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

[luminessense]

I. Field (Day)

[ Lumine is inspecting the Archery Range and all the arrows, taking a stock of all the things there and keeping count of everything. She's even put a sign up sheet for people who want to take a bow and some arrows, just so she knows who's taking what out of here. Paranoia at it's finest, it seems, as she's still not quite over the last excursion. With how it ended, it's not surprise, really. Or maybe those really short short shorts are getting to her head or something? Who knows for certain.

a. If you're someone she is unfamiliar with, or someone she doesn't know how good they can knock an arrow, she'll gesture vaguely over to the bows. ]

Want a lesson?

b. [ If she is at least aware of your aiming skills, or you're actively trying for the sign up sheet while she's around: ]

Want to compete with me??

c. [ Or, if you're just trying to take some arrows and a bow without using her very organized sign ups, you're absolutely getting the whistle. Maybe she has gone mad with power. ]

Hey! That clipboard isn't there to look pretty!

II. Field (night)

[ It's not hard to spot Lumine, with the moon being fairly brightly light as it is, but more than that, a few spots on her outfit that glow bright enough to pinpoint where she is fairly easily. She's just lying out in the field, comfortable in the soft grass. It's probably strange, for those who know Lumine, to see her really relaxing for once.

But, even as she lies down in the midst of the field, she can't really sit still. Her hand waves up in the air, and in front of her constellations begin to appear in the spots that she's sure they would be in the sky if she were back home. It's hard to say for certain, but she knows today's date, and she's positive that this is where they would be on Teyvat right about now. She's practically mapped the sky a thousand times while she was there. It's just a shame she can't do the same here. It's perhaps the most useful thing she has to offer everyone here, and yet it's completely null because the sky doesn't follow any rules.

She's not even sure it's real, actually.

If approached, she doesn't bother looking over, making more illusions with her hand. If you don't speak to her first after a while, she'll speak up herself: ]

The universe makes me feel so small sometimes, yet, now, in what is basically the smallest pocket of reality I've ever been in, I feel even smaller. I don't know how it's managed to do that...

night mode!

[pillaroffortitude]

[Ayato has never been one for idle conversation, much preferring to lapse into comfortable silence if there is nothing that needs saying. Therefore, as he spots Lumine laying out on her own, drawing closer to make sure she’s alright eventually ends with him seating himself down in the grass beside her. There’s enough room between them to not infringe upon her privacy, though he’s close enough to easily view her conjured illusions.

It’s a quiet, peaceful night. Under different circumstances, perhaps it wouldn’t feel so melancholy.

Her voice draws his attention, eyes flickering away from the stars to her profile before letting out a soft hum in agreement.]

The world feels distant when those you care for are not at your side. [He’s quiet for a moment once more, pausing thoughtfully for a moment before he continues.] Which was your favorite, then? Of the places you have visited prior, I mean.

[luminessense]

[ She hums a bit in thought. She doesn't really think that she should be thinking of other worlds right now, when that very pessimistic thought that they might not even be able to get home at all pecks into her head incessantly. She doesn't truly believe that's the case, but it doesn't stop her from fearing that reality. ]

It wouldn't be fair of me to pick just one. They all have their charms, just like they all have their faults. Just the concept of exploring them and learning about a new place is what excites me most about it, I suppose.

[ While the unknown can be scary for most, Lumine practically thrives on it. Diving headfirst into things she doesn't understand is sort of one of her biggest character traits, actually. Character flaws, even, as some might say. ]

... It's perhaps because I've been on Teyvat longer than I have any other world, but I've definitely made more friends there than anywhere else, that's for sure...

[pillaroffortitude]

Forgive me if I find that hard to believe. The warmth of your heart seems to me more than enough to draw in many a stray wanderer, even given a short stay. That Teyvat numbers highest in your growing list of friendships... Well. I can certainly say all of us back home have lead better lives after having you in them.

[He lapses into a quiet pause, thoughtful. Then with a soft grunt he shifts so that he too is laying on his back, looking up at the sky along with her.]

I don't believe I've seen a power such as yours. One that places the stars in the sky, that is. Might I make a request?

[luminessense]

[ Lumine chuckles a bit to herself. She may just disappoint him when her hand pulls away and those very stars disappear, but she leaves it hovering in the air and gives a little nod. Illusions like this aren't something she indulges in all that often, since it's not like it helps her in combat any. But if she can comfort herself with the sight of the stars she loves so dearly from home, then why not use it? Furthermore, why not share it? ]

Of course. What is it?

