Is there any way to heal the trees?

(But take some syrup, let's not let it go to waste!)

There should be time, and helping out feels good. (I wonder if they're hiring?)

>>1113996
Free syrup, a story to remember and share, got to be worth it.

1/2 (ANIMATED) Buckwheat 2025/09/21(Sun)16:08 No. 1114139 ID: b6ea64
File 175849612402.gif - (126.61KB , 800x600 , 28.gif )

>There should be time, and helping out feels good.
>Free syrup, a story to remember and share, got to be worth it.
Kaari: “We can probably spare some time to help her out, right Lana?”

Lana: “Sure, Kaari you start pulling out those taps. I’ll carry the bucket-“

Judith: “Whoa slow down there. I’ll handle pulling out their taps and pass them on to one of you. The other can carry this bundle of tubes. I’ll take the buckets.”

Lana: “Worried I’d run off with- wait buckets? I only see one.”

Judith: “Tubes and another bucket on the other side of the tree.”

Judith: “Also nah. I ain’t worried about you running off with them, but the other rangers might have questions if they see you with them.”

Lana: “Good point.”

Judith: “Now let’s get started!”

She carefully takes out the taps and passes them over to me. Lana lifts up a bundle of tubes from behind the tree.

Judith: “Here, you can put those taps in this plastic bag.”

She’s pulls out a plastic bag from her jacket. Can’t quite see everything in there but it looks like she’s packed with everything!

Kaari: “Thanks! They were pretty sticky and pulling on my fur.”

Judith: “Now to haul these buckets. Stay close and follow me. Station isn’t too far away.”

Judith grunts and strains a bit as she carries both buckets.

Lana: “You sure you don’t want me to carry those?”

She strains some more,

Judith: “I’ve got it.”

2/2 Buckwheat 2025/09/21(Sun)16:09 No. 1114140 ID: b6ea64
File 175849616661.png - (7.14KB , 800x600 , 29.png )

We head off, but at an ants pace. Judith keeps having to stop for a moment, put the buckets down, and catch her breath. Lana eventually convinces her to trade off and carries the buckets with ease!

Once we get to the station, she has us place everything in a closet, then brings us over to her desk.

Judith: “Thanks again for helping me carry all that back here. I’d probably have to take two more trips to haul all of it on my own.”

Lana: “No problem.”

Judith: “You know, I don’t think we got to really introduce ourselves yet. What brings you two here to Hazel Pointe Nature Trail?”

Kaari: “Oh! Well my name’s Kaari, and this is Lana. We’re out enjoying a nature walk and geocaching.”

Judith: “Lana? You ever been on TV or something before? I feel like I recognize you for some reason.”

Lana: “Nah, I mostly keep to myself. Not one for acting or being on TV. You must be thinking of someone else.”

Judith: “Guess so.”

We kinda stand around for a moment in an awkward silence.

>I wonder if they're hiring?
Oh! You know what, maybe working outside here with Judith wouldn’t be so bad. The forest has been pretty calming so far. I’m a little nervous to ask. Is it too soon for something like that? What if she says no and I blow my chance!

If I do ask now, I’d need some kind of “sale pitch” to help out. What could I say that’d make me look like a good fit for the job?

>>1114140
Speculative inquiries.
Ask how you end up working as a park ranger and sap Marshall. Ask what its like out here most of the time. Theyll pick up on your interest.

Bring up your extensive experience in customer service! Being front facing is impressive and probably not a skill they have, but one they need.

>>1114149
Backing this. Don't sound obvious, sound legit interested. Let them explain and if you really think it fits you, then push the idea/offer forwards.

You have experience at dealing with difficult people from your job at the bar, considering they get drunk.

>>1114149
This is the way, show interest before asking about work. Also could bring up that it seems like they could use help.

1/2 Buckwheat 2025/09/28(Sun)10:53 No. 1114492 ID: b6ea64
File 175908202739.png - (7.24KB , 800x600 , 30.png )

>Speculative inquiries. Ask how you end up working as a park ranger and sap Marshall.
Kaari: “I’m a little curious, how did you end up working as a park ranger?”

She hmms… a bit, looking lost in her thoughts.

Judith: “Well, I was in a rough spot before I started working here. A good friend from the volunteer fire fighters put in a good word for me and the rest is history.”

Kaari: “So what’s it like being a park ranger, is it always chasing after sap poachers?”

