PatientBean

The Dead Don't Die.

Location: New York City, First Floor -> Verity's Office
Skills: N/A

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Verity was a bit taken aback. If what the office said was true, then the body in the bag should be dead. Verity wasn't a doctor or anything but she watched enough Grey's Anatomy and Chicago Med to know that if a body loses a lot of blood....well that's it. Verity waved it off though. If they weren't worried, she shouldn't be either. She turned and walked back into the building when she got a text from Trudy.

An interview would get her back into the mindset that this whole ordeal shot out of whack. Verity quickly sent off a reply. "Heading back up in 5. Send them in shortly after." Verity got into the elevator and quickly did some mindfulness deep breathing to calm her senses back down. Having been reminded of that car crash as well as whatever was in that ambulance had done a number on her mental state. Her chakras were probably all out of order now. She needed to center.

Back on her floor she beelined it for her office to ensure it looked nice. Once satisfied she sat down at her desk to wait for the interviewer.

Commencement: A Pacific Royal Collegiate & University RP

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_{Location: Southern Plateau, Dundas Island - Pacific Royal Campus}

Welcome Home #1.95: Making A Memory

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_{Interaction(s): Banjo (@Hound55))}

Previously: Hollywood and Glam

As Calli lay there in her ensemble, she fought hard to stop the thoughts of how silly she was and how stupid she looked. Despite the years at PRCU she wasn't quite over the torment she faced in her childhood. It was especially present in her early adolescent years when her father took her to the side to explain how her budding womanhood would be a boon for them.

Even now she hated the words he used. The feelings he made her feel as he talked. She looked to her mother for guidance but her mom only found solace at the bottom of a wine glass or in the bed of another man.

She heard footsteps approach and shook herself alert. She heard Banjo speak but he came into the tent before she could respond.

And the look he gave her told her all she needed to hear.

"Like what you see handsome?" she purred, allowing the words to wash over him, hoping to excite him.

"Whoa..."

Words, ya deadset dropkick.

Suddenly Banjo's mouth went dry, and every word he knew fell out of his head.

You are good at words. Say what they will about ya, but everyone knows that much. Or are you only good with em when you're trying to get OUT of a situation? Get it together and say somethin', ya dag.

When did she even pack that? He asked himself, scooping the fallen words back into his head. One outfit and a sultry sentence, and he was temporarily cast back to the inexperienced boy he'd been in this place five years ago, stumbling and bumbling over himself around her, trying too hard to make her happy.

You have a question. That's something to say. Use it. At least until you get your shit back together.

"Very much, yeah." He said, sliding his shoes off by the tent's entrance and approaching. "So, uhh, when exactly did all of this happen, then?" He gestured to her lace outfit. "You'll hear no complaints out of me. Just... Unexpected."

It might not have been the exact reaction she was hoping for. She would have gathered he'd torn off all of his clothes and made his way toward her, but she would take it. "It was something Jim pointed out during my meeting with him. The dance is a single moment and should be treated as such. Even if we are angry at the Foundation or the school it shouldn't detract from enjoying things as they come."

As she spoke, her finger traced the lace outlining the fabric close to her breast. If only to ensure Banjo paid attention to the important things. "So I want to make a memory with you." She beckoned him with her eyes, hoping the guy would catch the hint.

'Enjoying things as they--' Hoo boy! His eyes traced her hands. The bottom fell out of his head and the words tumbled out again.

Won't be needing those anyway... He said, letting them all fall away. Hup, wait... Maybe that one. He snatched just one, as he let everything drop to the floor along with his clothes.

"Absolutely." He said, throwing his last word. Before he joined her in bed, kissing her warmly.

The embrace fulfilled all she had needed. Just to have him within her arms was enough. Five years meant something. It meant everything.

She could feel the voice tugging at the back of her mind. That evil voice that wanted her to stop it all and never enjoy a good thing. She quickly shut it out. She wanted to enjoy this moment. She wanted Banjo to enjoy this moment.

No not Banjo. Andrew. A name he held dear that he trusted her with and knew it meant something when she said it.

