isleofavalon | July Catch-All

[ Mitsuru had never gone camping before. She and her family had gone on many trips when she was younger, but between her father’s responsibilities within the Kirijo Group and a general lack of interest in leaving all modern convenience behind, they’d never taken a vacation of that kind.

[ As such, the journey to the Ash Mountains was something of a new experience to her. The quest seemed straightforward enough that she was comfortable undertaking it with some assistance, especially after conducting some research and purchasing the requisite supplies and equipment.
[ The first day had gone smoothly enough. It was a fairly straight path so no complicated navigation was needed, and while it was unpleasantly warm for a few hours before and after noon, the trees had offered her and her companion enough shade to avoid too many midday rest stops. By the end of the first day they’d reached the end of the Land of Rot.

[ The second was … it was similarly straightforward, but the desolate landscape of the Land of Rot gave them far less respite from the sun. Instead, the strange noises that emerged from either side of the path offered them a lingering sense of unease.

[ Fortunately, though, they never encountered whatever was making those noises, and by the time the sun was set, they were nearing the foot of the nearest mountain. Come the morning, all they would need to do was climb the mountain and make their delivery, and then they could begin their return trip.

[ For now, though, they’d need to make camp for the night -- a process made mercifully easy with their magic. Once they’d cleared a spot for their campsite and built their firepit, all Mitsuru needed to do was wave her hand to light a fire for them. ]

[ Another day, another new experience, it seemed …

[ In truth, the carnival wasn’t all that dissimilar to the festivals that she had attended in her own world. The tantalizing aromas, cheery atmosphere, and brightly-colored stalls all combined to create something distinctly familiar and deeply nostalgic.

[ The differences lay in the little things. Instead of the normal fare of takoyaki and dango and mochi ice cream, there was a vast array of different frozen treats. Some, like gelato or shaved ice, were quite well-known to her. Others, such as the dozens of novelty ice cream bars, were much less familiar.

[ Still … she was eager to give them a try. She’d come to relish that part of living in Avalon … the opportunity to experience new things, and the freedom from the responsibilities and expectations that would normally give her pause.

[ There were still a few things that her sense of propriety steered her away from, of course. The Margaritaville Pair Challenge provided her some brief amusement as a spectator, but she wouldn’t be inclined to participate even without the absurd amount of alcohol involved …

[ No, for now, Mitsuru was simply making her way across the festival ground, deciding what she’d like to partake in as she enjoyed her first indulgence of the day - a melon milk tea with brown sugar boba. ]

[It's a little more familiar for Allura. Not that she ever had gone without the comforts of her castle-ship-home by choice, but there had been missions that required hiking through different terrains or staying somewhere far rougher than her own comfy bed. (It's hard to say, but the last time she slept in a camp might have been that time she had to sneak into a labor camp, pretending to be one of its prisoners...)]

[So if anything, what's new about this quest is how calm and refreshing it is. The fact that it's simple, straightforward and peaceful, yet feeds her sense of adventure and allows her to enjoy the scenery. She's in a good mood, and while she can't provide any magic to help, she can still provide some regular old muscle — assembling the tentpoles, gathering wood for the firepit, and all that.]

[Now that it's all set up? She's taken a seat on a nearby log, and is looking up at the night sky — and the dark silhouette of the mountain looming above them.]

We're making good time, aren't we? I was so worried that something was going to smell the care package and attempt an ambush to get ahold of it... [She turns, looking towards the package in question, just to confirm that it was still there.] But it seems we're past the worst of it already.

[Homura had plenty of experiencing camping and hiking, from her childhood to even now. Though it was more for training than fun, even as a little kid. The worst were during those days, being abandoned too and told to survive. Now though? She kinda expected and welcomed any challenge. The entire trip had seemed so...uneventful. Even the creatures that she felt stalk them from the shadows didn't do anything.

By the time the camp was started up, and with her putting up her own tent in a few minutes, she ended up yawning.]

Talk about boring so far. With this kinda trip, I was expecting a lot more action.

So it seems.

