#if arupek had one i think it would be: “Figure-With-A-Duck-Billed-Hat”

[maxiwaxipads]

Mysterious Invitation Rendezvous ! !

(edit 2: just a title change <3)

[Coachman] - “We’re here.”

The carriage makes a stop. Arupek takes a step outside and wears a stuffed backpack on his shoulders. Arupek turns to the coachman.

Arupek - “Thank you for the trip!” [Coachman] - “But of all places… The Swathlands? "Sure this is the place? Why not recheck it again…?” Arupek - “Nope! I checked it several times, and this is the place. I’m sure this is where I need to be.” [Coachman] - “Really sure?” Arupek - “Really, Really, REALLY sure!” [Coachman] - “No point in an interrogation I suppose.” “I’ll stay here for a good hour—come back if you run into trouble.” [Coachman] - “These horses can go miles for days, isn’t that right?”

Proud horse noises.

Arupek - “I’ll be just fine.” “Come back to the designated time! This Arupek will come back stronger than ever!” [Coachman] - “Alright. Alright. I’ll still stick with what I said though.” “No harm being cautious, right?” Arupek - “Then I’ll get going.” “See you later! Not soon I hope!”

Walking straight ahead, Arupek waves his goodbyes without turning his back forward to wave the carriage-driver goodbye. The coachman delivers a short wave, as he sighs to himself.

[Coachman] - “That kid…” “O’ Lord Pekkle. Pray for his sake, will you?”

A moderate light dims Arupek's presence, as a lantern hangs from his backpack. Arupek hums an odd tune.

Arupek - “AAARRUUPEK~ ARUPEK~ He’s traveling somewhere suspicious and strange~” “But not as suspicious as Hangyon and maybe Lili~”

In a far distance, Hangyon and Lili sneeze as Arupek hums his "Arupek-Travel-Song-Copyright-Symbol-Here"

Arupek - “…” Arupek - “…” Arupek - “…” Arupek - “Barren, yellow lands everywhere…!”

(Walk) (Walk) (Walk) (Walk)

Arupek - “Maybe the coachman was right. Am I lost?” “Hmm…”

Arupek unravels a crumpled paper from his pocket. "Knight of Fragaria Bootcamp! / Swathlands, Cogimyun Kingdom / Bootcamp at Oasis! / June 24th - July 1st". It's written with the thinnest marker on a piece of default paper. The words aren't exactly aligned or straightened, as they slope a little bit down. A few words incoherently scribbled off. Not a single visual is adorned. Not even a smiley face.

Arupek - “Nnhhh… There isn’t even directions too…” Arupek - “No. I GET IT NOW! It’s all coming together…!?” Arupek - “This is just to test myself as a knight!” “Arupek has cracked the case!”

Bolstered with the sudden ember of a lightbulb turning on, Arupek holds his fist into two! He faces the night sky, proudly and turns forward.

Arupek - “I’ll find it in a few minutes—no, right now even!”

Arupek runs faster...!? Arupek who has finally understood author's intent and plot device...!? That failure is nonexistent within the confinements of a shitty scenario...!?

Arupek - “ARRRRUUUUUUPPEEEEEEEKKK!!!!”

He spots a patch of light in the nearby distance...! !

Arupek - “Arupek has hit the jackpot!” “Prediction is 100% accuracy!”

[??? #1] - “Nyahaha ~ Finally. It took a whole day for someone new to appear ~”

Freshness blends with the choked fumes of embers and smoke—something burns over the fire. The source of this voice—he looks down to see two people across each other who surround a burning fire.

[??? #2] - “Could you perhaps be behind this ’Bootcamp?’” Arupek - “Nope!” “I’m here for it as well!” [??? #2] - “(Sigh). Three knights, but no camp counselor…” “Perhaps we were bailed after all…” [??? #1] - “There might still be time to get back!” “Hey, did you take a ride here or walk?” Arupek - “I took a ride, and then walked all the way here!” “I guess the coachman did say he’d wait an hour to be sure.” [??? #2] - “An hour, huh?” “Then whoever took you probably left us already…” [??? #1] - “…Are we really going to have to wait that long again?” [??? #2] - “That’s that.” “We’ll just have to feed off the oasis or walk back to the nearest civilization ourselves.” Arupek - “So… It’s just us three?”

