Skai

Commencement: A Pacific Royal Collegiate & University RP

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H A V E N
H A V E N

_{Location: Southern Plateau - PRCU}

Welcome Home #1.062: ... Gets the worm?

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_{Interaction(s): Rory @Webboysurf}

Previously: Early Bird

Haven had noticed Rory's exit from the Mintoaur. His usual plucky demeanor had hers lifting, her smile broadening as she watched him take a tent towards the edge of the camp. What's he planning?

She turned to check that her final tent had righted itself properly, in time to hear Rory's tease from across the site. An unexpected laugh erupted from her throat, but she quickly covered it with a cough. It was funny that they'd gotten together in a similar manner, years ago. Still, Haven didn't feeling comfortable thinking about what they got up to in their tent. She regained her composure at that thought, turning in time to see Rory sauntering over to her.

The grin she gave him was almost scolding, her eyebrows raising at him, but the gleam in her eyes revealed the amusement behind it. She reached for the water bottle, her smile softening at the gesture.

Yet the moment he looked towards the tent she'd chosen, she felt her heart begin to thump in her chest. She kept the water bottle in her hands, not daring to take a drink of it until he finished the thought he was working on. She didn't want a repeat of yesterday. It was clear when he made up his mind, his confidence shining on his features like the midday sun. She held her breath, seconds seeming to stretch into minutes as she waited for him to speak.

"So, Barnes... you want to sleep together tonight?"

Haven's brows twitched in shock. Her body instantly heated. Her PT shirt and shorts suddenly felt too tight, like she was wearing way too many clothes. Her back muscles tensed, but she held them in place should her wings decide to fluff up again.

He's not this forward, right?

Hell, she didn't mind it if he was. Haven suddenly wanted it. He could have it right now, if they weren't expected to meet with Tad and Robert soon.

Gil had choked on thin air by the Minotaurs.
"Smooth."
"We should really go and help bail him out. One of us, at least."
"No no. He needs to learn. Besides, it's more entertaining this way...and probably a better gauge if Haven actually reciprocates."

At least a third of Gil is thoughtful.

Her mouth opened, as if to answer, but she held her tongue. Gil's words repeated in her mind, and she realized he'd hinted at the beach incident. Finally, thank the heavens, Haven realized what he really meant.

Her heart still beat fast, but Haven was confident as she took a step towards Rory. She smiled up at him, and her head tilted to the side ever so slightly. "Sure thing, Rory." Her voice was low and as smooth as velvet. Quiet enough that the others would have had to strain to hear it.

Even if Rory wasn't thinking about it that way. Even if Haven didn't expect it to happen at all, surrounded by their teammates on the plateau. She didn't want to squash any hope that it could happen in the future. Not when her skin still felt so hot just thinking about it.

Maybe later one of their teammates would talk to him about the way he'd asked her. Maybe he would then realize that she had agreed to both scenarios. The idea was exciting, but Haven didn't put any bets on it. If she wanted it to happen, she'd have to get it for herself. Just like she had with plenty of others.

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Commencement: A Pacific Royal Collegiate & University RP

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H A V E N
H A V E N

_{Location: Southern Plateau - PRCU}

Welcome Home #1.058: Early Bird

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_{Interaction(s): Tad, Robert @Lord Wraith}

Previously: A Matter of a Pinion

Haven soared over Dundas Island, closing her eyes for a few moments to relish the feel of the wind against her skin and feathers. She inhaled deeply, filling her lungs with more air than she could ever need. She hadn't felt her body relax until she left the ground.

The previous anger was still there. Just stashed in a pack in the back of her closet, along with some clothes, survival gear, and what little money she had saved in the four years she'd been at PRCU. She didn't intend on leaving PRCU, but... it was better to have a go-bag ready than to pack in a rush.

She had a few minutes left of this precious feeling until she reached the meeting point on the Southern Plateau. If it weren't an obligation, Haven would have spent the day near the cliffs to clear her mind. It was a little exciting that the seniors would be able to run the trial they built. Considering she'd never done it herself, Haven saw it as a reason to show up. She refused to acknowledge why she'd missed her own Homecoming Trial, if only to keep herself from thinking about Torres comment earlier in the day.

She saw the trial site before the campsite, her eyes spotting Tad standing in front of a man she hadn't met before. She looked him over as she began her descent towards them, delighted to see another hype with such obvious physical markings. And what a physique he had. He towered over Tad, reminding her of Katja, and the thought had her itching to see how the two would interact together. She could have continued on until the campsite, but she had to know who the man was.

Haven chose to land a few feet away from the men. She tucked her wings in behind her once her sneakers touched the ground, looking their way. "Looks like I'm the first arrival." She said as she tucked her stray hairs behind her ears. She closed the space between them, adjusting her bag's strap against her shoulder as she held out a hand towards the hunk.

"Haven Barnes."

"Barnes, Wings, this matches what Thaddeus said." Robert replied extending a hand that engulfed Haven's own. "Robert Arkwright, I'm the Graduate Student in charge of organizing the build."

"Robert has opted to pair you and Aurora together as supply runners, if that works for you, Haven." Tad interjected. "You'll need to head back over to our campsite beside where Firebird is set up. Set up a tent, choose a bunkmate and then grab Aurora and head down into the construction site." He instructed.

"Yeah, that sounds great." Haven smiled at the two. "It was nice to meet you, Robert. Let me know if you need anything lifted. I can manage the aerial coverage, too."

She pointed with her thumb towards where she assumed the campsite would be set up. "Campsites this way, yeah?"

"Yeah, just back that way," Tad nodded pointing in the same direction. "Jess should be floating between the two campsites, you'll also likely see the Minotaurs with our spade on them. If you can relay the message to set up to anyone else who arrives that'd be great."

"I gotcha. See you guys later." Haven gave Tad a thumbs up before walking in the direction of the campsite. She picked up the pace, and before they knew it she was off. A graduate student, huh. She tried to imagine that he worked on the island because he loved it here so much, instead of the alternative.

The campsite was below her within a minute. She waved down to the dark haired Jessica as a way of greeting before she planted her feet on the ground by the Blackjack Minotaurs. Looking around, she could only think about her first night on the plateau years ago. It probably wouldn't be an issue for her to sleep here tonight, but... What would her other veteran Blackjack teammates think of it?

She busied herself with putting a few tents up just to get her mind off of it. There was no harm in helping the others out when the alternative was just to sit and wait. She tossed her pack into a random tent, along with the PT jacket she'd had tied around her waist. She was smart about the tent she chose. Just far enough from the treeline that she could take off in a rush... Just in case. She lined the tents in a large circle around the campfire. Her need to stay busy had her working quickly, and she was almost finished with the last by the time she heard others arriving.

Who would she pick for a bunkmate? She wasn't sure. It had to be someone brave enough to risk getting whapped by a wing in their sleep. It wasn't something she did every time she had a friend over, but there was always a chance. She didn't want them touching her wings, either, but she didn't control them when she slept. It was like they had a mind of their own at night.

She turned her head towards the arrivals just as the last tent was setting itself up. She made an attempt at a smile as if nothing had upset her earlier at all. "Grab a tent, guys. We meet up with Tad and the trial's build organizer once you're ready."

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Ju-V

I'm definitely still invested!

I'm looking forward to getting this back on track.

Commencement: A Pacific Royal Collegiate & University RP

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H A V E N
H A V E N

&&

_{Location: Chimera's Lair - PRCU}

Welcome Home #1.053: A Matter of a Pinion

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_{Interaction(s): Harper @Qia}

Previously: Ruffled Feathers

"Haven, wait up!"

