[CLOSED PLAYER MINI-EVENT] Citrus Quest: The Search for Citron

[amourtician]

Who: the people who signed up, plus Lev/Lyubov, Anzu and also Darcy
What: an expedition to gather citrus, and other tropical fruits
Where: Paradesium
When: vaguely backdated to the last week of September

(OOC: feel free to set up prompts during moments not explicitly described, but that would've logically happened — like descending into Paradesium from the caves. There'll be additional prompts going up later, as the expedition progresses.)

Day One: Departure
On a foggy morning in late September, the much-delayed Paradesium expedition is finally ready to set off.

At 5 AM, Anzu is at the arranged meeting spot on the Town Green — just in front of the fountain — along with the camping gear leased from the town hall and from Dr Coldwood. He's pacing around, tense and full of nervous energy, eager to get going ... and besides himself with impatience, since the actual departure is scheduled for after the sun begins to rise. He's turned up early (way too early) to make sure everything is ready, and is now waiting for others to show up.

Lev/Lyubov is dozing in a deck chair they borrowed from the beach, the straps of the tfiln still wrapped around their head and their right arm, and a siddur and their husband's tfiln bag in their lap.

As the sun begins to rise and everyone has gathered and a headcount has been taken, the expedition sets off towards Crane's Ridge. The day is shaping up to be chilly but clear — the sun's pale rays have dispersed the fog.

Anzu falls back and wanders around the ragged column of explorers, checking in with everyone and introducing himself to those he's not had a chance to meet face to face before. He's relaxed some, and the nervous energy has been replaced by frank excitement. He's curious about what Paradesium is like ... and maybe a little too quick to dismiss any potential dangers. After all, how dangerous could a subterranean forest be, in comparison with everything else on and around the isle?

Day One: Setting Up Base Camp

Once the expedition has descended into Paradesium and gotten to a clearing, Anzu calls for a brief halt to take a second head count, and satisfies himself that everyone is accounted for. Compared to his exuberance early that morning, he seems a little subdued and a little awkward — it has finally sunk in that he's going to have to take some charge of the expedition. Leadership is not his forte, after all.

Seeing his hesitation, Lev/Lyubov lays a hand on their husband's shoulder and bends down so they're more or less face-to-face. The height difference, usually quite glaring, seems particularly egregious in that moment, as Lev/Lyubov has to fold themself almost in half.

They briefly confer in Yiddish. Satisfied that they've got both permission and blessing, Lev/Lyubov raises their voice just a little — and oh, does their voice carry, even without the acoustics of a shul.

"Oy, may I like, have your attention, if you'd all be so good? Right. I think like, we ought to establish a base camp here, rather than farther in. Once it's up, anyone what wishes may explore further, but I suggest that we stray not too far from here, at least the first day. I'm sure that like, Phil shall go find anyone what gets lost, but getting lost would be embarrassing, and the wrong way to start off."

They look around at the assembled, and awkwardly clear their throat, ducking their head.

"After lunch, we can meet to figure who'll go scout out potential routes, and take a vote on how to proceed. Or like, at least have a big argument about what to do and like, have to find a compromise on purpose, instead of waiting for one to materialise out of the aether," they pause, bite their lower lip, and clarify, "sorry, like. Been to too many workers' council meetings. The argument is like, optional."

Anzu raises an eyebrow at his husband, then squeezes their hand, and whispers something to them. Lev/Lyubov blushes brighter.

"Well, darlings! Any objections?" Anzu says. "If anyone here's got the relevant experience, they ought speak up before we all blunder into a mandatory ghost convention."

Day One: Evening/Night Watch

The camp is set up, the expedition members have all had enough time to meet each other and ascertain that there's no deadly grudges among them; Anzu is more or less satisfied that things are going well, but he's restless. Mindful that he shouldn't wander off alone, he contents himself with wandering around the base camp's perimeter, still technically within the camp itself ... but at a little distance from where most of everyone else is congregating. It's less that he can find nothing to do just now, to mitigate the restlessness, and more that he needs some time to think, to plan the next move.

