“How amazing is it that we get to be counselors at this great camp, bro?” Chris asked.
“Yeah, I’m so glad Gloriosa asked us. Too bad Koki, Aviva, and Jimmy can’t see it. We brought our creature pods for pictures, though!” Martin responded.
“Alright, everyone. The campers should be here in just a couple minutes,” Gloriosa called. As the bus pulled in and everyone got settled, Gloriosa decided to start the camp session off with a nature hike.
“Martin and Chris, why don’t you go with the girls that saved this camp last year since you don’t know them as well,” Gloriosa asked. Martin and Chris nodded, slightly intimidated that they were going to be two guys among a bunch of teenage girls.
“Hello, everyone. We’re the new counselors. I’m Chris.”
“And I’m Martin.”
“The Kratt Brothers? I remember you guys! Zoboomafoo was one of my favorite shows growing up!” Twilight said excitedly. “In fact, it was got me into science in the first place. I’m Twilight.”
“Oh yes, I love animals so much, too,” Fluttershy chimed in. “I’m Fluttershy.”
“Well, while the rest of us here aren’t quite into science and animals as much as Twilight and Fluttershy, it’s awfully nice what you two do. Helping wildlife and all that. We’re happy you’re here at Camp Everfree. I’m Applejack.”
“I’m Rainbow Dash. I love when you talk about animals that go really, really fast like me!!! Nice to meetcha!”
“Ah yes, it is wonderful to meet you indeed, darlings. I’m Rarity.”
“Yes, I’m so happy to meet you I’ve never been so happy to meet anyone in my entire life!!!” shouted Pinkie Pie in here usual fast speed. “I’m Pinkie!”
“And well… I’m Sunset Shimmer. The newest of the crew.”
“It’s great to meet the girls we’ve heard so much about, too,” Chris smiled.
“I can see we’re going to have a great time. You can show us what this camp has to offer. Let’s go!” Martin said.
Everyone in the group started full speed ahead with excitement on the trail. Well, everyone except Fluttershy. Martin noticed and decided to stay behind with her.
“Everything okay there, Fluttershy?”
“Oh yes, everything’s fine Martin. I don’t live life quite as fast paced as my friends.”
“I can relate. We both like adventure, but Chris is definitely more of a daredevil.”
“My little brother is like that, too. He sometimes thinks he knows better when he doesn’t.”
“Oh, those younger siblings. It’s a good thing they have us to protect them, don’t they?” Fluttershy giggled and nodded. “Come, we don’t want to get too behind the rest of the group.”
The others had a great time finding things in the woods and asking Chris about it while Martin and Fluttershy tagged along calmly enjoying the atmosphere and the critters around.
“So Fluttershy, I see you’ve chosen my brother as your personal wildlife expert,” Chris noticed.
“You could say that, yes,” Fluttershy responded looking at Martin with a smile.
“He’s a good teacher. I’d know. I’ve been his younger brother all my life.”
“Well, you seem like quite the teacher yourself,” Martin said. “Right, girls?”
“Oh yeah!” Rainbow exclaimed. “He told me that moose can run up to 35 miles per hour. I had no idea they were that fast! I thought they just ate tree branches all day.”
“I’m glad you all had fun. Let’s do this again before camp gets out,” Chris said laughing a little at Rainbow’s comment. “Now, go and wash up for dinner. We’ll meet you there.”
“Man, I always thought teenagers weren’t active or energetic. I had fun, but I feel like I’ve been playing with my sons,” Chris said when the girls had gone to dinner.
Martin laughed. “You can hang out with Fluttershy next time and I’ll take care of those effervescent teenagers.”
The next day, Martin and Gloriosa sat at the counselor dinner table.
“Oh hey, it looks like Chris and the crew are back from canoeing,” Martin said. “I must say, it’s amazing how much they’ve taken a liking to him. Even Fluttershy went along with his crazy antics a little bit this morning.”
“I guess canoeing was a little too crazy. It’s nice to have some bird feeders and hummingbird nectar around. And she, I, and the rest of the campers sure enjoyed learning about hummingbirds. Life with you two must never be boring, huh?”
“Well, knowing a lot about animals can sometimes be nice during trivia games,” Martin laughed.
“Hey everyone,” Chris said as he sat down.
“Hi Chris,” Martin responded.
“I’m glad you and the campers have been getting along so well. Both of you. I’m assuming you’re enjoying yourselves?”
“Well, children can be a little pesky. But it’s all in good fun,” Chis said with a little bit of a nervous laughter at the end.
“Aw, come on, Chris. I know it’s tiring, but they’re anything but pesky,” Martin said. Chris made a little eye roll.
“So, Gloriosa, what do you have planned for this evening?” Martin asked.
“Well, I gathered up some flashlights and I thought you and Chris could lead some of the campers in a night creature expedition.”
“Sounds great!”
“Eh, I don’t know. That seems like a lot of… work. I mean a bunch of teenagers in the dark?”
“Come on, Chris. We’ve sacrificed a consistent sleep schedule for nocturnal animals, what’s the harm in having some nighttime fun. And besides. It’s supposed to be work of some sort. We are being paid after all.” Chris rolled his eyes a little again.
Being the younger brother, Chris had rolled his eyes often at Martin, but not since they were in high school or college. And pesky? Since when did Chris call teenagers pesky? He seemed to be having great fun yesterday. And for him to blow of a work task like that? Chris wouldn’t do that. And it wasn’t just what he said that bothered Martin. It was the way he said it. It just seemed… off. Something about the tone sounded strangely familiar, but it certainly wasn’t like Chris. Martin ate his dinner in silence unable to pay attention to any more conversation around him. Perhaps his older brother instincts were being too strong. Maybe Chris was just tired. But Martin couldn’t help but wonder…
Gloriosa also noticed that Chris wasn’t quite the person she knew when she hired him. But she wasn’t mad as much as worried. She didn’t want Martin and Chris to fight. But she figured it was all part of being siblings, and she told Martin so.
“Hey Gloriosa. Sorry if Chris and I made you uncomfortable at dinner tonight,” Martin said.
“Oh, it’s no problem. I’m a sibling, too. I know how it is.”
Gloriosa trusted Martin, but she decided to ask Pinkie how Chris was canoeing.
“Oh, yeah. Chris. Chris was… fine. No problems here.”
Did Pinkie just have a hard time remembering Chris? She had spent plenty of time with him, didn't she? And didn’t Pinkie know everyone?