Into the Caverns

"Careful. Watch your step," Knives said looking ahead. "I think it gets pretty narrow again up ahead."

"Thanks," Roman said watching his step. He'd taken a little tumble earlier trying to carry the two packs at once. Luckily the Spearman also had had a flashlight in his gear. It was just the one and small but it was better than none.

Thankfully Knives was extremely nimble and deceptively athletic with her slight build. She took to the basics of cave spelunking naturally once Roman had showed her how. Now she took the lead moving ahead as they followed a small underground stream and then shining the light to guide him on the best way forward.

Also thankfully the cavern had indeed narrowed as predicted. There was no chance of the big dinosaur in the upper portion following them deeper then the upper level. Better still there was no evidence of eggs or egg shells for that matter, meaning no worry of smaller hungry dinosaurs. Still the way was long and winding and they had hit dead ends several times already and had to back track a few times before discovering the stream. Roman was thankful for the mapping function of the arm bracers... and that it gave the two of them a chance to talk.

"So this is all some sort of weird survival game show and you just... what? Decided to enter and go for the big prize?" Knives asked.

"Yes... and no," Roman said picking his way along by the light of her flashlight and the glow of the display. "I uhh... don't really need any prize money and stuff. I'm fairly well off still I'll take more. I'm really just in it for the fun and excitement rather than fortune and glory. Still I have to say it's cool having a Character."

Knives paused before continuing on. "Huh... interesting. I wasn't expecting that answer. So this is "fun" for you? That's wild."

Roman chuckled. "It is! One of my uncles did this years ago. I needed something to do and I always liked Uncle Jamie's stories and watching the the recordings." He smirked. "My older brother was the presumptive "heir" to my father's puedo business empire... and he passed! Decided to go his own way and make something for himself all his own instead. Honestly? I always kind of thought he put the idiot in "idiot savant". Super talented and smart... but stubborn and bullheaded and kind of a pain in the ass!"

Knives giggled. "Sounds like a handful! And it sounds nice!"

"Nice?" Roman asked. "How's that?"

He saw her smile even brighter in the gloom. "Because it sounds like you're saying you love him and you're proud of him! That's kind of sweet!"

Roman rolled his eyes but he smiled too. "Well yeah. He's my brother. Dave's a pain in the ass but he's our pain in the ass! The fool." He snorted. "And he ain't the only one. My family? They're all a bunch of crazy fools, in the best way!"

Knives smiled hoping on top of a rock. "Like you? Running off on a fools adventure for what? A bit of fun? A final juvenile adventure before "growing up", joining the family business and doing the thing your brother walked away from? Right?"

Roman stopped in his tracks looking at her smile before shifting the weight on his shoulders. "Well done. If I could, I'd tip my hat to you." He watched Knives bow, grinning. "Okay enough about me. Your turn!"

Knives hoped down from the rock. "Hang on," she looked down another side passage and investigated part way before coming back. "I think we should continue this way."

Roman simply nodded and didn't even question. She was getting the hang of this quickly. Looking to see which way the stream was running. "Alright." Besides...

She smiled brightly happy at his trust and approval. It felt good... made her feel good! So did his indulging her curiosity... and his interest in her. "What do you want to know?"

"Anything. Everything," he said. "Like start small. I take it you're American?"

Knives shook her head. "No, I wish! How cool would that be?! I'm a Chinese Canadian. Canada's nice but it isn't cool and exciting like America is!"

Roman chuckled. "I can think of at least one awesome thing about Canada," he said.

She turned and looked at him with those big eyes again. She wasn't just an energetically animated person... she had moments and mannerisms that were very interestingly Animated or cartoonish like. Then others were like something out of a comic book or a video game. It was an interesting blend in an interesting Character that made her very intriguing. "What's cool about Canada?" She asked walking right into the setup.

Roman grinned. "You're from Canada and that should be at the very top of any list of cool things about Canada!"

She blinked and needed a short moment to process that and what he was saying. When she did she blushed and half hid her face in her long scarf again. "Thank you. I'm not cool though... Not like Ramona," she sighed.

"Who's Ramona?" Roman asked.

Knives smiled a bit sadly. "A friend... and a former rival. Ramona Flowers is from America and is very, very cool. Too cool. Everybody loves Ramona." She paused a heartbeat before adding. "Including Scott... Especially Scott."

"Okay... Who is Scott?" Roman asked.

