[b]WRITER'S NOTE:[/b] 

This was posted out of sequence due to OOC issues. 

It is advised to read [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/5461299]this post[/url] prior to reading this if you wish to keep a chronological flow while reading this roleplay.[hr][COLOR=GRAY][INDENT][INDENT][i]It had been some days since the ceremony, and the weekend before their first class was finally here.

Haleigh had received her pick of house, having joined the ranks of House Canis alongside a few other students from Blackjack and the other teams. Although she had appreciated the change of scenery that was the Canis dormitory, Haleigh's mind was primarily focused elsewhere. Her thoughts were once more racked with questions that needed answering; questions she feared had been the product of her own actions. The sense of uncertainty ate away at Haleigh, and she felt just as lost as she had been the first day she stepped foot on campus.

She thought of asking Dr. Edwards for advice. But despite his position as a therapist, Haleigh felt that these were questions he wouldn't understand, just as she had believed many times before. She was just a subject to him; something to be studied rather than helped. There had been absolutely nothing Dr. Edwards could possibly do, Haleigh was certain, to help her combat the internal struggle she had been battling.

But there were others that could. Others that could grasp what she was feeling; that could maybe understand.

[color=d94a3f]"Rory, are you in there?"[/color] Haleigh asked, knocking on his bedroom door. [color=d94a3f]"I wanted to talk about some things, if you had the time."[/color]

The melodic music faintly heard from inside came to an abrupt halt, and rapid footsteps forewarned of the sudden opening of the door. Rory leaned one arm up against the wall and gave a short nod. 

[Color=fff200]"Hey... Haleigh. Yeah, totally. Come on in, make yourself at home."[/color]

Haleigh nodded a thank you, and shut the door behind her. She hadn't gotten around to visiting Rory until just now, but his new bedroom was close to what Haleigh expected. It was sparsely decorated, with the exception of various sporting equipment and resistance bands lying around the floor that Rory quickly kicked out of her way. A moleskin notebook laid open on his desk, which he quickly walked over and slammed shut before spinning around his desk chair to take a seat. 

[Color=fff200]"What's up?"[/color]

[color=d94a3f]"I'm sorry to intrude like this."[/color] Haleigh responded, taking a seat on his bed. [color=d94a3f]"But I've had some things on my mind that I just can't shake away. I thought... maybe you could help me figure out everything."[/color]

She paused and took a deep breath before continuing.

[color=d94a3f]"I thought I had it all figured out, but I can't stop thinking about everything that has happened in the past week."[/color]

Her palms clenched her knees tightly.

[color=d94a3f]"I was... angry, Rory. Angry at the world. I felt helpless when we all watched Hyperion murder Cass. Maybe... maybe I could've done something to save him, but instead I just watched it happen. I couldn't get it out of my head. I've been running from my own powers, and the one time I... I... could've used them for good, I did nothing. It led me to believe that if I could somehow use my anger against Hyperion, then perhaps we could get some semblance of justice for Cass and everyone else."[/color]

Haleigh looked away from Rory, and stared straight at the ground. Her eyes fought the urge to let loose a few emotional tears. She felt guilty for letting her anger overtake her emotions, a fact that now stood out like a sore thumb. 

[color=d94a3f]"...Yet all I managed to do is turn everyone against each other. Trace. Makenna. Even Iñigo. If all I do is push people away, then what hope do I have? Tell me, Rory. I couldn't save Cass. I couldn't keep Blackjack together. I can't do anything. I'm useless."[/color]

As Haleigh finished speaking, the room was filled with silence. It put Haleigh on edge. Had she said something wrong? Had she somehow offended Rory, like the others? Fortunately, Rory quickly eased her worries when he took a deep breath and promptly broke the unsettling quiet.
 
[Color=fff200]"I tried to copy his powers. Or anyone's really... and I got nothing. Whatever Hyperion was doing... I don't think any of us could have stopped it."[/color] 

He sighed deeply, and relaxed his shoulders as he rolled his chair across the room with a well-placed desk kick, coming to a stop next to Haleigh. [Color=fff200]"I don't know if we could have done anything to save Cass' life. We were unarmed, my powers didn't work, and we didn't have a game plan. Maybe there's something we could have done... but I think it's crazy to think we could have done... well, whatever that something was."[/color]

Placing a hand on Haleigh's shoulder, Rory looked her in the eyes. [Color=fff200]"Anger isn't going to bring Cass back, or make things right with the others. But it's not a bad thing, to be angry. You should be. I was... I still am."[/color] 

Rory turned his gaze to his trash can, where a crumpled up sheet of notebook paper rested. His grip on Haleigh's shoulder tightened for a moment before he let go and looked back at her. 

[Color=fff200]"We're not useless because of Cass, and we're not useless because some people left the team. People need some space, you know? We all heal different... at least, that's what my aunt says. Some people need space, or a fresh start. You and me... I think we've got to be kinder to ourselves. We had a bad game... we just watch the tape and fill in the gaps. You feel me?"[/color]

'Be kinder to ourselves'. Maybe that was what she needed—to stop beating herself up and focus more on the positive.

Although Rory spoke with his usual sport analogies, Haleigh understood what he had been trying to say well enough. She felt relieved that she hadn't been alone in her troubles, and equally grateful for Rory's reassurance. The last week had been stressful time for all of Blackjack, current or otherwise. Putting herself down for things that were out of her control wasn't going to help Haleigh, nor was it going to help anyone else in a similar position. 

