For the second time this hike Dobbs paused. He stared at Demetri. The look on his face was one of astonishment. As if he had just heard the stupidest thing ever, which was likely considering what Demetri had said.
“Do you have rocks for brains,” Dobbs asked? “If you want to mix bleach and ammonia do me a favor and do it when I am not nominally in charge of you.” He sighed, shook his head and started walking again.
“The buildings are not in complete disrepair as all of that. But do what you want as long as you’re putting in actual work. I don’t want you to give me a list of things every day. I want to see you doing actual work.
“I’ve been here the last few weeks getting the electrical work up to code, and removing any rotted sections of flooring and ceiling I found. As for blood in the cabins I haven’t seen any. Honestly, I haven’t seen any sign of anything that fits these stories. I don’t think there is any Elias. There is proof that the kids disappeared, but in all honesty they probably were just being dumb. I haven’t seen any proof about the construction workers. Not even proof that there had been a night crew.” Dobbs shrugged a little.
“As for sleeping, there is only one cabin I think you can currently occupy. Most of the others don’t have beds. If you all want individual cabins feel free to move the beds around. Or if you all want to share the same bed together I don’t give a shit. You’re legally adults. My responsibility for you starts and ends with making sure the camp is ready at the end of next week. I will report to the RCMP if you were little shits or if you did a good enough job for your plea deals.” Dobbs did not seem to notice or care about any of the bandanas or obvious relationship things happening.
“First aid and food are both available in the main building. It has an industrial kitchen that's mostly stocked at this point. I’ve been hauling stuff up here for weeks to get it to this point. We should have some extra hands in a couple of days to help with some of the last things. The big food haul for when the campers is scheduled for Wednesday. But I’ve brought up enough food to last you the week and then some. You should have plenty to work with. If there is a big enough medical emergency there is a ham radio. Instructions are near the station. I can walk you through it if you want before I leave for the night.”
Emily
Location: Camp Lava Lake Trail Skills: Hiking
Em squeezed Marco’s hand. Knowing Dobbs’ attitude toward them was upsetting him. She was also upset by Dobbs. He was sort of an ass. First, giving them the campfire ghost story and then refuting it in the next breath practically. He seemed more irritated that he had to deal with them than happy to have help.
Em didn’t know the other girl’s name but she agreed with the sentiment. Dobbs either actually believed about the Elias story, and was now backing down from that. Or he had told them the story just to freak them out.
”Why the fuck tell us that story then?” She snapped.
Dobbs shook his head. “You asked. You said you wanted to be prepared.”
”Then be normal. Tell us some kids went missing. Or something, not some ghost story.”
“Look, I do not care if you’re out at midnight dancing naked in the lake or whatever. If you die though because you do some dumb shit in an area you don’t know in the dark. I have to answer for it. I can’t be here overnight to babysit you lot. I don’t want to babysit you. The fact that I was sent barely not-children to do this job sort of pisses me off. I should have been given a crew of competent tradesmen. So if I have to tell you a story that’ll keep you from wandering off in the middle of the night when I can’t be here then I will. Just do the job, keep yourselves safe, and in a couple of weeks you’ll be home looking back at this as just some shitty summer job. Hell you might even learn something here that you can put on your resume.”
Ralph hesitated to take a shovel, but with so few digging, he felt that if he left it to Rhi and Millicent, it would take forever to find anything. He also didn’t want to just stand there and watch them dig. He needed to do something. So he took a shovel and started to help.
People still argued and discussed, which was fine. In his opinion, you could dig and talk. He did look at Tony’s phone and saw the message. It was strange. A threat. That felt like it fit with the blackmail. But Sam’s message had been a hint. Leading them to this location. He frowned and continued to dig while Sam and Tony compared the phone numbers.
His shovel hit something. It wasn’t dirt. It wasn’t hard like a rock. It moved, but was still firm. He paused. Frozen. Then, Milicent's shovel hit something similar. And Rhi’s. They had found something in the disturbed soil of the grave. He looked up at the others helping dig. He swallowed heavily. They hadn’t been digging long.
Carefully, he moved some of the soil and revealed what his shovel had connected with. It was an arm. Ralph stepped back. He was now shaking and couldn’t bring himself to say anything. He just stared at the arm that had been revealed.
Location: Bedroom to the Primary Artificer Laboratory Grimoire: Skills: N/A
Finley did not heal faster than any other fae, not by themselves. However, Dysphoria could heal them rapidly if needed. Finley did not need, nor want it. The marks of pleasure from the night before stayed. They woke languidly.
Finley was not a morning person. They hated the dawn. It destroyed small magics and, in a way, hurt. Not in a meaningful way, but enough to make Finley the type to sleep through it and usually long after the dawn if they could help it. The fact that they had also been up later than advisable when one supposedly had school the next day also factored in. All of that meant that Finley almost always had to be woken up if it was any earlier than dusk. Through intention or not, the twins woke Finley up.
They rose and went through the usual motions of morning rituals. Clothes, food (mostly bread), other ablutions, and such things. They wore their masculine face, unchanged from the distractions of the night prior, after everyone had left Haven. Unsure of what to wear beyond ‘not loose’, they went for jeans and a simple shirt. These were not conjured from leaves and things as they had found clothes of illusion were not ideal for the learning environment. If something happened to disrupt the magic, they would be naked, while Fin was unbothered by that. Connie had sat them down one day to give them some etiquette. Part of that had been a warning that being naked in public areas was considered impolite. Finley also did not particularly care if they were impolite, but Connie had a way of making it clear that these types of rules were the social type that should not be messed with too much.