The day moves towards evening. He notes down several likely directions in a notebook, and casts one final look around, before conceding to himself that he ought to call a meeting.

Once everyone has gathered, he's brief and to the point: "I've identified three possible routes from here. I suggest we break up into groups, nu? With sending stones and our, ah, aerial division," he nods at Phil, "it should be little trouble keeping in touch."

He pauses, double-checks the notes he made and adds, "ah, the last route ... it's one I'd prefer to explore myself. I've found a trail that leads, as far as I can ascertain, to a cave system. There may be a passage deeper into the underground. A second level, of sorts. Anyone what minds not some proper spelunking, I'd appreciate the assistance, darlings."

Day Two: Morning Recoinessance
Coming soon (along with prompts for the other days).

Comments

DAY ONE

[amourtician]

Departure

[takethatnature]

"I hate early mornings," Wilson grumbles. Quiff Pollenball, O.B.E., his little garden fairy, is dozing half-hidden between the spikes of his hair with a wreath of flowers dangling from its little arms. He's got a novelty backpack shaped like a creature with antlers, blue-white fur, and a single staring eye. "It's enough to make me wish I was still in the Constant where I didn't have to sleep."

He gives Lev's beach chair an envious look.

[hate_gettin_older]

Edgar's rubbing his eyes and squinting, like he's not really awake yet either, and definitely not happy to be.

Wilson's words seem to catch his attention, though. "Din't have to sleep?"

[goodweather]

i. departure

Phil is, thankfully, a morning person. Not by nature, he'll admit. Just because of his job. The early risers need the morning weather, so it's always been Phil's job to beat them to the punch; when they're shuffling into kitchens and brewing coffee and switching on the radio, Phil has to be the man in the seat. His work alarm is set for 4 AM.

The next few days should be clear enough, but he still gives Cecil a brief crash course on crunching the numbers alongside a basic key of what to look out for when it comes to the weather. But if all else fails, he said, just look outside.

Everything's packed. Phil is dressed not in his usual suits, but in laborer's clothes that he'd wear around the farm. He wanders around with a tray of cups from the Oak & Iron, calling, "Coffee, anyone?"

ii. base camp

The break in routine has been as stressful as it has been energizing. Phil hurries about, staying on his feet as often as he's allowed, always ready to lend a hand. He keeps himself busy.

Anzu and Lev hear no objection from him. His most relevant experience with genuine wilderness is wandering into the same snowy Pennsylvania woods on the same day a bunch of times; his usefulness here is as another set of hands, a pair of wings, the senses of a hunter, and generally encyclopedic knowledge of the natural world. What he knows as actually related to survival is nil.

Still, once things are set up, Phil is taking the opportunity to wander around camp prodding curiously at all of the plants and bugs that he can see. It's so different than the rest of the isle.

Departure

[xiaoxiuya]

"Oh, thank you." Shen Qingqiu accepts the cup of coffee first and then looks up from his own backpack second, a pleased smile breaking over his face. "Mister Phil! Are you coming along too? What a delightful surprise."

Departure - lol, these two morning people

[maximumcake]

"I'll trade you a burrito for some coffee." Max doesn't really look like he needs the coffee with how perky he already is, but who says no to coffee?

Base camp

[saltwaterlungs]

Darcy still hates dirt and bugs and everything associated with both, but is by Phil's side as loyal as ever as they pick through prodding at anything that moves any anything that doesn't.

"I'm gonna call that one Wigglyguyius Ahfucknotanotherbug."

There are many insects in the Ahfucknotanotherbug family. They also don't know which order scientific names go. They're assuming it's first name surname like with people.

Setting up Base Camp

[xiaoxiuya]

"Oh, I have a suggestion actually," Shen Qingqiu says, raising one hand like a student trying to catch the teacher's eye in school. "I think it would be beneficial for those of us with martial skills to set up a picket and take it in turn to keep on the area outside the camp. There are said to be dangerous wild animals down here, after all."