She responded to his touch, feeling the warmth spread through her body. "Andrew..." she uttered as she allowed him to take control. It was her gift. She had wanted control for so long that it took a while to find someone she was willing to let go for. To allow them to have her as she was.

He kissed her throat, the side of her neck, his fingers ran a trail across her sides, as he felt her walls fall. Happy to be. He kept kissing down. As his fingers kept exploring her.

He heard 'Andrew' leave her lips, without judgement, and he left them without rebuttal. Here, in this place, he would absorb them.

With her, he would take everything she had to give him. Everything that she could want of him would be hers.

Without words, he found another use for his mouth, and felt a brief rush of pride as he felt the bedding next to his head get bunched up in her quick grasp.

She allowed herself to loosen, feeling him touch her with hand and mouth and she delivered in kind. She gripped the bedding and allowed herself to enjoy this shared moment between them.

She tried not to be too loud, fearing the others would hear them, but she also did not mind. They knew her and Banjo were together and probably assumed they were intimate. Let them hear. She nearly laughed at her boldness. The Calliope of the past would surely not be this open.

Their rhythm was generating solidly. Attuned to one another, though this was not like the romance movies where the main characters fell in sync almost immediately. She was reminded of the awkward boy and she, the naive girl, and how weird it was at first. Relationships took work. Love was not something to be trifled with.

And it was love.

"I love you..Andrew..." she said between breaths.

With his mouth full, and no words, he chose to show rather than tell. There'd be time for that later. Her words buoyed him, and he rewarded her for them enthusiastically.

Slowly, he raised a free hand, and placed it on hers, where she gripped the bedding, and she turned her hand and clutched his. He felt her wanting as much of him as she could give. More connection. Her nails dug into the back of his hand in a quickened grasp and a gasp, and he felt home in ways he never did when away from her.

After a while as her breathing settled, he kissed his way up, and took her face, framing it in his hand. He looked deep into her eyes, and with his pride and confidence bringing some words with them, he uttered everything she wanted to hear.

"I love you too, Calliope."

She felt his hand grab hers, as a comfort as well as a control, and she met him, allowing herself to feel everything. In this moment with him, it was as if the world outside froze to allow them this time to make it matter. She said she wanted to make a new memory with him and this was shaping to be one she would not forget. A reminder as they got older how, despite the heaviness of the day and recent events, what mattered was that they were there. And they were together.

His words of affirmation lit a fire inside of her. She had heard the words before from others she assumed meant it, though actions spoke louder. And Banjo was nothing if not a man of action.

She tried not to hurt him, but could not help it. He didn't seem to mind.

This was what it felt like to be truly loved by someone who wanted nothing more than for her to be herself.

Her breathing slowed and she controlled herself. She reached up and put her hand to his cheek, enjoying the touch and feel of his skin.

Her face in his hand, he saw a single strand of long hair hanging down in front of her face, matted to her forehead out of place in perspiration.

A strand which would never be allowed out of place at any other time. Held back by a silent presence which had always passively held her to a standard of perfection even in its absence. A presence she hated, but still affected and shaped her in the ways any formative influence would.

The hair stood as proof to the presence's absence in this place. Here she was truly liberated. And to him, she had never looked more beautiful.

After all, he knew how much it could take to shake the formative influences in one's life.

He pulled her close, and together they entwined.

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The two lay there next to each other, her hand in his as her thumb ran over his back and forth. "So, was it a nice surprise?" Calliope had meant her newly acquired lingerie, though anything might have been the surprise in this instance. She leaned her head into the crook of his neck, content to remain there for a few moments more. She was sure no one missed them. And if they heard them, they didn't bother calling it out.

"You are... the master of understatement." He turned his head slightly to kiss her forehead before moving back.

"Incredibly nice... and incredibly surprising."

He lay their in a weird mental place. Focus heightened from the repeated use of his power that day, but mind cleared from the post-coital afterglow.

Calliope smiled, happy to have surprised Banjo. And even herself, if she were being honest. "Whatever happens here, with the school, with the Foundation, even with Blackjack, I am glad I have you. Through it all, through all we've been through, you have been the rock I needed to ground me here."

