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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[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.]

[Maria considers the comment about the mission.] Seems unfair to you, who hasn't gotten much of a break. Your few days of camp doesn't count, if you ask me. But nobody's asking me. Let's hope between missions is peaceful enough. [famous last words and Maria knows that she may have just cursed them for the very opposite thing to happen.

but here's to hoping.

as always, Maria had wondered if maybe he simply would want space even if they'd both made it obvious that wen it came to the other, the last thing they wanted was space. yet every time, she wondered. it wasn't like they wouldn't see each other once they went back to the apartments. but she'd felt silly seeing glances of him and being happy to see him. luckily, for them, Vander had come to start an early date. even just simply sitting together was nice.]

I think you could and you would if I gave you the chance. But just because you can doesn't mean you should, you dog. [but it's said with affection. she takes his hand and holds it, entangling their fingers.] And I don't want my lower back scratched up by a tree. But I'll take you up on it once we have some better walls and your knee is feeling better.

Ah well, I have a month before the next mission to recover. Who knows, maybe Solmara will blow up again, and another team will have to go in again. Then there are our missions. [He liked to hope that after two startling revealing and bad missions for people personally that they would have two that weren't so intensive. Who knew, maybe some of the other people needed that.

Only time would tell.

He relaxed perhaps for the first time since returning from Solmara or even before Solmara to be with her. He trusted her deeply, which was why he made no excuses of his want to see her earlier than perhaps they normally would. He dropped the arm with the friendship bracelet across the back of her shoulders again, stroking the top of her arm with his fingers.]

Dog? Call me Hound. That's the way it's been since I much younger. [He squeezed her fingers in return with the entanglement, leaning his head back to rest against her temple.] Alright, alright, I surrender. I wouldn't hurt a lady who I like unless she wanted me to. Until then, you're my nurse and I'll do most of what you tell me to do.

The mission is screwed if they have to keep sending people out there and my number is called so let's hope not for the mission's sake. [Maria knew that she was pretty useless on missions. she certainly wasn't strong enough or intelligent enough to be of much actual help. if a mission required them to be either of those things then she didn't think she could be good for it. going to camp had been the best possible choice for her. this had been the easiest mission for her yet even if it had left her worrying about some of her closest friends, Vander included. ]

Isn't dog just another word for that? Seems like my judgment stands. But see, that sounds like a challenge. Or more like you want to be one. [or more like Vander didn't want to take it easy. he had things he felt he needed to do and resting wasn't one of those things. Maria could argue with him that pushing himself wasn't going to do any good but it didn't matter. she had a hunch he wouldn't listen. best to treat the day he gave her as if it was a treat for her.] A challenge keeps things fresh. Even if you really think not going along with whatever I have in mind is your best bet. If your knee doesn't get better then I'll find a nice cane for you.

I doubt it will happen, but it depends on Aurora's brother, I suppose. He needs to maintain some sort of order there. I might suggest you don't volunteer if it Solmara comes up again. [Of course, Vander had been contemplating the idea that they may have visitation from other places or vice versa. They did not exist in isolation as they may have seen, and he did wonder if Maria's theory of fighting each other eventually meant actual experiments like theirs against others would hold more true. It was easier to other people one didn't know or hadn't built connection with.

He smirked at her comment, and it was extremely true just not what he wanted to be called.] It is, but Hound is my nickname. I prefer to be called that if you're brandying around dog names. [He held one hand up in a sign of peace to her accusation. He did like a good challenge now and again, he wouldn't deny it.] Oh you really are on the path to making me feel old, aren't you? It will be better with your tender loving care of me, don't worry. I'll be good. [Sort of.]

I didn't volunteer the first time and I won't volunteer the second time, if there was one. I know what I'm good for and it isn't things like that. [though Maria still does not actually know what she's good for but there is a reason why she tends to avoid people she cares about during missions that require specific skill sets. at the end of the day, she knows she would only slow people down. typically, she goes it alone. unless it was someone like Henry who really did need the help. but most of her friends are better off than her.]

