[IC] Camp Castaway

[Skinner35]

@KatherinWinter
"Oh, Okay. I'm Toby." He said, registering the newer face. He guessed that this was the ice guy that Ivy mentioned. He knew that it was only going to get weirder from here on out, but he was excited.

[Mangrale]

Cecilia carried Ivory's picture to the ladybug cabin where her own belongings were, the floorboards still letting out their welcoming creaks under her feet as she moved to the wooden nightstand next to her bed. If she could frame her latest gift, she surely would. But on top of the nightstand would have to do for now. Cecilia took one long and wistful look at the drawing, including the well handwritten signature, before digging into the drawer under it for one of her spare notebooks, picking out a modestly small one along with a pencil.

Before she left the cabin, Cecilia wanted to check up on the bruise she got from rock-climbing earlier. But as she warily put her hand to her back where it had been, she couldn't feel any trace of it, not even any kind of lingering pain. And upon inspecting the area through the mirror, there wasn't any sign of it, as though it had never happened. She hadn't the slightest idea of what to make of it, but didn't want to waste any more time. For now, she wouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth, opting to head for the door.

Practically hopping down the steps, Cecilia couldn't shake the strange feeling that she was being watched, her smile dissipating slightly as she again stopped feet away from her cabin and looked to the trees behind her lodging, finding nothing, unsurprisingly to her.

@deerling
The sensation wouldn't last and Cecilia continued on her way, seeing how crowded the cafeteria was getting and seriously wondering how she'll find anyone among the crowd. Believing the workshop a good place to start, Cecilia was delighted but also kinda surprised to find Ivory sketching by herself. "Ivory? You're... still here? I thought you would be having lunch by now. I'm sorry I'm late..." Cecilia apologized, her expression sincere and contrite.

[deerling]

@Mangrale

Ivory was surprised when she heard Cecilia. She jumped when hearing her voice, only to relax, seeing it was her friend. She listened to her before looking down. Of course, she was too shy and scared to eat. There were just so many people there and it made Ivory worry and hide away. "H-Hey Cecilia... I-I was t-too scared to go t-to the cafeteria..."

Ivory looked down at her sketchbook in her lap, quietly. She seemed to stare at the sketched lines and curves she had made. She knew how stupid of a reason it was to not eat lunch but it was true. There were so many people in there, and she didn't feel like having an attack right there on her first day.

"J-James said he wanted t-to eat with you and me, but I-I ran off here w-when I saw the crowded room." Ivory explained, hoping it made sense to Cecilia. She remembered James talking about her. He seemed so excited to eat with her. She could see it in his eyes. She frowned, realising Cecilia should just go to lunch. "Y-You can go eat, I-I'll just stay over h-here." Ivory told Cecilia.

[Blueflame]

@Varicke"Oh ok, at least you feel better now." Max said smiling as he thought to himself '[i][color=00aeef]I wonder what made him nervous. Wait Oh no did I make him nervous some how?![/i][/color]'. While Max was internally panicking he said "I never got the chance to go, what odd features?" Max hadn't seen Kaeden's wings or tail yet so he was curious. Max nodded as he said "Yeah it happens, although it normally only happens to me at thanksgiving."

[KatherinWinter]

@Skinner35
Kyle nodded. "My name is Kyle. Sorry about Ivy. She means well." He assured the other boy as he lead them back to the lunch room. Everyone was already eating and talking when they entered. He let go of Ivy once they were inside. He knew she would head for the food. Ivy needed alot of food to fuel her energy. He followed his sister. His pace was much slower than hers. He looked around debating where to sit.

[Skinner35]

@KatherinWinter
He followed the into the Lunch room and then swiftly got lost... "Oh boy." He said in a whisper to himself as he found a seat amidst the sea of people. He had no idea who he sat next to, but managed to say something. "Um... Hi."

[Mangrale]

@deerling
Cecilia listened to Ivory, lowering her eyes wistfully. "Oh... right. I guess you don't like large crowds. I understand..." she said before looking up and smiling meagerly. "B-But are you going to stay here the whole time? I don't want you to skip lunch just because the cafeteria's too crowded..." she stated, her hands coming together pensively as she thought to herself. "Well, will it be alright if I make a plate for you? I could bring it to you, if you want?" Cecilia's offer was genuine and she was interested in Ivory's answer. She wouldn't mind bringing her food, and it felt like a better solution than pushing her to do something that she really didn't want to do.

