[indent][COLOR=GRAY] As Gil strode away, Harper was left standing, a flustered smile playing on her lips, her cheeks warm with a blush that refused to fade. [color=FFFFFF]Robert quietly stifled a chuckle while Tad just shook his head, exchanging a knowing look with the larger man.[/color] Harper cleared her throat, her smile widening despite the embarrassment. [color=#8a9a5b]"He’s kidding, of course! We were just gonna…uh…um.”[/color] Her voice trailed off, the words deserting her just when she needed them most. It was ironic, really; her mind had been so quick to spin easy flirtations earlier, yet now, it seemed to have taken a leave of absence. [i][color=#8a9a5b]Well to hell with you too, then! [/color][/i] The brunette laughed softly, a self-deprecating sound that held a hint of the nerves she felt. [color=#8a9a5b]“We’re just going to discuss the Trials,”[/color]she finally managed, her tone light, though her heart still raced with the thought of Gil’s wink.[color=#8a9a5b] “You know, what it could look like and stuff.”[/color] [color=FFFFFF]"I cannot speak for your Team Representative," Robert interjected, "But I do not need to worry about your personal business. It is none of my concern." "Just remember to use the tent's sound-dampening mode so the rest of the team can sleep through your 'discussion'." Tad teased, "But seriously, Harper, this plateau has seen a lot worse than less than subtle innuendo. You're by far the most responsible member of this team and I have no reason to question your decision-making." He looked towards Gil, before his eyes wandered to Rory. "Theirs on the other hand," He rocked a hand back and forth in front of Harper. "Eh." "But good luck with setting up the trial, try not to duplicate too much of yours from last year," Tad added, bidding Harper adieu as he moved back towards the team's campsite.[/color] Harper, after acknowledging Robert with a nod, made her way to her assigned area, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts. Tad’s words lingered, some bringing a smile, others a frown. Would the most dutiful student genuinely put the school's image at risk or wish to set aside her obligations, even briefly, for her own cravings? Unlikely. [/color][/indent] [COLOR=GRAY][CENTER][COLOR=8A9A5B][sup]_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________[/sup][/COLOR][url=https://open.spotify.com/track/2yXyz4NLTZx9CLdXfLTp5E?si=3655261ec7fc4dc6][img]https://i.imgur.com/tcUxn6n.jpeg[/img][/url][/CENTER][indent][sub][COLOR=8A9A5B][B]Location:[/B][/COLOR] [I]Southern Plateau[/I] - [I]Pacific Royal Campus[/I][/sub][sup][right][COLOR=8A9A5B][b]Welcome Home #1.080:[/b][/COLOR] [I]Trials and Tribulations Part 1: Vive la Révolution[/I][/right][/sup][/indent][COLOR=8A9A5B][SUP][sub]_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________[/sub][/SUP][/COLOR][indent][sub][color=8A9A5B][B]Interaction(s):[/B][/COLOR][I]Calliope-[@PatientBean],Mei-[@Garden Gnome][/I][/sub][SUP][RIGHT][COLOR=8A9A5B][b]Previously:[/b][/COLOR] [COLOR=GRAY][I]Leap of Faith[/I][/color][/right][/SUP][/indent] The brunette approached the designated meeting spot, her steps measured and purposeful despite everything. Calliope was already there, her presence a steady beacon, and Mei arrived shortly after, her quick steps betraying her eagerness. Harper’s mind, though momentarily distracted by thoughts of Gil, refocused with clarity on the task before them. The Trials weren’t just a competition; they were a rite of passage for the new students, a reflection of the very soul of each house. She felt the mantle of leadership settle upon her then, a weight she bore with a mix of trepidation and pride. [color=#f796a9]"Hello, team. Ready to brainstorm theme ideas?"[/color]Calliope greeted, breaking the silence. [color=#8a9a5b]“Yeah, I already have a few ideas,”[/color]she responded, her finger tapping rhythmically against her chin. [color=#8a9a5b]“How do we feel about mazes?”[/color] Calliope rubbed the back of her head. [color=#f796a9]“So…I like mazes. Mazes are a good idea, but let’s focus on the theme first. That way, at least, we can then coordinate the obstacles. I was thinking, given recent events, of it being a Hunger Games theme. It sort of plays nicely into it being a trial to overcome, minus the deaths of course. Plus it would be a, hopefully, subtle middle finger to the Foundation. You know, going after the authorities for making children jump through dangerous hoops? But I am open to other ideas.”