Judith: “No, those bottom feeders are just a recent thorn in my side. My mornings here involve checking the trails around my station. Making sure no branches or trees are blocking the path. If I’m lucky, I find a nice ant hill or termite mound to polish off.”

Lana: “Termites! I think you got bigger worries than sap poachers killing your trees then.”

Judith: “They’re certainly a destructive pest, but there’s enough of us anteaters here to keep them in check. ”

Kaari: “What about after you open up for the day?”

Judith: “Normally I’d be guiding visitors around the sap trees, showing how we collect it to make syrup. Now I’m stuck filling out legal paperwork and taking note of how much syrup is left.”

Lana: “If it’s down so much you have to monitor it like that, should you really be giving us some?”

Judith: “Don’t worry too much. Got enough that we can still get by, but we’re going to have to look at new ways to make some revenue for the park if this keeps up any further.”

Kaari: “You could charge an admission fee?”

She gives me a dirty look,

Judith: “We already do that.”

Lana: “Why wasn’t there anyone at the entrance to pay to get in then?”

She eases up and laughs,
Judith: “Nah, just teasing. It’s against the law for us to charge admission.”

Lana: “That’s a weird law.”

Kaari: “I suppose that means the park isn’t really hiring then?”

Judith: “Well, if you’re trying to get some school or college credits for volunteer work I could probably find something for ya.”

Kaari: “Nothing paid though?”

Judith: “We do have openings, but until those poachers are shown the gate, we aren’t even looking at applications.”

2/2 Buckwheat 2025/09/28(Sun)10:54 No. 1114493 ID: b6ea64
File 175908205409.png - (5.36KB , 800x600 , 32.png )

I lightly smack myself in the face.

Kaari: ”So much for that I guess.”

I try not to let it bother me much. If they’re not hiring, then there’s nothing I can do about it. Based on that glance she’s giving me though, I think she understands how I feel hearing that.

Judith: “How badly do you need the work?”

Kaari: “I-what?”

Judith: “Hey, if you’re facing hard times, we can get with the other rangers and figure out some kind of plan to help out.”

Kaari: “I-I don’t know what to say.”

Judith: “We’d have to do something about those fleas first, don’t need any more pests running around here. Those are easy enough for me to handle though.”

I feel really conflicted now. On one end, yeah I want the job. I desperately want to get away from working at the bar. On the other end though, it’s not like my livelihood depends on getting this job or not. Lana’s already helping out and letting me stay with her till I can get back on my feet.

>>1114493
Take a phone number with gratitude and interest.
Thank judith too for the info.
Its great to have a possibility like this in your life, but the now is for you and lana to use.
Theres nature. It needs walking through. Theres time left to spend for your date.

Don't worry about if your life is bad enough for you to deserve the opportunity. Take it and just make sure to do your best to live up to it.

>Those are easy enough for me to handle though.
Hang on, is she offering to eat the fleas? That's probably rude to assume though. Ask what she meant, does she have some way of dealing with fleas?

>>1114493
Never EVER pass up an opportunity gladly given to you. So long as it's not illegal, anywho, and it's not. Take her name, number, any pertinent info, and let yourself and your gf consider it. There is literally NEGATIVE shame in regaining a measure of independence, no matter how it comes. This IS getting back on your feet.

Buckwheat 2025/10/19(Sun)14:26 No. 1115297 ID: b6ea64
File 176090920207.png - (7.12KB , 800x600 , 33.png )

>Hang on, is she offering to eat the fleas? That's probably rude to assume though. Ask what she meant, does she have some way of dealing with fleas?
Kaari: “Wait, you have an easy way to deal with fleas?”

Judith: “Yeah and before you ask, no, I don’t mean eating them. We had them real bad last summer. Grant must have found a circus of those buggers. Learned that a nice hot sauna and some flea shampoo works the best.”

Lana: “How much for couples? I’ve always to try out a sauna.”

Judith: “Usually they’re just for the campers, but I’m more than happy to bend the rules for helping me out.”

Lana: “What do you think, Kaari?”


Kaari: “You know, I think I might enjoy it.”

It’ll probably be a lot more tolerable than a bath or shower, that’s for sure. Hopefully I can handle it without freaking out.

>Never EVER pass up an opportunity gladly given to you. So long as it's not illegal, anywho
>Don't worry about if your life is bad enough for you to deserve the opportunity. Take it and just make sure to do your best to live up to it.
>Take a phone number with gratitude and interest. Thank Judith too for the info.
Kaari: “Can I get your phone number, Judith? I think it’d be a great opportunity for me if you can work something out.”

