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⏴

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

There were some nightmare creatures on Solmara and there were a few stories about them. I saw a few critters when I was there. No one ended up dead there either, so it seems like both missions could be considered a success. [Hopefully they wouldn't encounter someone that would ruin the night with murder. That would be a damper on the mood.

This place was probably the first environment where he had free access to the forest and even fields. It was strange, and he found himself looking up at the canvas above them. He could also see the stars in some of the breaks, and his fingers provided a light squeeze to Maria's hand in his own.

He snorted softly at her teasing, and he slowly shifted so he could rest his cheek against the crown of her head. He was still looking up at the shadowy foliage above.]

In my defense, I've seen you naked many times and it almost seems wrong to have you in clothing at this point. [He squeezed her hand in his own.] Please our wits match each other, but that ass? It's a perfect fit with the rest of you. [Compliments.]

Maybe that's how we should measure all of our missions. Feels a bit more optimistic that way. Nobody died, we won. A real champion's story. [and she would always argue for optimism, with a good touch of comedy, in their situation. especially in the company of Vander.] Apparently, camp really loves ghost stories. You probably could have had a good story going if you had talked about what you saw. Say you thought they followed you or something. [Maria had just told stories about Silent Hill, which worked just as well.

for Maria, even if Silent Hill had been on a lake surrounded by forest, she'd never had a chance to see the night. she was always dead by then and when she was brought back, it was always when James was underground. she never did get to see the night sky. Etraya had been her first time and this camp was her first time seeing the stars. Maria had liked it and she still did. even if she didn't think that the woods were her thing, she did like the stars.]

You really are a professional at compliments. But I'll take this as you telling me maybe I should have clothes on more so you can figure out more compliments about that? Not that I'm complaining about what you're offering up.

That seems like an awfully low bar to have to jump over when it comes to a mission success, don't you think? Shouldn't we at least try to aim higher than that? [He also wondered how many of the previous missions had failed to actually meet that bar already. He knew that the previous two he had been on had resulted in casualties, so honestly, maybe they should expect the bar to be that low.] Well, I do have a history with good story telling skills. I do voices and everything.

[There was a lot of pollution even at the topmost level of the undercity. If the wind blew it out then it was fine and people could enjoy the illusion of living more like Piltover, but the wealth disparity was never that far away. Still, he never considered himself to be a 'great outdoors' type of guy, so the dangers and concerns that came with traversing a forest were not inherently easy for him.

He smiled at her comment, and he knew she wasn't wrong. He had been flirting and complimenting behind a bar for a very long time. Most of the time it wasn't serious, but he also tended to not bother lying either. People saw through those types of interactions, and he built himself on the idea that he was relatively honest and trustworthy. It's why he was a community leader.]

I take my job as being able to compliment honestly and effectively very seriously. You haven't complained about most things that I do with or without clothing on.

Set the bar low and it is very hard to be disappointed. Maybe not the best motto to live by but it's been doing wonders for me here. [since Vincent died, and nobody close to her has died again, the other missions haven't seemed as bad. the perks to having a low bar.] Yeah? I'd pay to hear the voices if we had money here so you'll have to take my enjoyment as payment.

[Maria didn't necessarily think Vander's compliments were lies. she certainly knew he thought she was attractive, after all. he showed her again and again that was how he felt. but exaggeration wasn't really a lie, now was it?]

Talking about things you do with or without clothing, how bad is the damage? [she motions to his knee he was stretching out.] Anything you'll need help with? And don't go macho man on me and say you don't need help. Consider it making me happy being able to help you.

[part of what Maria did enjoy was helping people, especially someone that meant as much to her as Vander did. if she couldn't help as good a friend as Vander then she didn't think she'd feel very useful no matter what.]

That's depressing, you know? We should be able to survive, but hey, perhaps that's the point of all of this. If we can't survive a mission, how can we justify our worlds continuing to exist. [That seemed like a high bar to meet. Regardless, it seemed like everything happened for a reason, many of which he would never properly fathom the weight of the actions in missions.] Oh, you want me to tell you a scary story, do you?

