etrayalogs | MISSION 009

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MISSION 009

⏵ CAMP ETRAYA ⏴
On May 16th, Aurora and the companion bots direct those not heading off to Solmara to make their way to Camp Etraya.

Nestled away from everything else in a large clearing full of wildflowers and redwoods, Camp Etraya is a nostalgic summer camp experience put together just for it's residents! Cabins are assigned, scary stories are told around campfires, gossiping happens among friends on the trails surrounding the cabins - and don't be surprised when something goes awry. After all, this is still Etraya.

While the rest of Etraya is still accessible and will not be blocked off, characters are discouraged from venturing far from camp for too long: Aurora will specify that they are on a mission, and that missions do require participation, but she has intentionally left them the freedom to wander. Not sleeping in their assigned cabins, not participating in events, and staying away from Camp Etraya will end with her having to take more extensive security measures, so please be on your best behavior! The last thing she wants to do is start enforcing boundaries, but she will if she has to.

Camp is set up much like your generic summer camp! Each cabin is named, housing is assigned to characters as they arrive, there are camp counselors, and rotating daily tasks and chores. There are also multiple activities that characters are expected to participate in, and each activity is worth points that goes toward their camp graduation score. This score will be visible on their earpiece, and follows the A-F grading system. We are not be monitoring this, and are leaving character scores up to players. We do, however, ask that you please report your characters' camp grade HERE for rewards and demerits to be handed out after the mission itself.

Cabin assignments can be found here, which also has their roles, and chores assigned to that cabin. Those who are participating in Solmara have received an assigned cabin, too, but their absence toward the beginning will not harm the cabin's ability to compete given how spread out their assignments are.

⏵ WELCOME TO CAMP ⏴

Camp life is meant to instill a sense of belonging, connection with nature, encouragement towards the creative, all on top of a firm foundation of responsibility. Upon arriving, campers will be escorted towards a table of white t-shirts and countless buckets of dye!

Each Etrayan will be invited to make three Tie-Dyed shirts- as well as required to wear one as part of their summer uniform. Camp counselors must wear 80s basketball shorts or cut-off jeans. Campers may wear cargo shorts or a skort. For those with physical limitations to what they can wear, accommodations will be provided.

Here, bonding is the camp runners' priority. They will be pushed into various ice-breaker activities, such as trust falls, two truths and a lie, and Never have I Ever. As the sun goes down, there will be weenies roasting over the bonfire, followed by s’mores and a sing-a-long! With the stars well-visible, it’s off to bed with campers.

Each day after will start much the same: with the ringing of the bell and raising of the flag (Aurora, while unfamiliar with flag designs but an understanding of the concept, has chosen a rainbow flag for the camp. Rainbows make people happy, right?), followed by a meal at the Great Hall, morning assembly, activities with counselors, chores, free time, and then an evening winding down by the great fire. An hour after sun down, campers will be escorted back to their cabins for curfew. Camp Counselors are expected to keep track of their campers, and ensure they're all within their cabins for bedtime. This is part of their grade, too! Curfew lifts an hour before the first bell.

⏵ CAMP ACTIVITIES ⏴

As with most summer camps, Camp Etraya offers a wide variety of activities to participate in. While some of these activities may be mandatory, others are optional. We'll be leaving this up to individual player discretion: perhaps Viktor is mandated to report to arts and crafts, whilst it's optional for Silco to show. Silco, on the other hand, may be mandated to report to the archery contest. Characters are encouraged to participate in a minimum of one camp activity per day.

Below is a non-exhaustive list of camp activities.

Three-Legged Race - You and a partner are tied together at your ankles, and you must race others to the finish line. Those with abilities that would give them an advantage will find that the rope that ties them together hinders those abilities from functioning.
Archery - This can be more traditional, magical, or include moving targets! If you're particularly unlucky, your target may even shoot back.
Softball - What instills a sense of camaraderie better than a bit of team sports? Games will be held on Wednesdays, the field is otherwise available for practice.
Dodge Ball - Standing diametrically opposed to Softball is dodge ball, the bully’s sport. This is a great opportunity to claim dominance or be sent to the Nurse’s Office.
Obstacle Course - You are directed into a large maze with multiple obstacles for them to overcome, such as rock climbing walls, ramps, tires, and nets.
Capture the Flag - Small teams are put together in order to take the flag from a particular bot, whose entire goal is to avoid being caught.
Canoe Race - Canoes are placed into the rivers just off of the camp, and characters must race to the finish line.
Chocobo Riding - Learn how to care for and ride these magnificent birds! Newbies will be taken around the corral, whereas more experienced riders can take the trail around the lake.
Arts and Crafts - Make friendship bracelets, bead lizards, paint rocks, learn origami! Or perhaps you're tasked with putting together an enchanted necklace. Don't know how to do enchantments? Now is as good of a time as any to learn.
Campfire stories - Share scary stories amongst yourselves around the campfire late into the night. If you're particularly unlucky, you may just hear the thing you were just warning others about..

