[COLOR=GRAY][INDENT][INDENT][i] The Principal of Haileybury Rendall School greeted them at the front. Outside of the main administrative building. [color=burlywood]"Nilijarrk. Batjji ganyam."[/color] [color=burlywood]"That means--"[/color] [color=darkgoldenrod]"Yeah, yeah. 'We've arrived. It's good to see us.' We saw the sign on the way in..."[/color] [color=burlywood]"So this must be An--"[/color] [color=darkgoldenrod]"Banjo."[/color] He interrupted. The Principal glanced over at the eyes of the Butler who just subtly nodded his head with a widening smile. [color=burlywood]"Banjo it is, then. We hope you'll do your fellow students the same courtesy of calling them by their preferred names as well. It would seem that would be a courtesy that should go both ways."[/color] [color=darkgoldenrod]"If I know it and can pronounce it, that'd seem only reasonable. And if I can't I'll still give it my best shot. Fair?"[/color] [color=burlywood]"More than fair, mate. Remember that much and you should get on fine."[/color] [color=darkgoldenrod]"Hmm..."[/color] Banjo mumbled, less than convinced that this was all it would take to get along. [color=burlywood]"So, you saw the rock signs coming in. Do you know what Larrakia means?"[/color] [color=darkgoldenrod]"It's the First Nations people of the area. Translates to "Saltwater people", presumably because of the sea and trading nature of their peoples."[/color] [color=burlywood]"And the place on the sign out the front? Larrakia country?"[/color] [color=darkgoldenrod]"Gulumoerrgin. Translates to 'white stone'. Because of the coastal rock colour of the sea cliffs around Darwin - or should I use 'Gulumoerrgin' there again? It also can mean the language of the Larrakia, or I think even refer to the Larrakia themselves... I think someone said the word even pre-dates the present choice of 'Larrakia', so it's pretty diverse in meaning."[/color] [color=white]"How the Hell do you know all that?"[/color] Asked the Butler. [color=darkgoldenrod]"Different generation. We at least learn a little about the First Nations peoples based around the capitals. The Kaurna around Adelaide, the Gadigal around Sydney cove, the Whadjuk Noongar around Perth, Melbourne's a bit trickier because it spreads to the Wurundjeri and Boon Wurrung..."[/color] Banjo answered the older white man, before turning to the Principal. [color=darkgoldenrod]"Still not that much, and if he asks me anything else about the Larrakia or Gulumoerrgin I'm probably pitifully tapped out. But I know that much for how little we get taught, at least. But considering there were supposedly about two hundred and fifty different groups of First Nations peoples when colonisation kicked off, knowing about a dozen of those groups names is pretty piss poor. And I probably remember more than most..."[/color] [color=burlywood]"He's right. I'm actually kind of surprised he knows that much. Reading up in the car on the way here?"[/color] Banjo laughed. [color=darkgoldenrod]"You give me far too much credit for work ethic. As your teacher's will probably tell you after knowing me for a week... No. That's just all... swirling around up top here."[/color] He pointed to his own head. [color=burlywood]"Hmm..."[/color] It was the Principal's turn to mutter to himself. The Butler laughed awkwardly. [color=white]"Yeah, ah... He can be a handful sometimes, this one. Ha ha."[/color] Before clipping Banjo behind the ears, whilst the Principal looked the other way, and silently mouthing swearing at the kid to pull his head in. [color=burlywood]"So, whilst we're walking around. Basic facilities. Boarding school dorms are just through there. So you've just been transferred over to the local military base, I believe you said."[/color] [color=white]"Ha yeah!"[/color] The Butler exhaled a laugh before recalling his cover story and dropping his voice an octave as if that would somehow further sell it to the Principal. [color=white]"Ah yeah, yeah, mate. Just been transferred. Naval ship's out at port. Routine training waiting for it to-- well, you know the drill."[/color] [color=burlywood]"Uh-huh."[/color] The Principal replied, unsure about the weird outburst from the other grown man. [color=burlywood]"Well, we have had a few part time transfer students whilst parents have been temporarily re-stationed. We hope you'll enjoy your time here. The school has cricket, basketball, football teams. Did you say you were from Victoria/Western Australia/S.A or New South Wales or Queensland?"