[color=gray][CENTER][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/1070792705547980842/1103779297828802630/Katja2.png[/img][/CENTER][indent][sub][COLOR=SILVER][B]Location:[/B][/COLOR] [I]Camp Blackjack, Southern Plateau - P.R.C.U. Campus[/I] - [I]Dundas Islands, Pacific Ocean[/I][/sub][sup][right][COLOR=SILVER][b]The Homecoming Trials #1.105:[/b][/COLOR] [I]Sins of the Father[/I][/right][/sup][/indent][sub][hr][/sub][INDENT][sub][color=SILVER][B]Interaction(s):[/B][/COLOR] [I]The campfire group, Haleigh [@Kuro], Rory [@webboysurf] Calliope [@PatientBean], Trace [@psych0pomp][/I][/sub][SUP][RIGHT][COLOR=SILVER][b]Previously: [/b][/COLOR] [I]Smells Like Team Spirit[/I][/right][/SUP]
[INDENT]Katja’s smile, which had up to this point mostly been forced, turned more genuine at Banjo’s offer of his plate. With a grateful nod she took the plate from him and prepared to devour the first steak kebab she could get her hands on. As she was about to take her first bite though, Trace decided to open up about themself. Lowering the kebab back on the plate, she returned their courtesy and listened intently to their story. An appreciative grin formed on her face as they displayed their Hype ability. While the newly spawned arm might look like a grotesque display of body horror, it was also metal as fuck. And if there’s one thing Katja could appreciate…

Next up was Trevor, someone who Katja hadn’t really interacted with at all up to this point. He seemed like a nice kid and judging by his physique she figured he’d make for an excellent gym buddy. Not to be out done by Trace, Trevor decided to give his own display of the grotesque as he gave a little demonstration of his own power. If she hadn’t noticed the abject repugnance with which the rest of her team reacted to his powers she might have started applauding at the whole thing. Instead she took a big bite out of her kebab as she tried to hide her wide grin, being too distracted with that to catch Trevor’s pun.

Makenna took the opportunity to take the spotlight next. And that she most certainly did. She proudly started rattling off her accomplishments at one of those Ivy League schools. After which she quickly cited her ability before moving the conversation on to the next person. It was a short introduction which got through all the necessary points, but it left Katja wondering. Why, if you seemingly had your life so on track, would you come out here? 

The next person to speak up was Haleigh. It surprised Katja how open she was about herself, given how their previous interaction had been a rather awkward and silent one back at the auditorium. Katja felt her blood boil as she spoke about her neighbors wanting lynch her because of her powers, as it brought back the memories of her parents’ gruesome end again. As Haleigh explained why she was bound to her wheelchair, her behavior in the auditorium finally made sense. Katja reached out to her when she noticed that it was getting harder for Haleigh to find her words. As Banjo and Rory gave some reassuring words of their own, Katja put her hand on the girl’s shoulder and smiled reassuringly at her.[color=#FF7514] “Don’t worry sus, we’ve got your back!”[/color] Pausing for a moment, a smirk appeared on Katja’s lips. [color=#FF7514]”And while I’m sure you’ll learn to control your powers here, as our sunny Roo just said, know that when you get tired of that wheelchair, just give me a holler and I’ll carry you on [i]my[/i] back!”[/color] Finishing that statement with a cheeky wink.

Rory was the next one to open up about themselves. He seemed slightly nervous talking to the group, a feeling that Katja could very much relate with. The thought of having family in PRCU, even if they were in the collegiate, seemed nice to her. And from the way he spoke of them, Rory seemed to draw some semblance of strength at the thought of them being close by. Him mentioning he was experienced in wrestling almost made her eyes spark with joy. Finally someone who also practiced a martial art… Even if it was a completely different discipline from her own. His power seemed interesting too, the possible applications of which seemed endless to Katja. Barely able to contain her excitement at having met a fellow martial arts practitioner though, she spoke up to him after taking one last bite from her kebab, her mouth half full. [color=#FF7514]”It’s awesome you’re into martial arts too! I’m very much into kickboxing but have been interested in getting into MMA. Maybe you can teach me some moves?”[/color]

Having finished the last of the kebabs generously provided by Banjo, Katja kept the last skewer in her hand, playfully flipping it in between her fingers as Calliope addressed the group again. Katja practically froze the moment Calliope mentioned that her father was a US senator. As she went on to talk about her -admittedly privileged- upbringing, Katja’s mind tried to figure out [i]which[/i] US senator Calliope could be related to. The penny dropped as Calliope mentioned her father’s reaction to finding out his daughter was a Hype, which was emphasized by the cracking of the skewer as it broke in two between Katja’s fingers.

However, before she could ask Calliope for confirmation, Luce spoke up and shared her story and power. This involving the second camping/outdoors related incident would have given Katja some reservations about the way they were all spending the night under normal circumstances. But Katja was still internally fuming at Calli’s story to really take note of it. Luce showing the scars of what should have been lethal injuries snapped her out of those thoughts. It once again reminded Katja that there were many here who had as traumatic an experience, if not more so, as herself. She couldn’t imagine what it’d feel like to suffer such an injury, only to be brought back to the land of the living a few moments later. And honestly, she’d rather not think about that either.

Luce then called out to Iñigo, the late arrival to the team who had mostly kept themselves to the sidelines after their initial altercation with Banjo earlier. They obviously wanted to say something about that, but seemed to struggle with whether or not they should do so in public or private. Makenna, in what seemed to become typical Makenna fashion, tried to bluntly force Iñigo to get to the point. With the apparent approval of Banjo, Iñigo apologized to the Aussie for what had transpired earlier. He quickly accepted the apology, too quick for Iñigo’s tastes apparently. While they had a bit more back and forth, it didn’t really register with Katja. Something about Iñigo being an ex-convict got brought up, sparking laughter from Banjo. 

Katja however, was more distracted by Trace leaving the group just before Iñigo joined in. They seemed to have been hurt, or at the very least greatly annoyed, by some of the things said earlier. But before Katja could go after them, Calliope had already made that move. With the group mostly focussing on Iñigo and Banjo, Katja excused herself, making it seem as if she was going to throw away her trash before going after Calli and Trace. Catching up just in time to hear Calliope call out to Trace, who had already vacated inside their tent. She sounded genuine with what she said to Trace, and Katja hoped it would help mellow them out a bit.

Katja walked back to her tent right as Calliope was on her way back to the campfire.Initially she wanted to call out to her, ask her about who specifically her father was to quell that curiosity. But as she got close, about to raise just that question, her pace faltered. Was it really worth possibly sparking another possible argument within the team? It also didn’t really seem like Calliope shared [i]that[/i] senator’s ideas of Hypes. But it was too late to avoid Calliope now, as she was only a few paces away and she most certainly noticed Katja initially walking towards her. She waved at Calliope before softly speaking. [Color=#FF7514]"Hey euhm, thank you for checking up on Trace. I’ll euhm, see if I can get them in better spirits."[/color] Katja quickly flashed a smile at Calliope before moving on towards their tent.

Reaching the tent, Katja removed her shoes and placed them next to Trace’s. After taking a deep breath, she knocked on the fabric next to the entrance to get their attention before softly speaking up. [color=#FF7514]“Heya Trace, you mind if I come in?”[/color] 



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