MISSION 006 PT 1

[etrayamods]

WHO: Everyone!
WHEN: November 8th-5th
WHERE: Etraya
WHAT: It's time to build!
NOTES\WARNINGS: Gambling themes, mild violence and injury potential

⏵ build-up to the race ⏴ Aurora has organized a competitive event, unlike missions past: an all-out build-and-race derby! This mission is all about working together (or against each other) to design, construct, and customize your ride! Show some creativity, and gain a few extra points maybe - or show some grit, and get bonus points that way! Don't worry, there's always an edge of rivalry: a few twists and tricks await to keep everyone on their toes! As of November 8th, a temporary garage has been set up close to the hospital, with bays for each team. The team assignments are: TEAM ONE Dazai, Hernan Guerra, Chrollo, Vincent TEAM TWO Katsuki Bakugo, Damian Wayne (Robin), Vash the Stampede, Barnabas Tharmr TEAM THREE John Reese, Harold Finch, Chrissy Cunningham, Sam Carpenter TEAM FOUR Castiel, Dean Winchester, Junior, Kyra Vashenko-Chao TEAM FIVE Manny, Shanks, Monkey D. Luffy, Loki TEAM SIX Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd, Yuri Leclerc, 6, 37 TEAM SEVEN Cloud Strife, Rufus Shinra, Sleeper, Asano Rin TEAM EIGHT Deku Midoriya, Cid Telamon, Jason Todd, Gorgug Thistlespring TEAM NINE Accelerator, Timothy Drake, Trafalgar Law, Vax'ildan TEAM TEN Octavia Blake, Mal Durrish, Wanda Maximoff, Rosie Each bay is labeled with the names of those in each team, but the plaque where the team's name would be remains blank. Instead, a marker resides beside the placard: teams must choose their name, and add it themselves. Within each bay are all the parts needed to put together a vehicle on one's own. Parts and tools are clearly labeled, and a few instruction manuals for numerous different kinds of vehicles are lying about. Each team is welcome to dive right in, but there's also a twist: special parts are available - but you have to earn them! Several Companion Bots have set up shop just outside the garage, ready to hand out everything from turbo boosters to reinforced tires. However, every special part can't be bought but has to be earned. Want a top-notch engine? Maybe a late-night group watch for any shooting stars will earn you one. Want some wicked cool brakes that make handling those curves in the road significantly easier? Maybe you and a teammate will get sent on a fun scavenger hunt for special stones scattered throughout Etraya - or maybe they'll have to commit a prank on another team to get it. Sign-ups for special parts can be found HERE - let us know what your team is looking for (shielding, brakes, tires, etc) and we'll give you a task for their team to complete to earn it! Need some direction? The Companion Bots are happy to lend a hand, even if they aren't able to directly interfere! Decorate not just your vehicles, but also the bay assigned to your team. There's plenty of paint, spare parts, and props! While Aurora and the Companion Bots provide the essential parts, it's up to the teams themselves to put together their vehicles - so have fun building! Complete mini-missions for additional, special parts, which may also assist your team in winning the race itself. Or one can always sabotage other teams in order to raise their chances of winning. The world is your oyster - have fun with it! ⏵ you bet! ⏴ Not everyone is up for hands-on work; those that either choose to put their focus elsewhere, or maybe in addition to participating in the race, can also choose to participate in betting rounds. Set up in Harry's Hideaway Pub, a couple of the Companion Bots have set up a mini-casino, equipped with screens keeping an eye on the outside of the bays and facing the tracks that have yet to be completed. Here, you can place your bets on which team will finish their build first, who will get the best parts, and which car will have the most flair - or perhaps which will fall apart first once they're out on the track. The currency used here? The points one earns for participating in the world of Etraya and previous missions. Put down five, and earn back ten for being correct - or lose out on what you've given, if it goes that way. ⏵ NOTES ⏴ This is part one of our race mission! Please note the below mod-comments: Name your Team Parts Request Betting These all need to be filled out by November 14th at 4PM PST in order to be taken into consideration for the race log! If it seems as if players need a little more time, we will delay the race log out to November 20th to give more time to engage with the beginning part of this mission. Please direct all questions to our plotting post! ⏵FULL NAVIGATION⏴

Comments

[messenger]

[ he's much more powerful than this car. but even knowing that doesn't make him less nervous. dean's right, he could wreck. and there'll be no laying on of hands. if something happens to dean because of his lack of experience, there's no word for how stupid he'll feel.

so castiel nods and aims his eyes forward, gently depressing the gas pedal, hands desperately clutching at the wheel. they begin to move forward — and cas panics, slamming his foot down on the break. the car lurches, and them along with it. his pupils are blown, skinny chest heaving beneath his rumpled suit&coat. ]

[venatoris]

Fuck-

[ He gropes for the seat belt as he's jolted forward, then laughs a little as he clicks it into place. ]

Okay, not bad, that wasn't bad. You want it to move though, okay? You don't gotta slam the brakes, promise. You're doing really good. Try it again, just ease off and let it roll forward. She'll do most of the work for you.

