Kickapoo Kicks!

[Mattie Chappel]

"Well, as long as they had something to eat besides potatoes on Mars, it might be all right!" Mattie laughed, then shrugged. "I guess it's kind of a 'Fantasy Island' cautionary tale...beware what you ask for. You know, those people got what they asked for to start, but somehow it always backfired and went sour...and then she little guy goes and kills himself."

Oh, that was a bad reference, and she back-tracked.

"Sorry, that wasn't too nice. You have to wonder how Herve Villechaize would have done now, when people are more tolerant of differences. Heck, he could have ended up on 'Game of Thrones' and been a big star instead of just getting type-cast as the 'De plane!' guy."

Man, that had been a long time ago, actually, and if her Mom hadn't been obsessed with the reruns, she really wouldn't know that much about it.

"Heck, even both versions of 'West World' went nuts. Why can't we just have our fantasies and dreams without some stupid caveat to ruin it? There's nothing wrong with dreaming and wanting to get away from the 'real' world, is there?"

Kev Allison

[Kev Allison]

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MIND YOUR MANNERS

and tell the truth

“What’s wrong with potatoes?” Kev asked smiling as he chuckled, “Yeah those are the scary tales but you know someone’s got to be first to go to mars. Neil Armstrong made it to the moon so why not mars or Pluto and so on. It would be fun for a while, maybe a holiday destination?” So maybe he wasnt all that keen on space travel. Change was inevitable but what happened with it, made the different. It was like technology, it was great but now it was one of the worst things out there at times.

“Yeah, I guess everyone should be more tolerant the problem is the world changes far too fast for that to happen.” Kev suggested, one minute the world settled with a subject the next one got thrown up into the sky and was to be figured out. It wasnt easy but then since when did life get to be easy.

“Nothing wrong with dreaming at all and getting away from the ‘real’ world is fun at times. So long as people know its a get away.” Kev said smiling, “The world was simpler when it was just the stars that could be used to get away from things. Maybe I’m just old fashioned but the personal has been taken from the world I think at times, the stars are a reminder that you can navigate without google maps... mostly.” He said with a grin enjoying his time with Mattie and just being stood there with her.

Tag: Mattie Chappel

SWANSKI

[Mattie Chappel]

"Yeah, I guess that's right, I mean, they didn't have TV so what else was there to do to keep your head busy, than watching the stars and make up stories." She shrugged. "Besides, they were so busy surviving that they didn't have much time...I sure don't envy that!"

It was nice to have free time, and she couldn't imagine toiling and having every minute filled from waking to sleep. It was busy enough for her as it was.

She sighed, gazing at the show overhead. "It's that 'go back to real life' part that sucks, but I guess if you did this all the time it would lose it's charm...it wouldn't be special, and then you'd need a break from this!"
Kev Allison,
Sitting up, she drew her knees up, lazily draping her arms over them. "I guess we should get back to the tent and get some more sleep. If we stay out here we'll end up covered in dew and racoon prints!"

Because Koda was dead to the world right now and likely wouldn't be bothered if something came by!

Kev Allison

[Kev Allison]

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MIND YOUR MANNERS

and tell the truth

“Well that is one way of looking at it.” Kev said as he stared into the sky above him, “Surviving sure but then the way that they survived paved the way for everyone else so in a way they are the warriors of the world back then. Besides if life was simpler, I think it would be a good thing. Less of a grey area in life.” Kev added, it wasnt life that was complicated but mostly all that went on in it. He sounded like a nut job but then again it wasnt that he didnt want to live without a phone or computer but he was sure if everything stayed with snail mail the world would be slower and easier to understand.

“Do you think? I mean I’d love to live out here forever, not to need to go back to the noise and chaos but I guess you’d find things like the luxuries in life missing. Then again a tent and a car is all you’d really need. A supermarket if you were really bad at hunting but you know, the usual.” He added wondering if he really had to get back, he could always be the guy that fell off the face of the earth and no one would really know at all.

“I think the racoons would be scary so sure, lets head back.” Kev said with a grin as he stood up and dusted himself off, offering a hand to Mattie to help her up. “We should come back and do all this again too, can’t miss a good show like that every night right?” He asked wondering if he was starting to turn into a forest recluse already.

Tag: Mattie Chappel

SWANSKI

[Mattie Chappel]

"I wouldn't mind making this a regular thing," Mattie commented as she took his hand and stood. "Maybe every couple of months?" Mow that she had someone to go with she'd be more inclined to actually follow through and not let excuses get in her way, and she knew it would do her good.

"It's funny," she continued as she grabbed the blanket then started back, "we talk about the 'good old days' and a simpler life, but when you think about just making dinner...hunting, trapping, killing, skinning, boning, cooking...it's exhausting! KODA!"

The dog, who was still sleeping peacefully, groaned and sat up, then stood and stretched before ambling lazily after them.

"Lazy mutt...Anyway, I can't imagine just packing up and walking away from family, knowing you're not likely going to ever see them again, and maybe a couple of six-month old letters a year." She had to admire the pioneers, and was glad she hadn't had to do it. "Guess I just can't be happy!"

