2019-10-25 - No Rebounds

The roar of the old Harley ripped through the evening air as they neared the secret spot Colt had scouted our earlier. It wasn't that long ago that he had picked her up and given her his helmet. Their ride wasn't that long, and it wasn't that eventful but the feeling of freedom and the wind was clearly in excess, or maybe it was just the wild made of Colt's blowing freely about. No more than fifteen minutes later they had arrived! The kick stand is dropped and the roar of the engine dies out. "Here we are," Colt says looking up toward a trail in the woods as he climbed off the bike and offered a hand toward Vivian, "Hand me my bag if you don't mind."

First, she remembered what he told her and wore jeans and a t-shirt, as well as a jacket to guard against the cold. Secondly, she didn't wear a ponytail but did French braid her hair, so the same purpose was served. That braid honestly saves her hair from looking like a mess when she pulls that helmet off after they arrive, and she climbs off the back of the bike. The helmet is sat down, and the bag that he requests is picked up and held out towards him, her other hand reaching up to slide her fingers through a strand of hair that has escaped despite her best efforts, tucking it back into place. "Where are we?" She still hasn't really learned the lay of the land in the area, honestly.

"We are right here." Colt says plainly while reaching out to take the offered back and sling it up around his shoulder. For the most part Colt looked similar to the other night, dark jeans, a black shirt, boots and a thick black leather jacket. His hair was a wild normally, and the wind didn't help it any, but his beard somehow managed the trip well. "Come on," he says extending a hand out toward her.

There is a very, very small hesitation when he holds the hand out towards her, and Vivian looks like she might just refuse it. But then she reaches a hand out after a second to take the hand anyways, "I realize that existentially speaking we are right here, but where is here." She grabs her bag with her other hand, and looks like she might just carry her own stuff, but then she holds it out towards him instead.

Colt lifts a dark brow at the hesitation, but when she accepts his hand he grins and turns away for a moment to look at the trail. "Here is where we are...Clearly." he confesses in his rough, but playful tone. His eyes drift back to her and the bag that is handed toward him is slung up over his back, "Alright then, this should be fun."

Then, he is leading the pair off into the trail. Nothing is special about the trail, other than there is a noticeable slight incline to their path.

"Clearly." Vivian replies with a shake of her head, but she doesn't keep poking at him about where they are, instead she just starts following him when he starts to head down the trail.

It might be easy to imagine that she doesn't get out any more, what with her job being a desk job. But she seems to be capable, at least, of keeping up with him on the hike as long as he's not pushing too long or fast on the hike.

"See you're learning," Colt says with a chuckle. His pace wasn't that fast, just steady. "So this may not work out exactly as I intended... We'll see!" Finally they come to an opening which has them moving out onto a bluff, the ground here is a blend of rock and soil leading up to the outcrop.

There is a black sleeping bag laid out with a few thick blankets close to the edge looking out over the ocean. a safe distance away there is a campfire that looks to be ready to light, "What do you think?" he asks while looking over at her and lifting one hand up to snap his fingers. The snap was just for show, but the dramatic effect is important! A small unseen flare rips open beneath the stacked campfire and it quickly engulfs in flames.

When they step out on the bluff there is a surprised look around her, then that surprise grows more as she startles when he gets the fire going. "Couldn't you have just...lit that normally?"

It's spoken mildly, without actually sounding bothered by the display of his abilities. But she does shake her head at him slightly, releasing his hand so that she can start to move towards the edge of the bluff, "It's very beautiful out here...how did you put all of this together?"

"I /could/ have, but what would be the fun in that...Besides, I have my ways of dealing with /them/ if and when they show up." Colt admits while he moves to place his bag down near the fire and open it which reveals an insulated pocket, "It is beautiful out here, not much in the way to obscure nature out here," he admits while lifting a foil container out of the large pocket, then a bottle of wine. Without hesitation the sleeping bag was his next stop and despite his large frame he lowered himself into a seated position in fluid motion. "Comer," he called over to her, his eyes moving to watch her.

There is a curious look at him when he says that, but she doesn't say anything in return. Instead she moves over towards the sleeping bag when he calls her over, a brow lifting upwards at him, "It is beautiful." There isn't much reason to disagree with him about that, and she moves to settle down on the sleeping bag next to him, careful to keep her feet off it.

Colt places the container down between them, "So I threw together some homemade stir-fry. I was going to pick something up, but...With all the other planning I put into coming up here I figured it was only fitting if I made it." When did he learn to cook? But is stir-fry really cooking? The container is opened and the food revealed, there are no plates, but he does produce some plasticware that is placed down to be used. "All natural shit," he comments with a dip of his head toward the food. The wine is taken up next and a corkscrew on his keys makes short work of opening it. "Didn't bring any glasses either, so we'll have to share the bottle."

"So you've found this location, prepared this, the food, gotten wine..." Vivian shakes her head faintly before she draws her knees up very faintly, one arm folding across the tops of her knees as she glances over at him. There's a very faint frown that crosses over her lips, expression turning thoughtful as she watches him, "Colt?"

Colt nods slowly, though the frown catches him off guard and he shifts to draw himself away just enough to take her entire form into his sight. "Yeah?" he asks with both brows lifting, "You didn't go vegan did you? I swear that's vegan chicken in the food."

Vivian glances down at the food when he mentions it, then she shakes her head, "I didn't, and that's not vegan chicken..." She points out, just in case he thinks that she is in any way fooled by it. But then she lifts her eyes back up towards his face, studying him for a moment, "I'm not going to tell you what people keep telling me, as an outsider. I'm not sure if you'll get told the same, but you might...Instead, I just want to make sure that you understand things are very different here. Dangerous."

He watches her with curiosity, nodding once more with her words, "You got me, its just regular old chicken." he smirks, but then her eyes draw a more serious look over his features and one hand is even lifted to stroke his beard. "Yeah, I kinda get that...I mean the general feeling here is like somethings fucked up. Also, kinda homey." he shrugs, "I figure there is a reason for everything, including me finding you again."

"Something here is very wrong." Vivian agrees with a nod, then she glances towards the view from where they're sitting, tucking her chin onto her arm, "There are always reasons for things, I think." She decides after a little while before she glances towards him once more, "Why do you think you've ended up here again, to find me? Or have you found me because you've ended up here for another reason."