[messenger]

You're certain?

[ about this? about any of this? his throat is dry. it's a strange feeling. he keeps swallowing and licking his lips, but it doesn't seem to help. he could really go for one of those beers right about now — but he's too worried that multi-tasking will end poorly for them, so he leaves them where they are on the seat, and does as he's told.

this time, when the car begins to roll forward, he doesn't immediately slam on the break, though his breathing doesn't become any less strained as they ease down the pavement. the garage leads out onto the track, which means for now he only has to aim straight, but soon he'll have to turn. thankfully, there aren't many people using it at the moment, so castiel at least won't have to worry about other drivers. ]

[venatoris]

Yeah, definitely.

[ He gives Cas another smile, reassuring. Honestly Cas could be doing a whole lot worse, Sam sure did when he was learning to drive. ]

There, great. That's great. Give her a little bit of juice, just a little.

[messenger]

[ and exactly how old was sam when he had to learn? could he even see above the dashboard? no doubt dean taught him.

castiel inclines his head, glancing at dean for another split second before turning his attention back toward the front. the barest amount of pressure, and they're rolling forward faster, castiel's heart picking up to keep pace. the steering wheel creaks under the pressure of his grip. ]

[venatoris]

[ That was definitely a 'sit on big brothers lap' time of Sam's childhood. Sam had been short before he'd shot up in later adolescence, barely tall enough to see the road or over the hood. ]

Ease up on the wheel, Cas. Don't break it. You're doing really good. [ A little faster, little faster. ]

Okay, now - we're gonna brake. Slow, don't mash the pedal. Just slowly put your foot down.

[messenger]

[ he makes a conscious effort to loosen his grip on the steering wheel, nostrils flaring with the stress. they ride down the road at a respectable speed of this-is-the-most-castiel-can-take-right-now before dean tells him to brake. but not like last time. clearly. he flashes another harried glance his way before pushing down the brake pedal with the same excruciating slowness as he had the gas.

this time, the car rolls to a stop, easy does it. ]

Dean.

[venatoris]

That's it, that's it --- yes.

[ Dean looks delighted, his smile lighting up his face. It feels good to succeed at something, even if it's small in the grand scheme of things. He so often fails, to have Cas not immediately wreck the car is a win. ]

Awesome, Cas. You're doing great, man.

[messenger]

[ he feels a little less shaky now that they've stopped, and with his foot firm on the brake (and off the gas) he lets his glance askance linger to watch dean's brilliant grin. there are fizzy champagne bubbles popping in his stomach, a sensation, effervescent, lightening both him and the car interior. he smiles a small, shaky smile, unsteady as his hands on the wheel, but also as persistent.

castiel relaxes slightly in his seat. ]

You think so?

[venatoris]

[ He's gonna just....reeeeach over and adjust the gear shift into park. Better. ]

Yeah, I do. I'm proud of you.

[ Hand moving from the gear shift, it settles on Cas' shoulder, giving him a little squeeze, smile bright. ]

[messenger]

[ castiel lets go of the wheel once the car is in park.

somehow, that's even better. dean saying those things while looking at him that way, the pressure of his hand on his bony shoulder. the lightness inside him saturates into a deep heat that pinks his cheeks and nose and settles in his gut like a warm animal. his fingers in his lap twitch, restless. there's a compulsion running under his skin now. he wants to reach out and touch dean. touch dean like dean is touching him, he thinks. he wants to feel the muscle and bone of his shoulder under the palm of his hand, feel the heat of his body pushing out against his skin.

but he's always kept his hands to himself. difficult, with humans, to know when it's appropriate not to.

his voices comes soft. ]

Thank you, Dean. It's... kind of you to set aside the time to do this for me.

[venatoris]

[ His hand lingers on Cas' shoulder, looks at the angel dead in the eyes, immediately lost in those stormy blue seas. The grip he has on Cas is light but still firm, fingers pressed against his bony shoulder, palm warm against the angels coat. ]

Uh, yeah. [ He's still smiling, still so obviously happy in the moment, though his own cheeks pink up as they look at each other, like something's almost there, hanging between them. Almost. ]

You'll get the hang of it. Takes practice.

[messenger]

[ castiel inclines his head again in an almost nod, never once breaking eye contact. it does, and he will. be believes dean, now, even though he's still worried about his performance. if he does good, perhaps dean will touch his shoulder again. speak to him like this again. he likes dean's smile. dean's voice. he twists his fingers together. the air thickens between them. the moment is stretching — but he doesn't want it to end. he doesn't want to give dean a reason to pull his hand away.

strange.

the corners of his mouth twitch and he finally turns away, averting his eyes down toward his hands in his lap, breath coming a little faster than it was a moment ago. ]

I suppose we should continue.

