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[hider=Tent talk with Trace and Katja]
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[indent]
Katja entered the tent with a slight hunch, so as to not bump her head against the top canvas. While Trace was venting out their frustrations, an amused smirk formed on her lips. Waiting for them to finish, Katja softly answered. [color=#FF7514]”Honestly, I think she’s right.”[/color] Katja quickly raised her hand to cut off any interruption Trace might have planned so she could continue. [color=#FF7514]”I think your power was metal as fuck. And this might be surprising, but I’m kinda into [i]heavy metal[/i].”[/color] She flashed a grin as she did a quick flex with her right arm.

Lowering her arm, Katja dropped herself down on her sleeping pad while facing Trace. [color=#FF7514]“For real though, I genuinely think you’re awesome.”[/color] A sad smile formed on her face as she rubbed the back of her neck. [color=#FF7514]”You’re the first person here that I’ve been able to talk to for more than a couple sentences before it got awkward, and I appreciate that.”[/color]

Trace tried not to laugh as Katja tried her best to make them do just that. Though, they did humor her with a smirk. A consolation prize for the attempt. They listened to Katja, pulling their limbs back inwards in some semblance of not being the world's saddest, largest starfish. [COLOR=#D90037]"Thanks."[/color] They shrugged afterward, looking her over. [COLOR=#D90037]"I don't get why. These people have powers to, y'know. It shouldn't be too fuckin' hard to treat you with some goddam normalcy. You're nice and you're not up your own ass. That's surprisingly rare around here. Which is stupid as fuck."[/color] Trace pushed air out between their lips as they considered telling Katja something. [COLOR=#D90037]"Maybe I don't like Calliope for different reasons than her just bein' her. Maybe I'm like a little primary school kid, and I like to show affection through bullyin'."[/color] They held up a finger. [COLOR=#D90037]"And that's all I'm sayin' on the matter."[/color]

Katja gave an appreciative nod at Trace’s earlier comment and them opening up to her. She opened her mouth to respond to Trace before they raised their finger and shut the topic down. Mulling it over for a second, Katja decided that she wasn’t done with it quite yet. [color=#FF7514]”I get where you’re coming from. Some of the others rub me the wrong way for different reasons, Calliope amongst them. Though if I’m completely honest she can’t really do anything about that.”[/color] She gave an awkward smirk as she shrugged. [color=#FF7514]”But who knows? Maybe they’ll surprise us somewhere down the line.”[/color] Casting her eyes up, she let out a sigh. [color=#FF7514]“After all, as Hypes we’re all in the same boat. In some way we’re all brothers and sisters.”[/color]

A humorless chuckle escaped Katja’s lips. [color=#FF7514]“I’m sorry. I was trying to lighten your spirit but instead here I am, almost starting a ramble about some heavy shit. Really on a roll with killing the mood today I guess.”[/color] She looked back at Trace with a slightly embarrassed smile. [color=#FF7514]”Guess it would’ve been better to drop the topic when you said so, eh?”[/color]

Trace stared bemused at Katja, their lips twisted into a smirk. [COLOR=#D90037]"Oi. No. You're lightnin' my spirit just fine, luv."[/color] That was not entirely the truth or entirely a lie. It was a muddy in-between that Trace felt weird about. [COLOR=#D90037]"Kat. I swear, you're strong ass bitch in both body and spirit, but--uh--I was referin' to havin' a bit of a fancy towards someone. That's what I didn' really want to go on about. Which now that I've clarified, I feel like I'm just askin' you to ask. But you're bein' too damn sweet and I at least want you to know why we're avoidin' a topic."[/color] Yeah, Trace, just fall into the pig shit and keep wallowing. [COLOR=#D90037]"Which speakin' of fancy. What you think of Cass, eh? I noticed you blushin'. He's a handsome little wanker, ain' he? Not my type. But you could definitely put him in your pocket."[/color]