He glances around at the rest of the group, making eye contact with those he already knows have combat training and those who look like they might be able to pull their own weight. He smiles modestly and says, "I'd be happy to take on an organizational role, if no one else is interested."

[hate_gettin_older]

"I can help with that," says Edgar, sitting up straighter. "The patrolling part."

[theydrewfirstblood]

John glances over at Shen Qingqiu's mention of guard duty, and raises a hand about halfway.

"I'll sign on--and you can hit me up if you need a hand with organization." he offers. "Team effort 'n all."

Setting Up Base Camp

[theydrewfirstblood]

John can't help but smile a little at Lev and Anzu, interacting and addressing the group both. They've got good heads on their shoulders, they're even better together...

...and yes, that is a chuckle from John you hear at the remark about the argument, Lev. But it's affectionate.

Anzu's question has John raising his hand, however.

"Anyone venturing beyond visual range of base camp should leave in pairs." he advises. "Safer that way--and I'm a tracker as well, so my advice is that we stay in communication, all of us. Never have all of our trackers and scouts away from base camp at one time, y'know?"

[starfleetashell]

Mariner nods when John makes his point. She's been in the shit before, on extended missions down to the surface of a planet as part of an away team, and even if she hadn't that's just basic common sense, even if it wasn't Starfleet protocol.

"Definitely co-signing that," she says. "Do we know if there's radio interference down here?"

DAY ONE

[maximumcake]

Departure
Max is already used to being wide awake at this hour thanks to his work at the bakery, so he's annoyingly chipper when he arrives at the meeting place. He was so excited for this, he'd already packed everything up the night before, that's including an entire extra rucksack just for his pre-cooked and ready-to-eat meals. The scents of steaming meat, baked potatoes, and fresh bread wafts from said bag...which is not an issue he'd thought of until just now. Hopefully that won't attract too many hungry beasts. Aside from the people going on the expedition ;)

"I have ingredients to make breakfast burritos for anyone that didn't eat yet this morning," he offers. "Don't go hiking on an empty stomach."

Base Camp
Max raises no objections. He's skilled enough to take care of himself if he needs to, but he's not exactly that experienced with explorations like this. He's only been to Paradesium a handful of times and he never strayed too far off the beaten path when he did go. This is going to be the perfect opportunity to do a little more of that. He's hoping to find some new ingredients to play with, or maybe some familiar but not easily attainable ones like the olives. As his food-storage rucksack empties day by day, he hopes to refill it with new things. Still, he promised he would be careful on this journey so he won't let himself be tempted to wander off alone.

"Does anyone want to look around the general area with me to see if there's anything edible?"

Base Camp

[hate_gettin_older]

Edgar raises a hand immediately.

[craftlife]

"I can certainly help," Deon says. He's unusually soft-spoken for a fuck-off-abomination of a monster. "More with hunting than with foraging, if that helps. It's kind of my core competency, these days." He chuckles a little.

[battlebyballad]

1. Departure

Music spends the morning pre-departure checking and rechecking the supplies she's brought for herself: an empty book, a pen and ink, charcoal. Her interest in Paradesium is mostly in the slightest possibility in finding something less than entirely wild. She's finally gotten herself a proper sword, so she won't be quite so helpless out there, but she is still visibly nervous.

2. Setting Up Camp

"If anyone finds any sort of non-natural structure or strange script, please do find me," Music chimes. "I don't think it likely we'll find such things, but I am quite extensively trained in such things."

And, nervous still, "I also have spells at my disposal for mending, healing, and busy work, otherwise."

Departure

[hate_gettin_older]

Edgar looks bleary with the earliness of the hour, hunched in his jacket under a bulky pack, but he brightens a little at sight of her in the gathering group.

"Hey," he greets her. "Uh -- Music, right?"

