[color=gray][INDENT]Walking away from Axel and Calliope, Cassander was stopped as a large sport utility vehicle pulled up to the fountain. Tinted windows seemingly blended into the dark graphite paint, while the monochromatic decal on the side bearing the P.R.C.U. coat of arms made it very clear this was a vehicle that belonged to the school. 

Studying the darkened windows, Cassander's curiosity tried to make out the occupants to no avail. The front left side door popped open, prompting Cass to watch as the driver climbed out. The teenager found himself unable to contain his curiosity as he continued to stare while the driver walked to the rear of the vehicle and opened the second door to reveal none other than Dr. Lehrer inside.

[COLOR=WHITE]"Ah, Mr. Charon,"[/COLOR] Straightening his lapels as he stepped out of the vehicle, Jonas paused to address Cassander, smiling towards the student while stepping out of the Manticore. Brushing his pants as he stood, Jonas motioned for Cassander to follow him before continuing to speak.

[COLOR=WHITE]"I hoped to run into you before you were taken to the Trials. Please, step into my office."[/COLOR]

Cassander suddenly felt his heart sink as he followed Jonas into the Administration Building. While he had heard rumours that Dr. Lehrer liked to interview all the new students, it was the way he had said 'before the trials' that led Cass to believe he was about to be sent home. They had obviously reevaluated having some of his abilities on campus, no less competing on campus and realized it was too much of a risk to take. He'd be thankfully sent back to live with Calvin and Alexis, but no doubt forced to wear an inhibitor and live the rest of his life in pain.

[COLOR=WHITE]"Ah, Dr. Lehrer!"[/COLOR] The woman's voice caused Cassander to break free of his thoughts.

[COLOR=WHITE]"Miss Carlyle, always a pleasure. What can I do for you?"[/COLOR] Jonas asked, raising a hand to silently ask Cassander to wait during the interaction. Studying the woman, Cass could see the white hairs blended throughout the perfectly maintained waterfall of golden locks. She held a posture of someone far more comfortable with who they were than Cassander could ever have hoped to be. Her ocean-like eyes smiled as she talked to Jonas, like a daughter addressing her father. 

[COLOR=WHITE]"We were supposed to be meeting,"[/COLOR] She replied, her gaze turning towards Cassander who quickly broke eye contact and pretended to tie his shoe. 

[COLOR=WHITE]"At exactly this time, you made it sound quite important. Though I was under the impression it would only be us. I didn't expect there to be a student."[/COLOR]

Looking up through the unkempt blonde bangs that hung over his own viridian eyes, Cass watched Jonas' expression harden. His eyes almost went blank for a second, appearing almost absent before his face began to thaw and the overwhelming warm smile reappeared. 

[COLOR=WHITE]"I am so sorry my dear, it appears our appointment slipped my mind."[/COLOR] Jonas' body language was genuinely apologetic as Cassander stood, realizing that if he feigned tying his shoe any longer he'd likely have to write an aptitude exam to prove he belonged in the school. 

[COLOR=WHITE]"I know you're a busy woman, flying out to another conference today to put out some of the H.C. fires no doubt, but Mr. Charon here is due to be taken away to the Homecoming Trials any second and I just need fifteen minutes of his time. Would you possibly be able to wait?"[/COLOR]

Jonas asked as Summer waved a carefree hand.

[COLOR=WHITE]"Of course, happy to do so."[/COLOR] She replied before turning towards Cassander, [COLOR=WHITE]"Good luck in there."[/COLOR]

Her smile and tone felt warm and genuine, but it did little to quell the rising anxiety in Cassander as he followed Jonas out of the hallway and into the Chancellor's office.

The inside of the office stood in stark contrast to the rest of the Administration Building. Where the corridors were painted in warm tones and welcoming colours, Dr. Lehrer's office was distinguished by the exposed brick and accented studs. The colours and accents collided in a contrast of colours that were anything but eye-catching. Harsh metal supporting beams ran across the roof, evenly spaced apart leaving both the painted ductwork and conduit visible to the occupants below. Beyond the bare brick, the walls were decorated with pinned insects and animal skeletons. Diagrams of muscle and nervous systems made Cassander think he was in a medical examiner's office more than the school's chancellor's. There were no curves in sight, every wall and edge met at a sharp ninety degrees. Even the staircase to the overlooking balcony dared not bend to the shape of the room instead protruding sharply before a full right angle towards the upper mezzanine.