Words unspoken but he knew her past. He knew she had little else outside of the school that she was able to call her own. What she had here she made, but she didn't do it alone.

He absorbed her words with a smile, knowing how much they meant to her.

"Well, good." She was capable of so much. More than she knew. If he could support that, great. "And you're home... To me." He added later, realising the possible confusing meaning.

So much of his life he'd gone place to place. Temporary residency wherever he'd gone. He'd never really felt of any one place as 'home'.

Hers was a defining comfort.

Calli slowly drifted to sleep, comforted by the presence near her. Whatever came next, she would be ready for. She squeezed Banjo’s hands one last time as she slept, comforted knowing she’d have pleasant dreams for once.

Avengers Academy 💥

Sabine Bassard

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Location: The Gym - Simulation
Fit of the Day: Gym Outfit
Skills: N/A

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Their victory with Mario was short-lived as they were transported somewhere else. Sabine glanced around the room before being roped into a group hug by Dorian. She had to admit, it felt nice despite the guilt she had at having hurt Mary Sue and Gideon. And it seemed like they wouldn't be finding any extra lives here. Instead, it looked like their health was replaced with...something.

Thankfully Dorian stepped up to explain the new game. It was apparently some ghost hunting game. Sabine hated horror movies and probably hated horror video games as much, if not more. She took Dorian's advice though and grabbed a flashlight. She also grabbed a crucifix and some salt, though she didn't know what to do with either. Weren't crucifixes used on vampires?

"So we are just supposed to go roaming around a haunted house trying to figure out what type it is and exorcise it? This is messed up. Dorian, I'm trusting you through this." The unspoken words being that she didn't intend to have Dorian out of her sight at any point. After all, wasn't one of the rules of horror movies to not split up? "Maybe explain how these tools are supposed to work? I have a crucifix and salt. Unless I plan on seasoning the ghost at church, I'm at a loss."

X-Men: Cosmic Crusades 👽

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Peregrine Mayfield

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Location: Mansion
Skills: N/A
Fit Of The Day

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Perry was excited to get the game going, but she had to admit she had been thinking of the Asgardians and their arrival. Given the luck the X-men had, it was probably not going to end well. Still, perhaps evil could wait until after the game, pretty please? Perry watched as Max gave out instructions and worked his magic, literally.

"Ooooh I love me a good ol' Agatha Christie murder mystery. Ok, if we are going old school clue, I gotta give it up to my girl Peacock. So I am thinking blue!" Once she had the image in her head, her outfit shimmered and changed into a beautiful 1920's style flapper dress. It was blue and black and perfect! Her hair was done up in a nice bob with a feather band. And a long pearl necklace to top it off.

"Oh wow! Nicely done Max! This is dope! Oh I mean, this is the bee's knees dahling!"

The Dead Don't Die.

Location: New York City, First Floor
Skills: N/A

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Verity shook her head. Was she supposed to do everything around here? Ignoring the camera operator, Verity turned to the officer that the man who had crashed into her was talking to. At least she was doing her job properly. Or..well...as best as one can when mistakingly putting an alive person in a body bag.

As she got near, she called out. "Umm excuse me officer. I don't mean to tell you how to do your job, and I'm normally not this type of person, but it seems the person that was put in the body bag in the ambulance is...well...alive. They seem to be moving around. The person with the camera caught it on film if you don't believe me. Again, so sorry!" Hopefully this would resolve the matter and she could get back to work.

Commencement: A Pacific Royal Collegiate & University RP

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_{Location: Southern Plateau, Dundas Island - Pacific Royal Campus}

Welcome Home #1.87: Hollywood and Glam

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_{Interaction(s): Banjo (@Hound55), Gil (@Roman)}

Previously: Set The World Ablaze

As the day went on, everyone had completed the task set out for them and the team came together. Everyone was unaware of what the others talked about. Was there tension still? It was hard to say. Calliope had finished her part with Harper and Mei, the trials having been set up exactly how she had envisioned once she got it going. She was proud of the work, but was she for the conversation had with the other two?