Judith: “Sure, here’s my business card.”

Judith: “It takes about two hours for the sauna to heat up. I shouldn’t get ahead of myself though. Were you interested in it today or did you want to make reservations for later?”

>the now is for you and Lana to use.
>There’s nature. It needs walking through. There’s time left to spend for your date.
Kaari: “Maybe we could come back tomorrow, then continue looking at job opportunities.”
Judith: “Hey, works for me. Well, long as nothing wild progresses with the sap poachers anyway. Give me a call whenever.”

I look back to Lana,
Kaari: “Well, shall we get back to our walk?”

Lana: “I dunno, I remember being promised some syrup…”

Judith: “Sorry, it’s either two bottles of syrup or the sauna.”

Lana: “Sorry Kaari, no syrup for your pancakes then. Sauna’s more important.”

Judith laughs,
Judith: “Ah just messing with you. I’ll have to go sneak two bottles out of the storage room. If you can stop back at my station before you leave, I’ll have it ready for you."

Lana: “Works for me.”

Judith: “So where you two heading next on the trail?”

Lana: “Just winging it along the way till we end up at the geocache location.”

Judith: “Well, there’s two attractions you can get to from here. There’s the old ‘magic’ wishing well, just take a left at the sign. Head right and it’ll take you over to the haunted cabin!”

Haunted cabin sounds neat (and not water related)

Haunted cabin? Sure what could go wrong?

>>1115297
I actually think the wishing well would be cute.

1/3 Buckwheat 2025/10/31(Fri)12:19 No. 1116008 ID: b6ea64
File 176193839591.png - (5.05KB , 800x600 , 34.png )

>Haunted cabin sounds neat (and not water related)
>Haunted cabin? Sure what could go wrong?

Kaari: “W-what makes the cabin haunted?”

She tries to look uninterested as she replies,
Judith: “Oh you know, just the ghosts of some old loggers.”

Lana: “Just some old loggers huh. What’s the story?”

Judith: “The story itself is creepier than the cabin if you ask me. I won’t spoil the history lesson for you though, you can read about it when you get there.”

Lana: “Maybe you’d like to come with us, a tour guide would be nice.”

Judith: “I’d love to, unfortunately I have to start putting ink on papers and stay posted for this poacher nonsense.”
She chuckles,
Judith: “Oh yeah, no funny business in the cabin either. Last thing I need to hear is you two becoming the poor victims like a cheesy slasher flick.”

I shiver a bit, my mind starts racing back to the bar again. I feel Lana gently hold onto my paw, and I’m snapped back to the present.

Judith: “All jokes aside, I’m going to let you borrow a walkie-talkie. It’s already tuned for my frequency. Buzz me if you end up running into those poachers or any trouble.”

Lana takes it and clips it onto her pocket.

Lana: “Thanks, we’ll be careful.”

2/3 Buckwheat 2025/10/31(Fri)12:23 No. 1116009 ID: b6ea64
File 176193859299.png - (6.19KB , 800x600 , 35.png )

With that we wave goodbye and get back on the trail. We stop for moment to munch on some granola bars.

Lana: “You sure you’re okay with checking out a haunted cabin Kaari?”

Kaari: “It can’t be all that scary. Besides, Judith made it sounds more like a park history thing than a spooky attraction.”

She devours the remainder of her granola bar and gets up,
Lana: "If you need to, you can hold onto me if it's a bit much. We can always just book it out if it ends up being too spooky.

Kaari: "Thanks Lana."

I finish up my snack and we head towards the cabin.

3/3 Buckwheat 2025/10/31(Fri)12:23 No. 1116010 ID: b6ea64
File 176193861295.png - (5.84KB , 800x600 , 36.png )

Once inside we look around for a brief moment. There’s a pair of bunk beds and oil lanterns and noisy fridge humming.

Lana: “For a haunted cabin, it sure looks well lived in. That fridge sounds like it’s the most haunted thing in here.”

Kaari: “Maybe someone left the defroster on?”

Lana: “Lot of plaques and signage around, must be the right place.”

She looks around some more,

Lana: “Well, wanna start reading up on the history of this place? Or maybe I could shut off the lights and see if some ghosts come out to spook us?”

Reading the history always makes the experience better.

what sordid tales do these walls hold? read some plaques

>>1116010
Read the history aloud.
With a spooky voice.
Try to get a laugh outta her.