[ Mitsuru nods, finding a seat of her own. She does sound a bit less relieved about it than Allura, though. ]

I was worried about the same thing, and I must admit that I still am. A bit pessimistic of me, maybe, but I've grown somewhat accustomed to things taking a sudden turn for the worse in the eleventh hour.

[ With that being said ... ]

We have made good time thusfar, though.

[ She allows herself a small smile. ]

As was I, but I don't see this being uneventful as a bad thing, necessarily.

[ She won't argue that it isn't somewhat dull, but considering they were alone on unfamiliar terrain - to her, at least, she isn't sure how much Homura has explored Avalon - it's probably a good thing that they've managed to avoid conflict so far. ]

It's not just you. I've come to expect nothing but the worst on these sorts of missions... and with the route we were taking, it almost seemed inevitable. We must have managed to avoid treading much in the Land of Rot.

But we've been working hard to make it this far. Take some time to relax, and that feeling should pass.

[She starts looking for the trail rations they packed. What's going to be their dinner tonight, hm?]

Besides, we've still got an uphill climb ahead. We'll need to rest up for it.

I know. Just after keeping to myself for a month, I was hoping for something more challenging I guess.

[Still, she needed money. A job was a job after all. Better than that time she worked in retail.]

A very fair point.

[ Allura had made several, but the final one rang especially true. While Mitsuru was in excellent shape, she simply wasn't used to this sort of protracted travel. Her legs were exhausted and her feet were gently throbbing even after sitting for a little while.

[ Even without any sort of additional complications, the climb the next day would likely be quite the challenge ...

[ She watched Allura rummage about for a bit before she realized what her travelling companion was looking for, and unslung her bag from her shoulders. ]

Here.

[ She offers it to Allura. She'd carried a good share of their provisions after all. Dried fruit, nuts, some bread, some salted meats, a few sweets for the simple pleasure of it ... all practical, hardy things that wouldn't spoil easily. ]

[ Mitsuru considers that for a moment before conceding the point with a slight incline of her head. ]

I suppose an opportunity to test my magic in a practical setting wouldn't be entirely unwelcome.

You new here then?

[Usually Homura met new people when at the training grounds, but certain events forced her to go elsewhere. Began with a C and ended with aster.]

[The festival is a good time to relax and enjoy some downtime. Izuku has been checking it out as well with a few friends here and there. The food is great and the games are too even if he's a little wary of anything fae-related lately with all the tricks and trials that have been popping up. So he might be avoiding some of the more questionable treats for sale for now...

But he does get thirsty for something to drink. The summer days are getting hotter even in a place like this. At least it isn't as humid as Japan gets, he supposes.

He's about to order himself a boba as well but his shoulder accidentally bumps the girl with hers already. It's getting so crowded that he doesn't mean to do it when someone pushes into him.]

Ah- Sorry! It's a bit crowded...!

I am. [ Mitsuru nods. ] I arrived at the beginning of last month.

[ It's ... strange to think of, honestly. In some ways it seems far more recent than that, but at other times it feels like she's been here for far longer just because of the sheer amount of new experiences since her arrival. It's been something of a whirlwind. ]

Would I be correct in assuming that you've been here for longer, then?

Edited 2021-07-17 03:58 (UTC)

Yeah, about four months now.

[Though as she said that, how long it's been is still surprising. Despite time being paused in other worlds, things seemed to move fast here. She eventually sighs as the realization hits her.]

Time flies when you do nothing but training I guess. Only way I stay sane that isn't eating meat.

[ The bump does jostle Mitsuru, causing in a bit of her melon tea to slosh over the edge of her cup as she stumbles ... but it wasn't a particularly forceful impact, so she doesn't need more than a step to steady herself. ]

It's quite alright.

[ She waves off the younger boy's concern and offers him a polite smile, quickly glancing downwards to see if any of the spilt tea had gotten onto her clothes ... and clicking her tongue in disappointment when she sees a small splotch of green on her jeans. ]

[Oh no... He made her spill her drink. He panics slightly, hands waving in front of him.]