Finley did not have tools to gather. They brought their usual items they carried, but did not have measuring devices or things of creation, not beyond the detritus of nature that they used to craft illusions. Finley was not an artificer and had been quite confused on realizing they were placed with the artificers of the school. It was strange, but they would either figure out something they could do, or fail. Finley was not like some students who cared more about getting a grade. Finley attended the school for one primary reason. Exposure to the types of people who attended such schools.
~~~
Finley donned the attire Professor Sariel offered. They listened as she explained what they would be doing, the rules around it, and the dangers. Those last ones were something Finley found interesting (and a little terrifying). Fin was a fae creature. They were made more of magic than most. If this place, this ill-defined material, was a danger to magic, Finley was uninterested in messing with it. They had little desire to unravel their very being.
Odd that people were willing to do such things to themselves. Finley was immortal, ageless; they could die if killed. They did not want to die. They had only just started seeing the world and experiencing it. Why would they want to work with something that could destroy them in such a way? They eyed the items and the gate with suspicion. Was this an elaborate way to test if fae could be destroyed by such things? Finley kept their hands in their pockets and stayed away from any of the items. Keeping as clear a berth as possible.
”I still do not understand why I am one of your students. I have little understanding of such types of magic. I am an illusionist and blood worker. Does this material you speak of have blood? If so, from what you have said, I have little desire to use it directly.” Finley had been through the Neverish. That was not a new experience. This gate was different than the doors they had previously used.
Location: Bedroom to Library to Room 12 Grimoire: Skills: Magical History (+1)
Connie woke early. She noticed that the man with the many familiars was missing. Pedro, if she remembered his name correctly. Maybe he had gotten back after her and gotten up before her? She thought about that as she got ready for the day and caught some time to study. He had not been at Haven the night prior. He was one of her coven mates, so hopefully he would arrive on time. Croan would have little sympathy for a tardy student.
Connie’s morning was not wasted. She did several things before eating, including going by the library and asking for any information already in the stacks about room 12 or the Statue of Adrolyn.
There was no way that Connie didn’t believe in curses. She lived in a magical school. Her father was a wizard, and she had been trained to be one as well since she was twelve. However, she struggled with the short text about the statue.
~~~
Upon meeting with the others, she nodded at Barty and smiled at Jake. She wondered what had happened to him the night prior, after he had started spewing bubbles, and did not remember seeing him leave Haven. He had obviously eventually made it back to his room. She didn’t say anything other than the short hello greeting because she did not want to deal with Croan’s attitude yet.
Connie had been tempted by the worst idea to touch the statue without a glove. In reality, she had no desire to touch it with the glove. However, the part of her that wanted to do the insane wondered if she could shift this from stone into flesh. She had never succeeded in giving such things true life, so it would be a corpse, but maybe it would be free of the pain.
She did not do this. Instead, she opened to a fresh page in the notebook she had started that morning. She made a small notation at the top of the page, including time, date, and moon phase. The previous pages included everything she had already known about the object and room. That had been precious little. The library had been frustratingly unhelpful. There hadn’t been a single text of someone else’s descent into madness studying the object. Just the myth surrounding the statue.
She sketched the statue from each side with just enough detail that it was clear the angle and dimensions. Then she started annotating the sketch, starting with copying the symbols. She timed the pulses. Connie’s notes were not clean. They never were the first time. Barty had seen her take notes enough to know she always had two notebooks. One was the first copy that was messy; the second copy was clean and organized with additional annotations. She was clearly working on her first copy. It was in pencil, and even still, she didn’t always erase errors, but instead lightly crossed those out and started over.
If she would have all semester to study this statue, she would take her time. She also would make sure that if it made her crazy at least the next student to ask the library for any information about it would not go in with a dearth of previous texts.
Connie made a note of a theory on the back of one page. Said theory did not help with her desire to try to turn stone into flesh. She couldn’t do it through the gloves. She refused to touch the statue without them. Since those two things conflicted, she would not attempt to do it.
Her theory was simple. Ardyon had been cursed when he touched the object. Supposedly, this cube-shaped thing, the person in the statue was curled around. The object had turned him from flesh into stone. Something she knew, from watching her mother’s face, was painful. Had it been the previous night’s conversation about escaping family that made the past so near in her mind? Or was it thinking about the process of transfiguration?
Connie stared at the man’s face.
She was a healer. Her heart went out to him. Yes, if this story was true he was a thief, but that did not mean he deserved such a fate. She wanted to heal him. Wanted to release him. Was he still aware? Or had time stopped when his heart became stone?
Location: Contest of Champions Skills: Enhanced Reflexes (Passive); Elecrotrokinsis; MMA/Boxing
Everything became absolute chaos. Andy went to dodge but a stone shield covered her, giving her protection from the falling rocks. She gave Leah a thumbs up. Appreciating the effort of covering her. She only had good reflexes and might have not been able to avoid all the falling rocks around her if it had been left to her.
This also now meant she didn't have to focus on escaping the falling rocks and could punch something. She liked punching things. For a moment she considered punching the now giant Cassie. Andy dismissed that though. If Cassie fell it would be very bad. She'd probably crash into the stands or something.
However, Hulking was near. She thought of Zari for a brief moment, a joke that had been made at her expense, and then pushed it from her mind. It distracted her enough that her punch was weak. He didn't even seem bothered by it. Andy punched again. This time it was more forceful and actually seemed like he was damaged by it. Because of that his movement went unpredicted and her third punch weak and again didn't do much.