Haven heard Harper's shout behind her, but the open sky outside of the stadium was also calling to her. She could feel the muscles in her body bunching up. Like they were ready to propel her into that open space, to answer the call to let the world disappear below her. To just be free and endless for a while with it.

If she stuck around, would it be worth it? It wouldn't be the first time she cut and ran from an uncertain place. She could make a quick stop at the dorm to change... collect her things into a single bag... and then she'd be off to find her future again.

Haven's legs stopped moving just outside of the stadium. She hastily went to work on her wings. A feeble attempt to smooth out the feathers that threatened to reveal her soul to the world. She stretched them around herself, running her fingers through the plumage until she could hear footsteps reaching the entrance to the stadium. Her wings snapped behind her. Unfortunately they looked just as rough as before.

Her eyes turned towards the open sky as she took a breath, and then she turned her head towards Harper as her friend emerged. "That was a shitshow, huh?" She began, a terrible attempt at a joke.

Harper, ever the stoic, approached with measured steps. Her expression was a mask, concealing any emotion that threatened to break through. Her voice, when she finally spoke, was a controlled monotone—a tightrope walk between restraint and frustration. "To call it a shitshow would be putting it politely," she stated, her eyes never leaving Haven’s face. She waited, knowing there was more brewing beneath the surface. Harper was willing to give her friend the space to vent, even if it meant absorbing some of that frustration herself.

Haven couldn't deny herself the words that emerged next. Her small form of word vomit few had ever had the pleasure of experiencing. "How could they let her speak to them like that? She made a party joke about Hyperion. The guy took O'Neil's arm, and she talked about it like he spilt a drink on a new rug.”

Harper’s response was laced with shock and disgust. “Appalling,” she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. The memory of the representative—whose name Harper cared not to remember—speaking about Hyperion as if it were a minor inconvenience that needed cleaning up made her blood boil. She hadn’t been present during the attack, but the pain and trauma of the people who called this place home were evident. The thought that someone could make light of such a horrific event was sickening to Harper. She clenched her fists, nails digging into her palms, and vowed to find a way to channel her own frustration later.

But for now… for now, she would focus on Haven.

“What… are you planning to do?” Harper’s voice held an intensity, a quiet fire that burned beneath her controlled exterior. She wanted to know Haven’s resolve, to gauge whether they were both on the same path or not here.

Haven looked towards the crowd of students as they began to file past. Her eyes scanned them for an answer to Harper's question. The older faces expressed haunted memories, triggered by the mention of their past tormentor. The newer faces displayed uncertainty of their future. How could Haven make a difference, if her own past was haunted? When her own future was as uncertain as theirs, with or without a degree?

"If it didn't mean jeopardizing our careers, I'd put that rep on her ass." She huffed, her wings shifting behind her as if to say they were ready. She looked into Harper's eyes, searching for reason that she knew Harper could provide. "I want to save the school so we don't have to answer to someone like that... Do you think there's a more subtle way to get what we all want?" The question was inviting Harper's intensity to come forward. There had to be a balance between the fire and reason, right?

Harper’s response was measured, her voice a low undercurrent of intensity.“As much as I’d love to see her get what she deserves, we need to be smart about this,” she cautioned. The representative, infuriating as she was, held sway over corridors of power that could crush them if they weren’t cautious. Their careers hung in the balance, threads woven into the fabric of this institution.

“We risk jeopardizing everything we’ve worked for,” Harper continued, her gaze drifting toward the stadium’s exit. The students flowed like a river, their futures uncertain. The weight of responsibility settled on her shoulders—an anchor she bore willingly.“But,”she added, turning back to Haven,“I’m not opposed to subtlety. We need a plan—one that won’t endanger us or the school needlessly.” But first…she needed to make sure.

Harper’s eyes bored into Haven’s, a silent question.“Are you with me on this? Even if it means playing the long game?” she asked. The fire within her burned, but it was a controlled flame. Patience, strategy—they were their allies now. The stakes were far too high for any impulsiveness.

Haven's hands flexed at her sides. The anger within her had calmed to a simmer. She could already feel the muscles in her wings relaxing, her feathers starting to smooth out. She considered Harper's words for a moment before giving a curt nod. "I'm with you."

Haven saw a flicker of acknowledgment in Harper's eyes, as if the emotions within her burned brighter. They'd found a twin flame within each other. Harper reached for her shoulder, the touch gentle.

"Good," Harper said, her voice firm and resolute. "Our first step should be to gather as much information as we can about the rep and her plans. Knowledge is power, and we need all the power we can get on our side."

Haven nodded in agreement, watching as Harper scanned the crowd again. Members of Blackjack were already making their way out of the stadium. Harper's gaze returned to her, a hint of caution within the intensity of her eyes.

"We should keep this between us for now," the brunette added. "The fewer people who know, the less chance there is of word getting back to the rep. We need to be cautious and strategic in our approach, and we can't risk any leaks."

Haven pressed her lips together. It didn't feel right to hide this from the team. "I don't trust Amma, but... what if the others want to do something about this too?" She asked carefully, in case any of them were already heading their way. "How far can we take this before we need their help?"

Harper looked thoughtful, her brows furrowed as she listened to Haven's concerns. While she understood where the other was coming from, she knew that they couldn't afford to take any risks. "I get it, Haven," she said, "but we have to be careful. The fewer people who know about this plan, the better. The last thing we need is for the rep to catch wind of what we're doing and shut us down before we even get started."

Harper was fully aware of the delicate and uncertain situation they were in concerning their academic pursuits. She knew that the risk they were taking by pursuing their plan was significant and that their school would be unlikely to support them as well, especially if it meant jeopardizing its already questionable reputation. Despite the odds stacked against them, the brunette was determined to keep going. She had already come too far to give up now and giving up would be akin to surrendering in defeat. She refused to succumb to the pressure and challenges they were facing and was prepared to do whatever it took to achieve their goals.

Her goals. Quitting was not an option.

She took a step closer to Haven, her voice low and intense. "This person… I get the feeling she'll probably do whatever it takes to protect herself and her interests."

Harper paused, her gaze sweeping the area as well while paranoia etched lines on her features. Her eyes spotted nothing out of the ordinary, so she turned back to Haven, her next words a lifeline.

“As for how far we can take this,” she continued, “it depends on what we find out. If we uncover concrete evidence against the rep, we’ll bring the rest of the team on board. I promise. But until then, we have to tread lightly and keep our eyes and ears open.”

Haven looked Harper over as if she was really, truly seeing her. "I feel like you could do all of this on your own, if you needed to." She murmured, before a hint of a smile etched onto her features. "What's the best way to get this information, then? We both have the eyes, and I have the ears. You think there's a chance I can get close to the Foundation reps without being detected?" She frowned lightly. "We need to find out what the bitch's ability is, before we continue."

"She could have precognition, or something worse."

Harper's wry smile at the compliment faded, replaced by a steely expression that spoke of her determination. "Yes, finding out her ability has to be our top priority," she agreed. "Perhaps we could create a clever decoy or some kind of diversionary tactic. If it's erratic or difficult to comprehend, it might throw her off, even if she could see a part of the future." Harper's smirk hinted at a plan that was slowly coming to fruition. "And who do we know on the team that's a master of unpredictability?"

Haven's lips pursed as she mulled over the question. It took her a moment, but when realization dawned on her she gave Harper an amused look. "Banjo? Hasn't he been on a good streak recently?"

Harper’s response was laced with a hint of amusement, her dry wit peeking through her serious demeanour. “Yes, he has been surprisingly quiet lately,” she said, allowing a small smile to play at the corners of her mouth. Banjo-level reliable, at least. “Perhaps he’s been saving up all his unpredictability for just such an occasion.” The thought of their clownish teammate acting as a wild card amused her. Besides, if there was ever a reason for him to break from his recent impassivity, it would be in defence of his lady love—Calliope, with her seemingly unwavering commitment to justice and helping those at their lowest. For Harper, it was a rare moment of connection with the blonde.

