The Lounge's Autumn Escape

[Britwitch]

The air now is crisp and fresh. All around the trees are changing from their verdant summery colours to more earthy toned apparel. There is mist in the morning, sometimes a hint of frost. The evenings are clear and bright but the fire helps keep the chill away.

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Welcome to the Lounge’s Autumn Escape. A camp in the woods, with a lake nearby pretty enough to inspire even the most stubborn of muses along with cabins and cottages for those that wish to stay and tents for the extra brave.

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The campfire is always burning and all are welcome here.

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Toast a marshmallow or two or curl up with a blanket under the stars. Wander along the woodland pathways or take a boat out onto the lake.

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All the management want is that you relax and enjoy yourself.

Come, enjoy Autumn in all its glory, with friends….​

 

[MercutioStar]

Such a beautiful milieu you have crafted. I would be delighted to journey into your world.

*lounges under a maple tree*

 

[Britwitch]

The fresh air is just what she needs. A little escape from the realities of the world. Some time to herself. Some time to think and try to figure out...pretty much everything.

Booted feet thud rhythmically along a pathway and soon she reaches a clearing near one of the many beautiful lakes in the area.

First things first. A fire is needed.

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As the flames lick around the carefully arranged logs, the odd crackle and pop the only sound, she finds a conveniently located tree stump and sits down with a contented sigh.

"This was a good idea."

Glancing up at an unexpected voice she smiles.

"Thank you very much, I'm glad you approve. All are welcome here and I'm thrilled someone is already visiting."

 

[MercutioStar]

*leans against the ancient gnarled trunk and watches the branches dance softly on the breeze*

 

[Britwitch]

Delving into the back pack she carried with her, she pulled out a rather battered looking kettle, a flask of water, a small rectangular tin and a few mugs. Setting her supplies out along a branch as she pulls each item from the canvas bag.

"I was thinking a hot drink would be a good idea," she explains after filling the kettle with water and setting it on a rock near the flames. "I have some tea bags and a little instant coffee, there's even some milk. Would you like something?" Her smile is friendly and open. "And don't feel you have stay all the way over there, unless you want to of course, plenty of room nearer the fire if you'd like to join me."

 

[MercutioStar]

I was just thinking I could use something hot. Plus a drink and fire seem appealing as well

I may join you in a while if I need to shake off the cold.

*Whittles away on a branch with a pocket knife, fashioning it into a curious shape*

 

[Britwitch]

Grins and nods slightly

"Well, let me know if you change your mind."

Steam is slowly starting to curl up and out of the kettle's spout and so she sets about getting her chosen mug ready. Rifling through the small tin for a moment or two, she chooses a tea bag and sets it in the mug, it's little label and string dangling over the side.

"I don't think we've properly been introduced," she suddenly realises, "I'm Britwitch, although most people around here call me Brit."

 

[prettyserpentine]

The crackle of a fire catches her attention as she wanders through the new idyll her friend has created. The dried leaves and twigs crunch under the soles of her shoes as she walks through one of the paths to reach the familiar and new voices she hears. When she sees the rosy cheeked witch, she smiles fondly, walks around her and gives her a hug from behind and a kiss on the cheek, before taking a seat by the warmth and rubbing her reddened hands

Once more, you've created paradise. It's good to see you. You've been missed.

Looking up at the new face, she smiles and waves over the jumping flames.

Hi, it's nice to meet you. Did I hear someone mention tea?

 

[MercutioStar]

I don't suppose there is anyone else to introduce us at present, but it is peculiar and delightful to meet a witch. I can already tell your magic is in writing.

*continues whittling, shavings accumulating at my feet amidst the umber leaves*

 

[Britwitch]

"Don't worry," she winks, "I'm a good witch."

The warm hug from behind is unexpected but very much appreciated. She smiles at her friend and sets another mug and tea bag ready beside her own.

"Hi, lovely. Thank you." Blue eyes look around at the trees for a moment. "I've missed this place, and you all, terribly and I felt like today was the day for trying to come back. Even if only a little and not very regularly. I missed my words and my friends."

"And how have you been? Isn't it your trip soon?" Her eyes light up a little.

 

[Mac380]

Welcome back Brit nice to see you posting again.

