⇨ CAMPING GROUNDS

[ringleaders]

Who: Everybody!
When: Day 64
Where: The Camping Grounds
What: While the Ringmaster attempts to purge the carnival of magical tracing spells and deal with the angry fire fae in her belly, everyone else is getting sent on an emergency camping trip with some unusual local fauna.
Warnings: Camping.

CRYPTIC CAMPGROUNDS↴ You're given about three hours to prepare, after the Ringmaster tells you her plans for the coming week. There is a vast selection of camping equipment at your disposal, and the means to take along enough food for the length of the stay. The wilderness of the planet you're left on is nearly idyllic, but some people just don't like the great outdoors. ► CRYPTOZOOLOGY: As it turns out, the carnival won't be alone here. There is a varied ecosystem of cryptids to be found as well, living in relative peace and mostly reacting to the newcomers with curiousity. More details can be found on the plotting post. You are free to NPC the cryptids as much as you need to, as long as you stick to the behaviours described. ► DREAMSHARING: There is a player plot going on which will allow characters to share dreams! These are specifically more dreams than nightmares, and the mushi-adept characters will be here to help. ► CHILLAX: There isn't any plot twist for this setting, so this is mostly an opportunity to decompress from the last plot and get ready for the future. The Ringmaster will show up occasionally to help with needed medical treatments and check on things, but won't stick around for long.

Comments

[mylastchance]

He shrugs, honestly not sure talking will help. It was just a dream. It wasn't real, only frightening.

"I don't know."

[wild_magic]

He sighs and looks down, picking at the blanket. If Lauren doesn't want to talk, and he doesn't want to lay down, maybe he'll just go back to sleep.

"Well. If you do, just tell me."

[mylastchance]

He nods, and then sighs in frustration, kicking some dirt onto the fire to put it out. This is stupid. He's being ridiculous. He stands abruptly, moving back towards the sleeping bags they'd spread on the ground to sleep on. He sits down dramatically, glaring into the distance looking annoyed.

"...I keep remembering it."

[wild_magic]

Susan frowns at his brother's childishness, but he doesn't call him out on it. Right now that wouldn't be helpful after all.

"The dream?"

[mylastchance]

"Being buried." he says, spitting out the word buried like it leaves a bad taste in his mouth. He winces just hearing it, looking at the ground.

[wild_magic]

Right. He supposes that makes sense. He had dreams about being trapped in the Prince's dungeon and being hunted for a while after the manor, so of course Lauren would have dreams and think about that. Still, it's not something he knows how to help with, and so all he does is lean against his brother.

"I'm sorry. I know that was hard..."

[mylastchance]

He wraps an arm around Susan, turning to face his brother so he can hold him close.

[wild_magic]

He keeps leaning against him, trying to think if he can help somehow. He doesn't really know how though; after the manor there wasn't much of anything that would have helped, only time, even talking doesn't help him. Lauren is different, so maybe it would, but Susan doesn't know how to even start that. Maybe this is enough, just sitting together.

After a moment he calls Fluff over in his mind and the cat comes over to nudge her head against Lauren. Petting her always helps Susan, so maybe it will help.

[mylastchance]

He pulls back at the nudge, looking down to the car and giving her a small smile. He runs a hand over her head and down her back, petting her softly.

"I thought you didn't like me." he says to the cat, voice near a whisper.

[wild_magic]

Susan smiles as Fluff rubs against Lauren.

"She's soft though. And petting her makes you happy." It's not really Fluff's idea of course, but she doesn't object to pets ever.

[mylastchance]

He smiles wider, looking to Susan as he keeps petting Fluff.

"So, I was right then."

[wild_magic]

"About what?" He smiles as Fluff keeps getting pets, the cat purring as she keeps butting into Lauren's hand.

[mylastchance]

"That she doesn't like me." he says with a laugh, knocking a shoulder into Susan gently.

[wild_magic]

Hey, he's still sleepy, okay! He laughs though and bumps Lauren back.

"She likes you enough!" Which means she doesn't dislike him, at least, even if she doesn't particularly like him either.

"If she didn't like you, she wouldn't let you pet her."

[mylastchance]

He pets down her back again, this time stopping to scratch at the base of her tail.

"I'm sorry for waking you." he says idly to Susan.

[wild_magic]

He shrugs as he keeps watching them.

"It's fine. I've woken you with my dreams sometimes."

[mylastchance]

It's true enough, but he still feels bad. He shifts to scratch Fluff under the chin.

"I don't know if I'll be able to get back to sleep tonight."

[wild_magic]

"...Want me to stay up with you?" He's still tired, but right now he doesn't want to sleep. He just wants to sit here with his brother.

[mylastchance]

He smiles. There really isn't anything they need to wake up for in the morning.

"Are you sure you won't regret it tomorrow?"

[wild_magic]

"I'll just sleep tomorrow if I'm tired! Fluff wouldn't mind having a nap partner, probably."

[mylastchance]

He laughs. "Fine, but if I start to fall asleep you better sleep too."

He doesn't want to deal with a grumpy child in the morning.

[wild_magic]

He smiles and nods.

"Okay, I will."