[COLOR=darkgray][i] Banjo was hunched over the fire. Everyone was starting to pack up and gather their things. It had been a good day and a mixed night. He looked over at Calliope and Amma, as the former packed her stuff away, whilst the latter seemed a million miles away. A very mixed night. Calli had looked at him straight in the eye, and then breaking eye contact told the entire group she had it on her mind to start a family. Sure, it was a “one day” off in the abstract distant future, but if he wasn’t mistaken it seemed very much like she was throwing down the gauntlet. He’d never had such a firm suggestion of long LOOOONG term commitment. They’d made their plans and he’d tiptoed around asking her views on marriage in private company before. But this seemed very much like she wanted him to know that she was expecting all of this and more. It was the best news he’d had in a long time. …but also terrifying. The thought of [b]HIM[/b] having kids, from what little he’d been told of his background. His genes, his history, a bunch of people learning their formative traits and lessons from him, with [b]HIM[/b] as their primary male role model..? Seemed like a Hell of an opportunity for karmic backlash, if nothing else. And then Amma had brought back a lot of nagging concerns as well. He’d known what it was like to live life on the run. More than anyone here, in fact. He’d done it for the better part of two decades. It wasn’t something he was really ever bothered by if it happened again, because he knew he could do it. It was part of the reason for his future plans being as simplistic as they were, and so easily transferable. The same reason why even five years after coming here he still lived out of his foot locker, and his wardrobe contained little more than the ‘trophies’ of numerous Canis school uniforms of Rory Tyler that he’d accumulated via numerous pranks and japes over the years. Five years on and he was still ready to ‘up sticks in five to ten’. He relived the moment: [quote][COLOR=#978184]"Do you really think any of that is going to happen. Do you think they'll just simply let you go. Once we graduate, what happens then. The Institute is breathing down our necks now."[/color] The fire sparks in answer at the mention of her former association, the hiss of drift wood punctuated by the sliver of crimson power reaping through the flame. Beneath her, the sand trembles, the grains shifting at her beck and call as her smile lances through her features akin to a vicious slash. She finds molten eyes through the haze of the night and says: [COLOR=#978184]"The world outside of this perfect little bubble is cruel and it is dark and it is afraid. Afraid of you. Afraid of me. Outside that shield of fog,"[/color] Amma gestures abroad, lines of silver coiling betwixt her fingers, lighting the depth of her eyes to an eerie glow. In those chasms of blue lies a void; a never ending sky that collides with [i]something.[/i] Someone. [COLOR=#978184]"They lie in wait to take everything you hold dear. And they will. They always do."[/color] Amma's nails lance against the name inked into her neck. [COLOR=#978184]"And I welcome them to try. I will take everything from them. Just as they took everything from me."[/color] [COLOR=#978184]"But no matter what, this world will never accept you. They won't forget. They haven't forgotten. I doubt they will ever forgive."[/color][/quote] The heavy silence she left in her wake. The unease of the group. The desperate need to fill it. What was it he’d said again? [color=darkgoldenrod]“Well, shit… Here’s to me bein’ on their list only [b]AFTER[/b] they try it on you, then.”[/color] And he’d raised a beer bottle to her. It got a small chuckle from a few, but her message had clearly stung the group, some worse than others. He looked into the fire. Its warmth. Its energy. Another peek back at what he’d gained in this place. She was still packing things, cleansing sand from towels. It wasn’t a thought he’d had very often, because he seldom reflected so deeply on his past, but he began to wonder if he still could do it anymore. For the first time, he felt he wouldn’t. Even if his world was collapsing around him. Even if his world was falling into the darkness of the abyss. He couldn’t see himself running anymore. Not with what he had now. He focused and rode the surge as his back seized, and his arm turned black. He plunged it into the waning flames and embers and drank deep. The fire died. Then cursed himself as he felt sobriety take hold once more. He’d found it easier to sleep after he’d had a few. The dreams stayed away, the size of the bed a distant concern. Stupid. He walked over to the cooler and grabbed the last few bottles of beer. [color=darkgoldenrod]“Just made ya esky lighter, Tyler. Never say I don’t do anything for ya.”[/color] He called out. [color=darkgoldenrod]“Ya done, hun?”