[He hummed as he set himself to thinking of a story that they had, and most of his were for children. He didn't think it mattered much, but it did remind him that those had been a relatively good old days despite the sadness. The kids grew up healthy and robust, and that was all he had wanted. He could tell one of the stories from back then.

Yet, he was distracted and glanced at his leg where Maria motioned.] It's nothing too serious. I took some kind of concussive blast to it, so it's basically black and purple right now. Twisted my knee a bit when I feel, but otherwise, nothing that time won't heal, I promise.

[Though, he glanced at her for the offer to assistance, and that was such a common offer from Maria that it was expected it. He did appreciate it, and perhaps he didn't show it much due to how independent he liked to be. He was used to taking care of himself, though this was also an important facet of their friendship.]

Actually... you're going to laugh and tease probably, but I will need help getting my pants off. I can't bend the knee for too long and the bruising is tender, so a full change of my trousers is a full effort. [Once they were back at the apartment, this wouldn't be a problem. Here at camp? Well, he hadn't risked taking them off completely yet for this reason.]

Or it's a matter of how much we can withstand. How stubborn are we willing to be for our universe? We're both pretty stubborn so I think we stand a chance. [for the universe she was fighting for, Maria didn't view it as hers. but it was Heather's. it was a universe that the Laura from her world, the one she'd never been able to talk to but loved nonetheless, could find happiness in. Maria wanted a universe for them. Maria? well. not much mattered when it came to her. she was staying here in Etraya anyway.] It's a good excuse to cling to you, right? [not like they needed much of an excuse to do so. ever, really.

it made her happy he was honest with her and when he did tell her how she could help him, there was a chuckle under her breath.] Depending on the positioning, I could be in a great place when it comes to you. Eye level, right on the prize. That isn't much to laugh about. Tease, sure. But a fun kind. [but to be serious, she nods only enough so she doesn't disrupt where his head is.]

I can help with that, though. Aren't you supposed to rest your leg on a pillow? Up on something.

If it ensures my daughters have a place to return to and live out their lives, I'm willing to do whatever is necessary for that, I think. My time is over, so they need to opportunity to live. [It was the same motivation as always. If he thought about preserving Runeterra for them, he didn't have to think too long (yet still did) about his losses. He could give them what he had failed to provide so many others.] Wait, do you need an excuse to cling to me?

[He looked down at his leg stretched out in front of him, looking like there was nothing particularly wrong with it at the moment. It ached, but he was stoic enough that he didn't allow that to show. He turned his head to bury his nose into her hair.] You'd put yourself in a great position. You always do. [He had a feeling that she would make the most of the opportunity.] You going to force me to put ice on it or something?

[He did lift his head a little, considering for a moment her question. Well, that was just stupid, wasn't it?] If I have it elevated, how am I supposed to walk? I can't have it elevated all the time; I need to be up and about.

[it is always the same motivation but one that Maria respected nonetheless. it was an honorable thing to want the best for your family and so Maria would always respect this about him. if anybody would have their universe saved, she believed Vander's certainly would with how much he did keep fighting for his daughters. she didn't doubt that.

she smiles at his question, the smile obvious in her voice.] No, but we seem to like coming up with excuses to do anything, now don't we? [it was their own version of flirting, she thought.]

I think the idea is you're not supposed to be doing a lot and resting. I know you're not a fan but couldn't you hurt yourself more? [she's prepared for him to argue, so she speaks up again before he can have a chance to answer.] I could even put on some cute nurse outfit and we make a whole act of it. But seriously, it can't be good to be on it so much. At least just a day. [her head lifts so she can pout at him, attempting to win this argument.] For me?

[Vander thought that he should feel called out, but the truth of it was that he and Maria had shown a repeated habit of manufacturing excuses to see each other or do something with one another. It would be easier to just ask, but where was the fun in that when they could come up with obtuse reasons to set an action or scene when the determined want eventually was successful.]

I don't think it's excuses per say. We just don't enjoy the straight and narrow way of getting to a point. [They had been manufacturing since their very first meeting.] Don't tell me you aren't enjoying it?