Finley felt much better. The tendrils of Dysphoria greatly helped. Between Dysphoria and Callaghan they felt safe and secure. The fear of their Lady coming dissipated and suddenly water seemed like a good idea.
”I know, and love you so much for that.” Fin told Dysphoria.
”Oh, water for me too please.” Fin raised their hand from their cozy spot. They did not particularly want to get up and move to get the water. There was a solid chance that neither Milthza or Alfonse would actually bring them water, but they could hope.
Fin looked up at Nicholas, they did not understand the words that were said, but his body spoke for him. Finley smiled brightly, mischief written in their features with their excitement.
”Do we have a room reserved?” It would be one of the bigger rooms if they all would be going. Finley was quite excited at the prospect.
“Iad uile dha-rìribh. Chùm mi a h-uile duine a-mach air ur son uile. Bha mi cho airson suathadh.” Nicholas offered sweet words with little care for how future Nicholas would feel about them. The mischief in Finley's eyes made his own brighten and he pushed himself upright once more, stumbling a bit as he made his way over for the keys behind the bar and muttering “A bheil sinn ag iarraidh stuth no àite? Ach, tha Cal mòr agus mar sin feumaidh àite a bhith againn ach feumaidh sinn stuth.” They would have to use the playroom - not necessarily as comfy, but it would have the space for the dragon.
Barty snagged four whiskey glasses from behind the bar, pouring ice cold water out of a pitcher and into each one before he palmed two in each hand. He held his cigarette gingerly between his lips as he lazily made his way towards the individuals he knew more fondly. ”What my dear brother here is trying to say, is that you three are to remain here. You need not clear out and…well I think we can accommodate for both size and pleasure. We'd just need to move a few toys around.” Barty handed a glass to Nicky, Finley, Dysphoria, and Callaghan. Though as he went to hand it to Cal he noticed two things. The moth still lingering abouts and the fact that this was way too little water for a dragon of his size. But he couldn't very well go fetch a pool now could he? ”Drink.” He said in equal parts concern and demand. ”bhiodh e na chuideachadh mura biodh ar cànan dùthchasach agad”
Callaghan watched the crowd disperse, ignoring Nicky while he mumbled in his native tongue and stumbled across to the bar. He only lifted his head when Barty approached with glasses, offering water to all and looked at Willow. Cal growled a warning. She wasn't leaving. Not until she was ready.
Willow reached out for the water when it was thrust at her, and then heard the growl. She reached up and ran her free hand along Cal’s muzzle again, and then looked at the person that had handed her the drink. Was that her other covenmate, or his twin? She honestly didn’t know at the moment, but it seemed he wanted her to go. She made a face and curled up more in Cal’s wing as she sipped her water. She wasn’t ready to go yet. She was safe and warm, and two of the others there had offered her safety. Besides, she was still sorting through the past, present and future. Who knew if she could find her way to her room.
Fin had no idea what Nicholas was saying. It was beautiful to listen to. They longed to understand and was thankful when Barty explained. They took their water and drank it deep and quick. ”Refreshing. Ohh toys.” At Callaghan’s rumbles they leaned back into his body, letting the rumbles stimulate them.
Dysphoria basked in Finley's feelings and reached out to run a tendril along Willow's wings. “The little bug will accompany us, but I do not think partake. The bug seems quite distressed and our fun would not bring it relief, we think.” Dysphoria said to Barty. “But we would welcome the bug if the bug wished. More fun!” Dysphoria's tongue flickered out as they tasted the air.
Nicholas paused as his brother shoved water in his hand and brought attention to his speech. Nicholas touched his fingers to his lips. He hadn't realized that he'd been speaking Gaelic, but that explained why the words felt much easier on the tongue. English was such a cold language, though it had been a long time since Nicholas had been a warm person. He drank his water, trying to clear his head, but the world was still bright and light and colorful and it almost hurt his eyes. Or maybe that was the dehydration catching up with him. Nicholas giggled and he snatched the playroom keys off their hook and made his way back over, keys hooked onto his belt after a few moments.
“Gods, it's been some time since I indulged.” Nicholas propped an elbow on his brother's shoulder. “But first, is everyone willing to join us tonight? I had planned we have our wicked ways with Callaghan, leave pretty little marks for the plaything that has her eyes set on him and wrap him up all pretty, but we need to know our limits.” Nicholas's gaze drifted up to Willow and blinked, having just realized she was there.
”Calm yourself Cal.” Barty said with an eased tone. Taking a long drag of his cigarette before blowing it to the side. He held the butt of it between his fingers as his hand fell towards his side. ”I only had enough hands to carry four of them. The…” His sentence died there as he took in Willow's form. He'd expected them to be fae, yet her aura was anything but. Peculiar. ”Creature? Is more than welcome to stay if she wishes to participate. And yes, Voyeurism counts as an act of participation.”
Callaghan ceased his rumblings as soon as Willow stroked his muzzle. He nuzzled her hair once more, pleased the little one was safe, and the others now knew her place among them. Dysphoria seemed particularly taken with Willow, for which Cal was glad.
His focus returned to the twins with interest. Nick wanted to play? And who was he to be wrapped for…Cassie. Of course. Callaghan had been so caught up with Finley earlier that he had forgotten to check in with how Cassie was handling the twins' idea of fun. He'd have to check in tomorrow, since he would most likely not be returning to his dorm until very late. Or very early depending on how one looked at it.
