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As Zeke left Demi to speak to Nancy, he kind of just…stood there. He wasn't exactly sure how long the talk would take or if Zeke would want to hang afterwards so he didn't want to outright abandon him. As they spoke Demi simply just took in the surroundings, when Zeke glanced back at Demi, he simply smiled and waved back towards the pair, and when he looked back away went back to taking in the scenery. Nancy cackled and it startled him a bit. What were those two even talking about? He was about to walk away but by the time he'd decided to it seemed their conversation was coming to a close.

Demi made his way over to Zeke, bumping the back of his hand against Zeke's. ”Hey, when you get the chance I have a few questions if that's ok?” He looked over towards Nancy and smiled before looking back at Zeke. As if he was saved by the bell Emily came by to snatch Nancy away from them to go look at plants or some shit. Cool. ”Emily right? Did Marco say when food would be ready? I could eat a cow right about now and I'm seriously craving some sausage mac.”

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Emily found her, and Nancy nodded. She didn't have anything specific that she needed to figure out at the moment - she wanted to get a vibe for the Camp before she started to worry too much about things. Maybe check out the archery range, get a good idea of the condition all the equipment was in. She somehow doubted it would be too impressive - maybe a few bows, the strings about to snap, and arrows missing their fletching. But still, the lack of resources here wasn't her problem. If the kids had to just play games in the archery range instead of real archery, that was fine. She did enjoy camping - but community service was hardly her passion. "Damn, and here all I wanted this summer was to watch some kids suffer," Nancy sighed, shaking her head slightly.

"But yeah, I'm ready to go," she then looked at Demi for a moment. "You take care of him, okay? He overdoes things," she requested, crossing her arms. "Make sure he eats."

"He'll get plenty of breaks, no worries. Snackage is very important to me so I'll make sure he eats a bit to. Don't you worry." Demi salutes Nancy.

Nancy rolled her eyes, but nodded appreciatively.

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By the time Aster was able to respond to Zeke, he'd been pulled outside by the buffoon of a boyfriend. Aster shrugged, the nuisance out of his hair for at least a moment. He shoved everything back in the closet - he'd grab it back on his way back over - and shut the door as the fools wandered back in, people from the HAM radio in tow. “Yes, the cabin is open but I would find a more suitable place to place it. I'm certain the vermin in sewers have better accommodations. And, for your own health, do not touch the mattresses. I'm still looking for anything to actually clean with and I can guarantee your safety in their current conditin.” Aster sniffed, cutting in for Zeke, and whirled on his heel to bother Macro in the kitchen.

The smell of food frying was a welcomed surprise and Aster sighed as he pushed open the doors. “Marco darling, light of my life, apple of my heart, you will.not believe how atrocious this place is. The mattresses are basically a grilled cheese sandwich and ick is the filling. I think there are rat droppings under the beds and Zeke nearly made me put my suitcases on the floor. Can you believe that? Now, they don't have anything but a questionable spray bottle, a mop, and that's basically it!” Aster complained, propping an arm on Marco's shoulder to see what he was cooking. “Though, you should be proud of me. The stench of insecurity from those two has been cleared. I gifted Zeke the wisdom of my confidence and he got his man, though I certainly question his taste. I have done my good deed for the day and I am exhausted. How do the masses do this every day?”

That was when Aster saw it. A non-descript little cabinet under the sink. Aster gasped and bolted for it, throwing it open, and nearly sobbed with relief. Floor cleaner, glass cleaner, and rags all neatly wrapped up in plastic. Aster spun and broke into an energetic victory dance.

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Ezekiel opened his mouth to respond but Aster beat him to the punch. Zeke nodded in confirmation. ”I’d honestly just leave your stuff here for now until Aster and I can do a deep clean of the cabin. We’ll try to divide and conquer but I have a feeling Aster will be hyperfixated on the one for hours.”

He ran a hand through his hair, sighing from the thought of the cleaning he was going to have to do. Zeke smiled at Demi and nodded. Nancy wanted to explore with Emily anyway. ”Ya, there’s something I need to talk to you about, too,” Zeke said, glancing at Nancy.

Zeke’s easy demeanour quickly slipped when his sister started to fuss about him. Zeke turned red and groaned. ”Nancy…honestly.” He grabbed Demi’s hand and pulled him into the room that held the HAM radio, quickly escaping everyone.

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Marco had to laugh as Emily pretended to eat his kiss. He caught her kiss and tucked it in his back pocket, clearly for later. He sighed as he turned back to the flat top and set to work. As he was getting ready to flip the bacon, Aster burst in and started to complain about the state of things.

"Aster, they have to put out mattresses for how many counselors and campers? I doubt they could afford what you're use to for all of them, darling. As for rats, that's unsurprising. They're everywhere... I'm sure we can ask Dobbs for some rat killer if we put it on the list and leave out traps for them. I have been told I can ask for some nice food if I cook for Dobbs." Marco had to chuckle still at that, as he was already planning quite the menu for the six, well seven, of them over the following week. Who knew the crotchety old man had a soft spot for good food?

"Oh? Proud? Aster, what good deed did you do? Helped get those two together? Well, good on you~ I had hoped to snack on the dark haired one a little... but if Zeke and Demi are now together, whom am I to intrude. As for how the masses do this every day, Aster, we try to focus on what gets us through the day. Like for now, I'm planning on sneaking out with Em later for some alone time. I doubt we're going to get much of it once the little campers are here, and I want to take advantage of the fact that once it's night, Dobbs is gone and well, Em smuggled in some of her good stuff." Marco chuckled as he turned back to the flat top and started to slide on the bread.