Calli sat next to Banjo, holding his hand as she sat around enjoying the food provided and chuckling at Tad’s attempt at humor. This was what she enjoyed most about PRCU. The unsure girl who got here five years ago, who dealt with trauma and violence, had grown. She had Blackjack to thank for it.

As the night went on Jim came by. Calliope listened intently when he mentioned their degrees. Calliope nearly breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed her degree may not be in jeopardy after all. She squeezed Banjo’s hand as a sign of comfort.

Jim continued though, asking not only for her but for Gil also. Calliope looked around. What did the Chancellor need her for? Was it because of the sink she had obliterated? Surely there were worse things students have done. You don’t bring together a bunch of teenagers with superhuman abilities and not expect them to destroy nearly anyone or anything around them.

“I’ll be back soon,” she told Banjo, worried he would get upset with Gil and her being alone, but they would be with the Chancellor. She stood up and waited for Gil to follow as they went off with Jim.

Gil, meanwhile, slowly chewed his tacos as he made small talk with Firebird. He smiled and nodded to Lorcán as he sat down, but the pair had little chance to catch up before Jim appeared and beckoned him and Calliope forth. Calliope stood first, waiting with a hand on a cocked hip for Gil to follow suit. He pushed the last third of his remaining taco into his mouth, chewing awkwardly around the large mouthful as he stood and brushed himself off, shooting Lorcán and Cassander a pair of finger-guns with an accompanying wink, before jogging after Jim.

“As y’all are both well away, this year has been complicated by the Foundation. Unfortunately with things in the state they are, I’ve been forced to play civil with them until H.E.L.P. can properly rectify things. Which means I need a favour, and I can’t think of two people more qualified to help.”

Jim drew a deep breath before continuing.

“I need y’all to put together a themed dance. Foundation’s first priority is that the students get to express themselves individually so after the Trials are complete, the dress code is going to be nullified. As such, dress uniforms will not be required for the Senior Homecoming dance, meaning we’re looking at doing something a bit more… Hollywood.”

The concept was clearly foreign to Jim as he tried to articulate it.

“So who better to help than Hollywood and the glam,” Jim added motioning to Gil and Calliope respectively.

“Y’all have the A.R.C. at your disposal to program in any environment you see fit for the dance. Full fabrication at your disposal too. If there’s anything else y’all need, let me know and I’ll see what I can do to set y’all up.”

Looking between the pair, Jim tried to gauge their interest while waiting for an answer.
“Now, Mr. Galahad, I know you’re more than accustomed to the particular politics of these sort of situations, we need our best foot forward here. Miss de Léon, I know with your upbringing, y’all are no stranger to them either, and I know right about now you probably want to stick it to those Foundation bastards.” Jim smiled softly.

“Let in y’all in a little secret, I would too.” He added, “But no matter which way the wind blows, it’s our reputation and the school currently at risk. So while you might want to go and shock everyone and burn it all to the ground, all I ask is that if y’all are goin’ to flip the bird to the Foundation, at least try to be subtle about it.”

He stopped, taking the Stetson off his head and extending his arm towards the pair.

“So can I leave it with the two of you?”

Gil nodded carefully.
“No problem. We could all use something to lift our spirits after this morning - throwing a proper bash sounds like the perfect outlet. I know a few of the Blackjack gang are already hyping it up-” he paused here to give Calliope a playful elbow to the ribs, receiving only groans from her and Jim both in response - “and I can imagine everyone else probably is too.”

He took Jim’s hand and gave it a firm shake, releasing it before turning his head to look at Calliope.
“The guys are easy - no cummerbunds and an open bar - but I know the ladies like to splash out. Any early thoughts? Hell, anything you personally reckon is a non-negotiable? As good a place to start as any.”

Calliope was happy to see Gil so interested in this, horrible jokes aside. Now Calli hadn’t wanted to provide the Foundation any modicum of respect, but Tad pointed out that this wasn’t about the Foundation. It was about the students. It was about Blackjack and Firebird and all the other teams. This meant the dance itself would be a night to unwind from the stress and to let loose. And with the dress code being lifted, it also meant going all out.