Callaghan unfurled his wing from around Willow and nudged them before he nodded to his back, offering her a place to retreat should she not want to walk to their new destination. He then extended the offer to Finley and Dys.
Willow finished her water, letting the cool water settle in her mouth for a moment before taking the last swallow. It helped calm her mind, and her second sight seemed to finally be coming back under her own reins. Present was becoming the only time she was settling into, and she was realizing that people there were addressing her. She took in their words and it took a moment for her to realize what the meanings were.
”I will stay, and watch. I am not disinterested in participating in the future, just after being in… several times tonight I need to reorient myself. Thank you.” Willow gently nuzzled Cal as he nudged her, and she gently moved onto his back and snuggled in close and wrapped her arms around him gently. She didn’t trust her legs just yet, so was ever so thankful that he was offering to give her a ride.
”Watch or join. You are welcome.” Fin did not care either way. The giant moth lady was interesting and getting a taste of her would be nice. ”Just know I like to bite.” Finley grinned, showing their teeth, sharper than a human's.
Finely unfolded themselves from Cal’s embrace, standing, stretching, now ready to proceed to the playroom. One of their hands mindlessly caressed a tendril from Dysphoria.
Dysphoria preened under Finley’s caress and pressed more firmly against their hand. “You’ll have fun, little bug. Nicky bleeds so pretty, Barty is mean in all the right ways, our dragon makes a gorgeous picture when he’s pleasured, and my Darling is a perfect jewel in the middle of it all.” Dysphoria promised and drew their tendril away from Willow as Finley stood, instead working a mark into their Darling’s neck with sharp teeth and a gentle tongue as excitement thrummed in their veins.
Nicholas took the opportunity he was presented – as Finley slid out of the dragon’s grasp and stretched, Nicholas wrapped his arm around their waist and pressed a kiss to the side of Dysphoria’s mouth where they worked against the skin. He could feel the same bubbling warmth in the pit of his stomach as when they first found the Fey and symbiote and he couldn’t help but grind against their thigh, reaching around and caressing Cal’s scales with his fingertips. “But those teeth hurt wonderfully. Can’t wait to feel them again.” Nicholas sighed, leaning as Dysphoria brought a tendril up against his neck and squeezed once – a promise for later. The warmth in his stomach grew and he let out a soft gasp as the sensation.
“No getting distracted, Nicky. We can’t hurt you out here.” Dysphoria reminded him and he blinked, distracted by the sensations and the colors on Finley’s dress. His other hand dipped beneath Finley’s clothes, caressing skin and tracing affection patterns in their hip.
“I like this outfit. Wear it the next time I win.” Nicholas murmured in Finley’s ear, gazing up and down Cal’s dragon form with hooded eyes before stumbling towards the door nearby.
Callaghan waited for Willow to settle before he stood. Now that he wasn't under the influence of drugs, he could control his movement more and watch out for others. Nick's attention on Cal didn't help the resolve he wanted to maintain. He seemed to shiver from the man's touch, and from the way his eyes roamed over Cal. Curse this man.
His claws tapped along the floor as he made his way through the main portion of Haven and into the playroom. He crouched down to pass through the doorway to make sure he didn't knock Willow off his back.
Willow was intrigued by the way they spoke of how they took pleasure. She had some of the basics of some things in mind, but biting, bleeding and being mean? Well now she had to watch. She cuddled in closer to Cal as he carried her into the playroom, small shivers of anticipation running up her spine. She didn’t need her second sight to know she would learn many things that night.
Finley followed along a bounce in her step. They’d have to remember this outfit for the future if Nicholas liked it that much. The dress was made of leaves, sticks and spiderweb. It was more illusion than anything, but was technically real enough for the rules. It didn’t require concentration to maintain it, but it wouldn’t last the night.
As the playroom door shut behind them and only one stranger remained, Alfonse sprinted behind the bar and into the back of the house. Milthza yanked Jake out of the way just in time to avoid being trampled again. “Oye, we still have a customer. Can't drop the nice guy act yet.”
“Shut the fuck up, hag. Did you see what just walked into the playroom? I have to tell whoever's opening tomorrow, they're going to die.” Alfonse laughed unkindly. “And clearly Mr. Macleod doesn't care about that one - he literally used him as a door mat. “
“You normally open on the weekends, Alfonse.” Milthza reminded him, rolling her eyes at the familiar insult. “I don't think they cared enough to change the schedule just because you picked up an extra shift.”
“I have my regular tomorrow so I'm not in ‘til seven!” Alfonse sang and then got real quiet. “Oooooooh no. Beatrix is on dungeon duty tomorrow.”
“I’m calling out.”
Alfonse stuck his head out, eyes wide and panicked. “You will absolutely not leave me alone with that harpy or I will smother you with a pillow.” Alfonse hissed. Milthza had a far away look in her eyes before sighing.
“If only.”
1 - All of them really. Kept everyone out for ypu all. Missed your touch.
2 - Do we want stuff or space? But Cal's big so we gotta have space bit we need stuff.
3 - It would help if you didn't speak our native language
Location: Contest of Champions Skills: Enhanced Reflexes (Passive); Elecrotrokinsis
Earth may be grounded enough that lightning wouldn't pass through it. A sand storm though, that on its own could build up static electricity. Andy tried to encourage that build up. She hadn't ever done a lot of distance control with electricity. Usually her control extended around her body. This was working, but slowly. Andy didn't want to straight up stick her hand into the sand, her hand would be sand blasted and wrecked if she did. While Andy was willing to take wounds to deal them out she did not feel like learning what it felt like to be on the receiving end of something that could scour stone.