"I figure you're going to want some of the quiche I made, but do remind me, Aster dear, how do you take your eggs?"

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@KazAlkemi@Achronum@kittyluna45@Morose@Trainerblue192

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”Emily, or Em is fine,” Em responded to Demi. ”Sorry, I forgot your name, something with a D right? Food will be ready in a bit. He’s making a quiche. He’ll ring the bell.” She pointed to a large bell that was on one end of the porch, the side opposite the oak tree.

”I’m not afraid of a little dirt on my camping bag, Aster,” she yelled after him. She shrugged at Ezekiel’s recommendation and put her backpack down on the porch. She grabbed a notebook out of it.

”Alright, let’s go.” Emily started down the hill, her eyes searching for plants and paths.

“Marco sweetheart, I am standing in front of my tools of war and we're justifying mattresses that are probably as old as the first murder at this camp? No, no, no. Let me bask in the glory of the end of life and my eventual conquering of this disgusting, wretched place and.. Oh, at least that's well polished. Hello there.” Aster turned his head this way and that in the distorted reflection in the bottom of the metal sink. It wasn't perfect but even in the hazy reflection, Aster felt the stress melt away as he watched the art in the sink: himself.

“What in the world would Em be- oh. Oh! You're talking about intimate things. I see. Well, you certainly have fun with that. I will be tucked away, dreaming of beaches and massages.” Aster dismissed the idea of Marco and Em stumbling around in the underbrush. “A snack? That boy is practically feral! He thought Zeke was cheating on him with me, even though they hadn't said anything about being exclusive, but of course I stared at him like the child he was and that mollified him. Strange creatures, these people.”

Aster hopped around, peaking over Marco's shoulder and looping him into a loose hug. “Over easy with cayenne pepper. You don't think Dobbs will get us caviar? I would die for some and maybe a little non-alcoholic champagne. We could do mimosas one morning if we could wiggle out some OJ.”

Marco chuckled softly and rolled his eyes at Aster’s antics. It seemed that he was back to his usual self at that point, just a little bit. He hadn’t been trying to justify why the mattresses were old and sad, mostly just explaining.

”You can dream of your beaches and massages, but I’ll be here, with Em.” He chuckled at that and looked over at Aster as he said that the Dark haired boy, Demi, was practically feral. ”Well then, as I said, if they just got together, I’m not gonna bother.”

Marco heard Aster’s order and relaxed against him a bit. ”Over easy then, with cayenne. And I doubt he’d get us caviar. That might be too expensive. But some good steak, maybe some nice cheeses, and fresh vegetables and fruit. At least for the week.” He chuckled more as he turned to grab the cayenne pepper.

“Uncultured. Dobbs doesn't know what he's missing out. At least we can get steak.” Aster sniffed, stepping out of Marco's way as he reached for Aster's cayenne and hopped up to sit on a counter. “I just can't understand why people find these activities fun. Man invented air conditioning for a reason and insect nets for another. Is running around, tearing your clothes, getting dirt all over, and then barely having adequate facilities really all that fun?” Aster sighed dejectedly, but shook it off.

“Okay, last of my complaints. For now. At least they have a decent water sports area it seems. I can't wait to get on the lake; we just have to get this cabin suitable for habitation first.” Aster looked out past the kitchen door. “Now, you and Em I know, feral cat and golden retriever I am acquainted with, which leaves us Jennifer. Do we know anything about her or just that she is attached to the two animals? ]

”Jennifer, there’s no… Oh. You mean Nancy, huh? …Where on Earth did you pull out Jennifer, Aster?” Marco raised his brow as he dashed the pepper onto the eggs, while moving to flip the toast and bacon. He was keeping an eye on the other eggs he had cooking, pretty sure the meal would be ready soon. He flipped on the warmer section of the griddle, and started to move some of the bacon over there and covered them with a metal bowl.

”She seems to have a medical condition, and is more withdrawn, but I think Em and her are getting along so far. I’d like to get to know her better, but I did volunteer to make breakfast.” Marco chuckled softly and then looked back up at Aster again.

”Now, when you say get out on the lake, in what way? Canoes? You?”

“Nancy? Strange - Jennifer feels much more appropriate. It's the cheeks. What Nancy do you know with those cheek bones? None, right?” Aster dismissed the question. He eyed the food, wondering if he could snatch some without burning himself. “Oh, no. If I want to canoe, then I'll have someone paddle for me. I mean swimming. The walk was fine and all, but I certainly want to get my laps in. Just because we're locked away in this torture camp doesn't mean we have to let ourselves go. And I'm sure Dobbs can't complain - I'll just be making sure it's safe and clear of hazards and all that.” Aster hopped down and edged closer to the griddle, waiting for Marco to lift the bowl so he can snatch up a piece of bacon.

”Ah, of course… gotta keep in shape. I’m sure that we’ll be going on plenty of hikes as it is, but I’m sure that you can volunteer to keep an eye on the swimming campers if you want to keep that swimmer’s body.” Marco looked over as Aster seemed to move in closer and raised a brow. ”Now Aster, did you come to talk or are you trying to sneak some food. Because you know you could ask, dear.” Marco reached over to the bowl and fished out a piece of the finished bacon and handed it to Aster. “I just made a bunch so I could save some for lunch.”