"Mac had always loved this time of year and had looked forward to it throughout the heat of the summer even though he had enjoyed chilling by the pool.
He felt as if the countryside really came alive at this time, everything was frantically gathering supplies for the winter ahead, the air started to become crisp and clear in the evenings letting the light of the crescent moon slip between the trees branches while the scent of wood smoke could be detected drifting on the air.
The mornings would be greeted by mists hanging in the valleys their streamers reaching up past the tops of the trees as the suns waning heat slowly evaporated the haze.
Deep in the forests squirrels and wild boar foraged for the last of the summer bounty, stocking up ready for the first frosts of winter to arrive, occasionally disturbing the mushrooms that were pushing their way up through the leaf mould. Overhead the last of the swallows swept across the forest joined by the storks heading south to their winter retreats. "

 

[Britwitch]

Another voice brings another smile.

"Well hello there," steam rises steadily from the tin mug of tea now resting on her knee, "I'm glad to be posting myself! There's still some hot water in the kettle, can I get you a drink?"

 

[Mac380]

That would be much appretiated, perhaps I can help 'fortify' it a bit?

-Mac produces his faithfull sporran flask-

 

[Britwitch]

Giggles softly and hands over a mug.

"I think that would be as good an idea as any I've heard."

 

[Mac380]

Mac pours a generous measure of the Uisge Beatha into both mugs.

 

[Britwitch]

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​

A new day, a new camp fire. Today's down by the lake side.

The dancing flames reaching up into the darkening sky.

Smiling, with a thick blanket from one of the cabins wrapped around her shoulders, she settles down against a conveniently placed rock to watch the sunset.

 

[prettyserpentine]

It's so clear tonight. The stars are reflected in the glassy water of the lake, a few glowing embers cast their light across the silent witch wrapped in the blanket. The sky is midnight blue and the trees swap imperfectly in the water's picture. A stir of wind causes the moonlight to throw silver shards across the lake. It's so peaceful.

She won't disturb her friend tonight. The picture of her sitting there, thinking, reflecting, she just passes by, whispering her love and her warm thoughts to the sitting woman, hoping that she's taking things easy, and hoping that she knows how loved she is.

Instead, she walks a little further into the woods, quiet like a breeze, until she reaches a small cabin. Of course, the witch has spared no magic. It's already twinkling with warm candlelight. It smells of pine cones, and there are a few chairs and pillows on the porch. She heads inside, making a steaming cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows and cinnamon, and then comes back to the porch to enjoy the quiet evening.

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[Fish_Tales]

He walks towards the Witch quietly. He's a little grey haired and he's been been away for a length of time, but never without an acknowledgement of how either of them are travelling. He sees the happy Serp walk by and smiles to himself without making a sound. He is happy at her happiness.

He sits down next to the Witch, pulling a little of the blanket over his legs and leaning gently into her.

"Been a while," he says, wrapping an arm around her and looking forwards, not turning his head.

He looks out to the sunset. No need to say anything. Why interrupt Mother Nature?

 

[Britwitch]

She hears someone approach, it's only when she feels a solid frame sit beside her own and a familiar voice soft in her ear that she smiles and leans back against him.

"It has," she agrees. Her eyes, like his, on the horizon. "But what is time between friends..."

 

[Aluris]

Waving quietly to the gathered folk, not wanting to interrupt their activities, Aluris makes her way to the river and crouches by it to gather reeds. The morning sun patterned on the water's surface is interrupted briefly by her work.

Nothing like an early morning... at least in my part of the world. Lovely to meet you all.

After gathering enough to make a traditional reed basket, she quickly steals back down the path to avoid creating further disturbance.