Katja smiled widely at Trace’s insinuation, her cheeks flushing bright red. [color=#FF7514]”Oh you ass, you knew I’d react like this!”[/color] She said as she pretended to be indignant while pointing at her cheeks. [color=#FF7514]”The reason I reacted like that was because you brought up the whole [i]muscle mommy[/i] thing!”[/color] Grabbing her pillow with an embarrassed laugh, Katja feigned a throw towards Trace before settling it down on her lap. [color=#FF7514]”Though I’ll have to admit, he seems like a genuinely nice person. Maybe a bit broody, but we have a couple more of those in this team.[/color] She playfully stuck her tongue out towards Trace. [color=#FF7514]”And as you said, he [i]is[/i] quite a looker.”[/color] A smirk appeared in the corner of her lips. [color=#FF7514]”But then again, so is everyone in our team. Seriously, I wouldn’t be surprised if any of our fellow team members would be selected for a modeling career. Honestly, it’s kind of boring. Guess overexposure to pretty people has that effect, you kind of get used to it.”[/color] Katja shrugged before embracing her pillow, a smile on her lips. [color=#FF7514]”I guess what I’m trying to say is that he’s not really my type either. Guess my fancy is a bit more of a-euhm- [i]unique[/i] kind of style, heh.”[/color]

Trace made a rather theatric [COLOR=#D90037]"Bwah ha ha,"[/color] at Katja's continued reaction. And then there may have been some mumbled, [COLOR=#D90037]"sorry... sorry..."[/color] afterward.[COLOR=#D90037]"I do bloody regret makin' that joke. It was from a place of support for you, but it may have also been makin' fun of Cass at your expense."[/color] They jabbed at the pillow in Katja's hands and smiled. There was a moment where they forgot about everything going on, the stigma surrounding their appearance, and the sheer hopelessness of everyone's situations. They hadn't had just a normal, "girl talk", conversation in a long time. It'd all been mired in the state of things. [COLOR=#D90037]"You aren't wrong about that..."[/color] they trailed off at Katja's discussion of appearances. Though. They had to wonder what she meant by the last part. There was one thing that Trace was talented at, making sure nothing good was about them. [COLOR=#D90037]"There was that beast guy in the Eclipse Team. I could climb him like a tree. I bet you could too, luv. He looked big enough for it."[/color] They leaned back. [COLOR=#D90037]"We don't have anyone shaped like that on this team, which is unfortunate. I wonder how far away the Eclipse team is camped? I kid... I kid."[/color]

Katja was happy to see Trace open up and relax one step at a time. It meant to her that at least someone in the team enjoyed her company. She suppressed a laugh at the thought of Trace literally climbing the beast guy from Eclipse. [color=#FF7514]”Oh I see how it is![/color] she said with mock indignation. [color=#FF7514]”Trace doesn’t want to talk about who they fancy, but when push comes to shove they go for the biggest beast in town. How am I to ever compete with that?!”[/color] Katja winked playfully at Trace as a grin appeared on her face. [color=#FF7514]”Word of warning though. The fur is going to be a bitch to deal with. Which is why I’m more a fan of smooth rather than hairy.”[/color] She locked eyes with Trace for a moment before she realized what she'd just said. [color=#FF7514]”Wait... No no no! I didn't mean it like-”[/color] Katja put her pillow over her face and let out an embarrassed scream into it before letting herself fall down on her sleeping pad.

[COLOR=#D90037]"Just be yourself, luv. That's how you compete with anyone. I'm about as loveable as a sandpaper jellyfish. And it's the way I like it."[/color] Any other bits of psyching Katja up died quickly on their lips as a high-pitched laugh filled the air. The accidental double entendre was not lost on either of them. No color showed up on Trace's face as they laughed, but had the normal pallor it would have been red with both embarrassment and possible affixation. When the giggling finally came down, like the frothy lapping of a wave, Trace just smiled. [COLOR=#D90037]"Well, if your goal was to make me feel better, Kat. You achieved it. Good to know, though. Didn't think I'd evah learn the personal groomin' habits of my teammates."[/color] They smirked. [COLOR=#D90037]"I don't know about you, but I need to get some sleep if I'm goin' to terrorize everyone properly tomorrow."[/color]