Loyalty to her teammates and an unyielding determination to protect them fueled her every move.

“We’ll have to wait for his move first, though,” Harper continued, her gaze steady. “And hope that he goes big. The fewer connections he has to us at that time, the better.”

Haven took a breath, noticing that the last few stragglers were exiting the stadium. She nodded. "I could always ask him to pull something for me. He's the only one I can think of that could get away with a prank. Plus, he wouldn't mention my involvement if he gets in trouble."

Harper’s gaze remained steady, assessing the risks and rewards.

“That could work,” she acknowledged, her voice measured and thoughtful. “If you think he’d be willing to take the fall for us, it could create the perfect distraction.” Banjo, however, was an enigma even to those who knew him best. His unpredictability was both a strength and a liability. “But make sure he understands the gravity of the situation. I don’t want any of you getting hurt…”

"I don't think he'd do anything reckless. Plus, Banjo's pranks have never gotten anyone hurt." Haven began with a light shrug. She frowned for a second, before giving Harper a determined look.

"I'll take the fall for everything... if we get busted." She started, her tone holding a quiet strength to it. "I can handle my own, and you're going to do great things after graduation. So, I take the fall. Got it?"

After a brief pause, Harper spoke up. Her tone was sombre yet sincere as she addressed Haven.
"While I appreciate your willingness to take one for the team, we're in this together, and I can't let you shoulder the burden alone," she explained quickly, holding up her hand to stop any interruption. "I understand your need to protect. Trust me, I do. But we need to have each other's backs here.”

Harper's words were firm, leaving no room for argument. She knew that they had to do things her way, or not at all. "You're also going to do great things later, Haven," she added, with a hint of encouragement in her voice.

"Thanks, Harps." Haven smiled at Harper. She was fully aware that the brunette would admit to helping her, if it came down to it. "I'll get with Banjo at the plateau. Hopefully he's already planning something."

She turned away from Harper, her eyes returning to the open sky. A quick flight to the dorms to change, pack, and then she would be high above the campus and it's problems for a while. It would give her time to think... or just to forget about it all for a little. She broke into a light jog, and then her wings lifted her up and into the space above campus. Thank the heavens for bike shorts. She thought.

Little did Harper know, Haven didn't intend on letting her friend fall with her. She'd crashed plenty of times before, metaphorically and physically, and she still chose to take flight again and again. She trusted herself to do great things with or without a degree. This was the world Haven was used to. The world she'd accepted and vowed to make her own. She would carve out a space for herself somewhere. Even if the world wasn't ready for her yet.

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Commencement: A Pacific Royal Collegiate & University RP

^{| 0600 hrs // University Dorms}
Haven was up with the sun. The first morning light trickling through her window to warm her wings where she laid. Her bed sat in the middle of the far wall, so that when she stretched her feathered limbs the tips just barely grazed the walls on each side. She'd gotten to bed early last night, having thrown on a baggy tee as soon as she made it back to the dorm and collapsed on the bed.

She dressed in a pair of her own workout shorts and tee now. Picking a lucky hairband of the day off of her dresser, she threw her hair up into a tight ponytail. She opted for a window exit today. As she opened the window as wide as it could go, she perched herself on the sill for an easy takeoff. The morning air felt amazing in her lungs, and she smiled at the awakening dorms in the square. This time of morning was always so peaceful. It offered Haven a chance to slip out before the usual cacophony of students filled her ears.

She looked skyward now, towards a brightening blue sky. Her legs tensed, the muscles building up momentum before she launched herself into the air. Her wings snapped open to catch herself just as she made it past the roof of the dorms. They began to pump, bringing her higher and higher until she could see the entire campus below her. Salty Pacific air blew against her to her right, already pulling a few baby hairs from her ponytail. It would be a mess by the time she made it back to the dorm.

Haven tilted her wings, her body dipping a few feet as she turned towards her usual morning flight path. She soon left the campus behind, swapping buildings for the forests of Dundas Island. Her legs stretched out behind her, and her arms out beside her. Her wings did most of the work, really, but the muscles in her arms and legs had to withstand holding themselves up. She could hit the gym all she wanted, but a true workout meant regular morning flights to keep her body trained for flight. Otherwise her limbs would hang limply below her, gravity pulling them towards the earth.

The outer cliffs on the North side of campus were soon in sight. While most students walked the trails, Haven used them as a natural guide to follow. She'd walked them a few times before with her teammates. The cliffs were beautiful from the trails, but they were gorgeous from her own point of view beside them. She could watch the water crash into the rock below, and watch as the sun shone through the trees on the top.

When she reached the edge of the cliffs, Haven tucked her arms in tightly to her sides. Her wings followed suit, allowing her to dive right over the side. A rush of adrenaline filled her veins as she hurtled towards the water below. She grinned at the feeling. The speed she reached in a dive was addicting. When she first heard of people cliff-diving, she thought they were nuts. Yet when she first let herself dive off of a cliff she understood why they did it.

She had no intention of reaching the water today, though. As the sound of the crashing waves became too loud, Haven stretched her arms and wings out beside her to catch the wind. It stopped her about twenty feet from the water. She quickly banked left, coasting on the sea breeze as she turned herself towards the beaches.

She found herself thinking of last night as the sandy shores came into view. Her teammates hopes after graduation. Rory's whisper in her ear, and the softness in his eyes. The sun wasn't the only thing warming her wings as she remembered their intimate moment by the bonfire. The only things to ruin her happiness sitting there were her own teammates.

First there was Mei's subtle show of jealousy. That ball of silk hadn't gone unnoticed. The only physical indication that Haven had seen it was shown in the way her wings flinched behind her. She didn't want to find out how well Mei's silk would stick to her feathers, or how painful it might be to remove. Haven noted the meaning behind it, however, and she'd turned her head to face the fire instead of Rory. Her eyes watched Mei knit her silk for some time, until the other teammate to ruin the quiet evening spoke up.

Amma had spoken everyone's worst fear out loud. Haven had frowned at her, her brows knitting together to show her displeasure. The worst part of it all was that Amma hadn't lied to them. The world was a cruel place, especially for those who couldn't hide their differences. She didn't know everyone's trauma fully, but she was sure that she had dealt with more prejudice than most of the group.

Yet she had survived in the cruel world Amma spoke of for years, and she had found happiness in it. There was a silver lining out there somewhere. Amma had no right to crush her teammates spirits like that. She would have argued with her, if it weren't for Gil's attempt to continue the group's conversation. His optimism brought the group back to life. She wasn't sure if he had saved Amma from her own wrath, or he had saved her from getting the brunt of Amma's negativity thrown her way.

The thought had Haven glaring at the beach beneath her, her hands curling into fists beside her. She wasn't scared to bear Amma's full focus. The girl had issues, sure, but she wasn't evil incarnate. If Amma wanted to drag everyone into her negativity, Haven would be the light that pulled them back out of it. She would make herself the team's silver lining.

Haven finished her morning flight with gusto now, and made it to the mail office ten minutes before her assigned community contribution time. She made the deliveries into training, usually. The short bursts of flight to get the packages and mail delivered were also great practice in quick landings and departures in small spaces. If not for a previous record set by a superspeed alumni, Haven would've been considered the fastest mail service student at PRCU. She finished in no time, considering it was the first day of the semester and the mail pile had been small. It left her with just enough time to head back to the dorms to shower and change.

