Closed SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE Adoption is Stressful PV Tentmates

❂ ⌜ A Summer Camp Tale: Adoption is Stressful ⌟ ❂ ❂ July 15, 2024 ▎ --:-- ❂

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Didn’t she do the same thing as last year? Flopping onto the bed as soon as she arrived in her designated cabin after she had set her things, closing her eyes for a short rest and when she opened them, the cabin was full of people. She wasn’t surprised when the same exact scenario played once more the moment she lifted her head from the pillow. Only this time, not everyone was a total stranger and she felt more, let’s say, less overwhelmed with that small sense of familiarity.

Ah, yes, introductions. It has been a while since Raizel met someone new, the last few being a couple of first years. Lemmy LaRue, looks like a happy boy, not someone she had seen before so either she just hasn't come across him yet or he’s an incoming first year. Looks like a nice person from what she could tell. She slowly sat up on the bed as the last few of their tent mates arrived. While the girl who came in first wasn’t someone that Raizel knew, the other was someone that she knows. Atlas something, yeah, that guy who moderated one of her duels, the one who stopped it after panicking when one of the duellists was knocked unconscious. “Yo, Atlas.” She called out with a grin. It was rare for her to be smiling like this but she doesn’t want to dampen the mood and in a way, it’s keeping her from sinking back into that depressive state.

Soon enough, her attention was caught by probably one of the oldest people in the tent as they introduced themselves to them all. Dorion, Elsi’s special someone, she’ll remember that but what caught it the most was Dori saying they know tons of spells, looking so interested in immediately asking them if they could at least show some of those but then again, not exactly the right thing to do when you just met someone new.

Please let me know if you're ever in danger and I will come help.

Something about that line, however, bothers her. No, it’s not that she hates people who are there to help others. It’s the opposite really, she admires those with a selfless heart and that line is enough to tell her that Dori… is a good person. Maybe it’s because, usually, behind those words comes experiences. That was a reminder, that this was still a Hogwarts event. Danger is always around the corner despite how innocent an event looks like. When you’re faced with such dangers, you can’t help but look out for others. The responsibility probably comes to you as you get older. That is what she's getting at least but she could be wrong. Maybe Dori is just naturally caring even without horrible experiences.

Raizel shook that off for now, looking down on the bed just below her, watching as Alyssea claimed it as her own. A smile crept on her face and then, a leap of fate, literally. It was a nice way to diffuse the thoughts that were starting to run in her own head. “Hello there.” She looked at her cousin with a grin. “Sorry about that.” It was more of an apology for scaring Rusty. In any case, since people were introducing themselves, might as well do so, right? The Gryffindor hopped off once more and this time, landing on the sandy ground. Oh, that hurts, just a bit but still. Remind her not to do that again but she was feeling restless and when she does, she just does the most reckless things. “Raizel Voltrouz, same as Alyssea, a third year student now I guess.” Time sure flies though. She swears it was like yesterday when she had her first train ride to Hogwarts.

After that, her gaze fell back to the window that she had been eyeing the moment they arrived, thinking as she went closer to have a good look. She has half the mind to toss something into it, maybe one of those potions in her satchel, that explosive liquid but that would be dangerous and she doesn't want to put anyone here in danger. “Well, what do you think?” She briefly turned to look at her cousin who she had noticed to be looking at it. “You think it opens up?” She asked, ready to give an idea a go.

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▪ ▫ ◙ Dialogue | #800000 ◙ ▫ ▪

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◘ ◘ ❂ Interactions: @Alyssea Brown | @Dorion Anderson | @Elsian Cox | @Renelle Dalton | @Landon Matthews | @Lemmy LaRue | @Atlas Anderson ◘ ◘ ❂ Mentions: @ | @ | @

Outfit Reducio

Items Reducio Wand Enchanted Satchel Broom (Firebolt) Other essential things Potions: See Inventory

STATS AND ABILITIES STA: 6 | EVA: 7 | STR: 3 | WIS: 10 | ARC: 8 | ACC: 10 Prod. Charms | Perfectionist | Fearless

Action Throwing an erumpent- Will attempt to push the window open

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CC: #1f5cc6 | Words: 538| Graphic by Alyssea Brown
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Landon was still standing in the middle of the tent, waiting for people to pick their beds. He genuinely didn't want to cause any trouble, so he was willing to take whatever bed wasn't claimed by anyone else. He really liked to keep the peace if he could help it. He grinned as he watched his tentmates exploring the tent and he eventually moved toward the sandwiches. He wasn't particularly hungry, but curiosity had him reaching for one to try it anyway. He took a bite and chewed it slowly, just people-watching while he ate. He didn't know everyone that ended up in their tent and he could be a little shy, so he was letting himself have time to warm up to speaking with them.

