@Mangrale

Noting how restless she was after, especially when her hand shook. But feeling it slowly fading and returning put a smile on his face. She did rather well, he wanted her to know that. But maybe later on, right now he would stand to the sidelines with her. Watching the rest of the campers climb as he sighs softly. "Well you did very well Cecilia, just know that. But now it's over and we don't have to worry about it. Saying with some reassurance to his voice, smiling softly at her before looking at the Void curling up at their feet. Its eyes closed and not moving at all, maybe Neric is resting now. James chuckling softly as he doesn't take his eyes off his void as he speaks. "I remember one story he spoke of, saying he helped a group with climbing a very high up cliffside and stopping some group. Didn't go into specifics though..." Shrugging before smiling again, watching the climbers go as he squeezed her hand gently.

@Mistiel@KatherinWinter

Carrie allowed the feverish, frenetic girl lead the way, trailing behind her alongside Lin, the blonde girl. When Lin hinted at skepticism towards the name Cloak N. Dagger, Carrie only chuckled. "I don't believe we do need code names, Miss Lin, and I can assure you that Cloak N. Dagger is not one." she lied, her lips in the form of a smirk. "You see, it's a prank my family pulled on me before I was born. They gave me such a name because they wanted people to believe I was lying every time I introduced myself. It's annoying, but actually quite good, as far as larks like that go. Worry not, however. I got them back."

@LiegeLord
Cecilia savored watching the other campers try their hand at climbing the wall. There might have been a participant here and there who looked as though they were having trouble, but they soon managed to also reach the top, each a delightful turn of events. She smiled warmly; if she could make it, anyone could. James' commendation meant a lot to her, and although she wanted to say that however well she did, he took to the activity much better, she got the impression he didn't want to hear her depreciate her accomplishment or sell herself short. "Thanks James. I kinda surprised myself," she responded graciously, her cheeks a little red. "I kind of wonder whether or not there's another stage after this that we'll have to climb." As she mentioned this, Neric seemed to rest at their feet, James then mentioning one of the Void's anecdotes from before. "Oh yeah, he mentioned something about climbing an icy wall during the Cold War. Maybe that's it." It wasn't a guarantee that the two instances were one and the same, but it seemed interesting enough to mention. After giving Neric a warm look, she moved a bit closer to James, letting her full arm curl down his. Her eyes softened, content to spectate along with him.

@Mistiel @Framing A Moose
Following Ivy was like following a hummingbird. Except that Ivy didn't have the dedication of a hummingbird. She didn't go from flower to flower. She went from one interesting thing to another. She would start down the trail to camp but find a rabbit to follow. After a minute she would return to the trail but never long. A trip that should have only taken a matter of minutes would take nearly half am hour.

Lin dutifully scampered after Ivy, alongside the other girl. Something about the way the girl talked obscenely reminded Lin of when she'd snuck into the Marina Theatre in San Francisco to watch Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith as a kid. This Cloak girl's last sentence reminded Lin an awful lot of Yoda and it was taking all she had not to giggle aloud.

"Still," she remarked casually after only a couple seconds of thoughtful silence. "That's a bit of a weird prank. Why would your parents want you to lie? And what the heck is a lark?" Lin added that last question, her grin fading somewhat into puzzlement.

"A lark is something mischievous one does for no reason other than for fun. Similar to a prank." Carrie replied, smirking as she watched their redheaded guide take her time leading them back to the camp. "And it's not exactly that my parents wanted me to lie. I suppose it's hard to explain to someone who didn't know them. They were an odd bunch, my family."

@KatherinWinter@Mistiel

Lin nodded. "I guess I can see it. Me personally, I haven't really had a family since I was little. Must be nice having parents!" Her smile was a little rueful, but she kept her eyes focused ahead on where she was going. Ivy's random course rife with distractions seemed to have led them off any established trail and the ground between the trees was a bit uneven with roots and pine cones and things. "So where are you from, huh?" she asked this Cloak person casually. "I'm from San Francisco. West side represent, ba-BY!" deepening her voice for emphasis and throwing up a peace sign.