[/color] [color=darkgoldenrod]"Yes."[/color] Replied Banjo. [color=darkgoldenrod][sup][sub]"Most bloody likely..."[/sub][/sup][/color] He sarcastically grumbled about his unknown background. [color=white]"Ha ha!"[/color] The Butler laughed again, trying to cover up the child's comments. [color=white]"Yes, just over from Cairns at the moment. So... Queensland. So he's probably not going to be much up for the footy. Rugby land for this one[sup]1[/sup]. Ha ha!"[/color] He said, trying to use the state football divides to keep Banjo out of the school sports he'd doubtless want little to do with, before turning and scowling at Banjo shaking his head and mouthing 'What are you doing to me?' [color=burlywood]"Oh, we do have a rugby team. In fact Mister Harrison will doubtless be thrilled to hear that he's got someone over here from Queensland who'd be familiar and up for it. Not a lot of experience or desire for rugby up here in the Top End. It's mostly Aussie Rules footy up in these parts."[/color] [color=white]"Oh-ho! Did you hear that?" They have a rugby team! There ya go, kiddo!"[/color] [color=darkgoldenrod]"I heard..."[/color] Banjo replied iciliy. 'Alright, I'm sorry, how the bloody Hell was I s'posed to know?' mouthed the Butler. [color=burlywood]"Now as well as the sports programs, we've also got an expansive outdoor education program - which frankly we find to be crucial for the region. It's a very "hands on" approach, experiential based program looking to create an independent, capable, environmentally aware next generation who are properly prepared to deal with the physical and mental challenges that the environment does bring and will in the future."[/color] [color=white]"So a lot of camping and stuff, eh? Well, he's up to speed on all that. A lot of that in his past schools."[/color] [color=burlywood]"Hmm..?"[/color] [color=white]"Past school years. In the years of his school in the past. In Cairns."[/color] The Butler fumbled. [color=white]"You'd be well up for that, eh kiddo?"[/color] [color=darkgoldenrod]"Yeah. I assume the salties would be well up for it too..."[/color] [color=white]"Oh come on, mate! I'm sure they're not going camping out where there's salt water crocodiles!"[/color] The Principal cringed slightly and rubbed the back of his neck. [color=burlywood]"Well..."[/color] [color=burlywood]"The Larrakia call them 'Dungalaba', they're actually totemic to their people. There's ahh-- also more of them here than in Queensalnd. Oh, and they're protected under Northern Territory, Australian and International law. They have a cultural and social significance to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at length."[/color] [color=darkgoldenrod]"Uh-huh."[/color] Banjo noted, turning his head to the Butler with a "Really? Does that do it now? Are we done here?" look on his face that seemed to pose the question about the degree of cultural and social significance these same people would find for some white kid from Whoknowswhere. [color=burlywood]"Dungalaba is also one of the primary clans of the Larrakia people, so central that the Larrakia all believe themselves to be descendents of the Dungalaba - and being descendents of that clan also comes with a kinship and relationship with the animal."[/color] The Principal continued, whilst the Butler's head sank deeper into his shoulders and he refused to make eye contact with Banjo. [color=burlywood]"As such, the Larrakia also like to view themselves as possessing many of the traits of the Dungalaba. Fierce protectors, can be prone to being a bit snappy..."[/color] [color=darkgoldenrod]"You could even say... salty..?"[/color] Banjo offered, watching the Butler shrink further. [color=burlywood]"I suppose that could be considered accurate."[/color] [color=darkgoldenrod]"Huh."[/color] Banjo let that hang in the air for a few moments. [color=burlywood]"But that's just traits they're said to behold. Said to value... In the end, I guess it's all a choice."