#fenixtj

The morning hike is early, but Gerd doesn't complain. Much refreshed from the balefire, she has been given suitable jogging gear by the hold. It's not black, but it is a midnight blue, wwhich suits the goth troll's preferences

That, and a hydration system in a backpack, full of ice water. A couple homemade energy bars. A face wash cloth. A small first aid kit. Jessica has a similar pack.

"Wow, you do not slack when it comes to hiking prep" Gerd admits

"Can't afford to be."

"How many miles is this?" She inquires

"About four miles if we drive to the trailhead and stick to the path, but it's all uphill. And then the same route down. If we wanted to we could take a trail up the mountain and then down the other side. But then we'd have to reverse it to get back to the car."

"No no, this is good. Lead on. I'm looking forward to this" Gerd nods

"Sure. Come on." She carries her pack to a beat up little car and takes them to the trailhead across town.

Off they go.

During the ride, Gerd keeps watch over the streets "This city is huge. And hardly in Sepia at all"

A short chuff of amusement. "The original inhabitants were found by the Spanish when they arrived in 1542. In 1829, there was a land grant for a huge cattle ranch; the ranch was named Tijuana."

"And it clearly stuck. " She nods happy to learn "I guess THIS part of things was outside the Aztec Empire"

"It was."

"Tht's GOT to change things" She ponders "Sorry, just ... as an Emmisary I'm trying to learn how to encourage peace. You are kind of an advanced class"

Another chuff. "You are not wrong. I'm making it up as I go."

"Well, you look like you know what you're doing" A chuff back, "So yay for putting a good face on it?"

"Fake it till you make it."

"So that's the secret to your success?" Good naturedly "Don't worry, it's safe with me" They make their way out of the city, soon to arrive at their destination

Yep! It only takes 20 or 30 minutes. She parks, takes special care to secure the car; windscreen shield in back and front, nothing showing on the seats, club on the steering wheel, and of course, locking the doors.

She straps on her pack.

Gerd does like wise

"Ready?" The trailhead and trail are clearly marked, and other hikers are around.

"Ready" She says , noting the other hikers and making a mental note to watch 'the troll talk'

They set out!

It's a good day for a hike, and Jessica knows the path well. Gerd, despite her worries, holds up pretty well for a bit, and the other hikers seem nice

(Perception plus Kenning)

/roll 5

Jessica can point out one of the joys of this area mortals can not see, chimerical birds of magnificent color and plummage

She also notices at least one seems agitated

She does murmur to Gerd as they hike along, yes. And keeps an eye on the bird or mortal that appears agitated.

The bird , the aggitated one, has vaguely dinosaur like features with lovely green and crimson plummage, and it swoops up the trail, then slightly off it, and then back again. Making a plaintive trill sound

"What do you think?" she murmurs to Gerd with a head tilt towards the creature.

"She's definitely upset" A mutter back "And keeps circling the same spot. Dagmar would want to help any critter"

"Mm." Jess wanders a little closer but not to leave the trail.

It seems to notice her get closer, and gives a hopeful sound, then heads somewhere

THATAWAY

but yes, off the trail

Jess stands at the edge of the trail, looks at Gerd. "What do you think?"

"If this were the dreaming" A mutter "I'd say stay on the silver, but this isn't a trod. We're two grown women who can handle ourselves. And I have juice to whisk us back to Fenix if need be"

"Ok. Let's go." Jess steps off and follows the bird.

(Int Plus Survival)

/roll 3

And they make their way carefully and relatively quickly. There's branches and such in their way but they do fine

Jess might wish she'd brought her maul but it would have been awkward on a simple hike.

Gerd left her shield behind too, but she does have a chimerical mace

And they see it... a nest, and at the edge of that nest, a large colorful frog. When the word large is used, it should be clarified this thing is the size of a small horse! And it is swallowing eggs.

"Oh crap." Jess rushes forward, shooing the frog.

The frog turns dropping an egg out of its mouth. It does not wish to be shooed, and lunges to bite at Jessica for her impertence