Without You ||| Ash

[Dakota King]

Dakota glanced back at Blue Sky as she pressed her lips together. Being away from the stables and all the prying ears was good, especially if they didn't want information going to the Usurpers. However, Dakota didn't want to be alone with Ash. Not that she didn't trust him. She just didn't trust herself. She was treading in very dangerous waters since she never saw boys again once she broke it off with them. This was a complete first for her and she didn't know if she would be able to avoid leading him on even more.

But one thing was evident, they couldn't stay here with all these pegasi. There only seemed like one place to go that was safe, but the problem was, it would spark up a lot of old memories. She turned back to Ash and smiled sheepishly. "Honestly, the only safe spot around camp is in the forest."

[Ashley Bates]

When Ash’s mind turned serious it was almost like a light switch was being thrown. One minute he could appear to be opening up but the second his thoughts turned to business that door slammed shut. He had made one of those turns now and had already been thinking about possible meeting places before Dakota spoke up again. As big as it was there were not many places one could truly be alone in camp. Sure there were times when you could go to the amphitheater or the beach and not run into anyone but no place that was really safe or free of the risk that someone with listening ears was nearby. That was not something they could risk with the type of information they would be passing and really there was only one other possibility. The forest.

This being the case Ash only nodded when she spoke giving no sign of recognizing the sheepish smile on Dakota’s face. “It will have to be the forest." He said echoing her comment. "I know of a few places but I would have to show them to you of course.” No one knew the forest like Ash did and he did indeed know of several places where they could meet but even as he said this he realized that there was only one spot that they both knew well enough to find. He supposed that would make things even more uncomfortable than they already were but what other choice did they have? Still, he had promised to leave that in the past and he was determined to do so now even with another reminder of had been staring him back in the face. “We don’t always have to meet in the same spot though. In fact, that might be wise.”

[Dakota King]

The only safe spot they had was the forest and there was only a couple of spots she knew safe in there. And the first spot that came to mind wasn't safe at all. The location itself was safe, but not when there was a sunset and a picnic. Those were not safe, especially around him. But if he knew other spots in the forest. Other spots besides the hill would be extremely safe.

Dakota nodded as she looked at Ash. "Changing locations would be safe too," she agreed as she straightened up a bit. "Especially if someone happens to stumble upon this... theory of yours." She took a deep breath as she turned back at Blue Sky before she glanced over her shoulder at Ash. "So do you want to head over to the forest to talk this over more? I need to finish up with Blue Sky here before we head out."

[Ashley Bates]

Ash thought about their next move carefully before even thinking about the fact that she would need to finish taking care of Blue Sky. For that matter he needed to tend to Rusher. He had come out to the stables to see him after all and as well as this meeting with Dakota had turned out they still needed to take care of their normal life. Focusing too much on whatever was going on behind the scenes here was a good way of making yourself crazy and Ash didn’t want that for either of them.

In answer to her question Ash shook his head in the negative. “We have some time and leaving now together might be suspicious in any case. Besides, I think Blue Sky would be upset with me if I pulled you away while you were in the middle of spoiling her.” He gave Blue Sky a respectful nod before glancing at Rusher who raised his head expectantly. “Finish tending to her. I need some time to investigate some things on my own anyways.” He was thinking of a few spots in the forest that his caught his eye the last time he was out and he wanted to investigate them before they headed out. “I have to see to Rusher too but we can meet at the forest edge a little later this evening after nightfall. Better to keep our activities a secret.”

[Dakota King]

Dakota pressed her lips together as she looked back at Blue Sky and nodded her head. Meeting Ash later wasn’t that bad of a plan, especially with the points he brought up. They didn’t want to cause suspicion, especially with their conspiracies. Plus, she could tell that Blue Sky was a little impatient with resuming her pampering. “Alright,” she said after a couple of moments as she nodded her head again. “I’ll meet you by the woods. After dinner sound okay with you?”

She grabbed the brush and resumed getting Blue Sky’s mane straightened out again. It wasn’t long before she finished up with Blue Sky. She took a step back and gave herself a curt nod as she gathered up her things. She looked over at Ash and smiled slightly at him. “I guess I’ll see you later,” she said as she head out the stables so she could at least gather her thoughts before she saw Ash again.

[Ashley Bates]

Now that they seemed to have a plan in order Ash felt a little better about moving forward. He had kept this to himself long enough without any help and mistake or not he would need Dakota's assistance to figure this out. This meeting had gone better than he could have possibly imagined and if things went as planned then they would have not only solve a serious problem here at camp he would have gotten to repair the relationship with Dakota, if not wholly, then at least enough to be on good terms with her again.

As Dakota finished up in the stables and made her exit Ash got to work on his on chores thinking that things were already looking up. There was still a lot to do. He would have to do a little recon work before he met up with Dakota this evening but he saw the way ahead and the path looked clear. He just hoped that he didn’t get Dakota hurt. If that happened he wouldn’t be able to forgive himself.