The charge wasn't increasing fast enough. Andy popped her knuckles and clapped her hands next to the edge of the sand storm. Electricity sparking from her hands into the sand storm. Kate disappeared. That was two of the Young Avengers down, and none of their team. Good.
Andy glanced around the field trying to see what was going on. April was flying through the sky, Dorian was fighting Billy, Sabine looked...distressed.
Dobbs shrugged a little. “I’m not the one deciding to try to open this place. The first time it was during the original construction. Mostly everything went fine until the last week of construction. The investors were getting antsy and added a night crew. Three men disappeared on the first night. By the fourth night, the crew refused to work there anymore, and almost half of the crew had disappeared. When they found the bodies, it was while digging the foundation for the last couple of planned cabins. Fifteen fresh bodies were buried together. Their deaths were all caused by blunt force trauma.
“The second attempt was a decade or so later, the land had been sold in an auction sight unseen. The new owners didn’t look into what happened and got the campgrounds cleaned up and opened. The first deaths were a pair of campers. The counselor said they had gone to the bathroom and never came back. A search party was sent out, but they weren’t found. Not until more campers went missing. After several failures to find the missing kids parents showed up and took everyone home. The search parties stayed. They were smart and didn’t go searching at night. The original campers were found buried together. Both had died by blunt force trauma.
“Now the camp has changed hands again. Despite warnings, the new owners are trying to get it up and running. They made the deal with the government because they want this to be a low-income camp option for kids. Hopefully, that answered some of your questions. As for where the money is coming from, don’t worry about it. That isn’t your problem. I’ll bring what I can. I do not promise you’ll get a certain brand or anything like that. The nearest town doesn’t have a lot of options. There are supplies there already; you’re not going to be scrubbing blood out of the floorboards or anything. I’ve done a few runs of supplies already, so you have fresh wood, nails, and cleaning supplies.” Dobbs didn’t slow down the whole time he was talking.
Emily
Location: Camp Lava Lake Trail Head Skills: Hiking
Emily grinned and nodded. She absolutely was looking forward to this now. She figured Dobbs’ story was to scare them. There wasn’t going to be any supervision, as far as she could tell. Dobbs had said that he wasn’t staying there.
She didn’t particularly care for the conversation. Em didn’t necessarily believe anything Dobbs was saying, at least in regards to this Elias character. Bad luck caused stories, and nothing he had mentioned had included some supernatural being from beyond. The campers could have been a local psycho or a bear. She couldn’t explain everyone being buried, but maybe the bear had put them there for later.
Of the group, there were three that Emily didn’t know. No one had introduced themselves yet. She decided she'd introduce herself once Dobbs had left them alone. Dobbs hadn’t even done more than a headcount. He seemed to have little to no fucks given in this situation.
”How much manual labor are we expected to do? You said a week between now and when the kids arrive. We’re supposed to clean and repair everything? Alone?” She didn’t think Aster knew how to do manual labor. The others she couldn’t judge. It wasn’t like she knew how to do electrical work or anything.
“There are some repairs needed. I’ll be here during the day and doing the tradeswork. You lot can work on cleaning, helping prep the grounds, and making sure everything is in working order. If you find a faucet that doesn’t turn on let me know. I hope you’re smart enough to figure out what you can and can’t do without me. Though these questions make me think I might be overestimating a group of delinquents."
Well that answered at least one of Ralph’s questions. He hadn’t been sure, but he definitely hadn’t known Brendan’s name. He also had no idea how he should address him...her? Great. Well at least he hadn’t been the one to ask.
The others mostly confirmed they were all being blackmailed and that took a weight off his shoulders. He felt better having this conversation if they all were. Rhi pointed out a freshly disturbed grave and he shivered. This was not something he wanted to deal with.
”I haven’t seen Miguel since last night.” That was the truth, it just didn’t mention that Ralph had seen him after dinner. But that wasn’t a secret. Several people in the group knew that.
”Do we investigate it? Or keep talking and try to figure out what is happening?” He wasn’t sure which he wanted to do. He had a feeling that the former would not be fun.
Dobbs had started walking, not checking to make sure the group had followed him. Stragglers were not his concern. They could follow him or not. Dobbs had his assignment and he would do the bare minimum of that.
“Wild animals are certainly a concern up here in the mountains.”
Dobbs did not slow down, or wait. He had started walking. Keeping up was up to the basically teens that had gotten assigned this task. His face didn’t show what he was thinking, at least not until Aster insulted him. He did not look angry though, he looked almost sad for Aster. He paused in his relentless hike and stood in front of Aster.
“You do realize that I am in charge of your situation here. I do not care for your sass. That is strike one. You have two options while here at this camp. The first option is to do your assigned tasks, keep your head down, and go home with your record clear. The second option is to not do those things and have to deal with all the legal ramifications you were trying to avoid in the first place.”
He started walking again.
“As for your work here. You’ll have cabins to clean up and stay in at the camp grounds. I recommend you start with cleaning those out. I have a list of tasks that all need to be done before next week when the kids and other counselors show up. I’ll be coming up each morning to check on you and make sure you’re on pace to getting everything done on time. If I catch wind of you slacking off you’ll be reported.
