How Green Becomes Wood

"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.
 
After significant time fretting over the decision, Milo finally made the decision to go. Or, more accurately, he allowed his mother to peer pressure him into it, after patiently explaining to her anxious son that sleeping in a hotel room is nothing he is unfamiliar with and it's to get to make money doing what he's best at. And to be fair, she was right about it being something he was ultimately familiar with: he showed up having packed impressively light. He had nothing but his camera and a half-filled backpack. His money was stashed cleverly in multiple different pockets, including some tucked into the camera case, so that regardless of the situation, he wouldn't be left without.

David made him nervous, despite being a pretty chill guy. Even the nicest, most easygoing stranger was still a stranger, so although he tried, Milo still couldn't totally relax. During the tournament itself, he didn't do much sitting around. For one thing, he had a cool press badge, and he didn't want the event organizers to think they had hired some chump who didn't care about doing a good job, but for another... These were really cool shots. He had never even seen sword fighting in real life before.

Although, when he was reminded to go on breaks he did, and it was nice to see a new place. It was something he missed, he realized, seeing someplace new. So naturally, he took many photographs of buildings and any other oddity he came across. The pretentious part of him felt his art had been reinvigorated by new stimulus.

As they were discussing if they wanted to explore, Milo had to step away to answer a phone call, then returned looking about the same as he always did. Ultimately, he said he wouldn't mind exploring but really didn't want to make anyone stay out too late and, typical to himself, was too nervous to take a firm stance.
 
Travel was not something Xander was familiar with. He was familiar with packing light, but since it was his van, he had most of his important things already stashed away in there. Things like an absurd amount of snacks and emergency food, a jug of water, two first aid kits, and a couple of military blankets. That was stuff that lived in the van. What he actually took into the motel room was about the same as what Milo took, since while traveling was not something he knew, he did understand packing light. He was actually enjoying himself some. He missed having Alec to share it with, but the travel itself he was enjoying. And HEMA was awesome!!

When it came time to decide to stay or go, Xander looked at Milo and quietly nudged him aside before quietly asking if everything was alright. Milo seemed to be enjoying himself, so if the phone call hadn't been anything bad, he was up for staying a couple of hours longer.
 
"That's awesome! Right on!" Peter grinned, offering him a fist bump. "Want to celebrate? We can go to your food place of choice, my treat. No pressure if you want to head home and tell your family instead."
 
"Sure thing! I think we should definitely make the most of being here," Peter agreed while David nodded in agreement. David didn't know Milo, but getting accepted to a new job was always big!

"Sure, we've got time," Xander agreed.
 
"It's your celebration, your choice, but if you'd like some options..." Peter pulled out his phone and ran a quick check. "Here's your options in what looks like easy to get to places." He rattled them off slowly, listing what types of food they served to give Milo an easier time to pick.
 
The others agreed to the choice and headed out. The place Milo picked was right across from some sort of historical spot in a park, and since it was still kind of early for lunch, they took some time to explore it. David got a passerby to take their picture near the statue with his phone, and then he texted the picture to everyone. He quipped that in a few years time, they'd have no idea who the other people in the picture were, but they'd all remember the HEMA trip! Hopefully.

After a while of exploring and picture taking, they went across the street to the restaurant to get food. It was a pretty good place. Nothing mind blowing and amazing, but solidly good. Afterward, they headed toward home, stopping once at a place Peter really wanted to see for about twenty minutes, and then it was on the road!

The trip home went smoothly, and Xander dropped everyone off starting with Peter, then David, and ending with Milo.
 
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