⏵ NIGHT TIME ⏴

Once campers have been put to bed, the counselors can still stay up. Unwind with hidden beers and the strumming of a guitar. Don’t get too comfortable, though, since without supervision, no one is keeping the campers in bed.

After dark, should campers evade their counselors, they can go exploring in the dark. Eerie lights glimmer from the lake. There’s rumors of a headless spectre walking from the archery field to the edge of the forest. Should you behave, you still might hear a scratching at your bunk house window.

And on the very last night of camp, there will be a talent show. Show off your hidden talent and bask in the excitement of wowing your fellow campers!

⏵ NOTES ⏴

Welcome to Camp Etraya! Please enjoy the s'mores and campfire songs. :)

Camp will last approximately two weeks, going from May 16th to May 30th.

For all questions relating to this mission, please refer to the plotting post. All other questions can be directed to the FAQ.

⏵FULL NAVIGATION⏴

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[ It takes her a moment when he sets her down to find her balance, only because the branch sways a bit at the movement. But as she glances down to see the tree that landed where she was, and the firewood she'd gathered scattered on the ground under and around the tree, she quickly understands what happened.

And despite knowing he'd rather not talk about it, she can't help saying something anyway. ]

Oh... thanks.

[ That is partly why Amy wants to check on him, though probably not for the reason he thinks. Still, when he doesn't immediately turn her away she jumps up to land on the roof next to him. ]

I won't stay long, if you'd rather be alone. I just wasn't sure if you were hungry, so I brought you something. [ It isn't much, but she offers him one of the s'mores she's made anyway. ]

[ and if he said he didn't like anything, would she see that coming. he watches as she brings the rock to her chest, why are her responses always as though she cares what he thinks. it's like she's sensitive, affected by what shadow says, and it's why he holds out his hand with a frown. ]

...

[ as much as he doesn't want it, he'll give the rock a proper look at least. make it worth his time since she has went out of her way to bring it to him. ]

I cannot.

[ there's something holding him back, perhaps his lifestyle, or maybe because of who he is. it's a sort of weakness but also, he's nothing but trouble when it comes to it. ]

You shouldn't concern yourself about things like that when it comes to me.

(Sir, what did you expect, you wore Deadpool speedos to her party.)

... Define something, and define terms of use, and deadline for return.

(Listen, he's... A force of nature that she hardly trusts, okay? She doesn't even get close to his brain. It's a weird place to her. He's safe from her snooping, though?)

I'm NEVER quiet.

(She's literally the loudest person in that cabin, so, really, it might be beneficial that she's out here.)

You here to take me back?

"It seems the green ones are unusually broody." Was that normal for a green? He didn't know enough about chocobos in general to say one way or another really, but it SOUNDS like he knows what he's talking about.

IN truth he's seen maybe four green ones total up close and personal, which was hardly a dent in the population, but they were all protective and friendly.

So far her behavior is just right. Silver is, apparently, the one she's decided to get protective and friendly over. "Well, even if she's not yours, you're certainly hers. The camp's a good place to learn how to take care of her best, while she tries to take care of you. Supposedly they can be taught to do all kinds of things."

[ Harold doesn't even feel safe sleeping somewhere that other people know about -- all of this is really testing his nerves, or is about to. His cabin mates don't seem too detestable, fortunately, or he'd probably have run off no matter the consequences. ]

Oh, [ he says in surprised relief, ] yes, thank you. Please don't feel that you need to... that is--

[ He fumbles, flushing a bit, standing there holding his absurd summer camp outfit clutched in his hands. ]

I'm sure I can manage in the future. This first time is just rather disconcerting.

[ He's not about to ask John to come over every morning and evening to safeguard his privacy like some damsel. He's a grown man, he should be able to handle this. So why does he feel so exposed, like an oyster pried open, thinking of it? He's just spent so much time being acutely vulnerable lately and pushing through it, and one more thing is hitting him as too much. It's a boundary Harold has never had to deal with being crossed before. His physical privacy is sacrosanct to him; even living with John in the library had been an adjustment, and that was just shared common spaces, and he trusts John completely. ]

Edited 2025-06-01 13:56 (UTC)

There's a brief smile; they never last, but it's there. "Even if it's a placebo, isn't that important too? Being able to simply believe your way into doing things others can't? It's not something to be ashamed of."