“During the day if you realize you need anything make a list and give it to me. I’ll bring it up the next day. I stay in the town near here so it doesn’t take me long to get here. I’ll be at the campsite around seven am. The sun sets a bit after 9 pm. I strongly recommend that you all are safely tucked inside around then.”
Emily
Location: Camp Lava Lake Trail Head Skills: Hiking
Em smiled at Aster as she mentally judged his choices of suitcases. He was going to be suffering very quickly if that was what he had brought. A couple of people had brought duffle bags, which was a bit better. No one else had a hiking backpack. They were all going to be uncomfortable by the time they arrived at the camp grounds.
”How are you?” She asked Aster. Em kissed Marco back happily. She didn’t blush. Em saw no reason for that.
Em winced when Aster insulted Dobbs. She was not surprised when he gave Aster a dressing down. The warnings about night time were getting increasingly ominous.
”What happened here?” She asked quietly. Em was near him, having no issue keeping up with his steady pace.
Dobbs glanced at her. “You don’t want to know. It’ll just freak you out.”
”If we don’t know we can’t be prepared for it.” She countered. He sighed and shrugged.
“Fine, this is the third time in this century that someone has tried to resurrect this place. Every time someone tries there are horrible deaths. Years ago, there was a town here. Elias Ashwood was their gravedigger, and after sickness killed his family he went mad with grief. The villagers burned his house to burn out the sickness. He buried his wife and daughter’s bones under the old oak and then he hunted the people who did it. Buried them himself. The town tried to fight back, but they only killed him by dumping him in the lake. He should’ve stayed buried, but he didn’t."
Dobbs leans closer to Emily, voice dropping to a whisper.
"Some nights, he comes back. You’ll hear the scrape of metal across stone, that’s his shovel, digging. The ground will shift under your feet, like it wants to swallow you. Chains rattle, even when the wind’s still. And if you hear footsteps behind you don’t turn. Don’t answer. He’s patient. And he doesn’t forgive. Most of the people who stayed here after dark never saw sunrise. Don’t be like them. Stay together, stay inside after dark and for God’s sake, stay away from the oak and the lake."
”I thought you were a serious person. I guess not.” Emily rolled her eyes and dropped back some to walk with Marco.
Finley felt a little sad as the moths left. She hated the feeling that filled her from there. Her Lady was coming. She did not want that. If the Lady called to her, she would follow. Her escape to the human world had been narrow. A loophole. But if the Lady herself showed up and demanded Finley return, she could not say no. It would be like telling the sun to stop lighting the day. Someone may have the power to do that, but Finley did not.
All of that was washed away as Callaghan picked them up and bloody lips met their own. Fear was washed back in the tide that was the memories that came to them. Finley’s experience of the memories was as if she was Callaghan. They became him for a while. Sinking into those memories. It was the warmth of a world so vastly different from their own, and they loved it.
They loved Callaghan for sharing it with them. This was an intimacy that went beyond almost any other Finley had ever experienced; only their permanent connection with Dysphoria went deeper. As Callaghan shifted, becoming their draconic form Finley giggled and sank more into the embrace. They now knew what that shifting felt like to Callaghan.
They caressed Callaghan’s side, following the ripple of his scales. Finley looked at the shadowy dragon creature. ”Is this something you can do?” They asked, very confused. This did not seem to match with anything Finley had ever seen Callaghan do previously. ”Or did your candy spur this? I suppose this is better than moths and the feeling of your Lady coming to collect you.” Finley suddenly got a very serious look on their face. ”Callaghan, if she does come and tells me I must go, know I am only doing it as my duty. I am not leaving you. My oldest oath is to her. It binds me tighter than you could imagine.” A different fear bubbled up behind. Could they keep a secret from their Lady?
”My full name is Constance, but only a few people call me that. I generally prefer Connie.” She smiled at Cassie. The girl seemed nervous still, and was definitely shaken by what she had seen.
”I would suggest that when secrets feel so dangerous to ignore them. This place, and the school, are not safe places. Often, secrets will consume you. Literally or figuratively. Hopefully, what you saw was just a hallucination and not an actual Truth.” Connie refrained from saying that sometimes, once a Truth was seen, there was no un-seeing it. Cassie would be lucky if she never saw whatever that had been again.
”How about you come sit back down, though? Or I can escort you back to your room.” Connie suggested. It would be a good excuse to leave before things got worse.
