[sup][h1][center][img]https://64.media.tumblr.com/eeda7fdec357a2660019f0dddb8fa4ee/552e660d97ce11ae-0b/s400x600/4c942f817c34e60df68bca2995b99481b3ca829a.gifv[/img] [img]https://64.media.tumblr.com/d25faaf02a3f6b3a29167e6deeffbd5e/89a75d77867c5fe4-52/s400x600/7ee7d210c71422163897d5371c12a3ffabb3bdc3.gif[/img] [b][color=black] G I L G A L A H A D // H A R P E R B A X T E R[/color] [color=lightgray]G I L G A L A H A D // H A R P E R B A X T E R[/color] [/b][/CENTER][/h1][/sup] [indent][sub][COLOR=SILVER][B]Location:[/B][/COLOR] [I]Southern Plateau[/I] - [I]Dundas Island[/I][/sub][sup][right][COLOR=SILVER][b]Welcome Home #1.074:[/b][/COLOR] [I]An Interesting Proposition[/I][/right][/sup][/indent][sub][hr][/sub][INDENT][sub][color=SILVER][B]Interaction(s): [/B][/COLOR] [I][@Qia]//Harper [/I][/sub] [color=GRAY] Of all the things Gil, Gil, and Gil may have expected to happen, Haven's deliberately bold and sultry come-on to Rory in reply was pretty low on the list. The three of them shook their heads in mutual disbelief, stunned at the success Rory's sheer obliviousness had conjured for him. Of course, such success unimpeded was short-lived; Mei arrived, clearly still wounded from Rory's faux pas on the beach the night before. Emotions were high from the morning announcement, and the Gils foresaw many such dramatic gestures on the horizon. At least the Trials would force them to focus on each other in a more pragmatic tactical sense, rather than the love-bug currently circling the group. Rory tripped on Mei's silk and discarded his trousers entirely in his efforts to chase after her; Gil wondered how the oaf managed to enrapture so many women, and yet remain so incognizant of any of it. Speaking of, his observation was interrupted as Harper appeared in eyeline. All three Gils smiled warmly at her pleasing countenance. She returned each smile in kind, and Gil was keenly aware he outnumbered Harper - it happened often in conversation - and he also noticed a degree of nervousness in Harper's manner. Harper steadied her nerves as the collective gaze of the Gils settled on her, a trio of expectant stares that could easily unnerve.[color=#8a9a5b]“So…”[/color]she ventured, her voice a careful blend of nonchalance and mischief,[color=#8a9a5b]"I’m considering a play from Rory’s handbook… touché?”[/color]The smirk that played on her lips then was both a shield and a signal.[color=#8a9a5b]“Respectfully,”[/color] she hastened to add, the smirk now blossoming into a full-fledged grin. A moment lingered, heavy with anticipation, before she delivered the punchline, [color=#8a9a5b]“In separate cots, of course. For decency’s sake.” [/color] Gil2 and Gil3 cleared their throats, but said nothing; both gazes shifted to Gil himself, deferring - as ever - to their original and maker. Gil maintained his smile, venturing to joke and flirt. [color=FCE205]"That proposition got less exciting the more you said,"[/color] he replied, a mischievous smirk playing across his face. [color=FCE205]"But nonetheless amicable. Do you have a tent picked out already?"[/color] Gil2 hefted the single bag Gil had brought, and waited expectantly. Harper’s pulse quickened as Gil’s grin persisted, his response to her playful proposition laced with a similar flirtatious spirit. His quip about the dwindling thrill brought a slight flush to her cheeks, yet she welcomed the light-hearted exchange. She noticed Gil2, poised with the bag, and gestured towards her tent nestled among others.[color=#8a9a5b] “That’s my spot,”[/color] she said, injecting a touch of theatrics into her voice,[color=#8a9a5b]“It’s far from a five-star suite, but it’s got its own charm.”[/color]She’d never actually experienced the luxury of a high-end hotel, and truth be told, she found a certain peace in the simplicity of tent life amidst the serene backdrop of nature, anyway. [color=#8a9a5b]“By the way, am I dealing with all 3 of you at once? Not that I think I can’t handle it but…doesn’t hurt to be prepared,”[/color] she teased, her tone light but with a hint of a challenge. Gil raised an eyebrow as Harper matched his flirtatious tone. She gestured towards her - their - chosen tent, and Gil2 moved off without a word to deposit their luggage. Gil and Gil3 remained, collective curiosity thoroughly piqued. This Harper before them, flirty, audacious, wry, was some distance from the usual reserved, disciplined Harper he'd grown familiar with over the last year. [color=FCE205]"I'm sure you could handle as much of me as I can deliver, Harper Baxter, but I'm not sure the [i]tents[/i] could withstand it."