"Scott was my boyfriend. He was pretty cool," she said. "He was a bassist and in a band and could fight. We were dating but he broke up with me to be with Ramona... I didn't know he was cheating on me at the time. Cheating on both of us actually. He just didn't tell us... I was..." She paused and sighed. "I was kinda upset and obsessed about that for awhile. Made some bad decisions because of that that I'm not proud off. Immature dumb stuff. In the end though? I finally let it all go. Tried to move on. I just needed to grow up." She smiled looking back at him and pinching her thumb and forefinger together with a wink. "Just a little bit! Anyway Scott Pilgrim is really-"

"An ass," Roman vehemently interrupted, surprising her. "And an idiot. Selfish and a jerk. He should have at least had the guts to be upfront! Sounds very "uncool" to me. Lame even. I know one thing for damn certain... You're too cool for him, Knives."

She blinked but smiled. She had said as much to Scott trying to move past him and their past together... but she hadn't expected someone else, let alone someone who didn't know all the particulars of her story, to tell her the same things so suddenly. "I am?"

Roman nodded. "Way too cool! Awesome, even."

Knives blushed and opened her mouth to reply but the scent of saltwater was suddenly stronger and there was light ahead. They turned a corner and...

The cavern suddenly opened up into a wide area and they dropped their packs in awe. It was infact the biggest one they'd seen yet. Huge even. And beyond it opened up to a beautiful little beach and a picturesque cove of crystal clear water with the sky beyond. The whole thing was surrounded by rocks and the overhanging cliff above but the rest was open to the sky letting light in. It didn't feel like they were in a cave anymore but their own little private beach. It was-

"Awesome!" Knives whispered in awe then turned towards Roman grinning. "Awesome! We did it!" She said excitedly throwing her arms around him.

Roman was glad he'd dropped the packs as he caught her. She was laughing pleased with their success... and he was too and joined in twirling her around. This was even better than he'd ever expected! A perfect spot for a hidden Basecamp! It was just- "Perfect," he said meeting her eyes.

Knives blushed... but slowly smiled and nodded. "Perfect," she agreed. Because right then that was exactly what it was. She couldn't think of anybody else who she would rather be experiencing this moment with. Sure being a "Character" trapped on an island full of weirdos sounded bad... but so far it had been great and she'd met someone who was really cool and nice who just happened to be her new "owner"... and now that cool, handsome hot guy, her "owner" who could do *anything he wanted to do to her*, was holding her in his arms on a romantic beach just the two of them and- And? And!

"Uh, Knives? You okay?" He asked feeling her forehead and flushed face as she appeared to be overheated. "Did I spin you too much?"

"'M'Okay," she mumbled woozily, her eyes swirling comically. "Spiny, spin hot stuff... woo!"

Roman smile again at just how cute she was and picked her up in his arms. "Sorry your stamina must have gotten low. That's my fault. I'll be sure to give you plenty of attention from now on," he said as he carried her.

That comment made her even worse. He was going to give her even more attention? Lots of attention! What kind of "attention"? Affectionate attention?! Her mind ran through multiple scenarios of that sort of thing as he gently carried her like a princess to a tree on the sand beach and set her down. "Ah! W-W-Wha?" She stammered as he took his coat off (and she noted his sexy, strong arms!) and lay it down to place her on and then loosened and untied her scarf, slowly stripping it from her! Was this it? Was it finally going to happen for her? Were they going to do... "it"?! Here? Now! Was she ready? She wasn't sure... but there was one way to find out. She puckered her lips and-

Roman took his hat off and put it on her to shade her face. "There," he said placing his canteen next to her. "Drink slowly and sparingly if you need to. We only have so much water for now and anything we gather we have to boil first. You just rest up and leave things to me for a little while." Seeing that he'd done what he could to make her comfy he walked over towards where they'd dropped off the packs. Judging from the barnacles and growth he was pretty confident about how high the tide would get and already had ideas on where and how to make their camp and was excited to begin!

Knives sighed. She felt a bit let down... but also very relieved and happy. She smiled watching him from under the brim of his hat as he worked, gathering stones, sorting through their meager supplies and pacing out measurements. He was a pretty nice guy she decided. He totally could take advantage and he was smart enough to do so. But he treated her nicely instead because he chose to do so... and that said a lot about him. That he was thoughtful and he did the things he did because he wanted to be nice to her. And whatever else he might be that made him "good" in her book. For the foreseeable future they were going to be together. It was a strange, and exciting, situation to be sure... but there were way worse things then being with a strong, smart, handsome person who actually paid attention to you with thoughtful kindness. She was sure not everything would be easy about this situation but she was going to try to enjoy the experience like he was... and she was thankful for and going to enjoy his company too!

She felt better and decided she should help. And she was about to until he took off his vest and shirt. She watched as he started working, appreciating what she saw. She swallowed and grabbed the canteen suddenly "thirsty" and took a small drink as she watched. She set it down and bit her lip with a smile as she decided it was okay to just sit back, watch and enjoy the show... at least for a few moments!

[Roman Stark and Knives Chau

Will Return In

Swimsuit Time

Coming Soon]