He watched as some of them interacted. It was clear that some of the tent members knew each other fairly well, though Landon only really knew Alyssea and vaguely knew of Dorion. He wanted to make new friends and he knew that camp was a good time to do so, but that didn't mean Landon was very comfortable with speaking with people he didn't know. Alyssea had kind of claimed him as a buddy back when they met and Landon was immensely grateful, but she was far more social than he was.

Landon glanced down at his luggage and smiled as he saw his kitten, Merlin, sleeping in his carrier. Landon had been hesitant to bring him because Merlin was still so young and curious about the world, but Merlin had convinced Landon by being adorable when Landon was packing up his things for the camp. So, Merlin came with him, and Landon was grateful for that. It looked like there were a few other cats here. Maybe Merlin would become friends with some of them. Merlin and Rusty had met already and it looked like Alyssea had brought Rusty with her, so Merlin would have a buddy that he knew. Merlin was far less shy than Landon was, so he knew that Merlin would make friends, or at least try to.

Landon looked over at Dori as Dori introduced themselves and offered them a smile. It looked like Dorion and their friend? Partner?... would be the oldest ones in the tent. Landon then turned when Alyssea introduced herself and listened. He would need to be willing to introduce himself too, so he was mentally rehearsing the words he would say so he wouldn't mess up or stammer. He listened as Raizel introduced herself too and then he stepped forward to speak. He started out a little quiet but cleared his throat and spoke louder. "I'm Landon Matthews... now a third-year Hufflepuff," he said. "Oh! And my pronouns are he/him," he added. He wasn't used to mentioning his pronouns but since they had been mentioned by others, he would follow their lead.

Landon moved toward the beds after a moment and looked around. Once everyone had chosen their beds, Landon settled in the one left behind, letting Merlin out of his carrier. Merlin meowed and rubbed against Landon's hand and Landon spent some time petting him while everyone settled in. It seemed like they had a lively bunch in this tent.

MODERATION POST

Upon closer inspection by the perceptive eyes of @Alyssea Brown, the large wall of windows don't seem to be connected side-to-side at all. In fact, there seem to be small gaps between the black frames holding these large sheets of glass, and the air emanating from these tiny spaces smells deeply of salt and freedom. Yes, there is more to this tent than was expected...

At the slightest push of @Raizel Voltrouz's curious fingertips upon one window, it would begin to swing slightly back and forth, confirmed to be unattached to its neighbouring panes on the left and on the right, and just as unconnected to the sandy floor beneath, but simply hanging from hinges high above, where the first row met the second. Not a wall at all, then, but hanging glass doors... boasting what, exactly, on the other side?

Please refrain from spoiling anything about this moderation post to other users anywhere in site chats or Discord.

@Dorion Anderson
@Elsian Cox
@Renelle Dalton
@Landon Matthews
@Alyssea Brown
@Atlas Anderson
@Raizel Voltrouz

Lemmy had claimed a bed near the window, but had left his pack near the entrance of the tent and was far too distracted by sandwiches and new friends to even consider unpacking. Perhaps when things calmed down he would get around to remembering such a thing. If only there was a way to remember to remember? Oh to be a Muggle and have those wonderful pocket gizmos with all the bleeps and boops. Oh well. For now one of his tent mates had plopped face first into the sand. What fun!

“Oh my. They’ve fallen over.” Lemmy giggled before covering his mouth with his rather large hands. Oops. Grandmother wouldn’t approve of his laughing at another in need, but soon enough they were back on their feet. No harm done! “Oh good. Just a tumble then. All is well.” Lemmy clapped his hands together as that dilemma had now passed. “Hello!” He greeted another newcomer with a big wave and a smile.

