JUNE EVENT: CAMP

[sailmods]

early on June 10th, Friday's morning announcements end with a request for everyone going on the latest excursion to meet her in the atrium. she seems in noticeably better spirits than she had been last time, and she leads them cheerfully to the tender. once they are all aboard, and the door is securely shut, the interior fills with gas, and, perhaps, their last thought before they slip into unconsciousness is "oh shit, not again."

passengers wake up on a rickety old school bus, driving down a dirt road surrounded by woods. what is it that they notice first? that, no matter what they were wearing before, they are now wearing a camp t-shirt and legitimately horrifyingly short shorts? the overstuffed backpack between their knees? the words "take one down and pass it around" dying on their lips? the fact that Friday is absolutely driving the bus?

or, maybe the fact that it's already slowing down, pulling up in front of a massive wooden sign, saying:

 

 

 

 

 

CAMP AION

when they get out of the bus, Friday is the one to divide them up into their cabin groups, and she is the one to give the counselors their very official-looking clipboards and whistles. she explains that they are in charge, and that she will be back to pick them up in a week, and... very little else. she responds to nothing outside of whatever is on her unseen little script, and she gets back on the bus shortly after, leaving them there.

welcome to camp. let's make some summer memories!

Comments

[decohere]

"Oh, sorry about that." Ava becomes very aware of herself all at once, grasping at Max's hands in order to pull her scattered molecules back together.

"You two make it painfully difficult to be hard on myself, you know. Should have left it at nevermind." But she's smiling, because they're very sweet.

"Anyway, he said there's no one else like me. And I imagine he knows all sorts of twisted freaks." She likes being unique!

[decohere]

"Statistically speaking..." Ava begins jokingly, but really, she has no idea. In what aspects he means, how unique a combination of traits she could possibly be. But she's happy enough to be the only her that he knows.

"I do mean it though. About these circumstances, meeting this way. It would have been nice, to know somebody like you. Back home."

[latersgators]

What did H&M ever do to hurt Max?

"Yeah. It's annoying. Takes hours for anything to dry after getting drenched, sometimes days when it's all damp out." Steven usually doesn't have much of a choice, he just gets caught out in it and runs through the rain. If it was raining all day he might have brought an umbrella out, but. Usually it catches him by surprise.

"I prefer history books and academic texts but I'm alright with novels too. Better than nothin'. Marc, my--" um... "Roommate? Been trying to get him into reading. Thought I'd start with some spy novels or action, thriller, whodunit mysteries." They have enough existential dread between them to not venture into anything down that territory. And something with an unholy amount of worldbuilding or overly complex political machinations might be too dry to get Marc started in the habit.

"What do you like to read?" Steven asks. He's open to suggestions.

[littlefairytale]

Ruby has yet to hear about the murder island at this point but oh boy. She will not appreciate that knowledge when she does. She doesn't want to kill people...

"Yeah, me too. It's a bigger ship than I've ever seen before," trying to put a ship this size on the ocean at home would end badly for everyone, "but it's still, well... a ship. Being out here is at least something different."

[littlefairytale]

Yeah, Ruby doesn't miss that detail. She suddenly wishes she understood more about how Pyrrha felt about it all. Maybe she's biased, because she'd hate that kind of exposure regardless of any other factors, but it just sounds... concerning. She's not sure she should call that out with someone she's only just met, though... still, the wrinkle in her brow deepens.

"The squirt gun does sound kinda cute." Which— doesn't exactly give her a thought intended to deliberately switch to a less uneasy topic, but, "So do you like, need water around to use your magic? You can't, like... create it?"

She's guessing so, but that's a funny distinction from what 'actual' magic there is in her own world if so. Since real magic users are the only ones who can create elements wholesale. She... thinks. Probably.

[littlefairytale]

How long is 'waaaaay' long ago when he doesn't look much older than her... she guesses everyone has their own metric? A few years might do it. Look, she's too polite to ask.

"Not a spirit or a witch, just... a normal girl. Kind of. My eyes are... well, it's complicated. So, no spells, sorry," she flashes a smile that is weirdly apologetic for something she doesn't really have to be sorry for, probably, "actual magic in my world is kinda only a thing for a handful of people. Which it doesn't sound like it is in yours, huh?"

[littlefairytale]

"This Captain guy is uh... quite the character." To put it lightly, because literally every new thing she hears about the guy makes the picture weirder and more alarming and she just keeps thinking of Salem, except Salem was driven to world-ending rage by being made immortal so there's that big departure...

