Nature Girl

What makes a person "civilized?" What truly separates us from the animals?

Is it as simple as one's manners and how they treat those around them? Is it employment, how they integrate into society, their home, or the simple fact that humans wear clothing and preserve their modesty?

Because lately, Lara Croft wasn't keeping to any of these values.

She'd always been a survivor. Often joked that she owned one of the most lavish mansions in London, but spent more time in the unforgiving wilds or long lost tombs. But this expedition, which started off so very typically, had turned into something far more... Long-term than she was used to.

It's hard to say how long she'd been out here. Long enough that the media likely assumed the worst of her fate. Lara always made sure to pack well for these trips, but she could never pack enough to last this long. And at this point... Well, she essentially had nothing.

Her rations didn't last long. Most of her gear was either used up or lost. She had no maps, no means of communication-- And even if she did, she had no means to carry them!

She'd lost her cargo pants whilst fending off predators. Her top was used for an emergency campfire during a rainstorm. Her bra, her boots-- At this point, she couldn't remember if she'd actually lost her panties, or if she'd willingly abandoned them once they were the last of her garments! Either way, Lara had survived out in the wilds without a shred of modesty.

It was... Not the worst experience, if she were to be honest.

The days were warm, but not unbearable. The nights were cool, but not deadly. She was consistently filthy, but always made certain to keep near the river. She'd come to understand which predators to look out for, which she could handle, and how best to seek out her next meal...

As crazy as it sounds, Lara didn't miss her daily comforts, society, or wearing clothes. She missed the tombs! The temples, the discoveries! Despite what felt like ages, she still hasn't found the tomb she'd actually set out here for in the first place.

But she was surviving. Thriving at times. She wasn't sure when, or if she'd actually return to civilization, but even if she did... Would she return to being civilized? Wearing clothes, eating with silverware, actually talking to other people?

Who's to say...