@Mangrale

James would smile as he felt her arm around his, blushing softly and not speaking for a short time. Just wanting to enjoy the moment with her, his other hand slowly placing on hers around his arm. This was rather nice, thinking as he sighs softly. Looking to her as he smiles, leaning in closer to whisper and let only her hear. "So, this considered a date then or?" Him teasing her while also curious if she thought it was. Never having been in a relationship or having a family behind him has really took a toll on his social capabilities. She can tell he wasn't trying to embarass her or anything. Rubbing her hand gently with his as he looked down, hoping he didn't make her feel uncomfortable about that. Looking back to the wall as he speaks again. "I think everyone that is going went, I hope what you said before isn't the case and there is another part of the climbing to do..."

The second stage was harder. The hand and foot holes were more spaced out. Here there were a couple of places where they could practice putting in anchors. The idea was them to learn how to climb with the gear and without just in case. His way if they chose to climb the would be prepared. They also wanted to make sure if there was an accident they be able to handle it. The counselors wanted them to as independent as possible.

@LiegeLord
Cecilia's attention turned to him as she felt his hand over her own, a warm, pleasant feeling coming over her. She was a little surprised when James drew closer to her and perceptibly so when he asked what he did, her eyes looking to the side as she rather bashfully thought about it. "Um, I-I'm not sure..." she spoke in a hushed tone herself. When she thinks of going on a date, she tends to imagine a more private setting, but she supposed that needn't necessarily be the case. "It might be... though I'm not sure if rock climbing is my thing," Cecilia admitted jokingly, her other hand gently stroking his first arm's forearm before folding over his hand. This wouldn't be her first choice for a first date, but she knows how to make do. She had a feeling that there was in fact another course as part of this activity, but ultimately wondered if they would proceed to it already, or whether they will need to wait until everyone completed the first stage before the second would be unveiled. From where she was standing, there wasn't a great hurry, but would accept whatever is decided.

Carrie couldn't stop her smirk from growing at Lin's comment on her lack of parents, before quickly reforming it into a sympathetic smile. "Well, Miss Lin, I'm deeply sorry to hear that. I'll be the first to admit that I've never been the biggest fan of my parents, but we did have...good times, and I don't think anyone deserves to be robbed of that." she said, before continuing to answer the girl's question. "I was born in New Jersey, but I've been moving around lately."

@Mistiel

Jack stretched, the laughed at the next stage. "This is how you do it, peeps!" He rested his feet and hands on holds, then scampered up, though slower than before. When he got to the top, a skeleton with a sweatband around its skull helped him onto the top, then handed Jack a water bottle. "Thanks, Ramirez." Jack said to the undead exercise trainer.

@DriveEMOut @LiegeLord @Mangrale @LiegeLord @Vampy @Mistiel @Framing A Moose
Ivy beamed when she saw Kyle was on the second level of the rock climb. She could see him studying the next level. Her brother always considered his options carefully. He never went fast. She wished she could be still like him but she accepted that she would never be able to do things he could do. She was ok with that. She pointed at Kyle for the other girls. LOOK! MY BROTHER MADE IT TO THE SECOND LEVEL! I COULD NEVER DO THAT. CLIMBING TAKES CONCENTRATION! ARE YOU GOING TO CLIMB? I THINK YOU KIND OF HAVE TO! ACTIVITIES DON'T SEEM TO BE OPTIONAL!"

Cecilia gulped at the site of the next stage, it's completion on the part of Jack and Kyle was marginally less successful at comforting her this time around. And despite how the other girls arrival during Kyle's turn was a welcome distraction, Ivy's exuberance especially helping ease her nerves oddly enough, it all sort of fell apart when it came to the last thing the hyperactive girl said, Cecilia sighing and gazing apprehensively at the top.

@LiegeLord
"I'll go next... i-if that's alright?" she muttered, her voice leaving her. Mid a nervous smile, Cecilia tentatively let go of James and stepped over to the base of the new wall, getting outfitted for her attempt. There was a sense of urgency during the first stage wall, mostly from her desire to get it over with as quickly as possible as well as from the belief (or desperate desire) that it was the only stage, meaning there wasn't a real point in conserving energy. But as she now feared, this activity was looking to be more of a marathon than a sprint. She didn't stall for as long as she had before, but onlookers could tell by her first few moves that she was taking her time with this run, her three anchors being secured at the low area, mid section and near the top of the wall in very gradual succession. There was a moment where she pretty much stopped for a few seconds, her head peering upward from her position at the middle to reevaluate her path that accounted for her growing fatigue.