Hound somehow sounds even hornier than 'Dog'. But whatever floats your boat, Hound. [even saying it, there's that air of flirtation. but when is Maria not flirty anyway?] A cane could make you real distinguished. Some people like them as accessories anyway. Could be a new thing for you. But who knows? Maybe I can distract you for more than one day. That'll be my challenge. [and to some degree, it's still just an excuse to have him to herself. it really had felt like a long two weeks without seeing him and maybe that's a problem if she had missed him that much. they'd become such a staple for each other.

and maybe that's something she should think about? but that isn't what tonight is about. instead she just looks back up at the stars.]

Were you ever able to look at the stars back home?

That's fair. I'm glad they didn't pick randomly from people. It seemed to work well with volunteers willing to work together. How did you find wrangling all the people here in camp? What was your objective in this mission anyway? We had first-aid. [He had a lot more faith in Maria's skillset than she did, and he thought that camp while not ideal fit her social style very well. She could convince people into things.]

Wow, don't make my moniker sound horny, Maria. [Pure sarcasm. He couldn't hold any seriousness about it and chuckled. There had been a lot of jokes about his nickname until people realized it wasn't just about being horny. It was that he never quit hunting when he was keyed in.] Yeah but then I would have to wear a top hat again and a monocle, and that's just not me. I'm never going to even be able to fake being high society. Too much dirt under my finger nails. [He looked her over next to him.] I bet you would dress up real fancy and fit in with one of those parties where you laugh behind your hand and hold a flute of champagne with two fingers.

[He looked up to the stars as well, enjoying the brief silence and her warm presence next to him.]

Yeah, if you went to the top levels of the city called the Promenade. Those areas close to the water often had a great view because the breeze would push all the industry smog inland. Did Silent Hill have a starry night sky too?

[Maria had been created to depend on one person. she wasn't strong and she wasn't intelligent. though she couldn't see her own gift with being able to socialize, not quite seeing how that was a skill not just everybody had. this camp situation had actually been a good thing for her and even if she didn't think she'd done a great job at the music therapy gig, she'd done better than she would give herself credit for.] Our objective was just be here? Go to camp, follow the rules, and make sure we did our chores. I don't know, it was weird? But easier than yours, I'm guessing. [Maria said that so simply but they had had that serious talk before he left for a reason.

there's a scoff and Maria laughs.] Me? Doubt it. You can put lipstick on a pig but it's still a pig, so they say. I wasn't supposed to be the fancy sort and I doubt I could pull it off for long. But if you want to see me in a nice dress and that's what this is all about, I can get us some champagne and we can just dress up for the night.

[Maria lets go of his hand just so she can lean against him, head on his shoulder.] It did. I got to see it, though. [she had always been killed by the time night hit and she never did get to see the sky again.] It's nice to see the stars even if I don't think I'm much of a fan of living out in the great outdoors. I did keep coming out to see the sky.

[He inclined his head and shrugged a little. It seemed like too simple of an objective, especially since each cabin seemed to have something they were assigned to lead on.] It sounds like a relaxing mission. I assume there was an element of collaboration or something? Because just showing up and following the rules should be an easy bar to set. [And yet...

He turned his head and stared at her in the dim light, his body stilling as he considered her words. Damn, that self esteem.] But you could pull it off even for a time, and that's something most of my lot could never do. Don't make me doll you up like those fancy Piltover ladies to prove how beautiful and adaptable you are because I will.

[He sensed a hint of sadness in the way that she leaned on his shoulder, and he nestled his nose into her hair.] The stars were nice, yet seemed so cold and far away for me. I remember the first time I saw the stars too. It was... such an unexpected experience. [He nodded against her head.] I'm in agreement with the living outdoors part. I prefer underground or at least with a roof over my head.

I had to take care of music stuff. I did music therapy and did sing alongs? I had no idea what I was doing. [Maria only knew music she was supposed to dance to and that music wasn't very therapeutic? but there is a smirk at following the rules.] You asked me to break the rules by coming out here. [and it had been the end of the mission so she agreed but they were not doing much in the way of behaving.