 

[Mac380]

Deeper in the forest where only the faintest hint of wood smoke reached and the moon light did little to brighten the grey between the tree trunks a faint mist began to rise, edging its way slowly into the hollows and around the tree limbs that had fallen in the first of the autumn storms. It was almost silent, the birds had long gone to roost and the squirrels had retreated to the warmth of their drays, the forest now belonged to the night shift.
Mac adjusted his position slightly, crouched against the bowl of a large oak, he closed his eyes, they were of little use to him now in this grey light, letting his mind reach out and gather the sounds of the forest.
Mice and small creatures were scuttling around under the leaves, bats with their high almost imperceptible calls flitted between the tree trunks, in the distance a fox announced its presence with a loud high pitched bark, hedgehogs trundled their way around the roots safe in the belief that their spines would protect them against the biggest of hunters found in the forest, bar one.
But, there it was, you had to be listening for it and Mac was, that tentative step, the sound of something listening checking that the way ahead was clear, then the low snort followed by the rustle of running feet.
Mac opened his eyes. At the edge of the clearing four small figures appeared, hesitating as they realized that they were exposed and no longer under the cover of the bracken that they had been travelling through.
Behind them reared the outline of a huge beast, its hooves thumping on the ground sending the mice back to their holes, moonlight reflected from its black eyes and illuminated its bone white tusks. Its head dropped towards the nearest of the smaller creatures, which still hesitated at the brink of the opening and gave it a nudge, the creature danced forward and now Mac could make out the stripes along its back.
Giving out a squeal of happiness the little boar charged at one of its siblings starting a game of chase between the four of them. The mother moved forward into the opening and started to root amongst the leaves searching for worms and truffles.
Mac stayed perfectly still watching the family scene, letting them move through the clearing undisturbed, the piglets soon gave up their game and had started to copy their mother, learning how to forage for themselves so they might grow to be as big as her.
Wood smoke tickled at Macs nose, it was time to get a warm drink, letting the little group move away from the clearing he slowly stood, moving off in the opposite direction, he had no intentions of getting in that ladies way!

 

[Fish_Tales]

He pulls her a little closer, turns his head and kisses her on the cheek before looking forwards again. The light has nearly gone. It's not like he's accustomed to talking much.

"Dear Brit......Things get tough sometimes. You know that just as well as I do."

It feels good now, to come back and let her know she's important and that he appreciates all she does.

"We can only face it the best way we can. I read something once about the struggle of trying to cope with things. I live on the beach, so it struck a chord with me. It went something along the lines of that if you know the waves are coming, then you just have to learn how to surf. The waves won't stop, we just have to know how to ride them."

She knows what she means to him, at least he hopes she does. It's not a thing he articulates. Kids, challenges, life....empathy is a wonderful thing.

"Let's just sit here for a bit."

He doesn't want to talk too much, he can't really. It's not natural for him. She's tougher than he could ever be. Or maybe she's better at juggling. He always feels calmer for being around her.

"The sky looks nice."

He hugs her tighter again and leans back.

Sometimes there can be too many words.

 

[Britwitch]

She's missed him. A great deal. His friendship is one that means a lot to her, one that has meant a lot for a long time.

The simple fact that he's there, that he's thought of her and is there with her, that is something even her natural eloquence fails to articulate.

She listens and nods. They'd both seen their share of storms and likely would see many more.

She returns the kiss, pressing her lips to his cheek in kind, before returning her gaze out across the water.

"There's something about fresh air, the feel of the wind in your face and the sound of water, it just...eases everything." She smiles and leans closer, pulling the blanket tighter around them both and resting a hand on his. "Friends work wonders too."

Then there's nothing and there doesn't need to be. Just the crackle of the fire, the ripple of the lake and the odd whisper of wind.

 

[RoyceConnors]

The summer was coming to an end once more, the nights growing cool. Our love of outdoors to be one with nature and enjoy the freedom in life, brought us one last night of to celebrate. As the candles glowed in subtle brilliance, lighting our way, we disrobe and walk together naked along the path.

As cool air chills our skin, we reach our retreat in the woods and know we will love till the water cools and our blood boils with passion.

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[prettyserpentine]

Walking across the forest floor, the leaves crunch and whisper under her thin shoes. The cosy orange dress wraps around her, her knee high boots trudging along until she finds a good spot just close enough to see the swing by the water and the little fire going nearby. She sits down at the foot of a large tree, it's long branches reaching over her like long, spindly fingers.

Shoving her hands in her pockets, she curls her legs up and pulls out a bar of milk chocolate, breaking off one piece and slipping it into her mouth and enjoying it.

What I wouldn't give for something nice and warm and alcoholic to drink...