[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/0BmP29s.png[/img][/center]
I am bad about keeping this updated
RP's (Updated 2/13/25)
[u]Upcoming[/u]:
Northwood - A slice-of-life horror rp
[u]Currently Running[/u]:
[url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/5595988]Château de La Lune[/url]
[url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/5623805]Camp Lava Lake[/url]
[u]Currently in[/u]:
[url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/189613-avengers-academy/ooc?page=4]Avengers Academy[/url]
[url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/195905-strange-academy-journey-into-mystery/ic]Strange Academy[/url]
An incomplete and in no particular order dead or ended RPs I have participated in:
[hider]
[url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/163808-x-men-cosmic-crusades/ooc]X-Men[/url]
[url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/195600-the-season-of-the-enlightened/ic]Season of the Enlightened[/url]
[url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/195033-welcome-to-havenwood/ic]Welcome to Havenwood[/url]
[url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/176265-heroes-of-olympus-the-next-age-of-heroes/ic]HoO[/url]
[url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/191794-the-dead-dont-die/ooc]Dead Don't Die[/url]
[url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/185787-ride-or-die-for-the-republic-morose-kirah-nallore/ic] Ride or Die for the Republic (Morose & Kirah & Nallore) 1x1x1[/url]
[url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/179952-once-upon-a-time/ic]OUAT[/url] (completed)
[url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/5456713]Inferno - STRIKE THE MATCH![/url] (completed)
[url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/181849-heroes-of-olympus-the-hidden-gem-nallore-morose-kirah/ic]HoO Romans 1x1x1[/url] (completed)
[url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/172808-agents-of-shield-the-terrigen-bomb/ic]AOS[/url] (completed)
[url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/176039-the-gifted-thisisforever/ic]The Gifted[/url] (completed)
[url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/182285-hotel-valhalla-the-gods-of-asgard/ooc]Hotel Valhalla[/url] (completed)
[url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/166080-the-wolves-of-red-lake-completed/ic]Wolves of Red Lake[/url] (completed)
[url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/181921-forgotten-space/ooc#post-5109978]Forgotten Space[/url] (A spiritual successor to Liquid Memories and Darkness Below, closed due to time constraints)
[url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/91286-salem-witches-institute/ic]Salem Witches Institute[/url] Canceled
[url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/180901-harry-potter-and-the-alchemists-quest/ic]HP[/url] Canceled
[url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/169901-through-the-doors-of-our-hearts/ic]Doors[/url] (completed)
[url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/80219-finite-incantatem-au-harry-potter-rp/ic]Finite Incantate[/url] (Co-GM) Canceled
[url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/81224-invincible-chapter-i-origination/ic]Invincible[/url]
[url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/81373-wink-murder-who-killed-mr-jig/ic]Wink Murder: Who killed Mr. Jig[/url]
[url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/79223-wolf-manor/ic]Wolf Manor[/url]
[url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/171303-for-queen-and-country/ic]For Queen and Country[/url]
[url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/80486-northwood-academy/ic]Northwood Academy [Open to new apps][/url] (GM, spiritual successor to the school in the woods)
[url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/80083-the-town-at-the-end-kirah-apollo/ic]The Town At The End[/url] (1x1)
[url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/78659-among-the-ruined-season-4/ic]Among the Ruined (closed)[/url]
[url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/75858-the-triwizard-champions/ic]Triwizard Chapions[/url](1x1x1)
[url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/66106-forsaken-children-of-war-kirah-and-mchaggis/ic]Forsaken Children of War[/url](1x1)
[url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/92946-ch-teau-de-lalune/ic]Château de Lalune[/url] (GM, closed)
[url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/137021-hogwarts-world-tour/ic]Hogwarts World Tour[/url] (Closed)
[URL=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/88884-the-mundane-small-town-teenage-superheroes/ic]Mundane[/url]
[url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/83121-frontier-full-sci-fi-firefly-inspired/ic]Frontier[/url]
[url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/86402-sector-x-invite-only/ic]Sector X[/url]
[url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/83344-being-human-in-between/ic#post-2834120]Being Human[/url]
[url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/82451-cold-blooded-vampire-rp-continuation/ic]Cold Blooded (Vampire RP)[/url]
[URL=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/79382-hogwarts-school-of-witchcraft-and-wizardry/ic]Hogwarts School[/url]
[url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/81373-wink-murder-who-killed-mr-jig/ic]Wink Murder[/url]
[url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/75219-the-school-in-the-woods-mystery-fantasy-roleplay/ic]The School in the woods[/url]
[URL=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/78515-to-survive-the-end-reboot/ic]To Survive The End (reboot)[/url]
[url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/77989-the-golden-pelican-harry-potter/ic]Golden Pelican (HP)[/url]
[url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/76945-into-the-black/ic]Into The Black (GM)[/url]
[url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/70492-darkness-below/ic]Darkness Below[/url]
[url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/69882-alive/ooc]Alive[/url]
[url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/64701-hogwarts-we-are-now/ic]Hogwarts we are now[/url]
[url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/66022-threads-of-power/ic]Threads of Power[/url]
[url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/66109-liquid-memories/ic]Liquid Memories[/url]
[url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/65351-hogwarts-legacy-of-lord-voldemort/ic]Hogwarts Legacy of Voldemort[/url]
[url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/13573-the-monsters-under-my-bed-are-real-supernatural-rp/ic#post-301076]Supernatural RP[/url]
[url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/6053-through-time-and-space-kirah-and-carsgovroom/ic?page=5#post-374859]Through Time & Space (Doctor Who)[/url]
[url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/15852-doctor-who-im-so-sorry-me-and-kirah/ic]I'm so Sorry (Doctor Who)[/url]
[/hider]