1/3 Buckwheat 2025/11/01(Sat)16:58 No. 1116116 ID: b6ea64
File 176204150986.png - (5.41KB , 800x600 , 37.png )

>Reading the history always makes the experience better.
>what sordid tales do these walls hold? read some plaques
Kaari: “Let’s see what sordid tales haunt this poor cabin. Any signs on where we should start?”

Lana: “Hard telling, there’s no numbering on the plaques. They even put one on the fridge!”

>Read the history aloud. With a spooky voice.
Kaari: “Really? Let me see.”
I read off the plaque with a spooky tone.
Kaari: “Maaaay our fuuuture loggers never goooo withooout again.”

Lana: “Well that’s ominous. Guessing there was a famine or something? Let’s keep reading.”

Kaari: “There’s one on the bunk beds. Let’s see…”

Kaari: “In loving memory of those who lost their lives here in the winter of nineteen-fifty.”

Lana: “Shaping up to be a brutal winter that year. There’s gotta be more to it than that though. Let’s keep looking.”

2/3 Buckwheat 2025/11/01(Sat)16:59 No. 1116117 ID: b6ea64
File 176204154177.png - (4.48KB , 800x600 , 38.png )

We venture further into the cabin and there’s a glass display with some newspaper clippings.
Kaari: “Loggers on strike! Following tragedy on lake, loggers of Hazel Pointe Logging Co. have gone on strike. They demand for better wages and safer equipment.”

Lana: “Here’s the next one, ‘Record breaking snowstorm! Over three feet of snow buries town in harshest winter.’ Can you imagine seeing three feet of snow?”

Kaari: “That’d be almost all the way up to my head!”

We move on to the next one,
Kaari: “Logging Strike turns Deadly! Sole Survivor of Snowed-in Cabin Shares horrifying details!”

Kaari: “After exhausting all other rescue efforts, a second team flew in with a helicopter. They entered through the chimney fearing they may be too late. Miraculously, one determined beaver had barely hung on. ‘That filthy rat refused to send help until we called off the strike! Radio was up but we could only reach the boss. None of us were going to play these negotiation games, so we said screw’em. Help would come soon.’ When asked about how he survived and what happened to the others, he painted a gruesome picture for us. ‘We ran out of food and starvation hit. You have a room full of starving animals trapped in a room together, I think you can fill in the rest. I’m just lucky the cabin was made of wood. Not much was edible per say, but it was enough to keep me going.’ Currently the owner of the logging company is being held on charges of gross negligence.”

I look over to Lana and see her trying to keep her claws in,

Lana: “I can’t believe some scumbag would go that far to save a few bucks and screw his employees like that! Now I get what Judith said about this place.”

3/3 Buckwheat 2025/11/01(Sat)17:04 No. 1116119 ID: b6ea64
File 176204189184.gif - (15.22KB , 800x600 , 39.gif )

Kaari: “Shh, wait. Do you hear that?”

Lana: “I don’t hear anything. You’ll have to try a bit harder than that to spook me.”

It’s hard to tell with that noisy fridge, but there’s a faint bubbling kind of noise coming from below the floorboards. I walk around a bit trying to find where it’s coming from. Then I notice a spot on the floor is significantly warmer.

Kaari: “There’s some weird bubbly noise coming from below, Lana. The floor’s warmer over here.”

I hear Lana sniffle a bit.

Lana: “Whatever it is, it smells sweet!”

“Quiet…”

Lana: ”Okay okay I’ll whisper!”

Kaari: ”That wasn’t me Lana….”

Oh for gods' sakes did they really put their illicit syrup operation under a tourist attraction? A dry historical one, but still.

Alright keep talking like you didn't notice anything, casually walk out of the cabin, and radio Judith once you're out of earshot. Not going to let these saps ruin your nice day.

>>1116129
Agreed.
They would have gotten away with it too if it wasnt for these damn meddling kid- well.
Young adults.

>>1116129
Yes.

At most say something like "oh god it's a ghost!"

1/3 Buckwheat 2025/11/02(Sun)11:00 No. 1116189 ID: b6ea64
File 176211003032.png - (5.87KB , 800x600 , 40.png )

>Alright keep talking like you didn't notice anything, casually walk out of the cabin, and radio Judith once you're out of earshot. Not going to let these saps ruin your nice day.
>say something like "oh god it's a ghost!"
Kaari: ”L-Lana I thi-think we ne-need to get out. I t-think we woke up the ghosts.”