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H A V E N
H A V E N

_{Location: Mess Hall to Chimera's Lair - PRCU}

Welcome Home #1.043: Ruffled Feathers

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_{Interaction(s): rory @Webboysurf, Gil @Roman, Lorcán @Lord Wraith, Neighbor in Stadium}

Previously: Unexpected Turbulence

Haven tugged at the collar of her button-up as she left the dorms. The first day wearing the uniform, after a whole summer in tanks and tees, had never gotten any easier. She'd opted for the white dress shirt today. Her blazer bore the Strigidae house emblem and the Blackjack armband, a subtle display of her school spirit. They were only expected to be in uniform for the morning, so she chose to wear the black pleated skirt (with a pair of bike shorts underneath should she need to take flight) just because she had a chance to dress feminine. She even wore knee length black socks with her loafers to complete the look.

She grabbed breakfast in the mess hall before their meeting. A hearty meal, since lunch seemed so far away with the Homecoming Trial preparation on her mind. She invited any other Blackjack teammates to sit with her if she spotted them. Breakfast went quickly, and soon she was walking out of the mess hall to meet with the rest of the team.

The first person she noticed was Rory, standing next to Gil. What a sight he was, dressed in his uniform. She paused where she stood to admire it with a sly smile. Her attention hadn't even traveled south until Lorcán ran up behind the guys, planting a solid smack onto their cheeks. Haven's brows rose, playing the moment over in her head before she nodded in approval.

She moved over to join them, a smile on her face as if she hadn't seen the bromantical moment they'd shared. "Hey, boys." Lorcán's pants fell around his ankles, but Haven kept her eyes on their faces as if it hadn't happened. "Ready to build the freshie's course later?"

Tad's voice turned her attention to the front of the group. She began to follow as he lead them towards the stadium, glancing towards Rory so that she wouldn't bump into him as they walked. Not that she wouldn't mind it. "I always seem to forget how handsome you look in uniform." She murmured from beside him.

They reached the stadium before Haven could butter him up even more. Soon she was seated in her usual spot, unfortunately not next to the boy she'd just complimented. She sat on the edge of the row so she only had to mind her right wing beside her. With the whole student body gathered, it wasn't safe to sit a stool in the aisle to accommodate her.

O'Neil delivered a strong speech. Haven grinned as he made a joke meant for Banjo. The two newcomers on the stage caught her attention long before O'Neil introduced them. It was weird that the Foundation was here to survey the school, but Haven didn't think much of it. Instead, her heart dropped as she heard that several degrees were no longer valid. She turned her head towards her teammates that would be affected by this, her brows furrowing as she wondered if that included her own degree. To think that she'd studied so hard all these years to pass her classes just to leave empty handed. Or that she'd have to transfer to a different school and start all over again. Amma's words echoed in her head as she caught sight of the dark haired transfer and she frowned.

She'd just turned back to hear the rest of Jim's speech when the Foundation representative chose to interrupt the school's favorite faculty member. "What's with this bitch?" She murmured to her neighbor.

“As many of you are already aware, the Alexandria Foundation is here this year to audit Pacific Royal and to bring it up to our standards. We’re interested in acquiring this school and helping it move past that, what would you call it Mr. O’Neil? Little faux-pas with your previous Chancellor.”

Haven's expression turned deadly. The muscles in her back tensed as a shiver crawled up her spine and to the tips of her wings. Her feathers ruffled involuntarily. Yet the bitch continued on, as if she hadn't mentioned a terrorist in front of a student body that still bore the scars of Hyperion's acts. O'Neil regained control of the speech soon after, giving Haven a moment to take a slow and intentional breath through her nose.

"I'll give her a really nice Pacific Royal Welcome after this." She muttered under her breath.

Lorcán was the first out of the stadium. She'd heard his excuse to Aurora, among the student's murmuring, before the shuffle of his feet. When O'Neil had finished speaking, Haven was the next one to go. Her feathers were still embarrassingly fluffed out of frustration. She was itching to give the woman a piece of her mind, and yet she knew there was nothing she could do. She could always find something else to do with her life, without a degree. She'd done it before, although not as legally as she should have. It was the fact that her friends careers hung on the rep's say-so that burned her. It meant Haven would have to play nice for their benefit, and she surely would. Hopefully her temper wouldn't muck it up for them, should the Foundation truly decide to take over the school she'd grown to love.

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Commencement: A Pacific Royal Collegiate & University RP

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H A V E N
H A V E N

_{Location: The Beach - PRCU}

Welcome Home #1.031: Freebird

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_{Interaction(s): Lorcán @Lord Wraith, Aurora @Melissa, Rory @webboysurf, Banjo @Hound55, Others-Indirectly}

Previously: Unexpected Turbulence

Just when Haven thought she was safe from any more embarrassing shows of emotion, she just happened to catch Mei's approach to Rory when she heard the dark haired woman tap his shoulder. “Hey Rory! So..uhh.. Would you like to go to the dance with me?”

Haven's heart sputtered out like an engine that just hit a family of geese. She sighed through her nose, and proceeded to chug the rest of her seltzer before Rory could reply. The can was soon empty, just before she could hear Rory say...

"I'm sorry, Webs... I'm not really in the mood for jokes right now."

Haven's gaze immediately moved over to Rory. Instead of feeling relief from his answer, her heart sputtered back to life and twisted. The way Rory hung his head as he walked away from a potential, real date to the dance... He seemed pretty upset.

“Sky Betty, dude, I don't drink and surf.”

"Oh, you're right. My bad." She said as she tore her gaze away from Rory, giving Lorcán a small nod. She was wise not to drink too much if she expected to fly, either. Although there were plenty of nights that she'd had a bit too much, and was forced to stumble home or convince Banjo or Katja to give her a piggy-back to the dorms. For the record, that happened rarely.

Haven would have to check in on Rory later.

“Can someone tell me what just happened?” Haven heard Aurora's voice to her side.

Haven turned to Aurora to give her own explanation, as Calliope and Gil, or Gil copy, handled the boys. When she saw the state Aurora was in, sympathy filled her eyes. Her poor friend's face was almost as red as her hair. Although Haven had heard Aurora's rambling, she hadn't expected her to look this flustered either. She kept her voice low, so that neither Rory nor Lorcán would hear her answer.

"I'm not really sure myself." Haven replied as she shrugged and gestured towards Rory. "I thought Rory asked you out, too, and that's why I, uh..." She sighed softly. "Anyways, he just told Gil he didn't mean it like that."

Aurora shook her head with a small laugh before taking another sip of her seltzer. "If that's the case, Rory needs to practice thinking before speaking. I know he means well, but man, sometimes I wonder what goes through his mind." The redhead sighed, turning to Haven "What I'm also wondering is why you didn't tell me that you were into him sooner... you know I hang around him and Lorcán all the time, I could've done some stealth work if I knew you were interested."

Haven blinked, processing Aurora's words for a moment before a small grin spread across her lips. "Was it really that obvious, just now?" She held up the empty can of seltzer to her chin as she glanced over Rory's way once more. "I wouldn't have been mad if you said yes, by the way. Though I would have been jealous." Her grin grew wider as she looked back.

“I put two and two together,” Aurora shrugged, “I heard you choke on your drink.” She smirked at Haven before taking her hand reassuringly, her playful demeanor dissolving into sincerity. “I would have hated myself if I made you feel that way, I could never do that to you.”

Haven squeezed Aurora's hand. "I feel the same way. I'm not saying I'd be a good wingwoman," She paused to shake her head at the irony of that statement, "but I'll try my best if there's anyone you have in mind for yourself."

“Oh, uh- I don’t know if I need any assistance in that department right now.” The redhead felt her cheeks grow warm again. “I meant what I said before, I don’t know if I want to go with anyone. Kind of scares me if I’m being honest…”

Aurora let go of Haven’s hand and tucked a strand of her copper locks behind her ear. “Let’s just focus on getting you to the dance with Rory. I’ll ask Lorcán later if he knows anything.”

