[COLOR=GRAY][INDENT][INDENT][i]Overwhelming.

If there was one word to describe Jim, it would be overwhelming. Haleigh could practically hear the words "America, fuck yeah!" scream from Jim, the faculty representative for their team. Of course, she had no idea if he was actually American. He could've been English or something. But as far as Haleigh knew, Jim was essentially the man that modern American country music sung of. His speakers blared excessively loud music with a southern twang, while Jim was busy laying down hard on the large truck's engine, over-revving it as he shifted to pull over in front of the Intake House. The only thing Jim needed was to start singing about girls and booze and he'd be as American as they came. At least, according to those country music writers. But Haleigh wasn't about to give him any ideas; it'd only just make him even more intense than he already was.

Then there was Tad. A stark contrast to Jim, Tad was apparently their student advisor; their "personal guru", as Jim put it. From what Haleigh understood, Tad was some sort of counselor of sorts. She'd have to talk to him sometime. Not unlike Dr. Lehrer, he might've not have all the answers to the questions that now tormented her headspace since her hyper-awakening. But one thing was for certain—Tad had lived experience. He'd gone through every step that they were now being put through.

Maybe, just maybe, Tad could put some her worries to rest.

Before anything else could happen, however, their "team meeting" was suddenly interrupted by the appearance of Team 18 and their representatives. Their supposed rivals, Haleigh could've sworn hearing. They certainly played the part, at least. Despite it being no more than basic trash talk and smugness, Team 18's leadership still nonetheless stung deep. Haleigh felt like she was being looked down upon. Not out of pity, like Katja and Trevor before, but that she was being considered lesser.

Haleigh bit her lip. A fire rose in her heart. Showing concern or worry was one thing. This was different. She'd have to show them. Even if her own fears had held her back, Haleigh Crawford definitely wasn't worthless as they and their smug auras thought.[/i][/INDENT][/INDENT][hr][CENTER][img]https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/1070792705547980842/1080131799591686314/Haleigh_Banner.png[/img][/CENTER][indent][sub][COLOR=SILVER][B]Location:[/B][/COLOR] [I]The Minotaur/Trial Campground[/I] - [I]Southern Plateau, Dundas Island[/I][/sub][sup][right][COLOR=SILVER][b]The Homecoming Trials #1.36[/b][/COLOR] [I]A Camp of Questions[/I][/right][/sup][/indent][sub][hr][/sub][INDENT][sub][color=SILVER][B]Interaction(s):[/B][/COLOR] [I]Tad, Team 21/Everyone[/I][/sub][SUP][RIGHT][COLOR=SILVER][b]Previously:[/b][/COLOR] [I]The Calming Serenity of Music[/I][/right][/SUP]
[INDENT]The Minotaur rumbled down the path to the Southern Plateau, the place where their Trials were to be held. 

Haleigh had taken a seat in the box not long after Cassander had done so. It was the easiest option for Tad, who had taken a few seconds of his time to help her onto the truck, wheelchair and all. Yet as helpful he was being, Haleigh had to fight the urge to turn down his assistance. The desire to prove that she was [i]definitely[/i] not the liability others figured she was refused to dissipate. Even if it was as simple as climbing onto the Minotaur, Haleigh wanted to show the others that she wasn't the weakest link in Team 21 and elsewhere.

That said, when Tad presented an odd-looking device, a temple headpiece that looked like something out of a medical lab, Haleigh knew better than to try and risk her powers activating. She couldn't risk the lives of her team and others just so she could prove a point in response to Ryan's schoolyard-esque smack talk. Doing so would have been asinine—a stain on her conscience that Haleigh would have to carry forever were anyone to get hurt.

And so, Haleigh resigned herself to the device, feeling almost embarrassed to wear it. The device was goofy, and as far as Haleigh could've seen, she was the only one wearing such a device among their team. Had she been the only one on Team Blackjack with such a dangerous ability?

