@colechastain cole & marlowe location: southern forest, time: mid morning
she's running late to meeting her search party. she stopped by trick or treat to get some extra snacks after seeing the provisions offered by town. can she blame them fully? no. it's a nice gesture and it's not like they had much time to get things around. still -- she's planning on doing some stress eating so her pitstop isn't as altruistic as it may appear. a couple of small tins of strawberry shortcake and simple sugar cookies will have to do. her bag's not that big and she sent the provided bag with the guys with a promise that she will catch up. of all days, today should be the one where being alone freaks her out the most, but the fear of rowan and her cousin being vanished from her life just as her brother has been for years now is superseding everything else.
when the fellow cafe owner comes into view, she's already unzipping her bag. the short walk through the forest so far has her eager to lighten the load... she packed too much as it is in hopes of running across a few other volunteers. everything about their current reality might suck and a cookie might not do much to put a dent in the suffering, but it's gotta at least perk up the eyes a little. quick fingers zip up her bag when she remembers it has a knife inside when the small piece of the blade poking out of the sheath. no need to appear threatening. ❝ hey cole, i have some extra cookies from trick or treat if you want to take some and share them with the rest of your group. or hoard them for yourself, i won't tell. ❞