[COLOR=GRAY][INDENT][INDENT]
[quote][color=F796A9]"With all due respect, you know very little about the situation so maybe just focus on your football throwing and let the grown-ups have a discourse,"[/color] she said to Rory. [color=F796A9]"As for you,"[/color] she addressed Iñigo, [color=F796A9]"I came over here offering help and you didn't even acknowledge me, let alone how rude you treated Banjo, who also only offered help. A simple 'no we have it' would have sufficed, but as you clearly didn't even know about the lever I'll wait for a 'thank you Banjo' instead. We're supposed to be a team and bonding and stuff and I'll be the first to admit I cringed at that aspect, but at least I am trying. Banjo was trying too, and you essentially spat in his face."[/color]

Calliope took a beat to calm down before she went on, acknowledging Rory now, [color=F796A9]"Sorry, Rory, about my grown-up comment. You meant well."[/color][/quote]

[color=fff200]”You meant what you said.”[/color] Rory turned his gaze to Calliope for a moment, unable to mask the sadness in his eyes, before just turning away from everyone and walking out of the clearing for a moment. He could feel the emotion welling up in the chest and clawing at his throat. First sadness, then self-loathing. He was an adult now, there was no excuse for getting this worked up just because he was talked down to. Looked down on. Again. Just like it always happened. Because he was stupid. [sub]He was an idiot, and a burden. No one wanted him there, they had been very clear. [sub]He was a bad judge of character, he was a child. A big dumb child. Maybe now was just the best time to walk away…[/sub][/sub]

It took a second for Rory to realize his phone was vibrating in his pocket as he had lowered himself down into a crouch behind a tree, his hands clenched so tight the fingernails had drawn a bit of blood in his palms. He quickly brushed them against his shorts, before reaching into his pocket to grab his phone. A small series of texts were the only notifications.

[color=a187be]>You made me a promise, Rory.<

>You’re not a quitter.<[/color]

Rory shook his head in disbelief, sliding the phone back in his pocket. He cleared his throat with a cough, rubbed his eyes to make sure there were no tears, and waltzed back into camp. William always knew what to say at just the right time. It was hard to tell if it was him being empathetic, or just making the most of his hype gene. Quite frankly, Rory didn’t care. He was right, like always. It was too early to give up now.
[/INDENT][/INDENT][hr][CENTER][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/1070187379547176990/1079962691625549945/image.png[/img][/CENTER][indent][sub][COLOR=SILVER][B]Location:[/B][/COLOR] [I]Camp Blackjack, Southern Plateau[/I] - [I]P.R.C.U. Campus[/I][/sub][sup][right][COLOR=SILVER][b]The Homecoming Trials #1.90 :[/b][/COLOR] [I]Is this Kumbayah?[/I][/right][/sup][/indent][sub][hr][/sub][INDENT][sub][color=SILVER][B]Interaction(s):[/B][/COLOR] [I]Team Blackjack[/I][/sub][SUP][RIGHT][COLOR=SILVER][b]Previously:[/b][/COLOR] [I]Introduction to Conflict Management[/I][/right][/SUP]
[INDENT]
[quote][color=F796A9]"So, what are everyone's thoughts on this team swap? I'll be the first to admit I had considered that possibility back at the campus. Now, I don't know. Hard to say if I think this team will flop or not on day 1. We didn't get off on the right foot, so maybe we can try to fix that now? I'm Calliope. My power is ice manipulation."[/color] She opened the floor to others.[/quote]

Rory took a seat around the fire, opting for a spot away from Calliope as he happily munched on a fire grilled beef. As soon as the conversation turned to a discussion of abilities, Rory quickly scrambled to grab the pencil from his wristband. He flipped open the pad, and scrambled to write down Calliope’s power, as described. [color=fff200][i]Calliope - Ice Manipulation. Bully.[/i][/color]

[quote][color=#8AACEB]"Everyone wants the chance to make a good first impression. There's an appeal to the swap in that alone. But it's not a simple reset,"[/color] Cass paused.

[color=#8AACEB]"The adage of 'the grass is green where you water it' applies. We can stay on Blackjack, make the best of our situation and enjoy our time at Pacific Royal."[/color]

The smoke of the fire suddenly blew in his face causing Cass to cough before continuing.