He preferred things that might be replicated though, and taught to others. Then it's more useful than one person with extraordinary skills nobody else could do. "People like me can't do things like that. If you and your friends can, be proud of it." The downside of a scientific education, Sephiroth simply couldn't accept deluding himself into power he otherwise wouldn't have.

DID Glenn count as a friend? Had they reached that point again? "...No, Matt used barriers, our team healer. Glenn was in Town for ... a couple of weeks before disappearing when I did, according to Gaia. A blond man, about six feet tall. He's ..incredibly irreverent. If he had ways to use spells to just.. easy his way through things, he absolutely would do it."

This much is harmless.

[ Meanwhile, Harold's whole life's work is preventing violence, and he'd include tragic swimming accidents in that if he could. He just never figured out how to predict that using mass amounts of surveillance and advanced A.I. ]

I'm not sure. I just know Mr. Reese has been trying to teach those who don't know how.

I certainly can't nominate myself for the position, [ he says sarcastically. Harold can swim, of course, but not being able to turn his neck much means he's not going to be hauling anyone else out of the water easily. ]

[ When Dylan feels the familiar weight of Sleeper curl against him, he lifts an arm to drape over them & hug them closer, giving them soft scritches. ]

I always forget just how crowded a night sky can be sometimes.

Do you think one of them might be Earth?

[ Hearing that Carver as a kid thought it sounded nice is an interesting personal reveal. Harold is too savvy to comment on it -- that would be like making a sudden move when a feral cat is finally creeping closer -- but he does note it. ]

Sleeping in a group setting is not doing my nerves any favors, [ he admits frankly, to soften what he says next. ] But I imagine it's even worse for you.

[ He crouches to open his bag again and this time pulls out a compact handmade device. It's a bit rough, missing any sleek manufactured edges, and looks something like a satellite radio with a touch screen slapped on the side. ]

You'll be able to monitor the camera feeds we've just set up with this, and securely contact myself, Mr. Reese, or Ms. Shaw. I just need a moment to configure it.

[ He duly starts tapping away at rapid speed with the tiny physical keyboard it has. He's not about to give Carver access to his whole network. ]

Oh, this is probably your first time being at a camp like this, huh? Been having a good time?

[He's a little sorry for missing the first few days of that... hopefully someone here showed her the ropes of doing the important things in camp. Like. TPing the cabins. Okay, fine, stuff like doing crafts and participating in some of the 'activities' that this camp has set up for everyone. He honestly hopes that she's had a good time so far. What? He's not a monster.

And if not, guess they'll just have to make it up in s'mores.

Her question almost gets the teen to sit up a bit more, trying not to show how exhausted he really is. It really is okay! She doesn't have to worry about him. Scott shakes his head a little, trying to smile through everything and letting his marshmallow warm up in the fire.]

And miss out on eating s'mores with you? Don't worry, I'll be fine. Besides, gotta make sure that you get the full experience eating this.

Hm.

[ all he manages is a low grunt, his crimson eyes looking to her before glancing away. ]

Why are you doing it alone? We're in a new world, it isn't safe.

[ the only excuse he could even use to scold her for even being here doing this despite knowing she's strong enough to handle everything herself. still... having someone else is a boon in disguise than a nuisance for someone like her. ]

[ Thoughtfully: ] I could do some research. It would be beneficial to the population to have an agricultural sector... [ He is not at all familiar with the type of farming where you physically pick up a tool and do it yourself, unfortunately. ]

It would be my pleasure to assist. [ It is a simple, basic task that he can accomplish! Camp is the most ready source of them. It is delightful.

He procures two fresh sheets of origami paper, placing one in front of the other man. ]

How did your last one end up in such a state? [ His voice is curious. ]

[ Carver snorts at that, setting the beer aside. ]

It’s like being deployed, I guess. Try to stay busy and not get killed.

[ Carver sneers at him, showing his teeth the way that dogs do. But he doesn’t go for his weapons or shoulder-check the fucker because he’s supposed to be playing civilized with the rest of Etraya and that won’t do. All the rules are different now and he hears how unreasonable he sounds when he points that out, all this bullshit people pull like it’s nothing, like it wouldn’t get them worse than dead back home.

But that’s his problem, and nobody likes a whiner.

