Cecil
didn’t remember exactly how he got here, as was often the case when
traveling outside of Night Vale. Although he did remember passing a camp
on his way to Carlos.“Probably,” he said with a smile, “but tell me what you found out!”
“Well, Sleepy Peak Peak is an extinct volcano,” Carlos started to explain. “I had heard that before coming here – and it’s name implies as much as compared to its old name, Wide Awake Peak Peak – but I’ve now confirmed it.”
He sat there and listened to Carlos, enthralled by what he had to say even if he didn’t quite understand the difference. Did he mean that the fire being within the volcano was dead and therefore the ‘mountain’ was safe? Cecil nodded along as he listened to the explanation.
“But there’s still so much to learn about the volcano – I’ve collected more samples than I can even count! There is still so much to learn, and it’ll be so rewarding!”
“So you are planning on staying here longer?” Cecil asked. He looked around the makeshift lab. “Have you met anyone while you were here?” He was interested in the volcano sure, but he was interested in what Carlos was up to other than that as well.
“Well, I did want to talk to you about that,” Carlos said. “Staying here, I mean. Because I want to, but I wanted to ask you if you’d be okay with it.” He then smiled. “There’s a camp nearby… with children. I met some of them, but usually I just leave them to their activities.”
“Staying here by yourself or… together?” Cecil asks almost hesitantly. His home was Night Vale but his home was also Carlos.
“I remembered you mentioning a camp! That’s why I wore this!” Cecil said excitedly, showing off his old Scouts Uniform. His earlier question still weighing on his mind as to what Carlos would say.
“Well, I wasn’t sure you were that you’d wanted to come,” Carlos said. “But I’m glad you’re here! I really am!” Carlos smiled widely at Cecil.
“I would gladly be with you wherever whenever.” Cecil said, his tone a bit serious before slipping back into a happier one. “Here I am! So.. are you going to introduce me to your camper friends?” Cecil asked, expecting him to have spoken to Councillors or someone like Earl.
“Well sure, I can introduce you,” Carlos said with a smile. “The kids at Camp Campbell have a couple great counselors who I’m sure you would love to meet! David’s a delight and Gwen’s really good with the kids.”
Cecil was skeptical of those who lived outside of Night Vale, but since Carlos seemed to like these people the least he could do was give them a try. It’s not like they could be like Kevin or god forbid Steve.
“That sounds wonderful Carlos! I’m excited,” he said, even if truthfully he was a bit nervous. He was the interloper here and it had been a while since he had been outside of Night Vale.
‘In the meantime, do you want to help me label the samples I have?” Carlos asked. “We’re allowed to use writing utensils out here so it’ll be easier than usual.”
The Perfect Scientist 