Group Camping Trip: Night One

Back at the campsite, Neo, Jade, and Yellowtail had managed to set up the tent right.

 

“Hey, where did Smokey and Viper go?” Neo asked, noticing they were gone.

 

“I think they went off into the woods to explore, I heard them saying something about wanting to while on the trip here.” Jade responded.

 

Neo shrugged, sitting down on a halved log nearby that had been set out by the rangers as a campsite bench. Yellowtail went into the RV for a moment, rustling around in some of the bags for… something, who knows what he was looking for.

A few moments later, he emerged with a fishing pole in hand.

 

“I’m going fishing down by the lake! Either of you want to come with?” He asked.

 

Neo and Jade both shook their heads.

 

“Fine. I’ll go by myself, catch us some dinner.” Yellowtail remarked playfully. He grabbed his tackle box and closed the RV door, making his way down the path in front of the RV that led to the lake.

 

Neo stayed where she was, lost in her mind again. Jade walked over and sat down next to her, watching.

After a brief moment of silence, Jade spoke.

 

“Are you alright? I know we kinda dragged you here, it probably isn’t something you wanted to spend your weekend doing. If you really want to go home, I can take you back in the RV.”

 

Neo looked up at her and shook her head.

 

“No, no I’m fine, just… a little drained is all.”

 

Jade placed a hand on Neo’s shoulder comfortingly.

 

“If you’re sure. If you ever want to leave, let me know and I’ll take you home. Alright?”

 

Neo nodded, giving Jade a warm look.

 

Behind them, the bushes rustled in the woods.

The two turned around, looking for the source of the noise. A moment later, Viper emerged from the edge of the woods, Smokey following behind her while picking twigs and leaves out of his feathers.

 

Viper smiled as she held out the fallen antler in her right hand, showing it to the two sitting on the bench.

 

“Look what I found!” She exclaimed.

 

“Uh, you mean what I found?” Smokey said, wincing as he tugged a rather large twig from his crest.

 

“Oh whatever, what we found, then.” Viper retorted. Smokey huffed.

 

Jade took the shed from Viper, examining it closely.

 

“This is rather cool! Do you collect things like this?” Jade asked.

 

Viper smiled smugly. “Well yeah, kind of. I have a few found animal skulls, bird feathers, a couple small pieces of taxidermy, like snakes and songbirds and stuff. It’s really cool.”

 

Jade nodded. “It is quite interesting. Never was able to get into it myself, but I’ve always admired those who do.”

 

“Hey, where’s Yellowtail?” Smokey asked.

 

“He went fishing down by the lake.” Neo replied.

 

“Ah, for dinner, I presume?” Smokey asked.

 

“Yeah.” Neo looked over at the pathway to the lake. This trip was either going to be surprisingly fun, or really draining.

 

The sun began to set over the mountains, prompting Jade to start a fire in the firepit. Viper and Smokey went out to gather sticks to get the fire started, while Neo helped stack up some wood to keep it going.

 

“There, that should do it.” Jade stepped back from the firepit, watching as the flames grew. Neo paced around behind Jade, listening to Smokey and Viper playfully bicker over little things in the background. Before long, Yellowtail returned from his fishing trip, carrying a large stick that he’d threaded through the gills of the trout he’d caught.

 

“Got dinner! Who’s hungry?” He exclaimed happily. Neo chuckled to herself. Never knew he liked camping so much.

 

They all got together around the fire, roasting the trout over the flames until they were ready. Once they were, everyone eagerly dug into their meals. Well, until after the first bite that is. Viper immediately spit her mouthful out, while Smokey gagged. Jade’s face scrunched up at the taste, while Yellowtail inspected his trout skewer questioningly. Neo hadn’t taken a bite yet, but she wasn’t going to after those reactions.

 

“Yuck, is that even fish?!” Viper stuck her tongue out, making a face. Smokey coughed a little, then gently placed his skewer down next to him.

 

“Yeah, it’s fish, just not good fish.” Jade said, picking the meat from her teeth. Yellowtail sniffed the spot where the flesh of the fish was exposed from his bite, immediately recoiling.

 

“I think these fish aren’t meant to be eaten. Probably full of some weird bacteria or something, or maybe they’re just bad in general.” He said, tossing his skewer aside. Everyone else did the same.

 

“Wait, what are we going to eat now?” Viper asked.

 

“I brought some beef jerky and a few snacks, but that’s about it.” Jade said, getting up and heading for the RV full of their bags. She came back with the promised packages of jerky, a few individual sets of unfrosted toaster pastries (that would have to be eaten untoasted,) some granola bars, and a package of peanut butter crackers.

 

Everyone picked out what they wanted, the sound of packages being opened suddenly disturbing the peaceful sounds of the forest. Once things had calmed down a bit, everyone became more relaxed and laid-back. They began to tell some stories, mainly about funny experiences each of them had had in their lives, or even embarrassing tales from their younger years.

 

Things seemed to be going well, everyone was having fun, socializing, and even Smokey and Viper had seemingly forgotten about their sibling rivalry, for they were wheezing with laughter together at something Viper had said. Neo, for the second time that day, smiled.