Annnd then there's a flash of a sort of alarm in her eyes, followed by an almost visible effort that goes into her trying not to look disturbed by that... compliment? It does... sound like one, or at least not an insult. "Um, yeah, I uh— I guess I would! I mean, I'd really hope I didn't have to be, but. Uh. Yeah. Guess I'm... pretty well qualified. As qualifications for killing go."

[selenokinesis]

Huhu, that's fine, then. How about this... give me your hand?

[If Mizuki does so, Ebalon will make him do a little spin and then dip him and kiss him on the mouth.

Please please tell me the song changes to some ridiculous anime opening while this happens.]

[selenokinesis]

[Yeah he definitely super didn't know it before meeting her obviously he would never do that, he would never be really old and start nuking memories of people for shits and gigs, he's not fascinated with the Illuminous Phenomenon in an unhinged psychopath way. Ebalon is normal!]

I believe I was able to stave off some of the effects, [but only for research purposes] though I doubt this is something that can be fixed. I, unfortunately, have not yet found a way to stand on the pedestal of the Gods.

[...yet.]

[mooninthewater]

[ Well, maybe if Ebalon weren't a heckin' liar, Mizuki wouldn't think that it were true! ]

Are gods really so powerful that people cannot match their ability?

[ Gods on Terra are very powerful and literally immortal to the point nothing can kill them fully, merely put them to sleep or split them into pieces, but still, the fact people are able to do those things just makes Mizuki believe they're not hot shit or anything like that. ]

[mooninthewater]

[ Mizuki does so, giving a little giggle as Ebalon spins him around this time. There's a brief softness as his fingers run through Ebalon's hair and he relaxes in the hold. His eyes flutter closed as their lips so easily slide together, and regardless of their ridiculous camp outfits, Mizuki decides this is still, perhaps, one of the best dances he's had… ]

[mooninthewater]

[ But then, yeah, weeb shit happens and there is instant transition from soft to panic and embarrassed. Mizuki jolts for a moment, then squirms out of Ebalon's hold, slipping from his grip akin to water as it flops to the ground, then scurries quickly over to his phone with some fumbling to get back onto his feet so he can stop the music. ]

[firewalled]

"Yeah, maybe they can make it a little more compact, make it a fancy neon belt buckle instead of that..." Rich gestures absently as if that will give him the words to explain the whole ridiculous piece of tech in front of him.

"Seriously, though, that is very cool. And... uh, makes me feel a little better to know I was hitting on a human dude."

[prodigalmess]

She looks pretty always, but looks particularly good tonight. "A cute pumpkin or one of those huge gourds with warts all over them?" he teases. "I'd prefer not to end the night that way either. The color goes well with your skin tone just the way that it is."

The song ends and the two of them slowly come to a stop in the middle of the dance floor. "Um. Would you like some punch?"

[makesomedeals]

The answer: Polyester.

"I'm not entirely waterproof and it can leave residue on my wires. I hate that sensation, it's almost chalky." He shudders, not wanting to ever experience the calcification of hard water again.

"I received some movies from a world different from my own, about a spy actually, named James Bond. And I discovered they're based off of books, so I think that will be my next read." He'd gotten a complete box set of the movies and yes he binge watched all 27 of them in order in two sittings. "It'll be interesting to see the differences between the adaptation."

[truthkills]

"I'll have to run it by the CEO next time I see him." There's a laugh. This is going to be the last thing he worries about if he ever sees that asshole again. "I mean, hey, if you wanna hit on a motorcycle, who am I to judge? I do have a nice, clean set of lines."

[skaikru]

( his sentiment is received. heard loud and clear, perhaps even understood. and in return to that squeeze of the hand, clarke tightens her fingers around his tightly. )

I appreciate it.

( but, ultimately, it means little. a lot, emotionally. absolutely nothing in regards to course correcting her somewhat self destructive streak and aching desire to keep pushing on until she burns out complete, or dies permanently. she'd had her brief glimmer of childhood wonder at the world around her — had felt the sun on her face for the first time, had wind whip through her hair, seen a bird and a two headed deer, waded into water, and rejoiced at life. but that little girl died when a spear had rocketed out of the tree line and struck jasper jordan in the chest. then the childish ghost had been stamped out as she'd watched the woman she loved bleed out over a spread of white furs, and witnessed the end of the world.

there's little to marvel at here, anyway. the root system of the plants is all wonky and the mushrooms don't look right. there's not a single animal around, the stars aren't familiar. no charming intrigue, just mysteries to be parsed out. because the one thing clarke seems to have managed to stop and do against her better intention is collect a scant few friends, and this time saving them consists of beating the captain off his proverbial throne and putting a rope around his neck. and to even attempt that, she couldn't stop working towards the goal.

she disentangles their hands here, but again catches the brush of that friendship bracelet against her pulse line. it makes reaching for a new conversational tangent easy. )

What else have you been up to here? Did you make one of those colorful shirts yet?