Haven pressed her lips together, glancing over at Mei where she stood. There was no doubt Mei was going to ask Rory again. Especially after he confused her question with a joke. "It's not the dance I'm worried about... It seems like Mei has feelings for him too," she murmured softly. She leaned down to grab a cider and Aurora's drink of choice out of the cooler, and shrugged as she turned back towards Aurora with a smile. "We can't let this perfect day go to waste, so either drink up or let's get in the water."

---

Haven's sneakered feet touched down on the sand for the second time today. This time freshly showered, wearing a brown tracksuit with a white tank underneath. Half of her hair was held back by a hairband to make sure the night breeze wouldn't blow it in her face. She looked over at the group, all sitting by the fire looking cozy. A bit behind them sat Rory, looking just as solemn as earlier in the day. She moved towards him, hoping she could get him out of his slump.

"Hey, Rory." Haven murmured from Rory's right as she sat crisscrossed beside him. She gave him a small smile as she looked his way. Into those sky blue eyes. In the growing darkness, it seemed like his eyes held storm clouds within them.

"How're you doing?" Her tone was casual, although her eyes showed her concern for him. She turned her head to watch the group mill about, stretching her wings out behind her as she rested her elbows on her knees. "The first day back is always so busy, catching up with everyone."

Rory had chosen a spot a little farther back from the fire, resting in the sand with one knee raised. He leaned forward, one elbow on the raised knee as he ran a thumb over a broken seashell resting in the sand. He seemed a bit startled as Haven approached him, but flashed a faint smile in acknowledgement. Despite the cold chill of the night, he felt sweat beginning to gather on his palms. But that feeling subsided, replaced instead by a modicum of comfort. He leaned back slightly, resting his free hand behind himself so he could turn and face Haven. He was silent for a moment, taking in the view of her illuminated in fire light as he thought for a moment. "I think I'll be ok... I'm just getting sick and tired of messing everything up all the time." He paused, turning his gaze away from Haven to look towards Lorcán by the fire. "It's like I'm playing a different game than everyone else most of the time. Or... maybe like everyone else knows the rules but me. And I just keep drawing fouls over and over, but the rules keep changing. So every play is the wrong play, y'know?

Haven chuckled softly, turning her head towards him once more. Her smile faltered a moment as she noticed where his attention had gone to, but she decided not to bring it up directly. "I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one who feels that way."

Rory tilted his head, yet again confused as he looked back towards Haven. "I don't follow. You always seem so..." Rory paused, staring into her eyes as he searched for understanding, "Free. And you don't seem to fumble things up the way I do, from what I've seen." Rory turned his gaze away from Haven instinctively, looking at the ground a moment as he weakly tossed the shell away from them.

Haven reached over to pick up the shell, admiring it for a moment before she set it down between them. "It's taken a lot of mistakes to get to where I am now. I've learned it's best to be patient with myself. There are still plenty of new feelings and experiences," she looked into his eyes, because she knew that Rory was at the center of those feelings now, "that are just as exciting as they are scary." She didn't want to make this about herself, so she decided to breach the topic that made him so upset in the first place.

"We all know you meant well, earlier." She leant towards him and spoke softer now, so that the rest of the group wouldn't hear her. "That's all that matters. You've always been hard on yourself, and it shows how much you really care. I hope you can give yourself the same patience as I do with myself."

Rory chuckled softly as he looked to Haven. "I thought I was the psych major." He looked towards the others around the campfire, shaking his head. "You're right. It's something to work on." Rory climbed up to his feet, and held a hand out to Haven to help her up. "We should join back with the others before we get too sappy."

Haven beamed up at him, already glad to see that he was feeling better. "Sounds good, Rory." She took his hand, feeling it's warmth around her own. That warmth spread throughout her as she let him pull her to her feet. "Wanna sit next to me?"

Rory nodded, pulling Haven up with relative ease. His hand held on to hers tightly for a moment, before he just quickly let go and moved a free hand to rub the back of his neck. He was hoping she didn't see his cheeks grow a shade darker in the dim light, and simply nodded towards the fire. "Lead the way, freebird."

Haven giggled at the nickname, and headed to join the group. She stuffed her hands in her jacket's pockets to keep herself from reaching for his hand again. The little squeeze and the flush in his cheeks hadn't gone unnoticed, but she didn't want to push him when Mei's invitation to the dance still lingered in the back of her mind. Pushing that thought to the very back of her conscious, she aimed for a spot between Banjo and Gil that looked big enough for her wings and for Rory to sit next to her.

"I'm hoping to volunteer for the U.S. Forest Service this summer, before I start my career." Haven responded to Lorcán as she sat on the sand next to Banjo. She dapped the blondie on the shoulder as a greeting, and looked at the rest of the group. "It depends on how friendly they are with hypes, but there has to be at least one Ranger out there that will accept me." She shrugged as if the comment wasn't as heavy as it seemed. "If I go, feel free to visit me in the states, Lorcán. The American National Parks are gorgeous."

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Commencement: A Pacific Royal Collegiate & University RP

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H A V E N
H A V E N

_{Location: The Beach - PRCU}

Welcome Home #1.026: Unexpected Turbulence

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_{Interaction(s): Rory @webboysurf, Pallyx @Bartimaeus, Calliope @PatientBean, Gil @Roman, Lorcán @Lord Wraith}

Previously: A Shorebird for a Day

Haven couldn't deny the way her heart fluttered as Rory came to stand next to her. His blue eyes were like a wide open sky. The way she had to tilt her head back a bit to see them when he stood this close gave her the same sensation as the freeing moment when her feet first lift off the ground. It was a feeling she hadn't felt towards a person before.

Then he was complimenting her, in his own bashful way. Her smile widened as he did so. When it came to compliments, Haven didn't blush and shy away. Instead, the rush of heat that would have gone to her cheeks spread from her shoulders to her the tips of her wings and toes as he gestured to all of her. Wings. The nickname he gave her years ago had once been an insult to her long before her time at PRCU. When he said it now, it made her proud to have it.

Rory had turned his attention away from her, which gave Haven's skin a chance to cool as she turned to smile at Aurora. In her peripherals she could see that Rory was wiping sweat off his forehead. An implication that he had also experienced the same heat wave that she had. The thought made her wish that Rory hadn't given up the effort so quickly.

Unfortunately, she also noticed the subtle way that Rory's face fell when Aurora asked about his brother. She glanced over at him, before Aurora turned to her now. Haven nodded. "I could be out there all day if I wanted." She responded before Aurora, as Haven expected, turned her undivided attention onto Lorcán. She glanced between the two, a knowing smile growing on her lips before she decided to give them their space.

She turned to Pallyx, who was already sipping on the cider Rory had handed over. "I don't know why I grabbed this." She held up her seltzer. "Cider is way better." Pallyx's eyes were on the other three at the coolers, undoubtedly thinking what everyone else thought when Lorcán and Aurora were speaking to each other. She could even hear Calliope and Banjo discussing it where they sat. Haven simply shrugged, and decided to down half of the seltzer just to finish the drink quicker.

She lifted the drink to her lips, the coolness of it refreshing. Her head turned as she continued to chug, to watch as Rory approached the two shy lovebirds. For a moment she wondered why he hadn't thought to join her and Pallyx. Although it seemed like he had an idea, and was set on accomplishing it before something distracted him.

"Hey Red, Hot Shot over here just reminded me... there's this senior dance after the Homecoming Trials. You want to go?"