[/color] He replied, winking gratuitously. Gil3 felt himself begin to blush, and instead coughed and turned away, searching for their work assignment for the trials as a means of distraction. [color=FCE205]"But no, we'll be one on one this evening. Have to keep [i]something[/i] in my bag of tricks for later, you know?"[/color] Harper’s mind raced as she started to process the flirtatious exchange, her earlier words hanging between them like a challenge thrown down in a game she hadn’t realized she was playing. Until now. She could feel the heat of a blush threatening to rise again. Yet, she found herself leaning into the moment, the thrill of the unexpected banter with Gil giving her a rush of adrenaline. One more. She had about one last one in her. [COLOR=8A9A5B]“Oh, I’m sure you’re full of surprises,”[/color] she retorted, her voice steady despite the butterflies in her stomach. [COLOR=8A9A5B]“But just so we’re clear, I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve too.”[/color] Realizing they were teetering on the edge of a conversation that could spiral into unknown territories, Harper quickly shifted gears. She pointed towards the direction Haven had indicated earlier, her hand cutting through the tension. [COLOR=8A9A5B]“Let’s not keep Tad waiting any longer for us,”[/color] she said, her tone a mix of practicality and reluctance to end their playful interaction. [COLOR=8A9A5B]“After all, we wouldn’t want to be the topic of any kind of gossip now would we?”[/color] Gil was thoroughly enjoying himself, pleasantly surprised by this side of Harper, and his mind drifted to the evening previous on the beach, wrapped up in Katja's biceps and talking about the dance. Perhaps the idea had legs after all. [color=FCE205][sup]2[/sup]"I wouldn't worry about that."[/color] Gil2 said as he returned, having caught Harper's last few words. He rejoined the group as they began to move toward the faculty. [color=FCE205][sup]2[/sup]"Rory's got it plenty covered. He's sharing a tent with Haven, but taking Mei to the dance. Can't wait how he's going to explain [i]that[/i] on the big night."[/color] Gil3 groaned in exasperation, while Gil just rubbed his temple. All tension burst, he gestured forwards, allowing Harper to take the lead as the four of them together approached Tad for their work assignments. Harper, now caught in a crossfire of emotions, felt a headache brewing. She groaned and rubbed her temples in tandem with the Gils, the half-baked scheme made earlier making a reappearance in her thoughts. That whole debacle still needed tending, and Rory’s romantic entanglements were a puzzle she wasn’t sure she wanted to delve into along with it. As Gil gestured her forward, she stepped ahead, her mind already brewing up some possible solutions. [COLOR=8A9A5B]“The faster he tells Haven, the better, I think,”[/color] Harper finally voiced her thoughts, breaking the brief silence that had settled over them. [COLOR=8A9A5B]“She knows how he can be so might understand.”[/color] [color=FCE205][sup]1 2 3[/sup]"We can only hope."[/color] All three Gils said in unison, creating a chorus of dubious faith. Shortly ahead of them, Tad stood together with a towering man, who was looking fervently between a tablet and the various students and faculty members coming and going across the plateau. [color=FCE205]"Tad!"[/color] Gil called, waving a hand in greeting to both men. Behind him, Gil2 and Gil3 did the same, while Harper gave them a polite nod. [color=FCE205]"Hope you're as well as you look, after this morning? Harper and we need our assignments for the Trials."[/color] [color=white]"Gil, I appreciate you asking. As much as I hate to say it, the worst I'll have to deal with is a new boss if the Foundation takes over. I've already graduated, only thing I've ever wanted to do was help other Hypes like me find a home here."[/color] Tad responded. [color=white]"I believe we have you filling in where needed. I'm a little worried about the combination of Lorcán, Rory and Amma. Why don't you check in with Rory and see if you can lend a hand there? Harper, you'll be working with Calliope and Mei to come up with the theme of this year's trial and work on programming the simulation."[/color] Gil3 was already heading off as Gil and Gil2 flashed Tad a thumbs-up, Gil2 jogging away to catch up with himself. [color=FCE205]"Gotcha - I figured as much for myself."[/color] Gil said, then turned to Harper. [color=FCE205]"I guess I'll see you later on - looking forward to the pillow-talk."[/color] He gave Harper another wink before he headed off, leaving behind a flustered girl and two men with one raised eyebrow apiece. [/color][/indent]