[Vander had never rested a full day in his left except that time he was literally septic and was too febrile and hallucinating that he couldn't. Otherwise, missing a day of work or networking could be a catastrophic set back for weeks or months.] It will heal eventually. It always does. [Though that nurse outfit was tempting. Yet, it was the 'for me?' that caused him to quietly contemplate the request.] Just a day, I suppose. But it has to be at the apartment; the cabin beds are made for someone my size.

Would we be here right now if I didn't enjoy it? [it kept things fun. She knew that Vander would get straight to the point if necessary, as would she, but it was just something silly they did when they found themselves in a bizarre situation. they had fun and Maria liked it.

she hadn't been entirely sure if she could convince Vander to take it easy. sex was never much of a motivator for Vander, that had been mostly teasing. he worked hard and she couldn't imagine him taking a full day off of anything. especially because of the reasons they had been talking about moments ago. it is a pleasant surprise when he says he'll take the day for her.] I didn't bring a nurse outfit with me anyway. And I have to admit, not interested in taking my clothes off for a crowd if I'm not getting money for it.

[she squeezes his hand gently and smiles.]

Besides, it's been two weeks and that's been the longest time we've been apart. Maybe I got lonely and this is just a scheme to have you to myself. [Maria figured the joke about this, even if it did have some truth to it, would be far more likely to get him to be a little more eager for it and not look at it as a waste of time.]

Probably not. You have plenty of options after all, so I have to keep you on your toes to make sure you're still interested. [They had been teasing each other for a long time, and he would honestly have it no other way. This was their friendship, and he felt at ease in it. Of course they could be direct and serious when they wanted to be, but this carefreeness? He wouldn't trade it for anything.

He huffed a sound of amusement as he finally remove his cheek from resting on the crown of her head so he could shake it. He shifted on the log they were sitting on so he could stretch his right leg out to be with the left and leaned back so he could gaze up into the dark canopy above.] Damn, should have bid for the nurse outfit. Then you'd be in a bind and have to barter further to keep me in one place for a day of rest.

[He glanced at her at the sweet comment, and he had no doubt that there was truth to her words. They'd seen each other daily for two months before this, so a sudden two week break? And well, the circumstances hadn't been ideal for him stepping away either. High chance of imminent death and all that. He slung an arm across the back of her shoulders.]

Well, if you were so lonely, it's fortunate I showed up at your cabin door, isn't it? Though now I feel like all you've secretly wanted is to dote on me as I lay on the couch.

Yeah, but who else has as big a bath or bed as yours? Like I'm giving that up for anything. Stay big and you've got my attention. [even if Maria had already confessed she stuck around for his company more than the bed and bath, it still seemed like a worthy ruse to keep up with.

Maria had missed him and she knew she didn't need to say it out loud for him to know it was true. during the camp, Maria's mind had been on him and the others that were out in Solmara. she'd kept busy from the duties assigned to her as a counselor to the way she always socialized but her mind had always gone to the other mission at night.

still, while Maria wasn't scared to be affectionate to Vander, it wasn't the right moment for it. so instead she laughs and shrugs a shoulder.] It is fortunate, isn't it? Though I can argue that you just wanted to get hurt so you can have me dote on you. [she moves closer, their hips touching now as she looks up at him.]

Hmm, that is a good point. I think I'm one of the bigger guys around who also lives in the apartments and not some big fancy place. [He did not say that the only way that he was likely to become smaller was with the loss of actual body parts. Of course, he didn't doubt this place could shrink people, it would still be a travesty.

Solmara had forced a lot of his focus, and it was the kind of inhospitable place where he had to keep his wits about him. The team had been small yet mostly well coordinated. They had done what they had set out to do, and that was important. Mission success and no one had died.

He suddenly put a hand to his chest as if she had leveled an unfounded accusation at him. Of course, his other arm was still around her shoulders.] How could you ever accuse a hard-fought hero for purposefully receiving injuries in order to receive the care and attention of a lovely lady? [He almost made it. He tried. By the time he was saying attention, he was chuckling and trying to hold his mirth in. Not great acting.] You'll at least paint my toe nails while I'm too hobbled to fight back, right?

