A midnight hunt for the magical cookies!

[Abigail Asteria Anderson Rare Rare]

Abigail wandered through the camp, her stomach growling in protest. She had been engrossed in her magic training session for hours, and now hunger gnawed at her insides. Frustrated by the empty cabinets in her cabin, she decided to venture towards the big house, hoping to find something to satiate her appetite. The moon shone brightly overhead, casting an ethereal glow on the surrounding camp as she approached her destination.

Stepping into the big house, Abigail made her way towards the kitchen, her footsteps echoing softly in the quiet night. She opened the cabinets one by one, her eyes scanning for any sign of food. Her heart skipped a beat when she spotted a familiar box tucked away on the top shelf. A grin tugged at the corners of her lips as she reached up, carefully pulling down the box of cookies she had been craving. With a triumphant sigh, Abigail held the box close to her chest, savoring the anticipation of the sweet treats to come. She could almost taste the chocolate chips and feel the soft texture of the cookies on her tongue. As she closed the cabinet door, she couldn't help but feel a surge of satisfaction. Her midnight expedition had been a success, and now she could enjoy a well-deserved snack before returning to her magic training.

@ Carter Price

[Carter Price]

Carter walked into the big house, he had been awake for less than 20 minutes and was already starting to feel the clawing heat of the camp that Mr D seemed to like, Hawaiian shirt temperatures seemed stifling when you had just walked through the spring breeze coming off of long island sound. He looked down at his watch, his self imposed countdown of five hours ticking away, an effort to keep his body in shape and his muscles going rather than find safe refuge in the dreaming lands.

He stood there in the main room of the big house, casual clothes neatly fitted to his heavier frame as he looked around. his glasses still caught in the warmth and misted up in the shift of weather. He took the time to wipe his glasses before returning them to his face, his hair cut short and practical but he was observant in this rare time of consciousness.
 

He hadn't been back to the camp for the better part of the year, a mixture of finding a comfortable place to stay in the city and still feeling the tinge of his 'accident' from his early days at camp. He had taken a taxi from town, enjoying a light sleep on the way in. He yawned and looked around, he had expected to see Chiron and Mr D on the front porch or someone manning the desk but all seemed pretty quiet.

He sighed with relief, he had hoped to avoid as many people as possible as he could and reclaim his bunk, the shelter of dreams would make it easier to catch up with his siblings in..  he looked down at his wrist 3 more hours.. If no one was manning the desk he didn't need to report in.. he was sure he would be listed in the cabin roll call so would be fine.

Maybe he could make a snack to keep him occupied. He yawned again and headed for the kitchen.

[Abigail Asteria Anderson Rare Rare]

Abigail's mind wandered back to her childhood, a bittersweet reminiscence of her father's affectionate gestures. She remembered how he would reward her with those very cookies whenever she diligently practiced her magic. In those tender moments, the sugary treats became a symbol of love and encouragement, a connection to her father's unwavering support. The memories stirred within her, filling her heart with a mix of nostalgia and longing.

While Abigail enjoyed her magical studies, there was an underlying yearning within her. She longed for the companionship of her dead friends, the ones who would whisper secrets and play with her until her dad came by. Magic fascinated her, but deep down, she craved the ethereal bonds she had formed with dead beyond the veil. As she held the box of cookies, the familiar scent and taste brought forth a flood of comfort and happiness, momentarily soothing the ache in her soul. With each bite, Abigail's senses were engulfed in the warmth of her father's love, the laughter of spectral playmates, and the sweet joy of childhood. The cookies became more than a mere snack; they embodied a connection to a world she held dear, a world that seemed to slip further away with each passing day. In that solitary moment in the kitchen, Abigail savored the bittersweet mix of memories and flavors, finding solace and a sense of belonging amidst the enchantment of the night.

Abigail's attention was abruptly drawn away from her reverie by a faint noise resonating within the house. Her instincts prickled with curiosity, prompting her to investigate the source of the disturbance. With a mix of caution and intrigue, she pondered who could possibly be awake at this late hour. Her mind instinctively wandered to her siblings, as they were the only ones who would likely be stirring in the darkness.

Nervously, Abigail rounded the corner, her heart pounding in her chest. "Hello ......ohhhhhh," as she turned, her path collided with an unexpected obstruction. Startled, she stumbled back, unsure whether it was an object or a person that stood before her. 

[Carter Price]

Carter had been wandering through towards the kitchen then one minute the doorway to the kitchen had been empty, the next he had collided with something.. someone.

"Oh gods I am so sorry" he said looking over at the figure he had walked into. He took the time to look over them, the shock of strong red hair, the curvaceous figure and that otherworldly air even in the calm of the old house. He looked down blushing slightly as he spotted the box of cookies ad reached down, scooping them up and handing them back towards the midnight snacker.