[deerling]

@Mangrale

Ivory was surprised at her answer. Her mother always thought she was stupid when she said she didn't want to go because of the crowd. "R-Really? I-I mean, I-I don't want t-to be a burden, C-CC." Ivory rushed quietly. She really didn't want to be a burden. She felt like too much of a burden to Cecilia. "I-I can last without food, I-I'll just take some t-tylenol afterwards." She quietly told Cecilia.

[Mangrale]

@deerling
"But you're really not a burden though. I'd be happy to bring you something. And you would have done the same for me..." Cecilia said warmly, though she was starting to wonder if there was anything she could really say to change Ivory's mind. There was a tinge of worry in her eyes. Was letting Ivory go hungry really an option? "Ivory, I can see you'd like me to go ahead, so I will..." Cecilia relented, though her tone changed with a smile. "But James is going to ask where you are and I'll tell him the truth. So if he suggests bringing you something to eat, I'm not going to say no," she stated gladly, hoping the idea came across. "We'll come back for you, so don't go too far, okay Ivory?" Cecilia hoped Ivory wouldn't be too hard on herself nor think she was overstepping some boundaries by doing this.

[deerling]

@Mangrale

Ivory nodded quietly. "O-Okay, C-CC." Ivory responded quietly. She could see the worry in Cecilia's eyes. She really didn't want her to worry for her, after all, she was just a friend to her. How was she so kind to her? Ivory only known her for an hour or more and Cecilia was already treating her so nicely. She didn't even do a lot to earn or deserve it, either.

"I-I understand, but o-only if he suggests it, o-okay?" She told Cecilia, looking up at her. She would hate to have to waste James' time just to get food. She was sure he would have friends who would be annoyed that he was taken for second. Maybe if he did, he wouldn't come with Cecilia to get food. She hoped.

"G-go have fun, o-okay? I-I'll be fine." Ivory still quietly reassured Cecilia. She didn't want to be a burden to Cecilia, the way she was to her mother. No matter how many times Cecilia would reassure her, she would still feel like a burden. She was already feeling like one because of her stupid anxiety, that made her do this. But she just couldn't bring herself to enter the room. There were so many people. It would feel like they were watching her, staring at her for any reason they could think of. The mere thought of it made Ivory feel like crying and hiding.

[Varicke]

@Blueflame

Kaeden shook his head trying to stay awake. Finding the smell of food was a little too intense now, he stood up from his seat and walked over to the window behind Max.

"Besides my tail and horns?" he smiled. He unlatched the window and pushed it open, a light breeze blowing in that lightly ruffled his white hair. The scent of pine and flowering plants from the nearby forest was more welcoming to him than the tangy smell of sauces.

"I do have serrated canine teeth, honestly you'd have to really look at them though to notice that. And surprisingly enough not many point out my odd pupils that are slit like a cat's eyes, maybe it's the blue that makes it difficult to notice?" He stepped around the table to seat back into his chair, the creak making him mentally question the durability of anything in this place. "I suppose I never told you what I could even do, huh?" he chuckled, feeling a bit guilty for not sharing his own abilities after Max shared his without a second thought.

He rested his hands on the table, drawing attention to them as something shiny and metallic seemed to grow over them. It engulfed his hands, forming off ridges, stopping a little beyond his wrist and ending in pointed tips at the end of his fingers. He was now wearing what appeared to be medieval gauntlets with claws.

Their appearance

"I can summon what I like to call Soul-Bound Items. Objects, or just general things attached to my soul. I only own two things right now, these gauntlets which I use as weapons, and a pair of wings for flight. You'll have to see those another time though, I'm much too tired to even think of ushering up the focus to bring those out, haha." he tapped the claws against the worn table, etching little scratches into it with ease to display their sharpness. He met Max's gaze again. "I would very much like to see your smoke ability. Uh, if... if you don't mind that is."