“Now, why can't I do both? I'm quite capable of multitasking. Have I told you you're my second favorite yet? After myself of course.” Aster accepted the bacon, popped it in his mouth, moaned appreciatively, and washed his hands. “Normally, I wouldn't eat something so greasy but the stress from today is just ugh. And of course I'm taking those brats out on the water - at least that way I can have a halfway decent view. It might not be a mirror, but at least I can still see myself whenever. I'm sure I'll need it when those idiots try to drown themselves. Aster paused for a moment and looked at Marco suspiciously.

“Are you going to have a child one day, Marco?”

Marco raised his brow and looked at Aster. ”Child? Me? Maybe? That is more for whomever I’m with at the time to decide. But that’s a future thing. Right now I want to focus on finishing school, if they even let me back. I mean a little mini Em would be adorable, but that’s something we’d have to talk about. Why do you ask?”

“Because children are gross and we've never discussed it. I don't know your stance on them - I was hoping for a scorched earth policy here, but I supposed you have a soft heart.” Aster sighed. “I suppose you'll want to play nice with the campers then rather than reminding them how inferior they are to us.”

”I mean… Aster, you do remember how I grew up, right? I’m not one to think of myself as superior to anyone that can afford to go to camp, even one like this.” Marco sighed as he turned to the oven and fished the quiches out of them. As much as Marco did like Aster, he thought sometimes that Aster did forget that Marco really wasn’t from the same economic background as him. ”But, I will be playing nice. What you do with them, that is up to you.”

“Yes, yes. A tragic tale of economic misfortune and all that. But now you're associated with me and that means you are immediately better than the plebeians chaining us to this place.” Aster waved away the judgement in Marco's sigh. “I have reached my limit of selflessness for the year - the golden retriever is enough effort for this trip and it will take everything in me not to let these campers drown. I can't be expected to better another person's life beyond my presence.”

Marco gently set the quiche down and started to let them cool, as he checked the food on the flattop. ”Well, I’m sure you won’t let them down, and that’s all they can ask you to do~ For now, I think the food is almost ready.”

“I'm nearly afraid to ask what they expect us to use as plates - half of me expects us to have to hold it all in hand. I'll set the table while you finish up. I doubt anyone here knows what a proper table setting is.” Aster sighed dejectedly, hopping around the kitchen to salvage something functional to serve with. Aster pulled open cabinets, drawers, and anything else he could open until he slammed one shut, trying to keep himself from gagging. He took a few steadying breaths and gingerly opened it. Inside, he found a small stack of paper plates that had been opened recently, and some plastic plates that… Aster held them with the tips of his fingers and dropped them into the trash as quickly as he could. “Well, paper will have to do I guess. Dobbs here really wants us to figure out everything, hm? Barely even basics.” Aster grumbled and deposited the paper plates next to Marco, moving to plop everything else he’d scrounged up in the sink. The faucet spat for a few seconds as water pushed through and he quickly set to work scrubbing out the dust and gunk built up inside.

“This is the saddest excuse for a table setting in my life.” Aster complained. The mismatch made his skin crawl and plastic cutlery made him want to die. Everything was disgusting, the place was awful, and he was not looking forward to insects and frogs or whatever else screamed in the middle of the night disturbing him along with the nighttime antics his fellow inmates would be doing. Aster put a little more effort into scrubbing, sniffling as he blinked back tears and his throat felt a little tight.

Marco looked over at Aster, and then put everything on the warmer parts, and then turned all the burners off and walked over and hugged Aster from behind. ”I’m sure we can ask Dobbs for nicer plates later. C’mon… let’s get some food in you. I know paper plates are not your thing, but it’s been a big morning already. I’ll clean up the dishes and get them nice and clean later.”

“Just… barely treating us like people, nothing is habitable, everything is awful. At least you're here.” Aster whined, turning around once the cups were clean and dry, resting his head on Marco's shoulder. “This is just so- so- so dumb! I just don't understand why people think this is- Ugh, this is stupid and inhumane and gross! I just hate it, I hate this, I hate it all! The only good thing is you and Em are here so I won't be completely miserable and-” Aster gave himself the moment to cry and then stopped. One last sniffle and it was like he'd never been upset. The confidence was back in full force and just a little redness around the eyes gave away that he'd been upset at all.

“Okay, that's enough of that! Let's feed the peons and get them on their way. Then, I can actually get the cabin cleaned up and maybe that'll make this place less awful.”

Marco didn’t want to point out the obvious. This wasn’t supposed to be a good time. They were all here as punishments for crimes. So of course they were barely people to someone like Dobbs, or the cops. But he wasn’t going to remind Aster of that for the moment. ”Alright then. You go sit down, I’ll serve up. And call in the others. And Aster, if I’m in the kitchen, it’s always open.” He offered his friend a small smile before going out to the patio and ringing the bell to call everyone in. Since there weren't any real serving plates cleaned up yet, everyone could be served in the kitchen.

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”Yaaaas. Can't wait to hear that bell.” Though Demi was skeptical of the choice in food. A quiche? What are they French-Canadian? But he'd take about anything right now, and just hope to Bowie that it's filling. What was more pressing was what the hell did Zeke have to talk to him about? He knew what he wanted, but Zeke? That…scared him. Maybe he'd spoken to Nancy and decided he didn't want to go steady, or maybe he just looked at his sister when he mentioned talking to hint they needed privacy? Maybe talking was code for a hot make out sesh. Demi certainly didn't know, and was apprehensive to find out.