[color=#8AACEB]"Cozy."[/color]

Inwardly cringing at the sound of his own voice, Cassander had intended to be dry, witty, perhaps even sarcastic. Instead, the word squeaked out from between his lips, betraying the calm exterior he was fighting to maintain and revealing the nervousness threatening to bubble to the surface. He clenched his hands tightly into balled fists, ignoring the familiar burning itching away the skin of his palms.

[COLOR=WHITE]"Please,"[/color] Jonas gestured towards the pair of tall, tufted, black leather armchairs opposite his desk, [COLOR=WHITE]"Have a seat."[/color]

Choosing the one closest to him, Cassander slowly lowered himself into the chair. The sun from the window behind Jonas had warmed the leather to almost an uncomfortable temperature and Cassander was sure if he had been wearing shorts, the back of his legs would have been burned. Clenching his hands together, Cassander sat on the edge of the chair, refusing to allow himself to sink into it, lest the cold sweat currently beading across his back would cause him to become stuck to the chair.

[COLOR=WHITE]"Tell me, Mr. Charon,"[/color] Jonas leaned forward on his desk, pursing his fingers together in front of his face. His eyes narrowed to complete the contemplative look as he finished his sentence. [COLOR=WHITE]"Do you know why wanted to see you?"[/color]

[color=#8AACEB]"I'm afraid I don't, sir,"[/color] Cassander replied, [color=#8AACEB]"I had heard that you like to interview all your students, but every other member of the team was seen prior to the Kick-Off Ceremony this afternoon, whereas you're just seeing me now. I'm worried that means you're sending me home."[/color]

[COLOR=WHITE]"Would that be the worst thing in the world?"[/color] Jonas asked, [COLOR=WHITE]"You are a foster child, correct? Up until the age of twelve you bounced from guardian to guardian. But I'd wager, you'd never have referred to any of them as home. So could it be that some small part of you actually wants me to send you home?"[/color]

[color=#8AACEB]"It's not impossible,"[/color] Cassander replied reluctantly.

[COLOR=WHITE]"Why do you think you want to go home?"[/color]

Cassander hadn't expected this to be the conversation when he was called into Jonas' office. In the realm of possible outcomes that he had thought up while walking through the door, this hadn't even been remotely considered. He took a few seconds, carefully weighing his words before choosing a response.

[color=#8AACEB]"It'd be safer for everyone if I had to wear an inhibitor. I can't control these abilities, and they're only capable of harm. I know you look upon Hyperhuman abilities as a gift, but how can I help anyone if I'm at risk of exploding at any given moment."[/color]

[COLOR=WHITE]"How are your hands?"[/color]

Cassander paused, as Jonas asked again.

[COLOR=WHITE]"Right now, your hands, how are they?"[/color]

Looking down, Cassander realized he had unclenched his hands, they were gripping the arms of the chair but his palms weren't burning nor was there any sign of sparks.

[COLOR=WHITE]"Mr. Charon, in the short time you've been at Pacific Royal, I've noticed some things about you. It was important to me to wait to have this meeting because what I have to say, you need to hear it now more than you would have a week ago."[/color] Pausing while removing his glasses, Jonas pulled a cloth from the inside pocket of his jacket before continuing.

[COLOR=WHITE]"Stop fighting yourself."[/color] The words hung over Cassander before Jonas spoke again, [COLOR=WHITE]"You need to stop fighting yourself. You're so worried about your powers getting away from you, that you're going to create a self-fulfilling prophecy. You second and triple guess yourself constantly, what harm would it have been back on the bleachers to offer a second set of hands to Miss. Crawford? You are in the safest place on this entire planet for a man with your abilities."[/color]

Cassander looked at his feet. His ears burned, he couldn't help but stare at his feet before slowly moving his head in a reluctant nod. Standing up from behind his desk, Jonas gestured for Cassander to do the same.

