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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

There's not a lot to say when someone tells you they're from an apocalyptic world, no. He wonders if this guy finds it better here in that case, but-- he's not going to ask personal questions like that. Well, not on the first meeting at least.

"Yeah? Well-- good for him then. Maybe you'll get back to him." Marc can't imagine what it'd be like to be cut off from-- Steven. And he's more or less family. More than his own mom and dad had ever been. He can't imagine it's nice for this guy, considering what's left behind home.

"Well, then... you got somebody to watch your back at least." Which is also a good thing, crazy as this place can apparently be.

"So-- unless you wanna try out vanilla extract, I don't think we're finding booze in here. You hungry instead?"

Sharky doesn't really... uh. Know how he feels about the idea of going back home, and he's not sure he's in any mental space to, like, process the thought to begin with. Which is a bullshit excuse, but he's gonna take it.

"Yeah -- except, uh. Well, he's gonna need someone watching out for him, too. And it's really weird 'cos, like, from when he is, I was only like, thirty-something. Now I'm..." Old, "And he's like..." Young, "And it is so super fuckin' weird, dude!" Weirder still because the age discrepancy comes from Pratt fucking dying 17 years ago, but hey, whatever, that's not his story to share.

With no booze and probably only healthy food around, Sharky comes to the conclusion that he's going to be suffering for another night. "Oh, fuck vanilla extract, I tried that once and it, uhhhh, did not go well. It's like, higher proof than vodka but the rash it gives? Not worth it." He's very close to being that desperate, though. No. No, he'll be strong in the face of another person. "Probably just stuff my face for a minute and then go lie down by the fire." Because he's been kicked out of his cabin. Ava kicked them all out! It's a bonding experience.

"Yeah, this place-- it's kind of a mindfuck, huh?" Imagine your alter self in his own body, running around like it's no big deal, leaving a bunch of empty space in your head and the ability to withdraw when you need it. Like now. He eyes the vanilla extract for a second, but--

He'll take Sharky's advice on that. Leave it. "But-- if you had each others' backs back then, then no reason to not have them here, right?"

Hopefully. Even with the weird age difference...

He huffs out a chuckle and nods his head. "Yeah, that sounds like a plan."

Marc pauses. "You said you're with Steven, right? Sharing the cabin?"

It's true; even if they've got the whole different timeline thing going on, Sharky's still glad to see Pratt again. Have him around, that kind of shit. Even if it's more likely that Sharky is gonna have to throw down with the guy than throw down for him. "Yeaaah, he's cool, for a cop. Well, ex-cop. Whatever, it's complicated."

He's going to come into the kitchen to look for the worst bagged chips possible for him. He has to destroy his body somehow, apparently. "Yeah, I'm in his cabin. Our counselor sorta... kicked us all out, though? Mostly because she was the only chick and we were a bunch of weird strange guys, which is like, totally understandable -- uhhh. He, uh, didn't mention how I was gonna like, bear attack him, did he?"

Well, if he didn't, Sharky just did!

"Wow, a cop, huh? You didn't strike me as the type who'd hang out with cops." More like the guy cops'd chase, no offense though.

"She did what?" That's-- not actually okay with him. That means Steven's gonna be by himself, locked out of his cabin in a precarious situation. He hadn't been told about that bit.

"He-- said something about that, yeah." He shakes his head. It was really fucking weird if he's honest.

"A drill if a bear attacked the cabin or something?"

"Oh, yeah, nah, he definitely used to roll me all the time, but now he's cool. Or, well, now there's nobody to snitch on me to, so..." Ugh. "Cops fuckin' suck as a rule, though, for sure."

Ahhh, shit, he shouldn't have said anything because Marc sounds kinda mad. Well, man, he can just have his brother sleep in his cabin, if it's a big deal... "Ahhh, you know, it's not like there's anything out there to eat us or nothin'. And it was... definitely a drill to handle bear attacks." He definitely didn't offer to do it just to cheer up a hot chick. Nope, that's not him, officer.

