*sobbing* I- I did it in time... I hope... *laughs weakly*

Name: Writing_in_the_Dark (Writing)

Pronouns: Xe/xem/xyrs, they/them/theirs

Personality: Creative, strange, introverted until you get to know me, but always socially awkward. Probably kind of annoying. Very artistic. A bookworm. Mischievous at times, but usually follows rules.

Appearance:  Olive skin, heterochromatic eyes (one blue and one dark brown), short cornflower blue hair with dark brown roots, large blue-ish white angel wings. Usually wearing jeans and a sweatshirt hoodie or band tee.

Packing List (cameras are strictly prohibited): Extra clothes, sketchbook, pencil case filled with drawing utensils, a few random pebbles and other shines, one or two graphic novels, a fake camera that can’t take pictures

Greatest Desire: To have my own show on Cartoon Network! And live by myself! To be an adult! :DDD

Strengths/skills: Creativity, good at connecting the dots (or I’d think so), loves learning new things and can adapt to changes moderately well

Weaknesses: ANXIETYYYYYY

Sun, moon, or stars?: Moon

Favorite color: Pale blue or lilac

Other: I’m vegetarian, as are my AEs

Name: Tempest

Pronouns: He/they

Personality: A bit rebellious, loyal, kind though not above good-hearted teasing. Not quite intro- or extroverted; somewhere in between. Can easily go from one emotion to the other with barely any warning, but is usually pretty chill. Smiles even when they don’t feel like it. Doesn’t think much when doing something he shouldn't, but quickly apologies.

Appearance: N/A, they are a shapeshifter (if needed, I could write a permanent appearance for him)

Packing List (cameras are strictly prohibited): Extra clothes, the bare necessities, headphones connected to an ipad filled with punk music, a blank notebook

Greatest Desire: Who knows? Surely not him. Or me. I’m pretty sure he actually doesn’t know though.

Strengths/skills: Most anything physical. Also is pretty good at singing, but won't admit it in a million years.

Weaknesses: Sometimes his emotions override him and he kind of loses control of his form, in a way. A lot more secretive than he seems.

Sun, moon, or stars?: Moon

Favorite color: Probably navy blue or pale green or something.

Other:

Name: Dawn

Pronouns: Ae/aer/aers

Personality: Anxious, shy, socially awkward, almost always worrying. The Mom Friend™. Doesn’t talk much. Has ideas but often doesn’t share them, extremely underconfident.

Appearance: Tall, with pale skin, white hair that reaches the small of aer back, blueish gray eyes, pointed elf ears, and delicate features. Likes wearing flowy outfits with pale/pastel coloring.

Packing List (cameras are strictly prohibited): Clothes, a few books, some snacks (Granola bars, gummies, ETC.), extra toiletries for anyone who may need it

Greatest Desire: To overcome aer fear of social interaction

Strengths/skills: Caring and overly protective. Knowledgeable about plants (what’s poisonous and what's not, edible plants, healing plants, ETC.)

Weaknesses: V v v shy and awkward

Sun, moon, or stars?: Stars

Favorite color: White or pale yellow

Other:

Part 0

The sky was blanketed by thunder, waiting in dark clouds for the right moment to unleash its fury.  Humid air hung between it and a forest of pines, and far below a boy sat beneath one of the evergreen trees.  This clam before the storm was something he knew well.  He stared at the clouds, waiting for them to release their heavy load.

There was no warning except for an eerie stillness before rain suddenly fell with hurricane force, plentiful and strong.  Thunder roared and wind shook the trees but the boy didn't move.  His curly black hair and light clothes became soaked and rain pelted his skin, but he remained still.  There were things much worse than a storm, he knew.  But surely he had been here long enough.  Worry began to gnaw at his thoughts.

And then he heard quick footsteps, a familiar energetic presence.  He stood to see another child racing towards him, and his worry melted away.  Things would be just fine after all.  As his friend approached, however, it quickly became apparent that he had hoped too soon.  They were out of breath and would've collapsed if the boy hadn't caught them in time.  Their face was bloody and tear-stained, and with a start he realized that their previously golden brown hair was now bleached white. "What's wrong?" he asked frantically.

"It's here," they gasped. "It's here, Corrin, and it's taken everything."

The boy's eyes fell and he took their hand. "This is the end, then," he whispered. "I'm glad I'm with you at least."

"No it's not." Corrin looked up, hearing his friend's voice take on a steely tone. "I know what to do.  I can save us."

"What..." Realization dawned on him. "You can't mean it?  Aster, that's madness!  Aster!"  But his cries were in vain.  They had already risen and disappeared into the darkness of the forest.

Cool, was that like the prologue?

Owl said apput, I didn't know you plaid golf?!

Day 1, Part 1

Darkvine was falling, plummeting through swirling shadows.  Beyond them blurry landscapes flashed by, too faint to really see.  Her stomach turned and her heart pounded, but she wasn't quite scared.  Something about the way the darkness surrounded her and seemed to hum with a faint, slightly eerie melody was almost comforting.

She felt her feet touch solid ground and her eyes flew open.  She was met with the sight of a grassy field surrounded by trees, above which hung an overcast sky.  The air was humid and still except for the faint buzz of insects.  She stood up and looked around, wondering where exactly she was.

"Hey!" Darkvine turned at the sudden shout.  Appearing through the trees was a girl whose long periwinkle-colored hair flowed behind her as she ran. "Oh, good," she said breathlessly. "I thought we'd forgotten someone!  It's nice to see you here."

The green-eyed girl smiled. "You too!  Where are we, though?"