“First, stock the women’s restrooms with essentials and no, not just tampons. I’m talking perfume spray, breath mints, and you may not want to hear this, but some condoms wouldn’t go amiss either. Second, the ladies will probably wear heels but that gets tiring so make sure there’s a nice mix of slow and fast songs and comfortable chairs. Lastly, we are going to want to remember the night so add in either a photographer or a photo booth. It’s kitschy.” Calli glanced at Gil, seeing if he agreed with her assessment. She had other factors to consider also. Ways to ensure people got back to their dorms safely, little appetizers and hors d'oeuvres to ensure their energies were high, and allowing the romance of the night without “saving room for Jesus” chaperones interfering. But she kept those quiet for now. She would make sure that part of the dance was nice.

Gil nodded sagely as Calliope carried on, one hand on his chin and the other across his chest. She was ever-so practical with it, but while it was all stuff he hadn’t had the presence of mind to even consider, he couldn’t say he was surprised by any of the suggestions. Calliope was easily the most sensible of the team - aside from Harper, maybe, though even she had her sillier moments too - and with her planning starting at these kind of essentials, it was little wonder she was the unofficial Team Mom.
“Sound suggestions.” He said as Calliope looked his way, and he suddenly felt like he’d be very much playing a supporting role in this two-person social committee. Not that he minded - his ‘non-negotiables’ were booze, enough room to dance, and not having to wear a tie. The rest, to him, was all very flexible. “Food and drink to consider…set menu or buffet? At least the venue’s sorted. Some kind of entrance-way with a photo-op? Bring the red-carpet experience to P.R.C.U., although I can personally say it can be a little underwhelming. Theme, too, if we want to steer it in a certain direction…”

He paused for thought, racking his brain for something elegant-but-fun. This wasn’t - didn’t need to be - a high-class endeavor, and he shuddered thinking of some of the more stuffy galas and after-parties he’d attended; but it definitely needed to be more ‘ballroom’ than ‘prom’.
“What did you girls come up with for the Trials? Can we link the two? Between that and the dance, this is the academy’s big ‘this is us’ personality stamp. We splash out, we can show the Foundation they or their threats have not cowed us.”

Calliope thought on it. While she was proud of her and the other’s work on the Trials, she didn’t necessarily think the theme worked for a dance. “The theme we went with was “Young Adult Renegades” or rather close to it. Basically we combined The Hunger Games, Divergent, and Maze Runner into one Trial. I do not know if that will translate to the dance. Plus, I am sure everyone would appreciate something different. What if we do make it a Hollywood theme though? Like you said, roll out the red carpet, hire some paparazzi to take pictures, maybe even ask the students to vote on different categories like Best Dressed or Best Smile and present little awards?”

“Like night-out-at-the-oscars kind of theme? It’s a little close to home, but…yeah, I can dig that.”

Jim regarded the pair with a warm smile, pleased that they’d both taken on the task with grace and eagerness.
“Sounds like y’all have this sewn up like a button already. I’ll leave y’all to your brain-storming - but don’t be forgettin’ about the trials! Hard work first - hard play later.” He winked, and the three returned to the campsite; Gil and Calliope returned to their seats, while Jim said goodbyes to Tad and Jessica, and made his way back to the campus proper.

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Calliope had started to make her way to the campfire, but stopped short. Jim's words echoed in her mind. Hard work first, hard play later. She knew he meant it in a "do your chores first before you play games" bit, but she decided she had earned some play first. So instead, she made her way to the tent she was sharing with Banjo and went in.

As she closed the tent back up, she looked around the shared space. Nodding to herself she undressed and folded her clothes near her pack. She had prepared for this but she was unsure if she would follow through. However, her conversation with Mei and Harper, as well as how everyone seemed to be slowly coming back together, made her realize she needed to enjoy the moments in-between.

She grabbed the lace number she brought with her and changed into it. The way the fabric felt against her skin was enjoyable and she knew a certain someone would enjoy it also. She moved her sleeping bag closer to his. She wished she brought champagne or flowers or something, but even if she did, she knew Banjo wasn't the type to expect such a thing. Just her was enough. Just him was enough.

