come_sailaway | JUNE EVENT: CAMP

JUNE EVENT: CAMP

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!

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[ a lonesome song by the lake would attract a songster; there is indeed someone who notices the song and admires the haunting quality. a wind that brushes over the water's surface, explorative and breezing and not quite seeking the singer but simply enjoying the sheer flight and environs and night under the false stars and over the lake. as unreal or surreal or artificial as it might be, it's not the pool or ocean. he is a traveler, he loves the sights of all that's new even if it might be the captain's warped creation.

the wind brushes into the canopy of a nearby tree where venti appears to sit on a bough, legs swinging over carelessly as he supports a hand to the branch and lets his voice lift in answering melody to mizuki's song. he doesn't know the lyrics, but he could be as sweet a back-up to mizuki's lead. ]

Edited 2022-06-16 02:16 (UTC)

[ Oh. Mizuki doesn't stop his song, but he does float up to the surface a bit. His glow makes it pretty damn easy to spot him in the water, especially as he pokes his head out slightly to look towards Venti's sound. He wasn't expecting anyone to come looking around here late at night. He also didn't assume he was being so loud? Something he has to work on, apparently. He doesn't use his Aegirian voice often enough to know just what it does.

But then he calls out to Venti, still underwater enough that he has to use this same melodic voice to speak. "Speak" used loosely, as it's sounds still gives a vague impression of song. ]

Venti? Why are you still awake?

Hm? I might have been in the mood for a moonlight sonata, let's say~ [ ..... though, he was literally singing and harmonizing along to mizuki's song. well then, he allows his harp to materialize to his hand, play idle chords to fill the lack of song now missing. ]

I can't sleep and miss out on that siren song, and your voice...

... This quality to it is captivating. [ he was once wind. voice and song is practically what attracts him most to anyone. like an insect to light, he finds himself drawn to this particular melodic, mizuki's, as he admires the glow underneath the water while perched above. ]

[ He hums thoughtfully, blowing a few bubbles underwater for a moment. He wonders if maybe Venti's just having trouble sleeping? He supposes, if it comforts Venti… ]

Is it? It's… how an Aegir would speak to one another underwater. [ Usually in Aegirian, but since he's unable to actually speak that language, this is the best he can do. ] I... didn't realize I was loud enough for others to hear, though.

...

Did you want another song?

[ hm, so it’s an aegir thing… actually now he kind of wonders the same, if mizuki were singing in this voice maybe he’d miss his own homeland and others of his species. by now it’s been months, he’d hazard a guess that everyone’s getting a little homesick even with this change of scenery now.

but, of course he would never turn down song. ] Of course, I’d like to hear. If I were ever to turn down such an offer and say no…

No, I can’t even imagine I ever would!

[ Jokes on Venti, Mizuki doesn't really have a place he calls home right now. He misses his hometown more than anything in the world, but that's not quite something that's possible to go back to. Perpetually homesick might just be how he's felt? He's not sure. Regardless, he thinks quietly to himself for a moment. Admittedly, he's singing songs he heard from church all those year ago, since that's probably the closest thing to "home" he has. But even then, his memories there are so hazy. Can he really call it that?

…

He doesn't have to think about that now. He needs to decide on a new song. Something Venti would like. Something from church? Something… from the rebellion? Something that reminds him… of Venti himself? Hm. He closes his eyes and sinks a little below the surface.

I'm setting fire, fire to the night
All of my old ways scattered in the sky,
Floating higher, then gone before my eyes,
But I'm staying steady,
Oh, I've been ready,
Yeah, I've been praying,
For the rain,
Let it all start again,
I could never lose hope in you.
I'm praying for the strength,
Oh, to carry the weight.
Tell me, can you feel it too?
Don't wanna do this alone,
I can feel it deep in my bones,
I can feel the ground start to shake.
I'm rising from the…
Ashes, Ashes, A~shes,
Coming through the flames,
I'm calling out your name,
I'm calling out your na~me… ]

Edited 2022-06-19 03:33 (UTC)

[ well funny coincidence there, he too... no, maybe that's not quite right. he has no home, he has no house or place or apartment or--person exactly, to return to as people might to sleep at night and rise in the morning. they know the life of travel, but even so the entirety of country might be home. the hills, the forests, the mountains. and through thousands of years of travel and wandering would he collect songs from all over, and now in this realm he would continue to do so.

like this one, he listens with all the care of a musician, gathering the new lyrics and melody from a beloved one. it may only take one listen for him to memorize, internalize, crystallize it in memory so he too could sing it. maybe someday, for now he would offer another in return, just as yearning and reaching for connection, soaring vocals to the sky.