[venatoris]

[ It's stretched into something almost awkward now, Dean's hand still there on Cas' shoulder, warmth radiating through his body that has nothing to do with the cars radiator and everything to do with the angel sitting in the drivers seat.

It's a good look, Cas sitting there, he's gotta admit.

He swallows, eye contact finally breaking and he breathes out a shaking exhale as he releases Cas' arm, allowing his hand to drag down his bicep before falling to the seat, then his lap.

Baby idles happily, purring away, rumbling like she knows there's something happening in the air. ]

Yeah. Okay, let's keep going. There's nobody else out here, we got free reign.

[messenger]

[ even as it becomes awkward, castiel doesn't want to look away. it's a physical fight not to lift his head and stare at dean again. so he puts his hands on the wheel and squeezes tight, adjusting himself in his seat. he moves to depress the gas pedal before remembering to take the car out of park, flashing dean a nervous smile.

a moment later and they're rolling down the track again, nice and easy. the turn onto the main track is more difficult than castiel expects it to be, the way he has to strain against the wheel. but he's strong enough that it doesn't give him any real trouble — and then they're crawling along the main strip at a slow but sure pace. ]

[venatoris]

[ He puffs up like a proud dad when Cas remembers to take it out of park, watching him like a hawk when the angel has to turn the car onto the track. No power steering, but Cas handles it like a champ and the noise Dean makes is definitely one of approval. ]

Perfect. Just perfect.

[ He's not gonna urge Cas to go eighty or anything, but; ]

You can give her a little more juice. We'll practice speeding up a little and braking.

[messenger]

Okay.

[ his voice comes shaky and a little breathless, but now it's not just nerves. he shifts his foot, pressing down, and the engine rumbles as their speed increases. castiel goes slow, the speedometer ticking up digit by digit, but soon enough they're not just tip-toeing along at a snail's pace at 5 mph, but moving at a smooth 15, 20. castiel wants to go faster, but something holds him back. he wants to spread his wings and take flight, but he only does the former.

there's no one on the road. it's just the two of them and the impala and the wind in their hair. ]

[venatoris]

[ Easy, Cas. Twenty is about as high as Dean's willing to let him go right now, but admittedly it's nice to be in the passenger seat with the wind ruffling his hair. Driving is a good look on Cas, and so is confidence.

Once Cas creeps a little past 25, Dean speaks up. ]

Okay, now ease her into a stop. Don't stomp the pedal, just slow down, nice 'n easy.

[messenger]

[ he thinks he likes driving. maybe like he likes flying. it's not the same, of course. the speed isn't the same, the control isn't the same. paradoxically, he feels both too small and too big sitting in the driver's seat of dean's car. too large to truly fit but tiny within the heavy metal frame.

and yet, there's a sense of something, a feeling like he's soaring.

he has the fleeting thought that if he were to fall completely, lose his wings, at least he might still have this. he pushes it away before it can squeeze his heart, stop his breath, and presses down on the brake. the car gives a tiny, shuddering jolt, but otherwise they come to a halt with no trouble at all.

castiel exhales, long and slow. ]

[venatoris]

[ Dean beams at Cas as they slow to a halt, shifting in his seat as he watches the angel stop the car. ]

Just like that. You’re a natural.

[ He is so pleased with Cas. ]

Wanna go again?

[messenger]

{ he can feel dean's pleasure rolling over him, and it's flooring. castiel raises his eyes to stare again, the familiar weight of that gaze well-worn to dean by now. ]

Yes.

[ is it okay? ]

[venatoris]

[ Dean’s pride is rolling off in waves, and he’s watching Cas with a smile, arms folded. ]

Good. Have at it, sweetheart.

[messenger]

[ pleasure pools in the small of his back and his spine, and castiel smiles again at the words that wash over him. dean hasn't had much opportunity or reason to be encouraging in his own time, but he can picture in his mind's eye how dean taught his little brother to drive much like this.

his gaze lingers the same as dean's hand dragging down his arm did, and then he turns back and drives, taking in deep lungfuls of the sweet autumn air. this stretch of track is easy — and he gets lost in it, for a while, with dean by his side. taking a long curing turn, only remembering why they're out here when he sees, in the mist-logged distance, the forest they're meant to be searching.

castiel slows but doesn't stop. ]

What did you wanna look for first?

[venatoris]

[ He's still keeping a close eye on Cas, but he's getting the hang of it - it's just practice, in the end. More and more, daily so the knowledge doesn't fade. ]

Uh, let's see.

[ He digs into his pocket and pulls the paper out, studying it in his lap. ]

How about the jackalope? That's cute.

[messenger]

We may be able to find them here on the plains, if we keep close watch.

[ much like the common jackrabbit, they're endemic to both grassland and forest. for this reason, castiel keeps the impala at a steady 15 mph, so they can both keep an eye on the stretch of land outside their windows. ]