MISSION 009

[etrayamods]

⏵ 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⏴

Comments

[rudelanguage]

I don't want anything to do with her.

[easy to spit out, harder to commit to, given the circumstances.]

But I don't have a say in that until I figure out more. I can't do that singing songs and playing pretend over there.

[odinpusrex]

Personal desires mean little here.

[Which is both true in a way, and less insane of a thing he could say when it comes to his thoughts about desires. But such preaching is for the worthy, and while Knife may wear his face, he would not conclude them thus.]

You are aware the cost of your insubordination.

[The campfire songs are not...what Barnabas wants either, the whole thing is rather ridiculous, and it is grating, but in his mind the alternative is apocalyptic, and so what is sacrificing your dignity and eating a s'mores for the sake of your world?]

[rudelanguage]

So she says. [but her word is only worth as much as a jailer's, the perspective skewed.

they shake their head.] It doesn't add up. You want to save a world, you pick someone capable. Not random. [and not...them.]

[odinpusrex]

Fate is oft inscrutable to even the most keen of men.

[That Aurora could bring him here speaks much and more of her and her master's ability. That she could, in some ways, defy Barnabas' own God's will. Change the path he was fated to tread...it lends some credance to her claims.

Maybe particularly when he was plucked from a world on the brink of destruction, so he has lived first hand through a dying world, and a place like Aphaia was not as shocking as it could have been.]

To what end do you believe your futile defiance will serve?

[There is something interesting about Barnabas effectively talking to himself here, mostly because he feels more inclined to speak. Some may chalk it up to narcissism, but it isn't quite that. Barnabas just dislikes other people so much and he's so used to his own company, that this somehow slips into feeling...natural and comfortable.]

[rudelanguage]

[quietly:] Better than blind obedience.

[they've been too long a slave, the idea of being subjected to it again makes them nauseous. they lift their head.]

Nothing told to me here adds up to something worth dumping all my values and falling into line. [the people here don't give a shit about them, so why should they in turn? the threat of world annihilation? big deal, that's a Tuesday; they'll better serve saving being at Soliton's side.]

[odinpusrex]

Obediance need not be blind.

[He might be obediant to Aurora's missions, typically at least, but he is also not so foolish as to ignore what might reveal more truth to all of this. At the moment, however, he has deduced obediance will serve best, until an alternative path can be secured. If one is even possible.]

Aurora is possessed of the means to enforce her rule if she must. She has been kind thus far.

[Barnabas is a man who feels safest in his chains, a slave who wears the distinction with pride. Serving Aurora is little different than serving his master, and appeasing her to avoid her wrath simply...makes sense to him. He does not fear what she could do to him, ultimately, his worries are with his world, always, yet he knows what this place could be like, he has seen what happens when a bubble city pushes back too much.]

[rudelanguage]

There are no kind slave owners. We'll see her true face eventually.

[whether it's through Knife's defiance, or someone stronger, someone who can live longer than they can.

how strange to wear the face of a man so diametrically opposed to their own disposition: a mirror, cracked faintly along one side of their face.]

[odinpusrex]

[It is similarly odd to hear those words from his own mouth. Though, he does not disagree with it entirely. Men will ever prove themselves vile and corrupt, their greed and malice poisoning them as they trample those they view different and exploitable underfoot. All for their own singular benefit, for their contentment in their pitiful and unfulfilling lives as they fruitlessly claim themselves master over other men, when they are nothing of the sort.

Yet, Barnabas feels a twisted and ironic sense of freedom in serving a master worthy of his obedience, to submit his will to them, to trust in their guidance. There is a holiness to it, something divine, though he would not claim such with Aurora, not...quite.]

True enough, yet she is not the only one hiding her true face.

[After all, Knife is wearing Barnabas'!! Though, Barnabas likewise has his own secrets, so who are any of them to speak about true faces, really.]

[rudelanguage]

Nope. [very odd-sounding in Barnabas' vocal range, but nope it is.] But then, I'm not trying to make people do work for me.

[beat.]

Unless...not messing with me is "work." [it's not, but--

they huff.] Like I said: I borrowed the look to not get bothered or jumped. Will you be happy if I smear it off?

[odinpusrex]

Hm.

[Barnabas gives them another look over, before his gaze locks with theirs once more.]

I have a proposition. I care little to know your true identity, and while you care not for your success in this mission, I seek not to sabotage my own.

[He slowly turns his head to what sounds like the distant noise of the bots, clearly ones that have been sent out to look for them, but they probably have a few minutes before they might be discovered.

