WILDERNESS SURVIVAL MEME

[dontpokethat]

So. You’re lost.

Or maybe you know exactly where you are, but, for one reason or another, you can’t get back to civilization. Or maybe you just don’t want to.

The fact is, you are, for all intents and purposes, trapped in the wilderness. If you play your cards right, you might get through this basically unscathed - but one mistake could destroy your chances of survival.

EXTRA OBSTACLES

You know, in case it’s not going to be tough enough for your character already. Feel free to combine them, or forego them entirely!

Injury - Could be anything from a sprained ankle to a concussion. Of course, there’s no reason you can’t make it worse if you want to (as long as you make sure to warn for any particularly bad gore).

2. Illness - You knew you shouldn’t have eaten those berries… or maybe you’re just a little under the weather. Whatever the cause, you don’t feel great.

3. Hunted - Something out there wants you dead. Maybe it’s just a case of natural predation, and you happen to be on the wrong end, or maybe there’s some kind of a most dangerous game situation going on here.

4. Extreme Weather - Whether it’s snow and ice or the burning sun, the weather itself seems to be out to get you. Huddle for warmth, set up a shelter... whatever the situation, do what you’ve got to do and hope it works out.

5. Natural Disaster - Flooding, landslides, earthquakes, fire… though adjacent to the matter of the weather, some dangers deserve their own category.

6. Wildcard - Make up your own obstacle!

Comments

[shiro2hero]

"Nocturnal cows? Or Lance?"

He hasn't noticed their proximity yet. There's too much in the way of amusement, of relaxed feelings, despite the situation. Maybe he'll notice if his head lands on Grant's shoulder for a second.

"I've got a million of the second one."

NEW ICON TIME

[woofdad]

"Ah... both, honestly." It's fine, this is fine. Just act... normal, he guesses?

It helps that he's genuinely curious.

"Any particularly good stories?"

A GOOD DAD

[shiro2hero]

Just act normal, because Shiro hasn't noticed yet. He's actually quite comfortable. It just hasn't dawned on him where he's getting comfortable, yet.

"One time, he got talked into letting a suspect take a ride on his Lion. He ended up handcuffed to a tree."

[woofdad]

"--Wait, seriously? I'd think there'd be, you know, rules about who gets to be anywhere near... magic Paladin lions." He pauses. "...Or does Lance just not care."

That second one sounds like it might be a possibility.

[shiro2hero]

"You would think."

You'd think there would be rules and people would follow them, but apparently the Blue Lion isn't as picky as she acts. Either that or Lance has really rubbed off on her. A terrifying thought.

"He cares. He loves his Lion more than anything else, honestly. I still have no idea how that one happened."

[woofdad]

"Hah. Sometimes people surprise you, I guess... actually, that's usually supposed to be meant in a good way, right? Not... y'know, a good kid making a bad decision."

He makes a face. Boy, that came out weird.

[shiro2hero]

"Hah, it's all right. I get what you mean."

Somewhere in that statement, he realizes he's leaning up against Grant like he's a living pillow. His own face suddenly heats up.

"I... Uh. Sorry." Let him just. Sit up here. Whoops.

[woofdad]

--Oh. He's actually a little disappointed when Shiro sits up, despite his embarrassment.

"It's-- fine. Uh, don't worry about it, I didn't--" He clears his throat and looks away, his shoulders pulling up a little. "Barely noticed."

[shiro2hero]

That's not quite the reaction he expected. Then again, he's a little embarrassed too, so maybe it's not that strange. Maybe Grant just isn't comfortable sharing space with another guy.

(Hahahaha Shiro you're an idiot.)

"I'll try to keep on my side of the foil blanket, if that helps."

[woofdad]

Honestly, if he knew that thought passed through Shiro's head for even a second, Grant would be kind of relieved that he was apparently less obvious than he worried - but also, really, Shiro?

"It's not a problem, really-- I mean, I don't... I don't mind either way." He shrugs stiffly. "You should just... do whatever you're most comfortable with.

[shiro2hero]

It's both less obvious, and also Shiro is... pretty damn oblivious to these kinds of things. Completely and utterly. This is why he's backed up by a team most of the time.

"It, uh. It goes for you, too. If you get cold or anything."

Please end him here.

[woofdad]

"Y-yeah. I'll keep that in mind."

