Rutherford B. Hayes Campfire, Sunday Morning

[endsthegame]

There had been a lot of parties on the island over the week. Ender hadn't visited any of them, as per expectations. But morning found him out by the campfire again, this time armed with a bag of marshmallows which he set aside.

Calmly, he poked the fire into action, spark into flame, and sat back to watch it dance. He draped one arm over his knee, made himself comfortable.

And waited to see if anything would happen.

He had all the time in the world. In one manner of speaking.

[ open campfire! ]

Comments

[endsthegame]

Ender just smiled vaguely at him. "So you're not here to collect on my marshmallows," he surmised.

[sonofmogh.livejournal.com]

"No. I am not. Toasted Marshmallows and s'mores are usually done in the evening," Worf replied gruffly. "It is too early for myself to partake."

[endsthegame]

Everything Worf did was gruff. Ender had stopped letting it bother him a long time ago. "Is it early enough to sit down?" he asked, "Or are we going to debate marshmallows upright all morning?"

He was here for a purpose, after all.

[sonofmogh.livejournal.com]

"I was not debating," Worf bristled as he sat down. "Merely pointing out the usual situations where marshmallows and campfires are concerned."

[endsthegame]

"Thanks," Ender told him, ignoring his bristle just as much, "I'm not really acquainted with the world of marshmallow-toasting." That wasn't even a lie, just an easily exploited truth to draw in a crowd.

[sonofmogh.livejournal.com]

Worf eyed Ender suspiciously. "Then perhaps you would be better off researching such customs before attempting them."

[endsthegame]

"I was hungry," Ender said, simply, and waved around the stick not dirty he'd left on the floor. "Unless spearing a marshmallow is a cultural offense."

[sonofmogh.livejournal.com]

"Not to my knowledge," Worf replied. "It is merely unorthodox."

[endsthegame]

"So I should avoid it if I want to stick with my peers?" Ender asked him. He was a little amused, honestly; he wondered if Worf would even realise he was making a joke.

[sonofmogh.livejournal.com]

"That depends if your peers are worthwhile," Worf replied. "I've noticed in school those who are unorthodox tend to be avoided."

Joke? There was a joke?

[endsthegame]

"I'll have to study more carefully, then," Ender surmised, seriously. On the inside, the whole exchange was making him laugh. "Marshmallows only in the evening?"

[sonofmogh.livejournal.com]

"Yes. Graham crackers and chocolate are also good accessories," Worf informed him.