Haven nearly choked on her drink. Her wings flared behind her as she tried her best to swallow what she had left. She lowered the can away from her, her left hand coming up to wipe away the bit of seltzer that dripped from her lips. Then she gave Pallyx a thumbs up, in case her sudden reaction caught her friends attention. In the distance she could hear Banjo's cackle, and Calli's mention that Rory was at least trying. Trying to what, though?

“Bro, _{I don’t know what you think you’re doing}-,” Haven could hear every word Lorcán was saying as she quietly coughed to clear her throat, “-_{But I’m pretty sure you’re doing it wrong.}”

She recovered from her shock just in time to hear Lorcán's words to Aurora. What did Aurora think of this? _{She won't say yes, right?} ... She has every right to say yes if she wanted to. Suck it up. There was no reason for her to get jealous like this. Pallyx sucked in a breath beside her, and Haven glanced towards the trio in time to see why her friend had cringed.

As someone who has always had to pick herself up, Haven thought that Lorcán didn't need to know that she also witnessed his fall. She could already hear Calliope and Gil on the way to help him, whether he wanted it or not. So Haven turned her eyes away from the scene. Almost desperate to hide her own reaction to Rory's question, anyways. Why had he asked Aurora?

Why am I letting this get to me? She thought. These feelings for him hadn't even taken flight until last year, and he wasn't the only one on her mind these days either. The reason she hadn't been with anyone in Blackjack before was because they were her friends before anything else. So if Rory wanted to take someone else, then she was happy for him. She could handle it, like she had handled many disappointments before.

The hardest part of having enhanced hearing was that even though Haven was trying to mind her business, she could hear everything Calliope was saying to Lorcán as she helped him to his feet. "You and I both know he meant well. You're smart, you're attractive, and you are one of the sweetest guys I know. Whether or not Aurora sees through this thinly veiled attempt to get the two of you together, she likes you too. It's a girl thing, trust me." Suddenly her heart felt much lighter. She breathed a soft sigh, and finally moved her eyes back over to Rory. He hadn't said "with me" when he asked Aurora. He would have said them, right?

"What would we do without 'er, huh?" Pallyx chimed in beside her, having caught onto the situation as well. Haven's returning smile expressed her own relief. She turned towards Calli, Gil, and Lorcán and decided to adopt Pallyx's cheerful disposition. "Thanks, mom and dad." She teased Calli and Gil. "Maybe get a water for Lorcán, too. He might have had enough drinks for the day." Hopefully joking that Lorcán was drunk would save him from explaining why he fell over to begin with. Maybe her jokes would hide the fact that she'd been as upset as the fire bender as well.

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Commencement: A Pacific Royal Collegiate & University RP

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H A V E N
H A V E N

_{Location: The Beach - PRCU}

Welcome Home #1.014: A Shorebird for a Day

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_{Interaction(s): Lorcán @Lord Wraith, Rory @webboysurf, Pallyx @Bartimaeus, Casual Wave towards Others}

Previously: N/A

A few yards from the Blackjack reunion laid an unfolded PRCU towel. A pair of tan sandals and denim shorts laid on top to keep the sea breeze from blowing it away. It's owner had been missing for a while, lost to the sun and waves on such a beautiful day. If one peered out over the horizon for long enough, they might catch a glimpse of the owner. If they didn't know her, they'd see a large seabird with legs.

Haven soared over the rolling waves, pure bliss written across her face since she left the shore. Her wings beat powerful strokes against the cool air coming from the north, the muscles in her back doing all of the work for her. The high sun above warmed her feathers and skin, which had become tanned and lightly freckled over her summer vacation. Her hair was a wild whip of golden-brown behind her. A pocket of thermal air rose up beneath her and she simply coasted for a few moments. The weightlessness that came with these moments was a feeling that she wished she could bottle.

Her coasting brought her up a few meters or so, and she found herself gliding alongside some seagulls. She looked over at them, noticing their curiosity in the way their feathers dipped on their left side to fly a little closer to her. They lingered for a moment, before turning away towards the shore as they undoubtedly decided that they had seen enough for the day. Haven chuckled to herself before the last of the warm air left the tips of her feathers. She leaned her head back, arching her body and her wings to somersault and dive towards the water below.

Her wings stretched out beside her as she leveled herself out again, the muscles in her back going taut as she caught herself a few meters above the water. From this view the water seemed to glisten in the sunlight. The ripples appearing like blades of grass at her speed. She leaned her body left, and her wings tipped to turn her towards the shoreline.

Ahead of her was the boat Haven had seen Banjo and his butler and babysitter fishing from earlier. She took herself up into the air, flying just high enough to miss the fishing lines and the upper level. "The fish are to your left!" She called out to the Butler below as she passed him overhead. If he hadn't seen her coming, her voice would have been carried along the wind and her shadow passing overhead the only indication that she'd been by. Lilting laughter also might have been heard fading away as she headed inland.

Even this far out, Haven could see the beach had come alive since she left it. She scanned the crowd, searching for her things and any familiar faces. In a happy coincidence, she spotted her things just a few yards from her favorite teammates. The boys were gathering around the cluster of girls, and poor Lorcan had just gotten a face-full of leather. Her wings beat faster now, eager to join her friends on land.

She was a flurry of feathers, her hands tucked in at her sides to ease the friction of air against her. She coasted the air coming off of a wave, angling herself up and over it's crest just as it began to reach the shallows. While she focused on slowing herself down, she looked for a clear space to land and fortunately found one close to the group.

Haven soon lowered herself onto the sand, her wings beating downwards to make her landing as light as a feather. The sand was warm under her bare feet. Another feeling Haven wished she could bottle up for a rainy day. She dug her toes into the sand for a moment, before looking towards the gathered members of Blackjack. A grin spread across her face as she tucked her wings in and headed towards them.

Rory and Lorcan stood closest to her. She pushed her hair back from her face as she approached them, trying to keep her eyes from lingering on Rory's exposed muscles for too long. "Hey, boys." She called in greeting as she approached them in a lime green swim short combo. "You alright, Lorcan? I saw you eat leather from a mile away." Haven teased him with a little grin. She noticed Pallyx standing by the cooler and waved at her with a bright smile. Then she simply sent a salute towards the others gathered around the umbrellas as her legs carried her over to the cooler. She smiled towards Rory as she pulled out a Claw and cracked it open. Her eyes crinkled around the edges. "Thanks for bringing the drinks, Rory."

---

Commencement: A Pacific Royal Collegiate & University RP

H A V E N
H A V E N

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_{^{"Watch the feathers."}}

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C H A R A C T E R P O R T R A I T C H A R A C T E R P O R T R A I T _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ C H A R A C T E R S U M M A R Y C H A R A C T E R S U M M A R Y _________________________________________________________ Haven Barnes _________________________________________________________ June 3rd, 2007 | 21 | Caucasian/Italian _________________________________________________________ Single | Female | Heterosexual _________________________________________________________ Copper Harbor | Michigan | USA _________________________________________________________ Strigidae | Team 21 - Blackjack C H A R A C T E R S T A T S C H A R A C T E R S T A T S _________________________________________________________ ◼ B U I L D || Mesomorph ◼ H A I R C O L O U R || Golden Brown ◼ E Y E C O L O U R || Hazel ◼ H E I G H T || 5'7" ◼ W E I G H T || 140 lbs ◼ S C A R S || Faded Scars ◼ T A T T O O S || None ◼ P I E R C I N G S || None ◼ O T H E R || N/A