A groan came from below Katja’s pillow as Trace decided to put some emphasis on her verbal slip up. [color=#FF7514]”Screw you!”[/color] Katja said with a smirk as she attempted to whack her tentmate with her pillow, flailing it in their direction, but coming just short of actually hitting them. As payback on Trace seemed unlikely, she let out an exaggerated sigh and scowled at them for a brief moment before breaking out into laughter. Turning on her back, Katja nodded in agreement with Trace’s suggestion of getting some sleep, a small chuckle escaping from her at the thought of Trace running rampant the next day at the trials, tormenting their fellow team members. [color=#FF7514]”Yeah, I’m gonna need some shut eye too. We gotta be rested for the big day tomorrow after all!”[/color] She went quiet as she closed her eyes for a moment. [color=#FF7514]”Trace? I know it’s a bit late to mention this but, I’m a bit of a noisy sleeper. I know we shared a room at the intake house and all that but…”[/color] She paused for a second, thinking of sharing [i]why[/i] she had trouble sleeping. No, she decided, now was not the time for another trauma dump. Not yet anyway. [color=#FF7514]”Anyway, if I make too much noise, just kick me in the head or something and I’ll promise you I’ll stop!”[/color]

[COLOR=#D90037]"Kick you in the head? Am I bloody knockin' you unconscious? Don't worry about it, luv. I grew up with four brothas and a dad with a thick mustache. I've heard it all."[/color] They flipped over themselves, feeling better about that evening. But their thoughts still weighed heavily on their brow. They were threatening to pop back up at any moment. So, it filled them with a bit of regret to state [COLOR=#D90037]"Night, Kat."

Katja hummed in amusement at Trace’s reply. [color=#FF7514]”Alright, suit yourself then. The offer still stands though!”[/color] She looked at Trace for a moment before turning around as well, pulling her blanket over herself. [color=#FF7514]”Goodnight Trace.”[/color]
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[indent][i]Katja was quick to fall asleep after her talk with Trace. Falling asleep had never been an issue for her. The problem was getting a good night’s rest. 

It didn’t take long for her dreams to start again after she went into a deep slumber. It was the same as always. She would be there with her family, running through their own house as an angry crowd crashed through the front door. That safe, familiar environment of her own house, suddenly becoming like a maze of terror. Her father would yell to get upstairs, to the safe room. But before they could reach it, their path would be cut off by more of the rioters who had climbed in through the balcony. The family got cornered when they ran into the nearest room, her room. As her father tried to hold the door, her sister would tell Katja to go to her regular hiding spot, the one in the closet, and be real quiet. The door would give just as she sat down. The first one through the door was a big Zulu man, who slashed her father’s throat in an instant with a machete. Drowning in his own blood, he sought for Katja, hoping she’d made it to her hiding spot in time. Their eyes would lock as the violence continued unabated. As her mother tried to reach him, another man stepped from behind the Zulu. It was the family’s neighbor who was a fellow Afrikaner. He charged her with a brick, shoving her onto Katja’s bed before caving her skull in. Katja’s sister, who pleaded for her life, would be hit several times in the back by a Coloured man with a steel pipe, shattering her spine. Less than a generation ago these men wouldn’t have been able to share the same room due to a hatred based on pseudo-science. Now they were united in their hatred based on actual science. 

While the attackers cried out in jubilant victory, Katja’s gaze would remain fixed on her father’s eyes, the light in them slowly fading away as unspeakable things were being done to the corpse of her mother. Out of nowhere, the closet would be torn open. A big man, who Katja didn’t recognize, stood in the opening. In his hand was a gun which was pointed straight at her. This would be it, she thought, this would be the end.

And then the shot rang out.