[color=#8AACEB]"Or we give up on Blackjack and move to Eclipse or Firebird, either continuing with the same attitude or making the best of a new situation. There's no wrong answer and there's no right answer. It's Schrödinger's cat, whether it's alive or dead is dependent on your outlook."[/color] He had been talking too long, it was probably the most any of them had heard him speak.

Cass sheepishly rubbed the back of his head before holding a palm out. The familial sparks emitted from his hand before swirling together to become a small, glowing orb.

[color=#8AACEB]"According to Professor Roth and Dr. Lehrer, they call it volatile force manipulation."[/color] Cass mused before tossing it skyward, the orb exploding into fireworks.

[color=#8AACEB]"I'm not great at controlling it as I'm sure most of you have seen."[/color][/quote]

Rory paused, moving his head to eat the skewer being held in his left hand. He eyed up Cassander, who had spoken up. He was surprisingly well spoken, for someone who Rory hadn’t really heard say anything at all until now. He didn’t quite know what an adage was, or who Shrodinger was… but the gist was clear enough. And he was right. As much as deep down, Rory wanted to jump ship and hope for the best… there was no guarantee. If the teaching advisor was any indication, Team Eclipse wasn’t going to be any better. But as soon as Cass showed off his powers, Rory quickly wrote down his notes. It took him a second, as Rory’s teammate hadn’t said his name… but Rory matched the picture. [color=fff200][i]Cassander - Volatile Force Manipulation = Fireworks.[/i][/color]

[quote]Banjo spoke up.  [color=darkgoldenrod]"Uhh... My names Banjo."[/color]  He turned to look at Rory.  [color=darkgoldenrod]"I uhh... know the official school documentation says 'Andrew Olyphant'.  That's not my name.  Only name I've ever known is Banjo.  But they needed two names on the paperwork, and, well... yeah."[/color]

Oh, this is just going swimmingly, dickhead.  Sack up.  Before you put these jokers to asleep.

[color=darkgoldenrod]"Anyway...  I've kind of always viewed my powers as 'something I can do' more than 'who I am', so maybe we can all bounce around and throw in something about ourselves as we go.  Y'know, something a bit more substantial than 'I like Pez'.  There's twelve of us here, maybe someone else here'll have it in common and we might actually see each other as people or somethin', or whatever."[/color]

[color=darkgoldenrod]"So, yeah.  I'm Banjo, and I metaboli--"[/color]  He turned and looked at Rory and Trevor and considered his audience.  [color=darkgoldenrod]"I uhh-- eat sunlight and warmth, and my body takes it and makes me stronger, faster, helps me think a bit clearer, basically all 'round a bit better."[/color]  He turned and looked at Sparky McGee, never flinching for a moment, staring at him in the face - straight down the barrel.  [color=darkgoldenrod]"--And I've never known my parents.  I grew up in orphanages and care facilities and bounced around schools for the vast majority of my life.  In fact, I bounced around so much, I'm not exactly sure [b]WHERE[/b] in Australia I'm from, or... I guess... my parents were from, because I've been pretty much all over.  Or whatever.  So who's got next?"[/color]

Well... let's see how that goes down.[/quote]

Rory, almost immediately after Banjo spoke up, crossed out “Andrew” on his note card and replaced it with “Banjo.” He remained blissfully unaware of the subtext behind the correction. Banjo seemed to be in better spirits, or at least a bit more cooperative. The fun fact suggestion was a great idea, in Rory’s opinion. He listened intently, and scribbled down a few brief notes. [color=fff200][i]Banjo - Eats sunlight. Stronger / Faster.[/i][/color] Rory paused in his notes, looking up at Banjo. The thought of being able to think clearer, without all the distractions and urges muddling his brain, filled him with a sharp pain of jealousy. But as he focused in, he felt it wash away. The first heartbreaking story kept Rory distracted for a moment. He didn’t have any words of comfort to offer. He had just lost his parents… it was a different kind of pain than never knowing them. He finished out his notes briefly. [color=fff200][i]Thinks better.[/i][/color]

[quote]Waiting for Haleigh to take her spot around the campfire and looking if Banjo was done with his introduction, she took one last bite out of her steak before speaking up.