"He's just-- never been camping before. And he's stressed out." He's not-- mad at this guy. He's just irritated that he thought Steven might be safe without him keeping an eye on him for a little bit, not get himself into trouble. Apparently that's not possible for him though.

He'll find him later and figure something out for him, even if that means toughing it outside with him.

The bear drill still gets a huff out of him, a wry smile. "Not sure you look like a very convincing bear, buddy..."

"Yeah, my cousin Hurk is definitely more of a bear than me," not elaborating on how he means that. "But uh, it's cool, the other dude totally got in the way. He was way bigger which is why I, uhhh..." targeted Steven, it's fine, "Anyway, Ginko totally saved his ass and I'm not plannin' on like. Grizzly attacking him again."

You know, in case that comes up.

Oooh, hey, chocolate chip oatmeal cookies. Don't miiiiind if he does. "And if he doesn't already know where he's gonna sleep, I'm posted up by the fire. He can totally camp out there."

"That's-- appreciated because Steven's kinda easy to stress out." He's sure he's noticed. But on the other hand, maybe it's good for him to figure out his way to deal with other people, on his own terms, without Marc there to step in like an overprotective big brother.

Even if it drives Marc kind of insane, not doing so.

"Yeah? I'll let him know. Otherwise, I guess I'm shoving him in my bed and taking the floor."

Not that he'd mind, but...

"Yeah, definitely kinda squirrely, but that's cool. There's always gotta be a few nerds at camp, right?" This is said with the utmost respect, obviously. Nerds are part of the natural ecosystem, after all. Even after the Collapse, there were fucking nerds around. It's just how it goes.

"It ain't so bad outside. Nicer than back home, at least. Safer, anyway. Kinda like a themed hotel stay or something, like a really weird Air BnB."

He's going to eat all of these cookies and get sick before he goes to sleep. Sugar is still better than nothing.

"Still, yeah, I guess it sucks that you're gettin' fucked over because of Ava. But I cannot stress this enough, dude, she is a total hottie, and she deserves like, the utmost respect. I think she's going through some serious shit, or something." Thinking, crazily enough, with his heart and not his dick. Mostly. Like, 70/30.

"Well, he's being a big enough nerd for everybody..." He means it fondly, really. He can't blame him for being stressed out and frazzled -- everyone seems like they're on edge around here.

"Used to have to tough it outside. You get used to it. AT least this place isn't swarming with bugs and animals." So far anyway.

Marc finally grabs a bag of-- some kinda chips. It's not what he wants, but it's something to occupy himself with while they're here anyway.

The hottie comment earns a bit of a laugh. "Yeah, well, not debating that."

She is attractive, even if he's vaguely certain he recognizes at least familiar crazy in her. "Have you known her long?"

"Yeah, I noticed the lack of mosquitos pretty quick. Those things fuckin' love me, man." Always buzzing around and making a big deal out of his delicious blood. Probably all the beer he used to drink...

"Who, Ava? Nah, I'd never seen her before in my life. Boy, if only I'd shown up here 20 years younger, man, she'd basically be exactly my type. Kinda crazy, total disrespect for authority, the like, uhh, trace of a vulnerable side that only those truly close to her are ever gonna experience..." Damn, reminds him exactly of Jess, actually, now that he thinks about it...

"Oh my God, I totally had a crush on her," he realizes aloud, "That is so fucked up, how did I not realize that???"

He has no clue who the hell Jess is, but it gets a snort out of him, and a shake of his head. "Hey, sometimes you don't realize it until it's too late, right? Or until you've already blown it."

Or, you know, you black out and disappear somewhere else for a few weeks. That could just be a Marc Spector problem though.

"Right? Not that I woulda stood a chance against that psycho, she woulda chewed me alive." Ah, well. If only...

"Either way, the point is, never met her before. What about you? Sounds like you know what's up."

"You like'em deadly?" More polite than psycho, right? Maybe.