[COLOR=WHITE]"Now there's little more to say at this time, but I do hope we can do this again after the Trials. In the meantime, try to loosen up and take some time to enjoy the school. You might find yourself a second home."[/color] Jonas added, opening the door. [COLOR=WHITE]"And do, please send Miss Carlyle in on your way out."[/color][/INDENT][CENTER][COLOR=#455676][sup]________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________[/sup][/COLOR][url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/5407930][img]https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/1047910123206627378/1080163847022841937/image.png[/img][/url][/CENTER][indent][sub][COLOR=#798bab][B]Location:[/B][/COLOR] [I]The Southern Plateau[/I] - [I]Dundas Islands, Pacific Ocean[/I][/sub][sup][right][COLOR=#798bab][b]The Homecoming Trials #1.32:[/b][/COLOR] [I]Tightly Wound Fuse[/I][/right][/sup][/indent][COLOR=#455676][SUP][sub]____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________[/sub][/SUP][/COLOR][INDENT][sub][color=#798bab][B]Interaction(s):[/B][/COLOR] [I][@Hound55] - Banjo[/I][/sub][SUP][RIGHT][COLOR=#798bab][b]Previously:[/b][/COLOR] [I]An Australian Kiss is a Kiss Down Under[/I][/right][/SUP]
[INDENT]It was suddenly Cassander's absolute mission to ensure that the next twenty or so minutes of his life weren't trapped in a six-passenger cab alongside Banjo. Despite the scramble Cassander had to make after leaving the Chancellor's office, he had still made it into the Intake House, changed and been back outside before O'Neil and Tad had arrived with the shuttles. 

Cassander wouldn't say the same for Banjo who throughout the entire schpiel had badgered him with questions after coming in late. Unfortunately, Luce had ultimately indulged their class clown. The whole interaction was making it very difficult for Cassander to begin practicing Jonas' advice because at the moment it was very hard to enjoy the school. 

[COLOR=WHITE]“And this spitfire here, is Team 18’s student advisor, Ryan Clarke,”[/COLOR]

Cassander's entire demeanour suddenly changed as the petite redhead appeared from behind the vanilla gorilla that Jim had introduced as Aaron Matthews. A small flare of sparks suddenly sprayed from either palm, causing Cass to jump before quickly burying his hands in his pockets in hopes that no one, [i]especially not Banjo[/i] had noticed.

Every word out of Ryan's mouth was suddenly lost in a haze that came over Cassander. Was this her hyperpower? It was almost as though she moved in slow motion, he could feel his eyes glazing over before the warmth of his palms against his legs was enough to kick him back to the present.

[color=#8AACEB][i]That was embarrassingly desperate.[/i][/color] 

Giving his head a less-than-subtle shake, Cass, admittedly reluctantly, snapped free of Ryan's spell. Turning his head over towards their former housemates, Cassander just had barely taken a second to look over the opposing team before Matthews had ordered Eclipse into their shuttles. Cass had seen their faces in the hallways of the Intake House, and they had all come through the Mess Hall for food during meal times, but considering he had barely struck up any friendships among his own team, Cassander wasn't exactly on a first name basis with anyone from Team 18.

[COLOR=WHITE]“Anyone who doesn’t get in right now is walkin'. If there are no seats left in the cab, climb in the box.”[/COLOR]

[color=#8AACEB]"Is-"[/color] Cassander suddenly spoke up, sheepishly raising a hand. While his and Jonas' conversation might have been fresh in his head, Cass still didn't particularly enjoy the thought of exploding the cramped quarters of one of these 'roided-up all-terrain trucks. 

[color=#8AACEB]"I-is riding in the box an option?"[/color]

[color=white]"Whatever floats your goat, kid."[/color] Jim replied, [color=white]"Now get a move on!"[/color]

[color=white]"I believe that's O'Neil for yes,"[/color] Tad added, reaching a hand out to offer to take Cassander's bag. [color=white]"Personally, the box is better. Rougher seat sure, but the experience trumps the cab."[/color]

[color=#8AACEB]"I just really want the fresh air,"[/color] Cassander lied, hanging back a second to watch where Banjo went before making a beeline to the opposite vehicle. Placing a hand on the edge of the box, he smoothly vaulted himself inside, before staking claim to a corner and making himself comfy amongst the luggage. 

The ride across the island was spectacular. Cassander could hardly believe the variety of landscapes in such a small geographical area. But between the story about the Howling Cliffs and watching the Southern Plateau be literally transformed for the Homecoming Trials, he could begin to piece together just how much of this island had been changed by those who called it home. It must have been so amazing to have an ability that could benefit so many people. Literally creating land homes could be built on, fertile fields to grow food, regrowing deforested areas, the possibilities were nearly endless if the world would let the Hyperhumans help.

Any sense of serenity that Cassander found during the ride was rudely interrupted by the obnoxious laughter coming from the back of the leading vehicle. Clearly, Banjo had found something to entertain himself as his sounds of absolute mirth were relayed over Jim's radio, though Cass could the other teen without any assistant which had to mean that Banjo was clearly exaggerating whatever was tickling his funny bone.