”Zeke you have plenty of time to be embarrassed by your sister and myself later, for now let's leave the lovely ladies alone to nature while we go have a private chat about HAM how to's and don't's.” Demi dragged Zeke away, waving goodbye to Nancy as they went their separate ways. He figured the best place to talk was up where the radio was. It was secluded, small, and fit the cover story well enough. Once they entered the room, Demi closed the door and leaned in it rather nervously. ”OK, time to fess up, I didn't actually want to talk HAM. I mean we can if you want to but that's not why I pulled you up here. I…fuck ok how I put this?” Demi took a deep breath before continuing. ”I didn't want to pester Nancy because I don't need her to feel like she's useless or defective or weak, because she's not, but… I don't worry about what'll happen if she has a seizure. I don't know the proper steps to help or what to do and…what if you're not around when it happens I just…someone else should know, as a back up…I think…”

Ezekiel stumbled back, waving dumbly at his sister and Emily before he was unceremoniously dumped into the small room with the HAM radio. Zeke walked closer to get a better look at it. Behind him, Demi started to ramble. Ezekiel turned around, realizing his boyfriend was starting to spiral. Zeke listened to Demi explain how he wanted to help Nancy, too. Zeke chuckled and shook his head. He closed the distance between them, placed his hands on Demi's cheeks and looked him in the eyes.

”Do shut up,” he said before kissing Demi deeply. After a few moments Zeke pulled back. ”Funnily enough, that's what I wanted to talk to you about. Nancy is comfortable with me telling you the dos and don'ts should she seize if I'm not around, and I want you to teach me how to work this contraption,” Zeke said, gesturing to the magic radio box behind them.

Demi froze the instant Zeke kissed him. Staring blankly when he pulled back. ”Wait uh, can you run that by me again my brains all fuzzy. Maybe start with the kiss.”

Ezekiel laughed. ”I said, yes, I can teach you how to help Nancy,” Zeke said and pecked Demi’s lips. ”And I would like you to help me with the HAM radio,” he said with another kiss.

”I feel like it was more of a –” Demi leaned in and kissed Zeke deeply, pushing them onto the table the radio was on. ”Like that. But before we go any further maybe let's talk shop and afterwards I could use my mouth for more than just talking.” His eyes drifted downwards.

Zeke opened his mouth to speak, but Demi continued, looking down suggestively. Zeke blushed and rubbed the back of his neck. ”Yes, preferably no distractions right now,” he said, clearing his throat and shifting away from Demetri.

”Tease. So, “ Demi pulled out his notebook that had been folded in half and tossed into his back pocket, taking a pen from the spiral as he looked at Zeke. ”Lets talk seizures”

Ezekiel grinned at Demi’s preparedness. He almost threw his ‘no-distractions’ notion out the window. How could he not when his boyfriend was ready to take notes on how to care for his sister?

”Okay, how much do you know about seizures in general?”

”Uh…not much? Convulsions, foaming at the mouth, anger…wait that may be rabies…shit.” Demi chewed at the end of his pen as he tried to think.

Ezekiel laughed until tears formed and his stomach hurt. ”Oh my god, brilliant. I’m telling Nancy that. But honestly, you aren’t far off. There are different types of seizures but Nanc has Grand Mal, they are the big ones. She freezes first, and then the spasms can start. The most important thing though, is when she goes into a seizure, you have to turn her onto her side and clear the area around her. Don’t put anything in her mouth, that’ll make it worse, and you can talk to her. The other thing, where the HAM radio would come into play, is if she siezes longer than five minutes. So you can’t leave her side. Time it, and then send someone else to contact the police or hospital.”

Demi stuck his tongue out, concentrating on what Zeke had to say as he wrote down some notes to remember. It was at this point he really wished he had a stopwatch. Maybe Dobbs would be able to snag him one from the store tonight if he asked during breakfast. It felt like a lot to take in, but then again it was a big task caring for anyone having a seizure. Quite literally life or death. That thought scared him. ”Five minutes, ok got it.” If Zeke looked over, the notes were fairly detailed, with a few sketches thrown in to help Demi remember a bit better. Like a stopwatch at 5 minutes, a spoon with an X through it, etc.

Zeke smiled, finding it endearing how diligent Demitri was being when it came to Zeke’s sister. The most important person in his life. He felt a flicker of something in his chest, and he leaned closer to Demi, removing his notebook and pen to take his hands.

”One thing they don’t teach you, though, is how scary it is. And that freaking out won’t help anything. You have to stay calm, and if you can talk calmly to her, that can sometimes help,” Zeke said, squeezing Demi’s hands. ”Don’t touch her either. Especially when she is starting to come back to. She has a hard time already with physical contact, and after a seizure, it is a lot worse. That is where the rabid raccoon comes into play,” Zeke joked.

”The fuckin what now? Jesus I didn't realize how much went into it. OK, so how do I or when do…what…what is the rabid raccoon exactly?”

”Well, when a person siezes it isn’t exactly pretty. She could be drooling, foaming at the mouth, she might clamp her jaw down and bite her lip or cheek, so there would be blood. Most of the time, the person falls unconscious and is unaware of what they are doing, so when Nancy comes to, she might not remember what happened or where she is. If you touch her or an unfamiliar person touches her, she could lash out as a self-defence thing. Just talk to her and try to be as calm as you can. Tell her where she is, what happened, what day it is, if I’m not there where I am, who you are, talk about a movie you watched, stuff that can help reorientate her and settle her nervous system.” Zeke released Demi’s hands so he could write more if he wanted.

