Staying In Touch

[Wanda Johansson]

She wouldn't describe what she felt as a heartbeat so much, but that wasn't a bad description either, she reflected. She was sitting cross-legged, hands on her knees and there wasn't even a sway in her posture. An outside observer would say she was lost to the world with her eyes closed and her breathing in a prolonged rhythm. She was anything but lost though. A long-tailed, spotted creature stopped its movement through the nearby tree branches to stare at her and she smiled. It regarded her curiously and then, apparently deciding she belonged, it moved on with a casual air of unconcern towards a thicker stand of trees on another hill.

Her right hand squeezed her knee, the outline tattoo work on the back of her hand and up her arm moving with the muscle motion. She swears she can feel it like an incomplete working,, but also something not to be rushed. The additions would come in time when she was ready. Despite the day's walk, she wasn't tired. She couldn't be tired here, surrounded by so much life. Despite it's careful cultivation, the school flooded with power and life of its own and that was her *place*. That was where she belonged. There was so much world though and she couldn't understand how to care for hers without appreciating the difference of other places. A deep breath and an exhale and her hand relaxed as she rode the current of the life around her, sensing her place in it, even if that place was just to visit.

[Isolde Schwarz]

"You know," a voice comes from behind her, "most people sight-see with their eyes open."

[Wanda Johansson]

"Most people don't 'see' what I 'see'," she responds, serene in a way that the owner of the voice had not seen her lately. She opens her eyes and tilts her head back to look at her compan... no, partner... yes, her partner. "Are you enjoying the sights?"

[Isolde Schwarz]

"I'm not complaining, certainly. It's... relaxing."

[Wanda Johansson]

"So do you want to camp here? We could push on and maybe reach the next town if you're more interested in a bed for the night."

[Isolde Schwarz]

"A lack of a bed hasn't kept me awake in a good long while."

[Wanda Johansson]

"I didn't think it would," Wanda says, "But beds aren't just for sleeping and it's fine to want comfort too. These trips are for both of us, remember."

[Isolde Schwarz]

"I just didn't want to drive you into civilization when you seem to be... enjoying yourself."

[Wanda Johansson]

"Civilization has its place," Wanda says, "But I do feel quite at home out here as well. I suppose that comes to mean I can be happy in either place." She reaches out her hand, "As long as you're there and happy especially."

[Isolde Schwarz]

"You haven't lost me yet," she says, helping Wanda up.

[Wanda Johansson]

Wanda lets the momentum carry her up and against Isolde, "Well then, let's move on and have a hot shower, a hot meal, and a large bed. I have thoughts on the evening's entertainment." Even if she didn't catch the actual thoughts through their connection, Isolde could certainly feel the emotions and feelings stirred up by those thoughts.