Colt shifts once more, drawing his knees up to drape his arms over in a similar fashion to her. "Then I'll make it right..." he says in a softer, slightly darker tone. The bottle of wine is idly lifted up to his lips and a drink is taken, "This is going to be a deep conversation I imagine..." a glance is cut toward the food, "Damn vegan chicken is gonna get cold," he says with a smirk while watching her carefully. "I think the most important thing in that question is that I found you, regardless of which direction that works. Maybe we need each other and don't know it yet, maybe something else has directed it, maybe its fate, luck...Choice." another drink of wine, "Whatever it is..." he looks back out over the view, "It is."

"And that is the most important thing that has happened for you? You've found me again?" Vivian glances towards him once more, then she reaches for some of the plastic utensils so that she can eat a few bites of the stir fry that he brought. It's possible that she's doing it just to be polite, because she falls right back into the line of conversation after a few bites. "When was the last time you dated someone? Seriously dated them...not just a few dates here and there."

Colt doesn't answer for a moment, instead he turns to watch her take a few bites. "You don't have to eat if you aren't hungry." he says while extending the bottle of wine over to her. Then, those light brown orbs dance over her more carefully as in inspecting, looking for something but unsure of what. A beat, he turns away his eyes drifting to the sky above them. "Everyone defines what is important differently, but to your other question," he pauses, his chest rising with a deep inhale, "Bout 15 years or so ago."

"Yes, they do." Vivian agrees thoughtfully, then she glances at the bottle, reaching out to take the bottle from him when he holds it out towards her. "But..." She starts, then pauses before she shakes her head, taking a swallow off the wine before she glances down at the label on the bottle, "I'm sorry." She decides after a little while, taking another sip before she holds it back out towards him, "I feel I'm a pretty terrible date right now. Too deep in my own thoughts about things, it seems."

Colt grabs the bottle back, also glancing down at the label, "Wasn't sure what to get...Was just going to do whiskey but the guy said the strong independent and smart women loved this stuff," he confesses while lifting it to take another sip, "I got a flask in my saddlebag though." for the moment he ignores commenting on anything she said and instead just stares around them. "I'm presuming you did the math on that and realized you were the last one." he chuckles, "Don't apologize I've had some dates that were fucking disasters...Share your thoughts, talk to me."

Colt reaches down and slides the food from between them, then, he slides himself over to drape an arm over her shoulders, "I'm here for you, I wasn't for a long time," he sighs, "But I am now, you're one of a handful of people that have ever seen me for who I really am...Let me be here for you."

"It's a nice choice." The assurance is easily given, and Vivian reaches to take the bottle back from him, "I like whiskey fine as well, too." She adds, just in case he needs to know for the future, maybe. She lifts the bottle up for a long pull from it before passing it back, her attention drifting outwards for a moment as she thinks about it.

"It's complicated, Colt." She glances back at him, resting her cheek against her arm, that frown settling on her face once more, "Maybe you were meant to find me again, and fate is funny, and works in strange ways. It seems to have certainly had a great laugh at my expense recently. My pride is hurt after everything that's happened. I'm bitter, and angry, and want to kick and scream and be petty. But I also know that won't change anything, so why bother with it? And the last thing I'd want to do is hurt you."

Colt takes the bottle back again, though instead of taking a drink he sits it down in front of them on a flat-ish rock, very carefully. "Life is complicated and not fair, it kicks you while you're down," he begins with an amused look, "Then, it runs you over, backs up...Sets the car on fire." the wine is eyed for an instant, "It kills your family, threatens those you love...Rips you away from everything you thought you knew, everything that is normal, tries to kill you over and over until finally it does." A large hand picks that bottle back up and then a long swig is taken, "And during all of that, it's ok to be petty and pissed...To throw things, to break things to kick and scream. I am great to kick by the way, I meant it when I said I'm hard to kill I think its related to my abilities but I just don't get hurt like other people." a beat, "For what it's worth, I don't think fate is laughing at you...From where I sit, other than some setbacks...Looks like it's smiling at you."

"Because you're bias and probably are happy that my relationship has fallen apart." Vivian at least seems to take some small bit of amusement from that, despite the fact that it is her life that took the hard knock. She turns her face forward again, tucking her chin on her arm as she falls silent, "I was planning ahead. I had it all worked out, and I just..." She shakes her head, glancing back, "I should have seen it coming, I should have. It stings." She reaches over towards him, brushing the backs of her fingers against his beard, "I need to let it all go, though. Bigger things in this world then my hurt feelings."

"I mean I clearly am at least a little biased, but I wouldn't want you hurt even if that meant not having this chance to sit here with you right now." Colt admits with a wink, "I'm at least mostly sure that's true...Like at least about not wanting you to hurt anyway." he nods sharply, "I don't think we really have the luxury of planning, at least...Not people like us, I don't think that is in our cards. Probably one reason I have done so well with stuff I ride with the flow naturally." When her fingers brush against his beard, he carefully reaches up to catch it and draws it to his his mouth where his lips press to the back of her hand before he lets it fall away. "Then scream, let it all out...Stand up and look out into that vastness before us and scream it all out...Hit me a few times, curse...Break this bottle against something...Let it out."

There is a laugh at the suggestions, then she shakes her head, "If I screamed..." She then pauses, and thinks about it before she starts to get to her feet, carefully brushing the wrinkles out of her jeans before she moves towards the edge of the bluff.

When she reaches it she stops, her hands tucking into her pockets for a moment as she stares out into the air, then she tilts her head back and just thinks about it all, letting everything that has been going on for the last few months bubble back up from where she'd shoved it. All the tension and worry, the anger, she just takes a deep breath and starts to scream, letting it all out in one angry sound.

"There we go let that primal side out," Colt whispers with a grin as she stands. Once she is on her feet he languidly pushes himself up. His wild eyes watch her with excitement, clearly intrigued by more than just her figure, he has some idea of what she is about to do and as she nears the edge his grin widens. The large man takes a couple of steps toward her, but staying behind to let her have her moment, her space. Then, her scream splits the serenity of the area and he draws in a large breath, his own head tilting up as he exhales that breath in a shout more like the roar of a lion than a scream, "FUCK YOU BISON!" he adds to the end with a throaty laugh.