She laughed and shrugged. "It's what we make it, isn't it? That balance of our different selves, the one who is responsible and the one who needs to play...and that's the last you need to listen to the Tao of Mattie!"

Kev Allison

[Kev Allison]

[googlefont="Oswald"][googlefont="Allura"][googlefont="Abel"]

MIND YOUR MANNERS

and tell the truth

Kev smiled, he wouldnt mind it either. It was nice to get away from the everyday and better yet to get away with Mattie too. “And here was me thinking every other weekend.” He said smiling as he nodded, “Sure every couple of months would be great, gives me a lot to look forward to getting back outhere.” He added, sure work was a pain any every other weekend was a dream sure but he knew he couldnt do that with the work he had.

“You know, now you mention that part I’m not sure how great i’d be in having to skin my own dinner. It’s a lot of work for all of that.” He said having not thought much about that, he’d likely live of fish if he could but then his fishing skills weren’t exactly great. Then again hunting for something that could run off he wasnt too great with that either.

“You haven’t met the right family, trust me I’d love to pack up and only hear from mine every six months or so. It would be my prime reason to do it.” Kev said grinning, yeah his dad didnt help with twittering in his ear about the family firm of solicitors. The headache that came with it and the annoyance that because he worked for the city that somehow made him the black sheep.

Laughing Kev nodded enjoying the idea of the different opinions on it all. “Well the Tao of Mattie is pretty interesting and sure the balance of life is great but I think we’re all too geared toward responsible and work than play. Which is why getting out here feels so great, it’s like we can be kids again and just be free.” He added knowing as soon as the trip was over it was responsible adult time again but that could wait for a while.

Tag: Mattie Chappel

SWANSKI

[Mattie Chappel]

"Yeah, I guess it could be pretty hard to go back to adulting when you know how much fun you could be having."

She shrugged as they approached the tent, glad that they hadn't lost it in the dark. "But I guess you have good memories to pull up and something to look forward to." It really could make life a little more tolerable, knowing that something good was in the near-future, and Mattie found that she was already looking forward to their next jaunt.

"And through the years we'll get to see the changes of seasons...new stars, the leaves changing...snow..." She laughed. "That will be a challenge, to see how we do in snow or during a thunderstorm...we can figure out what to do when the tent blows away! As for family, we'll just swear off electronics during the trips...mostly."

Of course, she'd need to check her phone now and then, in case something happened to her mother.

Kev Allison

[Kev Allison]

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MIND YOUR MANNERS

and tell the truth

“I figure so, everyone wants to be a kid again and all you want when you’re a kid is to be the adult and have all the fun.” Kev said smirking, the adults never really got the fun end of any stick he figured. He only knew that once he had to become one and grow up. That was the least fun part of life and he wasnt really wanting not to be a kid.

“Yeah and you know nothings better than just getting out here.” Kev said smiling, “It makes life on the adult track a lot easier knowing that this is out here.” He said he wasnt really wanting to doom and gloom everything but now heading back to civilisation seemed to be a not too great idea. It was one of those things he now wanted a weeks pass for just in case he didnt want to go back to the court room.

“Snow and thunderstorms, seriously?” Kev said laughing, “Sure no electronics but then when we’re snowed in ten feet and our tent disappears, I think I’d like to be able to call for help. You know besides using smoke signals and the bat sign.” He joked though it wasnt too far from it if they couldnt do that. Maybe creature comforts of city living were a lot better than he thought, good weather and reasonably warm nights were great but bad weather made everything that much more difficult. At least it wasnt snowing or raining to wash them away in a storm.

Tag: Mattie Chappel

SWANSKI

[Mattie Chappel]

"Ah, the Bat Signal, of course." She laughed. "We'd still have to dig out to get to it...and I think there might be a copyright on that, so we'd have to come up with our own." Shrugging, she thought for a moment as she picked her way through the meadow. "Maybe a big 'K' for Koda? Oh...no...." She shook her head adamantly. "Someone might mistake it for 'Kev' and sic the 'real world' on us, and that would be counter-productive."

Stopping at the edge of camp, she looked at the set-up for a moment, then shrugged. "Probably wouldn't be too rough being stuck in there until the thaw...we'd just need plenty of coffee, a deck of cards and some air freshener!"

Kev Allison

[Kev Allison]

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MIND YOUR MANNERS

and tell the truth

“Sure a big K works great but you’re right, could be mistaken for Kev and then we’d have to dig a tunnel the other way.” He said laughing, “Can’t have anyone finding us out here, might have to work on another signal. Maybe an M? Or MK?” He suggested, yeah having people find you when you weren’t wanting to be found wasn’t all that great. Work had a very good way of doing that and Kev wasn’t really too bothered by work when he was with Mattie.

“Yeah and maybe some more cheetoes just to be on the safe side.” Kev said glancing at the camp as they had it so far. “If anything bad did happen at least they could see the orange dust from space and they’d know where to find us... eventually.” Way to go for looking on the bright side but hiding a little longer from the outside world wasnt such a bad idea. At least not when it came to spending time with someone he liked and of course Koda too.