So she got comfortable and laid down on her pack, waiting for the man she loved to enter so she can enjoy this moment.

X-Men: Cosmic Crusades 👽

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Peregrine Mayfield

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Location: Mansion
Skills: N/A
Fit Of The Day

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Both Mira and Max went on to explain who the new people were and what their deal was. It was a lot of information to take in and process and Perry wished she had some comfy slippers on and some popcorn during this documentary, but at least she understood a bit more now. The whole Lexicon of stuff that happened to this team before she came to this mansion was lengthy.

"Thanks for the TL;DR. I'll make sure to update the Wiki so I don't get lost again. Be that as it may, I agree that whatever drama is about to unfold will most likely be relayed to all of us and clearly it would be an 'all hands on deck' notice, so I suggest we enjoy ourselves before we are more than likely pulled into another deadly mission. I wish the universe would time these things better."

The Dead Don't Die.

Location: New York City, First Floor
Skills: N/A

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Verity was curious by nature. It could be argued that she just wanted things in order and the unknown was as close to chaos as she liked, but really she as fascinated by things that could not be fully explained. In this instance, as she got near the camera operator and he showed her the film, a moving body bag was the mystery.

Verity felt a cold sweat. No, bodies that were in those body bags for transport did not just sit up and move around. That was kind of their purpose; the body being dead and all. Could it be they got it wrong and the person maybe appeared dead but started moving again? "No that's not normal. Someone should let them know that person's alive, right?" Verity didn't know the reason for there being a body, but perhaps it was an accident. That would explain it.

All other explanations were terrifying to admit.

Avengers Academy 💥

Sabine Bassard

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Location: The Gym - Simulation
Fit of the Day: Gym Outfit
Skills: Memory Manipulation

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There they stood, face-to-face with the...dinosaur? Turtle? She never knew what Bowser was. The last time she saw the baddie was when he was riding around on a little cart on Rainbow Road, but instead he stood in front of them, blocking their progress. Gideon was on about a princess despite her standing right there. "I believe she is in the castle behind him. You know 'you're princess is in another castle' or something like that?"

Sabine didn't have much video game knowledge, but she knew this at least. In this instance of the game it was your classic Mario. Get behind Bowser, hit the axe, the bridge falls and Bowser with it, victory. Getting to the axe was another matter entirely. But she had a trick up her sleeve. One she utilized, glitching Bowser out. Once she saw the baddie was pixel-y and not moving, she ran forward. "I'm going for the axe! Be careful!"

She made it safely past him and saw her goal. She tried once to knock it, but the axe stood still. She tried again to no avail. Eventually her glitch opted out, but Dorian was trying his best to control it. She finally hit it with enough force to send it down, knocking the bridge out.

What she had not anticipated was Gideon and Mary Sue both still being on it. Try as he might, Dorian wasn't able to get either of them as they fell to the lava below. If she recalled correctly, they still had some lives maybe. "Sorry! But this is a video game, surely there's a way to pick up more lives." At least they had won? Shallow victories were still victories.

X-Men: Cosmic Crusades 👽

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Peregrine Mayfield

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Location: Mansion
Skills: N/A
Fit Of The Day

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Before they could go off on their arguably fantastic adventure in the Danger Room, a rough booming voice sounded throughout the mansion calling for Lance. Thankfully, it seemed some of them knew who it was. Max especially, who went off on some ramble that Perry had difficulty following. She had heard of Runa before, mainly because of her relationship with Lance, but even then she was still a mystery. Time travel was tricky in the best of times and Perry didn't have the mental fortitude or the ice cream to back up any attempt at getting through it.

She, along with the others, noticed someone else walking to the Library. Perry looked over to Jaclyn, wondering if she was going to speak up and admit she was as confused as Perry was, but she hadn't. "I'll take one for the team, I guess. Hi, name's Perry and I have no idea who or what the two of you are talking about. Mind filling the newbs of the house in on this before we make any decision because, I'll admit, I am biased and seeing as I do not know what is going on and why they feel the need to shout the house down, but I would rather still play Clue at this moment, but if they are here on important business and you can highlight in a few seconds why I should care, I am happy to go along with that plan."