oh i love this (Xanthe)

Xanthe was more used to small towns and farm country in her usual explorations but a jungle and rainforest was new one for her. The same principles applied; dress for the weather and the possibilities and since it wasn't too cold she just really needed to pack a raincoat and a microfleece for later. So she kept those in her backpack and had brought proper pants and boots with her along with a red t-shirt.

She also handed Hayden a present; a matching little walkie talkie to hers and a flash light before they started. Then they could keep in touch if they got separated. "These might be helpful for later on" she suggested helpfully. She even had a boonie hat she'd brought with her which rested on her head.

So she knew what she was doing and looked cheerful doing it. She was going to make the most of this week on a tropical island.

Hayden Quinzell

“We can use it for that purpose but you can also send out an SOS on these. A map is on my phone and so is the compass app. I’ve done this often enough to know to be prepared” Xanthe replied. So turning her phone on briefly she located north and then switched to her digitsl map for a look at it. She could keep the main paths in her head so could work without seeing it for a while.

“The hat helps with the sun and rain. North sounds good to me but the map could have been better. I wonder if the side trails are properly marked” she added. Too much information spoiled exploration but you needed some before you set out.

Hayden Quinzell

Looking at Hayden she replied “I’d have liked a better map. What we did as part of XAND needed a lot of preparation as we were facing the unexpected. The location could have unexpected dangers but we were able at least determine some of them like asbestos infested buildings in ghost towns. They’re not just a wild west thing.

You also should let it be known when you expect to be back. Then help can be sent if you are overdue. And yes I am here for a week; unless something else brings me back here”.

She sounded confident in her abilities but really hadn’t been able to get as much as she figured she needed. The outdoor shop wouldn’t sell her a large knife which was at least an option if you couldn’t get a pistol.

“There was four of us and we’d met in college. Our initials made up the company name. Then as the way things work in a depression not even the radio adverts could keep things afloat. Which explains why I’m unemployed. There usually is plenty that’s not marked on a map but the trail should get more interesting if we branch of here.” Xanthe indicated a branch going east about 500 yards away according to the scale as this was a marked path. A cartographer wouldn’t have noted it unless it had some merit. Even different rocks were worth looking at.

Hayden Quinzell

There wasn't much holding Xanthe in her home state right now and a lack of currency would be a problem later on when she got back. Therefore she needed a job and fast. Getting back here would need to wait for another vacation trip but she'd do all she could with this week of time. She nodded when she heard Hayden speak and replied "So I just need to worry about dodgy footing? There might be a cave system hidden by the jungle itself". She sounded thoughful and led the way.

She also said "if we both keep an eye out for branching paths we might find something that's not on the map". She considered that very likely which was why she'd brought the equipment she had. She still wanted to conserve phone power even with a charged power bank in her backpack. So it was quick glances to make sure they were still on the known path before they found something else.

Hayden Quinzell

The off paths usually were interesting but to explore those you needed to be prepared. Which they were for somethings as her backpack even had a medical kit in it along with food bars and water. So looking back at Hayden she replied “I am curious what the off paths are like even with planning more complex trips. The fact the off paths are even on the map means somethings are known about them. We can find out a bit more”.

So keeping north an off path was kind of pointed out by the rocks at its entrance . She mentally noted where they would need to branch off and the direction needed to return to the main path. Taking a close look at the rocks as she knelt down these felt and looked quite smooth.

Hayden Quinzell

“We can certainly tell what we do find something” Xanthe confirmed. “A smooth stone would have spent a long long time in water but it could have been carried here or been part of a long dried up body of water. Land erosion is also a possibility as well”.

Nothing had been confirmed or ruled out yet so they needed to keep on looking. “let’s see where the path leads” she suggested and the walk continued. She was careful with her footing as the path was getting rougher but so far so good.

Hayden Quinzell

As organised as this landscape was it wasn't untamed. So Xanthe stopped briefly to get her flashlight out of the backpack and get it ready. There was plenty of light above them but not much was filtering down to ground level. So they were partially in the dark and a flashlight would also keep them in touch of each other.

"Sometimes you don't find anything out of the ordinary when you explore. You usually find what you expect to find but sometimes you can be surprised" she replied. She knelt down to examine some loose ground and there wasn't much topsoil here. It just rubbed off to one side as she took a closer look.

Hayden Quinzell