Wilderness Survival; Wednesday, Second Period [04/17].

[sword_chocobro]

Class would be meeting in the danger shop that week, and, considering the steep, rocky, craggy cliffs set out before them and stretching up nice and high, it shouldn't be too difficult to guess which skill Gladio wanted to talk about this week. And, if the rockfaces with more than a few cleverly spaced out divots or protrusions weren't enough, there was all the climbing gear spread out before them.

"This one," he said, as he got things started, "might not come up as much, or it might be extremely relevant, depending on your situation, but one thing that I figured it wouldn't hurt to go over before we finished out for the semester is rock climbing. Because what's the point of all that other stuff if you're just going to end up slipping and falling to your death? Plus, it's fun. So, today, we're going to focus on what sort of gear might be a good idea to bring along if you're venturing into rocky terrain, as well as some moves and techniques that'll make the going a little easier whether you've got gear or not. And even a little bit on how to fall, because your body and brain'll probably want to do stuff that's counterintuitive to how to best protect yourself, actually, so it's good to know what's what and get some practice in beating those instincts and keeping cool, calm, and strategic about it if you do slip up.

"So everyone, grab a pack with some gear, we'll start going over it, and then let's get you up these rocks, yeah?"

Comments

Re: Talk to the Teacher - Wilderness Survival, 04/17.

[mylandmyrules]

Nell wrinkled her nose. "I'm not sure. Maybe something simple at first, but I'm not sure how much I like hanging off the side of a mountain. I surely do like watching you climb, though."

She reached out for his hand. "Could we go somewhere quiet to sit and talk a little bit?"

It wasn't a conversation that they couyldn't have at home, but sometimes things were easier outside or in a separate place. Plus, the outdoors was always more soothing for both of them and she mostly had questions about whether he was doing okay.

Re: Talk to the Teacher - Wilderness Survival, 04/17.

[sword_chocobro]

When Gladio took Nell'z offered hand, he gave it a little squeeze and a soft, encouraging sort of smile. "Sure," he said, "that sounds like a pretty good idea. Anywhere in mind? Lead the way."

Re: Talk to the Teacher - Wilderness Survival, 04/17.

[mylandmyrules]

She smiled up at him and led the way out to one of their favorite spots in the wood before pulling out her old pink blanket and setting it out. Once they were both settled she took his hand and looked up at him searchingly.

"I wanted to see how you were feeling," she said. "With the children and your son from before not coming."

Re: Talk to the Teacher - Wilderness Survival, 04/17.

[sword_chocobro]

"Me?" Gladio asked, looking back at Nell with a tilt of his head. Followed by a shrug, his eyes drifting back up toward the tops of the trees. "Pretty relieved, actually. That crop was pretty....complicated, really. Kind of messed up, if you really think about it...but that's all..." Not really sure how to explain it concisely, he shook his head, "...this whole big thing."

His attention shifted back to Nell, expression curious, with a little touch of concern.

"What about you?" he asked. "You got any thoughts about how things turned out last weekend?"

Re: Talk to the Teacher - Wilderness Survival, 04/17.

[mylandmyrules]

Nell shrugged. "I knew I wouldn't have children. John couldn't and when I was here before, well, I sure wouldn't have been with anyone or imagined ever wanting to be with someone. But this weekend, seeing you with the kids... I worried about you."

Re: Talk to the Teacher - Wilderness Survival, 04/17.

[sword_chocobro]

And now the curiosity and concern made way for a wrinkle in his brow of confusion.

"Why would you be worried about me?"

Re: Talk to the Teacher - Wilderness Survival, 04/17.

[mylandmyrules]

"You were so good with them and it made me think of last year when you and Ignis and Prompto had children - even if at the time I wasn't thinking much about it - and then they didn't come this year, but Ignis had children and Prompto had Noctra and you... didn't."

She was quiet here for a moment. "I wasn't surprised that I didn't have any." Though once all the other kids were there she might have had a bit of a wistful ache that there was no little Gladios running around.

"I don't..." She didn't want to say that she didn't deserve kids, but she'd honestly never considered them as any kind of possibilty ever until this weekend. "I'd never expect them for me, but then I started thinking about..."

