[COLOR=GRAY][hr][CENTER][img]https://i.imgur.com/4LAnNWx.png[/img][/CENTER][indent][sub][COLOR=#D90037][B]Location:[/B][/COLOR] [I]Northern Cove - Dundas Islands, Pacific Ocean[/I][/sub][sup][right][COLOR=#D90037][b]First Class #2.22:[/b][/COLOR] [I]When Democracy is Totalitarian[/I][/right][/sup][/indent][sub][hr][/sub][INDENT][sub][color=#D90037][B]Interaction(s):[/B][/COLOR] [I]Blackjack Team; Specifically: Haleigh [@Kuro], Luce [@Roman], Rory [@webboysurf], and Makenna [@Tackytaff][/I][/sub][SUP][RIGHT][COLOR=#D90037][b]Previously:[/b][/COLOR] [I]*EXTERNAL SCREAMING*[/I][/right][/SUP]
[INDENT]They were all like bees, gathering, buzzing, becoming louder and more threatening with each escalation. A hive mind of anger and violence. They took a step away from the building vitriol. Their eyes caught on each figure as they spoke, each taking the easy way out with their hurt. They pushed their ultimatums on them and Rory with the ease of someone shoving their rubbish into a bin. It was easy to paint any enemy’s face on a friend when the enemy was so far away and so overwhelming.

Trace glanced at Rory. They grabbed his forearm as a bit of a brace to the slander that was spoken to them. The buzzing became louder. The hivemind agreed and agreed and agreed. Dissent was frowned upon—democracy was dead. 

[COLOR=#D90037]“You bloody lot act like we all didn’t lose somethin’ in all that. Don’t spit philosophy at me. I didn’t grow up rich and white. I know what fuckin’ strugglin’ is about.”[/COLOR] Usually, they’d follow such a sentiment with humor, but it’d bled out of them like the color of their skin. [COLOR=#D90037]“I’m just sayin’ meetin’ blood with blood is what Hyperion would want. You got to be smartah than that. Good to know the lot of you are moronic wankers.” [/COLOR]

They spit on the ground. [COLOR=#D90037]“Bloody fuckin’ Americans fixin’ all their problems with violence.”[/COLOR] They released Rory’s arm. [COLOR=#D90037]“It’s a sad fuckin’ day when I agree with Makenna and Rory here.  But here I am.”[/COLOR] They paused. [COLOR=#D90037]“No, fuck you all, I’m not here. Not anymore. Not with the lot of you.” [/COLOR]

They turned on their heels and left, Luce and Haleigh having left just prior to that. Honestly, the group could take what Trace said any way they wanted. They didn’t act like they wanted to hear what Trace had to say. If they weren’t ready to immediately die against Hyperion, then they were a coward that sided with the monstrosity. That wasn’t how that worked. Trace wanted to fight back but wanted to participate in their own little battle. One that they wouldn’t immediately perish during. 

Trace hadn’t been paying attention when they stormed off. They’d just picked a direction and stomped into it. They were happy to be away from the buzzing. Lo and behold they were at the fountain. It’d be a nice place to sit, and the shade hit it just right. But the figures that eerily appeared within the waters were like ghosts. Trace was tired of ghosts. They were also tired of walking. So, they sat down, one hand holding the flower while the other tugged at the collar of the jacket. [COLOR=#D90037]“I’m not a coward. I’m just not ready to die havin’ accomplished nothin’. We’re too bloody fuckin’ young for that. Cass was too young.”[/COLOR]                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
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