[color=#FF7514]”Well, guess it’s my turn. I’m Katja, but you can call me Kat if you want.”[/color] giving an apathetic shrug at the idea. [color=#FF7514]”My ability is density manipulation which means I can alter my own body mass and toughness. Basically I can turn myself into a human wrecking ball. Or punching bag, so if anyone needs a sparring partner who you want to try your abilities on, I’m your [i]meisie[/i]”[/color] She punctuated that statement with a humorless chuckle before looking at Banjo.[/quote]

Rory quickly wrote down his notes on Katja. [color=fff200][i]Katja - Density Manipulation = Wrecking ball or punching bag.[/i][/color] He wasn’t quite sure what that meant… or how he would feel with a teammate turning into construction equipment in the middle of practice. Though he wouldn’t mind volunteering to be her sparring partner.

[quote][color=#FF7514]”Guess I’ll follow your example and explain a bit more about myself. As most of you have probably picked up on by my accent, I’m not from this side of the Atlantic, not originally anyway.”[/color] Katja paused for a moment as she looked up to the sky and took a deep breath before continuing. [color=#FF7514]”I was born and raised in Bloemfontein. Now, that name might not say a whole lot to most of you, but a little over a decade ago there was a large anti-hype massacre over there. The [i]munnies[/i] got to my parents and well…”[/color] She bit down hard on her lips, casting her eyes down for a few seconds before looking back at the people around the campfire with an awkwardly forced smile on her lips. [color=#FF7514]”I’m sorry for ruining the mood, just felt like the best moment to open up.”[/color]

[color=#FF7514]”Anyway...”[/color] she took a shaky deep breath to regain her composure, hiding away her pain back into that deep corner before looking at Banjo with that same forced smile on her face. [color=#FF7514]”You euhm, going to finish that?”[/color] Katja said, pointing her thumb to the untouched plate belonging to the Aussie.[/quote]

Rory’s heart dropped. He wasn’t the smartest bulb in the store, but even he could piece together what Katja was trying to say. His parents had always mentioned the things happening abroad, and the hate people showed towards Hypes. Rory had experienced a bit first-hand, but learned from a young age to keep that hidden. But he knew he had no idea what Katja had experienced. No one deserved that. Rory’s dad has always said it was better H.I.T. stopped Hype criminals before others burnt all Hypes at the stake as witches. Katja knew what that meant more than he did.

[quote][color=#D90037]“Bloody, ‘ell,”[/COLOR] Trace grumbled. [color=#D90037]“I’m Trace Whitlock. [i]They and them[/i] for the lot of you that didn’t get the memo. I’m from Sutton London. My dad is British Military, my mum is dead, and I was scouted for a professional football league before all [i]this[/i] happened. And by football—RORY—I mean your fuckin’ soccer. Except better and with less bullshit.”[/COLOR] They shrugged. [color=#D90037]“As much as my power goes. It’s easier to show you."[/COLOR]

They pulled the back of their shirt up, which caused the front to ride up as well. Their torso was finely muscled, though far from the definition of Katja’s, and as pale as the rest of them. Their deep blue veins were obvious underneath. At first, it would be hard to tell what was happening in the light of the campfire, but it became apparent that a long limb started to form underneath the back of their shirt. At the end was a hand with fingers. The arm extended longer than a normal one should, lengthening out six feet in front of them. It was as pale as their flesh but didn’t seem to be made of skin. It looked to be denser and made of marble. While it bent in the middle, as if it had an elbow, there was nothing natural about it. The hand splayed its fingers and dove into the fire. It picked up some smoldering coals and held them there as if just holding a handful of rocks. It crushed them into a cloud of fine dust—easily—before dropping them back into the pit. The arm then crumbled away, landing on the ground like chalk before bubbling up as if someone doused it in vinegar before disappearing entirely. [color=#D90037]“That’s it. And I can produce six of those things.”[/COLOR] They could do more with it, but they didn’t care to elaborate. Surprises might be fun in the future. Not to mention, they were already braced for whatever shit Banjo was about to spew.[/quote]