[pillaroffortitude]

[There’s a clear moment of hesitation, as if he’s debating on whether or not to actually go ahead with the request. After a bit of quiet deliberation, he hums softly, gaze still fixed upwards as if pointedly avoiding eye contact.]

Are you familiar with the constellations Grus Nivis and Rubeum Scutum? It’s been a… I’d like to look on them for a moment, if it’s not too much trouble.

night

[neverleave]

[The last time he and Lumine set together under a bright moon ended... well. They both know how it ended. But now the night seems peaceful, the roofs are occupied by other brooding edgelords, and maybe Natsuno is hoping to make a better memory this time. Her quiet company isn't bad, all things considered.

He's content to sit silently at a short distance and watch the illusions, but when she speaks up, he replies.]

You've been in many of these? Pockets of reality, I mean.

[luminessense]

[ She idly traces another constellation in front of her, making yet another illusion of stars appear, nodding her head. ]

Gods can make those sorts of things with enough effort. I haven't been to many, but they're usually not made to torment people for entertainment... [ Though, with how fucked up some gods are, it wouldn't come as a surprise for her to hear that. The few gods she's actually friends with certainly wouldn't, she thinks. ] Though, I definitely prefer traveling among the stars than wherever it is we are.

[neverleave]

[After three months on the ship, Natsuno stopped being surprised that other passengers know gods or travel the stars. His best friend here was born in space. It's still weird, will always be weird, but he's learned to accept that there's a big and strange multiverse out there.]

So you lived on a spaceship?

[luminessense]

A spaceship?

[ Lumine's actually never seen anything like that, so she's literally just imagining a seafaring ship in space. Maybe a bit akin to what one would see in Treasure Planet, actually. It makes her laugh a bit. ]

No, uh... we just had the ability to travel through it on our own. I imagine a vessel would slow us down, actually. I doubt we'd have seen nearly as many worlds if we tried to take a ship into space with us.

I(c).

[opheliac]

(what is with people blowing whistles at her? she has YET to see herself done anything that is worth whistle-bowingy. especially in this case when she quirks an eyebrow over at lumine with bow and arrow in hand.

now one would probably apologize, put the items down, and behave accordingly. jinx does none of these. instead, she continues to set up how the arrow is meant to be on the bow then aims it right at her.)

(there's silence and stillness from her for a few seconds before quickly shifts her aim at the clipboard. she lets go of the arrow as it flies off and sorta hitting the sign up -- not a perfect shot but it still makes some damage to it.

jinx flashes lumine a teasing yet shit-eating grin before lowering the bow down.)

Well, now I added a lil' more edge to it to make it look pretty. You're welcome!

[luminessense]

[ Gods damn it, Jinx. Annoyance is the only thing Lumine expresses when she's faced with the arrow. She'd be impressed that Jinx knows how to knock an arrow under any other circumstance, actually, but right now she's just trying to keep any missing weapons documented. After the battle royale, one would think that that's a reasonable thing to want! ]

Jinx. [ And now she has to make a new sign up sheet! Ughhh.

In her own childish retaliation, Lumine's hand goes out, and the only warning Jinx might get is the sudden rush of air before Lumine just lets off a very mild gust of wind. "Mild" in the sense that it's usually more potent than this. But she releases just enough to be a brat, and send Jinx, ideally, on her ass.

This is the real reason why she shouldn't be put in charge like this. She's already abusive of the power she has. ]

[opheliac]

(jinx had completely forgotten that she has this wind ability, too. after all, lumine had only done it once when she was up to her face at the captain's party but no more after that. so it catches her entirely off guard with a light "oof!" when she falls back on her tushie.

with a glare and a growl, she shoots back up to her feet -- moving to her rather quickly, thanks to shimmer being triggered. her eyes pierce over lumine's with pinks glistening but despite her posture and expression, she doesn't throw a punch or a kick.)

I'm not afraid to take you on, y'know. Just 'cuz we're in good terms don't mean I'm not gonna sweep the floor with you.

[luminessense]

[ Lumine takes a step forward when she makes a sound as she falls, immediate regret befalling her. She’s seconds away from saying, “oh, are you alright??” But it’s silenced very quickly when Jinx is in her face. Oh? Lumine isn’t sure who’s superspeed is better, but now she’s very interested in finding out. She almost looks… excited? ]

Oh? [ Hands now go to Jinx’s shoulders, cheeky smile. ] Are you offering a spar, Jinx~?

night!