This was harder than she'd thought, to think she might be holding him back. "Before... during sex pollen week and, and just before, you were, you were with a lot of different people and now... now there's just me and I started, I wondered - worried - that maybe you regretted that freedom. Or that possibility, possibilities, that came with that."

Re: Talk to the Teacher - Wilderness Survival, 04/17.

[sword_chocobro]

Well. After all that, just holding her hand simply wasn't going to cut it anymore. Gladio let Nell's hand go so that he could turn to wrap his arms around her and pull her in to hold her instead.

And he was going to just hold her for a moment before he said anything.

"Nell," when he did finally speak, it was with a squeeze, "believe me, you really don't have to worry about any of that. I love you. And I love being with you, and I wouldn't want to change that for anything. Honestly, being with you has made me the most content and happy I think I've ever been."

Re: Talk to the Teacher - Wilderness Survival, 04/17.

[mylandmyrules]

Nell clung to him tightly for a long moment, then as she relaxed she just let her head rest against his chest. "Are you sure? Because I hate to feel like I'm keeping you from... doing things you might want to and I feel guilty that I don't want you to be doing those things with anyone but me. And I love you so much I'd never want you to be unhappy."

She didn't. So much so that she'd find a way to give him up if he needed her too. But she was awful glad that he didn't seem to want her to. "I've never been so happy or content either,"she said softly. "Never even imagined or dreamed that I could be so happy."

She was quiet again. And when she spoke there was a wistfullness to her voice. "I would have liked to see a little Gladio running around."

Re: Talk to the Teacher - Wilderness Survival, 04/17.

[sword_chocobro]

"It's been a while," Gladio informed her with a faint huff, one that conversely marveled at both this statement being true in general and that she'd ever even think otherwise, "since I've wanted to do those kinds of things sew with anyone buy you, Nell. And I don't see that changing any time soon."

And, as if to seal that sentiment firmly into place, he Gabe her a kiss on the top of her head.

"I don't know about a little Gladio, though," he admitted. "You've met little me, after all. Nothing but a stubborn, pompous little jerk..."

There was a pause, and it had a teasing quality to it, especially once he sort of rocked in the best approximation of a nudge he could manage while holding her.

"A little Nell," he ventured, "on the other hand..."

Re: Talk to the Teacher - Wilderness Survival, 04/17.

[mylandmyrules]

"Okay then," Nell said, relaxing a little more. "I just... I just wanted to be sure. Especially after this weekend."

Heart feeling better, she rested a hand on his chest as well, then laughed when he mentioned little Gladio. "I'm sure he wasn't that bad," she protested, then smiled up at him. "A little shy thing in her long skirts?" she asked, nudging him back.

Re: Talk to the Teacher - Wilderness Survival, 04/17.

[sword_chocobro]

"Maybe not so shy," Gladio chuckled faintly. "I'd teach her to be more confident and sure of herself. And, we'll, then, I guess you'd probably manage to teach Little Gladio some godsdamned manners.

"To be fair," he offered, "my tutors did try, but, well...glad I grew out of all that eventually."

Re: Talk to the Teacher - Wilderness Survival, 04/17.

[mylandmyrules]

"Then I guess, should they show up, we have a plan," Nell said with a smile. "And I think you turned out just fine."

Re: Talk to the Teacher - Wilderness Survival, 04/17.

[sword_chocobro]

"Oh, no doubt about it," Gladio said with a laugh, "I turned out great."

And so humble, too!

But his grin softened signicantly, and he pulled away enough that he could see Nell's face better.

"Guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens next time, huh?"

Re: Talk to the Teacher - Wilderness Survival, 04/17.

[mylandmyrules]

"I guess we will," Nell said softly. "But as long as you're content, well, I know I am." And she stretched up to kiss him.

Re: Talk to the Teacher - Wilderness Survival, 04/17.

[sword_chocobro]

And Gladio leaned in to meet Nell's kiss with one of his own, one that he hoped would leave no doubt in her mind that he was very content, hand gentle against her cheek, while the other stayed around her to keep her good and close again.