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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When he first arrived, all that had been on Loki’s mind was getting back. Now though, due in large part to Hob, Loki feels like he wants to experience more of the everyday happenings around Etraya. He still doesn’t like that they’ve all been dragged here and he doesn’t quite believe that Echo and Aurora really know what they are doing, but while he’s stuck here, he might as well get the most out of life. And that means experiencing these things.

As Hob demonstrates, Loki follows along, taking the stick from him and placing the marshmallow on the end, allowing him to help. It’s not that he needs it, but he’s never about to turn down an opportunity for Hob to touch him.

”These marshmallows are quite an interesting substance. What are they made from?” He turns to look at Hob as he speaks, making sure they are as close as possible without being fully pressed against him. It’s a near thing though. It’s just so hard to stay away from him when they are together.

Hob didn't expect to be living a life here, but things have changed. He does want to ensure his universe survives, of course, and he would like to go home one day, but the idea of parting from Loki also makes the thought difficult. In the end, they don't know what might happen, so he should enjoy this moment while he has it, and he'll hope for the rest.

Loki didn't need help setting the marshmallow, but Hob will take the excuse to hold his hand. He continues to hold it a little longer than necessary. "Actually, I don't know, but I assume it's mostly sugar."

He smiles and finally lets the hand go so he can pick up the graham crackers and some chocolate on a plate. He also claims a few more marshmallows so they can make more than one s'more. "Now, we take these to the fire and roast the marshmallow."

Loki has similar thoughts, of course. He’s pretty sure if he hadn’t met Hob when he arrived that he’d probably have already found his way out of here. It certainly hadn’t taken this long with the Time Keepers and He Who Remains, at least. Loki is also aware that his actions are selfish, but when he looks at Hob, he can’t bring himself to care. What he is willing to do though, is maybe help Hob save his own world. Maybe even help everyone here. Isn’t that his purpose now on his throne anyway?

And in the meantime, he’s going to enjoy every last second he gets with Hob. He smiles as Hob holds onto his hand, his eyes sparkling with delight at the touch. “What is it with your world and all the sugar? Not that it can’t be delicious, but you really stand out for that.”

Loki watches as Hob grabs the remainder of the ingredients and he can’t help but think this whole dish will be exactly what he just thought of the marshmallows. Sweet and delicious. “Roasting marshmallows. So I assume they will melt then?” He squeezes one of them, trying to judge their consistency. He does tend to enjoy food cooked over an open fire, why not gooey sugar?

That purpose is worthwhile, of course, and the actions of someone who is clearly good. At least, Hob would say so. He already believes it, and he'll keep telling Loki that for as long as he needs to hear it.

"Is it that unusual?" He smiles, amused at the thought that his world has a sugar addiction that exceeds all others. "Yes, they'll soften. Try not to catch it on fire, though some people like it that way."

"And when it's soft, we'll sandwich it between two of these crackers and a piece of chocolate." As if it wasn't sweet enough.

Something Loki only just started to learn before he made his decision to take care of the multiverse is that truly no one is fully good or bad. He’d had that observation of Mobius early on, but it had taken him a lot longer to realize it was true of himself as well. Is likely true of everyone. Most of life takes place in the grey areas and that is something Loki has very much come to appreciate. It’s nice, realizing simply because he isn’t all good doesn’t mean he has to be all bad.

”Enjoying sugar is not unusual, but in most of the worlds I am more intimately acquainted with, it is not so prevalent. You are the only world I am knowledgeable of who puts it into everything. I do not mean this as a criticism, but it is rather strange to me.”

As if to prove his point, Hob continues explaining how to put the s’mores together and Loki can’t help but chuckle. “Alright then, let’s start making these masterpieces. I am excited to try it.” Loki sits next to the fire and begins to toast his marshmallow, already concentrating on turning it so it doesn’t burn.

"I remember the days when sugar was a luxury afforded only to the richest. It was over a hundred years before I got to try it. Now, it really is everywhere." Hob is also amazed, but for a different reason. He watched the change happen.

He observes as Loki carefully toasts the marshmallow and can tell the man is doing his best to get the job done right. "Wow, you are an expert at that. Are you sure it's your first time?" He teases.

”I would not be surprised if it was as valuable as gold or gems considering how popular it clearly is.” Loki glances over at Hob and smiles. As it is, Loki just hopes the s’mores is better than the key lime pie from the TVA. He’d been able to taste nothing but sweet and citrus. Though the whipped cream was nice. He feels fairly confident that the chocolate and graham cracker will help with that though.