That made a lot more sense. Demi wasn't sure where he would even find a rabid racoon if he needed one to aid with seizures. He sighed a bit with relief and the moment Zeke let go of his hands he began to jot more notes down, along with an illustration of both a rapid racoon and godzilla with his breath. ”No Touchy…got it.”

Zeke laughed at Demi's illustrations and nodded. ”Those are all the main points you need to know. Hopefully I'll always be there and can send you running to work this thing,” Zeke said, gesturing to the contraption that was the HAM radio.

”Got it. Wanna take a quick study break before I show you the HAM? I could use a little –” Demi's eyes drifted down once more before making their way back up towards Zeke's eyes. ” – Snack. Love a good meat stick, slim jims, jerky, …you.”

Ezekiel debated on if a break would be a good idea, and he blushed from Demi's words. ”Demetri Howell, are you objectifying me?”

”I wouldn't say that no. More of a curious admiration about your body. But I wouldn't say I'm objectifying you. If you don't want to however…” Demi pulled out his notebook and began to flip back towards his notes on the radio.

Ezekiel chuckled, resting hand on Demi's notebook. ”He's not objectifying me and yet he likens my dick to a meat stick.” Ezekiel tugged the notebook out of Demi's hand and set it aside.

”Its meat, its a stick, its a meat stick. I don't know what you wanted from that.” Demi responded as he found the correct page before Zeke took the book away. ”Ugh testing my memory before we've even eaten? So rude.”

”’Hey Zeke, can I suck your cock?’ That works just as well,” Zeke said, stepping closer to Demi.

”May I. It's May I, not Can I.” Demi remarked as he scooted closer, getting down on a knee.

”Oh, so he’s good at taking instructions and English. There’s so much I don’t know about you, Howell,” Zeke said, feeling a warming sensation pooling in the bottom of his stomach while he watched Demi get down on a knee. Instinctively, Zeke’s eyes flickered to the door, making sure it was shut before he looked back at Demi.

”Only when I feel like it. Rules and instructions are meant to be bent and broken. Like you.” Demi rolled his eyes, getting up and taking the chair in the room before propping it at an angle against the door so no one could get in. ”Calm down Kel, no one's coming in.”

Zeke visibly relaxed once the chair was in place. ”You underestimate me and my sister. Neither one of us are apart for long,” Zeke informed Demi.

”Get used to it, unless you only want quickies for the rest of time.” Demi sighed, a bit of laughter coloring his words.

Zeke sighed and leaned back against the table. He ran a hand through his hair as his demeanor shifted. ”Ya, it's a lot easier than it sounds,” he said, crossing his arms and staring at the floor. ”Do you have siblings?” Zeke asked.

Demi laughed, a very quick and abrupt Ha, before he crossed his arms as well. ”Only child, and thank goodness because even that seems to be too much for my parents.”

Zeke looked up at Demi, frowning slightly. ”What do you mean?”

”Nothing. Forget it.”

Zeke dropped his arms and walked over to Demetri, placing his hands on his arms. ”Demi, you can talk to me, okay?”

”No duh. But there's nothing to talk about ok? Just another punk kid who's daddy doesn't love him and who's mother would rather pretend the families happy than make any real change. Woe is me.” Demi rolled his eyes.

Ezekiel frowned. ”You don't need to brush that off, okay? You're allowed to be upset or pissed off by it.”

”And I'm allowed to brush it off. Seriously, it's not like it's unusual ok? Besides, negligent parents is how I scored the beer. So it's not all bad.”

Zeke sighed but nodded. It wasn't his life, but it still bothered Zeke that he couldn't help. Or that Demi didn't want his help.

”Alright, can you show me how the radio works then?”

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Nancy, of course, was not searching for path and plants - well, she was and she wasn’t. She was keeping an eye out in general for how to navigate around camp, yes, but she was more interested in seeing things they weren’t supposed to find. She doubted any body parts or weapons from previous grisly murders were left behind, of course. Maybe there was some residual nasty energy though - the feeling of being watched that she just couldn’t shake - a strange carving into a tree, an ominous bit of graffiti. Just something to make her heart twinge a bit with adrenaline, with fear.

“So,” she said to Em, moving a bit of a tree branch away from her face as she traversed the path. “What are you in for? Smoke the wrong plant at the wrong time?”

Em laughed, ”Not quite. I got caught with my dorm room still.” Em had the look of the cat who caught the canary. She was proud. ”You?” She continued down the path, marking a couple things in her notebook, but was nodding. Em didn’t seem upset about whatever plant they were writing down. Em considered asking something else, but decided against it. She didn’t know Nancy well enough yet.

She raised an eyebrow, laughing slightly at the candidness of Em’s response. “Anything interesting?” She didn’t drink alcohol herself - it didn’t really interest her. But if Em made something a little more palpable than hooch before, maybe she could replicate that here. It’d be something the others would appreciate at least. As for what she herself had done… Nancy didn’t see any reason to hide it, there was no shame in it. “My brother and I were trespassing - making a music video for our band. It’s pretty rad, you’ll have to check it out some time.”

”I like to think I make some good stuff. I’m the one most of the other students get it from too. Marco likes it. If you want, I have a couple bottles with me, you can try it.” As far as Emily was concerned Marco liking it was all she needed. Everyone one else could hate it, as long as Marco liked it. He didn’t lie if he didn’t like something she made either. He was always honest.