[let's not ruin the mood with talks of removal of body parts. this was supposed to be a nice, simple date. ] And who wants a big place? No excuse to share a room and bed at that point. [and if then there would be the discussion of if they wanted to keep living together...this was not going to be a fun topic anymore. time for the next one.

besides, Maria understood her place. she didn't assume Vander thought much of her outside the apartment they shared or they sent each other a message here or there. certainly he didn't have Maria on his mind when he had something far more important to be doing. even if Vander had said he liked things as they were now, it didn't mean it was always going to be like that. Maria still kept in mind that whatever little illusion they had going wouldn't be forever. all things had to end.

and she didn't want to think about that.

she laughs with him.] Yeah, pink nails. Could give you red or black but you'd look pretty with pink. Even if the only way it'll be seen is when you have your shoes and socks off. I hope anybody that sees will love it and agree you'll look nice in pink. Though that reminds me. [she goes into her pocket and pulls out a brown and blue friendship bracelet.] We had to make these to commemorate friendship. [before he can agree to it, she is tying it around his wrist. he doesn't have a say.]

I don't know. They seem popular topside, but then again, they have a lot of stuff to have to put somewhere. [Vander had been in Cait's mansion, and it was overwhelming the sheer amount of expense, pomp and fortune was stuffed in a single place. It had been extremely uncomfortable to live there for a week or two, which was why he preferred his modest apartment.] You ever been in a big mansion before?

[The first person that Vander had wanted to catch a visual on was Maria when he came back. The second was Jinx. He figured the latter would be angry with him, so he had made certain to approach her first to assure her that he was fine. Maria seemed to be taking to summer camp with her shorts and brightly coloured shirts. He had admired from afar until he had decided it was last night and they could break the rules to have some time together.

He made a point of gawking down at his own feet which were currently in said socks and boots. No sight of his toenails whatsoever.] Yeah, I agree. My daughter used to alternate between pink or blue when she painted them back in the day. [There had been others, but those two were her favourites. He was always willing for such things to bond with his kids.] I do look good in pink. Well, it has to be the right shade anyway.

[He turned his head when Maria produced a woven bracelet, and he blinked when she was wrapping it around his thick wrist. He lifted it to accommodate while also examining it.] What make you choose these colours?

Here? No. [but she does consider if she wants to tell him the truth about back home. even she didn't like to think about it. but decides on yes, she'll tell him.] In Silent Hill, there's this mansion. When I woke up the very first time, that was one of the first places I went. Can't say I was a fan. [not so much about the idea of a mansion but because of what had happened there. the confirmation of just what she was and how alone she was. she'd never enter that mansion again if she could help it. even when James would go inside of it, Maria would not.

if there was one thing Maria had learned about herself, it was that she could adapt. she hadn't liked this camp thing necessarily but it had been easy. no big headache, no danger. by now, she knew it could be far worse. ]

I have different pinks. I'll let you pick your favorite.

[she looks at the bracelet on his wrist with a fond smile.] You wear a lot of browns and blues. Figured it wouldn't clash and it'd blend into your whole thing. You can always cut it off when you're tired of it anyway. But it seemed like a nice thing to make you.

[He was endlessly curious about this Silent Hill place where Maria was... er lived? Was made? Existed? He didn't know what to make of that part, only that the place where Maria was actually from.] Was it packed full of riches and extravagant things, or just basically a house of horrors? [He expected that her lack of explanation that it was more the latter.

He huffed a sound of amusement and smiled at her. Of course she had a wide variety of pinks for him to pick out his favourite. Maybe he'd make her decide, since he would be debilitated on the couch.]

What's your favourite pink? And how many shades are we talking here?

[He turned his wrist over to admire the bracelet. He knew that he would cherish it because it came from a friend.] It will go well with the stone you gifted me. [It seemed that she was missing opportunity to have a gift from him, and that was something he would rectify once they were back at the apartment.]