“Hi, Dorion! My name is Lemmy!” The little goblin spoke with glee, but then his eyes wandered for a moment as he realized he had now introduced himself twice to the same person. Oh well, he shrugged it off. “That’s amazing that you know so many spells. My parents know quite a lot of them too. They use them like all the time. Wait, danger?” The youngster looked to them with a bit of trepidation in his eyes, but a spark of interest as well. All the possibilities were starting to quickly pop through his mind. “Do you promise?” He asked with a grin and a wag of his eyebrows.

“Hello, Alyssea Brown! And very nice to meet you too Rusty. This is Craaka.” Lemmy pointed to the large gray rat clung to his shoulders. “No fighting you two!” It was clear he was joking by the fit of laughter that followed. “Oh. Raizel Voltrouz…Raizel Voltrouz.” He said the name twice trying to get the pronunciation right. “Marvelous name. And Landon Matthews! Excellent. A pleasure to meet all of you. You know…” Lemmy was just about to ramble on about quite a bit of nothing, but his eyes would then follow the others as focus shifted towards the windows. Much to his excitement a slight prod from the others would prove that they were passable. “Oh my! There is actually a beach behind there. Can we go?!”

Action: Follow anyone through the glass doors if anyone goes.

“Not a word,” he grumbled lightly, and it was a battle of wills between wanting to continue his sulking and smiling at the others little giggle, “and I brush my hai- hey, I said not a word!” He cried in mock betrayal, swiping the toothpaste and toothbrush with a dramatic sniff. The little note on the back was all too clear to see and Elsian all but collapsed backward onto the bed, arms thrown over his face to block out the rest of the world and its sick sense of humor. “Am I really that predictable?” he asked with a little groan.

Even with the proof staring him right in the face he couldn’t bear the truth.

He’d surely ever recover from this failure. All that work following the note and for what?

“You started it,” he mumbled, voice muffled from behind his arms, blindly nudging his knee against Dorions, “you borrowed my jacket, which means your sweaters are free real estate.”

The rest of the conversation blurred in the background for him though he did make a protesting noise when Dori practically leapt off the bed, peeking out from his arms to squint them judgingly, as if the very fact they’d inconvenienced him by leaving was some great sin. He shoulda known they’d wanna be nice to these guys, Dorion was too good for their own and wasn’t it horrible knowing he’d now have to help if something happened…

…well Dorion was worth it.

“I’m Elsian.” He added lazily after Dori. “Same year as Dori.”

Elsian sat up, working to move some of his stuff as names were thrown around. He almost choked when Dorion whispered in his ear, covering up a snort of laughter at the morbid words. Maimed? Elsian could safely say the closest time he’d ever come to being maimed was when the consequences of his own bad ideas almost caught up but others weren’t so lucky. Life seemed to have it out for his fellow classmates and he could only assume it was natural selection. The idea simply encouraged the thought he voiced to the other. Last thing they needed was to spiral during a well earned break. He could ruin the seriousness of it all easily.

“Creampuff, it's gonna be okay. You know why?” He offered quietly.

He paused, looking them in the eyes as he put his hands on their shoulders. Grounding them.

“It's natural selection.” He deadpanned in a whisper, a small tremble of choked down laughter making his lips twitch as he tried to keep a straight face. “What's life without a little maiming? Adds character, spice-” the last few words shook as he lost the fight, words cut off with muffled snickers at the looks Dori was getting from a few of their tent mates. He was positive those looks meant trouble, a bunch of troublemakers, Dorions words were not being taken the way they were meant for sure. “Yeah babe, promise?” he snarked quietly before fully getting off the bed, dusting off the bits of sand from his clothing.

It was impossible to stop the excitement nipping at his heels when the newly revealed glass door bega to lightly swing. These babies as Dori so kindly dubbed them had the right idea!

He aimed a raised brow at his boyfriend, a familiar thoughtful look that usually spelled trouble or poorly thought out ideas. “A beach clearly put together all nice and perfect for little ol us. A clear way out. With the window door not even locked?” He grabbed Dorions hands, dragging them up with a smile because was it really breaking into the ocean if it was all but inviting them in?