[/color] He asked Calliope. The Houses of Ursus and Strigidae shared a building, so they were going in the same direction. There was no running. They walked together, the whole way. [/i][/color] [center][color=darkgoldenrod][sup]________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________[/sup][/COLOR][img]https://images5.fanpop.com/image/photos/27900000/Alex-alex-pettyfer-27913840-500-238.gif[/img][/CENTER][indent][sub][COLOR=darkgoldenrod][B]Location:[/B][/COLOR] [I]The Farm/The Beach/The Chimera's Lair/Banjo's Dorm[/I] - [I]Pacific Royal Campus[/I][/sub][sup][right][COLOR=darkgoldenrod][b]Welcome Home #1.047:[/b][/COLOR] [url=https://open.spotify.com/track/1yeCajimfmJA0yAjwUScQf?si=YJG-P2rtT06nbx09va0m6A][I]Solid Rock[/I][/url][/right][/sup][/indent][COLOR=darkgoldenrod][SUP][sub]____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________[/sub][/SUP][/COLOR][indent][sub][color=darkgoldenrod][B]Interaction(s):[/B][/COLOR] [I]Rory - [@webboysurf], Calliope - [@PatientBean], Amma - [@Rockette], Haven - [@Skai], Tad - NPC[/I][/sub][SUP][RIGHT][COLOR=darkgoldenrod][b]Previously:[/b][/COLOR] [color=white][I]Plans Over A Brew or Two[/I][/color][/right][/SUP][/indent] [color=darkgray]Banjo woke up and poured himself into a pair of shorts to make the brief trek to the coffee machine. The grinding of beans inspired his roommate Alex Zimmerman to have the same idea. [color=dodgerblue]“Morning!”[/color] He greeted him enthusiastically. He always started mornings at about an ‘8’. Until Banjo had a second cup, he was firmly stuck on ‘2’. Something today had pushed Zimmerman way up to a ‘13’ though. [color=dodgerblue]“Have you heard! There’s a touring group from the Alexandria Foundation here!”[/color] Banjo hadn’t made the connection as to why he, or anyone, should give a shit about this, until he remembered. [color=dodgerblue]“Sure, it’s not Hyperman or Miragal, but I’m gonna see if I can—”[/color] Banjo turned around and made a calming gesture with his open palm, which proved effective when combined with the ‘barely functioning’ expression he carried upon his face. [color=dodgerblue]“Oh, sorry..!”[/color] Banjo carried his cup to his room at a trudge and closed the door. Ten minutes later, he re-emerged in an approximation of what the school expected from him in terms of school uniform, stuffing his dress peak cap in his blazer’s interior pocket, and stepping to the machine to make the stabilising second cup of the day. [color=dodgerblue]“Sorry man, for earlier, I’m just excited! Gonna see if I can get some merch from the Force!”[/color] Big Steve greeted him far more gently, as he emerged from his room and waited in line. [color=dodgerblue]"Dude! They're ACTUAL GENUINE SUPERHEROES!"[/color] He called out, almost in disbelief from having to explain himself. Banjo topped his takeaway cup with chocolate, before directing him to Zimmerman. [color=darkgoldenrod]“I leave him in your capable hands. Try not to break him any more than he already is.”[/color] Big Steve’s face creased a smirk. [color=red]“Do you want us to pick you up any--?”[/color] [color=darkgoldenrod]“I don’t c—”[/color] [color=red]“You don’t care.”[/color] They sang a tune they’d both heard many times before. [hr] Banjo made his way down the back way, behind the A.R.C, to the Community Farm. He’d heard Aurora had picked up her own assignment there working the flowers in and out of the greenhouse there, if he could hold off the news of where he was for now, he’d like to continue to do so. He got there to the same assembled group of freshmen as last time. [color=darkgoldenrod]“Same as last time, cows need milkin’, chickens need feedin’, if you don’t want to do it I don’t care, I don’t need the lot of ya anyway.”[/color] One of the kids raised his hand, and Banjo sighed deeply. Why did he even say anything? [color=darkgoldenrod]“Yes, Lonely Hearts?”[/color] [color=orange]“Umm—are we—wait—are you going to call me 'Lonely Hearts' every time?”[/color] [color=darkgoldenrod]“Yes, Lonely Hearts.”[/color] He replied flatly. He turned to the rest. [color=darkgoldenrod]“Anyone else?”[/color] [color=orange]“No, wait, that wasn’t my question.”[/color] [color=darkgoldenrod]“Then why are you wasting my time with things that aren’t your question, Lonely Hearts? Why don’t you take a page out of Next-to-Blondie’s book? She’s not botherin’ no-one.”[/color] [color=orange]“We’ve got Homecoming Trials today.”[/color] [color=darkgoldenrod]“Not a question, Lonely Hearts.”[/color] Banjo started walking to the milking sheds, the group followed him. He sighed again. [color=orange]“I was just wondering… Could you tell us anything about them?”[/color] [color=darkgoldenrod]“Ask a teacher. I’m not—”[/color] [color=blue]“You’re[/color] [color=salmon]not a[/color] [color=limegreen]teacher.”[/color] Blondie, Next-to-Blondie and Hugh all said in unison. [color=darkgoldenrod]“There. See. They catch on. Why can’t you?”[/color] [color=orange]“Well, it’s just… None of them have really told us much of anything, like it’s some big secret. And you’re the only senior I know.”