I like it. I don't plan on cutting it off ever. [He tended to wear gifts like these until they were literally falling off of him.] I appreciate you thinking of me for one. Is there opportunity still to make you one? [He leaned in so he could kiss her forehead affectionately.]

It was a rich person's place for sure. [and since Vander seems to be curious, she gives him the answer.] It was haunted. I didn't know it at the time and it probably wouldn't have stopped me. Even that spirit yelling at me to leave him alone didn't stop me. Not that I knew he was dead. Kind of a sad story honestly. His only child died really young when she fell from the attic and he died before he could come to terms with it. [she gives Vander a look like she's expecting him to think she's crazy.] This did happen. I'm not making it up. [as if ghosts could be fake after what he saw her turn into.]

I like brighter pinks. Not a soft pink kind of girl. [that had been Mary's thing after all.

Maria simply liked doing things for the people she cared about. gifts were easy to do here. not that she didn't like gifts but she wasn't expecting anything. simply being thought of at all mattered.] Aw, you still have the stone? I'm glad. And maybe it does have something going for it. Here you are, all in one piece. Maybe that mumbo jumbo about it keeping people safe is real. [not that she was sure about that. like yeah maybe ghosts were real but magical rocks? nah.]

You making me one? With your big fingers? Well, we'll see. I have lots of string left. I can show you how it's done and you can surprise me. [her hands go to the back of his head so she can move his head down to kiss him softly on the lips.] I'd like the thought at all.

[Vander inclined his head at the explanation of haunted. There were plenty of spiritual entities in Runeterra and even in his own city. Etraya was also good about letting him understand a bit more about the spiritual as well. He believed Maria, yet her story reminded him a little of conversation with that guy who was haunted. What was his name? Henry. He wondered if they had swapped stories.

Then he considered the story itself. A child dies and a father has to cope with that loss. A common tale, he supposed, yet he was reminded of his own (currently) hidden grief.] I wonder if he blamed himself for her death. I expect he played over the what-ifs and if-onlys more often than he could count before he died. [He looked at Maria, suddenly somber.] Did you talk to him?

[He nodded his head. Honestly bright and flashy pinks definitely seemed to be the style that he would associate with Maria. She could pick which colour to put on him.

He shifted where they sat so he could reach into his trouser pocket and extract the stone that she had provided him as a gift. His thumb stroked over the smooth surface, taking comfort in it.] Maybe it brought me back in one piece, yeah. A good luck charm if there ever was one. From one of my favourite ladies to boot, so what more could I ask for? [Stone gifts were a big deal in Zaun. It was part of their fashion, part of their culture, part of something special.]

Hey, I'll have you know I had to braid little girl's hair! These fingers have skill. It just... takes me longer. [He had to be patient and usually required extra material so he had enough to wrap around his fingers.] The master of crafts will show me and then you'll even receive a prize for your efforts.

His name was Ernest and his daughter's name was Amy. He couldn't leave the room and I brought him a gift from his daughter and then something else. [it had been cult nonsense, materials to bring the dead back to life. but no need to bring that up. not like Ernest could have used it. he'd been dead himself.] He really wanted nothing to do with me but by the end, I think. I opened the door and there was nobody. I've never gone back. I know he isn't there anymore. He was trapped and now he isn't. [but now she couldn't stand the idea of ever going near that place again.

Maria smiles at the stone and his compliment.] I'll have to keep an eye out for any other rock with special qualities. [Vander had told her people where he was from gave each other rocks but she hadn't thought too deeply about it. just thought it would be a gift he'd appreciate more than anything else.]

Well I can't wait to see what you're able to make. Since you're really hyping it up here.

[He nodded his head, and it certainly seemed similar to the stories that Henry had told him about his own hauntings of multiple people. Likely no coincidence.] So you helped him out and let him be free of some of his grief, huh? I think you should start a therapy business for parents of dead kids at this rate. [It was meant as a tease, of course, but his tone was flat and struggled to find the correct joking intonation.

His thumb continually ran over the rock as if he were soothing himself with it. That wasn't too far from the truth.] I used to take it out every night I was on the desert and stroke it. It reminded me of you, and it was suddenly less lonely out there. [He smiled at her, his serious moment persisting until he cleared his throat and forced himself to make a show of tucking the rock away again. His little keepsake.]

