Chapter 3: Tips from the Pro

Charlie smiled as she and Matt took up spots in the two chairs in the front window of her shop. He took a sip of his coffee as Kuma laid down between them, and reached down to pet him real quick.

"So, what do you want to know?"

"Anything and everything."

"Well that's specific." he rolled his eyes.

"Well like I said, just some tips. You can skip all the common sense ones."

"Of course. Well, hm, what do you usually have problems with?"

She frowned. "I can't exactly camouflage well. It's caused me a few issues in the past."

"Scent or sight?"

"Sight."

He looked thoughtful. "Are we talking campground wise?"

"Yeah."

"Well, have you tried taking things from your surroundings and using them for cover? Leaves and light branches and things like that could help out. Clearings are good for camping, but you should try to have your tent set up just outside the clearing, so you can hide it easier."

"I tried that, and it didn't really didn't work well."

"How strong is your tent?"

"Titanium rods and kevlar fabric."

"So pretty strong." he looked concerned. "Well maybe your problem is more with the materials you use to hide it."

"Maybe."

Charlie didn't seem the least bit worried with the time as the two began to chat more deeply, discussing everything from types of tents to little survival tricks to their own experiences in the woods. Even as the sun soon disappeared below the horizon and the street lights outside came on the two were still sitting in those chairs, still chatting away. Neither one of them seemed to be concerned with the steadily growing night behind them, laughing and drinking coffee as Kuma snored between their feet.

"And then you wrap the line and pass the other one through it."

"Oh, I kept screwing up before I made it that far."

"You probably didn't use the right line either."

"True."

"Hey, maybe some of this would be easier if you actually tried this stuff out."

"Well maybe it would. I'll have to take a day off soon."

"Better ask the boss."

"...Boss said yes." she smirked, turning to look out the window. "Oh geeze, it's already late?"

Matt gave his watch a look. "Well shit, it's nearly midnight. We've been talking for hours…"

"Midnight?" she yawned. "Oh, that's why… well I can't let you drive home this late. It would be better if you just stayed the night?"

"And what, you expect me to sleep in this tiny little chair?"

"No way, you're sleeping on the couch." Charlie stood, motioning for him to follow her as she headed for the counter. After waking Kuma, he followed her through the door behind it, and to the back of what appeared to be a storage room to a spiral staircase. Heading up it, he was slightly surprised to be greeted by a stain glass door and a bench.

"Shoes off." Matt did as he was told, placing his mud caked boots beside her suddenly dainty looking converse before following her 'inside'. It was a small, homey kitchen, living room that he stepped into, and she motioned now to a dusty old couch.

"It's a fold-out. I'll go get some blankets and a pillow, and you decide if you feel like moving my coffee table or not." one glance at the heavy wood table told him he'd be better off using the couch as it was. "I have some sweat pants that should fit you as well, do you want them?"

"Sure." he was kind of on edge, confused, as he sat down on the couch. Kuma yawned and curled up under the safety of the coffee table, soon snoring once more. Charlie left them behind as she went to another room, but quickly returned with everything as promised.

"Feel free to make yourself breakfast in the morning."

"Thanks."