Katja shot up from her sleeping pad with an audible gasp, completely covered in cold sweat. Panting heavily, she reflexively ran her hands over her face to check where she had been shot, letting out a shaky sigh of relief at the realization that it was just another of her nightmares. However, something was different this time around. The man with the gun was new. And she couldn’t really understand why. That is until another gunshot rang out.

Trace now shot up as well. While both had the same burning question on the tip of their tongues, neither could ask it. The top of the tent suddenly flew away before either could say something. A shiver went up along Katja’s back as she got exposed to the cold night rain and the sweeping winds of the storm. At least, she thought it was because of that. Not too far from their tent did she see a gathering of people. As she made her way to them Katja soon realized that something was wrong, as Jim was clasping his… Stump? What the hell had happened? 

It was only then that Katja noticed the strangers amongst the group. One of whom was clearly a woman, the other had a mask covering their face which made it hard to determine who or what they were. Were they even human? It didn’t take long until Katja got her answer as the masked figure then made themselves known. 

They were Hyperion.

Katja looked on in amazement at what many believed to be the most dangerous Hype in the world. A terrorist according to the mundane authorities and even to H.E.L.P. But to Katja? She honestly didn’t know. As they unexpectedly multiplied themselves they began to address the students, some of them personally, about the injustice that was done to them, the oppression they suffered at the hands of those unblessed by the Hype-gene. Those, according to Hyperion, who were lesser than them.

Hyperion’s words had a profound impact on Katja. She found herself agreeing with their words, as pompous as they may be. She didn’t know how to feel about that, agreeing with someone who killed countless men and women. On the one hand there was the obvious repulsion at seeing someone like that in the flesh. But on the other hand, they promised vengeance. And for as long as Katja could remember, that was what she wanted most. Vengeance for her family, who were killed just for being different.

Her train of thought was broken by someone standing up to Hyperion. Of course, out of all those present, it was none other than Banjo who did. He and Hyperion shared some words before the former was cast into the air, the latter obviously none too pleased about the Australian’s reply. 

Suddenly Cassander created a distraction before engaging Hyperion with a firearm he picked off of the ground. As he rushed past her, Katja felt like she had to do something, [b]anything[/b] to help her teammate, or at the very least prevent him from getting harmed. Instead, she stood frozen, somehow unable to move as she, and all the others with her, witnessed Cassander Charon’s demise at the hand of Hyperion.

She looked on with disbelief as the young boy who she had talked to mere hours ago breathed out for the last time, a massive hole in his chest spilling whatever intestines hadn’t been instantly disintegrated by the force of Hyperion’s attack. 

Hyperion turned around, barely giving Cassander even an afterthought, as if he had just swatted a fly out of the air. They and the woman he was with were about to leave when Ryan from Eclipse spoke up, asking to join them. Her siding with them seemed to open the floodgates as several more from Eclipse volunteered, marching alongside their student representative to join Hyperion’s side. With the first one breaking away from the P.R.C.U. and H.E.L.P’s doctrine, it seemed to be a lot easier for the next one to do the same.

Katja felt it too.

She realized that she had to, that she would join alongside Hyperion and finally get justice for all the Hypes who were being oppressed in this world for being born different. Get vengeance for her family. She was being granted a golden opportunity to finally rid herself of the shackles put on her by Mundane society. Something she had dreamt of since that fateful day all those years ago. She had to join Hyperion. 

She had to.

But she didn’t.

She couldn’t move. No matter how hard she tried, no matter how much she wanted to. She just couldn’t move. Standing there, with the rain pouring down on the campsite, all Katja could do was stare. Like the little girl hidden away in her closet, staring at her father’s eyes in his dying moments, so too could she only stare in Cassander’s eyes as the light slowly faded away.[/i][/indent]

[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 #2.17[/b][/COLOR] [I]Dusk Hour[/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]N/A[/I][/right][/SUP]
[COLOR=silver][sup][b]| 6 Days After Hyperion's Attack[/b][/sup][/color]
[INDENT]Jab. Jab. Right hook.