C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T ________________________________________________________________________________________ Haven's earliest memories involve her mother. She remembers sleeping in a car or motels, eating grilled cheese for most meals, and many days in the back of a salon playing with the toys in the lost and found box. She was six when she was taken away by CPS. From then on, Haven remembers the smell of cigarettes and old carpets. The sound of loud TV's and arguments. Every now and then she'd be placed with other kids, but she'd never stay long enough to get to know them. Not until her last placement. Haven's final foster placement was in a home for lost girls. While the rules were strict, Haven quickly found a way around them. She even found a friend, who felt more like a sister to her. They made the most of their little lives at the home. When the two began to mature, Haven was inflicted by Virumosis. Her friend became a young woman, but Haven suddenly became something strange and unknown. Her wings sprouted slowly, growing much like a young bird's would. When they grew to a size that she couldn't hide Haven decided that it was time to leave the home. The other girls bullied her. Even the faculty looked at her with disgust. Her found sister was the only one who wanted her there. Before Haven could find out what the home would do with a hyperhuman orphan, Haven dipped. She took off into the mountains, away from any unwanted attention. She adapted to life as a scavenger through trial and error. Some nights she'd sleep in the trees, and some nights she'd break into vacant vacation homes or cabins for a warm bed. Her wings grew stronger, and soon she decided to use them for their natural purpose. Learning to fly was also a trial and error process. Most of the scars on her arms and legs are from those efforts. When the weather began to dip below comfortable temps, Haven headed south. After a few years of living this way, Haven had an unfortunate run in with the law. She was turned over to H.E.L.P. soon after that, and remained at a temporary home for hyperhuman children until she was given the chance to apply to PRCU. It took some effort, and her entrance test results were below average, but she had an agent advocate for her. Freshman year at PRCU was a rough transition period. On top of adjusting to a social life after years of being on her own, Haven also had to worry about Hyperion's attacks while managing good grades. Somehow she managed to overcome all three. Haven bloomed at PRCU. She found people who accepted her, and a team that stuck together through the roughest parts. Now entering into her final year, Haven is working hard to decide what her next steps will be. D E T A I L E D A P P E A R A N C E & A E S T H E T I C D E T A I L E D A P P E A R A N C E & A E S T H E T I C ________________________________________________________________________________________ Haven has an athletic, yet slim build with broad shoulders to support her wings and strong legs for takeoff. The virumosis made her naturally toned, but she keeps active to maintain the muscles that support her wings and to get stronger every day. Her back muscles are the strongest part of her body. She has medium length hair with a natural wave, which normally has a mind of it's own. She's always pushing it out of her face or sticking it up in a ponytail so she won't have to deal with it. Baby hairs surround her face, which is still in the process of maturing. Since freshman year her face has grown sharper, yet a bit of baby fat still shows in her cheeks when she smiles. Her eyes are sharp and observant, seeming to peer through to a person's core. Her expression is flat, appearing like a RBF to those who don't know her well enough. That changes quickly if she is talking to someone she cares for, transforming into a warm smile. Haven's wings span eleven feet across when stretched to their full length. They sprout between her shoulder blades, with a small patch of feather tissue connecting them of about two inches. This patch is the same tawny color as the top of her wings. If you were to compare her wings to an actual bird, they are most similar to a tawny eagle. Her wings begin a tawny brown, which then turns darker shades of brown as her feathers reach down to the tips. The underside of her wings repeat the same pattern, albeit ending in a lighter shade of brown than the tops. In her freshman year, all of Haven's clothes were hand-me-downs, lost and found pieces, or donations from the Salvation Army. As the years went on, she's collected her own brand new clothes. Her style outside of the classroom involves a lot of neutral clothing with small pops of naturally found colors. All of her tops have hand-sewn slits in them to adapt to her wings. She dresses like she could fly off into the mountains at any point and stay comfortable with layers, jeans or cargo pants, and a flannel or jacket on top of a tank top. For shoes she wears boots or sneakers she's able to run in. M A N N E R I S M S & P E R S O N A L I T Y M A N N E R I S M S & P E R S O N A L I T Y ________________________________________________________________________________________ Once a reserved and rather snappy freshman, Haven has relaxed into her true nature. She's an open book, confident in her feelings and decisions. She's blunt with her words, and might overstep boundaries on occasion, but she is quick to learn from it and adjust. She's generally a go-with-the-flow type of person. She loves freely, and is fiercely protective of the people she cares about. She's not afraid to start a fight. Haven isn't the brightest on the team, but her observant nature makes up for it. She's capable of piecing clues together. She also isn't the one to go to for advice, mostly because she's not sure what to do either. Instead, she is the one to go to when it's time to let loose. To truly just enjoy being alive. When it comes to the other gender, Haven has never committed to a serious relationship. It might come from the fear of rejection, or it might be because she is afraid of being tied down to anything. Still, she's sure that one day someone will be capable of grounding her.

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A B I L I T I E S, L I M I T A T I O N S, & W E A K N E S S E S A B I L I T I E S, L I M I T A T I O N S, & W E A K N E S S E S ________________________________________________________________________________________ H Y P E R H U M A N A B I L I T Y || A V I A N P H Y S I O L O G Y __PRIMARY CLASSIFICATION || Esoteric __SECONDARY CLASSIFICATION || Somatic __POWER SCALE || 2 __THREAT CLASSIFICATION || Σ Haven's physiology was affected through Virumosis to adapt avian qualities. The Virumosis altered her lungs, vision, hearing, muscles, and more importantly granted her feathers and bone on her back. The HZE ions that she internalizes are stored in her muscles and provide the strength that is needed to operate her wings and other avian abilities. To be specific... Haven's HZE ions enhance her lung capacity. Her lungs process O2 more efficiently than a normal human, meaning she is able to withstand low O2 zones and hold her breath for extended periods of time. Haven's muscles also burn through HZE ions to allow her the heightened strength, stamina, and make her body capable of adjusting to different altitudes and atmospheric conditions that come with high altitudes during flight. This can come in handy in colder or hotter conditions on ground. Akin to a bird's vision and hearing, Haven is capable of seeing and hearing over greater distances, seeing sharper images, the ultraviolet spectrum, and has a wider field of perception around her. Haven is capable of flying up to 57 kmh (36mph) given excellent physical and atmospheric conditions. When performing a dive, Haven is capable of doubling her speed. Finally, to adapt to minimal spaces (and hiding from the general population), Haven has trained her wings to be capable of tucking tightly to her backside. This is unaffected by HZE ions and is merely due to her own strength. L I M I T A T I O N S || C L E A R E D F O R T A K E O F F ? Haven's greatest limitation would be considered spatial difficulty. If she decides to take flight, she must ensure there is enough space around her to expand her wings to at least 2/3rds her wingspan. Haven's sense of taste and smell are also diminished similar to any avian. Finally, Haven isn't capable of adjusting to extremely unsafe environments such as the center of a volcano, the arctic's, or space without normal human attire/supplies/equipment. W E A K N E S S E S || F U E L Haven's weaknesses boil down to two simple necessities: Physical durability and the HZE ions in her body. In addition to relying on HZE ions to power her muscles, Haven must provide her body with nourishment and rest to be able to withstand her abilities. She must also keep her body trained to support her wings. In the event an Electron Beam Irradiation is used against her, the HZE ions that power her strength and muscles falter. She will feel weaker, and will rely solely on the muscles she has trained herself to carry the weight of her wings. Additionally, Haven's enhanced hearing leaves her sensitive to loud noises. For example, she's easily disoriented by the firing of a gun at close range. P L O T ( S ) & G O A L ( S ) P L O T ( S ) & G O A L ( S ) ________________________________________________________________________________________ Haven is working towards a world that won't shun her for her hyperhuman physiology. She hopes to be there for others who are struggling to fit in, and to help them accept and adapt to their new identity.