”Ooh, rad indeed. I do want to check that out.” Em considered something for a moment. ”Can you make sure the others don’t pressure Marco about what he did? He is innocent, and is taking it hard.”

Nancy’s blood went cold for a second. She didn’t know Marco very well, didn’t know Em, but she immediately caught the vibe - immediately understood what Em was saying without saying. Her body shook with anger for a moment at the injustice of it all. “That’s completely fucked,” she muttered, before nodding. “I’ll do what I can - I can get my brother to listen to me, but his new beau… I dunno. Between you and me, I think he wishes I wasn’t here. It’s not really romantic to have your boyfriend’s sick sister hovering. I’ll try to squash any questions that I hear.”

Em’s smile was soft, ”Thank you. That means a lot. I don’t want to punch anyone.” Her smile turned into a bright grin, one promising violence to anyone who hurt Marco.

”So my guess was right, those two are an item.” Em shifted the conversation. ”What about you, got anyone waiting for you to return from war?”

“That makes one of us, I’d love to punch someone,” she said with a crooked smile. She chafed slightly, though, as Em turned the conversation to her. She understood the impulse. Of the six of them here, four of them were already coupled up. It was something she’d been hearing more and more often in her life, probing questions of when she’d find the right guy, when she’d move out and get married and have kids, the whole shebang. There’d been a point in her life when she’d indulged those sorts of questions, thinking that when she was older, she’d start to want that… but it had never happened.

Nancy shrugged. “I’m not… really wired that way,” she offered. “No offense, but the whole thing seems real fucking grody, y’know? Letting someone else’s tongue in your mouth? Yuck. Gag me with a spoon.”

Em raised an eyebrow and assessed Nancy at the comment about wanting to punch someone. She hadn’t expected that. Nancy didn’t seem like the type. Em was just very protective of Marco, and was willing to take the damage of punching assholes if it meant making sure people didn’t mess with him.

She considered what Nancy said about kissing. Em was very fond of it. She found it satisfying. Em was quiet for a moment as she thought over a different perspective. Her gut reaction was to laugh it off. But she had spent her whole life making sure people understood their opinion was not the only one that mattered. Slowly she nodded.

”That’s alright. You don’t have to like it. I don’t like math and everyone says I should learn it. I am going to use exactly as much math as I need to do the things I enjoy. Anything else can fuck right off.”

“Ugh, I know. Math is terrible,” Nancy agreed. “I’ve almost flunked it, like, three times now. It’s like the numbers just start spinning when I look at the page.” She was happy, though, to hear that Em didn’t push - there were so many people who had told her she just needed to meet the right person, or that girls weren’t supposed to really feel those things anyway.

During their hike Em had been taking some notes. She paused. ”Damn alright, this area is off limits unless we can do some plant clearing. This part of the path is covered in poison ivy. I'll mark off the trail.”

She waved Nancy to follow her back the way they had come. ”Hmm, I don't have that issue, that sounds rough. I think I’d go mad. Math is already hard enough without it jumping off the page.”

Nancy had been more than happy to let Em take the lead here, on navigating and notetaking. She was horrible when it came to maps. She’d led Zeke down the wrong road at least a dozen times, if not more. So as Em waved for her to follow, she readily obliged. “My brain’s wired a little weird,” she offered with a shrug. “Gotta say, kinda disappointed there was nothing too grisly or grody out here… besides the poison ivy. Dobbs was acting like we’d find some cultists or something chopped up.”

”Dobbs is an ass. He was just trying to scare us. He even said himself he doesn’t really believe it. However, note that he won’t stay here after dark. So he believes it more than he’ll say.” Em found another trail and marked her note book.

”My theory about him is, that he’s lived in the shadow of this place long enough that the superstition of it all has seeped into his subconscious. He will pretend he doesn’t believe it, while acting like it is important. I wonder which building has the mass grave under it.” Em paused and looked out over the cabins arrayed around the grounds. This was a good spot she decided and marked it too. She wished she had a camera. ”Think anyone brought a camera? I didn’t think to. Dang.”

“Or maybe he’s seen something enough to get him spooked, but not enough to abandon a paycheck,” she countered. It was easy to be a skeptic in daylight. At night it was harder. “Oh, ugh. I did. It’s with my bags though. Pretty sure Demi did too.” She then scrunched up her face for a moment, thinking. “I brought my tarot cards, if we wanna ask about where the bodies are - or were, I guess.”

”We should come up here when the lights good and get some cool shots later then.” Em looked at Nancy and grinned. ”Oh I am so down for that.” The bell rung from the main cabin.

”That's breakfast. Let's head back.”

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@KazAlkemi@Achronum@kittyluna45@Morose@Trainerblue192

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With the bell rung, it summoned everyone to the dining area. Dobbs, stopped off to wash his hands and face.

“Your girlfriend tell you the deal?” he asked Marco.

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Emily made a few extra notes in her notebook as she and Nancy returned to the main building. ”Perfect, Dobbs, do we have trail markers or do I need to place an order?”

“Place an order,” he said succinctly. Emily tore a page from her notebook and wrote down a few things. She left it, and the pencil on the table for anyone else to add to.

Then food was served, the places and flatware had been set out, but they’d have to serve themselves. That was easy enough, and the group was soon sitting at one of the tables. Marco’s breakfast was delicious. The quiche, a primarily veggie dish with some bacon, was delicious. There were also eggs, bacon, and toast available for everyone. As for drinks, they were much more limited. There was only water, and milk. That was until later, when Emily would crack open the bottles of homemade booze. She was not bringing that to breakfast, even if Dobbs wasn’t there.