“I think,” he began slyly, grinning at Lemmy, “it’d be rude of us not to.”

He made a dramatic run for it, dragging Dorion along with an obnoxious swing of their arms and a cheer of, “to the beach-!” as he pushed through the swinging glass door with a whoop. There was tripping over sand. There were dramatics-

No one was safe from becoming an accomplice! If they weren’t fast enough to move away from the door Elsian just might push or drag them through.


Surely it would be fine...!

MODERATION POST

With some in the tent having realised that the glass wall on one side is, in fact, not a wall at all but a series of swinging doors, @Elsian Cox leads a screaming charge out of the glass and into the sands of the Southern Hemisphere tent's secret beach area.

Upon exiting out into the warm summer sun, the smell of ocean air grows even stronger; those who chose to head onto the enchanted beach would find a completely empty shore, undotted with even yet a single footprint, of smooth golden sand dotted with shells of all shapes, sizes, and colours ripe for the collecting. The shore looks out over the calm ocean horizon in the distance, with small waves lapping on the shore to leave behind quickly vanishing white foam patterns, but also with some bigger waves a bit further out should anyone care to enjoy themselves in the surf. On one side of the beach sits a veritable treasure trove for fun in the sun: a few beach toys in a pile on one side, like trowels and buckets just waiting to be used to build Hogwarts-esque palaces; a rack of shimmering surfboards and boogie boards in various colours; and, of course, above the surfboards hang eight puffy orange life jackets with a sign that reads, "MUST WEAR TO ENTER WATER."

Please refrain from spoiling anything about this moderation post to other users anywhere in site chats or Discord.

☽⦙ Date | 15 July, 2024 ⦙☾
☽⦙ Thread With | @Elsian Cox, @Lemmy LaRue, @Renelle Dalton,
@Landon Matthews, @Alyssea Brown, @Atlas Anderson, @Raizel Voltrouz ⦙☾
☽⦙ Hex Code | #810B2D ⦙☾

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As everyone introduced themselves, Dori couldn't help the small smile about how it, so far, seemed like no one had any vows to kill someone else. Honestly, something that was very hard to come by. It's not like Dori didn't have one of those. "It would be quite funny if we mixed up our cats Captain, they look a bit similar. But we'll be able to differentiate by the fact that Buttons never looks like he has a single thought behind his eyes. Isn't that right?" They turned to their cat, gazing at the sand with truly, not a single thought behind his eyes. Dori scratched his head and he seemed to come alive, like a sleeper cell agent activated via head scritches.

This distracted them momentarily from the fact that newly introduced Raizel had gone to push on the windows gently. Dori looked up to pay attention to the conversation, their stomach dropping in a mixture of horror and excitement that they could- in fact- go to the beach. "Oh Goddess..." Their voice barely a whisper, a good chance only Elsi could hear them from their proximity. More than that, but Lemmy hoping for danger made the nervousness win over. "Trust me- you don't want Hogwarts danger." They pushed Elsi's shoulder slightly at his further teasing. "You're not helping, babe. Just remember, as the oldest you're also responsible if they almost die."

Helplessly, they were dragged to the door and past the glass wall.

Their head spun with the delightful warmth and smell of the salt air. Their toes wiggling to dig further into the sun drenched sun. "I mean- at least there's life jackets. But shouldn't we change into swimsuits first?" Quickly they released Elsi's hands and ran back into the tent to quickly grab their swimsuit and change in whatever designated private changing area there was. When they emerged they were in fun pastel color block shorts and a lavender compression swimming top. "If I catch any of you without that stupid ugly life jacket, I will cast spells so fast to get you out your head will spin." Once Elsi was also changed, they gave a mischievous grin, nervousness slowly melting away as they tried to lean into the reality of summer camp and relaxing and having fun.

"Last one in has to- something... I don't know. Lets go!" They took off in a spring, grabbing a life jacket on the way and pulling it on and buckling it as fast as they could. Worries, gone. Tests, gone. School, gone. All that existed was the warm magical ocean surrounding them, and friends of old and new to hang out with. And, their first summer where Elsi and Dori were dating. Everything was going to be fine. It had to be.

