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fandomweekly2021-08-07 03:42 pm
badly_knitted) wrote in fandomweekly2021-08-07 03:42 pm
Entry tags:
[#103] Unprepared (Torchwood)
Theme Prompt: #103 – The Jungle
Title: Unprepared
Fandom: Torchwood
Rating/Warnings: PG
Bonus: Yes
Word Count: 1000
Summary: Ianto is about to find out that alien jungles really aren’t anything like the ones back on earth.
Ianto came out of the shuttlecraft dressed for hiking, with a loose cotton shirt over a t-shirt, a hat, sturdy boots, and his trouser legs tucked inside his socks. He was loaded down with various accoutrements; as well as a large backpack, he had a couple of water canteens, something that looked a lot like a machete, and an alien pistol in a holster at his hip.
In contrast, Jack was dressed in loose trousers and t-shirt, in deference to the heat and humidity, and had a lightweight bag slung over one shoulder. He frowned at his lover.
“Are you sure you need all of that?”
“Of course! We’re going hiking in a jungle; who knows what’s out there? I’ve got water to keep us hydrated, food supplies, medical kit, insect repellent, flashlights, waterproof matches, a machete to cut our way through the undergrowth, and a gun in case we run into any dangerous predators. I just hope that’ll be enough.” He eyed the thick nearby mass of trees and bushes apprehensively. “I’ve never been in a jungle before.”
“Wouldn’t make any difference if you had; we’re not on earth. This isn’t like exploring the Amazon rainforest. All you’ll be doing carrying that lot is making yourself hot and tired.”
“D’you even know how to get to this jungle village? I have a compass, and a scanner with a remote link to the shuttlecraft so we can find our way back afterwards. I’m not going in there unprepared,” Ianto insisted stubbornly. He’d always prided himself on dressing appropriately for whatever situation he was facing, and on being prepared for anything. “
Jack sighed and shook his head. “Suit yourself. Come on then, let’s get going. I’d like to be there before the sun sets.”
“Are the predators nocturnal then?”
“No, there’s just more to see in daylight and I don’t want to be late for dinner; that would be rude. Sunset is when the locals have their big evening meal.”
As Jack strode forward into the jungle Ianto hurried after him. It would be safer if they stuck together since Jack was unarmed.
Pushing their way through the undergrowth, they soon reached a narrow but surprisingly well-maintained path that wound its way among the trees, twisting and turning to avoid obstacles such as rock outcroppings, fallen trees, pools of water, and tangles of thorny growth.
Insects, or something of the sort, flitted about in sunbeams that managed to reach through the canopy far overhead, and Ianto could hear the cries of the native wildlife, although he couldn’t see anything that might be this planet’s equivalent of animals or birds. Perhaps they lived out their lives at the tops of the trees, or they might just be avoiding what they saw as intruders in their habitat.
Unencumbered by baggage, Jack was setting a brisk pace, making it hard for Ianto to keep up, burdened by the heavy backpack. He was fit and healthy though, and he didn’t want to make a fuss, so he kept quiet until they’d been walking for about three hours. Finally, he broke the silence that had fallen between them.
“Do you have to walk so fast?”
Pausing at a bend in the path, Jack looked back at him. “Getting tired? I did tell you not to bring so much.”
“No, actually you didn’t, you said to suit myself.”
“Ah. Well, we can rest for a bit if you want; there’s only about another four miles to go to the settlement, maybe another hour or so.”
Ianto took a drink from one of the canteens, offered it to Jack, who refused. Then again, Jack wasn’t sweating the way Ianto was. He was more accustomed to hot climates than Ianto. Growing up in Wales really didn’t prepare one for hiking in the tropics.
“No, I’m fine.” Four miles was nothing, he could manage that easily.
“Right, off we go then.”
For a moment Ianto just glared after Jack’s retreating back, then he set off again, not wanting to get left behind.
He didn’t really know what he’d expected from a settlement deep in an alien jungle. Maybe primitive huts made of sticks and grass, something like that, but…
“Here we are!” Jack said, stepping into a cleared area, at the centre of which was a group of truly massive trees. Bridges and walkways stretched between them, elaborately carved wood and stone buildings nestled around their bases, and the branches were filled with treehouses that were anything but primitive. Even the trees themselves appeared to have been hollowed out to create living spaces for the townsfolk, because this was no small village; it was a city. Talk about the urban jungle.
There were people bustling around, coming and going, both on the ground and up among the trees. Basically humanoid, and as tall as Jack and Ianto, they were slender, dark-skinned, with long, silvery hair, and slanted golden eyes with catlike pupils. Their clothing consisted of short, sleeveless tunics, with decorative belts, while their legs and feet were bare. Several of them approached to greet their visitors.
“Welcome to Ivrashai. Do you come to visit or to trade?”
“Perhaps a little of both,” Jack said with a smile. “We have trade goods back at our shuttlecraft. I’ve brought a few samples with me.”
“You and your companion will be our guests for tonight. Tomorrow we will talk trade, but for now perhaps you will join us as we go to bathe before the evening meal. It is traditional, and you will find it refreshing after your long walk.”
“With pleasure.” Jack turned to Ianto. “Just leave your stuff here; you won’t need any of it, and no one will touch it.”
As they followed their hosts towards a series of pools beneath a waterfall, Ianto glared at Jack. “Why didn’t you tell me about all of this?”
“Would you have believed me if I had?”
Ianto sighed, admitting defeat. “Probably not. Jungles on earth are nowhere near this civilised.”
The End
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Haha, get rekt, Jack. Their banter is authentic and so cute.
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