An Outdoorsman's Guide To The Calls Of Common Thieves

Documentary dates

10/04/2024 - 13/04/2024

A: "So what's the plan?"
S: "There is no plan. Who knows, this could just be a one-off thing.
R: "But what if it's not, it'll be like last yea-"
S: "-last year was our problem, because it was Gabe who died at the hands of Typhon. We don't know what's going to happen with this case."
A: "Let's just let this one go, ok Ryan?"
Z: "Maybe something else will happen. Then we'll look into it more, alright?"
R: "Deal. You guys rehearsing tonight?"
S: "No, we were thinking of rehearsing next Monday if you guys aren't having another movie date- my bad, I meant documentary date. Who is that guy? 'Dan Jelly?'"
R: "No we aren't, Stan Kelly and it ... wasn't ... a date." He trails off.
A: "If you say so. Everyone heading straight back or ..?"
Z: "Yeah. See you guys."
R: "See you tomorrow."
We all go off to our separate houses.

After getting into my nightdress, I decide to try practising on the rooftop. I carry my little Salvi Mia up the stairs and pull up a chair from the little table up there. And then I start to play, while humming the tune.

Exploration - Amy Turk, Julia K

As I play, I think about my time here. How magical it's been. Meeting all of these new people, now friends. I even have a friend group with Ryan, Steph and Alex. My business is flying, my mood is sky-high all the time and I don't have to worry about controlling it. My friends and I hang out almost every night, doing fun activities like playing music together, playing games or just talking. And hanging out with Ryan has been a dream. He's so sweet and charming, and cute. I'm pretty sure I've fallen in love with him as much as I love Haven Springs. I've thought about it a lot, and every time it's true. This is the place I want to call "home".

I pack up my harp and take it back down after keeping the chair back, and then slowly settle into bed.

crash!
I sit up, suddenly awoken by the sound of breaking glass. I couldn't tell if it was just a dream or if it really happened. I don't even know the time. Reluctantly, I get out of bed and try to see what's happening outside. I see a light that's swaying in and out of shadow, it's probably from a lantern. And it's coming from the direction of ... the dispensary? I hurriedly grab my shoes and rush down the stairs, determined to at least deter whatever was in there. I find a broken chair leg in the bar, which I take to use for self-defence in case they're violent. I run and I run, and I see a person running from there, but I'm too scared to call out. When I get to the dispensary, all that is left is shards of glass. With closer inspection, I notice that some of the bongs are missing from the display, just like the mannequins. As I'm looking around, I hear something coming up behind me- I swing at them with as much force as I can muster, despite being a total weakling, and-

-Ryan catches the chair leg in his hand before it reaches his face.
"You heard it too, huh."
"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry! I didn't even realise it was you. Are you hurt?"
"Don't worry about it. It was smart of you to bring a ... weapon."
"Same situation, stuff was stolen from the display, and from further inspection, there's nothing else missing."
"It was the same guys, I knew it."
"There are at least two of them. Saw them running away."
"Good work. You're like a detective."
"Thanks."

We leave the shop, careful not to step on broken glass.
"We should go back, it's kind of lat-"
A rustling comes from inside the dispensary, and grip my chair leg and grab onto Ryan's wrist. We wait anxiously for the thing to emerge ... maybe it was just our imagination. He's looking down at my hand and I sheepishly let go.
"...we should go back, it's kind of late."
"Yeah."
"See ya."
"Bye."
We start to head to our separate homes ... which are apparently in the same direction.
"I forgot my place is near to yours."
"It is?"
"Yeah, down that street and to the right."
"Never knew that."

Sweet Love - Myles Smith

"I've never actually seen your place, and I've been here for almost a month."
"Really? Never?"
"Yeah never."
"You could come round tomorrow."
"We can finish the documentary! You know, Stan Kelly?" I suddenly remember the embarrassing occurrence that took place on that night. "Hopefully I won't be so tired..." I whisper under my breath.
"Sorry about that."
"Huh? About what?"
Staying over."
"Don't be! I didn't mind." I definitely didn't mind at the time. It was actually kind of comfortable. I think. He laughs. Apparently, I thought that out loud.
"Did I say that out loud?"
"Yup."
"Dang it."
"I found it comfortable too, if it makes you feel any better."
"Ok, ok, stop teasing!" I playfully and gently push him.
"Alright, I'll back off."

"Aren't you cold?"
"I'm alright."
"You sure? I could give you my flannel if you want."
"I'm fine, don't worry about it. Thank you though."
After a few seconds, he takes it off anyway and drapes it around me. It's really warm and sort of oversized. And really warm.
"...thank you."
"You got it."
I can smell something perfumy from it ... maybe Ryan's signature cologne. It seems like something he would wear. I slip my arms into the arm holes.
"It suits you."
"You think?"
"For sure."
"I mean, I'm not really your size. I'm not that short though."
"Well..."
Don't you even start on the short jokes, you're only like a head taller than me."
"A 'head'? Seems like you've started using the imperial system."
"I have to say, the imperial system is weird. You guys measure stuff in feet. And yards."
"I'll give you that one. There are weird things about England too."
"Oh yeah? Like what."
"The accents."
"I think I still have mine." I switch to my British accent, which is a mix of posh and brummie. "Hello ... hello ... yeah I still have it."
"Woah, who's this?"
"This is how I used to talk before I came here. And how I'll talk when I go back home."
"So you can just ... swap?"
"Yup." I switch to a Texas accent. "I can also do Texas. Hi, I'm Betsy, from our ranch down in Texas, and we're making lasagna."
"That is the craziest thing I've heard all day. How come you didn't start off here with your British accent?"
"You really think I'd let a bunch of people run around behind me screaming 'Chewsday' and 'bo'ohw'o'wo'er' in my ears all day?"
"Fair point."

We reach the point where our two paths go separate ways.
"So tomorrow afternoon, meet where?"
"At the cliff, as always."
"It's a date- I mean- not a date date- as in the day is the date and the-"
"-I know what you mean." I say, placing my hands on his shoulders in an attempt to reassure him."Goodnight ranger."
"See you tomorrow, doc."