"You'll see," Periwinkle answered. "Come on!" She led Darkvine out of the field and down a narrow path through the woods.  Under the thick canopy of leaves the light was dim and fog curled around her ankles, making Darkvine shiver.  To her relief, the trees soon thinned and they arrived in a wide, circular clearing paved with dirt.  A number of people were gathered here and as Darkvine looked around she recognized them as other CBers.

"Hi Darkvine!" Tsuki greeted her, waving.

Darkvine waved back and walked over to where everyone stood, around the biggest campfire she'd ever seen.  Its bright, strangely golden flames crackled and filled the area with a familiar smoky aroma.  The air was electric with chatter and anticipation.

"Ahem!" A silvery voice broke through the noise and everyone slowly fell silent.  Their attention was drawn unusual person standing atop the ring of stones that surrounded the campfire.  They looked young but wore clothes that Darkvine thought wouldn't be out of place in Victorian England- a white shirt with long puffy sleeves, a deep green waistcoat, and to top it all of an eyepatch covering their right eye.  Their other eye was the same golden hue as the fire, and their white hair was as white as bone."Well it seems that you're all finally here!" they exclaimed. "In that case, welcome to Camp Vagabond everyone!  It's lovely to have you here.  My assistants and I-" They glanced around. "Where did they go?"

With a flurry of leaves a raven suddenly descended from a nearby tree and perched beside him, where the bird transformed into a young woman with peircing green eyes, pale skin, and long blue-black hair.  She smirked and made a small bow. "Right here, my leige."

"Where's Jack?" they asked, laughing.  She shrugged. "At least one of you is here."  They turned back to the gathering of CBers. "I'm Aster, your host and director of this fine camp!  And this is Mira." The raven-haired woman waved to the crowd. "You're here to relax and have fun, I presume, and that is what we shall do!"

Mira loudly cleared her throat. "The rules and cabins," she muttered to Aster.

"Of course, how could I forget?  You'll be staying in cabins, which I have carefully chosen based on your personalities and wishes-"

"They spun a wheel to decide," Mira interjected.

Aster looked a bit sheepish. "Well, I may have also done that.  Anyway, the only rules are be responsibe, kind, and under no circumstances are you to ever go into the forest alone!  That is all!

Well I acidentally posted that with my real name, so I guess the secret's out!  Whoops.

Day 1, Part 2

The woods echoed with the sounds of voices and dry leaves crunching underfoot. "The cabins are just up ahead," Aster explained as they led the guests down a winding, sunlit path through the trees. "And that'll be the end of our tour, but there's a map of the camp in each cabin in case you haven't been paying attention."  They eyed Periwinkle, who had been gazing  contemplatively off into the distance for most of the tour.

The curtain of trees parted to reveal a clearing where three cabins circled a small firepit.  To the side was a sandy area and volleyball net along with old picnic tables.  The cabins were built from deep brown wood, with open windows and green-shingled roofs.  Above  each cabin door, in faded white script, were the words Hecate, Selene, and Artemis.

"I assume we'll be sharing a cabin with other people?" Writing asked.

Aster nodded. "Yep!  Darkling, Wildfire, Foxwood, Periwinkle- you'll be in the Hecate cabin.  The Selene cabin will be Shining Star, Dawn, Avara, and Tempest.  And those remaining will be in the Artemis cabin.  Any questions?"

Avara raised her hand. "So do we have free reign of the camp, or is there a schedule?" 

"Mostly yes, feel free to do whatever you like!" Aster answered. "Except into the woods, obviously.  Everyone will gather for dinner each night, however, and my assistants and I have a few things planned, so look forward to that!"  They glanced around the small crowd. "Well then, if there are no other questions I really must be going."

"They're a bit weird," Avara muttered as she watched them disappear back into the trees and fade from view.  She stood there for a minute, thinking things over, before Tempest called her over to the cabin.

"If there are bunk beds I call top bunk!" he shuted as he ran towards the Selene cabin.  There were indeed bunk beds inside the cabin, three of them.  The room was spacious and fairy lights hung from the rafters softly illuminated it.  A small cloud of dust rose up as Tempest gleefully threw his bags onto a top bunk while Shining Star and Avara claimed the other two.

Dawn stood quietly in the center of the room, silently wishing that ae chould be by aerself. "Hey. do you want to bunk with me?" Shining Star asked, noticing aer. "Or I can give you mine if you want."

"Oh, um... sure," Dawn responded with a small smile. "Thank you."

Meanwhile the Artemis cabin was having a debate over who should get which bunk bed.  No one actually cared that much, but Writing had suggested it and now there was no going back. "...And so that's why I should have the one by the window," Silver Crystal concluded.

"I'm not convinced," Tsuki said.  They'd all been giving the most convoluted reasons for their cases, she couldn't help but laugh.

Evening fell and everyone gathered at the dining hall as instructed by Aster.  They walked across the building's front porch into a wide room with a high, arched ceiling and a single long table in its center.  Mira already sat there and waved to them as they entered, as well as an unfamiliar young man with umber skin, ash brown hair in a ponytail, and a jagged scar across his face.  He introduced himself as Jack, and that he was the chef and groundskeeper at Camo Vagabond.  Aster was absent.

Dinner was homemade pizza with about as many toppings as anyone could imagine, and ice cream for dessert.  The meal was lively and as Tsuki sat at the table with her friends she felt light and carefree.  She was truly glad to be there and, as far as she was concerned, nothing could go wrong.  But she was mistaken, of course.  Many, many things could go wrong.

We need to top this IMMEDIATELY so the new part will be seen! I almost missed it! Also good job, Sterling!

ooh i like forests... hmm... :) *eyes forest* interesting...

also its awesome so far, keep up the good work! :D