[vikhr]

Well, that just means that there's more to explore out there, isn't it?

[ childe settles down beside lumine with that brightly said remark, resting his chin on his hand as he glances over at the flickering constellations that play out between her hands. some of them look familiar enough, but childe isn't the sort of person who really pays attention to stars which are, at best, real in the most fragile sense of the word. is the sky here more real than the one they'd left behind? who is to say that this isn't just as false as all the others, that the constellations here aren't just yet another plaything left by gods much like their own, bored by their own creation?

out of tact or something else, he doesn't say any such thoughts out loud. instead, childe extends out his free hand after a while, making little fish-shaped water droplets dance and sail between the shining threads of the constellations. ]

Just thinking about what could be out there that I haven't seen before ... how strong some of them will be ... doesn't that get you excited?

[luminessense]

There will always be more to explore. Assuming "infinity" never truly runs out, that is.

[ But even if there's some edge to the universe back home, the fact that Lumine knows of different realities and such just peaks her curiosity more. She wonders if, once they're out of here, it's possible to cultivate her old magic to visit the friends she made here? It's something that had been vaguely settling in the back of her mind, but it's been hard for her to think about it beyond hypotheticals. It's been hard for her to focus on anything beyond trying to get everyone home. Be a hero, save lives, etcetera, etcetera. ]

Probably not as excited about it as you are. But, it's true. The unknown is fascinating. When it's not a under the guise of a sadistic kidnapper, anyway.

sorta kinda c.

[anbruch]

[ it isn't so much that he chooses to strictly forego the sign ups. more, it is that he hasn't selected a bow yet.

it'd been some time since he last wielded one. when he was young, archery had only been a natural part of his training. for hunting for back up, for precision and patience - it'd never been his preferred, but he was never half-bad at it. it'd saved him more than once on his journeys, fed him when he might otherwise not have been fed. when he led the cavalry, it had been a common practice for him to take a handful of decent bowman. when he left -

the whistle for the one alongside him is what gets him to turn his head. the bow the other has gone to grab falls to the grass beside him, but he doesn't immediately notice. or, more likely, he's opted more not to care.

he recognizes who that is. for all that he is sunburnt and looks as ridiculous as everyone else, there is something that gentles at the corners of his mouth. it's a shame to meet under these circumstances, but: ]

Lumine, [ he calls, with a touch more relief than he himself might have anticipated. he tamps down on that note in the next moment, clearing his throat as he says: ] I didn't think I'd find you here.

[ well, obviously. but, it doesn't stop him from saying it. ]

[luminessense]

[ With a gasp, she drops her whistle to go back to dangling around her neck. Maybe she should have recognized the red hair, the height, the build, but she's met so many people on the ship not from Teyvat, and the fact he's wearing that ridiculous get-up (that everyone has to suffer, granted), she's perhaps a little out of it. But- ]

Master Diluc!! [ !!! ] So sorry, I didn't... [ There's a pause as her eyes trail down his skin for a moment, at the redness and the skin peelies. Hm. ]

...You look terrible. Does that hurt? I think they put something in my bag to help, hold on.

[ Fortunately, it's the very bag she has sitting by a tree close to the clipboard. She's basically been hauling it around with her just in case she needs something. As if she doesn't have a nebulous inventory of her own that she keeps things in. She's only slightly nervous about putting things that come from the Captain in it, however, so in the bag everything stays. She pulls out a bottle of aloe vera lotion and bringing it over to Diluc. ]

Here. This should help? The... bottle says it should, anyway.

[anbruch]

[ ah, lumine. she's always so prepared for anything. it's like a breath of fresh air, considering all the fumbling around everyone else seems to do. trust her to find something specifically for sunburns (supposedly) instead of relying on more homemade remedies. ]

No need to fret, [ he starts, though he's already accepting that she's going to do so anyway. coming from anyone else, it'd be a bit stifling, but she's always meant well. ] It isn't anything I'm not accustomed to handling.

[ even so, he's accepting the aloe with a muted "thanks." and reading the bottle out of curiosity, as he's never really seen a plant quite like the bottle depicts. in the interim, though— he glances up, after a moment. ]

There should be less people out here soon. [ it's about midday, the sun's high. most people are smart enough not to try to practice anything at risk of getting heatstroke. and, really, she looks beat.

maybe if he spins it this way: ] Why don't we take a rest?