Life blooms like a flower
Far away or by the road
Waiting for the one
To find the way back home
Time flows across the world
There is always a longer way to go
'Til I reach your arms
A madder there for you

Up against the stream
Waterways will join as one
Tracing to the source
No more strayed or lost
You will see petals fly
When lament becomes carol
Could you please hear my voice
That hungers for a duo? ]

[ Once Mizuki's song fades, he glances up to the surface of the water, half expecting to hear Venti start talking about the song. It's, admittedly, something he's heard from the Lateran folk, but their songs are always very nice. Go figure, the city of angels and birds has pretty music. When he hears a song in return, however, his head pops out of the water so he can hear it unfettered. After all, it's not like Venti has a voice meant for aquatic endeavors. Once again, only part of his head is out of the water, but his eyes are up on Venti now.

He's no musician, so trying to vocalize or follow along with the music is a lot harder for him to do than for Venti. The best he can do is listen, with a softness in his expression. "Waterways join as one", "No more strayed or lost", hm? It's not a wonder why Venti might've sung something like this for Mizuki. It's… touching, actually, that he is so easily able to sing a song to Mizuki that he'd enjoy this much. Makes him feel loved. He nervously plays with his side bangs at that thought. ]

… I know it's silly to be this impressed everytime you sing… [ He's a bard, this is literally his job… ] But you really do have quite a gift, Venti.

[ oh, the siren surfaced from the lake, to listen to a song from the wind.

he doesn't drop down from the tree bough yet, but the sweep of a breeze that ruffles the lake's surface is almost just as pleased, cecilia-sweet. he finishes his song with a last pluck to strings, the look on his face soft but pensive. ] A gift...

I don't think I'd describe it as that. I've been singing for over two thousand years. [ even when he took his friend's form, it's not as if he had ever sang before, had even spoken before then. his first few songs were... ] I've had time to hone an art that I love.

Compared to me, how long have you been singing? And yet yours is this lovely... that to me would be this impressive.

[ He quickly shakes his head. He hadn't exactly meant it like that, especially when he knows that that voice of his isn't actually "his". That's not what he was trying to imply, though… ]

No, no, I mean… You do sing well, of course, but I meant more… knowing such beautiful songs. I just sing stuff I've heard elsewhere. That's not talent. You, though… It always sounds like you're telling a story. Like you're really there in the moment.

Hm? But I also sing songs I've heard elsewhere, as well as my own. Like I said, when I would know all songs from past present and future, and now to learn them from worlds over~

Every song is a story and a gift. Every song creates or recreates such memories and experiences. Where you heard it, who sang it to you or who you've sung it with. All the warm or nostalgic or bittersweet feelings you have about the song and singer and memories, everything in addition to the song itself... that's what I love about music. If I can share that with others, that's all I wish to do.

[ and now he could alight down to the shore of the lake in a flutter of feathers, his lyre disappearing from his hand. ]

Every song that you've shared with me, I'll remember and treasure forever.

I suppose, but they probably mean a lot more to the person who made them, right? [ Not that music doesn't hold some meaning to Mizuki. Of course there's some songs that have made him cry or that he holds dearly to him, but it still feels a lot more… personal, if the song isn't just something from someone else, isn't it? Hm.

He dips back below the water and swims over to Venti, but stays in the water. It's a lot less ~*mysterious and ethereal*~ once you realize Mizuki's been in his dumb camp outfit in the water. He doesn't want to come out and look less like a friendly water creature and more like a soaked idiot. He's used to being the latter!! But also, let him keep some dignity right now. ]

Maybe I should start sharing silly songs with you and see if you still feel that way~?

