A Business Trip

[DoS Archive]

From: bikpanther@aol.com (BIkPanther)
Date: 07 Nov 2003 22:06:43 EST

He'd been moving at a quick and steady pace since this morning. Traveling on all fours definitely had its advantages, even with his stamina he could cover almost twice the distance he otherwise would. It had been tough leaving Chaz behind this morning. Tougher than he'd anticipated, and it was made even worse by the fact he didn't tell her where he was going.

He tried to tell himself that he didn't owe her any explanation; he had only just met her a few days ago. Sure, they had shared a bed every night since, but they did nothing more than sleep. Even if it had been more, so what? There has been no commitment. Right? He told her that "business to the North to attend to" and left it at that. Fortunately she didn't ask any questions.

Those thoughts faded as he neared his destination and he had to focus on his surroundings. The junction off the road he was traveling had grown over from neglect years ago and it would take a bit of searching to find it. Not that it mattered much, he would find his way eventually, but this way was the quickest. A bit later and he had found the right landmark and turned off the road, and before long there it was.

Even this late in the year the cabin was well enough off the road and among the thick growth of oak and pine that from certain angles the forest seemed to swallow the modest building. A bittersweet smile crossed his lips as he noticed the tree he had paused under. The letters were weather worn, but still readable. Above his head, two names were carved in the bark. His name, and another right next to it... with two others added just below. With a thought his body shifted and his hand reached for the tree. He mouthed the names as his fingers ran over them. Mika, Majellan, Myrielle.

He wasn't sure how long he stood there before turning away and walking to the cabin door. Upon first glance the cabin seemed to be in good shape. More and more time seemed to pass now between each visit here, and he was always surprised that things remained undisturbed. Tripping the latch on the door he slipped inside, moving to the table to the right. The smells were almost overwhelming. The smells of time, the smells of them. He knew better than that as he tossed the bag that had been on his bag to the table and dug his leggings out. Their true scents had long faded away, but memories were a powerful thing.

Pulling on the leggings he glanced about the main room, through the open doors to the bedroom and nursery. Nothing seemed out of place. The sparse furnishing were still covered, the couple of chests at the edge of the loft seemed undisturbed. It was just as he left it nearly a year ago.

Well, he might as well get this over with… though he wasn't entirely sure why he kept this place, as long as he did it would need to be checked on once in awhile. Moving about the rooms he grabbed all of the furniture coverings. Put there to protect the items, they had a layer of dust on them, he sneezed a few times as he gathered the corners of each cover and brought them outside for a good shaking. He left them draped over a few tree branches, allowing the wind to air them as he did a quick inspection of the outside of the cabin and the small stable to the back. Some roof repairs were needed, that was an ongoing item. Some of the door to the stable has been chewed on… a porcupine probably. That and a cracked windowpane over the kitchen sink. Not to bad, those things and some chinking of the logs that made up the walls to the cabin seemed to all that needed to be done.

That's all… though the roof itself would take the better part of a day to do. Making sure all the shakes were tight and not rotting. Well, he might as well get to it. The sooner he started, the sooner he would finish and the quicker he could get back and … and… and what? See her? See Chaz? Even here were his thoughts drifting back to her. Pausing a moment he took a deep breath, holding it for a few long moments before finally letting it out and heading for the stable to get some things. Maybe this was a good thing… was he finally letting go? Could he do that, do it without feeling like he was betraying them?