The vehicle came to a stop and Jim's yelling very quickly continued as Cassander climbed out of the back of Minotaur. He couldn't say he was exactly thrilled about this latest development. Camping under the stars for some was romantic, but for Cass, when the Intake House was a ten-minute drive away, he had to question why they didn't just take their shuttles back to the main campus at the end of the day. Was this some sort of initiation test? Were they all being set up to be hazed in the middle of the night? 

Hanging back, Cassander watched as the members of Blackjack slowly began pairing up. Looking over toward Katja, he briefly considered asking her if she want to share a tent before just as quickly deciding against it. Instead, he turned his gaze towards Haleigh, wondering if instead, she'd make the better tent mate. Of course, that just led to several fleeting moments of pondering how one in a wheelchair did camp out in a tent. Would someone need to lift Halleigh in and out of the chair?

Axel seemed like a safety net at this point. It seemed Calliope had picked Banjo based on her direct approach, which was somehow both a blessing and a curse to Cassander. He would have asked Calliope, he appreciated her bluntness. But she, pending Banjo's agreement, had also done everyone the favour of taking the hit of having their resident troublemaker as a bunkmate. 

Cass really needed to ensure his tent was as far from theirs as possible. As Rory suddenly started barking orders to the poorly dealt hand of students; which of course, prompted a subtly raised eyebrow from Cass, a sudden violent gust of wind seemingly dropped the temperature on the Plateau, sending a shiver down his spine. For the first time since arriving on the plateau, Cassander's attention was directed upwards bringing his attention to the ominous storm clouds rolling in from over the Western Pacific. It wasn't that he was superstitious, any sense of belief in the supernatural or otherwise had been beaten out of Cassander at a young age. But even he had to admit, there was no way that the dark horizon was a good sign.

[color=#8AACEB]"Hey, uh, Tad?"[/color] Cassander asked, [color=#8AACEB]"What happens if it rains?"[/color]

Tad chortled a little before responding.

[color=white]"Trials go on whether rain or shine. If you're worried about getting wet, these tents are the same issue as H.E.L.P.'s agents get. They'll survive everything sort of a nuclear blast." He nodded towards Cassander's bag, "You'll also find a jacket was included in your Physical Training uniform, plus all pieces are water proofed and quick drying, no chance of a bunch of [i]Hyperhumans[/i] coming down with [i]hyperthermia[/i]." [/color]

Cass could only stare at Tad as the other male delivered his joke with a straight face. A silence hung between the two for a few seconds, Cassander waited for Tad's proud face to fade before immediately retorting with a follow-up question.

[color=#8AACEB]"So, that storm won't change anything?"[/color]

Tad shook his head.

[color=white]"Nah, Trials have never been cancelled in the school's entire history. It would take a pretty extraordinary act of God to get Dr. Lehrer to call off the trials."[/color]

Nodding in acknowledgement, Cassander took another look around the gathered team. Ultimately, the teenager decided he'd rather not be the one making the decision about a bunkmate and opted to leave it to fate. Catching another glimpse of the trial being raised in the center of the plateau, Cass took one look back to ensure no one was paying attention to him and then snuck away to get a closer look.[/INDENT][/INDENT][CENTER][COLOR=#455676][sub]________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________[/sub][/COLOR][/center][COLOR=#455676][SUP][table][row][sup][h1][color=2c2c2c][b]▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅[/b][right][b]▅▅▅▅▅[/b][/right][/color][/h1][/sup][/row][row][cell][color=#2c2c2c]- -[/color]|◄ [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/5427433][COLOR=#798bab][b]FIRST[/b][/COLOR][/url][/cell][cell][color=2c2c2c]-[/color][/cell][cell][color=2c2c2c]-[/color][/cell][cell][color=2c2c2c]-[/color][/cell][cell][center]◄ [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/5429140][COLOR=#798bab][B]PREV[/B][/COLOR][/url] || [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/5429553][COLOR=#798bab][B]NEXT[/B][/COLOR][/url] ►[color=#2e2c2c]-[/color][/center][/cell][cell][color=2c2c2c]-[/color][/cell][cell][INDENT][right][url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/5429553][COLOR=#798bab][B]LATEST[/B][/COLOR][/url] ►|[/right][/INDENT][/cell][/row][/table][/SUP][/color][/COLOR]