Loki’s smile widens as he turns the marshmallow again, hoping to make it an even golden brown all the way around before it melts too much to be usable. “It is my first time with this food, yes, but not my first time cooking over an open flame. Have you ever had boar roasted on a spit? It is quiet delicious.”

It's kind of adorable, watching Loki roast his marshmallow to perfection. Camping feels a bit odd in this world, but the missions don't seem to follow a rhyme or reason, usually, and at least they can spend time together while doing this.

"I have." It's been many years since he thought about a meal like that. "We used to hunt them in the woods. Me and others on the roads or while soldiering from one place to another. A feast like that helps you forget all your trouble for awhile."

It doesn’t take long for Loki to get the marshmallow to the colour he desires and removes it from the fire. It smells wonderful, even if he’s still a little concerned that it will be too sweet for his palate. Using a bit of magic, he gets the chocolate placed on a graham cracker manages to put the now gooey mess together. “I feel like there is no way to eat this without causing a mess.” It only takes a few seconds for the marshmallow to start melting the chocolate as he sandwiches the delight together and inspects it, as if trying to figure out the best way to eat it without becoming covered in melted sugar.

“I used to hunt with my brother and his friends. It was much like what I think they are trying to accomplish here. Though there were no cabins or activities beyond the kill. It is almost a shame we don’t have some meat to roast as well.”

Hob gives Loki a little room as he uses his magic to assemble his first s'more. He won't blame Loki if the treat is too sweet for him, but at least he's willing to try it. Hob wouldn't say he's a fan, but this is more about custom than anything else.

"You're outdoors, so a mess is fine."

"This would be nice, were it not for knowing it's a mission." If this were something everyone willingly participated in without fear of repercussion, Hob is sure this could be very enjoyable.

After a few slightly awkward stop and starts, Loki finally manages to take a bit of the s’mores. It is definitely sweeter than he is used to but the chocolate appears to be dark chocolate which helps. At very least it is less sweet than the key lime pie. He chews slowly as he considers the flavour and texture. “It is not terrible, though I admit the marshmallow would be too much for me if I were to eat it on my own.” He might not be putting these on his list of favourite foods, but he’s enjoying the experience at least.

“There is mess and then there is this. I feel as if there is chocolate all over me when I would rather have it in my mouth. I might need a shower after this.”

Loki takes another bite and nods. “Things are always better when people aren’t forced to participate.”

As Hob watches Loki make his best effort to eat the treat with some degree of dignity, he can't help but laugh when it all comes apart and Loki talks about the mess. It's true that eating one of those is not a tidy affair.

They may be forced to participate in this camp excursion, but he doesn't think it's been bad, necessarily. Having it forced upon them just puts a dark cloud over the whole thing that can't be ignored.

When Loki says he might need a shower, Hob's brow lifts. One hand is placed lightly on Loki's back, his voice kept to a private tone. "Funny you should say that. I was thinking of taking a dip in the lake later tonight." That's clearly against the rules. "You know, privately, after everyone's gone to bed."

One might think that Loki would be upset at having someone, anyone, laugh at him, but that wouldn’t be anyone who had gotten to know him recently. Still, he narrows his eyes at Hob, pretending to be offended. Though it’s hard to be convincing when he can’t keep the smile from his face. “Come closer and see if you can do any better, why don’t you?” There’s a sparkle of mischief in his eyes as he has every intention of trying to smear some melted chocolate on Hob’s face.

Considering how much time and energy Loki has given to try and make it so no one is forced to do anything (not to mention how much he’s lost) it feels like a personal slight, but in this case, he does have to admit that he’s enjoyed the camping experience thus far. He just doesn't really like anything about this place. Except for Hob, of course. And maybe a few friends he’s met.

Hob’s suggestion of going to the lake halts all of Loki’s thoughts of mischief though. Or at least all his thoughts of chocolate related mischief. “Have I mentioned how much I enjoy how your mind works? If that is an invite, then my answer is a resounding yes.”

Maybe Hob had a sense of Loki's mischievous thoughts and sprung his idea right in time to avert chocolate on his face. Either way, he's glad Loki is on board with the idea. They haven't had a lot of time to be alone since coming to camp, as they're kept pretty busy, and there are often others around. It's not exactly in line with their duties, but Hob can't help but want to have some fun, too.

"Good. I saw a spot on the western side that's a bit more private. Meet me there later? Don't forget your towel."

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MISSION 009

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