Lana: “Kaari- okay yeah let’s book it!”

Lana grabs my arm and darts off with me in an instant.

2/3 Buckwheat 2025/11/02(Sun)11:01 No. 1116190 ID: b6ea64
File 176211009435.png - (6.04KB , 800x600 , 41.png )

Kaari: “Don’t stop, keep going!”

We run for a bit more and stop at a bench. Lana sits down and groans.

Lana: ”Ugh, my leg…”

She continues to breathe heavily trying to catch her breath.

Kaari: “Give me the walkie-talkie Lana, we need to get Judith. Now.”

She goes to pass me the walkie-talkie, but hesitates.

Lana: “Can you fill me in here first Kaari? I don’t think I’ve ever seen you look more terrified, and I think that’s saying something.”

Kaari: “The poachers! I think- I think they were down there making syrup. What if-what if we had stayed in there!”

She looks at me with more concern,

Kaari: “What if they trapped us in there Lana! They could’ve-”

Lana: “Could’ve. We got outside and away from them. It’s okay now though. Let’s get Judith on the walkie-talkie to investigate."

I hold onto Lana as she looks at the walkie-talkie.

Lana: “Hopefully I remember how to properly talk over these things.”

She pushes down on the talk button and it beeps,

Lana: “Come in Judith… this is Lana and Kaari, over.”

There’s a short pause, followed by the crackle of the walkie-talkie

Judith: “Copy that, this is Judith. You two okay? Over.”

Lana: “We think the sap poachers are operating right under that haunted cabin. Heard something boiling and smelt a little sweet in there. Over.”
The walkie-talkie spits out static for an uncomfortable moment, Lana tries to reach back.
Lana: “Uh, Judith do you read?”

Judith: “Sorry, stand-by Lana.”
Another few moments go by before she responds back again.
Judith: “I’ve got a group heading over to investigate. The two of you okay? Over.”

Lana: “Yeah, we’re okay. We got out of there before anything happened. Over.”

Judith: “Alright, buzz me again if anything else comes up. Over and out.”

3/3 Buckwheat 2025/11/02(Sun)11:02 No. 1116191 ID: b6ea64
File 176211013519.png - (5.97KB , 800x600 , 42.png )

She puts the walkie-talkie away and groans,

Lana: “Kaari can you look at my leg? I can’t tell if it’s bleeding or not.”

Kaari: “Uh, sure Lana.”

I carefully pull up her pant leg and…

Kaari: “Eugh! Blood everywhere!”

Lana: “How bad is everywhere? Did the stitches tear open?”

Kaari: “Th-this is a bit hard to look at, uh… uh… They look stretched and loose?”

Lana: “I don’t know if that’s a good or bad thing honestly.”
She let’s out a pained sigh.
Lana: “Kaari, I’m sorry this has been a crappy date so far. Nothing can ever go right, can it?”

Almost I blurt out forget about that! I gotta focus on Lana’s wound right now. I’m not sure if I should try and get the first aid out and try to clean up myself, or if I should radio in Judith again to help? Surely the park rangers would know something about first aid, right?

Radio, and ask what to do about treating the wound, let Judith know you have the first aid kit, and will follow directions. Consider this training for if you get to work here in the future.

To ease Lana’s worries, tell her that maybe discovering the poachers might make for good experience, and show them that you are capable of working here.

>>1116196
Yep.
Got to look good on the application sheet helping find the sap sapping saps.
As to wound...
See what you can do, but call on judith for guidance.
Brief explanation so she knows its not a fresh injury.

Yes Judith probably has some training in first aid. And you were responsible and brought the kit so everything will be fine. Worst that happens is you need to find a good sturdy branch for a crutch.

Buckwheat 2025/11/03(Mon)04:57 No. 1116285 ID: b6ea64
File 176217467055.png - (6.07KB , 800x600 , 43.png )

>To ease Lana’s worries, tell her that maybe discovering the poachers might make for good experience, and show them that you are capable of working here.
>Got to look good on the application sheet helping find the sap sapping saps.
Kaari: “Okay it’s been rough with the poachers, but finding them might end up showing Judith I have what it takes to work here.”

I hear Lana mumble something to herself, but can’t pick up on it. She pulls out the firstaid kit and passes it onto me.