S K I L L S & T A L E N T S S K I L L S & T A L E N T S _________________________________________________________ S K I L L S ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ ◼ S E W I N G || Haven learned to sew on her own in order to adapt her clothes to her wings. She can also apply this medically, having sewn up cuts from rough landings while she was rogue. ◼ L O C K P I C K || Haven learned quickly that it was better to open locked doors than to smash windows. ◼ F I R E S T A R T E R || Haven's capable of starting a fire with naturally found tools. T A L E N T S ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ ◼ A E R I A L M O V E S || Haven has observed the way different avians coast on updrafts, turn at sharp angles, and even communicate by using their wings. She'll teach you their language if you ask. C H A R A C T E R A R S E N A L C H A R A C T E R A R S E N A L _________________________________________________________ A T T I R E ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ ◼ H A I R B A N D || Haven always keeps a hair band on her wrist. She has plenty more in her dorm room. I T E M ( S ) ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ ◼ M E D K I T || Haven keeps a simple med kit in her bag at all times. T O O L ( S ) ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ ◼ H I K E R ' S K N I F E || Haven's lucky, lightweight folding knife that reaches 7" long when extended. It has a pocket clip, excellent grip, and serrations at it's base capable of sawing small tree limbs. A D D I T I O N A L N O T E S A D D I T I O N A L N O T E S _________________________________________________________ [+] - M I S C E L L A N E O U S ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ ◼ Haven has a completely rational fear of HZErs. Her wings are a part of her soul, and if the device is used on her it would be like losing a part of herself. No matter how temporary it might be, the loss of her flight terrifies her. She is fiercely protective of her wings. It's rare that she has allowed another person to touch them. - P O S T C A T A L O G P O S T C A T A L O G _________________________________________________________ [+] - P O S T C A T A L O G ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ ◼ -

P E R S O N A L P R O M P T S
P E R S O N A L P R O M P T S

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_{E N T E R I N G I N T O Y O U R F I N A L Y E A R, W H A T A D V I C E D O Y O U H A V E T O A N E W S T U D E N T?}

"I'd tell them to open themself up to the experience. It took me a bit, but once I put myself out there I realized this was the best place for me. Hopefully they'll find their way here, too."

_{W H A T W E R E Y O U R A S P I R A T I O N S W H E N Y O U S T A R T E D H E R E? W H A T C H A N G E D, W H A T S T A Y E D T H E S A M E?}

"Well, I really just wanted to figure life out while getting educated. I wanted to be around people who accepted me... and I found them."

Subject shifts uncomfortably.

"What's changed? My grades have definitely improved. I'm not top of the class or anything, but I'm not at the bottom anymore. I'm still figuring out life, though."

_{I F Y O U C O U L D M A K E O N E C H A N G E T O Y O U R T I M E A T P . R . C . U ., W H A T W O U L D I T B E?}

"I definitely could have studied more."

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R E L A T I O N S H I P S H E E T
R E L A T I O N S H I P S H E E T

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_{☯ NEUTRAL ☯ || ☮ FRIENDS ☮ || ♫ BEST FRIENDS ♫ || § TENSE § || ♥ CRUSH ♥ || ☠ ENEMIES ☠}

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☮ Baxter, Harper ☮ "I've looked up to Harper since I met her. She has a great eye, literally and figuratively. If I have a problem I can't solve, she's my go to." ☮ Galahad, Gil ♥ "He's a charmer. I watched Crestwood Hollow just to see what all the hype around him was about. I get it now." ☮ Mitchell, Aurora ☮ "We understand each other, the same way all foster kids do. She's stronger than you think." ☮ Roth, Lorcán ☮ "I think he'd make a great travel buddy. I could show him some spots in the US National Parks that would blow his mind." ______________________________________	☯ Cahors, Amma ☯ "I respect her for her strength. All I really know about her is that she's a transfer from the Foundation. I'm looking forward to the day she opens up to us." ☮ Hisamatsu, Mei ☮ "Mei's great! I seek her out at parties and for study groups. Did you know she has a pilot license? I'd love to fly next to her someday." ▅ ☮ Olyphant, Banjo ☮ "He's like the brother I never had, in the way he's as annoying as he is caring." ▅ ♥ Tyler, Rory ♥ "He's endearing, and it's easy to open up to him." ______________________________________	☮ de Leon, Calliope ☮ "She's one of the smartest people I know. I think she's warmed up to me since freshman year, but I know better than to push my luck." ☮ Kruger, Katja ☮ "She's just as outgoing and socially clueless as I am, which makes us the perfect team at a party." ☮ Penada, Pallyx ☮ "She's always down for a late night adventure. We've gotten each other through tons of math tests, too." ______________________________________ ______________________________________

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Ju-V

H A V E N B A R N E S

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Haven's nose was still wrinkled in memory of the plane as she heard the door to the girl's ward open. The expression quickly vanished, her eyes moving towards the door. Down the hallway, the guard stopped after a few paces, knocked, announced dinner, and began to repeat the action every few seconds.

Haven pushed herself up onto her knees, her wings slowly tucking behind her. The muscles in her back groaned at the movement, and yet she didn't have to force them to move. The moment of rest had been appreciated, however small a moment it had been.

"They're coming to get us for dinner now." Haven murmured as she moved to swing her legs off of the bed. By the time her boots touched the ground, the guard had reached their door and repeated her command.

Haven could hear the others filing into the hallway now. Despite being able to collect herself in the peace of her and Zee's room, she could feel herself growing anxious about returning to another potentially chaotic mix of people. Her first instinct was to reach for her jacket, and yet she didn't make the move. Yeah, she could keep them safe underneath it. Away from any wandering eyes or anxious hands. (She hoped that Fritz would have a private dinner tonight. No ill will towards him, but she wasn't sure she wanted him near her again today. ) Yet putting the jacket on felt a lot like hiding. Wasn't the point of coming here, to surround herself with people like her, that she didn't have to hide?

Haven pressed her lips together, the thought giving her the strength to rejoin Ju-V's little society with determination. She left her backpack sitting at the end of the bed and moved towards the door. She hadn't gone a moment without it in so long that it felt odd.

"Do you want to sit with me?" She asked Zelda as she reached for the handle. She pushed down on it, opening their quiet space up to the shuffle of others outside.

Before her determination was lost, Haven moved into the hallway. She slipped into an open spot in the line, careful not to get too close to anyone, and followed the group through Ju-V's facility, Zelda hopefully in tow behind her.

It wasn't long before they reached a set of two open doors, leading into what looked like a school cafeteria she'd seen in movies before. It wasn't as colorful or filled with banners and posters as the movies had, but it was close enough. What really caught her attention was that the tables seemed glued to the floor. Their matching -backless, thank the heavens- seats were also cemented into the floor as well. No one was throwing a chair or tossing a table at anyone in here.

The boys were entering from the opposite side, and moving towards the same food line as they were. Haven searched the faces, seeing the new Ju-Vies mixed in with the ones they met in the recreation room earlier. She didn't get to find Wes or Fritz before she found the line in front of her had stopped to let the first in line grab their dinner.

She turned her head forward, peering around the girl in front of her to try to get a glimpse at what was on the menu tonight. She'd eaten an absolutely delicious breakfast sandwich at the airport before her flight. The type of sandwich with the croissant bread that Haven hadn't had in years.

Usually with her metabolism she would have been hungry again by midday, but her stomach hadn't made a single complaint. Not until she laid her eyes on the food being served on plastic trays. She moved her hand to her stomach, now counting down the moment that she could get a bite of it. She was used to canned food, or processed fast food paid by stolen wallets, so she didn't really care what it tasted like. Even if food hadn't tasted the same since she hit puberty. The stress of the day must have kept the hunger at bay, but now it came back in full force.

"Looks like we're having some kind of frozen TV dinner, but maybe a little better made," Haven said to who she assumed was Zee behind her. She turned her head behind her to look, but quickly realized it wasn't Zee at all.