"Uh, met her back on the ship when she mistook me for Steven. She wasn't too happy with the guy."

"There's just somethin' about knowin' a chick could murder you but she chooses not to, y'know?" Something about the danger. Or maybe it's the protection? Sharky isn't opposed to being the small spoon, after all...

"Oh, for real? What did he do to piss her off?"

"I mean, I'm pretty sure my wife back home could've definitely murdered me a time or two, so I can't judge." Actually, he's pretty sure if he ever gets back there, she'll for sure just murder him again for all the trouble he's caused, but-- that's a problem for later.

"Criticized her taste in books?" It didn't sound as serious as they seemed to be making it, but you know what, he wasn't there and it's probably-- better to let them work out that between them.

"So you get me, then," he says, before he totally absorbs that factoid. Ah, shit, that would suck to have, like, a wife to go back to. This whole place would be kinda shitty if that were the case...

(Or is it shittier when that isn't the case? Sharky sure doesn't know!)

"Oh, so, normal boring nerd stuff? Lame. Though, like... maybe you should let Steven know that chicks aren't into being criticized? Like, they fuckin' haaaate it. Negging does not work the way they say it will."

Yeah, he might get it a little bit. Although he did-- serve up some divorce papers a few months back, trying to protect her. Downside of having a chick who can kick your ass? They can also be a lot more stubborn and determined than you give them credit for.

"Steven's-- the nicest guy I know. I don't think he probably-- meant it like it came out." He huffs out a laugh.

"Not sure the guy's ever even been on a date, let alone knows what negging is. But yeah, we're gonna have to work on how he talks to women, I think." And people in general?

Awww, man. Now he feels extra bad for trying to embarrass Steven for Ava's benefit. He should be uplifting the guy, not trying to mud-wrestle him.

"Yeah, might be a good idea to, like, brush him up on that shit. You really don't wanna make enemies outta the chicks on this ship. I mean, you don't wanna make enemies of anyone, ideally..."

But especially not chicks. Hot chicks who can phase through things doubly so.

The fact that there was mud-wrestling at all is kinda weird, buddy, but far be it for Steven to judge.

"Considering we're all trapped on here until further notice? Probably not." Especially ones that were-- considered villains in their own world, probably. But Ava seemed... mostly harmless beyond the bite she had sometimes.

"Last thing we need is a lot of feuds going on between passengers."

"Yeah, exactly. Enclosed spaces make grudges a death wish." Obviously, he's talking from experience.

"I'm just lookin' to be as chill as fuck with whatever happens. I figure most people on Survivor who make it are like that." He's watched two episodes of the show but you know, whatever, he's extrapolated.

"It'll be okay, though. He'll figure it out, right?"

"Do they?" He's not big on reality TV, but he thought they had quite a few assholes on that show... but hey, he can't argue with the method. Mostly. Even if Marc is the opposite of chill, usually.

"Yeah. He's better at adapting than he gives himself credit for." There's just going to be a bit of fussing and protesting along the way until he evens out.

"I think so, but like, I'd need to rewatch to be sure." Not that he's gonna get a chance to do that. "But yeah, I think being chill is the only real way to handle any of this." The only other option is to go literally insane, and Sharky isn't big on that one.

"Okay. I'm gonna take these..." And also some of these, and that -- just grabbing a couple bags of junk food without actually caring about the contents. "...And probably go curl up in a ball next to the fire for a couple hours. Hopefully, I wake up without seizing, and then I'll know I'm good to go!"

"Probably right." Although Marc has so little chill, he's probably likely to go insane than that. But-- he's not actively looking to cause shit either. Right now.

He snorts as the other loads up on junkfood, grabbing a bit for himself. "Yeah, alright. Good luck with that, buddy. If you see Steven, send him my way, yeah?"

(no subject)

broshaw - 2022-07-14 23:59 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

justneedsomehelp - 2022-07-16 10:28 (UTC) - Expand

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only