"Good choice on the cookies.. the chocolate ones always taste so moreish" he said to fill the awkward quiet as he held the box out. He thought for a moment "Lets see.. are they still up in the top cupboard, left of the range cooker?" He asked, just seeing the box gave him a crazing for some of the cookies of his own past, at least the ones he could remember..

He looked at the camper in front of him, he thought he could just about remember her cabin..one of the newer ones..? something about a name starting with an A.. Annie.. Annabel.. he was sure it would come to him...  he had wandered the camp in his dreams enough but seemed their paths didn't cross much back then.. He looked at her and realized he had been lost in his own thoughts again.

"You're not manning the desk tonight are you? I had hoped to make straight for cabin fifteen without any fuss" he said with a slight look of embarrassment as he tried to work out what to say.

[Abigail Asteria Anderson Rare Rare]

Abby blinked in surprise, her eyes adjusting to the dim light as she registered the presence of a younger camper standing before her. Her initial shock gave way to curiosity as she observed his apologetic demeanor and the slight blush that adorned his cheeks. She listened to his words, the friendly tone easing the tension that had momentarily settled between them. "Thank you," Abby replied, her voice tinged with a mix of gratitude and curiosity. She accepted the box of cookies, her fingers brushing against his as their hands briefly connected. Abby had seen him around camp before but she couldn't remember when the last time was. She noticed his mention of the chocolate ones, and a smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "They've always been my favorite," she confessed, a touch of nostalgia in her voice.

As he inquired about the location of the cookies, Abby's eyebrows furrowed slightly, trying to recall their exact placement. "Yes, that's right," she replied, her tone carrying a note of certainty. "Left of the range cooker, top cupboard." His mention of cabin fifteen piqued her interest, a glimmer of recognition flickering in her eyes. "I'm not a cabin leader so I don't know who is manning it," she responded, her voice softening. "Maybe you can check the desk to see if the list is there." She asked him as she pulled out a cookie and began to munch. Ohhhhhh these are so good she thought to herself, wondering if she would be dreaming of them tonight. Abby stood there, the box of cookies in her hands, feeling a strange mix of comfort and intrigue in the presence of this newcomer. She couldn't shake the feeling that their paths were meant to cross, as if the universe had orchestrated their collision for a reason. "Would you like a cookie?" she asked him hoping to keep him talking to her. 

[Carter Price]

Carter reached out a hand to take one of the offered cookies. It felt like some kind of contraband in the quiet big house as he pulled a hand under the treat to be sure not to leave crumbs behind, evidence of their passing. These really were as good as he remembered. He took a moment as he realized it had been a moment of silence between them, nothing tense but was becoming noticeable as he enjoyed the chunk of the cookie.

"They really as so good" he said swallowing the last of it, avoiding brining up any more talk of the main desk, if he had avoided bringing attention to himself he was content with that. Ever since his new life had started he had preferred avoiding the spotlight where he could.

"So.. do you come here often. I mean.." looking flustered "I mean to the big house in the middle of the night?" He looked over at Abigail, he must have been about the same age as her when he had been regularly back at camp but the cabins didn't mix so much, at least not with the Hypnos cabin, they tended to have their own pace and way of doing things.. confined in the waking world but active in the dreamlands, but something was at least familiar about her.. maybe just a memory from across the dining pavilion.

He stifled a yawn with his non cookie holding hand as he waited to hear her response.. "Sorry.. I am interested. Just an Occupational hazard." he said with a smile.

 

[Abigail Asteria Anderson Rare Rare]

Abby took note of Carter's cautious demeanor, sensing a certain mystery about him. Maybe it was the fact that she was used to trying to read people but she watched Carter carefully. She smiled as he complimented the cookies, as they were very good! "They are, indeed," she agreed, her smile growing. As Carter struggled with his question, Abby's curiosity deepened as she tried smiling softer. It had been a while since she had seen him around camp, and she couldn't help but wonder about his absence. "Well," she began, her tone gentle, "I used to come here often when I was younger, especially when I couldn't sleep. The big house has a certain charm in the moonlight." She paused, letting her gaze wander to the night outside the kitchen window before returning to Carter. "But what about you? It feels like it's been ages since I've seen you around. Where have you been?" 

As Abby engaged in conversation with Carter, her thoughts drifted to the spirits she used to commune with. It had been a while since she felt their ethereal presence, and she couldn't help but wonder if tonight might be different. The allure of the moonlit night and the cookies in her hand stirred her longing for those otherworldly encounters. She wondered if the spirits would grace her with their company, their voices echoing in the quiet corners of the big house. Perhaps, just perhaps, this encounter with Carter would be accompanied by a visit from her spectral friends, making this night all the more special.