Maria didn't consider her words to mean much. simply she'd been created for a purpose and the purpose wasn't to be demure.] You're only proving my point that it sounds like you just want to see me in a fancy dress. By now, you should know you don't need to compliment me to get your way but thank you. It's very sweet for a hound. [she did believe he found her beautiful and adaptable, at least. Vander wouldn't lie about things like that and she may tease him but she did appreciate the compliments.]

I really like them. I can see how big everything is and know there's so much more out there. It makes me feel small but in a good way. Like I'll never stop having things to see. [for once, she does feel a little silly for saying that and she quickly moves on from it.] But I'm not much for roughing it.

Huh, I don't think I've been privy to your singing voice. How did you enjoy it? Therapize some people in need? [He had belief that she had done well, and she had carried out her assignment admirably because Maria was saving her world for someone else.] I did, and if it makes you nervous, we can head back, okay?

[He shrugged his shoulders as if he were trying to play it innocent here with her accusation. What could he say. He was just a simple man looking to build up a lady he considered special.] Hardly for me, Maria. I simply believe you have the gravitas to carry yourself in high society if you needed to. That's all I'm say, but I also would not refuse seeing you in a fancy dress. [He winked at her for calling him hound. It might be the first time in over six months anyone has referred to it anywhere close to a positive.]

Yeah, the sky just stretches out in all directions with its stars and maybe the moon. You have a moon where you're from, yeah? [He nodded his head, understanding. Roughing it wasn't for everyone.] And the cabin beds aren't that comfortable either. I can't believe I'm saying that I'm looking forward to getting back to the apartment again.

I didn't make any eardrums bleed but you didn't miss much. I promise you're already hearing my best performances in private. But I think I helped some people and that was nice. [she laughs.] Funny story. A friend of mine told me to come up with a childhood dream so I said therapist. Ironic, huh? [she was sure it was just a coincidence but it had been nice nonetheless. like making her identity all the more real.] But we're fine. It's the last night. They can't fail me because I wanted to spend some time with you.

[it felt ridiculous to tell him she didn't agree. to argue about what she could and could not manage. she would simply take the nice sentiment and leave it at that.] If there is ever any reason to dress up then you'll be the first to see me. But only if I get to see you in a monocle.

[she gives him a look, teasing.] Is it so surprising to be excited to see me every day again? If you want me gone then you should have taken me up on the offer before. I could have been out of your hair.

Well, since I'm earning your best performance, I have no right to complain about missing anything here. I suppose I'll just have to make you sing for me when we get back to the city. [He provided a little charming wink that allowed him to get away with more than he should usually.] That fits actually. You are a good listener and you like to help people. I suspect you'd be an excellent therapist.

[He offered a long-suffering sigh at her requirement. A monocle? Well, he supposed it would make him look very distinguished. Maybe he would even bother with beard wax for once and sell the whole dress-up adventure if she would. The trouble they convinced each other into was baffling sometimes.] Fine, fine I'll agree to a monocle if you're in fancy dress with your hair all styled up and two fingering a flute of champagne.

[He watched her quietly; this was the second time this subject had come up in quick succession. He shifted where he sat so he could draw his bruised leg back in and resting normally.] That's the second time you've brought that up, Maria. Are you uncomfortable in our living arrangement? I don't want you to be, and I won't be offended if you make a decision that's best for you in this either. I enjoy living with you, but I understand it's... an odd situation. I'm probably not supporting you well, not nearly as much as you are me in this.

[Maria liked Vander and it was easy for him to get away with many things because of that. it wasn't as if Maria hadn't already been considering how they would both get back to their usual business. what with his busted knee. luckily, their usual go to didn't require his knee at all.] Too bad becoming one of those probably means a lot of reading. [and she hated that part.

there wasn't much she could do with her hair, considering the length, but she'd figure it out for him.] I'll skip the nurse outfit and just wait on you in the dress. How about that?