There was only one issue, however. Where did she go on from here? [b]How[/b]?

[color=d94a3f]"I.. I just don't know where to start, Rory. To 'fill in the gaps', like you said. Everything is a mess right now, and I fear that I've dug myself a hole deeper than I can claw myself out of. It's... It's like the Cascades all over again. I've buried myself under it all, and although it looks like there's a clear way out, it's always seemingly out of reach."[/color]

Rory leaned back in his chair, folding his arms over his chest. 

[Color=fff200]"Well... I don't really know much about that."[/color] 

Looking around his room for a moment, Rory stood up and walked over to grab a weathered baseball from his pile of equipment. He tossed it between his hands, and continued speaking. [Color=fff200]"What I do know is that if you do something you think is wrong, you apologize. Doesn't mean everything is fixed, but it's how you start. As for the rest... if you're pitching a bad game, call for a relief pitcher. Let the rest of the team go to bat for you, you know?"[/color] 

Rory tossed the ball softly towards Haleigh. 

[Color=fff200]"I've got your back. So does Katja, and Trev. You just need to make the call if you need help."[/color]

Catching the baseball in the air, Haleigh rolled within her palm, pondering the ball alongside what Rory had said. After a moment, Haleigh looked back to Rory, and gave the ball a light toss in his direction.

[color=d94a3f]"I think I understand now."[/color] Haleigh responded, nodding. Her exhausted expression now showcased a smile. [color=d94a3f]"Thank you, Rory. It means a lot to me to finally have someone to talk to. To open up to, rather than continue to simmer on it."[/color]

Rory's own infectious smile returned, catching the ball with one hand as he slapped the other on Haleigh's shoulder. [color=fff200]"I'm here anytime... well, not [i]anytime[/i] I guess... you know, between the gym and chores and school and all... I guess I mean you can reach out whenever."[/color] He awkwardly turned away and set the baseball on his desk, fiddling with it until it stopped trying to roll off.

Standing up from the bed, Haleigh began to make her leave towards the door. [color=d94a3f]"I'll be sure to stop by again if I need to. I'll see you later, Rory."[/color]

[color=fff200]"See ya, Halez!"[/color][/i][/indent][/indent][/color][color=gray][hr][center][img]https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/1070792705547980842/1116338227444461697/Haleigh_3.png[/img][/CENTER][indent][sub][COLOR=SILVER][B]Location:[/B][/COLOR] [i]Mess Hall (outside)[/i] - [i]Dundas Islands, Pacific Ocean[/I][/sub][sup][right][COLOR=SILVER][b]First Class #2.77[/b][/COLOR] [I]Fresh Start[/I][/right][/sup][/indent][sub][hr][/sub][INDENT][sub][color=SILVER][B]Interaction(s):[/B][/COLOR] [I]Rory [@webboysurf], Efraim [@Theyra] & RJ [@Lord Wraith] (indirectly via note)[/I][/sub][SUP][RIGHT][COLOR=SILVER][b]Previously:[/b][/COLOR] [I]Canis[/I][/right][/SUP]
[INDENT]The first school day had finally arrived, her first class being Intro to Law with House Ursus' faculty representative, Elias Onassis.

She hadn't known what to expect, but by now Haleigh was ultimately prepared for anything. Although not everything was perfect or back to how it was, her pep-talk with Rory over the weekend had allowed Haleigh to get her head back into the game. A new-found confidence filled her heart, and her once unsteady thoughts were more focused than ever. She was ready to hit the ground running and stop for absolutely nothing in her way.

Being an early bird, Haleigh had been up earlier than most. The Canis dorms were eerily silent, save for the occasional faint noise that came from the commons or elsewhere. It reminded Haleigh of home in its own weird way. Her father would often leave earlier in the day, with Haleigh left home to her own devices until work or school inevitably called her away. It felt comforting, and gave some peace of mind from what had been a crazy, stressful week prior.

Sitting at the shared dining table, Haleigh finished up her cup of plain, black coffee as she gathered her belongings for the school day. An empty plate laid nearby, previously holding a hearty skillet of seasoned veggies and meat. She usually didn't make too much, but with the pep in her step Haleigh went out her way to make extra, having placed it in the dorm's fridge for the other three to eat if they so desired. Pulling from her excessive knowledge of campfire cooking so everyone could start the day energized was the least she could do to showcase "house spirit", after all. 

With the final sip of coffee, Haleigh checked a nearby clock. It was still early in the morning, but she figured to head out regardless. Jotting down a quick note for the boys, Haleigh left it on the table before she washed her dishes and headed out for the day.

[color=d94a3f][i]There is leftover skillet in the fridge for you three. It's an old Crawford camping recipe. Eat if you want. - Haleigh[/i][/color]

Picking up her belongings, Haleigh made her way throughout the campus over towards where they were supposed to gather. The three faculty representatives were already there, and a few students followed in tow. Despite this, Haleigh didn't see any Blackjack faces among them just yet, and so she pulled out her phone, browsing her news feed of outdoor sites to kill some time until the rest of Blackjack showed up or someone addressed her.[/INDENT][/INDENT][/color]