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❂ ⌜ A Summer Camp Tale: Adoption is Stressful ⌟ ❂ ❂ Summer Camp ▎ --:-- ❂

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Oh, that was no window and certainly not a mere wall painting or decoration but rather, a door to what was on the other side which is that beach. How is that possible? Magic of course, your head will start aching if you try to think about things logically since most of the things going on in this world full of magic is… illogical. Now that the secrets of the tent had been revealed, it was time to take action and that is what one of the older people in their tent just did, leading the charge to the beach. She would’ve been dragged along but she managed to step to the side just in time as people passed her by.

“Eager are we?” she uttered with a soft chuckle before joining in on the beach side of their tent. Really, how is this even possible? Magic sure is fascinating. While others were eager to swim, Raizel doesn’t seem like she has any interest in doing so. Merely discovering that there was something beyond those glass panes was enough already and she’s not that much of a swimmer anyway despite learning how to during that small activity in the great hall and she’s not feeling like frolicking in the water, she was more excited earlier to find the entrance to the beach side than the idea of swimming in it.

Where’s the fun in hanging back on the shore and watching others swim? Well, not like ‘fun’ is in Raizel’s priority list. She’ll be spending her summer camp in a different way so watching is enough for now. “You’re just gonna stand by the shores, I’m sure everything will be fine.” she said to Alyssea and heard her express her feelings, especially when it comes to swimming. Understandable. That incident during the fall ball is probably in her mind. Traumatizing.

▪ ▫ ◙ 310/200 ◙ ▫ ▪
▪ ▫ ◙ Dialogue | #800000 ◙ ▫ ▪

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◘ ◘ ❂ Interactions: @Alyssea Brown | @Dorion Anderson | @Elsian Cox | @Renelle Dalton | @Landon Matthews | @Lemmy LaRue | @Atlas Anderson ◘ ◘ ❂ Mentions: @ | @ | @

Outfit Reducio

Items Reducio Wand Enchanted Satchel Broom (Firebolt) Other essential things Potions: See Inventory

STATS AND ABILITIES STA: 6 | EVA: 8 | STR: 3 | WIS: 10 | ARC: 8 | ACC: 10 Prod. Charms | Perfectionist | Fearless

Action braincell is ded

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CC: #1f5cc6 | Words: 431| Graphic by Alyssea Brown
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Landon wasn't the type to be pushing to go out to the beach that they could see from their tent, but he definitely was curious too. He just didn't want to get into any trouble. Besides, after the fall ball event they had at the school, he was a little nervous about large bodies of water. But he wanted to push through that. Landon wasn't going to let something keep him from having fun... as long as it was safe.

But then, Elsian and others found a way outside and he sighed. He pet Merlin again as he listened to everyone get excited about the big reveal. Landon went to his luggage and got out some swim trunks. Might as well at least enjoy the beach somewhat, even if he didn't decide to get in the water. Besides, it was nice to experience some warm summer weather as opposed to the summer camp theme that seemed to be winter related. He didn't want to be that cold in summer.

Merlin curled up on Landon's bed and yawned before tucking his nose underneath his tail and starting to doze. Landon admired a cat's ability to sleep almost anytime and anywhere. He pet Merlin gently before going to the area they could change clothes in. He changed into some Hufflepuff yellow swim trunks and came back out to the main area. Yellow had become a color staple in his wardrobe ever since he was sorted into Hufflepuff.

Landon followed the group out onto the beach, smiling as he took in the scent of the salty sea air. He felt the warmth of the sand between his toes and looked around curiously. There were life jackets prepared for them and Landon was glad to see them. He wasn't a bad swimmer. In fact, he was pretty good at it, but the life jackets would make things safer for everyone. He walked over to Alyssea when she said that she wasn't going to swim. "If you want, I can stay out of the water and spend time with you instead?" he offered kindly. "I'm a little nervous too, but I'm trying to get back into it because I do love to swim," he explained.

He hummed a little. "I don't see why you would need a life jacket to just dip your toes in the water," he said as Alyssea wondered about it. He walked toward the water after grabbing a life jacket and putting it on. He wanted to be prepared just in case Alyssea would be okay with him going into the water.