>Radio, and ask what to do about treating the wound, let Judith know you have the first aid kit, and will follow directions.
>See what you can do, but call on Judith for guidance.
>Yes Judith probably has some training in first aid.
Kaari: “Can you pass me the walkie-talkie as well?

Lana: “What do you need the walkie-talkie for Kaari?”

Kaari: “I’m not entirely sure what I should do with the stitches? I’m going to ask Judith if she knows how to fix them.”

Lana: “Well, you’re going to need both paws for that. I can communicate with her, and you can follow her instructions.”

Kaari: “Oh, yeah that’s sounds like a good plan.”

Lana: “Okay, first you should use one of the antiseptic wipes to clean it up.”

Kaari: “Right!”

The sudden radio crackle startles me for a moment,
Lana: “Come in Judith, this is Lana and Kaari again. Over.”

Judith: “Copy that, this is Judith. Forget something? Over.”

Lana: “So, realized I’ve over did when we were running off, looks like I messed up the stitches in my leg, bloods all over.”

Judith: “Say again? Bloods all what?”

Lana: “Bleeding a lot. Kaari’s got a first aid kit and cleaning it up, but we don’t know what to do about my stitches. They look stretched and loose. Over.”

Judith: “Have either of you stitched up a wound before? Over.”

Kaari and Lana: “Nope.”

Judith: “Alright here’s what you’re going to need to do…”

She helps walk me through on what to do, and I manage to tighten Lana’s stitches back up. Afterwards I wrap it up with some gauze.

Judith: “I’d highly recommend getting your doctor to check on that later when you’re done here. They might want to end up redo the stitches themselves, but you should be fine for now. Over.”

Lana: “Thanks again for the help Judith. Over.”

Judith: “Do you two need anything else? I can head over your way if you’d like. Over.”

She teases Judith a bit,
Lana: “I thought you were busy putting ink on papers? Over.”

Judith: “Safety of our visitors is a higher priority. I didn’t think the poachers would have a whole operation running here, but here we are with a group digging around an old haunted cabin. Over.”

Hm, it wouldn’t be bad having Judith tag along with us. Another set of eyes watching out isn’t bad. At the same time it might be awkward with Lana and I being here on a date.

Methinks we’re good. Let’s enjoy the rest of the forest date by ourselves.

Yeah.
Thank her but a little time for you guys is whats needed.
Even if its just sitting somewhere with a nice view and taking it all in

Buckwheat 2025/11/03(Mon)18:00 No. 1116311 ID: b6ea64
File 176222163765.png - (6.11KB , 800x600 , 44.png )

>Let’s enjoy the rest of the forest date by ourselves.
>Thank her but a little time for you guys is whats needed. Even if its just sitting somewhere with a nice view and taking it all in
Kaari: “I think we’ll be fine on our own Lana. I want to relax more with you.”

Lana: “Nah, we can handle things ourselves Judith. Thanks for the help, we’ll call again if anything else comes up. Over.”

Judith: “Alright you two, try to take it easy with that leg and enjoy the rest of the park. Over and out!”

Lana clips it back on her pocket and tries to stand up.
Lana: “Hurts a little bit to move around, but it’s bearable.”

Kaari: “Sit down and rest a little bit then. We have been walking and running around for awhile now.”

Lana: “Yeah, probably a good idea. Do you want some water or anything while we're taking a break?”

Kaari: “Sure, I could use a little sip.”

I pack up the first aid kit and grab a water bottle from the backpack.

Lana: “Ah, let’s see here… getting close to five right now. We probably have time to check out another nearby spot in the park before the sun starts going down. After that we should probably head to our geocache spot.”

Kaari: “Didn’t we bring flashlights?”

Lana: “We did, but I’d like to search for it while there’s some light.”

Kaari: “Okay, so what’s nearby we can check out then?”

Lana: “We could walk back to that sign, go the other way, and check out the wishing well. There’s a little picnic area there too. If we keep heading down this path it’ll lead us over a small copper mine. We can’t actually go and mine for anything, but we we’re allowed to check out a few areas.”

wishing well = water. no thanks.

Lets go to the mining site.

>>1116311
That old copper mine probably has poachers in it...
Go to the picnic area. The well should be fine so long as you don't look into it.

>>1116312
Mine!

Mine sounds fine

1/3 Buckwheat 2025/11/11(Tue)17:52 No. 1116784 ID: b6ea64
File 176291236671.png - (6.01KB , 800x600 , 45.png )

>Lets go to the mining site.
>Mine sounds fine
Kaari: “How about we go check out the copper mine?”