[Mangrale]

@deerling
Cecilia nodded, feeling like more should be said aside from the simple "Alright, catch you later Ivory" she ultimately left with, starting to depart from the workshop. She would turn to quietly look at the girl from the doorway to see if she was looking her way. If Ivory was, she would reassuringly nod once more. But if she wasn't, Cecilia would sigh quietly to herself. Cecilia wanted to be friendly sure, but there was more to it than that. As she left for the dining hall, she recalled what she said at the spur of the moment earlier. Upon reflection, she should have phrased it as '... you would do the same for me'. At any rate, she wouldn't rest easy if she didn't do what she could for her, even if she did insist against it. Her destination looked just as packed as when she first saw it, but entered to take her place at the end of the line. Progress was slow, but her eyes brightened at the sight of the varied and in some cases exotic (to her at least) dishes available. Her plate would be modestly arranged, and during its preparation she would look over every option again, keeping in mind that she may be making another plate soon. Perhaps choices that are simple and proven delicious, just to be safe. She would look for a place to sit when she was ready, keeping an eye out for James and Neric if they were still around and not minding how late she was.

[LiegeLord]

@Mangrale

Neric would already be on his fifth plate of peppers, really hungry for that heat. For a Void, any type of energy is sustenance to them. James couldn't help but chuckle softly at the Void, shaking his head as he looks around the lunchroom. It surely was rather packed, not to the point everyone was needing to squeeze in but close enough. It was something James was used to afterall, being on the streets he had to learn how to cope and deal with many different things. Both good and bad. Though the moment he caught eye of Cecilia, he would smile wide as he looked at his Void. Tapping the little Black Monkey's shoulder before nodding in Cecilia's direction, taking his almost empty plate and walking over. Neric, taking his full plate of peppers, would follow suit. James rather anxious to talk to her again, hopefully it wasn't bad of him. But he couldn't help it. Gently setting his plate on the table, he would chuckle softly and smile at the girl. "Hey Cecilia, mind if we join you or is this spot saved for your friend?" The little Void setting his own plate on the table before hopping up, crawling over to the plate and 'feasting' as James shakes his head. No matter what situation, that Void almost always took it coolly. But that really depends on the situation, a good amount of the time Neric comes back to with his past training with various military. James looking back at Cecilia, awaiting her answer eagerly. Although if she was to say that she was holding it, the boy would be more then happy to agree and sit somewhere else or in another spot. Not wanting to take her time away from spending it with another that she just met.

[deerling]

@Mangrale

Ivory shyly smiled back, watching Cecilia leave. She quietly sighed. She didn't want to make Cecilia worry. She just see it in her eyes which made her feel worse. She wanted to go make it up to her, but to her it seemed best to just stay where she was. Ivory quietly looked back down at her sketchbook, the page she was opened to. She seemed to stare at it forever, her brain slowly trying to think. She looked up at the table and grabbed her pencil. Quietly twirling in her hand, she thought to herself. What was she drawing? She stop twirling her pencil and looked at the mess on the page. Surprisingly, to her, she saw two faces in it. She could make out two very familiar faces. James and Cecilia. Her two 'friends'. She started at it more, carefully letting her eyes trace the lines that were sketched sloppily. Why did she start drawing them? She quietly thought to herself. Out of all people, they stood out to her the most. They were the friendliest people she's met. She let out a sigh, placing her pencil to the paper, and quietly following the trace marks to continue the drawing.

[Mangrale]

@LiegeLord
Cecilia would have caught sight of the duo given enough time, Neric's smokey essence likely to have given away their position. She was elated to see them. "Hey guys, sorry I'm late. I'd like to eat with you, no doubt..." Cecilia told them, relishing the thought of spending time with them, though carefully formulating what she was about to say while she set her tray down. Her lunch selections were gravitating towards a balanced meal, though she was pretty tempted by the beef and pork taquitos, of which she decided on two of each with a small garden salad and chocolate chip cookie as sides - a step on the wild side to be sure. "Ivory decided to stay behind. I don't think she likes large crowds at all... I offered to make a plate for her, bring her something, but she said she was fine," Cecilia admitted, James liable to sense she wasn't completely content to leave it at that. On at least a minor level, Cecilia knew there was a more tactful and probably better way at approaching this, but she couldn't help the way she felt at the moment.