"What...Bison? What did those poor furry creatures ever do to you?" Vivian shakes her head at him, moving back towards the sleeping bag to drop herself down onto it, stretching her legs out, then she reaches over to pick the container of food up, "So this place.." She gestures with the plastic cutlery, "This town, it's crazy, Colt. Full of people that can do what you can do, what I'm starting to figure out how to do."

"Bryson? Whatever the fuckers name is." Colt says with a chuckle. As she turns so does he and when she drops to the sleeping bag he follows, though this time he lays down on his side and braces himself with an elbow so that the side of his face and rest in his hand. "I've felt more of us here than anywhere else I have been, and I have been quite a few places." he admits with an eyebrow waggle, "What exactly do you do by the way?"

"Byron." Vivian corrects as she picks up another bite from the food tucking it into her mouth, then she holds it out towards him so that he has an option of having some as well. "Me? Evidently I can heal plants? I've never tried on a person, but that is part of what I should be able to do...and I can read emotions."

"Yeah him," Colt agrees while picking up a fork to stab a large bite rather violently. That bite is then lifted to his mouth, in truth he eats mostly like a barbarian and isn't all that concerned with etiquette especially in their current condition. "Oh! Yeah, I knew a guy who could do that he taught me...Well the healing plants part, make it grow faster or slower." he pauses, "Emotions there I can't do shit with emotions...Kinda makes sense I guess."

"That I became an emotion person?" Vivian shrugs her shoulders a bit, setting the food down so that he can have more of it if he wanted, "I suppose that it does. But I've only figured out that this is...doing anything since being here. Before? I just thought I was good with taking care of plants, or intuitive about people. I never thought it was something more." She glances around them at the nearby trees, then scoots so that she's laying down on her side as well, facing him.

"No, that I wouldn't be an emotion person," He replies with a grin while stabbing another bite of food with his non-propping hand. "Explains why you were so good at dealing with me when I was a total fuck up." he admits, "I don't do much with planets...To be honest it was more curiosity that I even realized I could do it at all. I mainly just move shit." his lips purse, "So, you feel better now?"

"I feel...the same." Vivian shakes her head with a faint laugh, "But I know that this isn't a change that can just happen, either. I'd invested every vision of my future in him. Marriage, kids...The perfect couple." She shakes her head, reaching down to push the food out of the way before she scoots over, tucking herself in against him.

Colt shifts his body over toward her to press against her in return, his arm lowering around her waist and resting against her lower back. "Sounds like you tied your identity into him, that never works." he whispers, "You were my last serious relationship, but I dated a ton of people and one thing I learned, at least my opinion...A successful relationship requires you to be fully confident, fully sure of who you are and find someone that can slide in beside you." he shrugs, "That completes the parts of you that you lack...But what the fuck do I know eh?"

"I didn't." Vivian protests after a moment, shaking her head, "I didn't tie my identity to his, I mean. Of course..." She pauses, glancing up at him, expressiong thoughtful, "I just wanted to share my life with him, I thought that it was us for the long haul. But I was wrong, and now it's time to just let it go and move forward with my life. Even if him and his little pawn shop owner explode, and he comes crawling back...This was it. Never again."

A serious look crosses over Colt's face, his eyes narrow at her. "Never say never, look...Again, color me biased and I'm happy he fucked Pawnarina..." he sighs, "But if he comes back and you believe the two of you are meant to be I wouldn't absolutely dismiss it." his voice here is a mix of emotion, frustration and honest. "People make mistakes and sometimes they deserve a second chance, just because I would never cheat on you, doesn't mean I didn't abandon you...Maybe he would cheat on you, but never abandon you? Probably someone out there who would neither do either but would do something else...We're all human, at least I think we're human."

"His cheating on me was abandoning me. At any point he could have decided to talk to me about the change in his feelings, and I don't care how much he says he still loves me...he cheated on me. He clearly doesn't respect me, or my feelings, enough to treat me like an adult." Vivian pushes herself up onto her elbow, frowning a fraction at him, "You leaving me hurt, it hurt a lot. But I was..." There is a moment where she actually thinks about how old she was then, and she points out two things, "Your math is wrong, it was less than fifteen years, but only just. And I was a child. You were a child. It's a bit of a different situation."

"Yeah...I guess it is different." He reluctantly agrees with a short sigh. "Math never was my best subject...I was pretty good at anatomy though," he grins, "And come on...Rounding is a thing!" a laugh, "But yeah, we were children...Both all grown up now though." His eyes seek hers out and just linger there in silence for a second. "So...The bathing suit and the trash bag..." his eyes cut away, "I figured I could find some hot springs somewhere around here...Eighty miles is the closest one so probably won't need that after all."

"I didn't even know there was any within eighty miles." Vivian shakes her head, dropping her head back down, tucking her arm beneath it, "But perhaps if we're both still around when summer comes around we can go to the beach...or out to sea." Clearly she is assuming that the sea trips are on hold until warmer weather. "Did you give any more thought to the house boat situation?"

Colt slowly withdraws his arm from around her and rolls over to lay flat on his back, though he scoots so that his shoulder is still right next to her. His hands fold on his lower stomach and he stares up at the sky. "I'm trying to figure out what to name it. Out of everything I have considered, it makes sense. If I were to move again I would stay costal so I could just bring my house with me." he admits, "Olympic national park is where the hot springs are by the way."

"Seems like a reasonable choice, once you buy it." Vivian replies, glancing over towards him at the mention of what to name it, studying his profile thoughtfully, "What are the options that you've come up with so far?" She rolls over towards him, a hand reaching over towards his face to slide her fingers into his beard thoughtfully, "Maybe we can go to Olympic park."

Naturally and almost idly at her reaching for him one of his own hands lifts and fingertips brush the side of her cheek softly. "I picked up a boat trader book earlier, found a nice little one for right at 100k, its as old as I am, but it seems like it's in good condition." then the question about a name burns in his mind for a moment. "I was thinking Freedom, or Leviathan...Maybe The Kraken and then every time I untie from dock I can say, release the kraken!" he laughs, "Or I name it after you."

"Aren't there rules about what you're supposed to name a boat?" Vivian wonders with a thoughtful frown, then she combs her fingers through his beard for a moment before she drops her hand from his face. She then rolls over to face him again, "Freedom is nice, but simple...Leviathan and Kraken just seem to be inviting a sea monster to come swallow you up. After everything I've seen, I almost believe in them now."

