Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves (Poca, Jane)

[esmeralda]

Esmeralda was standing on an open place, waiting for Pocahontas and Jane. She had decided that it was about time to show that girls too could survive in the wilderness.

Esmeralda was dressed in a tightfitting safari outfit, that clinged to her body and made her look really great. Many guys had started drooling when they noticed the gypsy in this outfit, but she simply ignored them. She was here waiting for her friends.

Esmeralda was carrying a backpack, where she had packed everyting a woman needs to survive in the wilderness. She also carried a machete, in case they needed to cut their way through the shrubbery.

[Pocahontas]

Pocahontas walked towards the appointed meeting place. She had left most of her belongings back in her suite, but had brought along some essentials. Packed away in a deerskin pack was food rations, a dagger and other supplies. She had also brought along a heavy deer hide for warmth and a shelter in case of rain. Although she had heavy clothing for winter, the indian preferred her plain gown and the cold soil under her bare feet.

Spotting the place, she saw that Esmerelda was already there. "Wingapo, Esmerelda," she called, waving to the gypsy. "Are you ready to go? I think Jane should be along shortly."

[esmeralda]

Esmeralda smiled when she noticed her dear friend and came over to her, giving her a hug.

"Wingapo, Poca! I see that once again you dress wiser than I. My people never learned how to prepare deer hide. But at least I can make medicines from herbs and plants if I catch a cold," she joked. "But I bet that knowledge about making of medicines are common in your tribe too, isn't it?"

She looked around eager.

"I have already explored the place. It is a river nearby. If we only had a canoe, we could paddle down the river before we find a place to stay. What do you think? And yes. I know Jane well enough to know she wouldn't miss out on a chance like this."

[Jane Porter]

Jane braved her way through the exotic trees, feeling almost a sense of deja vu. If ony she had dressed a little more sensibly. There she was, in her customary oversized yellow ensemble. But she did have on a new hat! It was just so lovely, Jane couldn't resist picking it up. It did look rather nice with the dress.

With her suitcase, parasol, and sketchbook in hand, she looked a little odd for somebody who was about to brave the jungle. Oh well, if she could do it before, she could do it again. And this time, she wouldn't need an ape-man to save her!

There, she spotted Esmeralda and Pocahontas, who had dressed a little wiser than Jane had, of course. Jane frantically waved a gloved hand, and rushed on over.

"So, are we ready to brave the jungles of Africa? I should warn you not to anger any baboons. I learned the hard way!"

[esmeralda]

Esmeralda beamed with joy when she noticed Jane braving her way through the jungle. She admired Jane's yellow ensemble and her new hat with a smile. Jane looked absolutely lovely and feminine, as usual. Esmeralda looked down at her own tightfitting Safari outfit and sighed, suddenly wishing she had put on a dress as well. But she had been afraid to get stuck in the shrubbery....

She smiled warmly and embraced Jane as she approached them, happy that Jane too came along with them.

"Bon jour, Jane! I am happy to see you again! Oh, I am so excited I can hardly wait! This will be fun! I just told Poca that I have explored the surroundings here before you arrived. There is a river by the meadow over there. What do you ladies say that we canoe down the river for a while, trying to find a place to stay on our first night out? Then we could set up our tent and make a fireplace, before making our meal outdoors?"

She listened to Jane's advice about angering baboons.

"Oh dear, from the way you say that, it is a horrible experience. I will try my best not to anger the baboons if we meet them. But just to make sure I don't: How do you anger a baboon?"

((Question: Do the girls have a canoe, or do they have to rent one? ))

[Pocahontas]

Pocahontas set her bag down beside her as she waited with Esmerelda for Jane.

"Yes, my people do work with herbs and such for healing. My friend Kekata has taught me some methods, but I am not a master like you."

Just then Jane arrived, dress like she was going on vacation in London as apposed to a jungle trek. Pocahontas was going to point this out when she reminded herself that of the trio, Jane was the most experianced with the jungle itself. Perhaps she knew what she was doing.

Jane's advice about the baboons surprised Pocahontas and she listened as Esmerelda inquired about her experiance with them.

"Actually, I know where we can get a canoe," she said to the girls. "I brought one along when I arrived at the park. That's the best way to travel among my people. I have it kept back at my room. I'll go and get it. It's not all that heavy."

[esmeralda]

Esmeralda sat her backpack down, while she listened with interest to what Poca could tell her about herbs for healing. She smiled and looked at her friend.

"Oh, I am not certain I am a master, but I have picked up a trick or two in my time. How about we exchange recipes, you and me? And learn from one another? It could come in handy. Your people sound so lovely, Poca. I would love to meet them one day."

After greeting Jane, she listened to Poca, beaming with joy when the native princess told them she had a canoe. This would make their travel much easier. She looked over at Pocahontas.

"Do you want me to come with you and help you carrying that canoe? I am much stronger than I look. To be a dancer requires physical strenght and stamina."

[Jane Porter]

"Well, just don't steal from one. They travel in packs," Jane said, in further reference to the baboon question.

She fonldy remembered her first time in the jungle, unknowing angering the crazy monkeys. At least some good came out of it, Jane thought. She had to admit, she almost enjoyed being chased madly around the jungle.