Rory quickly scribbled down a couple notes for Trace. [color=fff200][i]Trace - *They Them* - Pro [s]Foot[/s] Soccer player.[/i][/color] He didn’t quite understand why Trace didn’t just call it Soccer… but I guess the British changed the name when they started playing the sport. Rory looked up to see Trace starting to pull up their shirt, and instinctively averted his gaze to the fire between them all. Of course, the fire was bright and started to hurt his vision, so he blinked rapidly a few times and looked back towards Trace… only to see the long limb reaching into the fire he was just staring at. His mind kind of went blank, having to take a moment to reboot and comprehend what he had just seen. He eventually just scribbled down [color=fff200][i]Grow 6 creepy arms.[/i][/color]

[quote][color=lightgreen]"Hi everyone! My name's Trevor and I'm a H.E.A.T. program volunteer. My ability is..."[/color] He trailed off as he racked his brain for a good explanation. [color=lightgreen]"It's easier to show than tell."[/color]

He reached down and placed his hand flat on the ground. In the next instant the skin of his arm started to disappear. Not into thin air and disappearing, it moved into the ground under his hand. But moving was also not quite the right word. His flesh was disappearing and reappearing in the dirt in a rough outline of his hand, then his wrist, and the better part of his forearm that filled in over a few seconds. At the same time, a mixture of dirt, rocks, and grass replaced the limb now half buried in the ground. He flexed his new fingers a few times as small bits of dirt fell back to the ground before taking a firm hold of his original arm and giving a firm tug to free it from the dirt. The arm dangled limply in his grasp as he gave it a good shake to dislodge any dirt stuck to it. He didn't seem to mind as drops of blood welled up near the lump of bone sticking out the top, but he was careful to hold it hand side down.

[color=lightgreen]"I can move other stuff around too. It doesn't have to be part of me either. More importantly I'm with Calliope, cool name by the way. We should stick together."[/color]
By pure chance he happened to glance at Trace with all those arms behind her and gears turned in his head. Trevor looked down at his own disembodied hand and had to suppress a chuckle before he even started. This would be perfect, he just knew it. A joke would make her feel better after he spat with Banjo. Even at a distance it was obvious he was struggling not to laugh at his own joke as he tilted the severed limb in her direction.

[color=lightgreen]"You seem like you got things handled but just ask and I'll be happy to lend you a [i]hand[/i]."[/color][/quote]

Rory was very quiet as he watched Trevor use his power. If he was honest, he didn’t quite understand what he had just seen. I guess Trevor could replace his hand with dirt and rocks. It was a bit strange, and a bit gross. Rory didn’t even want to think about using that power. But he did agree with Trevor on sticking together. Most everyone seemed to be a bit more amicable. And Rory did give an audible laugh at Trevor’s joke. It was very clever, if not a bit gross. He quickly scribbled down a note on Trevor. [color=fff200][i]Trevor - Rock Hand, DO NOT BORROW.[/i][/color]

[Quote][colour=BC8F8F]“Makenna,[/colour] She began her introduction, shining smile at the ready as it came her turn.  [colour=BC8F8F]“Full merit scholarship Yale undergrad, treasurer of the Yale Daily News, and recipient of the Goldfarb Community Service award.”[/colour]  She paused for a moment, wanting so much it could have ended there.  [colour=BC8F8F]“Not that’s what any of you [i]really[/i] wanted to hear about me.”[/colour] She continued, still smiling as she folded her hands together, looking over the group.

[colour=BC8F8F]“Four delta esoteric expulsive; vocal projection and mimicry. I can sound like whatever or whoever you want,”[/colour]  Her head tilted as she innocently lifted her eyes to the darkening sky above. [colour=BC8F8F]“Or just a real screamer if it’s called for.”[/colour]

With a final flash of white teeth, she looked expectantly to her left to continue the chain.[/quote]

Rory felt a little awkward and embarrassed as Makenna spoke. She seemed bright and chipper, but Makenna’s little resume was incredibly impressive. She was clearly very smart, and Rory knew he was not going to be able to keep up with her. It would only be a matter of time before she would think of him as an idiot like Calliope. He jotted down his notes. [color=fff200][i]Makenna - Smart - Voice Projection and Mimicry - Sound like anyone or Scream.[/i][/color] Looking at Makenna’s entry, he wasn’t entirely sure what use that would be in training.

