Reading something in a book and actually doing it are two totally different things.

I rest quietly as my two partners hurry around, trying to setup our camp for the night. I must have been out of it for a while as the sun was starting to set. The night's twinkle is faint, but its presence is felt down here. To my left is Namaki, hunting down sticks to use as a fire. Many are snow-covered and unusable, but he shows no anger at this. He is in fact jumping around and acting as if it were a game. How can he do such a thing in our remaining hours of light? His irresponsibility is yet again causing me to become irritable. Jenica on the other hand is showing no rage or enjoyment. Watching her actions, a normal person would see one who is completely under control and just taking her time. But to an experienced eye like mine, it is apparent that she is unsure of what to do. I want to get up and help her, but, in my head, I know that even I don't know how to setup a tent. I can't explain why, I know that I have spent time in class studying up on what to do when I got out here, but it all seems to have left my head. Knowledge is as passing as the tide, flowing in at various times and then leaving again. It never follows the schedules that we set. I close my eyes and sigh. I do not like just sitting here wasting precious time. Wasting such a gift is completely unacceptable and it causes more pain for me to sit here and deal with the pain in my spine. A sudden increase in the weight of my legs forces my eyes painfully awake and aware of a pile of sticks and logs resting on me. Namaki leans down and laughs. "Here. Could you make us a fire?" Another task has been given to someone who didn't have a clue on what to do.

Due to some wonderful skill on my part and some luck that Jenica had remembered to pack a book of matches, we soon had a roaring fire in front of us. With a bit more of her radiating genius, Jenica sets up a small cooking pot and stand. I am not sure what we would have done if she had not come along. All I have in my pack was food, water, and the various tools of my trade. Remembering that, I make sure that my bag is not stuck in the snow and soaking the notebooks inside. The quick question of what Namaki has in his bag runs through my mind, but I quickly dismiss it. I don't know if I really want an answer to that. Mixing some of the dried meat and various other items I brought in the pot, a wonderful smell starts to bubble out and an annoying noise bubbles out of Namaki. "Oh hurry up... I'm hungry." I have to agree with him though as my stomach roars its agreeance. With a spoon and three small bowls, she serves up some of the stew. What it tastes like, I do not know. All I know is that both I and Namaki are scarfing it down like mad. After I finish my first bowl, I finally look up and see that Jenica had only poked at her dish. Voicing my concern, Namaki finally raises his head from his dinner. "Hey, are you going to eat that?" Yet again, Namaki shows as much class as an insect. Handing him her bowl, Jenica shakes her head. Staring at her, it takes a few moments before she answers my question. "Forgive me. I am not hungry tonight." I want to press the matter, but, as with this job, I do not feel that I would get an answer yet. Serving another bowl to me, she stares at the sky, as if to question the rising stars. As I resume eating, I cannot help but wonder if she sees her answers amongst them.

After dinner, Jenica quietly takes the dishes and goes to work washing them. Namaki settles down in his tent and a dull snore is heard drifting out. I sit, restless and a bit nervous. Back home, the quietness that surrounds me now would have been greatly enjoyed. Out here though, it seems to reduce my image and leave me helpless to the environment around me. Here, civilization is gone and we are just another piece of the world. Another soul in the sea of living beings. The more I think of this, the more restless I get. I cannot take it anymore. Standing up, I plan to head to bed, but before me stands Jenica. How is everyone sneaking up on me? Putting her hands in front of her, she gives a bow and heads off to her tent. I hear a goodnight drift amongst the leaves. Entering and settling down in my tent, I fall asleep for the first time with more questions in my head than of answers.