Grant hurriedly picks up the can of soup nearest to him in an effort to... he doesn't know. Change the subject, distract from the awkwardness of the whole thing... Of course, the fact that they don't have any spoons means he's just sipping broth directly from the can. Oh well.

[shiro2hero]

Somewhere, the entirety of Shiro's team feels the urge to stare into the camera like on the office.

He goes quiet for a little while. Leaning against Grant again, almost without realizing. And then, glancing at him out of the corner of his eye.

"So... how's the first thing I ever cooked?"

[woofdad]

The leaning is a little less nerve-wracking when it's more likely that Shiro has some idea of what he's doing. It is still, however, more effective at warming Grant up than can really be explained just by the heat-trapping blanket.

Grant raises his eyebrows slightly, then gives a quiet laugh. "The first thing, really? And, uh. I'd say you did a pretty good job."

The can didn't explode and the contents are warm, so.

[shiro2hero]

"Really. They banned me from the castle kitchen."

He can laugh about it now, though. It was really embarrassing at the time. Partly because of why he was banned. He doesn't pull away from Grant. Since there's apparently no problem with him leaning here.

It's comfortable.

"Except for the coffee machine."

[woofdad]

"Oh no..." That, of course, just makes him think about how that could have happened, which in turn sends him into a bout of quiet, helpless laughter, his shoulders shaking.

Once he recovers enough to talk, something else comes to mind, and he looks to Shiro with a grin. "You ever try to make ramen in a coffee pot?"

[shiro2hero]

He can't help but grin. Somehow, Grant laughing at his absolute failure is less offensive than someone else doing it. He's shaking his head, knocking his shoulder into Grant's.

"Oh yeah. College. It was midterms. And I didn't want to wake anyone up with the microwave."

[woofdad]

"I feel like there's some kind of rule that every college student has to do that at least once. I gotta know, though, did you at least remember to clean the pot first? Because I absolutely did not."

[shiro2hero]

"Neither did I. Did yours catch fire?"

He is saying that completely seriously, looking at Grant with the expression of someone who has resigned themselves to being ashamed of this forever.

"Because mine absolutely did."

[woofdad]

For a moment, Grant legitimately thinks Shiro is joking, but... no. Holy crap, no, he's not. He doesn't know whether to be horrified or delighted or just... who is he kidding, this is definitely weirdly endearing.

"Oh... no, it didn't-- how did you even do that?"

[shiro2hero]

He's blushing. Help him, but he's actually blushing. At least Grant isn't... openly mocking him. Or staring at him in shock and dismay.

Both things have happened, in the past.

"To this day? I have no idea. I wish I could blame magic and leave it there."

[woofdad]

"If only things were that simple." He snorts. "Y'know how much I would blame on magic if I could? Especially from college."

[shiro2hero]

"Oh, now I've got to hear this."

Now he's leaning again. His expression amused and a little gleeful. Oh yes, please give him embarrassing stories about this handsome man.

[woofdad]

"Well, shit, uh..." Grant presses his hand over his mouth, trying to stifle a burst of laughter. "So-- for one thing, once a kid in my botanical magic class and I figured out that most of the students couldn't actually tell herbal catalysts from just... random cooking herbs, y'know? So we started just... dumping rosemary and oregano and stuff into fancy bags, telling people they were specialized herb mixes--"

Now his efforts to keep from laughing too hard out of embarrassment fail entirely. "--Uh, we had to stop because the administration found out-- but somehow they thought we were selling weed? We spent an hour getting grilled about where we were getting the 'supply' until they figured out we didn't know what the hell they were talking about... I swear, we were this close to getting expelled. But I can't even pretend that wasn't all on us."

[shiro2hero]

He listens, his own amusement plain on his face. It's nice, despite the current situation, despite being out here, trapped in snow and forest isolation. Nice to just sit with someone and share stories. No one banging down the door bleeding and desperate. No one yelling for their help, or life or death emergencies.

Just stupid stories.

Grant gets to the end of the story, and Shiro just... completely loses his composure. He rocks forward where he's sitting, trying desperately to keep from laughing too hard and failing miserably.

"I... rosemary? Really? How did they think it --?"

And then he's laughing too hard to continue, listing sideways into pressing himself more into Grant's side.