Ah- S-sorry! You got some of your drink on your pants- I- I'll get some tissues! Tissues!!

[He'll turn to the stall and ask the vendor for a whole massive handful of paper towels!! Probably way too much of it.]

Here-!!

It's how I pass a good deal of my time as well.

[ It provides a certain amount of comfort - both in the sense of familiarity and the feeling of progress towards her ultimate goal that it provides. ]

Though I've been trying to explore the city a bit more, of late.

Anything catching your eye? Maribelle and Morgan won't get off my case about trying to relax and not train for once.

[Which...well Homura needed to be forced to due to her love of training. Still, she should try and talk about something else. Try being the keyword.]

[ A gesture that Mitsuru absolutely appreciates, though the young man's alarm leaves her feeling a touch self-conscious. He's already run off to a nearby stall before she can reassure him that it isn't serious enough to warrant such concern.

[ When he returns, she accepts the wad of paper towels - quite a few more of them than would probably be necessary for such a tiny stain - with a small, slightly embarassed smile. ]

Thank you.

[ She starts scrubbing at the stain. ]

And, truly, it's alright. A run through the wash will more than likely get rid of any lingering stains.

[Sorry- He's so awkward sometimes... He just really didn't mean to bump into her and make a mess like that. He wanted to make it right and got all wound up about it.]

Y-yeah... Still, sorry about that... Ahaha... I hope I didn't waste too much of your drink. That's boba, right? I didn't think there were drinks like that here.

[It's been a while since he's had boba! Then again it's been a while since he's been back in Japan so no fancy drinks for him usually.]

[ Bakugou isn't particularly keen on festivals. It's not the traditions or shops or treats that annoy him. Hell, there's even a place for the cultural side of things. What bothers the blonde most about these things is the fact that there are people. There are people in abundance and if it's one thing that Katsuki doesn't really care for? It's people.

So he's been kind of actively avoiding what he can. He's not really a fan of sweets either, but somehow he's more or less okay with frozen treats. It's not uncommon for him to enjoy things like an ice cream bar or ice cream in general. Honestly it's kind of the only thing that Katsuki actually doesn't actively put down as being "too sweet."

Which is what's going on right now. He's got a popsicle in his mouth as he's moving around the crowds. He doesn't look too pissed...

Until some kids run by. Katsuki very nearly stumbles over them, but catches himself. Unfortunately, the same can't be said for his popsicle. It kind of... Falls out of his mouth. And hits the ground with a wet splat.

Cue a fit in 3... 2... ]

A few things, though I haven't had the opportunity to undertake any truly in-depth exploration yet. A few shopping trips with friends, mostly.

[ Though she was admittedly quite taken with that experience. ]

[ And again, that attitude is to be commended, even if the response was a touch ... much for the scale of the incident. ]

Nor did I, but I was pleasantly surprised to be proven wrong. It's ... a welcome little bit of home.

[ She might not have boba tea particularly often, but she was quite fond of it, and the familiar taste made her feel just a little bit closer to home. ]

[ The same group of children had dashed past Mitsuru mere moments before, jostling her and nearly causing her to spill her tea. Her head turned to follow them as they ran off, a flicker of annoyance in her red-brown eyes, only to see them run into a young man mere moments later and knock his popsicle out of his mouth.

[ She didn't recognize him, but she recognized the look on his face easily enough.

[ He looked completely incensed. ]

Thank you. I appreciate it!

[There's genuine gratitude in Allura's voice. It might not be the heartiest meal, but after all the hard work today? Those salted meats might as well be steak.]

[In fact, there's something very nice about the dried fruit in particular. It's something she never was able to try before this trip, and she can't help but notice that it takes on a pleasant, almost candy-like quality. She muses over whether they actually needed to bring sweets as well...]

[And then, suddenly, she stops, straightens up, and turns towards the woods. Almost like a startled animal.]

Mitsuru, did you hear something? ... no, perhaps I'm the one being paranoid, now...

July Catch-All

Special Dicklivery

Cool Down Carnival

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FINALLY... and swear I didn't do this on purpose

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Sorry about the hold up!