melodiesofeternity | Event || Camp Curtisy Retreat

Event || Camp Curtisy Retreat

Who: All characters
When: July 17th - 22nd
Where: Nah Nami Reserve
What: Characters go to the campgrounds to do some team building exercises and build CR.
Warnings/Notes: See prompt D for Mognet glitches

A. Arrival

[On the morning of the 17th, Mogaruru directs the outworlders and Curti Center employees who have signed up to the airship headed to the Nah Nami Reserve. Counselors hand out pamphlets with maps, general camp rules, and the week's itinerary. This place loves their pamphlets. Fortunately, most of the rules detail common sense: quiet hours are at 10pm, no smoking or alcohol, no harming the forest wildlife, no setting off fireworks.

After they touch land, the arrivals are free to pick their cabins and set up their rooms before gathering at the mess hall for lunch.]

B. Team Building

[It's not a corporate retreat without ice breakers! On the first day, every splits into groups sharing their names and one interesting fact about themselves. Throughout the day, there's all sorts of get-to-know-each-other events. Maybe Never-Have-I-Ever (alcohol is replaced with juice). A game of Truth or Dare? Trust falls? If it's meant to foster friendships, it's here.

There are also races and obstacle courses for those that want to compete as a team.

Mogaruru oversees the main activities, even leading a workshop in building paper-mache Moogle masks, encouraging everyone to find their passion.]

C. Actual Camping

[There are important life skills to be learned when living in the great outdoors. Hiking, learning about local flora and fauna, and cooking are included in the itinerary. Complaining about the sun and constant reminders about staying hydrated, too.

In the evenings, there's campfires for any type of socializing. Perhaps now is the time to have heart-to-heart chats over roasting marshmallows or swap scary stories about the Camp Lake Ira Killer.]

D. Late Night Hijinks

[After dinner, campgoers are allowed to use Mognet to catch up with news and chat with friends...though considering the glitches that occur during this event, it may prove to be less relaxing considering the glitches that occur in Kupoto's charge.

Things are fine on the 17th. On the 18th, however, messages to and from the Curti Center are delayed by 10 minutes. In an effort to fix this issue, Mognet is down at the Curti Center on the 19th. On the 20th, it's fixed...but all posts are made public. On the 21st, this is addressed, but now every subject line begins with "!Kupo".

Someone is going to have a stern talking-to when Mogaruru returns.

But that's fine. Campers are free to ~~sneak~~ travel outside in a group for totally legal activities. After all, no one would sneak booze or fireworks or play pranks on the other cabins, would they?

At least, if they don't get caught. Otherwise, it's cleanup duty for the rest of the trip.]

E. The Great Outdoors

[The Nah Nami Reserve boasts beautiful forests and a beach. The weather is beautiful. There are no monsters on the reserve...unless one considers the large fish living far from the beach shoreline to be monsters. Or if they are unlucky enough run into one of the larger animals in the forests. Fighting back can be overlooked as long as they don't grievously injure their opponent, ideally escaping without harm to either party. These are protect species, after all. It shouldn't be a problem if they are with Camp Curtisy counselors, but chances are there are some hiking groups that decided to explore the entire island on their own.

The beach includes a long stretch of sand, rock outcrops with tidal pools, and a net for volleyball. Some counselors have "TEAM LAVODE" shirts left from last month's Blitzball tournament, especially the Hypello lifeguards.]

F. Lessons Learned

[Now's the time for the campers to shine. Counselors lead workshops on arts, crafts, survival skills, and languages, but slots are open for all participants to lead a class of their choosing. Want to teach the history of your homeworld? Have any other skills you wish you share? This is your chance to show off what you know!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

He nods at first, but wait! Waaaait. Practice... and booze? Nope. He's not budging. Not budging an inch. "BUT, FRISK! ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ARE NOT ONLY FOR ADULTS, BUT THEY ARE ALSO UNHEALTHY! AND A DEPRESSANT. WHICH IS ALSO NOT HEALTHY, BUT THE POINT IS, THEY AREN'T A VERY GOOD THING FOR YOU TO BE STEALING!