You could, if you want. Actually, maybe I won't be satisfied until you share every single last song you know with me~ [ demanding but he is a bard and musician, he does actually have the real curiosity and intrigue to learn all songs he could. ] Of course songs mean different things to different people. But I do think there's artistry in almost every single one.

Go on, but I would hear better if you're out the water and here alongside me.

[ an offer of his hand, outstretched, gently as if to coax a wild animal to shore. though he has no food or treat, maybe he has very little to him at all besides his voice, in the vessel of... him, what other merit is there to him at all. ]

In that case, I think you'll just have to remain dissatisfied. There's some songs I just plain can't remember. [ Among other things, like the fact that he just knows so many songs. Being a traveler in a modern world means you are at the mercy of the radio. He couldn't even guess how many songs he's heard in his lifetime. Too many, probably. ]

Oh, I-... [ He looks at Venti's hand, then back up to him, before tentatively reaching his own out. He doesn't really want to get out of the water. He feels so at peace here, actually. Plus, he doesn't want Venti seeing him soaked in his stupid outfit clinging to him. Yuck. Besides, you know what sounds like more fun?

Pulling Venti into the water.

So, in a moment of mischief, Mizuki does just that the moment he grabs onto Venti's hand. He's quick to help him back up to the surface, of course, but in the meantime, he has to deal with little bell-like laughs. Don't you know you're not supposed to head to the water when you hear a siren singing, Venti? ]

[ oh, that...

actually, the moment he feels the tug into the water something like the newfound sheer panic kicks in and... he remembers nearly drowning, he remembers seeing jinx nearly drown. he remembers those visions, seeing mizuki's tentacles and hearing the sound of arrows and the flash of his friend's body. without even thinking about it he flinches, his wings unfurl from his shoulders with a flare of light and wind, fight or flight instinct. as if there might be something in the lake attacking them both, by sheer instinct he practically doesn't register it's mizuki and grips at his arm, pulling at him with surprising strength to scoop him into his arms as he flaps and rears into the sky. safety, for him. sheer reflex that he does not quite want to get in the water, a bird trying to rescue a sea creature from pulling him down. ]

[ Ah. Hm. You know, Mizuki didn't think this out very well, did he? Of course Venti is probably terrified of water. Thanks to him, of course. This certainly isn't helping. Though the fact Venti is taking Mizuki with him is… strange and unprecedented. He kicks his legs a bit in a panic, coiling both his arms and a few tendrils around Venti as he's now scared to be dropped. The weightlessness of being up in the air like this is still far different to that of being in the water. At least in the water, you felt it around you. There's a comforting pressure to ground you and not feel so… nothing.

In the air, it's not like that. It's not bad, but to suddenly go from one to the other is very jarring. ]

V-Venti?! [ Voice back to normal, mostly from sheer shock. ] Were you that startled?

[ his wings beat to gain height, he arises from the water's surface with the glow of white feathers and an updraft helping to carry them up towards the sky. in reflex, and he would practically draw his bow at the water for whatever it is that the hindbrain thought was a threat there but of course his arms are full with mizuki. ]

Mi--

Wha... wait, that was you, wasn't it. [ ......... mizuki was the one playfully pulling him down, not some kind of sea or lake monster in the dark. a beat as he kind of plays back in his head what happened, when he had just acted in panic.

... well, that's embarrassing. ] I thought, ah... [ he hadn't really thought anything at all, he'd just moved and flew, the flight response. ]

Edited 2022-06-21 03:03 (UTC)

[ He didn't even realize Mizuki had pulled him in? Ugh, he must be really afraid of water, then, huh? Or, maybe he's just on edge because of all the stuff that's been going on? It's hard to say for sure, but whatever the case, Mizuki feels genuinely bad about it. ]

[ That is, until he realizes that he's more endeared that Venti's first reaction is to get Mizuki out of the water and away from the "danger". He supposes he hasn't exactly proven to Venti that he can take care of himself, but goodness, hasn't he told this silly bard time and time again not to fret so much over him?

