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"Not a thing," Cass admitted.

She drew her knees up to her chest in a vague attempt to keep warm. At least it wouldn't be too cool, here. "I don't suppose you know how to start a fire with two sticks?"

She'd seriously kill Moreau for this. This was... ridiculous and embarassing and stupid.

"I was in the Girl Guides. Briefly. But we never did sticks. I mean, it's hard enough with matches." Cassidy grimaced. "I could never get the hang of bannock, for crying out loud."

At the sound of the wolf's howl, she straightened in surprise, her tongue flickering.

"What the..." She shook herself, trying to think straight. "That has to be... oh god, that has to be another subject. Has to be."

It was not terribly reassuring.

"I hope it was Ambrose." Cassidy made a face. "I mean... wolves kinda don't live on tropical islands, right?"

She snuggled up against Vasile. "That's fine. I mean, you must be exhausted. I'm sorry. I feel just awful..."

Stupid stupid stupid lack of legs.

"Moreau should just be glad he didn't make me poisonous," Cass said. "Oh, god..." She rubbed her forehead. "If you want, Vasile... tomorrow you might want to go on without me, come back with help, y'know? I wouldn't mind. I'd understand."

It was the next morning, and Ambrose had had a surprisingly restful night for sleeping on the cold ground on a not exactly twig and rock-free sleeping surface. Next to Angelina, curled up and warm under his lean-to (at least it hadn't rained), some part of Ambrose didn't find much trouble drifting off to a comforted sleep.

However, old habits do die hard, and the sound sleeping only carried him so far. At early light, with the morning birds loudly (to Ambrose) announcing the coming of the dawn, Ambrose arose and crawled out of the shelter. The others were still asleep - but his movement stirred his lady love. They had stayed up talking quietly for a little the previous night and... at the very least... Ambrose felt Angelina was a little comforted in the situation and her place amongst the group.

Things weren't perfect - that would probably be too much to hope for... but they were better.

Ambrose crawled back to her, speaking quietly so as to not disturb the others, and let her know that he was going to foray into the jungle to try to find some more supplies or things that could be used to make the camp more hospitable. Food, or better materials for shelter... or possibly even see if there was a more ideal spot to set up camp. Maybe he'd even find some of the others, see if they had any more news or .... maybe, just maybe, the incident had been temporary and things would be back to normal. He left her instructions with the fire, and set out.

He followed the river primarily. If they camped elsewhere, they would need to be close to the river for a steady water source. However, often the going was slow - briars and brambles catching at his sleep pants or fur as in many place the underbrush was thicker closed to the stream.

Perhaps the spot they had encountered the night before wasn't as bad as he thought it might have been. Well, that was all for the better - it would be easier to make that place better than to try to start from scratch elsewhere.

He stopped a few times, picking a mango or other innoculous looking fruit. As he progressed, he realized, with relief, that his sense of smell seemed to be back to normal this morning after the decent night's sleep. No more ... -shudder-... charred scent. He could smell the sweet smell of fruit... brief, flitting smells of animals.. And he wondered at what chance he might have at actually catching some.

He was following his nose, (thinking with a note of amazement at how useful that was...) stopping now and then to pick up a particularly nice flat piece of wood.... or some wide leaves... when he caught a different... familiar scent.

His ears pricked and his tail wagged a bit. Vasile! And..... Cassidy? He almost surprised himself with the recognition. They were close.

He walked slowly (carrying an array of jungle goods) and before long could hear voices talking quietly.

With his tail wagging, he emerged onto the dirt road with a smile. "Cassidy! Vasile! You're -" he was going to say 'Okay' ...... "Naked!"

Cass's movement caused Vasile's head to jerk up. Crap, he must have dozed off...

eek

"AMBROSE?" He sat up straight, grabbing Cass and pulling her up, using her to cover himself, and the same time wrapping his arms protectively around her front, trying to aide her as well.

"What the hell are you doing out here?"

"Well. Um." Cassidy coughed. "Cause we weren't wearing... any... thing..."

Crap.

Hastily, she changed the subject. "What you mean, we're locked out of the duplexes?" She narrowed her eyes. "I'm not going to be able to get my damn feet?! What about... food? And... oh hell."