Cecilia made the rest of the way at a steady pace, but by the time she clambered to the top, she would clock in at a little over double her time compared to her first stage attempt. She wasn't very proud of this, but was happy to not have put her anchors to the test. She sat for a minute at the edge until she calmed herself, then being lowered down. She returned to James, her nervous smile now with a sense of momentary relief. "Don't know how much more of this I have in me," she said, trying to assure him that she was alright, casually stretching her right arm over her left shoulder. "I'm sure you can do it faster than me, but try and go at your own pace, okay? There may be other stages after this," she advised as lightly as she could. She felt like wishing him luck on his turn when it happens, but doubted that he would need it.

James looked to the next set of a wall they would have to climb. Trying to stay calm but feeling nervous about it all. How much were they going to make everyone do in terms of climbing? Was it three different sets or more? Hopefully it was only three, don't know if he can keep up with five or more walls to climb and each getting more difficult.

@Mangrale

Blinking a bit before Cecilia's words came forth, nodding and smiling as he watches her head for the wall. Placing his hands on his sides as he speaks out before she started climbing. "You got this Cecilia!" Sighing softly after, seeing how nervous she is but being brave enough to still climb. Looking at Neric as the Void flies up to his shoulder and landing on it. "Ready for another round of climbing Neric?" The Void nodding and watching with James this time. James's hand reaching up and stroking the wing on the side that the bird was pirched on. Watching as Cecilia has her moments here and there before finally reaching the top. Everyone was making this look easy in a way. Kyle did rather well and so did that one boy with what James could only assume were ghosts or undead. Shaking his head as the thought sent a shiver down his spine. Looking around at everyone that were either here or just got here. Including Ivy and one of the newer girls Lin. So far he and Neric didn't know what to think of her really. James never met her and Neric isn't saying much about it at all when he spotted her.

Though his vision would return to Cecilia as she makes her way back to solid ground and walked over to him and Neric. Smiling softly as she approaches. "Good job Cecilia, hopefully we won't have much more to do. But does that mean it's my turn now?" He chuckles as he walks over to her, giving her hand a quick squeeze before heading for the wall himself. "Wish me luck!" He would say as a last bit as Neric flew off his shoulder and once again slams against the wall to turn into the lizard from before. James shaking himself a bit as he looks up, nodding to Neric as starts climbing. The beginning easy enough but more or less got tough towards the mid section and top, slowing down because of that. Taking his time making sure not to lose his grip or such. Soon though reaching one point that he would have to make a jump to get farther, gulping as he gets ready for that. Jumping up a short distance and reaching for the grip, narrowing missing. Eyes widden but a sudden tug on his line stopped him from falling but a short distance. One of Neric's outstretched arms, larger then it was before holding the line as he looks at James. The same said arm soon pulling him back up so he can get the grip and continue up till his feet were back on something. "Thanks Neric." The Void laughing partially and nodding as the arm returns to its normal size before climbing upwards again. James following suit till they finally reach the top. Looking down and sighing softly, soon climbing back down or letting the line lower him back down. Once back on the ground he would unhook himself and looking over at Cecilia. Hoping he didn't scare her with the fall as he walks over, rubbing his arm. Neric walking in the cat form after slamming into the ground. "Well that could have went better. But made it... hope we are going to be done soon..."

@LiegeLord
Cecilia really didn’t mind Neric not supervising her ascent as he did with James. Practically speaking, she knew that if she messed up or met with a suitably difficult situation, the Void would come to her aid in a matter of seconds. But beyond that, she knew that the two of them were watching over her, and although she constantly fretted over not letting them down, she knew she had their support. She doubted she would have met the challenge as well as she did otherwise.