…

It's allowed this time, he supposes. ]

Ehehe~, it was! I'm sorry, it wasn't my intention to frighten you. Maybe a little bit of a start, and to get you wet a little, but not to this extent! Are you okay??

[ he's not afraid of water!... if he had a floatie or something. he occasionally tries to learn how to swim better in the pool when undine held her lessons. he's just not great at it. he knows enough to not drown?! but yes, his face is going red because he'd overreacted for nothing. ]

I'm fine! I just... yes, I suppose I was a little surprised. Are you certain there's nothing dangerous in the lake? [ come to think of it, mizuki would know best but the fact that mizuki in there is a little concerning, what if something does happen down there? there wouldn't be other cabinmates to look out for him. never mind that venti has been sleeping in trees more often than in bed, like a homeless fool.

he lands back on shore, wings folding in as he lets mizuki down--with some amount of reluctance, but considerable embarrassment. ]

Edited 2022-06-21 04:18 (UTC)

Well, I'm in the lake~. [ He chuckles a bit, then allows himself to get back on the ground. That sure is one way to get him out of the lake. He hums a bit as he wrings some of the water from his shirt. He misses his bathing suit top. Not that he's not used to clothes like this being wet or anything, but it's certainly preferred when he's wearing aqua-suited attire. Also, not wearing short shorts. ]

But, no, much like the waters back around the ship, there's no life around. I've swam around for a while. Seems to stretch on perpetually, even if you can see a shoreline. So, you know, I like to hang out around here in case anyone gets the idea they wanna try to make it to the other side and run out of stamina or something.

[ Well, that, and also just his affinity for water in general. ]

That's fair enough... [ both mizuki being in the lake, and his reasoning for it. ] I might suggest then, perhaps, not as abruptly... encouraging people in, like you did with me. [ is that one way to put it? dragging people in like a creature from the black lagoon! but honestly if he hadn't been through drowning drama he would be completely up for being dunked on but that really did give a shock to his pathetic windy heart. ]

I may try to swim sometime, but I suppose I really am more comfortable in the sky. [ as it is, he finds himself glancing up to--the moon, the stars. constellations that may be more questionable than those even in teyvat. but still the wind curls around him as the flicker of recollection occurs to him, his fingers twitch a little with the loose grasp he has to mizuki's hand. ]

If I were to share the sky for instance, I would ask if you might join me.

Ehe… sorry. It's not like I make a habit of it! I was just… [ Trying to be cheeky?

Whatever is on the tip of his tongue goes away though, and he glances up momentarily, before looking at the very same moon and stars… on the reflection of the lake instead. ]

You don't have to. I'm sorry that I tried to make you. [ Perhaps he's just gotten too comfortable to being silly. He'd done the same with Ebalon as well, after all, just to have a bit of fun. And that had ended so well… But Venti has a few hang ups on water because of Mizuki now. He shouldn't be causing more like that.

… ]

I wonder… can you fly faster than I can swim?

No, I feel that I’d like to try to swim more. [ … to get a little closer to mizuki, but. hmm, maybe that should seem obvious enough?? also oddly enough he feels a little embarrassed he’s kind of bad at it! however the challenge certainly captures his attention, he nearly perks like a bird catching sight of something shiny. ]

Oh you wonder? You do know I was borne of the wind. [ or well, maybe he didn’t say as much but he was a tiny little elemental fairy, he was windborne. ] If you might want to race me… hm! Maybe it’s handy that the barrier may make the lake and the sky so neverending. [ though, of course, it’s frustrating that there’s no exit. ] I would very well accept a race.

What should a prize be for the winner?

[ If you expect Mizuki, the man infamous for his ability to not pick up on things, won't understand that in the slightest. He's baffled whenever anyone tries to do anything for his sake if he doesn't ask them to. So, you know, excuse him for that thought being the very last thing on his mind right now. ]

Is the prize of a victory and bragging rights too good for you, Venti? [ He pokes out his tongue for a moment, then taps his chin. ] Mmh… Is there anything you would want? Anything that I'm able to give, anyway?

Edited 2022-06-24 09:16 (UTC)

JUNE EVENT: CAMP

CAMP AION

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