[/color] [color=darkgoldenrod]“I’m the only senior you know?”[/color] He stopped walking and turned to look at the freshmen. [color=orange]“Well, yeah…”[/color] Banjo laughed at him. [color=darkgoldenrod]“Well, you poor bastard…”[/color] He went right on back to walking to the milking sheds. [color=darkgoldenrod]“Alright… hopefully you’ve got some sense of how to milk cows now. Keep in pairs so at least one of you might have the sense to tell the other when you do something braindead. Two on cows, two on chickens. When you’re done with the chickens, help on cows. Wait… are you all sticking around, or are some of you chuffing off?”[/color] [color=limegreen]“We’re all here, Miste—”[/color] ‘Hugh’ said. [color=darkgoldenrod]“No.”[/color] Banjo cut him off firmly, with a side-eyed glance, a scowl knitted across his brows, and pointing at him. [color=darkgoldenrod]“I’m not a—”[/color] [color=blue]“You’re[/color] [color=salmon]not[/color] [color=orange]a[/color] [color=limegreen]teacher.”[/color] [color=darkgoldenrod]“Too bloody right.”[/color] The freshmen paired off whilst Banjo made his way to the barn. He’d baled feed specifically for today, he was going to be time-short, and wouldn’t be returning to the barn due to the Homecoming trials, so none of the livestock could be released to the outer paddocks for a feed. Checking nobody was around, he rode the feeling of juicing up once more, and stacked six bales on top of each other, and carried them in his arms with a pitchfork resting atop. His view obscured by the comedically large stack, he walked sideways out of the barn and made his way to the sheep. He put the bales down and threw two over the fence. Jumping the fence with one hand on the post, before breaking up the bales with the pitchfork. He checked the water levels, before jumping back and carrying the remaining bales to the other interior paddocks, feeding the remaining stock in much the same way. He detoured back via the stables, where he fed and scooped after the horses, leaving one hills pony for last. [color=darkgoldenrod]“G’day. Gonna be a short day today.”[/color] He said, pulling sugar cubes from his dorm’s coffee set-up from his pocket. [color=darkgoldenrod]“So you’re gonna be hemmed in today. Sorry ‘bout that. Blame the young’uns.”[/color] He stroked it’s face, before resting his forehead on the horse’s. [color=darkgoldenrod]“Mmm. They’re not so bad. Just a batch-a dim bulbs. They’ll brighten up as they get warm.”[/color] He patted the top of her mane once more and left to check on their progress. [hr] Banjo began the slow trudge back to the Mess Hall, where the rest of his team would be waiting. He got there just in time for their faculty representative to decide to stop dragging his feet and move Team 21 onwards to the stadium itself [color=white]“Alright Blackjack, looks like everyone is accounted for. Any stragglers can catch up as you all know the drill by now.”[/color] [color=darkgoldenrod]“Shut up, Tad!”[/color] Banjo called out over the crowd, smirking as he watched the smaller man’s neck stiffen in typical reflexive response to hearing Banjo’s voice. [color=darkgoldenrod]“We all know you slept in the A.R.C over the holidays. A hard light projection is not a real friend!”[/color] It had become the soundtrack to the day-to-day for team Blackjack, very rarely did he hit a one-liner that broke the team up in laughter. A lot fell flat. Many were tuned out as tedious background noise. Some even drew disappointment or groans from his teammates, but it didn’t stop him throwing one out there seemingly any time Tad Finch spoke. He seemingly had a never ending reserve of them ranging from the pointed to the abstract and weird. The group found their level as they’d pair or group up on their walk, minor chatter which hushed as the Stadium drew near. He felt Calliope’s arm slide in to his, a welcome surprise, and the pair made their way into the Chimera’s Lair. He felt Calliope lean against him as they found their seats and was warmed by the notion that she still seemed to be in the same headspace as the previous night. Someone who knew him so well and still wanted more. He wanted to hug her, but settled for resting his head wordlessly on hers. The orchestra began to play, building to the introduction. [color=white]“All rise for the national anthem!”[/color] All in attendance rose, and as the orchestra belted out their best efforts at ‘O Canada’ which Banjo sang along to… …with the lyrics of [url=https://open.spotify.com/track/2MGZFL6kqsXxXojlm64BUn?si=31dr1RGvRCai3SaG0u8OVw]‘True Blue’[/url] by John Williamson. A little off key, but he was hardly known for his singing. [center][color=darkgoldenrod][i]‘True Blue… Is it me and yoooooou… Is it Mum and Daaaad, Is it a cockatooooooo?