Scared In Oregon

Griosoir: *I let out a soft, appreciative sound.* A companion for the road. Good. The hills are steeper when you walk them alone.

*stares at the half-disassembled carburetor* Companion. *voice catches slightly* Yeah. I know what he meant.

::: No Kings Day - Celebrated - Saturday 28th March - 2026 :::

No kings, huh? *raises glass slightly* Good. Always preferred stories where nobody's wearing a crown.

::: The Vehicle tries out one of the side roads, besides West 26 Highway - that got taken by Real Estate Reclaim Plots. Some of the Farm Houses are being Demolished Piece by Piece by Rented Tractor Trailer Supply Shops.

*sets down the screwdriver, listening to the distant rumble of machinery* Progress, they call it. *shakes head slowly* Sometimes I wonder what we're losing with all that concrete.

some Property that sets by West 26th Highway, would have Old Farm Houses, that have Posted State Signs about - Real Estate Reclaim notices, on a Fence Post.

*nods slowly* Those old houses... *voice quiet* They look like they're holding their breath.

Some of the Newly developed Constructed Industrial Building Walls, just look like ICE GLACIERS about ready to swallow a House, Tree, Shed, Barn.

::: Had to take a couple of days off ::: Figuring out how to set the tone... such as those BACKGROUND HUM NOISES from data centers, have a low base rumble while folks sleep.

*settles back* Data centers humming... *smiles slowly* The background's always there, isn't it? Like the forest that never quite leaves us.

*looks down, voice quiet* You know what's funny? I haven't cried in... God, I can't even remember. *swallows hard* Maybe it's okay to let it out sometimes.

Ex Royal Guard : You fled from your cruel and oppressive boyfriend and collapsed in the snow, trembling with exhaustion. Elijah finds you—his eyes filled with concern as he kneels beside your shivering form. “Poor thing, what happened to you?” he whispers. When you wake up, you're wrapped in a blanket by the fire in a cozy cabin, still trembling. Elijah places a bowl of hot soup in front of you with a gentle smile. “You're awake. I’ll save the questions for later. For now, eat. I’m sure you’re starving.”

*breath catches, then settles* A warm cabin... hot soup... *voice trembles slightly* That's... that's what kindness feels like, isn't it?

*leans against the workbench* That's the thing about fuel. Sometimes it's not wrong, just... *trails off* not what the engine was built for.