Milo. David was curious about Milo process and asked a few questions about his camera and how he framed his pictures, but there was no pressure in his questions, only gentle curiosity.
The next morning, the HEMA results were announced and the winners awarded all within a couple of hours, leaving plenty of time if the group wanted to go explore, or head straight back home. Peter suggested exploring for an hour or two since they were there. Xander was fine with exploring, but somewhat more interested in heading home. David was ambivilent.
Xander shook his head. "You've never planned anything big in your life. What makes you think you can plan a ball?"
"Tenacity and delusion!" Alec chirped while Xander rolled his eyes.
Not long after, it was time to head out for the HEMA tournament Peter had invited them to go to, and Milo had been hired for as a photographer. Alec had gone back and forth over whether or not to go, but ultimately decided not to. He had no interest in HEMA whatsoever, so why should he? He'd just get bored. He still felt anxious about Xander being gone so long and so far away, but he knew this was good for them and was determined to push through and maybe even enjoy the time himself.
Xander had been chosen to be the driver, to keep things simple, and it had ended up being him, Peter, Milo, and another friend of Peter's named David whom Xander had seen in passing but never really hung out with. The plan was to head out early, go to the first day of the tournament, collapse at the hotel, go to the second day of the tournament, hotel sleep, and then there was a final bit at the tournament that was mostly awards and things. They could be on the road before lunch, if they wanted, or they could eat there and then leave. The tournament also had break times if they wanted to go see anything nearby in the city. Xander had zero interest, but if the others wanted, he was willing to drive them.
So, before the sun had fully risen, he'd tossed his duffel bag into the van, checked his snack box, said goodbye to his parents and siblings, and headed off to pick everyone up. Peter offered to help drive, but Xander refused. He liked driving his van. If it had been a long trip, he'd have considered sharing the responsibility, but this was not a bad trip. There were even some interesting things and wildlife to see on the way. Once they arrived, Milo was given a special badge when they checked in and briefed on where he could and could not go. Everything was pretty clearly marked, so as long as he didn't get distracted while taking pictures and accidentally stumble into someone else's bout, he'd be fine. Xander, Peter, and David - who turned out to be a chill, quiet guy who was easy to talk to - found good seats with one saved for Milo. Xander wandered sometimes with Milo, but he didn't want to get in his way. The HEMA people were almost all very cool people. There were a couple of grumps, because there always were in a large group, but they were mostly pretty cool people joking around with each other and comparing notes and tips. And there were weapons. So many weapons. Mostly swords and shields, but there was a strong showing of other things, too. Xander was hypnotized.
Over lunch and the other breaks, Peter suggested a couple of places to go check out to get some fresh air and food, and it was a pretty fun time. There was no strict schedule to adhere to as long as Milo got plenty of good HEMA pictures. The hotel later on turned out to be very comfortable with two beds, a cot, and a couch. Xander took the cot, and Peter offered to take the couch, leaving the two beds for David and Milo. David was curious about Milo process and asked a few questions about his camera and how he framed his pictures, but there was no pressure in his questions, only gentle curiosity.
The next morning, the HEMA results were announced and the winners awarded all within a couple of hours, leaving plenty of time if the group wanted to go explore, or head straight back home. Peter suggested exploring for an hour or two since they were there. Xander was fine with exploring, but somewhat more interested in heading home. David was ambivilent.