NIGHT :CLAPS:

[yanwang]

[ there had been little reason to suspect that the traveler too resided here. but, for those who had come before and followed after, she is least surprising of all. as one who moves through realities, who so readily touches at the seams of the celestial net - how could she have been anything, but expected? how could she have been, when she burns so brightly regardless of circumstance?

it is not planned, coming to join her. but, nowadays, zhongli has learned to take in the challenge of change. when he approaches, quiet on his feet as he so often is, he gives her a moment. perhaps it is to honor the silence of the moment, a respect paid to her need to organize what needs sorting through. he is familiar. he too was unable to rest, once. ]

It is not so uncommon in times of uncertainty to feel the weight of one's challenges. [ he does not sit beside her, but rather with her examines the passage of stars - her stars, that web between the darkness, lick at her golden edge. he settles his arms across his chest, his expression as still as it is sincere. ] Despite our predicament, it is a pleasure to see you again, friend.

night

[icespy]

[ kaeya stands off to the distance for a minute, watching lumine cycle through the all too familiar constellations with an unusually somber expression on his normally amiable countenance. he knows the stars of his homeworld by heart of course, spent countless nights in his childhood on the rooftop of the winery mapping out this strange and utterly abhorrent sky. it had been a good reminder back then of the importance of his duty - to never forget where it is he comes from and what he must do, to not let himself get too attached no matter whatever kindness shown to him, because nothing in this land above ground was actually real.

it's been a long time since he's looked up at the stars. these days, he prefers to keep his vision more grounded.

eventually he hitches on his usual smile and makes his way over to where lumine is lying, plopping himself on the grass next to her without a care and resting himself on his elbows. he tilts his head back to gaze at the sky as well, though it's not the stars he's particularly focused on. ]

Little pebbles can make enormous waves. Perhaps you can't see it now, but your actions and the bonds you have made will echo across the universe in time.

I

[wimdy]

[ gonna be the combobreaker even though he too would want to comfort the lumine but... archery! is she really going to challenge the person who fires the most arrows per second in the entire game to archery, really now!! protag-san who can wield multiple elements but maybe not quite such a master of other weapons.

yet, because he'd certainly help to hone her skill.

also he does kind of want an excuse to admire those short shorts. sorry. perfectly platonic admiring... r-really. ]

An archery competition, with little old me? Why, I thought you'd never ask!

Go easy on me if you would~ [ he's so full of shit. even after all his bad decisions he's still this much of a bastard, maybe he really can't be saved. ]

[luminessense]

[ Hey, she maybe doesn't actually have a bow in game, but she's been asked to do that dumb archery commission enough in Inazuma to at least suggest she knows how to hit stationary targets well enough…!!!

Lumine is also very upset about the short-shorts. Especially because they're somehow shorter than everyone else's, sans the other counselors. It's awful. She might go and steal a towel from the showers and keep that around her waist. It'd look better than this, that's for sure. ]

It's a competition. Why would I ever go easy in a competition? The whole point is to win, you know. No using your bow, though, you have to pick one of these out, okay? [ She gestures to the generic ones they use. She's pretty sure it doesn't matter, but they need to be on even grounds and all that. ]

[wimdy]

[ n-no, keep the short shorts...!!! he can just. admire legs platonically, which is a things friends do. if you have amazing legs you gotta show them off. ]

Suure~ but that won't be much of a handicap for me. Well, I admire your guts and confidence in challenging me in the first place.

... If you're curious, would you want to use the Harp instead? [ why, it's one of if not the best standard weapon in the game, skyharp. he lets it manifest in his hands, the glow of strings and feathers and divine craft of it. ] I blessed this weapon personally, you know. I won't mind lending it to you, even outside a competition.

[ but he has that much trust in her, always. ]

Rolled a 17~

[luminessense]

[ Some friends, sure, but Venti maybe belongs in his own category. It's called "Stop that". ]

Do you think I need a handicap to beat you, Venti? [ She stands back at the safety line properly now, knocking back an arrow with her bow and straightening herself upright. Deep inhale. And then she releases on exhale. It pierces the bullseye, though maybe not dead center, and she turns to Venti with a grin. ] Have you so little faith in me?