An Outdoorsman's Guide To The Calls Of Common Thieves

Questions

01/06/2024-05/06/2024

Put Your Records On - Corinne Bailey Rae

There's a comfortable, yet slightly nagging silence between us. I really want to ask why Steph was grinning like the Cheshire Cat. Maybe those two were planning something? Ryan seems to want to say something too...

That nagging feeling is definitely getting to me, and I have the urge to just ask-

"So is it just me, or were they trying to do something there-"
"-oh my gosh yes! Did she ask you-"
"-questions? Yeah. You?"
"Yup."

That's the moment I realise I can't actually discuss the questions, out of fear that I might embarrass myself.

It seems Ryan has come to the same conclusion. Even in the gentle light of the moon, his sweet face is still clearly bright red.

"Geez, what did she ask you?"
"Huh?"
"You're blushing. Like I could hold a tomato up to your face and I couldn't tell the difference."
"Surely I'm much better looking than a tomato."
"Well yea- like I mean complexion-wise."
"It could be the flannel- oh I forgot, you stole it."
He gives me a cheeky look, and I give him a smug one in return.
"And you're not getting it back."
"Good thing I have spares."

"So is your favourite colour red then?"
"Hmm. No. I'd say that's... second favourite."
"And your first?" He takes some time to think.
"Blue. And you?"
"Probably pink."
"Ahh, I see."

There's a beat of silence, before Ryan speaks again. "So, uh, can I ask you a question?"
Hey, he's keeping up the conversation That's a good sign. "Yeah, shoot."
"What did you want to be when you grew up?"
"I actually threatened my family that I would run away and join the circus, so there's that. I also wanted to be a celebrity chef at one point."
"Ambitious."
"Did you always want to be a park ranger?"
"Not always. I wanted to be a miner, like my dad, when I was really young. Then when I started to see him less, I guess nature just... took over. And then here I am."
I can't help but frown a little at his story. Parental problems seem to be a thing in this place. I guess I fit right in.
"It suits you. The 'rugged, mountain man' thing."
"Ha, you think?"
"Yeah."

Mine - Bazzi

I glance over to Ryan, wanting something to talk about again. My eyes land on his choker, and it gives me a prompt.
"Since we're asking questions, what's with the jewellery?"
"What about it?"
"Well some people wear jewellery because it looks nice, some people wear it because it has a meaning to them. You know, like wedding rings and stuff?"
"Oh, I get you. Well this ring," He shows me a black ring which he wears on his left hand, on the middle finger. "was my mothers. She wore it all the time, and she gave it to me when I turned 16 years old."
"Ooh, pretty."
"And this necklace," He points to a black and gold choker. "is from my mom as well. I think I was... 18 when she gave me this."
"Ahh, I see."
"Then there's my bracelet," He reveals a black bracelet on his right wrist. "is from my dad. I also got this when I was 18."
"Nice. I like the colour coordination."
"There's also a cross necklace, for Christianity, and then the locket - well, you know what that's from."
The locket from the LARP, still with a picture of me inside. I didn't know he still wore it.
"And you? What about your jewellery?"
"Well I also have a cross - I mean technically it's a crucifix." I lift the chain to show the little figure of Jesus on the cross. "It's that colour because it glows in the dark, but I'm used to tucking it into my shirt from high school, so I never see it glow anymore."
"Never seen one of those before."
"Then I have earrings just because I have piercings." I tuck my hair behind my ears to show my piercings; two lobes with a heart and an elephant and two helix with rings on each ear.
He looks a little bit baffled by the amount of piercings I hide behind these curls. "Wow."
"Yeah, ear piercings are the only ones my parents would let me get so I made the most of it. I also have these two friendship bracelets my sister made for me, because I was good at Ancient Greek in school." I show him the two bracelets, one in blue and white of Greek waves and the other in black and red like the pyxis vases from Ancient Greece.
"Ancient Greek?"
"Or Classical. Whichever you prefer. Finally, these other bracelets are from other places and random people, and the black anklet on this ankle," I kick up one foot a little. "Was my dad's. He gave it to me before... before uh..." My voice fades away. I don't really want to bombard him with my troubling family history, you know?
"Hey, you're good. You don't have to." He reassures me with a worried look on my face.

Ryan's the type of guy that you don't know very well but you'd trust with your life. Except I kind of know him better than 'not very well'. He's empathetic and an undeniable sweetheart. It's super cute that he's worried for me like this. I don't think anyone has ever worried for me like this. And I think I would trust Ryan with my life, so...

"...before he was admitted. To hospital. He gave me this, and another one. My sister broke that one though."
"That's a shame."
"Yeah. But I still have this one, so it's alright."

"Is it my turn now?" He asks, disrupting the uncomfortable lack of noise.
"Yup. Go ahead."
"Have you... have you ever been in love?" He hesitates, seemingly unsure of whether he should ask.
"No. I mean I used to have a massive crush on Tom Cruise when he was younger, but I don't think that counts." He laughs. I like his laugh.
"What about you?"
"Me neither."
"Really? No one ever?"
"I mean, there's... no. No one." He somehow manages to turn more red.
This makes me a little curious. How has he never fallen in love before?
"What is your type anyways? This is my question by the way."
"My type? I'd say... sweet. Sweet and sour. A mix of the two. More sweet though."
That's an interesting perspective. Sweet or sour. I should write that in the tips and tricks section of my notes.
"What's your type?"
Is rugged mountain-man an option?
"I would say someone who can make me laugh. Even with dad jokes. They're funny when they're told right. Oh, and a Christian as well. Like me."
Somehow Ryan fits the description completely.
"Ok, now my turn again." He takes a breath and blurts his question out. "Do you wanna hang out tomorrow afternoon?"
"Sure. You didn't need to waste your question on that though."
"I was running out of time." Then I realise that we're walking to the door of the Black Lantern right now.
"Tomorrow at the cliff? I have a surprise."
"Sure thing ranger. Nighty night." I whisper to myself "Nighty night? who says that?"
"Nighty night doc." He says, with a little chuckle, as he carries on walking down the road to his own place.