[Maria had been joking, since he'd made the comment about the apartment as if he didn't like being there. she'd known what he meant, that it had nothing to do with her. Vander had stated he liked being with her again and again. what more did she want? for him to say it again? the answer was yes. maybe she'd just wanted to hear him say he wanted her around. but he didn't (which didn't mean anything) and now something is itching inside of her (which is ridiculous).

but this was why she had avoided conversations about them, how they were living together, and how odd it was. but it had come up and now it was just always there. if she had just gone along with the idea of moving out after the mission, joking about an extended post mission date, they wouldn't be here now. it just felt like he was waiting for her to decide to leave and that wasn't right. here they were, though. wandering into this tricky situation and it was hard to navigate. she was hardly being fun and that was what had made him like her. so she reminds herself. fun. you're supposed to be fun.

so she elbows him playfully.] You really think I'm the kind of girl to do this on a date? Give me some credit. But sorry, the joke didn't land. Relax and let me make it up to you. [her hand moves to his thigh with the bad knee.] Put that knee of yours back out.

Edited 2025-06-23 10:27 (UTC)

[He perked a little at her dislike of reading, nudging her with an elbow lightly.] When I was in the library, I saw something that I'd never seen before: audio books. Have you ever seen them? It's literally someone reading the book to you and all you have to do is listen. [He was all about enabling her.

He huffed and had no doubt that she would. Maria did like her dresses, and she was the kind of person who knew how to doll herself up.] All that just to watch me lay on a couch with my leg up, huh? I'll just apologize now if I'm a bad patient. [He would be. Guaranteed. She'd be smacking him to sit back down at least once an hour.

He never wanted her to feel obligated to be with him in the apartment; he liked that they shared such a space so easily and without effort. They both helped around, her stuff was nice to look at, she was learning to cook and he was learning that maybe baths weren't a complete waste of time. He had a good time with her, but he was able to admit their situation was odd. It wasn't a normal friends-with-benefits situation and anyone looking in on it would likely pass judgment.

He quite frankly didn't care what anyone but Maria thought, but this has come up before the Solmara mission and now directly after it. In his experience, repeated nudges about a singular subject usually meant it had more weight to it than perhaps he wasn't providing it credit. Perhaps this was her joking call for help. Or perhaps it was nothing and he was tired and sore and reading too much into the whole levity.]

I give you all the credit, but this is also the first time we've seen each other alone since I came back through the portal. I just... [He trailed off to gather his thoughts, though extended his leg again at her request.] I like you. I like all the time we spend together. It isn't beyond me our situation isn't typical, and I avoided talking about it when you first moved in because... I liked that you were there and didn't want to lose it. You pull me out of bad head spaces, but that's also not your responsibility either. I want you to be who you are, go where you want to go, do what you want to do. What do you want, Maria?

Audio books, huh? Oh, like those books on tape. [but she knew technology was different for this place rather than her 90s world.] I guess I could try that. It'd take care of me not being able to sit still. [which was always the issue.

the last time it had come up was because Vander had asked if they could continue and Maria had asked just what he wanted to continue. he'd put up the same lines as he had the last time, he'd asked her a similar question, and Maria had said this was enough for her. really, it was more than enough. she still stood by that. and they both could admit, had admitted, their relationship had changed after the Aphaia mission. even their sexual relationship had changed. they joked about it but it had been much more than just blowing off steam, it had been wanting each other. their words had shown that as well.

and now here they were. again.

Maria had liked being so wanted. Vander depended on her and she knew it. but just like he depended on her, she depended on him and if he was being honest then she would. it was only fair.]

I hate being alone. I hate it so much. It feels like I'll go crazy if I am for too long. So I work at the bodega with Heather, I always have people I'll see, and then I have you. Even if you're not at the apartment, your presence is there and I like that so much. I like you, I like waking up to you and knowing I'll see you every day. You pull me out of bad places just by being in my life. We're the same. We knew what was happening and we let it happen. [there were still benefits but they had simply grown far beyond just sexual benefits.] I told you before you left that as long as you wanted me there then I'd be there and it's still true.

[Maria hadn't been looking at him and now she does, thanking the dark for giving her the bravery to do so.]

Vander, I don't want you to look at me differently. You've made me happy and I don't want things to change. I know they have to one day and when they do I'll be gracious. I won't make it your problem. But I just want to be your friend, whatever that looks like for us. [and many would say this was not just friendship, she knew, but what did it matter if this worked for them?]

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MISSION 009

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