"Mm," she said, nodding. "Should be about three feet, if you can." She started into the forest, happy to be back on the ground again.
"Oh really? I guess I'll have to prove you wrong then, won't I?" He began searching faster, going as far as sticking his head in bushes.
Poppy caught sight of his head stuck in a bush and laughed deeply, her eyes twinkling. She noticed another branch and picked it up, still grinning. She took it at a leisurely pace and spent her time watching Francis do his work, taking great pleasure in his search antics.
He pulled his head out, leaves and branches in his hair. Turning his head, he looked over at her, noticing that she was watching him. "What?"
She beamed, and shook her head. "Nothing. It's just endearing how quickly you respond to challenges. It's a good thing to know." She gestured to her own head to point out the foliage that had come out with his hair. "You got a little something there," she said.
He brushed the leaves out of his hair, then continued looking for sticks. "It's a problem of mine. Accepting challenges."
"If it's any consolation," she said, picking up a branch and inspecting it. "I think it's sweet. But, I do get it. Certain medics might use it to their advantage."
"If the shoe fits," she said, shrugging. "By the way, I bet that you can't make me an ice cream out of thin air."
"You're right, I can't. Ice cream doesn't just appear. I thought you knew that?" He pulled a branch off a tree, stumbling back.
She laughed lightly, shifting her branches to her other arm. "My hypothesis has been proven incorrect," she said, shaking her head in mock disappointment.
He looked down at his bundle, then back up, his eyes fierce. "I have the same." He rushed to get more.
Her peals of laughter followed him as he worked. Poppy combed the area, and managed to get three more, but she was still missing one, and she frowned. Turning, she spotted a perfect branch placed between herself and where Francis stood.
Francis held 19 sticks as well, and he glared at Poppy. "You will get that stick over my cold, dead body."