Regardless of that matter, Haleigh had been content with feeling embarrassed and goofy momentarily, at least long enough for the team to reach the Plateau. This device would be saving lives, Haleigh figured. Plus, with this version, she most likely wouldn't be vomiting her breakfast or withering in pain anytime soon wearing it—the main reason why she shied away from originally wearing an inhibitor. Living a life of pain and suffering over powers she never wanted in the first place didn't seem fair to Haleigh, as much she didn't want others to get hurt.

[color=white]“Do you hear how the wind sounds here?”[/color]

The crackling sound of the radio caused Haleigh looked up, finally noticing the scenery around them. A large array of tents and a hedge maze was accompanied by the strong smell of cooked meat, vegetables and other such campfire foods. Meanwhile, a strange sound echoed through the air. Was that the wind?

[color=white]"The edge of the Southern Plateau is known as the Howling Cliffs because an enthusiastic Elemental decided to use their abilities to shape the cliffs to perfectly accent the ocean wind in such a way that it sounds like a banshee. It’s impressive, damn eerie too."[/color]

Haleigh paused, taking a moment to listen to the wind herself. It sounded just as Jim said, but most of all, it had got her thinking. Would it be possible for her to accomplish something similar to the handiwork of this Elemental? A way to use her powers without potentially maiming or even killing people? Perhaps it was a question worth asking Dr. Lehrer or someone else about, Haleigh considered as she was helped out of the truck.

[color=white]“First order of business to get our camp set up, two people to a tent, find a bunkmate. I don’t frankly care who pairs up so long as the rest of us aren’t going to hear you all night.”[/color]

Tents. Now that was something Haleigh could do. She may not have use of her legs, but that didn't change the fact that Haleigh was still quite the outsdoorwoman. The sex inference, on the other hand, she wasn't a fan of. It was awkward and cringeworthy, like the type of undelivered joke at a comedy club where the audience sits blankly in silence, the only sound being someone's cough or sniffle. In the end, though, Haleigh ultimately chose to ignore Jim's comment, letting it pass by in silence as the representative went over the rest of the details.

[color=white]“For tonight though, y’all should try and bond as a team. Throw the old pigskin around, sing kumbaya, play truth or dare, I don’t really care so long as you actually learn about one another. Another good idea, go over your Hyper Abilities, learn your deck before you play it. Now’s the time to reveal any hidden talents. But first order of business, let’s get these tents up!”[/color]

From there, Team Blackjack was finally left to their own devices, being dismissed to go pitch their communal tents onto the open field. Haleigh watched from the sidelines as some of her teammates flocked to others almost instantly, and she wondered who would've been willing to partner with her, the wheelchair girl. Her gaze first fell on Cassander, him being the person she had known for the longest out of the bunch. Sure, they hadn't exactly interacted much in the past, but they had at least peeled tons of potatoes together! It could've been worth a shot asking if he wanted to bunk together for the Trials.

But alas, Haleigh realized she had been beaten to the punch. Katja, one of the few she had interacted with, even if it had been brief and was more of a "please leave me alone" conversation, was already busy asking Cassander. Well, crap. Guess that meant he was out of the question. Katja, too. Knowing her luck, she was going to be stuck with someone who probably didn't want to bunk with her for more than obvious reasons. Life seemed to have dealt her a cruel hand, so what was one more punch to the gut?

Yet this time around, Haleigh still had an ace up her sleeve.

[color=d94a3f]"Uh, hi, everyone."[/color] Haleigh announced to no one in particular, her hand raised in an attempt to draw her teammates' attention. [color=d94a3f]"I know... I haven't really talked [i]talked[/i] to some of you, or well, any of you, really, but..."[/color] She continued, looking about the campsite for anyone bothering to give her the time of day. 

[color=d94a3f]"I guess what I'm trying to say is I used to go camping frequently, so if anyone wants to pitch a tent, I can help. I just need... well, a little help myself, that's all."[/color][/INDENT][/INDENT][/color]