Day One

[saltwaterlungs]

Departure

Darcy's always up early. They've never been a 'morning person' in the sense of being happy to be awake early, but early morning has meant less people around everywhere they've been and they like a morning jog. So they're here, hefting supplies like a pack mule, with their sword and dagger close at hand and a couple of extras tied to their bedroll.

"Do you want me to carry that?" they offer to anyone nearby.

Base camp

To Lev's schpiel, she snarks back-

"All in favour of making the arguments mandatory, say aye."

She's never properly camped in their life, not in an actual proper outdoors with bugs and dirt and all, but she knows one single thing via cultural osmosis and her Aunt who did.

You eat a lot because there's nothing else to do.

So alongside Max she helps set up the cooking fire, and then mans the food so that nothing burns. Otherwise, she'll be found keeping some sort of perimeter around the camp, or trying to remember how Dimitri taught her to make a snare trap. Probably for food, but... just in case for anything else. Darcy mistrusts the outdoors at the best of times, much less when shit is weird.

Departure

[hate_gettin_older]

"Thanks, I got it." He gives them a curious glance. "Darcy, right?"

Base Camp

[apocryphalarchivist]

Trips out into the great unknown aren't anything unfamiliar to Jon, at this point, but traveling in a group, especially this large? That's taking some getting used to. At least there's some levity to be had in it all, and the anticipation of arguing - maybe, since they've called it out as it is, that'll help keep bickering at bay?

At least he doesn't feel fully out of place with this particular, but with his own bags finally sat down, he doesn't exactly know what to do with himself. He hasn't exactly been camping before.

Might as well try to figure it out, right?

Unfortunately, this leaves him sort of wandering camp, trying to figure out where to insert himself. As soon as he finds someone engrossed in what, at least on the surface, looks like an involved task, he clears his throat gently and steps over to join them. It doesn't make him any less awkward about the process.

"Do you, ah. Need a hand?"

[amourtician]

When Jon comes across him, Anzu is taking stock of the provisions, helpfully divided into two piles — a smaller pile of double-wrapped containers and baskets labelled "Morgenshtern-Menelikov" in Yiddish, and a much larger unlabelled pile. Anzu's been double-checking the unlabelled pile to make sure there's nothing there that cannot be separated into a growing third category, which he's labelled "parave".

But right now, he's going through the camping dishes, scrutinising them for ... something.

Seeing Jon, he smiles and beckons him forward.

"Absolutely, darling! Come, thou may'st help me decide if I ought to boil the tin dishes or not," he says, cheerfully. "Or at least, ah, nu. Keep me company whilst I decide."

Day One: Evening

[yournewsidekick]

Maybe you got lucky enough to pull the short straw and end up on watch during the night. Maybe you just can't sleep for whatever reason.

But just outside the ring of light cast by the fire, something's moving -- and it's got its pink, faintly glowing eyes on you as it creeps, creeeeeps its way closer to camp.

(What can Nimona say? She got bored and heard Ed talking about some trip down into the jungle for oranges or whatever. Nobody's gonna mind if she invites herself along!)

[takethatnature]

Wilson is, indeed, on night watch. More hours of sleep would have been nice, but there's something nostalgic about spending a quiet night tending a campfire. And watching for any monsters that might jump out of the darkness.

He visibly flinches at the sight of the glowing pink eyes, and in almost the same motion his tree-felling axe finds its way into his hand, but then he sets it on the ground to flip through a field guide. There's a few things that glow in the dark, even one that uses its luminosity as a lure, but none of them quite fit.

DAY TWO

[amourtician]

[xiaoxiuya]

He pauses, double-checks the notes he made and adds, "ah, the last route ... it's one I'd prefer to explore myself. I've found a trail that leads, as far as I can ascertain, to a cave system. There may be a passage deeper into the underground. A second level, of sorts. Anyone what minds not some proper spelunking, I'd appreciate the assistance, darlings."

"Naturally I'm going with you," Shen Qingqiu immediately speaks up. "How could it be otherwise? If we run into rough terrain, I can use magic to carry people over the difficult ground."