Esmeralda dances to the rhythm of the tambourine (changewillcome) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2017-04-01 07:48:00 |
|
|||
Entry tags: | !complete, esmeralda, kitty pryde (shadowcat) |
Who: Esmeralda and Kitty
What: Attempts at self care and some foot in mouth times
When: Recently
Where: Hiking trails to waterfall
Warnings: Low
Status: Log | Complete
Kitty thought she’d finally figured out a good time to drag Esmeralda away from work. She knew the woman was a work-a-holic with a strong sense of responsibility (the latter of which she understood all too well), but for all that Esmeralda cared about others, she didn’t really take care of herself.
Deciding that a spa day was not exactly something Esmeralda would be interested in (though she’d happily offer her own massage services), Kitty settled on something a little different. It was a little too nippy for the beach, which she’d have to take Esmeralda to when it was warmer, so she took her on a hike. Away from people and crowds and alien invasions like the one that had given her a nice looking cut on her arm that was wrapped in gauze.
She pulled on a backpack and grinned at Esmeralda. “The view up top is supposed to be really good. A nice lazy day. Except for all the hiking. Which I guess isn’t really that lazy.”
Esmeralda didn’t really understand why people always seemed to think that she was overworking herself or didn’t take time for herself, she had the days free and it was just when the Court was open that she was busy. Yes it was every night but days? Days were free and she was able to explore, or take other dance classes, or meet up with others. And with Peter and his mother coming to the area was a welcomed surprise. With Peter on the network, she had a feeling that their usual constant moving wouldn’t be a thing given Orange County and it’s pull, however she would enjoy the time however short it was.
For now though, it was being ‘kidnapped’ by Kitty for a hike. She was right that a spa day wasn’t really up Esmeralda’s alley, but getting out in nature and hiking? That was a bit more her speed. So long as she didn’t hurt herself on said hike so that she couldn’t dance at any rate.
“I’ll have to take your word for it, but I’m sure it’s lovely.”
“At least half as lovely as the company,” Kitty quipped. “Okay. Supplies, water, lunch. Lets march!”
She gave an exaggerated point down the trail and started down it, glancing over her shoulder to see if Esmeralda was following. That Esmeralda couldn’t see she didn’t take enough care of herself was no surprise to Kitty. A day away from everything might just help.
Quirking a brow at the comment, Esmeralda shook her head some before following after Kitty. Water and lunch were important, as was getting to wherever this view was. So of course she was following. While there were metros in Paris that meant that there wasn’t as much walking as might otherwise be the case, she was still active so hiking wasn’t so much a thing she was worried about in terms of losing energy or anything of that nature.
Even if they were used to the exercise, it was still good to be prepared. Dehydration was a thing and Kitty had spent too much time on the run without adequate water to want to go without on something that was supposed to be fun.
“You know, I kind of miss camping. When I was younger, I hated it. But the dreams kind of…” She shrugged. “It’s something I need to do again, anyway. Hiking is kind of a taste. It’s nice to just be one with nature and all that.”
Being on the run or forced to move was something Esmeralda was all too familiar with, it was an intrinsic part of who she was. Being in one area for coming onto a year? That was a very strange sensation all things considered. Still, it was good to be prepared.
She nodded some at the comment on the dreams. Esmeralda didn’t really have anything like that from hers, something that gave an appreciation for something she had disliked as a child.
“It is…” She hadn’t always been in Paris. There had been a lot of moving in her life, camps on the edges of cities. Even when dealing with life on the move and always needing to be one step ahead, being able to get into a park or garden (when in Paris) or just the open area depending on location, it had its own way of helping in the midst of chaos.
It was probably the people. Camping with Logan and the other students. A time when things were less crazy and extinction hadn’t been a concern. Before the first time she’d burned out.
Kitty glanced at Esmeralda and smiled, making sure she wasn’t walking too fast. She had to remind herself she wasn’t in any actual hurry. “Something tells me you’ve probably been camping before, but more or less the ‘there’s no other place to sleep tonight’ kind of camping.” That thought brought back a few memories, too.
The people and situation could make all the difference when it came to hiking or camping or anything of that nature. That really was just the way life was though. The people and situation could make or break any given moment and activity.
There was no hurry, though Esmeralda found it easy to keep pace. And instead she just shrugged at the comment.
“True, though it always could have been worse.”
Which was Esmeralda’s general outlook on things. There was always someone worse off. She could get by with what was thrown at her.
“It could always be worse doesn’t mean it can’t be better,” Kitty countered. “And if it’s better for you, it’s easier to help others. Like how you put your own oxygen mask on before helping the person next to you in an emergency on a plane.”
Esmeralda just quirked a brow at Kitty. She wasn’t quite sure what planes had to do with camping while having nowhere else to be, then she just shrugged.
“Yes, and? I don’t see the point on dwelling on what could have been better. We have the lives we live and we do so to the best of our abilities.” She wasn’t going to dwell on the conditions those ‘camping trips’ had been. They had survived, they continued on. Why did it matter if it could have been better when there was nothing to be done about it, especially as it was the past?
It was more of a metaphor that fell flat, and Kitty sighed. “Point is, we should always strive to make our lives better. The better off we are, the better off we can make others. And sometimes that means taking a few hours or a day for yourself.”
It wasn’t much farther of a hike before they reached their destination. A hill overlooking a pine forest, with a waterfall cascading down the north side.
The entire conversation was falling flat and all Esmeralda could do was shrug. That was why they had moved, to have something that was permanent, which would mean they could help others like them when needed. Or just in general.
“Right…”
She was just going to leave it there because it seemed the best plan at the moment. Instead it was getting to the location Kitty had in mind. Which… was a gorgeous view and not one most would think would be in California. Though she supposed the rains helped with the waterfall part.
“Nevermind,” Kitty muttered. She let herself be distracted by the view, knowing she wasn’t going to win this round because she wasn’t really saying the words the right way, and she didn’t want to ruin the mood. “Wow..! Almost feels like we’re somewhere else. Maybe a little magical.”
Though Esmeralda certainly wasn’t a princess there was still that magical Disney charm.
Esmeralda pressed her lips together at the muttering of nevermind before doing what she’d initially planned and just letting the conversation go. Because really, there was a view to be had and dwelling on a conversation that seemed to be going wrong would only ruin it. Hands on her head, Esmeralda looked around at the view.
“It really does.”
Kitty had been putting her foot in her mouth with a lot of people lately. She’d think about that later. “I’ve been up the other side, that way a few miles. Used to be a date place for me and Xi’an. I still put stones under the tree every year, since that’s where I spread her ashes.”
It was a bit of a morbid subject, but Kitty felt surprisingly at ease discussing it now. She kept the fact she’d phased their rings into a hollow inside the tree to herself, though. It was their place, she never took anyone else.
Even in the dreams she’d had to spread the ashes of someone she’d loved. Unlike the dreams, she didn’t expect Xi’an to come back. She hadn’t had to bury someone in a long time and she hoped it stayed that way. The subject matter made her thoughtful. “This is a good place too. Great view, no memories. A good spot to have a picnic with friends and make new memories..”
A bit, but it was part of Kitty’s life and so Esmeralda nodded some. Nor would she ever expect to go there. Even if she had been on the move a lot, she could respect and understand that some people had places with sentimental value that she wouldn’t infringe on.
“Well, I like where we are just fine. It is a nice place for a picnic as you mentioned.”