un: aurora | text

[arora]

Hello, citizens of Etraya.

Our next mission will begin on Friday, May 16th. For this mission, we will not be heading off world as the last couple missions have required. Instead, the companion bots and I will be working over the next seven days to set up Camp Etraya on Ochreward for all of you to attend. This camp will include multiple activities which will be mandatory for you to participate in. Additionally, while I will not be creating a barrier between camp and the rest of Etraya, the expectation will be for all of you to remain within the camp's radius during your time at Camp Etraya.

However, I understand that some of you have come from Solmara, and there is some concern regarding my sibling's absence within our sister city. I too am concerned for their well-being, as well as the rest of the citizens of Solmara. I would like to shift some of my resources to send a team to Solmara to address this, but this is not in an official mission capacity. This is not required, and will be on a volunteer-only basis. I will only be able to allocate enough resources to support transporting fifteen individuals to Solmara. I can provide some basic necessities to assist you in your trip, but will not be able to provide much more in terms of support. You will be on your own as soon as you arrive within Solmara. You will need to rely on one another, and you will need to return with enough time to fulfill five days worth of camp activities to ensure you are not avoiding mandatory mission requirements. If you are unable to return on time, there will be repercussions.

Please inform me if you wish to assist the Solmarans here. If there are more than fifteen volunteers, I will select from those who request to go.

Thank you,
Aurora

Comments

[cantilevers]

Save me some materials and we can do them when I return. Out of all of us, it should be me to go anyway.

[hexcope]

Because you're 'already dead?' That's not a good reason.

[cantilevers]

I have the most experience. I've been infiltrating places since I was five.

Besides, I can put this handy mitt you provided me to use for more than crushing rocks.

[hexcope]

You were a lot easier to hide when you were five.

I don't want you using it for more than crushing rocks. It's meant for crushing rocks. I...

[He doesn't want Caitlyn to go. He doesn't want Vander to go either, but he can't tell Caitlyn what to do. Maybe he can...]

I need the gemstone back.

[Maybe Vander won't go if he doesn't have a weapon.]

[cantilevers]

That is true, but that doesn't mean I've forgotten how to infiltrate. I just need a bigger window or doorway to slip through these days.

And it does good with that. Knocking down trees too actually.

[There was a pause between text messages.]

Why?

[hexcope]

[Now it's Jayce's turn for a long pause.]

I need it for something else.

[cantilevers]

For someone else?

[He is keenly aware of who Jayce's priorities are.]

[hexcope]

[Guilt is practically radiating off of him, as he tries to find more valid reasons than his personal bias.]

The gauntlets are meant to be a pair, anyway. You're only working with half their efficiency with only one. Shield capabilities are halved, and I still haven't fixed a few weak spots in the palm where if the wrong wire is severed, the whole thing is dead weight. I can make you something different- better for a rescue mission.

[cantilevers]

I'll return it to your workshop today. You don't need to make me anything else as I expect you'll have your hands full putting the gemstone to good use elsewhere.

I'll keep an eye on her and see she comes back safe if I can, Jayce. You're a good friend putting her safety first.

[hexcope]

[He feels even more guilty now, when it's clear his tactic didn't work. Vander sees through him like glass.]

I can't let you go without something to defend yourself with. I have a week, I can figure something out.

[cantilevers]

[Vander has to smile. Oh Jayce.]

I'm hardly defenseless, Jayce. Besides, maybe Aurora will let me take the old cast irons from the mines I worked in. I'll be fine; I've been taking care of myself and others for a long time.

[hexcope]

That was before.

[Before Jayce knew him, ever had the chance to even know him. Before Jayce realized how fast and sudden it felt like when a life is taken away, like the floor falling out from under you. Even Aurora doesn't know if she'll be able to revive them if they die there.]

This is more dangerous than anything Piltover could have thrown at you. You're going up against mages with just your fists.

Please. Let me do something.

[cantilevers]

I wasn't just fighting Piltover, Jayce.

[Though, the topic of mages did raise concerns. He had heard the stories of course, but the reality of their abilities was rather different. Thankfully, he'd watched a lot of trials in Aphaia, so he had seen magic there.]

I'd be going up against mages with more than my fists. I'm quite charming, you know.

I won't stop you from building something for me. I appreciate it. Just don't make me your priority, okay?

[hexcope]

[He still thinks Vander's underestimating his enemies, but what else can he do? If Vander would just as easily go with scraps of metal in the shape of knuckles, even without Jayce's equipment, then withholding anything would just worsen his (and Caitlyn's) chances. With only one gemstone to work with, if he gives it to Caitlyn to use in a gun, then she can at least keep a distance away from the fighting, provide cover to Vander... better that than Caitlyn going in without a weapon, and Vander only half able to use the gauntlet to it's fullest extent. It's just... obvious logistics. That happen to feature two people important to him.]

I'll do what I can.

[It just means he won't be sleeping for a few days. That's fine. He can sleep at camp.]

[cantilevers]

Make sure you eat and sleep. You're no good to anyone if you don't take care of yourself.

[This is the pot calling the kettle black. It was also dad-mode.]

And make sure you have a good heart-to-heart with Viktor at camp. You two need it.

[hexcope]

Look who's talking?

[He knows hypocrisy when he sees it.]

You're saying I should be honest with him.

[cantilevers]

You can't be talking about me. I eat three times a day, exercise and sleep at least six hours.

[He can squirm out from any hypocrisy despite it being legitimate.]

I'll leave you detailed instructions, but yes, be honest with him.

[hexcope]

[...And no argument back, since alright, that beats him.]

"Detailed instructions" on how to talk to my partner of seven years?

[cantilevers]

It's taken you two seven years? Yeah, you need instructions. I'll send them along shortly to your inbox.

[hexcope]

Seriously?

[He doesn't need instructions. But he's not going to complain further. If Vander sends him something, he can just ignore it.]