Having no particular destination in mind Francis allows chance to lead him wherever it might lead him. At each fork in the path he chooses a direction at random: right, right. left, right, left, left.
Search Posts
At present Francis decided that perhaps it would be best to investigate these northern trails on his own. He wasn't the most comfortable around other people and this idea of a shared dream really bothered him. Besides, they would probably catch up to him out on all of those switchbacks. After he had put his share of the bill on the table he indicated he needed to use the restroom which was close to the front door. Then like a scene right out of a movie he slipped out of the entrance and made his way to his car. He made his way north across town toward the trailhead for the northern paths. He had to admit it was a pretty nice day for walking in the woods. And rather than ominous the forest in front of him looked vibrant and welcoming. Taking a deep breath he left his car behind and started down the path.
"Well..." Amanda thinks for a moment, then responds, "They tend to have a lot of forks and that some, especially the northern ones, go on for a very long time..." She thinks a little more. Then says sheepishly, "Honestly I don't walk them that much, so I can't really tell you anything else..." She then sips her drink quietly. Francis went cold hearing the librarian ask about the house. He certainty did NOT want to go looking for the house that was now the subject of a shared dream. He was not adventurous. He liked books and research, not investigating what was turning into a surreal mystery. But he had to admit to himself that if he didn't resolve this mystery his anxiety would just keep building. He couldn't avoid this. He made a point of eating all of his pancakes and then added his money to the pill on the table. Somehow it felt like a final meal. "Well okay. I do a lot of hiking, it being the only exercise I really enjoy. I don't do the north trails a whole lot but if you're wanting I can't think of a reason not to. Just so happens I'm wearing my favorite hiking shoes right now. They are actually his only shoes...and they are six years old.
Francis is not about to admit to having any strange dreams himself. Neither did he want to ask what sort of strange dreams the librarian was talking about. He could not think of a reasonable reaction if Arthur's dreams mirrored his own, and an instinctive part of him feared they did. "I would like to join you I think. I know some of the history of this place, being that it's why I'm here. But I would very much like to hear what you two have to say about it. Then he smiled disarmingly, "But breakfast first. Carbs are good before a hike."
Francis nods. "It seems like today is insisting on an adventure. So sure I'll join. He paused for a moment frowning. "Wait what did you mean by needing something sooner? Are you going to be looking for something particular out in the woods?
Francis decides that this is the most eventful meal of his adult life, and he has not even ordered yet. Everyone seems strangely eager to go hiking in the woods, though he does admit to himself that he had been the first to bring it up. The idea of hiking makes him think of his recurring dream which he finds unsettling, but he realizes that thinking there is a correlation between his dream and this planned hike is just silly. ”We should check the weather this week then. So we don’t get rained on or anything. He looks over at Arthur. ”So did have a trail in mind? We could make a plan or something...if we are all going."
Same here. Real world got a little crazy. I will do better.
I can try playing a female ya. Francis is a nervous guy who likes pancakes too much...I may not exactly be getting out of my comfort zone with him haha.
I would be totally interested if you would have me.
The red head girl starts speaking with an slightly excited look on her faceI am Cassie and he's Francis." She gestures toward the man sitting across from her "We were just talking about taking a hike through the oak forest, sometime this week. You strike me as an adventurous type and I wanted you to come with us." Francis is utterly astonished that his usual routine of pancakes and quiet solitude has very suddenly become a social gathering for people he doesn’t know. After some frantic deliberation he decides his best course of action is to pretend like this sort of thing happens all the time. He looks up at the newcomer as if Cassie’s invitation had been totally expected. As if this gathering of people at his booth was completely normal. And he couldn’t think of a single thing to say except ”Hi”
Francis, as you wait in your usual spot for your very much anticipated breakfast, you notice a woman sitting in a booth next to yours and looking right at you. She has long red hair, bright green eyes and soft looking skin. Her lush lips part to reveal perfect teeth as her mouth shapes into a kind smile. She stands up and you see she is wearing a baby blue jean jacket with a few buttons undone that shows a white shirt underneath. She is also wearing skinny black jeans and dark blue Converse low-top sneakers. She walks up to your booth and says in a energetic voice "Hey I'm new around here, name's Cassie. I'm visiting with my family for a few weeks." as she is talking she sits down across from Francis. "So what's your name? And what is there to do around here? My family just moved here a couple weeks ago so they don't know much about this place yet." She says with a dismissive wave of her hand. Francis stared wide eyed at the woman for a moment too long. He could not remember the last conversation he had that wasn’t with someone behind a counter. His brain leapt into a higher gear trying to formulate a response to the woman. "Um, my name is, that is…I’m Francis…Good to meet you." His mind raced as he tried to think of an adequate answer to her question. "Not a really busy place here. Um…hiking, really nice hiking around. Oh and last week they put in a new stop light on Main Street. Super exciting stuff." He grinned at what he thought was his clever joke, but then panicked. He had just professed that Porter was boring. Now if she asked what he did he would have to admit that he was conducting a doctoral thesis on the history surrounding the boring town of Porter. Instead he asked her a question: "Why did you move here?"
Francis begrudgingly rose from bed. The dream was odd, but its insistent recurrence was what disturbed him. Having nothing better to do, and not wishing to remain in bed Francis rose, showered, and dressed. He left his apartment thinking to treat himself this morning to his most favorite of all foods. Pancakes. The greatest food ever created. It would give him time to think about the dream, and then afterward perhaps he would head over to the library to see if the books he had requested had come in. His car is crap, running by sheer willpower alone, but Francis hates new things. Especially new things he cannot afford. He makes his way to the pancake house, sits in his usual booth and we able orders a first cup of coffee and a stack of pancakes.
I for one am all for the Goonies reborn staring Nick Cage.
This is Pesha. How's my guy look? Arthur's eyes are following me... |