OR USING FOR BRIBES, EVEN THOUGH I'M SURE PLENTY OF PEOPLE HERE WOULD APPRECIATE IT."

"I wasn't going to drink it! Geez, what do you think I am, an idiot? I mean, we both know I'm a thug already and that kinda goes with the package, but still." Frisk turns away, muttering under their breath, "Learned my lesson when I was 11, anyways. Now that was a fun time waking up." And anyways, what business was it Papyrus'? They did show up to an adult party, but... why did he even care, anyways?

Logically, Frisk knew all the answers to these questions, but on an emotional level... it was complicated.

"WHAT? I NEVER SAID- Wait, wait. That muttering. He may not have ears, but that is not a good sign! So he's just gonna, y'know, stay close. Tightening his hold on their shoulder because obviously something is up here. "FRISK... LOOK. I'M HERE, ALL RIGHT? AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO TAKE SUCH BIG RISKS JUST TO PLEASE PEOPLE. AND IF THERE'S ANYTHING WRONG, YOU KNOW I'LL LISTEN."

What did they do to deserve Papyrus? Frisk had been thinking long and hard on that question lately, and they still hadn't found an answer. Gesturing emphatically, Frisk almost yells, "Well, how the hell else am I supposed to get them to like me when I'm such an annoying little thug!"

He's not budging. Not one bit. In fact, he's trying to look them in the eye, though that may be easier said than done. "YOU AREN'T A THUG, FRISK! YOU... LOOK."

He sighs, shutting his eye sockets for a second as he tries to find the right words. "I CAN'T CLAIM TO KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU. THE FACT IS, I KNOW YOU'VE STILL GOT A LOT YOU KEEP CLOSE TO THE CHEST, AND I CERTAINLY DON'T WANT TO FORCE YOU TO TALK, BUT...

I DON'T THINK PEOPLE HERE HATE YOU AT ALL. I KNOW MARINETTE SEEMED TO THINK VERY HIGHLY OF YOU! AND I'M SURE OTHERS FEEL THE SAME."

"That's because they don't know me!" Frisk argues back, this time full-out yelling. The fact that the scene must be awkward for everybody else there further fuels the fires of their self-loathing. "'Let's try to be a decent person together!' Well, guess what? I screwed up. I didn't even try to talk to or even just restrain the killer at Lake Ira, I just- I just went straight for the throat as soon as I got hurt! And look at me now! I should probably hauled off to juvie for just showing up like this!"

...Oh.

Oh.

That's. Oh dear. Oh no. Oh no, no, no, NO.

Papyrus backs away for a split second. He winces. He gulps. But just when Frisk might think he's disappointed with them again, he comes closer. More than that, he pulls them into a hug. A tight one, at that.

"NO, FRISK. THAT'S... IT'S NOT TRUE. BELIEVE ME, I TRIED TALKING, BUT IT... IT JUST WOULDN'T WORK. THEY JUST WOULDN'T LISTEN.

IF I HADN'T USED MY SAFEGUARD SKILL, I COULD HAVE GOTTEN HURT. OR WORSE! SO PLEASE. PLEASE DON'T FEEL LIKE IT WAS WRONG FOR YOU TO DEFEND YOURSELF.

I WOULD MUCH RATHER YOU FIGHT THAN FOR YOU TO GET GRIEVOUSLY INJURED. KILLED, EVEN..."

Frisk sees the disappointment in Papyrus' eyes. Yep. That's confirmation. If even Papyrus is disgusted, they fucked up and they fucked up badly. Even though Papyrus tries to hide it, tries to reassure them, they attempt to struggle away from the hug. "It isn't just me!" they protest. "I, I used the moogle we were supposed to be protecting as bait! I was a liability to my party because I could barely keep a grip on my weapons! People could've died, and I would've been the one to blame!"