<div style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><div class="bb-center"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/0BmP29s.png" /></div><br>I am bad about keeping this updated<br><br>RP's (Updated 2/13/25)<br><br><span class="bb-u">Upcoming</span>:<br>Northwood - A slice-of-life horror rp<br><br><span class="bb-u">Currently Running</span>: <br><a href="https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/5595988">Château de La Lune</a><br><a href="https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/5623805">Camp Lava Lake</a><br><br><span class="bb-u">Currently in</span>: <br><a href="https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/189613-avengers-academy/ooc?page=4">Avengers Academy</a><br><a href="https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/195905-strange-academy-journey-into-mystery/ic">Strange Academy</a><br><br>An incomplete and in no particular order dead or ended RPs I have participated in:<br><div class="hider-panel"><div class="hider-heading"><button type="button" class="btn btn-default btn-xs hider-button" data-name="Hider">Hider [+]</button></div><div class="hider-body" style="display: none"><a href="https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/163808-x-men-cosmic-crusades/ooc">X-Men</a><br><a href="https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/195600-the-season-of-the-enlightened/ic">Season of the Enlightened</a><br><a href="https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/195033-welcome-to-havenwood/ic">Welcome to Havenwood</a><br><a href="https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/176265-heroes-of-olympus-the-next-age-of-heroes/ic">HoO</a><br><a href="https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/191794-the-dead-dont-die/ooc">Dead Don't Die</a><br><a href="https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/185787-ride-or-die-for-the-republic-morose-kirah-nallore/ic">Ride or Die for the Republic (Morose & Kirah & Nallore) 1x1x1</a><br><a href="https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/179952-once-upon-a-time/ic">OUAT</a> (completed)<br><a href="https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/5456713">Inferno - STRIKE THE MATCH!</a> (completed)<br><a href="https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/181849-heroes-of-olympus-the-hidden-gem-nallore-morose-kirah/ic">HoO Romans 1x1x1</a> (completed)<br><a href="https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/172808-agents-of-shield-the-terrigen-bomb/ic">AOS</a> (completed)<br><a href="https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/176039-the-gifted-thisisforever/ic">The Gifted</a> (completed)<br><a href="https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/182285-hotel-valhalla-the-gods-of-asgard/ooc">Hotel Valhalla</a> (completed)<br><a href="https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/166080-the-wolves-of-red-lake-completed/ic">Wolves of Red Lake</a> (completed)<br><a href="https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/181921-forgotten-space/ooc#post-5109978">Forgotten Space</a> (A spiritual successor to Liquid Memories and Darkness Below, closed due to time constraints)<br><a href="https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/91286-salem-witches-institute/ic">Salem Witches Institute</a> Canceled<br><a href="https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/180901-harry-potter-and-the-alchemists-quest/ic">HP</a> Canceled<br><a href="https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/169901-through-the-doors-of-our-hearts/ic">Doors</a> (completed)<br><a href="http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/80219-finite-incantatem-au-harry-potter-rp/ic">Finite Incantate</a> (Co-GM) Canceled<br><a href="http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/81224-invincible-chapter-i-origination/ic">Invincible</a><br><a href="http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/81373-wink-murder-who-killed-mr-jig/ic">Wink Murder: Who killed Mr. Jig</a><br><a href="http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/79223-wolf-manor/ic">Wolf Manor</a><br><a href="https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/171303-for-queen-and-country/ic">For Queen and Country</a><br><a href="http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/80486-northwood-academy/ic">Northwood Academy [Open to new apps]</a> (GM, spiritual successor to the school in the woods)<br><a href="http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/80083-the-town-at-the-end-kirah-apollo/ic">The Town At The End</a> (1x1)<br><a href="http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/78659-among-the-ruined-season-4/ic">Among the Ruined (closed)</a><br><a href="http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/75858-the-triwizard-champions/ic">Triwizard Chapions</a>(1x1x1)<br><a href="http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/66106-forsaken-children-of-war-kirah-and-mchaggis/ic">Forsaken Children of War</a>(1x1)<br><a href="http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/92946-ch-teau-de-lalune/ic">Château de Lalune</a> (GM, closed)<br><a href="http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/137021-hogwarts-world-tour/ic">Hogwarts World Tour</a> (Closed)<br><a href="https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/88884-the-mundane-small-town-teenage-superheroes/ic">Mundane</a><br><a href="https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/83121-frontier-full-sci-fi-firefly-inspired/ic">Frontier</a><br><a href="https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/86402-sector-x-invite-only/ic">Sector X</a><br><a href="https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/83344-being-human-in-between/ic#post-2834120">Being Human</a><br><a href="https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/82451-cold-blooded-vampire-rp-continuation/ic">Cold Blooded (Vampire RP)</a><br><a href="https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/79382-hogwarts-school-of-witchcraft-and-wizardry/ic">Hogwarts School</a><br><a href="https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/81373-wink-murder-who-killed-mr-jig/ic">Wink Murder</a><br><a href="https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/75219-the-school-in-the-woods-mystery-fantasy-roleplay/ic">The School in the woods</a><br><a href="https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/78515-to-survive-the-end-reboot/ic">To Survive The End (reboot)</a><br><a href="https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/77989-the-golden-pelican-harry-potter/ic">Golden Pelican (HP)</a><br><a href="https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/76945-into-the-black/ic">Into The Black (GM)</a><br><a href="https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/70492-darkness-below/ic">Darkness Below</a><br><a href="https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/69882-alive/ooc">Alive</a><br><a href="https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/64701-hogwarts-we-are-now/ic">Hogwarts we are now</a><br><a href="https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/66022-threads-of-power/ic">Threads of Power</a><br><a href="https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/66109-liquid-memories/ic">Liquid Memories</a><br><a href="https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/65351-hogwarts-legacy-of-lord-voldemort/ic">Hogwarts Legacy of Voldemort</a><br><a href="https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/13573-the-monsters-under-my-bed-are-real-supernatural-rp/ic#post-301076">Supernatural RP</a><br><a href="https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/6053-through-time-and-space-kirah-and-carsgovroom/ic?page=5#post-374859">Through Time & Space (Doctor Who)</a><br><a href="https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/15852-doctor-who-im-so-sorry-me-and-kirah/ic">I'm so Sorry (Doctor Who)</a></div></div></div>