[Quote][color=d94a3f]"I suppose I should probably explain some things. Hi, the name's Haleigh, though obviously some of you already know that. I'm from Vancouver—it's not that far from here, actually. About a day's worth of driving by car. Anyway, my dad is a Mountie. You know, the guys in red, one of the stereotypes when one thinks of Canada. Mom, well..."[/color]

Haleigh paused momentarily, before deciding to skip over that point. It was a topic she wasn't willing to go into.

[color=d94a3f]"The Cascades were his stomping grounds, so he frequently brought me on his trips. To hike. Camp. Just anything to do with the outdoors. I guess he rubbed off on me in the end since I became an outdoors blogger and spent time out there solo before... well, the [i]incident[/i]. I don't like to talk about it, personally. It's difficult to when one day you're... 'normal', and then the next you've buried yourself alive and become the reason people could've died back home. When your neighbors decide you needed to die over something out of your control."[/color]

She looked down at her legs, before taking a deep breath. They needed to know. 

[color=d94a3f]"Some of you are probably wondering about the wheelchair, I figure. Honestly, I hate it. I would much rather prefer to walk. But I can't. Not without people getting hurt. It's something that's been hanging over my head ever since I developed this stupid ability. I could sink this island with a stroll. Destroy the school with a jog."[/color]

Haleigh grimaced, clearly fighting back her emotions.

[color=d94a3f]"I don't want to be the reason why more people get hurt, so I guess that's why I'm here. Tad's helped me with this [i]inhibitor[/i] thing of his, but..."[/color][/quote]

Rory nodded as Haleigh spoke. It was nice to see a fellow Canadian on the team… though, quite frankly, he part of him was a little scared. The way Haleigh spoke about her powers, the more it sounded like a curse. He couldn’t imagine not being able to run around without destroying everything. He gave a sympathetic nod in her direction as he spoke, not writing anything down until she had finished speaking. [color=fff200][i]Haleigh - Outdoor Blogger - Sinks things by walking, DO NOT USE.[/i][/color]

Banjo spoke up next, and Rory took the opportunity to devour what was left of his skewer before it went fully cold. His impression of Banjo kept changing: he was hard to pin down or understand. But he was kind and compassionate. While Banjo was speaking to Haleigh, the talk of “being scared of what you’re capable of” resonated hard with Rory. Rory’s father was harsh and strict with him once he learned what Rory’s power was. The number of times he heard some variation of “you can never let your guard down and use it like an idiot” was so high that it outnumbered the times he had said “I love you.” That thought weighed Rory down for a moment.

Noticing the brief silence, Rory looked up to see a few eyes gaze in his direction. He hadn’t spoken up yet, and was only now slightly embarrassed about the playbook. He quickly slammed it closed, his leg shaking nervously as he took a breath. He looked up towards Trevor for some semblance of reassurance, before speaking to the group at large. [color=fff200]”Banjo’s right. Not all of us can control what we do. They let us work on that here, safely.”[/color] He turned his gaze to Haleigh, trying to offer a bit of a soft smile. His mother had always mentioned how useful her time at P.R.C.U. was in controlling her powers. Maybe it would help Haleigh too.

Rory placed his hands on his knees, willing his leg to stop shaking for a moment. It wasn’t very cooperative, sort of vibrating slightly still despite Rory’s efforts. He looked over to Calliope for a moment, his gaze turning cold for a moment as he did, before looking towards the others and letting his smile return. [color=fff200]”My name is Rory Tyler… My parents went here years ago. I live… lived in Ottawa. I’ve got a brother and a sister, they’re both twins here in the Collegiate program. I guess my fun fact is that I was a pretty good wrestler in high school…”[/color] Rory felt a little nervous at this point. He knew he was stalling from having to explain what his power was. He just flashed a smile, trying to make a good impression for those that didn’t already think less of him.

Rory flipped open the playbook and turned it to the last page, which was just a cut-out note in his Aunt’s handwriting with the name of his power. He read the note, and nodded. [color=fff200]”My power is Power Mimicry. I can borrow a power from someone I’m near for a short time… it’s why I’ve been writing notes down in this.”[/color] Rory held up his wrist, showing off the wristband and pocket playbook. [color=fff200]”I… I don’t really use it, honestly. Any time I do, I get really sick after.”[/color] Rory kept his nervous smile up, looking around to the others. [color=fff200]”So yeah… that’s me. Who’s next?”[/color]

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