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"Damn, you made all this?" Nancy exclaimed, shocked as she saw the breakfast options. She hadn't been expecting much - maybe some cereal, maybe a few sausage links and some bread. A quiche stunned her. Just who exactly was this guy? Even toast with butter on it would have felt like a luxury given the state of things, but a quiche?! She blinked a few times, almost anticipating a seizure was about to come on, as it was the only way to explain the disconnect between what she was seeing and reality. "The pigs should've had you go work their cafeteria, you're wasted out here," she shook her head slightly.

She took one of the plates, and loaded herself up with two pieces of toast, eggs, bacon, and a slice of the quiche. She'd eaten some snacks on the drive here, but this was real food somehow. Much better than whatever mystery meat Demi had been slinging around in the back of Zeke's car. She scooped her eggs up onto one of the pieces of toast, piled the bacon on, and then topped with the second piece, forming a crude breakfast sandwich for herself. She'd grown up used to finger food - it was cheaper, and most of the frozen stuff that would last for a while didn't need silverware - so this was something she was accustomed to. She took a bite of it, and it was almost perfect - all she was missing was some hot sauce. She would have doubted they had that here but... apparently they had the fixings for quiche. She had no idea how you made quiche, of course, but it seemed challenging.

"There's no chance anyone's got any Tabasco?"

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Marco looked over to Dobbs and nodded. "Yes, she told me the deal. I'll put a few things on the list and give it to you tonight. Don't worry, I won't skimp at all, and you'll get to enjoy some quality food." He then turned to Nancy and chuckled softly.

"Yeah, I made all this. I do apologize if the veggies seem mush, I was working with frozen veggies." Marco had to blush a bit at Nancy's reaction and then laughed at her further comment. "Eh, I wouldn't be cooking like this for them, and well I doubt they'd think I'm that good at cooking. They didn't think I was innocent." Marco muttered the last part a bit bitterly, but then picked himself back up, that smile back on his face as he looked at Em.

He served himself up some of the quiche, bacon, toast, and some of the eggs as well, and was about to start eating when Nancy asked about Tabasco. "Oh, I think I saw some while cooking. One moment. I really hope there is some. I was gonna make a dirty gumbo tonight." He got up and headed back into the kitchen. It only took a little bit of searching but he found the bottle of red sauce and brought it back to the table and passed it over to Nancy.

"We've got a few bottles, thank goodness for that! Might make up for the lack of proper spices here." He chuckled softly at that as he cuddled in close to Em and ate his breakfast. He looked over at the piece of paper and wrote down one thing for the moment. Coffee. He was really craving some hot coffee and he hadn't found any in the kitchen, which was really criminal in his opinion. He knew he would add more to the list in time, but he would take stock of the kitchen, clean up all those plastic plates and other things first before adding more, as well as figure out if anyone was allergic to anyone. Oh, on that thought...

"Since we're all here, does anyone have any food allergies? Since I have volunteered myself to cook for us all this week. I don't want to trigger anything while we're away from any clinics."

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Demi hurried himself back downstairs as soon as he heard the bell ring. The sound of his boots stomping down the old wooden steps until he rounded the corner to see what all Marco had made for them. He grabbed himself a little bit of everything, snagging some extra bacon as one strip was already placed between his teeth while he made his way to the table. ”They say the key to frozen veggies is to cook them while they're frozen. Less mush that way.” He spoke while still chewing on the bacon. His eyes darted over to the bottle of hot sauce that Marco gave to Nancy.

”Nance, sharing is caring. Now give your favorite brother the bottle of hot sauce please. Can't have a good breakfast without it.” Demi held out his hand for her to pass it as his other snagged another piece of bacon off his plate and began to eat it. ”Allergies? No? I mean well eggs I guess. Severely allergic to eggs, but other than that not really. But like how common can eggs be in a dish right? Nice quiche by the way.” He took a chunk of the quiche off with his fork, plopping it in his mouth as he began to chew.

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By the time Marco rang the breakfast bell, Aster had put himself back together. It was fine, this was fine, he was fine (well, better the fine. Perfect really), and even this stupid little camp was fine. Aster helped bring food out and got the table laid out, doing his best to set it nicely with the quality of supplies, and waited for the rest to swarm. Aster cut himself a piece of quiche and a piece of bacon joined, toast and milk alongside it. He settled in at the table, quite content to ignore the ramblings at the table when allegorical came up and the black cat thought it amusing to scare the table.

“Perhaps it's a more pleasant way to go than Dobb's killer. At least you may enjoy it.” Aster rolled his eyes at Demi's antics, alert cutting into the quiche and savoring it in small bites, an appreciative sigh between each. Aster had certainly enjoyed better breakfasts, but it was nice to have something warm and pleasant to break up the hardships he'd experienced so far. “I told Marco, but I will be overseeing water sports during this trial we are experiencing. And Zeke, I found proper cleaning supplies in the kitchen so I'll get things in decent shape right after this. It won't be comfortable, but at least we won't die of malaria or some other gods forsaken disease.”

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@KazAlkemi@Achronum@kittyluna45@Morose@Trainerblue192

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Em squeezed Marco’s leg under the table, she smiled warmly at him. She didn’t care what the cops thought. Not one bit. This was her Marco, she’d follow him to the end of the world.

