It only took three cities over three different time zones, but I finally got to meet up with @IVth. And, lemme tell ya, it was worth every mile. What a mensch!
And lo, this mortal son of Ask sought out the Allfather in the shadow of Yggdrasil, where he was rewarded with the twin gifts of edda to tickle his ear and skause to warm his bones.
(Translation: I met up with @Odin in a park—we shot the shit and ate chili.)
And so three months later—to the DAY—I crawled back to the spot and retrieved your rainfly from where you'd forgotten it. (I should burn it for all the trouble it caused...but I might keep it as a memento of a time when things between us were still good.)
The malevolent spirits guarding Thomson, GA do not want me to leave: two days ago, it started pouring the minute I hit the ramp and didn't quit until after I did hours later; yesterday, I got there just in time to see a box truck take the turn too quickly and topple onto its side. Considering dipping my hitchin' thumb in holy water...
After years outside, two beds and showers in three nights and I can practically feel the briefcase forming in my hand and the "It's going..." on my lips.