I promise you'll be impressed! You might even wear my creation too!

[it is hard not to notice that and she glances before being able to bring in the teasing tone he's used to.] He really didn't want me around, though. Practically screamed at me to leave him alone and slammed the door in my face. But hey, you know me. I guess fair warning to you, though. Screaming and slammed doors won't do much good when it comes to me. You'd probably break the door if you slammed it too hard anyway. [she could joke for the both of them and besides, talking about Ernest had brought back those feelings that had plagued her for ages. she didn't want to think anymore than Vander did at the moment.

it does surprise her when he makes that comment. Maria hadn't considered him thinking of her at all. that her friendship could mean something like that to him. even if he told her how much she did mean to him, Maria thought of it as simple compliments. just teasing and things they could say to one another to feel less lonely. that this rock could make him feel better, by thinking of her...

it wasn't that she didn't think he was lying about their friendship. but it had never made her realize just how important it was to him until then. she struggles for an answer until the moment has passed and it would probably be too awkward to bring it back to that. something inside her tells her she should but then something else tells her to stay quiet and just cherish it. have it as something to look back on and think fondly of.]

I would wear it. I pressed that flower you gave me so I'd always have it.

Yeah well, grief makes people act out sometimes, right? You still helped him however you did. [He smirked at the idea of breaking a door. Yeah, he was definitely guilty of that over the years, and the doors in the apartments were not made to stand up to someone intent on breaking them.] I think Aurora would be upset with me if I continually broke doors when I was upset. There's a reason I have a punching back in the middle of the dining area.

[She had become a staple in his daily life, a warm presence to chat and tease with, and it kept his worst habits to a minimum these last few months. The value that he took from her friendship and support could not be understated.

He lifted his hand closer to his face so that he could examine the bracelet better in the dim light. There was a pattern there, which he likely would need to see in actual light, but it was well-made and well-intentioned. He would wear it with pride, damn the opinions of certain people who may ask questions about it.]

Did you? That flower has seen a lot, as we both know.

It does. [James had also been an example of that but who wants to think about something that depressing during their date? she had already brought up Ernest and she hated to think about him. not like this was a happy topic for Vander anyway.] Who knows, though. Maybe the next mission will need you to do that. I never thought a mission was going to be summer camp but here we are.

[Maria was just as grateful for Vander. she hated to be alone, couldn't stand it. during the day, it was easy to find ways to be around people. working at the bodega with Heather, the various friends she'd made, and if there was nobody around then she could go out and find someone. but coming home meant she still wouldn't be alone most likely. Vander had become a fixture in her life. a voice inside did remind her that one day this would have to come to an end but she didn't want to think about that right now. what was the point in ruining a nice night?]

Almost a fallen hero. [she glances at his knee.] Well, guess no repeat of that this time. Not a tradition we're keeping up with. But hopefully you being hurt won't be one either.

It's part of the process I've been told. You go through the motions and eventually it hurts less. [Maybe his circumstances weren't so different from Ernest in the beginning, but at least he could be confident in the sacrifice he had tried to make. It apparently didn't work out that well when one considered a part of him came back in that beast.] Maybe? I suspect one breather mission is to help us put our guard down so we can be challenged again in a completely new way.

[Even if she wasn't there when he returned home or when he left to head for a work shift, there were signs of her presence in the apartment. There was the anticipation that they would see each other at some point at every day even when their work shifts conflicted because if he came home real late, she was still in the bed where he could nestle up to her.

And these post-mission dates were a good idea. Maybe that's why he started this one a little on the early side because they had gone two weeks apart, and it felt painful to wait and 'behave' themselves on the last day.]

No? You don't think I could pin you to a tree and have my way with you standing up even with a bummed knee? [Vander shot her a look almost like 'challenge accepted', even if this wasn't the time and place. Plus trees? The bark would definitely be a problem.] Nah, I always heal. [A comment which was opposite to the point she was trying to make.]

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