The Causeway: Friday after workshops

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Karal was early, but he wanted to ensure he did not miss the portal. He had handwavily left messages for the others, and another note for Aravis, and now he was waiting, a small bag and a largish Firecat at his feet.

:I don't know about this portal thing: Altra said doubtfully. :We could just Jump.:

"All of us?" he asked, glancing down. "You would be exhausted and I would be ill."

:Jumping's safer.:

"Molly took a portal, and she was safe," he paused, struck by a sudden thought, "Altra, do you even know where we are going?"

:Details,: he said airily. :I could figure it out.:

"Of course you could."

[ooc: For the LA bound! I will be sleeeeping in about an hour or less, but I'll pick up Karal pings in the morning. My morning, that is.]

Comments

[missed-the-gate.livejournal.com]

John showed up with his bag slung over his shoulder. He couldn't help but hum "I love L.A."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"Hello, John," Karal said. "You sound cheerful this afternoon."

[missed-the-gate.livejournal.com]

"Looking forward to a fun trip," John replied. "How're you doing?"

[southernbender.livejournal.com]

Katara bounced up, bag over one shoulder and at least three waterskins over the other. There was probably more water in the bag if the sloshing sounds were anything to go by.

"Is it ready yet?" she asked.

[missed-the-gate.livejournal.com]

"Hey, Katara. Bringing some reserves?" he asked, motioning to the waterskins.

[southernbender.livejournal.com]

"Holy water!" she said. "It's very good against vampires."

[missed-the-gate.livejournal.com]

"Will we be fighting vampires this weekend?" John asked. "And me without my gun."

[southernbender.livejournal.com]

"I don't know, but Molly said she was going there to learn how to fight partly and Angel and Logan supposedly fight vampires a lot so better safe than sorry, I guess," Katara said. She sounded too excited about this prospect. Hopefully the excitement would go away before Dawn came up.

[missed-the-gate.livejournal.com]

John chuckled, "I've never had a fight on vacation, but there's a first time for everything." He wasn't overly enthused at the prospect of fighting. "Hopefully we'll have time for some surfing."

[southernbender.livejournal.com]

Katara paused. "There's an ocean?"

[missed-the-gate.livejournal.com]

"Last time I checked," John grinned.

[southernbender.livejournal.com]

Her eyes lit up because somehow she'd never heard that part and there was bouncing again. "Oh, that makes going even better!"

[missed-the-gate.livejournal.com]

John nodded, "I'm looking forward to catching a wave, getting a tan, and watching you hero-types fight vampires."

[southernbender.livejournal.com]

"Pft, none of us are hero types," Katara said. "Just kids. Do you know how to surf?"

[missed-the-gate.livejournal.com]

"Sure do," John smiled. "What about yourself?"

[southernbender.livejournal.com]

"Uhh, not with a board?" Katara said. "I've never tried it like that."

[missed-the-gate.livejournal.com]

"What do you mean, 'not with a board'?" John was confused.

[southernbender.livejournal.com]

"I can sorta do it with my bending," she told him. "It's not quite the same, but I've been playing with it recently."

[missed-the-gate.livejournal.com]

"That's cool. If there's time, you'll have to show me how it works," John was interested to see the bending.

[southernbender.livejournal.com]

"Definitely," Katara agreed with a smile. "Well, if there's time and there aren't other people around who'd think it crazy."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Karal recognised her voice, but he was certain they'd never met. Logically, however, there was only one person she could be. "Katara?" he asked hesitantly. "And not quite yet, though it should be soon."

[lilpunkinbelly.livejournal.com]

Dawn bounced up, carrying a bag and her backpack, which held four stakes, two bottles of holy water, her journal, and a bunch of other girl detritus. She was also enjoying the first day without her sling, which she thought coincided nicely with not having to tell Molly anything. "Hi!" She waved.

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"Dawn, hello!" Karal waved back. "The portal should be here soon."

[lilpunkinbelly.livejournal.com]

Portal? Right. Shoot. "Great," she said with a distinct lack of enthusiasm, "You ready for Los Angeles?"

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"I suspet not," he admitted with a wry smile. "So long as we stay away from toy stores, we should be safe. Are you all right?"

[lilpunkinbelly.livejournal.com]

"Just me and portals," she shrugged. "Not my favorite way to travel, that's all."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"This will be my first time. I am rather nervous," he told her. "But Molly said that it was safe, so I am sure it will be."

[lilpunkinbelly.livejournal.com]

"Molly definitely wouldn't send you into trouble without her, that's for sure," she grinned at him. "Hey, Altra. Coming to keep an eye on Karal?" She bent down to scritch Altra behind the ears.

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Altra stood and pushed against her hand, then nodded. :Someone's got to,: he said, so only Karal could hear.

Karal made a face at the 'cat, then nodded at Dawn. "It is what he does," he said with a small smile, blushing a tiny bit. "And I believe you are right."

[lilpunkinbelly.livejournal.com]

"It had to happen eventually," she grinned back, still scritching the kitty and hoping he didn't mind the smell of puppy.

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Altra was used to Aravis' puppy, so he didn't mind at all, and he started to purr. "It will be better, I hope, than my usual method, which tends to leave me rather ill."

[lilpunkinbelly.livejournal.com]

"What method is that?"

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

He glanced at Altra, who looked up and met his eyes. :Tell her if you want. It's not exactly a secret anymore.:

"Altra can Jump. It is magic, a way of moving from one place to another instantly, even over large distances," he explained, feeling a bit nauseous at the thought. "It is how I got here from Valdemar."

[lilpunkinbelly.livejournal.com]

"Ooooooh, cool," Dawn made sure she got Altra behind his ears and under his chin for that one. "Best cat trick ever. You don't look exactly thrilled with the idea of going that way, though.'