>Without thinking, you synchronize your breathing with hers
>The breathing is all you hear
>You feel her warmth
>You yawn
>And eventually slip into a deep sleep
>The next week is kind of a haze
>Not a bad one, mind you
>Safari helps you with day-to-day stuff
>And drags you outside now and then
>But the only thing you remember vividly is going to the Shadowrun game you scheduled
>Safari rolled the dice for you
>Fun was had
>Even though you managed to knock yourself out when casting a spell
>14 dice of drain tend to fuck up a beginner character
>Totally worth it, though
>You melted the fuck out of those guys
>And your techie-person's droids
>Oops
>Ah well, all is taken in good stride
>What stood out, though, was Leif inviting you to join him and a couple of the other players on a safari at some point in time you couldn't remember
>But your arm would be functional again
>So you said yes
>Fast-forward to that day
>You and Safari meet Leif and the others at the gate at the airport in good time before boarding
>Turns out you're going on an arctic safari
>WHAT
>Apparently safaries in hot, lion-filled countries is too mainstream, he says
>Luckily, you did pack clothes for any weather
>That was the one thing your mom taught you
>Well, that and how to make excellent meth
>And how to break up a marriage
>On reflection, maybe mom wasn't such a great role model after all
>Whatever
>You decide to introduce Anon to them, and hit him up on skype on your phone
>You could probably use Safari, but would she be able to talk while running skype?
>Would be a shame if she couldn't
>Wouldn't wanna miss out on her somehow simultaneously blunt and sharp wit
>Anon and your other new friends seem to get along pretty well
>Wait
>Friends?
>Shit, that's right
>You've got...well at least budding friendships
>Helluva step up, that
>And Safari's proven herself to be a true, true friend
>You feel all warm and fuzzy inside
>Anon has to leave after a while, but you do feel he really doesn't mind you or Safari
>You notice Opera isn't on call with him
>You ask about that real quick
>He says she slept in until about halfway through the call, and then got to her morning routine
>Apparently she's quite rigid about oral hygiene in particular
>Fair enough
>Call ends
>You decide to get some overpriced airport food
>10$ for a smoothie
>Highway robbery
>But you've vowed to try and be a slight bit more healthy
>At least to the point where you don't develop Diabetes 2: electric scootaloo
>Eventually, boarding comes
>After a bit, the plane is taking off
>Fuck yeah!
>You absolutely love take-off
>It's so damn intense and exhilerating
>Safari seems to share your opinion
>After take-off, you settle back into conversation with the others
>Apparently Leif is from some viking country
>So basically he's going home for a bit then, you suppose
>Or not
>Apparently, you're gonna see polar bears
>You thought they were common in the streets of scandinavia
>You're disappointed now
>But at least Anon isn't with you
>Poor guy would die with all those moose around
>Is moose the correct plural of moose?
>Or is it like Goose - Geese?
>Whatever
>After the four first hours, you feel like you've at least gotten a slight picture of the others
>You guess there are some pros to retro flying - in addition to the cheap cost, of course
>One of the newer planes would probably get you across the pond in an hour
>But as of now, you still have two hours left
>And a yawning gulf in the conversation
>You and safari spend the rest of the time looking out the window
>Holy fuck
>It's skyrim
>Like, for srs
>Well, dragons not included
>You see Safari's eyes gleam
"Penny for your thoughts"
>"AIs generally have no need for currency"
>She grins at you
>"But what I was thinking before that...Well, I was thinking that those look like some fucking rad slopes to snowboard down-...Ohhh, probably shouldn't...mention..that?"
>She winces visibly
>You chuckle, probably less charming than you think
"Eh, don't mention it. I mean, I'm all healed up, and now I know my limits. Okay, so I did before, but now I've gotten 'em confirmed."
>She smiles and brofists you as best she can with a hoof
>You refuse to use the term 'brohoof'
>The plane lands
>Landing is your second favorite part of flying, much for the same reason as take-off
>Turbulence is pretty fun too
>Unless you're drinking something when it hits
>After the unbearable wait to get out of the plane, you claim your luggage and follow Leif to a bus
>The wind is cold and bitter
>Apparently, the first stop is a polar zoo, to get familiar with the fauna
>Fair enough
>You sleep through the bus ride there
>Safari wakes you up, and drags you into the zoo
>You instantly want to see the wolves
>Fuckin' wolves, man
>They're badass
>Especially if they're a trio
>Also, howling at the moon
>But the tour guide seems intent on saving the best for last
>First stop is everyone standing in a circle inside the moose area and hand-feeding it...bananas?
>The actual fuck
>You didn't know moose ate bananas?
>Do they grow in these climates?
>You pet it
>Damn greasy fur
>Oh and Safari takes human form to do the same
>Hooves aren't equipped with as many nerves as hands
>Who'd've thunk it?
>You notice - again - just how stunning she is
>Second stop are the lynxes
>They look a bit like bobcats
>You're not entirely sure what the big difference is
>And the tour guide's accent is thick, hilarious and incomprehensible, so no luck of catching the distinction from him
>Fascinating cats, though
>Here, kitty kit-OH GOD MY arm
>Heh