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[CENTER][COLOR=#AC0D01][sup]________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________[/sup][/COLOR][url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/5509391][img]https://i.imgur.com/Q5BATrT.jpeg[/img]
[/url][/CENTER][indent][sub][COLOR=#ff7514][B]Location:[/B][/COLOR] [I]PRCU Gym, Chimera’s Lair[/I] - [I]Pacific Royal Campus[/I][/sub][sup][right][COLOR=#ff7514][b]Welcome Home #1.055:[/b][/COLOR] [I]Reality Check[/I][/right][/sup][/indent][COLOR=#AC0D01][SUP][sub]____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________[/sub][/SUP][/COLOR][INDENT][sub][color=#ff7514][B]Interaction(s):[/B][/COLOR] [I]Everyone, but in particular Banjo [@Hound55] and Harper [@Qia][/I][/sub][SUP][RIGHT][COLOR=2c2c2c][b]Previously:[/b][/COLOR] [color=2c2c2c][I]Unsure Future[/I][/color][/right][/SUP]
[INDENT]
PRCU’s gym was remarkably quiet for this time of the day. Only the most dedicated of gymrats were present to get their daily workouts in. It made sense, most of the student body was probably getting ready for the opening ceremony. It was all anyone could talk about today. Most of the freshmen were excited, as they saw this as the beginning of their academic journey. The older students meanwhile were looking forward to what would inevitably follow: The Homecoming Trials.

All in all, there was a notable excitement that hung in the air across the campus. After all, this was always a joyous occasion. Even if, to the most veteran of students, something didn’t seem quite right. They just couldn’t put their finger on what it was.

Katja had been at work all morning, fulfilling her community contribution in keeping the gym clean, restocking the snacks and drinks, checking the equipment for faults and being there to provide help to those students who asked for it. But given the low attendance of the day, she figured she’d take the opportunity to get an extra workout in before the opening ceremony began.

The tall girl sat in the far corner of the gym, at the ultra-dense weight section. This area was specifically built for those students gifted with far greater strength than most. As the name implies, the weights were made of an extremely dense material. So while they looked like regular plates and dumbbells, in actuality they were far heavier than their plain look would suggest. The floor, benches and chairs were reinforced, to make sure that they wouldn’t get damaged by the increased strain of additional mass.

She had been pumping the weights for more than an hour now. It was very relaxing for her, almost like a meditation of sorts. Only here did she gain true serenity. Which had the effect of her mind sometimes wandering off. And today, as she was about to finish her last set of the day, was no different.

	[color=#FF7514]“Eighteen.”[/color] She almost growled to herself as she curled the weight of a large motorcycle in her right hand. A terse breath escaping through her clenched teeth.

Her thoughts weren’t focussed on the weight though. Her mind was actually recalling the events of the day before. The ferry, the meeting at the beach, the campfire… Her conversation with Amma. Her strained lip twitched slightly into a smirk as she thought back of the short raven haired girl and her reaction to receiving genuine appreciation. Recalling it now, Katja thought it was cute but also sad at the same time.

	[color=#FF7514]“Nineteen.”[/color] She focused on her bicep, watching it expand and contrast with every motion as she held onto the weighty dumbbell. 

Yet, despite her fond memory of her talk with Amma, she couldn’t shake her feelings of disappointment at a conversation she felt had been cut short. She had more to say to Amma, much more. But unfortunately she didn’t get the chance to say it. But honestly, it might’ve been for the best that it ended when it did, as that text message would’ve arrived a few seconds later either way.

And when it called, she had to answer.

	[color=#FF7514]“Twenty!”[/color] She exclaimed through gritted teeth with a sense of accomplishment and pride. Her form had notably dipped during the summer break, which was expected. She didn’t have the tools at her disposal like she did at PRCU. But all in all, it wasn’t as bad as last year, so she took the small win.

While reracking the heavy dumbbell Katja looked around the gym and noticed that it had run completely empty. Looking at the big clock hanging over the main entrance, she instantly saw why.
	
	[color=#FF7514][b]“Kak! Stomme poes wat jy is!”[/b][/color]

[hr]

Katja quickly rushed back to the Alces dorms, nearly bumping into a group of terrified collegiate pupils on her way over. There she had taken a quick shower and with her hair only half dried she put on her uniform. 

In her rush she scrambled to find pieces of her uniform, she eventually landed on the school provided skirt. She tended to avoid wearing it, as she felt it wasn’t quite made for someone of her stature. However, she needed [i]something[/i] to wear right then and there if she wanted to make it to the ceremony in time. So, remembering Haven talking about this, she put on her track shorts below her skirt to avoid any possibly awkward moments and she rushed her way over to her window. 

Looking down first to see if the coast was clear, she leapt out of her window and tumbled from the top level of the dorms down. Bracing herself for impact, she triggered her HZEs in order to survive the fall unscathed. A loud thud could be heard as she hit the gravel surface, little pebbles scattering around in all directions. None of the few Alces students still here paid her any heed, they were used to Katja’s theatrical departure from the dorms when she was in a hurry by now. It’s why the House leadership had moved her to a dorm room that wasn’t next to concrete.