"Sorta rules, I can't name it the same thing as another locally registered vessel for example." Colt says while pondering, "So freedom might be out, but I can check...Could name it the Freedom II if I had to." his eyes cut over to the woman, "Sea monsters are probably real just not sure if they are real /here/, but maybe!" His eyes slowly shut, "Need to put some more wood on the fire soon or it'll die out and I'll have to actually physically light it." he muses, "So Viv, did I show up at the perfect time to be a rebound? I mean, as much as I'd happily do that...I'd rather not."

The question causes her to hesitate a moment, then she pushes herself up into a sitting position, "I don't know." She reaches for the bottle of wine, picking it up to take another swallow from it before she gives a further answer, or expanding on it at least, "I've never been prone to just rebound?" She glances towards him, studying him, "What is it that you want from me?"

Her question back to him draws another thoughtful look which finds his eyes opening once more and him sitting up to turn his light brown eyes to her again, "Forgiveness for one thing," he says while watching her features for reaction, "And, it'd be a lie to say I didn't want to take another stab at us...Especially given the circumstances for us finding one another again and the fact that even after all these years, you're one of the few people I actually trust..." he grins, "You're fuckin' hot too."

"Forgiveness?" There is a flicker of a frown at that, "I don't need to forgive you, I've already forgiven you. I forgave you years ago, Colt." Vivian twists around towards him, the bottle of wine gets set down again so that she can face him better, "So if what you want is my forgiveness, then you've got it. You've had it...Like I was saying, we were children, and you did what you thought was right at the time."

"That's good cause I was going to hate to have to torture you out here in the woods where no one can hear you scream until you forgave me." He replies to her statements about forgiveness with a playful grin. He draws one knee up to drape an arm over once more, his eyes move to the wine bottle but he doesn't move for it. "We were children...But we're both grown up now, so there is that."

"Yes." Vivian replies with a shake of her head before she glances back out towards the view, her arms moving to wrap around her knees, chin settling on her knees, "I'm glad that we've gotten that established, and your one true wish has been fulfilled."

Colt cuts a look back over at the fire behind them, "One sec..." he says while pushing his large frame up from his position. He begins moving toward an axe leaning up on a nearby tree that had clearly been brought out earlier, lifting it he chuckles, "You're picking the next date by the way." With that a few steps into the wooded area around them are taken, though he is still within earshot, "I think I'm going to name the boat The Secundus," he calls out before swinging the axe, which then hits something and goes THUNK THUNK THUNK.

"For second chances?" It's a good bet that Vivian knows both meanings, or uses, of the word. When he starts to hit something she falls silent again, her attention going back outwards. Then she starts to get to her feet, hands sliding into her pockets before she turns to follow him towards the woods.

"Yeah," Colt calls out while still hacking at something but with a quickened pace. "I think it makes sense for me overall...It also beats The USS Colt's Boat," he says while laughing. If she gets within line of sight of him she would see several logs stacked up, a few of them split into quarters and with each large swing of the axe another being split the same. "How long do you want to stay out here?" he asks while eyes dance over the wood, measuring how much he has cut based on her answer.

"How long do I want to stay out here?" Vivian's question is probably a lot closer than expected, considering he left her behind. She watches him as he swings the axe for a moment, "I guess a few more hours?" It's a very uncertain look, honestly. The thought of planning how long to stay or not stay out there was clearly not one that had passed through her thoughts just yet. "Unless you're ready to go now?"

"I'm good for whatever, I was just trying..." One more heavy swing of his axe splits another log and brings about a grunt from the man, "To figure out how much wood to cut." His eyes shoot over to her, "Here carry this," he says extending the axe to her before kneeling down to pick up four or five chunks of wood. "This should keep us going for a while. I also brought enough blankets to keep a small army warm." he says with a grin as he turns and begins to walk back toward the 'campsite'

Vivian reaches out to accept the axe, holding it just a little awkwardly before she heads back towards the campsite with him, "What would you like to do while we're here?" She sets the axe where he got it from, then moves back towards the sleeping bag on the floor, "We've watched the view, had dinner, discussed your forgiveness..."

Colt strokes his beard as he makes his way back and stops at the edge of the sleeping bag, his brown orbs flickering down toward it. "I figured we'd catch up, chat, maybe look at the stars and I'd let the evening lead where it wanted to go," he muses, eyes cut back over his shoulder to look at Vivian, "There is always that little part of my brain that just wants to get you naked and keep each other warm with body heat, but that is pretty forward of me considering we just re-met a couple days."

"That is very bold of you." Vivian agrees with a nod as she settles back down on the sleeping bag, reaching down to tug her boots off and set them down off the pallet before she folds her hands in her lap. There is a deep breath before she lets it out, "But I think maybe some day...and catching up would be good. Everything is still very awkward, and you don't want to be a rebound anyways. I don't want a rebound."

Colt laughs while turning from the sleeping bag to move over and kneel at the fire, carefully placing a few more pieces of wood to be consumed by the warmth giving flames. "I said little part of my brain!" One big hand reaches down to slide one of the already burning pieces of wood over to the side, "Fuck!" he shouts, "That's hot..." He stands, dusts his hands off and turns to look at Vivian, "Things are only as awkward as you allow them to be by the way...Look at me for example, I've just decided nothing is awkward and I roll with it." he laughs, "Someday by the way, is something to look forward too and everyone needs something to look forward too." a wink, "So what is our next topic of conversation?" he asks nearing the sleeping bag once more.

"Yes. Little part." Vivian replies with a bit of a wry tone, then she glances at the fire, then him when he says that it is hot, "Probably why you shouldn't try to stick your hands into the flames." She folds her legs, resting her forearms on her knees before she laughs at the question about what topic she wants to talk about next, "I honestly don't know, Colt. There's been over a decade of time since I saw you...that's...a lot. Maybe we can ask questions."

"Do we need to spin a bottle?" Colt asks lowering himself back onto the sleeping back and laying back out flat to look up again. "If you hadn't said something about my trivial use of my mind magic earlier I wouldn't have touched the hot log," he teases with a tilt of his head to wink at her, "Or we can just take turns asking questions, I guess there isn't a need to spin a bottle with only two of us." he admits looking back to the sky, "I'm an open book, anything you want to know just ask it."