James seemed to think she did well, a stance that she wouldn’t be in total agreement with, but it was sweet of him to think so. When he asked if it was his turn, Cecilia simply chuckled along with him, though while he squeezed her hand, she couldn’t shake the thought of how, if she had her way, he wouldn’t need to go next or maybe even at all. It was a ridiculous thought, but it would resurface now and again during his turn. Regardless, she cheered after him with a sunny “Good luck, James! I’ll be rooting for you!” sighing while onlooking his approach to the wall.

“Take your time! You can do this!” Cecilia called out as he reached the midsection, him slowing down to handle the increase in difficulty. She didn’t want to cheer him on too often, not keen on getting on people’s nerves nor disrupting James’ concentration. A hush would fall over her time and again, especially as James readied himself for a full on jump in order to progress. Her hands subconsciously locked themselves together over her chest. In that very moment, she felt even more tense than when it was her turn. It all sort of culminated when James missed the handhold and plummeted a short distance, her heart sinking just as quickly. She let out a helpless gasp, a worried countenance about her that she couldn’t shake off for a while until she saw him make it to the top.

The chances of any real harm coming to James was slim to nil, yet Cecilia couldn’t help but feel the way she did, an “overreaction” she told herself, seeing him reach level ground and approach her. Not about to give him a hard time over it, she smiled warmly again, taking his forearm near the wrist and lightly massaging it between her hands. “A-Are you alright? You really had me worried for a minute there.” She meant to play it off rather cooly, but he could probably tell she was indeed genuinely concerned.

@Mangrale

James would smile and blush a tad when Cecilia wrapped her arm around his, placing a hand on hers as he spoke softly. Seeing her worry through her disguise of coolness. "Oh I'm fine, but thanks Cecilia. I'm glad I had Neric there to help." The moment him saying that, the Goid would fly over to her other shoulder to nestle and rest. Getting comfortable as James chuckles, but really he was happy that Cecilia cared about him. Though she was trying to be cool about it and swarm him to make sure he was alright. Genuinely he felt really good about it. Trying to bring her closer as he smiles. Looking back at the wall before he would look back at her. "After all this... I would really like to go star gazing now. Would be nice and relaxing against an activity like this." Reminding her about it and also showing he is interested in the activity with her. Honestly would be rather nice. Watching the rest of the climbers head up the wall with her as Neric just sits there. Oddly enough the Void isn't saying much during this activity. Unusual but not rare, more uncommon then anything. He has had his times of quiet and times of chit chat.

@LiegeLord
With a low and quick exhale, Cecilia gave a long blink, her worries alleviated for the most part. "That's a relief. (Light Giggling) And I shouldn't forget about your guardian angel here," she added with a little extra pep when the Void perched himself on her shoulder. "Thanks for helping out, Neric, you were awesome," Cecilia gratefully commended, one of her hands coming over to pet and caress his feathers. She was enjoying herself like this with James and Neric, during a blissful moment between nerve racking bouts of rock climbing, high on the feeling of accomplishment for completing one stage and before having to warily face the next. But James drew her closer, reminding her about stargazing. No surprise she was a tad embarrassed at the gesture, but she was also very surprised that he remembered. Cecilia agreed that it sounded like a fantastic and relaxing activity when compared to climbing, but there was a pretty good reason that now wasn't the best time. "I'd love to, James... But maybe it's best to do so during the evening. Chances are, it'll still be, at most, mid afternoon when we're finished here, _silly..." she said, gladly wrapping her arm around his. "I think today will be the day though. I'm sure it'll be worth the wait."

Ivy emerged out of the woods into a small clearing with an oddly tiered rock wall that began up about forty feet ahead of them. Lin observed a few campers attempting to scale one of the tiers currently. As she emerged from the woods behind Ivy, she gazed intently at the base of the rock wall, then closed her eyes with hands at her sides and an expression of serene concentration upon her face. The sounds of campers climbing and small rocks and dust falling occasionally and voices all drifted away as she flow-walked back to what had been the scene when instructions were given out.

About thirty minutes ago, she saw a vague image of the twin counselors addressing the campers: "Today we will teach you the beginnings of rock climbing. Now this won't be the rock climbing you've done on walls in school. This is real and will be dangerous. So first everyone will be fitted with a helmet, goggles, and a harness." Lin let herself drift slowly back to the present, only opening her eyes when the sounds of the people around and above her returned. Turning herself to address both Carrie and Ivy directly, she told the younger girls. "The counselors want us to harness up, grab a helmet and gloves, and head on up this wall. Looks like we're late!" She raced past Ivy to grab one of four remaining harnesses, slipping into it with remarkable ease.