Lana: “Sure. Maybe we’ll see some more interesting history. Either that or we’ll find out those saps are setup in the caves too.”

Kaari: “Ugh, don’t say that! Knowing my luck they probably would be hiding in there.”

Lana: “Well we could always turn back for the wishing well then.”

Kaari: “No, let’s head for the mine. There’s probably more interesting stuff to see there than an old well.”

Lana gets up from the bench and takes a few slow steps.
Kaari: “We can sit here for a bit too if your leg still hurts.”

Lana: “I don’t think my leg’s going to be pain free for awhile yet, Kaari. It’ll be fine though, let’s go.”
I just nod and we head down the path towards the mine.

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Lana: “Wow, lot of warning signs posted here.”

Kaari: “Under no circumstance is any guest of Hazel Pointe Nature Trail to take any precious metals or ore out of the mine shaft. Violators will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”

Lana: “Maybe they need to throw signs like that up by the sap trees. What else do we need to be wary of in the mines?”

Kaari: “Absolutely no smoking allowed in the mines. Punishable by fine of up to ten thousand notes!”
I look over to see she’s digging in her pockets,

Lana: “Hey, just making sure I’m clean, Kaari.”

Kaari: “I hope so, can you imagine having to pay that fine!”

Lana: “A fine like that? It’d be behind locked bars for me.”

Kaari: “Good thing you’re not packing any contraband then. Come on, let’s head inside.”

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We make our way, and it starts to get noticeably warmer as head further into the shaft.

Lana: “You know, this is pretty cozy. Warm lights and the rustic accents. Expected this to be more damp and dark.”
Kaari: “Looks like it’s so we can see the displays they’ve setup.”

Lana: “Hopefully the history lesson here isn’t as bleak as the cabin’s.”

Inside the box is a rough looking tree sculpture. Looking at it closely, the bottom of it is really shiny while the top is all rough and oxidized.
Lana: “Wow, I wonder how they keep the bottom of that from oxidizing?”

Kaari: “Well, however they do it, that’s a cool idea! What’s the story behind it though?”

Lana: “Let’s see here... Edward DuPointe painstakingly sculpted this copper tree in an attempt to win back his fiancé. After news broke out about the unfortunate cabin snow in, Lauren Poppy tried to cut all ties with the DuPointe family. Edward hoped to separate himself from his father’s cold actions by warming up to the fine arts. After a few weeks, he proposed to her with this sculpture. ‘Forget the olive branch Lauren, I’m reaching out with the whole tree!’ Unfortunately for Edward though, the love boat had sailed. Lauren rejected his gift stating he should be helping out the families affected by his fathers actions instead. A cold jab at his reported failures to show up at negotiations to end the strike.”

Kaari: “Eugh. At this point I’ve got a feeling everything here is going to circle back to that cabin.”

Lana: “Well, it was a pretty tragic event Kaari. Got me thinking though.”

Kaari: “Thinking about what? Going on strike at the bar?”

Lana: “Hah, no. Any of us went on strike and they’d give us the boot.”

Lana: “If you had to make something to win over my heart, what would it be?”

I tease her a bit,
Kaari: “Gee Lana, how could I ever top our most intimate and romantic moments like prying boards off a door to escape a hostage situation, or tightening up your stitches.”
That gets a little laugh out of her.

Lana: “True, I’d be hard pressed to beat helping out with a flea bath myself.”

Kaari: “I know your only joking a bit, but that really did mean a lot to me that you helped with that."

Lana: “Hey, I’m there for whatever it takes to help out when you need it.”

That was a good question she asked though. Lana’s done a lot for me. What would be something nice I could make or give her?

It is a good question...

One worth finding an answer for even if you dont share it.

"If i told you, it wouldnt have as much effect when you saw it."
Or something like that is the answer to give, but as to the answer you have...

A tree made of bottlecaps and other bar pariphinalia.
She means a lot to you.
Something beautiful out of the bar, to remind of the forest and the tree of copper you saw in a mine on an odd but still very much a wonderful date.

Which if she pushes you could share i guess, but otherwise youve got an arts and crafts project ahead of you.

Something that reflects her interests or what she needs. Right now that would be something she can use at college, but personalized for her. Could be a backpack, a notebook, a calculator, whatever. The important thing is that she'll use it everyday and it will be a reminder of their love.