"Where did you go when you left?" Vivian takes the offer of asking him anything to actually ask him. It's what she does all day. Ask questions. She should theoretically be very good at this, right? She moves to settle herself back on the sleeping bag as well, drawing her knees up before resting her hands on her stomach.

Colt purses his lips and makes a 'hrmmm' sound before he looks back over to give an answer, "The first place I went was New Orleans...Felt like the right place to go at the time, interesting enough place to keep my attention for a while, dark enough for me to vanish in." he confesses, "My turn eh?" he squints, "If you could be anything anywhere...What would it be?"

"Anything anywhere?" Vivian glances over at him at the question, raising her brows upwards just a moment before she makes a sound before she looks upwards, "I'd do what I do now. I never had to compromise my dreams in that respect, but where?" She sighs faintly, frowning at that, "Sometimes I wonder what it'd be like to just strike out somewhere in Europe."

Colt nods at her first question and then returns her glance with a lingering gaze while she figures out her answer. "We could," Colt replies as soft as his rough voice will let him, "Strike out to Europe that is... Just because we're here, and here seems to be where fate put us... But we don't have to stay."

"Are you asking me to run away with you?" Vivian wonders with a little bit of amusement coloring her voice, a smile tugging the corners of her mouth upwards, "We could. But then I wonder if we should." She shakes her head just a bit, glancing over at him, "I don't think that I believe in fate and destiny, but it does seem to be questionable, doesn't it?"

"I'm not asking you to run away with me, but, I am offering to help you run away and go with you." He says with a grin, "Sometimes we have to become the person we were b born to be instead of the person we're..." both hands lift from his sides and make air quotes, "Supposed to be." Then he shrugs, hands falling onto his stomach. "I believe in a different type of fate, I believe we make our own destiny, however, our choices can write some things into our path that we may not see coming." a chuckle, "Such as us being here right now... Something brought each of us to this town, but my thoughts on fate brought us to this bluff."

"Your thoughts on fate brought us to this bluff?" Vivian raises a brow very faintly at him at the question, then she reaches for the bottle of wine again, checking to see how much is left in the bottle, "I'd be interested in hearing what you might feel about this fate that brought us here." She takes a swallow from the bottle, then take a second swallow from it before she holds it out towards him once more, "But I guess that carries us away from what the purpose of our question and answer game was. To catch up...So." She wiggles the bottle at him for a moment, "What did you do in New Orleans?"

"Its simple really...I believe less in the overall flow of fate or destiny and more in the connections between people, places, and things," Colt begins with a chuckle, "I met you years ago...We developed a strong emotional tie and one day chance brought us back to a place together." he pauses to furrow his brows and takes the offered bottle and then a drink. "Had we not had a pre-existing relationship I highly doubt you and I would be at the bluff right now, I highly doubt you would have even given me the time of day really." Then the question strikes him, and he looks back out over the view, "A lot of things...I changed my name and worked as a bouncer for a bunch of different places, still did mechanic work during the day. I started really figuring out what I can do, met some other people like us...Made almost friends, they taught me almost everything I know. I drank a fuck ton and then I drank some more," he admits while taking one more drink of the wine bottle and passing it back, "Had several pointless relationships...If you'd call them relationships. Oh," his eyes bounce back to her, "And then I decided to become a cop, my first stint as a LEO was in NOLA."

When he explains his views there is a very small frown for him, "Why do you think I'd not give you the time of day?" Vivian takes the bottle back from him, then takes another sip from the bottle before she sets it down next to them, "Having known you growing up doesn't make you any more likely to get a conversation from me." It's a quiet comment, that frown flickering across her face, but it's more of a thoughtful thing than anything else. She shakes her head, shakes the thought off after a moment, "Your question...though. Not mine."

"Well, its more me than you." He replies noting the frown, "I don't let people close and I am kind of an ass these days, its easier to keep people away that way." Colt admits with a shrug, "And I highly doubt your statement about a conversation. I am pretty sure there is some kind of psychological fact, theory, or something that would suggest the chances of striking up a favorable conversation with a random stranger is less than compared to someone you at least had a partly emotional and fond past connection with." this is said with a bold laugh and lifted brow, "My question though huh? What was it about Bryce that made you believe he was the one?" his demeanor shifts and becomes softer with the question, eyes settling on hers.

"First, my entire vocation is about striking up conversations with random strangers. At least at first, so..." Vivian wiggles her hand very faintly in the air just slightly, "But certainly under normal circumstances, most people aren't likely to just strike up conversations with strangers, not without wanting something." She then leans forward, resting her forearms on her knees, "As for Byron..." She shakes her head, "Familiarity, comfortableness. It made sense. None of those are really good reasons looking back."

Colt considers her words for a long moment, "Fair point I guess." he confesses while lifting a hand palm out in defeat. "That's what I meant," clearly about the name, "Those are things that are important, but I'd say someone who makes you step outside of your comfort zone would be more beneficial to your growth as a person. Your turn by the way."

"I like my comfort zone, though. I think it's safe, and orderly, and everything has a place and a purpose, a plan." There is a thoughtful look at that, turning the words over in her mind as she does, weighing them against each other. "Either way, what I thought of as the perfect life, orderly plan....It wasn't." She draws her knees up, arms wrapping around them before she tucks her chin onto one knee, letting her eyes settle on his face, studying him, "I think that, if I were to be honest, that perhaps Byron and I are too much alike to have ever lasted. We're both ambitious, we both plan, although maybe I'm more inclined towards reigning in my emotions than he is. But I think maybe that is a side-effect of my profession, and a desire to compartmentalize, and keep a clear head to better help, to be professional."

One hand lifts upwards, fingertips pressing between her eyes just against the bridge of her nose before she drops her hand again, "I've locked myself down tighter and tighter since coming here, Colt. I don't think I was always so bottled up, but the sheer amount of strange things here, and my way of dealing with it has been to grow more and more distant. Which isn't healthy." But it's her turn to question, and nothing about that has been a question. So she takes a fraction of a second before wondering, "What would you suggest I do?"