His attention returns to Knife.]

Return to the camp with me to clear the truancy, and I will not expose your continued use of my visage.

[Look, if anyone can understand wanting to be left alone, it is Barnabas. That Knife chose his likeness to repel others was keen observation. He will certainly give them that, and what does it matter to him if others see some fake him out and about?

If Knife leaves after they return to camp, or ditches again on another night, weeeell...Barnabas will let the bots handle it. His curiosity has been satisfied.]

[rudelanguage]

"Clear the truancy?" [they squint. what the fuck.] I don't know what that means.

[odinpusrex]

To give reason for my otherwise unaccounted for absence. They are wont to overlook your first transgression without penalty worthy of your concern.

[Sure their camper grade might suffer, but it already was going to, wasn't it?]

If I return you to camp, then my own transgression is like to be nullified. I care little what you do beyond this matter.

[rudelanguage]

[what camper grade. "Knife" hasn't even reported to camp! what's a grade. is it edible. if not, fuck it!

they shake their head.]

Just say I hit you and got away. [that's easier, right?]

[odinpusrex]

[Oh Knife, silly child, one does not need to report to camp for their grading to begin! But no, you cannot eat the grade (unfortunately).]

You truly believe you are capable of escaping the gaolers within their own prison. A pity they share not in your depth of delusion, for that pitiful explanation would not hold to scrutiny.

[Not that he has much reason to think this other him knows the depth of what he's capable of, nor does he care to demonstrate it, either. Still, the fact remains that such an excuse made by a man like Barnabas is a lie as obvious as there is hair on his chin]

What I propose is reasonable. You will return, one way or another, as it is inevitable. I offer you a means to preserve dignity and avoid pain, as well as your secret maintained.

[rudelanguage]

[sourly:] Is that you saying you're going to tell on me if I don't do what you say?

[odinpusrex]

[Flatly:] It is simply a difference in guarantee.

[rudelanguage]

A difference in whether or not you tell on me.

[odinpusrex]

A difference in whether or not I care to hold my tongue should an opportunity arise. You are not my concern, nor less exposing you a priority. However, if we cannot reach agreement, then what reason have I to assist you in your deception?

[rudelanguage]

You don't have much reason to help me even if I do agree; you don't give a shit about me.

[they fold their arms, looking elsewhere.]

Leave me alone. If they want to hit or hurt me, I guess that'll just be more of our kind owner showing her face, won't it.

[odinpusrex]

Would it change the nature of my proposition if I did?

[Slowly and shallowly he tilts his head as he scans his eyes over his imposter, taking in his body language which almost reminds him of Benedikta's when she would get in her moods.

There is still the sound of the bots through the forest. Yet for some reason they have not found these two, as if they have been searching all around them but they have not come their way. Almost like something is keeping Barnabas and his copy free of detection...but who knows how long that will last.]

Or do you seek to martyr yourself?

[rudelanguage]

Tuh. If I believed you cared? [they shake their head.] Maybe. But there’s no point in pretending.

And it’s not like I’m out to get killed, but I’m not cowing to stuff just because I’m asked. Call it what you want, it doesn’t matter anyway, right?

[not to Barnabas, anyway. Knife side-eyes him, wondering why he’s even fishing for logic. is it because of looking like him? hearing shit in his own mouth that isn’t his own sense irking him or whatever?]

[odinpusrex]

Agreements based upon sentimentality are fickle at best, to rely on aught so fleeting is foolish. I offer naught more than a pragmatic exchange of mutual benefit. Though, you believe yourself above it.

You will punish yourself and others resisting compromise, impetuous defiance will only carry you so far. I cannot help but wonder your goal.

[For as much as Barnabas has fully embraced his place as a slave to fate, he cannot help but be intrigued by those who continue to stand firmly against the inevitable. There's a madness to it, isn't there? There's utter futility to the toil, to go into it time and time again knowing the result will be the same, yet weathering it all despite it.

Despite no true hope to overcome it... No victory to be claimed, no relief from the cycle. Why?]

[rudelanguage]

Hopefully that doesn’t keep you up too late from sleep. However will you keep up with chores?

[they stubbornly gaze elsewhere.]

[odinpusrex]

No later than you have already. Do chores tax you so? Is that the true reason for this child-like running away?

[After all, this other him is pouting like a naughty child right now, so he cannot help but wonder the age of the person he's dealing with. Chances ar they'll be young compared to him regardless, but still!]

[rudelanguage]

Damn. I must be really shallow and petty; [they side-eye.] definitely not someone you’d want to waste precious time with.