Katja joined up with the rest of Blackjack at the agreed upon assembly area, only barely too late. She could feel Tad’s disapproving eyes on her as she sheepishly approached, an apologetic smile on her lips. The walk over to the Chimera’s Lair wasn’t that eventful for Blackjack's tallest member. There was some smalltalk here and there, but nothing too memorable. 

Her mind came into focus once they made their way through the gates of the Lair though. It was always an exciting feeling for Katja. If the gym was her second home, then the Lair was her third. She was always impressed by the imposing building. She remembered the first time she entered it and being intimidated by the way it was constructed. She imagined this was by design, so as to put the away teams on edge whenever they came to play an Extramural Hyperball game against the Chimeras.

Being one of the last people to reach the seats, there weren’t many places left to pick. So with a grin on her face, she sat down to one of the less popular seating neighbors: Banjo. Just like at the beach, she gave the Aussie a quick ruffle through his hair as a way to greet him before giving an excited wave to Calliope. She made a mental note to catch up with the two of them soon. It had been way too long!

Then the usual pomp and circumstance began. All were asked to rise for the national anthem, something a hardfaced Katja always refused. These countries were run by people who hated her, why should she offer even the slightest bit of respect towards them? She chuckled at Banjo’s belting out the wrong lyrics again, her expression mellowing slightly.

With the formalities behind them all those in attendance could finally focus on the real reason they were there: The Chancellor’s welcome speech. And this year it became apparent that the new Chancellor would be none other than Jim O’Neil, the old student rep of Team Blackjack. Katja loudly cheered for the man, not giving a damn about the less than enthused reception he got from the rest of the stadium. She liked O’Neil, and she liked to think that he liked her too. Especially when she’d deal with Banjo after one of his many antics meant to torment the poor man.

However, Katja’s mood noticeably changed when O’Neil introduced the two strangers on the stage. She hunched forward, sitting on the tip of her chair as she narrowed her eyes. Focussing particularly on the woman who was introduced as Torres, staring at her as if in a trance. So much so in fact, that she completely missed the Chimera’s yell that O’Neil uttered. Instead, Katja’s focus only broke when she heard the entire stadium utter a shocked gasp.

Blinking twice, Katja’s trance-like state seemed to be broken, after which it took her a moment for the words uttered earlier to register. The nullification of the credentials of so many of PRCU’s students would normally reek of Mundane cruelty to the tall blonde, but it was clear the Foundation had something to do with it. This Torres woman made it pretty clear to all in attendance with her offer of Foundation credentials to the PRCU student body. It was a naked attempt at bribery. And looking at the crowd’s mixed reaction, it seemed to hit a chord with some.

And to make matters even worse, Torres decided to make light of Hyperion’s campaign five years ago. To have [i]this[/i] woman talk about those events in this way… Katja had to take a deep breath before she realized that she had balled her fists, her nails buried deep into her own hands. With this moment of clarity, she looked to her sides to see what the rest of her friends thought of this situation.

Blackjack’s responses ranged between outraged and fuming. None were happy with this new arrangement and they were practically insulted by the attempt to sway them by basically holding their credentials hostage. Several of her peers stormed off, enraged by what had just transpired before them. Others just sat there, either in disbelief of trying to process what had just transpired.

Katja looked over to Banjo sitting next to her. She knew he was going to focus his attention on Calliope, and knowing him he’d give in to that supporting role with 110%. But [i]he[/i] had just lost his credentials as well and his world must’ve taken a pretty hefty hit here too. Katja put her hand on the Aussie’s shoulder, giving him a pair of gentle rubs and a reassuring smile. [color=#FF7514]“You know I’m there for you guys, rite?”[/color]

Suddenly a black silhouette in the corner of Katja’s eye caught her attention. She didn’t have to guess twice who this could possibly be. After all, she was reaching a point where she could recognize that person in the dark. Katja kept looking as Amma approached Torres. They obviously knew each other, but from the looks of things they were not on friendly terms. The woman gave something to the girl covered in tattoos, before the latter walked away, crimson cracks of energy surrounding her lithe frame. 

Katja’s first instinct was to run after her, try to calm her down and assure her that she wouldn’t have to face Torres alone. That Blackjack, and she in particular, would have her back. But by the time Katja could get down to the main exit, she was gone.

Katja solemnly stood in the opening, the stream of students slowly passing her by, each face more distraught than the other. Their futures, which seemed bright only an hour ago, had gone up in smoke right before their eyes. She cast a look over her shoulder, her gaze falling on Torres and her assistant as they left the Lair through a different exit. Determination radiated from the tall girl’s eyes as she spoke, barely audible to all but her.

[color=#FF7514]“We’ll come for you, Ms Torres. Very, very soon.”[/color]

As Katja turned around to make her exit she noticed a familiar shape leaning against the Lair’s walls. Katja’s temper instantly cooled at the sight of one of her friends being so distraught. She softly approached Harper, the girl whose eyes would usually observe even the tiniest details, but which were now buried in her hands, covered in tears. She didn’t know the exact reason why Harper would cry, but given all that had transpired just now, Katja figured there were enough reasons to burst out in tears.

Katja knelt in front of Harper before slowly leaning closer. [color=#FF7514]“It’s okay.”[/color] She whispered softly as she gingerly put the smaller brunette in an embrace. [color=#FF7514] “Shhh, Harps, it’s okay.”[/color]
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