Event: Sunday evening

[utopiamods]

The train finally came to a halt in which seemed to be the middle of no where. There was a small hut, but just like the train station in Rakuen there were no staff. Still the doors opened and out on the platform a woman stood. She looked stern and some might recognise her from the town; her dusky pink hair made her stand out in a crowd.

"Weapons please collect the equipment of your colour from the luggage compartment. One tent per team, one stove, one sleeping bag. If Players require their Weapons to have sleeping bags come and tell me, I have some extra in the store." She spoke in a tone that seemed used to being obeyed; a soldiers tone some might recognise it as.

After the equiptment was collected she set off up the hill expecting everyone to keep up. Astute campers will have noticed Dolorosa, Day, Nanami and Santana in the small crowd and so hopefully realise that escape was nothing but futile.

Of course if they still tried they would find they couldn't get very far, if they went too far in any direction or tried to follow the tracks they would pass out and reappear just a little behind the main group.

The camp site was just over the hill, a valley surrounded by hills, a river running through it. Their guide told them to make camp, Fortitude this side of the river, Conquest the other; there were stepping stones. "All Players are to report to me while Weapons pitch the tents."

She waited until the Players were gathered, "My name is Clara, I am your guide for your trip and I expect you to behave yourselves. As you have guessed we have a slightly separate set up, you have each been provided with a Weapon, in some cases two. There shall still be fights, training fights each morning in your camps and a fight in the evening which shall be interschool. Do your best; for as well as raks winning fights will get you more points."

There were no smiles but a pause for them to take in what she had said so far. "There will also be other activities, from climbing to walking to canoeing. I am sure you will all find something you excel in. Each of your Weapons has been provided with a ring, it cannot be removed until the end of the trip. Touching it with your gloved hand will invoke the penalty, though I trust you all not to abuse that power."

She looked over to the campsite and the activity there and raised her voice so she could be heard by those putting up tents. "All cooking is to be done by the Weapons, points will be given and subtracted for cooking skills, tents will be inspected every day. Weapons require permission to share their Players food, there are Weapon meals provided. If you wish your Weapon to stay in your tent they may but permission must be given." She looked like she couldn't work out why anyone would want that despite the grey skies and drizzle.

"Today you may get to know the camp site, there shall be no fight tonight but there is wood to be collected and if you collect enough we can have a large camp fire. Points shall be awarded for meals, Weapons are to come to me for ingredients."

With that she nodded and walked away, presumably to pitch her own tent. Have fun campers!

Comments

[justaflowergirl]

"What other time could I have done it? It was, after all, the rules you set out that inspired it."

[utopiamods]

"Truly? How did I inspire this experiment?"

Clara looked around the camp, really those brought to the city used to be more obedient than this.

[justaflowergirl]

"You said 'Weapons require permission to share their Players food'. I couldn't help but wonder what would happen if the Player requested food which, while good, the player can't eat?" Aria's presence had simplified that part a great deal - it would have ruined Yuka's plan if the meal had been inedible to everyone.

"Of course, it would have been fine if I had been able to eat it - thanks to Aria, my tolerance has improved quite a bit. But I really would also like to try those Weapon meals. I've become rather fond of the porridge they have in the cafeteria..."

[utopiamods]

Clara's eyes narrowed more, "I have half the mind to give you a Weapon meal and take the food away, letting your Weapons go hungry. But I hate waste."

Yuka was firmly on her list of people to watch though, "Go and get your food and don't pull a trick like this again or you will all go hungry."

[justaflowergirl]

Yuka gave Clara another big smile. "I think Aria would be happier if I asked for food we could eat together anyway."

Unsaid, but strongly implied, was that if Aria *wasn't* here, Yuka would do this for every single meal! Just like in a children's novel! Or at least until she got bored.

[utopiamods]

Aria... Clara was going to assume that was the Weapon that was not a cat and nodded. "I am sure you would not want to disappoint her." Or make her go hungry.

[justaflowergirl]

"I think we'll be just fine."

And with that, feeling that she'd said what needed to be said, she turned and went to get her fertilizer. She wondered what it would be? Probably not something as good as the porridge, but one never knew.

[A while later...]

Yuka came back a bit after Clara had moved on to another team. She was kind of disappointed. She thought it might be a bit saltier than usual, but the bowl of stuff she had been given was pretty much the same as what she could get for dinner back at Conquest - not really bad, but not up to the standards of their porridge. She'd be just as happy to spend the week trying more new things with Aria and Cheshire.

Overall though, she was pleased without how that had turned out. She smiled as she poured Cheshire another cup of tea. "Do you want any more, Aria?"

[sword_that_protects]

"That sounds splendid!" Aria accepted the tea proffered and took in the pleasant aroma as she let it cool slightly. Placing the cup gently down on a rock, so as not to get it filthy, Aria reached over to her duffel and dug out a small paper bag.

"Here!" Aria reached into the bag and placed a small, round, red orb into Yuka's hand. Reaching back into the bag, Aria grabbed a yellow one for herself. "It's called 'candy'. Dunleavy sold me a variety of these at the shop. Want to try some with me? They're really sweet, I'm told." With that, Aria plopped the morsel in her mouth, careful not to bite it. It seemed too hard to not hurt her teeth if she tried.

[nocathere]

Cheshire takes his tea, gently blows on it and takes a little sip. He wraps his tail around in front of him and places the saucer and cup down on it before leaning over to look at what Aria had. Candy! And she didn't offer him one?

He grinned wider, "They are lemons and cherries! I prefer the pink clouds!"

[sword_that_protects]

"Clouds? Why would anyone want to eat clouds?" Aria voiced her inner thoughts unknowingly. "You have some interesting notions."

[Now that Cheshire mentioned it, this candy did taste a bit like a very sweet lemon.]