Arupek - “No one came after all…?”

[??? #2] - “I’m sure it’s fine.” “Besides. Isn’t it a great opportunity to meet foreign knights and expand our connections?” Cielomort - “I am Cielomort, I live to serve Lady Cinnamaroll.” “And this is…” Sanah - “Yahoo ~ The name’s Sanah! I’m great friends with Usahana~” Arupek - “And that makes me Arupek!” “I like Lord Pekkle, lots!” Cielomort - “It’s great we know each other already.” Sanah - “You came just in time.” "The fruit we just roasted should be read about now!" Sanah - “And it isn’t too burnt at all!”

Sanah passes a fruit skewer.

Sanah - “Haha… Let’s dig in!” Cielomort - “Ye—"

Cielomort, his face scrounges mid-sentence as he slowly chewed and swallowed.

Cielomort "—sss..." Arupek - “Wow~ It’s certainly fresh, and the bitterness is just right!” Cielomort - “That’s great… Have mine, Arupek.” Sanah - “Wait right there!” “It was your idea to roast it, and this is the only fruit in the entire area.” “I want you to eat Cielomort, you’ve been here for too long and need a meal!” Cielomort - “B…But it’s bitter.” Arupek - “If you eat it quick, it’s like the food never existed in the first place!” “Because it’s all in the stomach now!” Sanah - “Mhm~ Just eat it quick!” Arupek - “A wise man once told me… A good guy is someone who finishes his food!” “You can do it, Cielomort!” Cielomort - “Good-Guy-Ship… Huh…”

Cielomort frows as his eyebrows crease. He squints at the skewer at his hands. In the voice of a sports announcer: "Cielomort takes a bite...!?"

Sanah - “Just like that ~ I might fill up as well.”

Sanah eats his fruit skewer, followed by Arupek.

Cielomort - “D…Done.” Arupek - “You did it!” Cielomort - “…It was terrible.” Sanah - “At least you ate something, didn’t you?”

Sanah gives Cielomort a head-pat.

Sanah - “You’re a good example for children who can’t finish food they like~” Cielomort (Moved) - “Sanah…” Cielomort - “(But I feel like I’m being referred like a child at the same time…)” Sanah - “Still.” “Do you think other knights will come?” Cielomort - “It’s only a gut feeling of mine… I believe we’re the only ones who listened to this invite.” Cielomort - “If not, call me foolish.” Arupek - “But wouldn’t you call your gut foolish instead?”

Cielomort - “Good point. I might call my gut foolish if I’m wrong.” Sanah - “Still~ (Yawn). I know you just came here Arupek, but I’m too tired to be hospitable.” Arupek - “Don’t worry about it!” “I might wanna sleep as well~” Cielomort - “Then get comfortable. We might stay here for a week if you’re willing to.” Arupek - “Don’t mind if I do then!” Cielomort - “Why not train early in the morning?” “…It was meant to be a Bootcamp, but even the first day was uneventful.” Sanah - “Agreed... We might not be the first to find this oasis, but I wanna use up the good and undisturbed scenery as much as possible ~ ” Sanah - “Desert landscapes—and an oasis at that, is a rare find in Fragaria.” “So if it’s possible… I want to stay here as long as I can!” Cielomort - “Then I’m glad you’re in agreement with me, now what about you Arupek?” Arupek - “I don’t see why I should go back!” “Besides~ This trip seems like it’ll be fun anywhere.” Cielomort - “Fun, eh?” “I certainly hope it will be.”

Cielomort - “But… I think it’ll be in our best interest for someone to guard while the others sleep.” “Even if no danger surrounds us… An invitation specifying ‘Knights of Fragaria’ to join? Especially in a secluded place like the Swathlands—thought to be nothing but uninhabitable.” Sanah - “Y—You do bring up a good point.” “That settles it! Why don't I take the position of guard for tonight!” Sanah - “Cielomort, who came too early—and Arupek who came too late!” “I think I’m perfect for the job~” Cielomort - “That’s that.” “Why not three-hour shifts?” Arupek - “Then I’ll take after Sanah and that leaves Cielomort!”

Edit: Messy Notes About Cogimyun Kingdom (everything pours without a filter, so maybe a detail contradicts another) (these are literally just me spewing ideas and seeing which might work </3)