Emily turned her attention to Demi as he claimed an allergy to eggs. She watched him as he shoved a bite of quiche into his mouth. He was either incredibly stupid or messing with them. They’d find out soon enough.

”Well, let us know how that works out for you,” she tells him a raised eyebrow. ”Alright, Aster, you’ve got general cleaning on the lock I suppose. I want to do some shrub cleaning, trail marking, and general maintenance that has been lacking. There are a lot of deer trails around here. I want to make sure the kids who show up don’t end up in an animal den, or a patch of poison ivy.

Dobbs are there yard maintenance tools at least.”

“Yeah, there is a shed by the water with anything you might need in that type of way,” he said around a bite of food. He nodded approvingly at Marco. The food was good. He’d hold up his end of the bargain and bring whatever he ordered special. “Once the kids get here, can’t keep up that deal, unfortunately. There will be other staff coming in.”

”So, we are only alone for the week?” That was a bit of a relief. Though, in a way Em wished it was more time alone. She’d be fine working with the kids. But in a way getting to know the others was sort of fun.

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Zeke’s mouth watered from the smell and look of all the food. ”Marco, you’re a god,” Zeke declared, and piled his plate high with bacon, eggs, toast, and quiche. He shoved some bacon into his mouth before he sat down next to Nancy and Demi. He ate happily, his mood dramatically improving until Demi said he was allergic to eggs. Right. No kissing until Zeke thoroughly brushes his teeth. Then Demi ate the quiche.

”Demi! There are eggs in quiche, seriously? Please tell me your dumb ass remembered to pack an epi pen or something,” Zeke said, glaring at Demi. Zeke stood, ready to run off and find the medical supplies.

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Marco watched as Demi put a bite of quiche in his mouth after saying that he was allergic to eggs. Either he was really stupid or having a goof. He decided not to address what was going on there, but cuddled in closer to Em as he ate. He was glad that everyone seemed to be enjoying the food he had made, even if it wasn't what he would consider his best.

"Glad everyone's enjoying. I suspect I'll be spending most of my day cleaning the crappy plastic plates and utensils they left and taking inventory of the cooking wear they've left here. I'll add any ingredients I want to the list before nightfall, Dobbs. I've got a few ideas for some meals in mind, including some surf and turf, since I haven't heard of any allergies so far."

He reached over to gently squeeze Em's thigh back as he nuzzled in close. He still would kill for a cup of coffee, but decided not to say that part aloud, given the camps history. He could survive one day without the stuff, right?

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Demi snickered at Aster's declaration. ”Hey man, what you and Marco do in your spare time is none of my business. You go ahead and oversee whatever you want to.” Another chortle escaping him before he dug into his quiche a bit more. Rolling his eyes at the concept of dying to some eggs over some supernatural killer that only rises every so many years or whatever the legend now was. Either way the only real reaction he seemed to get was from Zeke, or well…his new boyfriend. Cute.

He waved away the concerns about Epi-pens and food allergies. He wasn't exactly weak enough to have such allergies. Who would be? ”Marco is the god of cooking and Aster of water sports, whatever more could we uncover? And I'm fine Z, I'm not allergic to eggs or dumb enough to not know what's in a quiche. Though with how stiff this lot is you'd think the killer already arrived and murdered their sense of humor.” Everyone seemed content to figure out what their place was in all this, Demi was content to let them. If they needed him he'd help, otherwise why waste a perfectly good vacation?

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Aster offered Demi a curled lip and a roll of the eyes. “I'm as fond as men in tight outfits competing as the next gay, but I certainly do not want to be overseeing those. Sweat and grease and dirt? No thank you. Terrible for my skin. I'd be a god of beauty, wisdom, confidence even. I even have some experience already.” Aster gestured at Zeke and Demi. “But yes, general cleaning will be under my purview I suppose. The canones, kayaks, or whatever else they have they have packed away and noted about as well.”

Aster pointed his fork at Dobbs, swallowing before he continued. “When do you need a list? Do I have time to clean and check the boathouse and then get you the list or do you need the list before I start everything?” Aster frowned for a moment. “Do we even have paper and writing supplies? I'll take some after we finish breakfast, should be easy enough for the chemicals. Do we have trash grabbers? What are the chances you'll let us get engraved brooms and dust pans? Or at least a label maker. That way we can be organized about this too.” Aster took another bite and gave a content hum at the taste.

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Nancy had tilted her head, concerned as Demi said he was allergic to eggs. Was he being genuine? Did he know what was in a quiche? "Good thing we learned how to use the radio, then." No one else seemed to be freaking out, aside from her brother, and given Demi's own obliviousness, he was probably joking. Probably. And if he wasn't, well... Zeke was probably the best suited of them to handle the situation. She covered her food in the hot sauce, before sliding it across the table to Demi. "My favorite brother? Don't fool yourself," she said, shaking her head.

At Aster's words, however, Nancy nearly spat out her food. She didn't exactly know what water sports were, having avoided most sexual content whenever she could, but she knew the term had something sexual to it - and to the best of her knowledge, that was exactly what Aster wanted to be in charge of. And with what Demi said in return to him, it was definitely the sexual context. She let her fork hit the plate, her appetite suddenly completely ruined, despite how good Marco's cooking was.

At least he didn't want to be the god of those activities - he just wanted to... oversee them...

"I think I've lost my appetite," Nancy pushed her plate forward. If these were the conversation topics that were going to be happening, especially in front of Dobbs, maybe it wouldn't be so bad if a deranged killer came and murdered them all.