[/color] [/i] [/INDENT][/INDENT][hr][CENTER][img]https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/1070792705547980842/1103779297518436422/Banjo2.png[/img][/CENTER][indent][sub][COLOR=SILVER][B]Location:[/B][/COLOR] [I]Pacific Royal Collegiate & University - Dundas Islands, Pacific Ocean[/I][/sub][sup][right][COLOR=SILVER][b]First Class: # 2.59[/b][/COLOR] [I]Welcome To Country / House[/I][/right][/sup][/indent][sub][hr][/sub][INDENT][sub][color=SILVER][B]Interaction(s):[/B][/COLOR] N/A[/sub][SUP][RIGHT][COLOR=SILVER][b]Previously:[/b][/COLOR] [I]Welcome to Larrakia Country[/I][/right][/SUP] [INDENT] Banjo flicked back through the three cards again, as if trying to somehow glean hidden information he'd somehow passed the first few times. [color=white][table=bordered][row][/row][row][cell=active][indent][b]Greetings and Salutations Andrew,[/b] We are pleased to announce that after review, we have found you to possess great tenacity, a trait that we truly hold dear and revere in House Strigidae. We hope that you'll make ours your House of choice upon receiving your offers. Sincerely, [i]Theron Demetrios[/i][/indent] [center][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/1070345118718099546/1070345755564453919/Strigidae.png[/img][/center][/cell][/row][/table] [table=bordered][row][/row][row][cell=active][indent][b]Greetings and Salutations Andrew,[/b] We are pleased to announce that after review, we have found you to possess great solitary assertiveness, a trait that we truly hold dear and revere in House Gulo. We hope that you'll make ours your House of choice upon receiving your offers. Sincerely, [i]Robert Priest Jr.[/i][/indent] [center][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/1047910123206627378/1070121926682488892/House_Gulo.png[/img][/center][/cell][/row][/table] [table=bordered][row][/row][row][cell=active][indent][b]Greetings and Salutations Andrew,[/b] We are pleased to announce that after review, we have found you to possess great motivation, a trait that we truly hold dear and revere in House Canis. We hope that you'll make ours your House of choice upon receiving your offers. Sincerely, [i]Aiden Roth[/i][/indent] [center][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/1047910123206627378/1070080948160430130/Canis_House_Test.png[/img][/center][/cell][/row][/table][/color] Tenacity. Assertiveness. Motivation. [color=darkgoldenrod][sup][sub]"So whaddayoo two know about these jokers? Strigidae, Me Goolies and Canis?"[/sub][/sup][/color] [color=honeydew]"Alright, Strigidae tends to--"[/color] Tweedle-dee started to answer from his chair. [color=linen]"Hey--!"[/color] Objected Tweedle-dum from the electric wheelchair. [color=honeydew]"What?"[/color] [color=linen]"No interference. We're not meant to interfere. The Chancellor wants untainted--"[/color] [color=honeydew]"Oh please... we're not in any of his three choices. Hell, it's probably why he sent the pair of us. I'm just going to give a vague outsiders breakdown of all three. He's still making his own decision."[/color] He justified his decision to talk. [color=honeydew]"So Strigidae tend to be a bit more quiet, introspective, withdrawn. You got 'Tenacity' on yours, but the other two traits they consider of value are Dependable and Observant. They've tended to win a lot of the House stuff lately as well. But if you're not a competitor they'll probably leave you alone. Now Gulo... they'll leave you to your own devices even more than Strigidae. They're very... 'Go their own way'. The other two traits? Solitary and pragmatism. They can be... intense. But they're an intense bunch of individuals. And finally, Canis... Well, historically they've won the most house stuff, but a lot of past glory. The other traits they value of esteem are loyalty and courage. They tend to be very..."[/color] He looked for the word. [color=darkgoldenrod][sup][sub]"Full-on..? So let me guess, when we came in for that Homecoming Trials intro thing the other day at the ceremony, the hooting, hollering and smells-like-team-spirit of it all, that'd be them..?"[/sub][/sup][/color] Tweedle-dee didn't answer beyond his widening smile. [color=linen]"Not [b]ONLY[/b] them, but... yeah. They're... particularly excitable."[/color] Tweedle-dum added, not wanting to completely sway him away from a choice. And glaring at the other. [color=darkgoldenrod][sup][sub]"Great... who needs that."[/sub][/sup][/color] So Dependable, Observant and Tenacious... or Assertive, Solitary and Pragmatic... or Courageous, Loyal and Motivated. [b]NOW[/b] which one sounded most like Calliope? He ruled out Gulo pretty quickly. More because the other two seemed even more applicable, than because it was immediately disqualifying. The more he thought about it, the more it all seemed to blur together. They both sounded like her. He thought back to that night... He thought back to when she'd stood up to Rory and Inigo and never missed a beat. He thought back to when she read the situation and the campfire and got the ball rolling on a dialogue, which he never could have achieved himself. He thought back to what he himself had valued most about her: [quote=@Hound55][color=darkgoldenrod]"I mean... you seem pretty switched on. What do you make of that rabble out there tonight? Reckon we can hold this lot together?"