"See, I get what you're saying...But one thing I have learned in my life," He now is the one who frowns, "Your plans are great for general guidelines, but otherwise they will be shattered by life." A hand is lifted to wave about them, "Here, this place...Was any of this your plan? Was it your plan to experience those places outside of this reality? I think that especially people like us lose the ability to keep things orderly." he confesses with a sigh, "It sounds like you are doing what I did, but for different reasons...Its a lonely life that way Viv, but its safe," he starts to speak, but then falls silent for a moment to consider his words.

"You weren't always so bottled up and you don't have to be now. Composed, controlled in certain audiences sure...But with others, not at all," A hand is brought to his own chest, "Me for example, I can clean up and put on a fuckin' suit and look like a million bucks. But, I always come back to being me and a part of living free is understanding that there is a time and a place for everything." At her question he goes wide eyed, "You're asking me?" his lips thin into a grin, "I would suggest you find you learn to be free and find a tribe that you can trust and be loved by. I'm still looking for a tribe, but I am about as free as I can be. It's easier."

"Bottling up? It's probably not the greatest of coping methods, considering I'm not actually coping, am I?" The question is very rhetorical, but sees to have to be said anyways. "But no, this was not in the plan. Honestly, I never expected to see you again. You left, that was it." She shakes her head slowly, "I spent..." There is a momentary pause at that as she casts her thoughts backwards, delving into the memories. "I spent a year, maybe longer, being angry at you, I felt so hurt....angry. I didn't let anyone know, except my therapist. Then I let it go, dated off and on a few different people, Byron was probably the longest after that."

When he mentions finding a tribe, and to be free, she shakes her head a fraction before laughing, "Finding a tribe? I know what you mean, but I can't imagine I'd ever be someone with a tribe." She starts to unfold herself, straightening up from where she's curled herself up, "But, friends. I've..." She pauses, then counts out mentally, "Three, maybe four here. One I feel I put into an awkward position now because they were Byron's friend from childhood. Thus, Miss Winslow as well, I assume."

"Nope, not the best coping method," Colt agrees, "Been there, done that," he adds. "I don't have the training you do but I have a whole life of fucked up experiences that I've survived...And it's at your disposal." He watches her carefully, light brown orbs trying to both read her and admire her openness at the same time. "You can add one to that total number by the way." obviously talking about her number of friends, "I've got exactly one here so you're ahead of me...Its my turn isn't it?" He looks toward the fire then, "What are you most afraid of in life?"

"That was including you." Vivian confesses with a shake of her head, then she closes her eyes, thinking about the question asked, "What am I most afraid of in life?" She reaches for the bottle once more, taking a swallow from it before she answers, a frown crossing over her lips, "Failure. I'm afraid of failure."

"Failure? That's it?" Colt questions while laughing, "I don't think you realize how good you've had it that failure is what you fear." composing himself he then smiles warmly at her, "Its a valid fear and completely understandable for a professional person like yourself," he admits while scooting toward her. "A whole lot can be learned from failure though and lots of great people have fallen many times to rise from the ashes like a phoenix and be so much more than they ever were, failure, like death is a part of life...I don't fear it, I try to avoid it but I openly embrace it when it happens and look for the lessons." One finger is then pointed out toward the dark edges of the woodlands around them. "A much more tangible fear is what's out there beyond normal sight...I fear hurting people I actually care about, so I limit those...That's a freebie, your turn."

"Failure, yeah." Vivian replies with a nod, letting her eyes shift towards the darkness out beyond the trees, "I worry that if I fail, that people will die, not that I'll just make a mistake. Not that I'll even be hurt." She glances back at him, her shoulders lifting very faintly upwards at him, "I'm afraid of what is out there, too. But this...otherworldly horror is still so new that I think my brain hasn't quite figured out where to put it." She glances down at her hands, studying them for a moment before she lifts them up, "I carried the legs of a walking, talking corpse to the trunk of his car. It's so...beyond. Everything." She then takes a breath, letting it out slowly, "What do you want most in life?"

Colt listens, those his eyes follow hers out into the darkness even while he nods to her words. "I get it, failure in my line of work can result in people dying too..." he draws in a breath to sigh, "But, failure is just a thing that sometimes happens." Then he looks back toward her and lifts a brow at the description of the corpse, "If he was walking, why were you carrying his legs?" he asks playfully before lifting both eyebrows at her question. "I have it already, I mean, I would like to add to it, but I have it...I want freedom and I have learned to be as free as one can be in a world so well designed in taking that away." a chuckle, "It'd be nice to have someone to enjoy freedom with long term, but, if not...It is what it is eh?" A hand slides inside his jacket to produce a small metal flask which he flips open and takes a sip of, "Ahhh, there we go..." a nod then, "My turn! If you could change one thing about yourself and one thing about me, what would it be?"

"Touche. Really, we were wheeling him around in an office chair." Vivian shakes her head a bit, but she doesn't explain the situation about the corpse any further than that. There is a slight upwards flick of her brow at the question, reaching for his flask when he pulls it out, "One thing about myself and one thing about you?" She frowns, shaking her head, "I hate that idea. Changing something about someone else. You're not mine to change." But she doesn't avoid the question entirely, even if she looks like the question itself isn't her favorite, "I'd change that you left." It's blunt, honest, but gently said. "And me? I'd say...." She has to take a moment to actually think about this one, what she would change. Not because she's a stranger to self-reflection, but because sometimes there's just too much. "I think...maybe letting myself be distant from people."

narrows his eyes at his date when she takes the flask, but a good natured smirk no doubt lets her know all is in good fun! The bit about the corpse seems to satisfy him and he nods, "That makes more sense." Then, her frown catches his gaze once more as she answers the question. "Just because you have the degree doesn't mean I can't mess with your head back," his smirk grows, but then he sighs, "The answer to that particular question says a lot about a person, and a lot about how they view their connection to the person asking." he says firmly. "For the record, I like both answers...And its your turn."

"What does my answers say, though?" Vivian lifts the flask up to take a pull from it before she holds it out towards him, a hand lifting to her mouth before she draws her knees back up, chin tucking back onto a knee. The first question isn't really her question, though, so she takes a moment to think about what she really wants to know, eyes finding the darkness in the trees once more, "I don't know, honestly. Where'd you go after New Orleans? Did you ever think about what life would have been like if you hadn't ever left? What would you change about yourself and me if you could? Pick one..."