Katja hadn’t gone to any of the therapists, even though Jim all but mandated it to her. She argued that the best therapy she could find would be here in the gym. The punching bag was her therapist. The punching bag never judged, no matter how much hurt she threw at it. It allowed her to vent her frustrations in a way she’d never be able to by just talking. It provided a sort of clarity of mind as she went through the motions, performing the different combinations for hours at a time. 

Jab. Jab. Low kick.

She’d spent so much time here in the last week that blisters had formed on her hands, the skin on her knuckles giving way to the excessive amount of force unleashed on her target. The loyal punching bag wouldn’t complain though. It was always there for her.

Left Hook into backhand. Recover.

Katja glared over her guard, studying her points of impact as she caught her breath. The break in action allowed her mind to wander, no longer preoccupied with thinking about different combinations and breathing techniques. Instead, her mind went back to that fateful night six days ago. Hyperion’s words, Banjo being thrown in the air, Cassander’s dying breath… She almost felt the rain again.

[i][color=#FF7514]Coward.[/color][/i]

It was at calm times like these, when she wasn’t doing anything, that her mind began replaying everything. That regret would start to seep in. That this [i]voice[/i] would talk to her again. Her voice.

[i][color=#FF7514]You had your chance that you’ve always dreamt of. A shot at striking back at the scum that took everything from you. Yet when push came to shove you did nothing, like that scared little girl from all those years ago![/color][/i]

She let that voice talk to her. It was right after all. She did want to join Hyperion. His words truly resonated with her. I had been the one thing that had always on her mind. To finally create a place for Hypes to live unburdened by the Mundane of the world. And in doing so get retaliation for those she and others like her had lost. 

Perhaps there would be another chance, she thought as she readied herself for another bout with the punching bag, another shot at joining Hyperion.

Jab. Jab. Direct pun-

[i][color=#8AACEB]Traitor.[/color][/i]

In her shock Katja reflexively activated her ability, the punch sending the punching bag flying as its support cable snapped under the immense force. It careened into one of the free weight racks several feet away, luckily hitting none of the other gym goers in the process.

She stared in wide eyed disbelief at the wreckage she caused, panting heavily as her hairs stood on her neck and cold sweat ran down her back. One of the gym crew ran up to her, yelling something that she couldn’t make out. Katja turned around to face him, an apology on her lips. But no words would come out of her mouth. Instead, she felt her stomach turn. Turning away from the man, she fell to her knees as she emptied her guts over the gym floor.
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[COLOR=silver][sup][b]|The present[/b][/sup][/color]
[indent]

Katja stood at attendance in her dress uniform at Cassander's funeral, her chin raised to the sky as she bit her lip in an attempt to keep her emotions under control. The dark bags around her eyes clearly gave away that she’d had trouble sleeping, even more so than usually was the case. She avoided looking over at the body draped in the Canis colors. She just couldn’t bring herself to. Even the mere thought of him would take her back to seeing the life drain from his eyes.

Instead Katja observed her fellow team members. Some of them showed extreme grief, others seemed to be steeled by determination to get payback. Katja tried to show as little emotion as possible, trying to portray a sort of stoic appearance to the outside world. Inwardly however she was wracked by feelings of guilt. It tore her apart. Guilt over both betraying whatever she believed in before this all happened, but also guilt at feeling like she betrayed Cassander and her team by even contemplating to align with Hyperion. The more she thought about it, the more nauseous she became.

As the funeral ceremony came to a close and the Color ceremony only being an hour away, Katja walked in the direction that the rest of her team was going. She hung back a little however, deciding to listen in on the conversation of some of them instead of joining in herself. Hearing Haleigh and Calliope talk about avenging Cassander got Katja to silently thank herself that she hadn’t confronted Calliope about her father, as that would’ve definitely put a target on her own back. With her teammates now actively planning revenge, Katja became convinced that she had to put on a mask and not let her feelings be known to the team. At least, for now.


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