[/color][/quote] He trusted her opinion, her observations, as he did his own. And normally he only had his own to rely upon to get by in life. [color=darkgoldenrod][sup][sub]"Observant..?"[/sub][/sup][/color] He muttered, collecting his own thoughts. [color=darkgoldenrod]"Strigidae."[/color] He said clearly. Before wincing slightly from the effort. [color=linen]"Huh. Interesting choice."[/color] Tweedle-dum said. Shuffling through three packages they'd brought, before selecting one and tossing it onto the bed. Tweedle-dee and Tweedle-dum both got to their feet and left. Banjo looked at the parcel. Contained a bunch of clothing with heavy orange tones. So that's that decision made, he guessed. The nurse poked her head up from the desk and saw that his company had left, and returned to the room. [color=white]"Oh, you're not watching the ceremony? Too much excitement?"[/color] [color=darkgoldenrod][sup][sub]"Something like that."[/sub][/sup][/color] He muttered, putting the parcel on the moving table that hung over his hospital bed, and leaning further back into a more relaxed recline. [color=white]"Oh! Good news! You've got an appointment booked in with the specialist for tomorrow--"[/color] [color=darkgoldenrod][sup][sub]"Specialist..? More surgery? The spleen--?"[/sub][/sup][/color] [color=white]"--is fine."[/color] The nurse completed his sentence. [color=white]"No. Different kind of specialist. This is a hyperhuman with regenerative capabilities. She can take on others afflictions, and then heals herself at an accelerated rate. After an initial brief observation session to confirm the extent of your injuries and damage that she'd be taking on, there'd be a therapeutic session. Then, if everything works out ok, this time tomorrow after further observation, you should be free to go."[/color] Banjo furrowed her brow. [color=darkgoldenrod]"There's-- there's someone like that here? Why's this--"[/color] [color=white]"Why's it taken so long? A few things. The hippocratic oath, being one. Her own safety being another. If she sees you too early, before you'd stabilised its possible the extent of your injuries could send her into shock, or potentially further. So we ensured your health got to that safe point by more conventional means, and then used the specialist to accelerate the healing process and your rehabilition."[/color] [color=darkgoldenrod][sup][sub]"Observation? What else could they need to see, if she's taking on all of the damage?"[/sub][/sup][/color] [color=white]"Well, you're still not going to want to push yourself too hard. Your muscles have atrophied to a... remarkable degree for someone who's only been laid out for one week. I overheard a doctor say that it was like your coma had lasted a month. They moved a solar lamp in here to try and countenance that, but it hasn't been as effective as they'd have liked. That's partially why they've been so eager to get the specialist in early. Usually they'd wait another day or two, but they think keeping you out of the sunlight would probably do more harm to your recovery. Just be mindful that your body's not as it was and may take some time to recover. Don't push yourself too hard early on."[/color] [color=white]"Don't be surprised if the doctor gives you a week's reprieve from A.R.C training with your classes, just to help you get back to where you were."[/color] A week. He thought. Well, that's not too bad. After all. How much difference could a week possibly make? [center]- - -[/center] [color=white][sup]1[/sup][/color] Australia finds itself somewhat divided down state lines in terms of preference for football code. The traditional "heartland" states for Australian Rules football being Victoria (VIC), South Australia (SA) and Western Australia (WA). Whilst Queensland (Q) and New South Wales (NSW) tend to have a preference for rugby codes, whether league or union. In terms of the other states and territories, Tasmania (TAS) and the Northern Territory (NT) lean towards Australian Rules football, the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) towards rugby. 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