"That you care...That my looks, my demeanor my other choices don't matter as much as just having been there, having been in your life." Colt begins, his look shifting to be softer again a care burning behind his eyes. "It means you haven't become too superficial, too resentful, that despite your pushing people away you still crave someone to be close to." he finishes and then takes the flask to have a slightly longer pull from it, once that is done it is extended toward her again. "After New Orleans I hopped around a few times but landed in Santa Fe became SWAT there before ultimately going undercover as a narc." his lips turn up into a grin, "I like it, bucking the rules, instead one question its two-ish."

He laughs, "I thought about what would have been if I didn't leave a lot in my dreams it was happy...But when I thought about reality everyone was just dead," shaking his head he shrugs and continues, "As far as what I would change? I would have handled the gang in a different way one that wouldn't have had me run...If I could change something about you," here he pauses and his eyes linger on her once more. "That's easy really, you'd be in my arms...Otherwise, you're perfect...Human...Flawed...Beautiful and innately perfect."

"Superficial?" Vivian laughs quietly at that, the sound almost bitter for a split second, "I'm consciously aware of appearance, what that means, how people react to it...How what you wear, how you speak, how you carry yourself all dictates the reactions you get from people, how they unconsciously or consciously choose to treat you. I'm painfully superficial in that I will carefully craft every aspect of my appearance, right down to what color my toenails are painted even beneath my shoes. I'm painfully aware of the entire image." She tilts her head faintly, "Maybe that was Byron's appeal, he fit the image that I was creating. Maybe he was smart to cheat on me, maybe he figured out something I didn't about it all."

There is a faint shake of her head, frowning at him, "Everyone isn't dead."

"No they aren't dead," He says after hearing her out, "But they probably would have been if I had stayed...That was the reality in my head my mother, my sister, my brother, and your life hung in the balance if I didn't go." Then he is back to the superficial comment, "That's to make a point, or to influence...It isn't who you are its something you do." he adds with a grin, "I can't say I have ever cared about what color my toenails are painted. My turn right?" he asks knowing the answer, "Pepsi or Coke?"

"Your turn." Vivian agrees, even though he hardly needs her to agree with him about it, "Coke." That is a painfully easy answer, one that she doesn't even have to think about for more than a half second. Then she shakes her head, "Your staying wouldn't have been a death sentence, Colt." She reaches a hand over towards him, fingers curling around his hand to give it a hard squeeze, "Honestly. Something could have been done."

Colt grins as she prepares to answer, but once she does he thrusts a large fist up into the air and smiles wildly, "Yes!" he shouts, "Correct choice," he affirms with a solid nod. "You're right, and I know that now but then I didn't and not knowing means I act in a manner that follows the lack of information I have...Hell, I didn't even realize there was an entire division of the department that dealt with this kinda stuff then, not to mention I wanted to kill those fuckers and going to the police didn't really work out with that plan." he confesses. "Your turn."

"Did you?" Vivian wonders, the question rather quiet, almost like she isn't quite certain which thing she's really asking him about. His feelings, if he wanted to, or if he did it. It's not at all the safe, easy question that he asked her. But almost as soon as the question is out of her mouth she lifts a hand, "No...Nevermind. It doesn't actually matter." She drops her hand moving instead to stretch out on her back, hands folding together on her stomach, "If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?"

Colt started to answer, but once she stopped him he nodded and smiled, "I told you I am an open book to you," he reminds, "But, I will nevermind that one until you ask it again." he admits before folding his arms over his chest and thinking, "Man tough question...I would love to go spend some time around the Isle of Skye, maybe sail over...Or visit some of the remote islands off Fiji and just get lost." he admits, "What about you? Where would you go?"

"That's hard....I've managed to travel most places I've wanted to go." Vivian glances over at him, "I've never been to Fiji....We went to Bali one summer, though. It was gorgeous there...you'd probably like it." She then turns her eyes back upwards towards the sky, falling silent for a moment as she tries to figure out where she might want to go, "Spain, maybe? I never made it there, even though we were planning to for...something for mother's work. But it fell through."

"Spain huh?" Colt questions with a bemused smile, "I could get into Spain...What does your next week look like?" he asked with a lifted brow, "Spend a few days and come back," he adds. "Your turn again by the way." Then, for no apparent reason his eyes dart out to the woods, hand sliding inside his jacket which produces an audible click sound, but then he relaxes and another click is heard, his hand sliding out of his jacket, "I hear wolves are making a come back around here."

"Nothing wrong with wolves making a come back, something about prey health..." Vivian shakes her head, at best having heard about it on the news and that was it. Then she raises a brow, catching what he was saying before, "Are you actually suggesting we head to Spain for a few days?" She shakes her head, looking amused, and fully like she expects this to be nothing more than a joke. "What drew you to police work?"

"Nope, nothing wrong with wolves long as they don't decide we should be a snack." He says with a chuckle, though his eyes to slowly drift around them scanning the perimeter carefully. "Yeah why wouldn't I be? I said a few days not a few weeks." he clarifies should there have been any confusion. "What drew me to police work?" He sighs before answering, "Its complicated...Originally it was revenge, but it changed, I realize that though I strongly dislike most people they deserve to be safe and I am more than able to provide that...I can set right little wrongs, sometimes bigger ones. Really, its a sense of purpose, a mission, using what I can do instead of resisting it." he smirks, "Why do you do what you do?"

"Don't you have to work, though?" Vivian tilts her head a little, watching him as he watches the woods, then she glances out into the growing darkness, "Are you expecting wolves?" She doesn't sound too concerned, though, and looks back towards him after a moment so that she can consider the question that he asked, "I like helping people, I guess."

Colt shakes his head and finally draws his eyes back to her, "I just thought I heard something...I guess I didn't." he admits with a shrug, "HAVE to work is a little strong. I can miss a few days not a big deal. One of the perks of being a detective not on an active investigation...Otherwise I am just supporting and I am perfectly fine with not doing that." he confesses, "So here we are two people who build walls between us and people, both dedicating our lives to helping those same people? Not ironic at all..."

"Nothing ironic about that at all." Vivian shakes her head at him, reaching down to absently adjust her sock across her toes, "I'd have to look at my appointments, see if I've got the time, or if I can move things around to make the time." She glances up from her toes, brows lifting upwards for a moment, "So if we went to Spain, what part of Spain would you want to go to?"