[LiegeLord]

@Mangrale

James would happily sit with her when she answered, also elated to spend a little more time with her. Watching Neric for a moment while she got situated but then looking to her as she explained why she was late. He wasn't annoyed with her being late, things always happen. Hearing why Ivory stayed back put his mind at ease while also making him feel bad as well, it wasn't his fault thankfully so that was a plus. But he felt bad that she was going to outright refuse to eat lunch because of everyone else here, most likely not her fault. James rubbing his chin as he thought for a bit, looking around as he hummed softly. He didn't wanna leave her behind and most certainly didn't want Cecilia to feel like she did the same, especially in the case that it's most obvious they were good friends now. Smiling as he looks back at her, quickly making up his mind. "Well, to make it easier for her we can take her a plate. Unless you two just wanted to spend time together that is more then fine with me. I can stick around here, don't worry I can handle myself." Chuckling and smiling at her affectionately, giving her the choice of him tagging along or if she just wanted it to be a time for the two of them to spend time together. He was trying to show that he didn't wanna take all her time for herself, to James it would be unfair to her if she couldn't spend time with other friends.

[Mangrale]

@LiegeLord
Cecilia had started eating to try and make up for the time away. Despite the impression she received upon entering, lunch was indeed ending, most campers finishing their meals and pretty much ready for the next activity. Her mouth full, her voice hummed in slight surprise, swallowing quickly. "James, it's okay. I'd like you to come too." Cecilia smiled, feeling relieved. She felt a little less of an out of touch busybody with James being as supportive of the idea as he was. She'd want to help make a plate with him in time, but for now, she was just happy to be with him. "So how did you like the art activity?" she asked, not wanting James to be bored since pretty much finishing his lunch.

[LiegeLord]

@Mangrale

James would smile softly as Cecilia mention her wanting to come with her, nodding happily as he tried to think of what to say next. Humming softly to himself before Cecilia made the next choice of conversation for them. Tapping his cheek gently as he looked at Neric, smiling softly back at Cecilia. "Well didn't get to do much drawing, but the picture I did show Ivory-" Neric coughing a bit, pointing at the table of food as James nods, Neric heading off shortly after with his plate. "Go ahead buddy." Watching after the Void for a short bit before quickly looking at Cecilia with his smile returning, and looking very eager. "Don't say anything to Neric, but I showed Ivory the picture he made and she loved it. It's something I will never be able to make no matter how hard I try." Chuckling softly afterwards, knowing he didn't do much at all with drawing. But maybe Cecilia would like to see it sometime, looking over at Neric as the Void start making his way over. Looking back to Cecilia and slowly putting a finger to his lips, hoping she keep quiet as Neric came back over. Placing the plate on the table, climbing back up onto the table and once again consuming the peppers as he looked between them.

"So, I get the feeling James already mentioned his. How was your art activity Cecilia?"

[Mangrale]

@LiegeLord
Cecilia was fascinated over this art piece that Neric had done, and although she didn't quite grasp why Neric shouldn't be told within the small time frame before he returned, she nodded all the same. As she thought about it later, she imagined that Neric was shy when it came to his artwork. It was quite understandable, though she found it odd how much she thought the Void reacting in such a way was strange. When Neric asked her the question in turn, she turned her head where the Void could likely tell her answer just by looking. "It was great. Ivory's really sweet and talented, though you could have probably tell that from when you met her earlier," Cecilia mentioned, taking a sip of her drink. To Cecilia, it was the partner that makes an activity special. Additionally, she was glad that her flip book met with the response that it did, but she wasn't about to start off mentioning it, for fear that James and Neric would want to see it. It was about here that she appreciated the latter's possible aversion to showing his work of art.

[LiegeLord]

@Mangrale

James would nod in agreement to her words, true enough Ivory was sweet from the time he had to speak with her. Thinking a bit bit before speaking again. "Well she is sweet true... but... Chuckling and grinning as his foot gently taps against hers. "You are sweeter in my opinion." Some red forming at his cheeks, nothing much but enough that she could see it if she looked at him. It was true, she was sweet as well and he felt lucky to be with her. Looking at his empty plate as he gently pushes it to the side, sighing happily as he looks around for a short amount of time. Curious what everyone else was doing, though it seems most people were finishing up at this point or were getting close to. Even if Lunch got over he wanted to spend time with Cecilia, even if another friend of hers was around. Not a problem for him, thinking once again as he looked at her. Smiling softly as his foot taps against hers once more. "So what exactly did you draw in the activity? Curious now."