Nope. He's not letting go. They need this right now. They need support.

Sure, he hesitates a bit when they mention using the Moogle as bait. He winces because... well, that is tricky. Complicated. It's not exactly good, but...

"BUT YOU CLEARLY AREN'T HAPPY ABOUT IT. AND I'M SURE YOU JUST DID IT IN THE HEAT OF THE MOMENT. FRISK, YOU'RE YOUNG! AND YES, I KNOW IT WAS A RISK, BUT... PERHAPS I SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE RESPONSIBLE ADULT AND TOLD YOU NOT TO GO.

I DIDN'T ANTICIPATE THAT WE'D GET SPLIT UP LIKE THAT. AND THAT'S ENTIRELY MY FAULT. IT WAS IRRESPONSIBLE OF ME."

Because this isn't like the Underground. Talking and flirting and all that won't sway everyone. It's... difficult to grasp. Terrifying, even, but that night was difficult for everyone. Himself included.

"I should've known better, though!" Frisk's grip, in turn, tightens on Papyrus. Progress, maybe? "Every single time I act without thinking, somebody gets hurt, or-" they gulp, memories of shattering white SOUL and dust falling through the air bubbling up to the surface of their mind, "or worse! I just should've... should've..." And that's where Frisk stops. Because, in truth, they had no idea what they could've done differently other than help the others attack the killer that night. And that was what terrified Frisk more than anything else.

He'll let them cling. He'll even put his bony chin on top of their head. That's the benefit of being tall, really. Extra comfort? Maybe. He's not sure. All he knows is Frisk is upset. That won't do. But... they have a right to be upset. He'll let them have this moment.

"BUT IT ALL TURNED OUT ALL RIGHT, DIDN'T IT? SO IN THE END, I DOUBT THEY HOLD IT AGAINST YOU. AND... IF YOU'RE CONCERNED, SURELY YOU COULD SPEAK TO THEM. LET THEM KNOW HOW YOU FEEL.

YOU'LL NEVER KNOW FOR SURE OTHERWISE."

"But I still... I still..." And Frisk has no words. Papyrus was right, of course. They knew that objectively. But it still felt wrong. So they hold on to him for a few more moments, before mumbling, "...can we go back to the cabins?" God, they felt like such a kid, but... they just needed some quiet time.

"OF COURSE, FRISK. WHATEVER YOU NEED TO FEEL BETTER."

He'll step back, give them a little space, but if they need to stay close, that's fine, too. Best to work within their comfort zone, really. This is about them. Not him. "JUST TAKE IT EASY. I KNOW I CAN GET ON SANS' CASE ABOUT HIS LAZINESS, BUT... WELL. I SUPPOSE THERE ARE TIMES WHERE IDLING IS JUST FINE."

God, this was so embarrassing. If there weren't a billion other things that Frisk needed to process, Frisk would be mortified to be breaking down in front of so many other people. Doing their best to save face, they turn to the rest of the people at the party, they mutter, "Um... you can keep the booze," before picking up the box of fireworks and trudging back in the direction of the cabins.

He's quiet at first. Just keeping his eye sockets on Frisk as he contemplates what to say. What to do. This was... definitely not the turn he expected their night to take, but it is what it is. Frankly, it's just good that they're feeling better. Slightly, anyway. Better than nothing?

He does open his mouth a few times to speak, but the words just don't come. When they do reach their destination, he'll hold the door for Frisk. Let them lead.

There is something he wants to talk about, but baby steps.

"ARE YOU FEELING ANY BETTER?"

Frisk flops onto their bed. Or rather, Papyrus' bed, because of course Frisk took the top bunk and they really didn't feel like going the extra mile right about now. "...maybe. Probably not. Can't really tell. I just..." They snatch the pillow and do a few solid seconds of screaming into it. Voice still muffled by the pillow, Frisk says, "...okay. Yeah. That sums up my feelings right about now. All directed at myself of course because, as we've already established, I'm great at internalizing."