[/i][/color][/center] Haven looked down the aisle at him. Of course, her hearing… He held his hands out and mouthed ‘What?’ before continuing his song, broad grin across his face. Calliope nudged him in the ribs, her lips trying to hold a laugh in. [center][color=darkgoldenrod][i]Is it standin’ by your maaaate… when he’s in a fiiiiight Or just veg-e-miiiiite True Blue, I’m aaaarskin’ yoooou…’[/i][/color][/center] The anthem drew to a close and everyone shuffled and scuffed to return to their seats. [color=white]“It’s my pleasure now to welcome to the stage your newly elected Chancellor, a man instrumental in defeating Hyperion and a dear personal friend, James O’Neil!”[/color] [i]“And now, for some folksy patter from ‘Ol Righty’”[/i] Banjo thought to himself. [i]“Blahbity blah, wordsin’ it up. Boy howdy. Gosh gee folks. I tell ya what…”[/i] Banjo thought to himself as the new Chancellor spoke, before getting distracted by the other figures taking up the stage who he had never seen before. Trying to place her, but coming up with nothing. Banjo suddenly felt eyes on him. More than quite a few. [i]“Wait… did a telepath just project my thoughts or… oh. A joke at my expense.”[/i] He smiled at the foolishness of his first thoughts. [color=white]“With that in mind, I’d like to bring y’alls attention to a special visitor.”[/color] Banjo shook his head and chuckled at the ‘y’alls’. [color=white]“As a part of our ongoing efforts to improve the school and do best by each of you, Pacific Royal is looking at collaborating with the Alexandria Foundation … ”[/color] Ohhhh right. Them. Zimmerman was going on about them earlier. Cheers rose from all around him. Some reference to sport, by the looks and overwhelming enthusiasm of Rory and Katja. [color=white]“But we’re looking for your cooperation in making Ms. Torres and her fellow Foundation members feel as welcome as you would a new student. The Foundation will be auditing classes and learning how we do things at Pacific Royal. Be sure to show them why our Chimeras are the best.”[/color] Wait… they’re gonna be in our classrooms, watching our classes? Banjo fought off a laugh at the news. Maaaaate, I’ll show these tights under dax jokers a thing or two they’ve never seen before… [color=white]“Sadly, this isn’t all pomp and circumstance, I do have to rain on this parade.”[/color] Banjo raised a brow. These early year assemblies [b]NEVER[/b] had a down twist or turn. If they could they’d push bad news further down the line, once people had settled. They hated to rain on their Homecoming. Hated it. As in move Heaven and Earth to avoid it… and they had quite a few people who powerwise could probably move heaven or earth just for the feng shui of it all… [color=white]“Given the current societal climate, circumstances beyond our control have conspired to invalidate our accreditations. To be straight with y’all, Pacific Royal has recently lost its accreditations for our degree programs in the engineering, law and medical fields. Students currently completing those will graduate with a degree not recognized for career certifications.”[/color] [i]Huh…[/i] Next to him, he heard Calliope inhale. And that’s where his concern was right now. He concentrated on what he was hearing, but held her hand and kept watch on her. He wasn’t bothered by how this could affect him, he’d formed backup plans years ago, not wanting to ever rely on this place or let it hold the fact they might flunk him out over him. He didn’t need their paper. If he bombed out he could just drive south of the border, he’d researched it. Washington state was one of the few states in the United States where you could take the BAR exam without need of a law degree. If they tried to stick it to him, he could get his BAR card in an afternoon. Work on locations it would transfer to, loop holes and administrative edges, and find a way to reunite with Calli within the week. But this wasn’t his plans getting derailed. It was the unthinkable. They were doing this to [b]HER[/b]. And he knew exactly how she’d be taking it. [color=white]“Rest assured, we are working around the clock to get approval for credit transfer to several distinguished universities in both Canada and the United States. We do not want your hard work to go to waste. The Bureau has agreed to pay tuition for any student who chooses to transfer along with helping relocate students to their new campus. I understand going to another school is not ideal—”[/color] He felt her tremble against him. She needed more. She was spiralling. He squeezed her hand to let her know he was there. She raised her head, and he felt relieved that she had at least regained enough composure to do at least that much. He could see she wanted to cry but she wouldn’t. He put his head near hers and tried to offer a reassuring smile, but she wasn’t ready for that yet, wasn’t even aware he was doing it. He was turned almost completely to her, and away from the stage. She was his focus. He wished this problem had a face, so he could punch it. And then one of the newcomers broke their silence. [color=white]“Provided Pacific Royal and its Bureau are amenable to our conditional terms, the Alexandria Foundation has authorized me to extend our certifications to the students of the affected programs.”