Her hands lingered for a few moments on the straps. These sorts of things were not very intuitive. What Lin would have given for simple velcro. She had had a hard enough time in an orphanage just learning to tie her shoelaces. Speaking of which, Lin spied that her right set of bootlaces had come undone. After cinching the harness as tight as she could, she went and put her foot up on a nearby boulder and quickly retied the offending lace. Pulling on a pair of gloves but ignoring the helmet, Lin hooked herself up to an unmanned belay tether attached to the ground with a ballast at the base of the wall and began to climb.

Fortunately for Lin, she was already physically strong, so the first two tiers did virtually nothing to exert her despite the fact that she had just spent an inordinate amount of time jogging and speedwalking after the "runaway" Ivy. Lin spied Kyle at the top of the third tier already and gritted her teeth in preparation for her next encounter with Ice Boy. Stage 3 made Lin pause initially. It was beginning to look like mostly sheer rock. "Now the real fun begins," Lin muttered to herself in total focus mode.

The blonde girl pressed herself flat against the third tier's wall, then scrambled up all of two feet like a spider before her double-gloved hands found purchase on a rough bit of stone. She had to wedge her feet into gaps that made her a bit self-conscious about any male onlookers below. Thankfully Ice Boy was up top so the only view he was getting was a tangled mass of hair. Why did that thought bother her so much? One by one, she bit the second set of gloves off her hands with her teeth, tossing them down behind her where they flopped down on the second tier landing. Then, also one by one, she unfastened her own gloves' fingers once again to let her own human digits wiggle out and find better purchase on the stone. The rock cut into her fingertips a bit, but that just made Lin angry as she yelled out a battle cry and scrambled from foothold to foothold, handhold to handhold. When she was about three feet from the top of tier number three, she leapt the remaining distance and caught the ledge with her bare fingertips. Straining, her fair face finally coated with perspiration, she managed to swing one leg up and hook it over the ledge, but the other half of her body betrayed her and her left leg refused to budge and go up!

Instead, a line of white-hot fire traced it's way down the back of her left calf, seizing the muscle and making Lin gasp in discomfort, nearly losing her death grip of the ledge she half-lay on. She lay there frozen, trying to catch her breath and desperately willing the muscle to loosen. Her cheeks flamed at the thought of Ice Boy seeing her like this. Another less pleasant though occurred to her that she had just been climbing a hill in relatively comfortable jeans, and those jeans would naturally start to sag as she climbed....and now her butt was pointed skyward...towards where Ice Boy was last seen. Growling at the thought, she viciously tugged herself all the way onto the ledge in a surge of adrenaline purely by the strength of her arms and core and lay on her back staring up the tier number four sheer rock wall. She wondered how in hell she was going to scale that with her left leg cramped as badly as it was.

@Mangrale

James smiled as Cecilia commended Neric, and the Void seemed to be happy about the comment and the attention he was getting. Rubbing up against her with his feathered side, more or less against her cheek. "Well thank you, though I'm far from being a true guardian angel I'll do my best." his words before snuggling back into her shoulder. All James could do was smile and watch the two. They looked so adorable together, blushing a tad. Looking up at the others climbing and spotting Lin having trouble. Though she seems to have been able to get to the top. Though it was through her getting rather furious as far as he could see. Losing his smile for a moment as he remembers something. Closing his eyes and looking away, Granger on his mind for the moment. That boy, anger and hatred built with a Void no less pent up. Opening his eyes and looking at the wall before looking at Cecilia as her words suddenly came through towards the end.

"O-Oh Cecilia, I knew it had to be later... I-I just wanted to show I was still interested was all..." Blushing softly as he rubs her arm a bit, she may or may not have noticed James having his moment. As Neric had some shivers of his own as James had the memory. The two, linked as they were, must have remembered the same thing at the same time. Though Neric took it far better. But feeling her arm around his seemed to give him some comfort as he sighs softly and smiles again.