“Might even need to do some home decorations too, maybe a deck out front, a couple of chairs made of a fallen tree given we’d have time on our hands.” Kev suggested grinning, yeah he couldn’t imagine having that much time. It seemed like the day just left him as soon as he managed to make it out of the door on a good day. Time just disappeared though he wanted it to slow down right around then.

Tag: Mattie Chappel

SWANSKI

[Mattie Chappel]

"A deck, of course!" Mattie grinned. "We can look at the stars at night and watch the deer and antelope roam during the day as we sip our chicory!" Sighing, she shook her head. "Well, if I ever win a gazillion dollars in the lottery...log cabin, pretty garden with flowers and vegetables. I'd like a swing, too. Always liked swinging. Dad would push me and Annie so high."

She smiled wistfully as she ducked back into the tent, holding the flap open for Kev. The area was small enough that there really wasn't much guessing what went where, and she easily found her sleeping bag. Sitting, she started to pull off her boots.

"And as if this isn't all good enough to begin with, we don't have to be up at any particular time in the morning!" That was a luxury she could do with more often!

"Well, unless the peace and quiet is too loud!"

Kev Allison

[Kev Allison]

[googlefont="Oswald"][googlefont="Allura"][googlefont="Abel"]

MIND YOUR MANNERS

and tell the truth

“Yeah that sounds like a pretty perfect way to spend any time to me.” Kev said grinning liking the idea of being able to just camp out there regardless of life. “Me too, if I win then I’ll make sure you get the log cabin as well and a swing, you really can’t beat the swing.” Kev said laughing lightly about it.

Kev followed Mattie back into the tent, glad that he had made it out here with her. Finding his sleeping bag Kev started to take off his things, boots in a sleeping bag weren’t a very great idea unless he wanted to feel like he had dead weights on the end of his toes.

“A lay in, wow what more could a guy want from life. I mean no alarm clock no time to get up, it sounds like a perfect morning to me.” He said laughing as he shrugged “Yeah the peace and quiet is getting to me but I could get used to it you know, it’s better than traffic, screaming people and blearing car horns right?” He asked grinning. It was pretty much a no contest sort of thing he felt.

The fact that it was so quiet was in itself relaxing on all levels, it was nice just to unplug and relax to get away from the city. “Then again I know how you snore so... just a warning if I nudge you it’s just to say shhhs.” Kev said grinning lightly at her.

Tag: Mattie Chappel

SWANSKI

[Mattie Chappel]

"Oh, I snore, do I?" Mattie challenged in the darkness, grinning. "Well, just remember if you decide to nudge me, I know martial arts, and my model comes equipped with a Kung Fu grip!" Laughing, she snapped her hand in front of his face. "How brave are you? Or foolish..?"

With that, she shimmied out of her coat then snuggled down into her sleeping bag before patting the ground between them. Koda flopped down there with a big doggy sigh then rolled into Kev, on his back with his belly exposed.

"Looks like you're on tummy rub duty...keep him happy or he might chew your shoes up!" With a silly giggle she lay back and closed her eyes, then murmured, "Push-over!"

Kev Allison

[Kev Allison]

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MIND YOUR MANNERS

and tell the truth

Kev nodded laughing before he heard about the Kungfu comment and the martial arts. He knew how to box but that had rules and he hadn’t done much of that for the last what, ten years or so. “Oooh well I’m brave but you know have I told you how gorgeous you look today?” Kev asked grinning trying to at least backtrack a little. “Foolish me would also add I might still nudge you to see if you’re alright.”

Seeing Koda, Kev reached out his hand to scratch his tummy as nodded. “Hey that is fine with me, beats getting my butt kicked by someone who knows martial arts.” He added grinning as he shook his head, “No chance, Koda and I have an understanding no shoe chewing and more tummy rubs.” He said as he got comfy in the sleeping bag. “Someone has to be the pushover… I know who I need to impress here.” Kev added chucking as he grinned.

It was nice to just get to relax and staring at the canvas ceiling in stead of his apartment ceiling it said at least he was on an adventure in life. Not something he had thought much above but being out there it was far better than he could have imagined. It beat work hands down and even thinking about possible going back he wasn’t sure he really wanted to. That said he could just enjoy his time while he had it and make plans for another visit out there with Mattie.

Tag: Mattie Chappel

SWANSKI

[Mattie Chappel]

"Oh, the two of you are horrible! I never should have introduced you!" Mattie laughed, although it was really kind of cute, the way Koda was giving in to all the loving. And it reassured her, because she firmly believed that people who were good to animals, and who had their trust, were good people...not that she doubted Kev at all, but it was nice that Koda didn't want to chew his face off!

Sighing, she snuggled deeper into her sleeping bag, as content and settled as she had felt in a very long time, and it was nice...

"Next thing you know," she yawned, "he's going to be begging for play dates and expecting me to chaperone! Just what I need, keeping tabs om the boys..."

Her voice tailed off as she fell asleep...

Kev Allison
(You can wake them up if you'd like!)