[/color] Banjo’s head raised. Timely. Too timely. He lifted his head above Calliope for a few seconds and took in the entire crowd, as they filled the stadium, and a singular thought flashed into his mind as he took them all in. [i]‘Shareholders’.[/i] He had no interest in entering Corporate law, but he had developed at least a broad understanding from his Law classes in general. He turned back to the stage with a scowl. He recognised a hostile takeover when he saw one. He returned his attention to Calliope, and tried to ground her in the present. [color=white]“As many of you are already aware, the Alexandria Foundation is here this year to audit Pacific Royal and to bring it up to our standards. We’re interested in acquiring this school and helping it move past that, what would you call it, Mr O’Neil? Little faux-pas with your previous Chancellor.”[/color] Geez-us… Now that one was heavy. Not the shot at the school. That was intended to bait. To draw conflict from Jim, from someone, as he heard comments from those within his team, it would’ve even worked on some. But that wasn’t what Banjo took from it. Acquisition. They had confidence they could do it. They weren’t at all afraid of saying the quiet part loud. [color=white]“The Foundation holds the students of Pacific Royal in very high regard and we want to ensure each of you is allowed to succeed this year. So far we’ve been met with resistance from your administration, but we’re looking for your support. So please, tell your Team Advisor, your Faculty Representatives, anyone who will lend you an ear that you want a new path forward for P.R.C.U.”[/color] He turned his attention back to the crowd again. Another plea to the ‘shareholders’. Trying to further drive a wedge in the schism. Right in front of Jim. They’re baiting him, and selling to them. But Jim O’Neil was a man used to not taking the bait. After all… he’d had to deal with Banjo’s bullshit for five years. He wasn’t buying this kind of sucker play, as much as he might have wanted to unload with that Smith & Wesson 629 he was rumoured to carry, or have in the drawer of his desk, if you listened to the fantastic tales of the student body. [color=white]“Continuous improvement, that’s exactly why we have allowed the Foundation here this year.”[/color] Jim interrupted, maintaining composure and attempting to wrangle back control of the stage, seizing the podium whilst raising his hands to clap the effort. His eyes held dual meanings to their ‘esteemed guests’, but his body language stayed true to message for the kids. [color=white]“Students, let’s give a good ol’ Pacific Royal Welcome to Ms. Torres and her aid, Miss Almassian.”[/color] Haven dropped a threat that extended beyond ‘implied’, and Calli made her feelings known. [color=F796A9]“Whoever she is, I hate her. If she thinks I’m doing anything to make her life easier here, she has another thing coming.”[/color] She had assumed enough control to get herself to her feet, no longer spiralling, now perhaps powered by her own rage. [color=F796A9]“I need to use the restroom, I’ll be right back.”[/color] She said icily. Banjo nodded, but made a mental note to check on her in a few minutes if she didn’t come back promptly. He offered her an expression of concern, hoping to get something back to convince him that she would be alright, but she was too driven to look back. And now, with a thorough dampener poured over proceedings, they attempted to return to the festivities of the Homecoming Trials. He could just imagine the rage coming from Jim and the inner faculty. They [b]HATED[/b] anything to interrupt this, they’d hold off on bad news to prevent things souring this moment. It was a sacred cow like few others this school had. Even Banjo was hesitant and usually pulled some kind of prank early before, rather than the day of, because he knew how nuts they were over this for some reason. They continued with the ceremonial aspects, which included busting out human firelighter Lorcán's Dad, to light the ceremonial torch. Banjo looked down the aisle and he was gone. So had Calli, and so had Aurora. He thought to himself for a moment about everyone who had gone, and everything that had just transpired, and the newest latest threat, and started to wonder something. He started to wonder how someone in particular was handling everything that had just come to pass. His head turned to look down the aisle and... Calliope came back down the aisle and forcefully sat down in her seat once more. [color=F796A9]“I’m fine.”[/color] She stated in a tone that made it clear it was not to be argued with. [i]“Fair enough.”[/i] Banjo thought to himself. Calliope brushed against him on her way through, but as always he doesn't feel the cold shoulder. It's looking past her and watching their newest teammate's full-throated laugh that chills him to his core. [/color]