okokok hear me out. i messaged you once in a delirious half asleep state about a possible accidental meeting gemtho scenario in which they’re both camping with their families, but i come to you now with a revised scenario.
gem is on a girls trip with some of her friends from her pre youtube days. they have this one campsite they like to frequent that’s situated on a lake with lots of hiking trails around but somehow has stayed relatively unknown so it’s never too busy and they like to spend like a week hanging out playing board/card games, going on hikes, swimming and paddle boarding, etc. and they always end the day with cozy campfire chats. it’s one of gem’s favorite standing traditions with her friends because with adulthood they’ve all gotten really busy with work and don’t always have time to properly catch up on how they’re doing, but this week always allows for good quality time.
only this year, gem gets there and one of her friends who arrived earlier in the day is explaining which sites she was able to reserve, where the nearest pit toilets are, and oh yeah she met the new camp host and he’s waaay cuter than the last guy. A little shy sure, but he seems like a sweet guy and was super helpful when she was trying to track down where she could buy firewood.
Cue Etho recognizing Gem and initially trying desperately to avoid running into her as all her friends keep having the weirdest interactions with him known to man that they relay to gem and she just keeps seeing this guy from a distance making an absolute fool of himself. its several days in (preferably in the middle of the night when gem’s out for an evening stroll) that he accidentally speaks to her and blows his cover…
This gets the Blacktofade seal of approval! 👍 I love first time meetings so much and I love the thought of it being so out of their control. I'm also thinking about there being no cell service so Gem's going crazy cause she can't tell any of the other Hermits what's happening.
But I'm imagining them after the initial reveal, and Gem keeps noticing Etho watching her. Maybe he stops by their campsite to give the group free wood for their fire (mostly as an excuse to see Gem). What if Gem's real brave and asks if he wants to stay for roasted marshmallows and he actually does!! And he sits on a log beside her and their knees touch and Gem points out when he gets marshmallow caught in his stubble and he grins at her as though he doesn't regret a thing [banshee scream]
