[color=darkgray]Cameras continued to flash as reporter after reporter lobbed questions at him. Some were honest, looking for factual information on his platform and what he intends to do surrounding pressing issues in the state. Some were looking for statements they could take out of context and warp his message. Some were hoping to make him look like an idiot. He had wandered these waters before.

He pointed at another reporter. A woman with auburn hair and glasses. She looked presentable and serious. He hoped her question would be one he wouldn't have to walk a minefield to get through.

"Judy Bloomfield, New Mexico Today. What are your plans for handling Hyperion's Children?"

That was a name he heard more and more. At the start, they weren't worth much. He had tossed their name in as a way of stirring up voters, but now they were a full-blown threat. And they fueled hatred of hyperhumans. They were an easy target. Calliope flashed through his mind briefly before he answered. "They are a threat to our way of life. If they were peaceful I would say let them speak. But I believe they are nothing short of a terrorist group recruiting many hyperhumans to thair cause."

"And yet, you sent your daughter to a school within their reach?"

"I sent my daughter to a school where she would thrive and be looked after."

"The school that was formerly a military academy. Is that a message you want to send?"

"The school is one of the best in the world for working with hyperhumans. I only wish we had more options for them so they could be educated amongst their own and learn how to manage their....unique qualities so they can rejoin society."

"With all due respect Senator, those who lobbied for segregation most likely said the same thing."

[hr]

[hr][sup][h1][center][img]https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/1070187379547176990/1079854995761008752/Calliope_Banner.png[/img][/center][b][center][color=black] C A L L I O P E[/color]
[color=F796A9]C A L L I O P E[/color]
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[/b][/h1][/sup][indent][sub][COLOR=SILVER][B]Location:[/B][/COLOR] [I]Pacific Royal Collegiate & University - Dundas Islands, Pacific Ocean[/I][/sub][sup][right][COLOR=SILVER][b]The Homecoming Trials #1.02: [/b][/COLOR] [I]This is the best we get?[/I][/right][/sup][/indent][sub][hr][/sub][sub][color=SILVER][B]Interaction(s):[/B][/COLOR] [I]Cassander, Trace, Hayleigh, Katja, Lucille, Banjo, Trevor[/I][/sub][SUP][RIGHT][COLOR=SILVER][b]Previously:[/b][/COLOR] [I]I expect perfection.[/I][/right][/SUP]

It wasn't long before the bad boy's simple comment exploded into conversation amongst a few of the other students. Calliope glanced around and noted they all wore similar armbands like hers. This, by all accounts, was going to be the team she would be working with.

This was the best they got?

It wasn't like Calliope planned on forming lifelong bonds with the people. But she expected more than some douchebag commenting like he was on an all-male podcast that talked about women like objects, some British chick immediately calling someone a wanker, and some other girl in a wheelchair possibly having a panic attack.

Calliope rubbed her temples. She could feel the ebb of a headache coming on and this would not serve her well during these Homecoming Trials. Another boy spoke up, seemingly trying to cool everyone down or bring up some camaraderie. Calliope tried to stifle a chuckle, but couldn't hold it in. [color=F796A9]"Yeah everyone, let's all hold hands and sing Kumbaya together!"[/color] The sarcasm underlying her words could cut someone, but she was getting fed up and she hadn't even gotten through the first day. This was not at all what she was expecting when she came here. But she would make do.

She had to make do.

One of the other guys there spoke to Banjo before walking off with the other students. Calliope took the time to follow suit. It would serve her well to get familiar with the campus. She left the other Blackjack armbands to sort themselves out. Who knows? Maybe they would gather themselves and prove to be a strong, reliable team.

Calliope would not hold her breath.

As she walked and looked around, she noted the different buildings, the planned architecture. The subtle message the school was trying to speak "We are just like other schools. Please, overlook our history!" Calliope was all too familiar with that back home. New Mexico wasn't one of the worst states, by far, though her father made sure they had their own issues.

She kept thinking back to her talk with Mr. Lehrer. There was something about him. It was a mixed bag. She felt like he was holding secrets back but also that she could trust him. Though she knew not to trust anyone here. Not yet. Trust was weakness masquerading as a strength. She would not be burned. Not again.

Calliope had walked for a bit she hadn't realized she came to a fountain with that guy from earlier standing in front of it. He looked like he was deep in thought. Against her better judgement, she walked over and looked at the fountain. [color=F796A9]"I guess it's nice to look at, but I wouldn't be caught dead having my likeness used as a roundabout way of saying 'look at me, I have money to burn in a world where people are dying on the streets'."[/color] Calliope closed her eyes after she said it. God, she could really be a bitch sometimes. [color=F796A9]"Sorry, we don't know each other and I may very well be insulting a person you like."[/color] She debated walking away before she swerved the other foot into her mouth. She needed to get back to a calmer headspace if she hoped to excel in whatever these trials were to bring.[/color]