Jane knew she wouldn't be able to carry - let alone paddle - a canoe. Pocahontas and Esmeralda seemed so strong and capable. And there was Jane, in a yellow dress that made her look like she came straight from London. Plus, her legs were like twigs.

Jane began to look rather sheepish. She barely made it out of the jungle in one piece before - how could she do it again?

[Pocahontas]

Pocahontas smiled at Esmerelda when she offered to help with the canoe.

"Will you be alright by yourself as we go get the canoe?" she asked Jane. "It won't take that long, its not that far."

Leading the way back to the hotel, Pocahontas quickly got the canoe out of its storage place and back outside. The indian began to get excited. She always loved canoeing and now she could share her passion with her two best friends.

"If you want, we can just float down to the meeting place," she told Esmerelda, securing the oars in the bottom of the canoe. "Have you every done any canoeing before?"

[esmeralda]

Esmeralda smiled and listened to Jane, remembering the advice about the baboons.

"Thank you for your warning, Jane. I'll make sure to keep my fingers to myself," she smiled.

She looked over at Jane, watching her face expression. From the look in her eyes, Esmeralda guessed that Jane had started doubting she could do this. Esmeralda wrapped her arms comforting around Jane, pulling her into a hug and spoke softly to her.

"I am so glad you could come with us, Jane. It will be fun, showing the boys how well we can do without them. And don't worry about anything. Poca and I can take care of the things that are too hard for you to deal with. I am strong because of my hard physical training, and Poca is raised as a Chief's daughter. She has to be strong. As for you, we need your irresistable sense of humor. Your experience with the jungle will come in handy too. We can do this! Right ladies?"

She gave her friends a confident smile. Esmeralda had never for one second doubted that Sisters Can Do It For Themselves. ;D
She gave Jane another hug and looked at the luggage gathered at the ground.

"Oh, I am certain Jane will do just fine, won't you Jane. As Poca says, we won't take long fetching the canoe. Could you please look after our belongings in the meanwhile? We'll be right back!"

She smiled to Poca and followed her back to the hotel. She too was exited by the thought of this adventure. She loved to stay outdoors in the wilderness.

"I have never done any canoeing before, but I have seen the river races in Paris, so I have a faint idea about how to hold the oars. I am told I am a fast learner though, so I don't doubt I can do it if you just instruct me properly. Maybe you could teach me as we paddle down to the meeting place?"

She lifted one side of the canoe, surprised of how light it was.

"If you lead the way, I'll follow you. Since you will hold the other end of the canoe, there's no chance I could miss you," she joked.

[Jane Porter]

"Sure, I - I'll be fine," Jane said quietly, feeling a sense of abandonment.

They probably think I can't do it, Jane thought nrgatively - something she was starting to believe herself. Look at me. I should be back in London, not in the middle of the Jungle! Jane sat herself down on the ground with a huff. She may as well just give up the pathetic charade.

"NO!" Jane said to herself, a little louder than she intended. She could do this! I'll prove to them that a girl from London is just as capable! I did it once before, didn't I?

She got up and folded her arms with satisfaction, waiting for her friends to return. Then she could show them!

[Pocahontas]

[]

Pocahontas smiled when Esmerelda explained her limited canoe knowledge. "Oh, its quite easy. I'm sure that you will be an expert in no time."

With a puff of breath, she lowered the canoe off her shoulders and onto the bank. Waiting for the gypsy to follow her lead, Pocahontas double checked that everything was secure in the canoe. It would be a little snugg with three people and packs, but that was where the fun was.

"First we have to get the canoe into the water," she explained. "You should get in the front. You'll learn better that way and I can easily get us out of bad spots. Now you simply move the oar in strokes along the side of the canoe." She took out a canoe and made the motions in the air. "Moving from one side to the other. Pretty soon it will be instinctual."

Once the canoe was in the shallow water, Pocahontas took her spot. "The rivers calm tonight, so you'll have plenty of time to learn. There aren't many rough spots between us and Jane."

[esmeralda]

[[So do I! ;D Go Jane!!!]]

Esmeralda helped Poca lowering the canoe onto the bank. Then she climbed into the front of the canoe and took an oar, just as Pocahontas had suggested. Her face was beaming with joy. This was exciting. She turned around on her seat, watching Poca's demonstration, then she lifted her own oar, and repeated.

"Like this?" she asked.

She felt a little wobbly in the start, but pretty soon she felt she fell into a rhythm with her paddling.

"I am glad there aren't many rough spots right here. I need some more practice first..." she laughed.

The canoe floated calmly down the stream, and just around the riverbend ( ;D ) Esmeralda could see the place where they had left Jane.

[Jane Porter]

Jane looked around the riverbend as she saw the canoe come into view, carrying her two friends. Jane closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She could do this!

But I can't let on, Jane thought, and made sure that her expression was demure, as always. She daintily waved a gloved hand at Pocahontas and Esmeralda, signaling to the two that she had seen them.

Let the games begin.

[Pocahontas]

Spotting Jane's gloved hand waving to them, Pocahontas instructed Esmerelda on getting the canoe to shore. Once they had packed their supplies in the covered ends of the canoe, Pocahontas helped Jane into the center of the boat.

"Everyone ready to go?" she asked, taking her place behind Jane. "Do you have an ideal camping spot, Esme?"