Carver just heads out into the woods. He won’t come back to the cabin, not once. ]

I wake up bad, [ Carver replies flatly, more than a little angry at himself for it. He’s never liked admitting that. Maybe he doesn’t cry or scream in his sleep like some of the other Reapers, but he knows himself too well to get sentimental about the fact that he’s swung on his brothers and sisters coming out of nightmares. That he pulled a knife on Leah once. Even if she forgave him, they never spoke of it again.

It almost went bad a couple times back home. It’d go worse here, with people who aren’t ready for it.

He steps closer, examining the device in Harold’s hands. ]

Okay, [ he says slowly. ] How long have you had this?

[ This is a show of trust, Carver knows. They didn’t need to bring him in on this. ]

[All Sephiroth's interactions with other people, no matter how few that might be before he came to Etraya, suggested it was not because people liked him.

He can however, recognize that Henry is trying his best to be supportive, so he nods as if this was the most reasonable conclusion to reach. It wasn't. It was ridiculous. He was difficult to deal with on a good day.]

Popp and Gaia, they're ... hm. .. Hard to describe.

[There is a moment he looks a bit affronted and terribly alarmed over the idea of wanting MORE friends.]

No, not at all! Friends are a terrible weakness, having two alone puts us all at significant risk. I'd rather have none, but they wouldn't allow it.

...No. [His brows furrow as the mysterious orbs reach their shores, stopping a few feet away from them. He stands his ground, seeing an opportunity to get a better look at these flames. But there's really nothing more to them. They look just like flames that burn blue, without any heat coming off them.

His ears twitch. No, there's something else. There are now voices, but they are hushed whispers that it was hard to make out what was being said. Looking around, he sees only Dion with him. He eyes the flames suspiciously. At one point, he thought one of the voices sounded familiar to him, but maybe he was imagining it.]

[ Those are interesting names.

His eyes flicker from the teen's shoulder to the top of his head. But it may be that those names are very common where those two are from; it might even be as common as "Henry." It's a brief second in wondering if he's rude in thinking those names were interesting.

But he tosses that aside for what Sephiroth says next. ]

Significant risk? How?

[Oh. He thought she just wanted to annoy him with questions and talking. By his confused expression, he was not expecting to be offered food as well. The sweet smell from the s'mores reaches his senses. His hand twitch, wanting to take it for a moment, but then he thought better of it, shaking his head.]

I'm...not hungry. [If he really wanted it, he'd get it himself. Yes. He doesn't need someone else looking out for him. Especially someone he hardly knows. They probably want something in exchange for the food.]

There have been plenty of times where Vax didn't feel so useful, especially in this place. Being trapped here without a way of getting himself home or helping his friends feels kind of hopeless sometimes, so the compliment is very much appreciated.

"A little enchantment goes a long way." And it is handy not to run out of bullets or need to reload in the conventional way.

"I'm sure you've got some tricks of your own."

[ He glances up at that flat comment. Harold takes that kind of warning completely seriously, especially coming from Carver. ] Good to know. I'll throw something at you should I need to wake you.

[ Finishing his adjustments, he offers the device out to Carver but still answers as characteristically evasively as always. ]

I've been working on it for some time. I'm not sure yet how far I'll take it, but I at least see a need for covert communication methods.

And I, personally, would rather you had an escape hatch if needed. [ People do the worst things when cornered, he's aware -- so a simple preventative measure is to make sure Carver doesn't have to feel cornered. There's a way out, possible support when needed, and enough cameras to let him see what's coming before it gets there, to prepare. Trust Harold to offer a non-violent method of reassurance. ]

Edited 2025-06-01 17:31 (UTC)

Always throw something. Don’t try to touch me.

[ Flat, again. He doesn’t want to talk about it, really, but it’s the sort of thing that might matter sooner than later. They’re in proximity now, the sort of allies that occasionally share space, and Carver doesn’t like hurting people by accident. A loss of control like that represents a terrible sin. He’s less worried about it with Shaw and John, but neither Shaw nor John walk with a cane.

So it goes.

He watches Harold for a moment, braced for a reprimand—Pope never liked them admitting weakness, even if it was necessary—but he takes the device and examines it carefully. This is a lot of trust, he knows. He cannot fuck it up. ]

Thank you, [ he says after a moment, for lack of a better idea. He has to physically stop himself from adding the ‘sir.’ ]

“Yeah. I’m decent with throwing knives too but I got nothing magical,” Jason replies. “It’s all just physical work for me. Always have to make sure I got plenty of ammo too.”

Though he ultimately wouldn’t want to change that, Jason does sometimes think it could be useful to occasionally use magic.

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MISSION 009

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this doesn't count because it's just a rock and doesn't have feelings

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sorry for the late!

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Cw mild ableism

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