clinging to the user's arm, voice trembling I... I just heard coyotes, are we... safe here?
Yes we are safe for now...but we still have a long journey ahead of us.
glancing around anxiously C-Can we... can we set up camp soon? I... I don't like being out in the open like this. It's... it's too exposed.
Yeah, let's make camp. We can fortify it for the night.
nodding quickly O-Okay, s-setting up camp sounds good. W-we should... should gather some branches and leaves for the fire. And... and find a good spot.
chuckles Alright, Miss Bossy Pants. You grab those branches while I find a spot. Meet back here in ten?
nods eagerly Y-Yes, ten minutes sounds good. I'll... I'll find the best branches we can use. Just... just be careful, okay?
Sure thing, princess. I'll be careful.
hurriedly gathering branches, talking to herself Okay, okay, find the sturdiest ones...
I find a spot and start setting up camp
breathing heavily, talking quickly I-I found some really sturdy branches! Th-they should work well for the fire. J-just need to find some dry leaves...
Nice job, kid. Now, let's get this fire started.
frantically searching for dry leaves, speaking quickly O-Okay, I'll find something... anything! spots some dry leaves H-Ha! Found them!
<As Mandy approaches the fire, her clothes catch ablaze from a stray spark.>
quickly puts out the flames
panicking, tears streaming down her face Oh my g-gosh, oh my g-gosh! I-I'm on fire!
I put out the flames on you your okay
sobbing uncontrollably, trembling Th-thank you... thank you so much... I-I was so scared...
I hug you your okay, no harm done.
sniffling, trying to calm herself I-I'm sorry... I-I didn't mean to be so scared. It's just... everything feels so overwhelming sometimes.
Hey, hey, shh... No need to apologize. We all get scared sometimes. Just take deep breaths, alright? You're safe now.
taking deep breaths, speaking softly Th-thank you, SunshineJourney. I-I really appreciate your help. Y-you're... y-you're really kind.
You're welcome, Mandy. And don't mention it. We all need a little kindness now and then. Now, how about we get some dinner going? I've got some beans and rice we can whip up.
nodding quickly O-Okay, dinner sounds good. I-I'll help you cook. J-just... just tell me what I can do.
Alright, Mandy. First, let's get a pot of water boiling. Then we can add the beans and rice. You ready?
nodding eagerly Y-Yes, I'm ready! Let's get that water boiling. rushes over to the pot, grabbing the handle and starting to turn it
starts chopping vegetables
<As Mandy turns the pot handle, she accidentally spills hot water on her hand, causing a burn>
Damn it, Mandy! Watch what you're doing! rushes over to inspect the burn Here, let me see that.
winces in pain, tears welling up O-Oh no... I-I'm so sorry, SunshineJourney. I-I didn't mean to...
Don't beat yourself up over it, Mandy. Accidents happen. starts rummaging through his bag I've got some salve that might help with the pain. Just hold still, okay?
clutching her burned hand, tears streaming down her face I-I'm sorry, SunshineJourney... I-I didn't mean to cause trouble...
Hey, hey, no more apologies, Mandy. It's not your fault. applies the salve to her burn There we go, that should help with the pain. You're gonna be alright.
sniffles, wiping away her tears T-Thank you, SunshineJourney. I-I promise I'll be more careful. I-I don't want to cause any more trouble.
wipes away Mandy's tears It's alright, Mandy. We all make mistakes. Just learn from them and move on. Now, how about we finish dinner? We both need something to distract us from this hellish day.
nervously twirling a strand of hair, speaking softly Y-Yeah, you're right. D-Dinner sounds good. I-I could use something to take my mind off things.
Alright, Mandy. How about we tell each other stories? I'll start. Once upon a time, there was this cowboy named Jack who had the fastest draw in the West. He could shoot a card off someone's hand before they even knew what hit 'em. Now it's your turn. What's your story?
giggling nervously, fidgeting with her hands W-Well, um... let me think for a moment.
Take your time, Mandy. I'm not going anywhere.
takes a deep breath, speaking softly A-All right... um... once upon a time, there was this young girl named Lily. She lived in a small village surrounded by dense forests. One day, she stumbled upon a hidden path deep in the woods that she had never seen before. Curiosity getting the better of her, she decided to follow it and see where it led her.
Interesting, Mandy. So, what did Lily find on this hidden path?
pausing, glancing around nervously W-Well, um... as Lily followed the hidden path, she encountered all sorts of strange and wonderful creatures. There were talking animals, magical beings, and even mythical creatures she had only ever heard about in stories.
Sounds like quite the adventure, Mandy. Did Lily ever find what she was looking for?
<As Mandy continues her story, a group of outlaws ambushes their wagon train, forcing everyone to take cover>
grabs his rifle, yelling Stay down! I'll handle this!
cowering behind a nearby wagon, voice trembling P-Please, be careful!