by SilhouetteStation » Mon Apr 20, 2020 12:08 am
username; SilhouetteStation
name; Kai
gender; nonbinary
prompt;
Sometimes people look too far ahead. They daydream of faraway places they've seen on social media, and exclusive getaway deals that lure unsuspecting passerbys from travel center windows. Foreign, tantalizing; the idea of going somewhere strange, somewhere exciting, somewhere new.
Kai's mindset is a bit different.
They don't understand why people get all dreamy-eyed about other countries when there were countless adventures to be had in your own backyard. Why pay all that money to fly overseas and explore different continents when you haven't even fully explored your own backyard? Like many other people they had a desire to travel, to make friends and memories along the way, but they didn't want to follow the trend. No, they decided to go against the grain, and do things their own way.
Their bedroom was decorated with Polaroids, bus tickets, postcards; all things from their adventures, all with a story that Kai knew by heart. Their wardrobe full of t-shirts advertising difference places, classic tourist memorabilia that they couldn't get enough of. They wore them around with pride and were more than happy to share a story if anyone ever inquired about their origin.
Above their desk, which was cluttered with notebooks and old brochures picked up from various motels, was a map of the country taped to their wall. Various colored pins marked where they'd been, with lines squiggled inbetween to show the routes they'd taken. Asterisk stars marked particularly good food stops or accommodation they'd found. There was no rhyme or reason to where their travels took them to next; all that was needed was a passion for adventure, and a roll of the dice.
Or, technically speaking, a throw of the dart.
A lean back in the swivel chair, a readying of the dart, a hand over the eyes - a throw of the dart, and the immediate fizzle of excitement at the thud of the landing.
From there it's a matter of vaguely mapping out the route; seeing where they are, and figuring out where they're going. No planes, no trains, no buses, no taxi's; you had to drive yourself, or you didn't get the full experience. And you needed that experience of having an adventure, right? Why else would you go on a roadtrip? They would pack a duffel bag full of things they'd need; clothes, toiletries, some money, a spare map. No bulky suitcases, no clutter, nothing unnecessary that would only take up space in the van.
Oh, and what a van it is.
A vintage Kombi, the interior fully renovated to match any good camper. They'd always had an interest in building, tinkering, and the skills showed themselves through their engineering degree. They'd been determined to fix up everything they could in the old Kombi, to be able to say they'd been involved with the restoration as much as possible. Now, it was an absolute beauty; complete with hidden storage, bathroom, kitchenette, and a convertible bed area. Little details, like a cup rack, plush cushions, and net curtains. Every time they walked into the garage and saw that pale, seafoam paint shining, they had the sense of an adventure being just over the horizon.
They don't plan for how long they'll be on the road, because they never know when they'll stop. Truthfully, they're quite happy to make the journey last as long as possible. They love stopping at parks for a walk and a stretch whenever possible. They love finding obscure cafe's, places off the beaten track where you can find good coffee and good food. They love talking to the locals, finding out about hidden gems, and forming relationships while they explore the area they've stopped in. They love to check out the shops, any unique buildings or statues, and of course they're always on the hunt for a souvenir. Any advice given by the townsfolk is welcome, and they always seem happy to help out someone with a cheery smile and a desire to learn about their home.
Kai believes that the real adventure can be found in the journey, not the destination.
Paradise lies on the open road, with the windows down and the radio on and the excitement of the unknown coursing through their body. The feeling of being a little unconventional in their travelling ways, of planning a getaway that's hardly planned at all. It's the sense of fun, of letting the road guide them on their travels, and the idea of a new adventure being just around the corner.
Last edited by
SilhouetteStation on Tue Apr 21, 2020 9:19 pm, edited 4 times in total.
