Silva, Oro, Salv, and Isra have exited the eastern entrance (the other side) of Howling Woods. They stop to rest. Silva is cooking dinner on a miniature grill using his powers. Salv takes out his painting kit along with a few rocks he found on his way out of the woods. Isra is already sound asleep in an attempt to adjust to his new sleep schedule (his city lived a nocturnal lifestyle along with the Sacred Owls). Oro is curled up next to him.
Silva: Those two love to sleep, huh?
Salv: (Chuckles) You got that right.
Silva: Whatcha doin' with those rocks?
Salv: Cleaning off any excess dirt before I paint them.
Silva: Ooo, whatcha gonna paint?
Salv: Not sure, I enjoy the process of painting on the spot.
Silva: Gotcha. Did ya want any hamburgers?
Salv: Sure, can they be cooked medium rare, please.
Silva: You betcha!
Silva cooks three hamburgers on the grill for a bit. Just as they were getting cooked to Salv's request, Silva gets so excited about his future dinner that he ends up heating up his hands too much and the hamburgers catch on fire. Salv is hyper focused on painting an abstract red swirl pattern on a tiny rock in the background.
Salv: (Still fixated on the rock) How are the burgers coming along?
Silva frantically blows on them and attempts to put them out.
Silva: (Nervously) Uhhh, it's going fine. Should be just another minute or so…
Salv: Need any help?
Silva: (Aggressively) Nah, I got it.
Silva puts out the fire and all three burgers are cooked past well done. He places each of them in between burger buns and hands them to Salv.
Salv: Thank you, Silva.
Silva: No prob.
Salv: (Shouts) HEY THIS IS NOT COOKED MEDIUM RARE!
Silva: Hehe I know…I might've burned them a bit. (takes a bite) Still tastes good though.
Salv: (Reluctantly takes a bite) It's hard as a rock.
Silva: Alright, I might have a granola bar in my bag to tie ya over until morning.
Salv: That's quite alright. I will handle anything food related from now on.
Silva: (Frowns) Fine, but don't come cryin' when ya crave a nice tasty Silva burger.
Salv: Oh, you don't have to worry about that.
Shortly after, Salv and Silva head to their tents for the night.
March 7, 3009
Silva, Oro, Salv, and Isra wake up and head farther east until they reach Climber's Paradise. Its aesthetic has significantly updated since Uncle Rob and his friends visited in their twenties. Countless obstacle courses, shops, inns, resorts, gardens liven up the village. There is even a giant waterfall that is used for competitions.
Silva: (Appreciatively) Despite visiting here a few times when I was young, this place never loses its magic.
Salv: Let's get you registered so I can check out the gift shops as soon as possible!
Isra: Yeah, follow me guys.
The Silver Expeditioners make their way to the registration and info kiosk.
Kiosk Worker: Hi! Welcome to the Climber's Paradise Tournament Kiosk. What can I help you with?
Silva: Hey, I'd like to register for this term's teen bracket.
Kiosk Worker: Sure do you have a climber's license I can see?
Silva: Uh… no. Do I need one?
Isra: (Facepalms) You don't have a climber's license?
Silva: Nah, (shrugs). I didn't know I needed one.
Kiosk Worker: (Caught off guard) Hmm, let me speak to my manager real quick. I'll be right back.
The kiosk worker disappears and the boys are left alone awkwardly standing there with a whole line of people increasing every minute. The people are growing impatient after about 15 minutes of standstill.
Random Climber #1: Hey! Hurry it up! I don't got all day, here asshole!
Silva: Sorry, we are waiting for a manager. (nervously) Come on hurry up…
Isra: Hey Silva?
Silva: What?
Isra: We're gonna wait for you by a bench in the center, it's taking awhile.
Salv: Additionally, I think that Oro needs to use the restroom.
Silva: Alright, guys I will see ya in a bit.
Salv, Isra, and Oro leave towards a nearby bench. The Kiosk Manager finally reveals himself. His tall lengthy stature almost makes up for the odd, nerdy glasses resting on his nose.
Kiosk Manager: I understand that you do not have a license young man?
Silva: Correct.
Kiosk Manager: What's your name kid?
Silva: Silva sir. Silva Belmonte.
Kiosk Manager: Well, there is not much that I can do for you, Silva. So sorry about that.
Silva is about to leave the line in disappointment.
Kiosk Manager: (Remembers something) Wait. Did you say Belmonte?
Silva: (Confused) Yeah?
Kiosk Manager: Are you perhaps related to Robert Baywest. I am aware of the connection of marriage between the two families.
Silva: Yeah, he's my uncle on my late mom's side.
Kiosk Manager: Wow, I see! (excitedly) I am actually such a huge fan of his! I have been following his work ever since I was a little kid. He is an excellent climber and-
Silva: (Picks up on the excitement) Well, I could perhaps arrange an autograph sometime…
Random Climber #2: (Angrily) The hell's the hold up now?!
Random Climber #3: Yeah! I want a refund now! I only came here for info, but it seems your organization is unprofessional enough to keep us waiting for some manager to get an autograph!
A few climbers start to shout, but to their dismay the manager ignores their concerns.
Kiosk Manager: You'd do that for me?
Silva: If…
Kiosk Manager: If… what?
Silva: If ya let me in the tournament.
Kiosk Manager: That's a tough ask. Unfortunately I cannot-
Silva: I'll even get him to take a picture with ya.
Kiosk Manager: Really?! (clears throat) I mean, I guess I could pull a few strings to permit you a temporary license given you pass a customized trial tomorrow.
Silva: Sure let's do it!
The Kiosk Manager leans in close to Silva's ear discreetly.
Kiosk Manager: (Whispers) But you absolutely cannot discuss anything about this deal with anyone. If word got out to the Climber's League that we were handing temporary Climber's ID's to people, especially kids; our biannual tournament would be shut down for good. Understand?
Silva: (Whispers) Yeah, I gotcha.
Kiosk Manager: The entry fee will be twenty gold please.
Silva: (Rummaging through his pockets for his wallet) Yeah, yeah. Here ya are.
Silva hands the manager the gold.
Kiosk Manager: (Professionally announcing) Great! Then you are hereby registrant number thirty four! (Mutters under his breath) Assuming you will pass tomorrow. Thank you and have a wonderful day.
Silva exits the kiosk and the crowd settles down. He meets up with the others and they check in at an inn for the night. Silva and Oro take one room while the other two are new roommates. The four of them are in Isra and Salv's room. Silva and Oro are just about to leave.
Silva: Man, I cannot wait to pass the trial tomorrow and get my Official Temporary Climber's License.
Isra: Not official if it's done under the table.
Silva: Yeah, yeah whatever… Good night.
Silva and Oro head to their rooms, leaving Salv and Isra in theirs.