"I feel like that question is a trap." Colt says with a chuckle before laying back out flat and folding his hands over his stomach. "Everyone either says Barcelona or Madrid but I think one of the Balearic islands could be neat...Maybe spend a couple days in one of the bigger cities then hop over to Palma unless you just want to get trashed in Ibiza," he cuts his eyes back up to the sky. "But really I don't give a shit I'm more just going with you, so, anywhere you wanted to go."

"It's not a trap." Vivian shakes her head, "Although Barcelona and Madrid would be nice, I wouldn't mind going to the islands...although it might not be the best time for swimming, and not sure how many parties are still happening if the goal is Ibiza." She glances upwards thoughtfully, then shrugs, "Can always check."

"Drugs sex and rock n' roll?" Colt questions with a grin, "Hell, even this time of year its in like the 60's and 70's there," he says while lifting one of his folded hands to rub across his face. "I don't really do the drugs part, but the other two I am perfectly good with." his lips purse, "Of course, I have done the drugs part...Only for work though."

"Then we can go to Spain." It's evidently as easy as that, assuming she can move her patients around in such a way that she can get a solid block of time away. "I hear that this time of the year is good to go to for the food alone, if nothing else." She reaches for the flask once more, "I'm assuming that you'll want me to get the tickets?"

"Food is good with me...I'll get the tickets," Colt replies eyeing that flash with a burning desire, "You get the hotel and we'll split the rest, plus I suck at picking hotels," he laughs, "I'd have us in a hammock on a beach somewhere." he winks, "Unless you want to go that route."

Vivian hesitates for a moment at the question, then she nods, "That'd be very much outside my comfort zone." She takes another swallow from the flask before holding it back out towards him, "I'll find us a place to stay, maybe it'll be on the beach. Maybe it won't be. But...either way, it'll be nice."

Colt laughs out loud and takes the flash back to have a large pull, "I assume you're going to want to fly first class?" he teases, "I like the drinks so that works for me." he says not waiting for her to respond, "If there is anything special you want to do I'm along for the ride so just tell me when and what and I'm game." another sip from the flask is taken before he passes it back, "I think our second date is a trip to Spain, kinda wild." he muses.

"It beats having my dad drive us to the mall." Vivian points out as she takes the flask back from him when he holds it out, "Although I'm almost certain that when you hop on a plane and fly off into the sunset that it's a vacation, not a date any more. Have to think a little bigger." She gives the flask a bit of a shake, checking the amount left in it by sound alone. Then she lifts it up to drain the rest of it, then she turns it upside down to indicate it so he doesn't think she's passing back the flask with anything in it, "Now that I've drank everything, you think we should head back?"

"Asshole." Colt says while taking back the empty flask and flipping the lid shut before sliding it back into his jacket and slowly sitting up. "Vacation or multiple day date, depends on how you look at it." he says while pushing up to his feet and extending an arm down toward her. "You sure you aren't going to fall off the back of the bike?" he asks playfully, "I could do a field sobriety test on you if you'd like, but if you fail I've gotta handcuff you."

One finger gets held up, then she reaches for her shoes to tug them on before accepting the hand up, "If you handcuff me I'm certainly going to fall off the back of the bike. Plus, handcuffs are highly uncomfortable." She holds her wrists up, glancing back and forth between them, "The rub the skin..." After clarifying something he probably already knows she drops her hands, "But I should be fine, I promise. Are you okay to drive? Do you need a sobriety test?"

"Me? I'm great to drive." He confesses, "I'm like 4 times your bodyweight and a seasoned pro alcoholic," he says with a snicker while moving toward the fire, "Do me a favor and roll that sleeping back up and put it by the axe and I will come back for them tomorrow." Then he is kneeling down and scooping up handfuls of soil to throw into the campfire to help cool it down and extinguish it. "Oh and grab that food container too," his eyes move to the empty bottle, "I got the glass we can't leave that out here." then an open hand is extended in its direction and the bottle lifts from the ground and soars over to his hand. "You know I have some much more comfortable cuffs at the hotel the fuzzy kind," he winks.

When he asks her to gather up things she starts to do just that, putting the sleeping bag by the axe, then she tucks the container back into the bag it came from in the first place. Then she picks the bags up to move back towards the fire and him, "Why doesn't that surprise me?" She wonders when he mentions that he's got fuzzy handcuffs back at his hotel, her head shaking faintly, "I also thought you didn't want to be a rebound."

"I don't!" He says while standing and looking down at the dying flame. "Which is why I'll just bring them to Spain, I think when you drop a couple grand on tickets to Spain you get to skip that rebound status." he notes with a cheeky grin while turning to face her. "Totally kidding about the fuzzy cuffs I'm not that fancy." both of his brows lift, "Or am I?!" another laugh and a look of amusement takes over his features, "We can take lots of pictures of ourselves like kids do these days and post them all over somewhere on the interweb for all to be jealous of."

"Instagram, I believe, is the popular one." Vivian offers with a laugh, shaking her head before she holds the bags back out towards him, "If you're dropping a few grand on this just to skip rebound status you could probably find better ways to spend your money. Like investing in that boat?" No further comment about the Schrodinger's handcuff situation that he seems to have going on.

"Insta what?" He teases with a shift of his hips to bump into her, "I'll waste my money how I want to!" he chuckles, "I'm not doing that bad Viv, I barely have living expenses and I don't spend anything except on drinking and having experiences which is what this will be." He reaches out to take the bag from her and if released will sling it around his shoulder and turn to lead the pair back down toward the bike. "Hey question...Does it literally rain here all the time?"

"Pretty much always, it seems." Vivian replies with a nod, falling into step behind him as he begins to lead the way towards the bike, "I've at least gotten the chance to use all my jackets so far. So I guess that is a bonus, yeah?" It is not a bonus, but she's clearly trying for the silver lining.

Finally they reach the bike, the bags are loaded, breakables are secured and the helmet is given back to Vivian before the roar of that old panhead screams through the night air once more, "Hold on babe," he would call out to his date before the pair rode off into the night under a soft drizzle. What happened then? What would come next? Stay tuned for the next episode of Colt and Vivian travel the world for answers to these questions and more!