[neverleave]

No, there's no going back. [No way to be human again, no way to delete everything that's happened.] ...I'll think about what you said.

[Other people here have been telling him that, and though they don't know the full story, he respects their opinion. Especially Clarke's.

(It's totally rational, of course, not like it makes him feel better, because emotions and unrelaiable and gross)]

[latersgators]

"You can feel what's on your wires?" That's... interesting? Creepy. But also it makes Steven shudder. Imagine being able to feel things in his veins or on his bones. Blegh. No thank you!

"Oh! You got movies? Which James Bond movies? Sean Connery era?" Steven's not really big on those films, they feel like a very similar story retold over and over again, with embarrassing bits with women that make him want to crawl into the space between the couch and lots of unnecessary violence. But it's what they're known for, innit? Fish and chips and the royal family, James Bond and Doctor Who, David Beckham and Ed Sheeran... You're obligated to know a little bit about football, a little bit about the BBC and a little bit about the Queen before leaving the country.

"Usually the books are be'er but. I haven't read any James Bond novels. Wish I had a few movies myself... although I'd want my Ghibli collection. Couldn't possibly pick just one."

[mooninthewater]

[ Maybe someday, he might get through to Clarke. And Venti. And all his self-sacrificial friends who he just wants to thrive and be happy. He knows it's a lot harder while they're here, but— ]

Naps! [ Mizuki takes this new topic to talk about things. He can be a good distraction when it's needed, too. So, you know, maybe Clarke can forget that he's literally confided in her that he's got Elder God Brain. ] Mostly naps in the lake. It's pretty hot here, and we Aegir are much more suited for cooler weather or beaches. But I've been doing a lot of swimming, too! Oh, and I went to check out those rope courses, but I'm not entirely sure how they'd work? They looked fun, though, so I played around on them for a little while. Spent a lot of time in the kitchen, too, but there's not really any food to cook, so I got all sad about that. I played with the knives and pans, but it's not really the same as cooking… No tye-dye, though! Since I've been spending most of my time in the water, I thought it counterproductive.

Oh! I did teach Ebalon to make S'mores. Apparently there's a bunch of people here that haven't made any before?! Can you believe that?? That is, like, the sandwich of sweet foods!

[neverleave]

...I used to think that feeling like a belong will make me lose my well. That as a vampire, I shouldn't feel comfortable about anything. Now I'm not so sure.

[If people he's grown to like and respect keep telling him they don't mind, that it's who he is and not what he is, maybe he should listen to them? Or at least, open his mind a little bit?]

So I'll think about what you said.

[millay]

"It's an altogether disorienting realization," she agrees. At least she'd been programmed to have a certain level of distrust in her, but the more she woke up, the more aware she was, the more she realized how few people she could trust. Two of them were dead, possibly all of them. She wondered if Felix managed to get free, if he was well.

"Quite so, yes." Sometimes she misses the simplicity of it, but there's nothing there for her now. "No. We are in the future, so most everything is automated." She cannot quite recall the year, but she's certain she'll eventually figure it out. Perhaps there is a book made about her world in some way. It would be a work of fiction. She makes not to look once they return to the ship. "But they made it very believable." Even the people.

[decohere]

"One with warts, obviously," Ava claims playfully, "Because I have that mole right over my eyebrow."

When the song stops, Ava is reluctant to pull away again, regretful that the moment is over. "Actually, I rather get some fresh air." She's doing pretty well to not allow herself to feel too overwhelmed by the amount of people shoved in here together. Even while on high alert for threats, she's slowly eased herself out of thinking something terrible is about to happen. But there's only so much she can take of such a busy atmosphere.

[makesomedeals]

"Quite. And however you've imagined him, I can assure you when you actually see him, it will be rather anti-climactic." After everyone being either terrified of the Captain or wanting to kill him and non-stop stories about the atrocities he might commit, it was a little disappointing to find out that the Captain is just a regular man. Unassuming looking. Disturbingly normal honestly.

He sees that look, "You likely won't have to. It's all theoretical, we may never have to do such a thing again. I've heard people crave variety so it stands to reason it'll always be different. But, I find it good to plan for numerous outcomes." He glances down at his horrible outfit, and then back at the fire, "I did not, however; plan for this scenario."

[bloodmunchies]

That's fucking dope, dude! [ Aiden punches bro-fully at his arm. ] You gotta show me how you do it, man. Like, what do you do as a fire guy? And, uh, what do you mean the ship doesn't have any fire?