Peaceful

Tal lay with his back resting against one of the many trees surrounding him. He plucked lightly at his harp, humming tunelessly, enjoying the quiet of the forest while he could. He knew that soon he would have to go up to the school, where there would doubtless be nothing but bustle and confusion on the first day. He sighed, brushing some hair from his eyes and gazed wistfully around him. He would miss living in the wilderness, but he knew he couldn't teach himself forever. Besides, it had been a while since he'd been around lots of people, maybe he'd have fun.
Setting down his harp he adjusted his backpack to lay more comfortably against it and closed his eyes.

Tal opened an eye, smelling smoke. He glanced around wondering if he'd unknowingly started a forest fire, but then he heard a sound from above. Standing, he shouldered his pack and walked from the tree a ways, looking up into the branches.
'Is someone up there?' he asked, scanning the trees, 'And if so, let me congratulate you on your climbing skills.'

Hearing the yawn he smiled. He walked back up to the tree again and secured his pack more tightly before grabbing a nearby branch. Hoisting himself up he bean his ascent, wondering what, or who more likely, he'd find at the top.

Tal glanced up as he lifted himself onto another branch. He could just make out the shape of someone sitting a ways away. He smiled, and headed in that direction, wondering what he'd do when he finally got there. At this distance he could smell what was definately a ciggarette, and some alchohal as well. Perhaps i'll join him for a drink or two, he though with a laugh. He had only drunk at a few in bars in his old home town on his visits back. And somehow he doubted that whoever this was was drinking the same country-brewed ale.

Tal blinked as he saw the boy. And it was definately a boy. Maybe he just looks young for his age, he thought doubtfully. Shrugging, he climbed the rest of the way up to the boy and sat on a branch beside him, breathing heavily. 'I admire your stamina, to have made it up here.' Especially carrying (and possibly partaking of those) on the way, he added in his mind, eyeing the ciggarette in his mouth and the bottle in his lap and smiling to himself.