That's okay. Though he'll park himself next to them, just in case they need a little extra support. The... pillow scream does make his bony brows rise in shock. Not quite enough shock for the googly eyes, but enough to give him pause before he awkwardly smiles at them. Positivity! It's important!

"WELL. IT'S NOT LIKE I'VE BEEN A COMPLETE RAY OF SUNSHINE MYSELF. THIS WORLD IS... CHALLENGING, FOR LACK OF A BETTER WORD."

"I... I just don't know how to deal with it. This. I don't know!" Frisk gestures emphatically, face still beneath their pillow. "It's like... back in the Underground, I felt good about myself because I could talk my way out of most fights. But. That's just. I can't do that here and it sucks because I keep on getting reminded how shitty I used to be back home before I met you and the worst part is that I have to fight to protect people! I can't just talk at the enemy and make their problems go away when they're murderous psychopaths who have a compulsion to kill teenagers on Friday the Thirteenth! And even if I tried a class like Dancer or whatever, I'd eventually end up alone, cornered, and pretty much helpless! I just... I just want to forget about all of this and run away but then I'd feel bad and come back and do more stupid stuff for validation because I'd've abandoned people and... I just don't know, Papyrus! I just don't know." Somewhat belatedly, Frisk realizes that they've been crying, and try to conceal it by burying their face deeper in the pillow.

This is a lot to take in, so at first Pap remains silent. He does, however, place a hand on Frisk's shoulder. Just some way to show he's listening. He does care. It's just... there is so much to unpack here. Just... what sort of life did they lead before? He wants to ask, but how. How does he do so without seeming too nosy?

What to do...

Well, he can relate, at least. After all, the situation's been hard on him, too. He's never had to kill before. It goes against his code. And yet... murderers lurk. Monsters are feral and fierce. This is not the world they know. They... they just can't look at it the way they looked at the Underground. And it hurts, because everything he's seen suggests that they'll have to go against their principles.

"I DON'T KNOW EITHER. IT'S... TRICKY, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE JOBS I CHOSE AREN'T EXACTLY THE MOST TAILORED TO COMBAT. I CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE HOW I WOULD HAVE FARED AGAINST THAT MOOGLE ALONE.

BUT... WELL. WE AREN'T ALONE. AND WE'RE STILL HERE. WE HAVE TIME TO LEARN AND ADAPT. THAT DOESN'T MAKE IT ANY LESS SCARY, BUT THE FACT THAT YOU ARE SO TROUBLED PROVES THAT YOU HAVE A GOOD HEART. NO MATTER HOW YOU WERE BEFORE, THE FRISK I KNOW IS A GOOD PERSON. WE JUST... WE'LL FIGURE IT OUT, ALL RIGHT?

WE CAN HELP EACH OTHER."

Frisk's sniffling subsides as Papyrus reassures them. What did they even do to deserve the ridiculous skeledork? Nothing, really. Less than nothing. They probably actively didn't deserve him. But, well, that was the point, wasn't it? Papyrus was right. They needed to adapt. They didn't have to deserve something to get it. They shouldn't be holding themself up to some stupid pacifistic self-sacrificing ideal in a world where that just wouldn't fly, where it would eventually get themself, or worse other people, killed for the sake of earning karmic brownie points.

Frisk was an expert in being dealt shitty hands at this point, and if making the best of their current one meant occasionally stabbing a monster to death instead of getting themself disemboweled while trying to play therapist for it... well, they would just have to suck it up and deal with it. Screw deserving things for not defending themself. If being selfish and violent by the Underground's standards meant surviving and saving other people here, then they'd have to be selfish and violent. Frisk tumble out of bed and into a hug with Papyrus, hoarsely whispering, "Thanks."

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Event || Camp Curtisy Retreat

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