[/color] Harper mentally scolded herself. She had gotten too far ahead. Or maybe it was simply Calliope’s presence that was throwing her off. She didn’t often find herself in conversation with the girl, after all. As for her suggestion… Harper cleared her throat, one eyebrow shooting up in slight concern. [color=#8a9a5b]“So, your idea has merit. It’s provocative and pretty timely, but…I think we need to balance boldness with sensitivity here. The Hunger Games also carries connotations of violence and oppression, and as much as I want to stick it to the Foundation as well for the things said during the ceremony, we don’t want the school to be seen in a bad light." [/color]She couldn't ignore the feeling that she was being hypocritical, even as she voiced her concerns. Still, it wasn’t like it was the Foundation that made them lose their degrees, at least as far as any of them knew. [color=#8a9a5b]“But, what do you think Mei?” [/color]the brunette addressed their third teammate, not wanting to leave her out. Harper had a feeling that would happen quite a bit without some sort of mediator between her and Calliope. Mei was considering the ideas brought up by her fellow teammates and had developed some of her own.[color=#f1c232]“My idea of a maze concept is inspired by the Maze Runner series. It emphasizes the value of teamwork and also tests relationships and how people work with one another to achieve a common goal. They would also have to be constantly on the lookout to find creative ways to overcome obstacles and solve problems.”[/color]She let out a giggle and she continued. [color=#f1c232]“If others would like to compare WICKED to the foundation, then let them do it, so long as we do not openly mention anything about their similarity ourselves.”[/color] Harper’s expression softened, her head nodding along in agreement with everything Mei was saying. An idea occurred to her then. A way to combine all their ideas while still leaving the messages they wished to send to the Foundation. [color=#8a9a5b]“What if we illuminate all three?”[/color]she proposed.[color=#8a9a5b]“The Maze Runner, The Hunger Games, and Divergent—each offers a unique perspective on the trials we face as hyperhumans, don’t you think?”[/color]She leaned forward, her hands unfolding as if to reveal the vision taking shape before them. [color=#8a9a5b]“The Maze Runner would test their intellect and unity, the Hunger Games resilience and adaptability, and Divergent individuality and strength of each person’s convictions.” [/color] Calliope had to admit, they took her idea and made it better. [color=#f796a9]“Clever idea. So long as it gets that message across, we can do all of that. I’ll admit, I only read The Hunger Games so you’ll have to catch me up on Divergent and Maze Runner.” [/color]Calliope would not admit she wasn’t allowed to read those books because of how they perpetuated the idea of overcoming authority and striking out on your own. Her father would never have allowed it. She only read Hunger Games in secret. [color=#f1c232]“You should totally read the Maze Runner series if you can. It’s the bomb.”[/color] Mei commented as she listened to Calliope’s revelation that she had not read the popular series before. She then continued, acknowledging Harper’s idea of combining all three different series into one concept. [color=#f1c232]“That’s also a good idea Harper. That way it isn’t just focused on just one idea, but a slightly more original idea by combining them three into a singular concept on its own.”[/color] [color=#8a9a5b]“So it’s settled then,” [/color]Harper said, nodding thoughtfully[color=#8a9a5b]. “Now, I think we need to try and work out which of the core values of each house fits into each book. That way, it’s a little easier to come up with challenges that both test and celebrate these qualities.” [/color] Calliope was quiet for a moment, thinking. She didn’t know the other books but it sounded like Mei and Harper did. [color=#f796a9]“What about this? Since you both know the other books and there are eight schoolhouses, why don’t we split it up three ways? I can work Hunger Games trial events and one of you can do Divergent and the other Maze Runner. And then we can decide what houses we want to represent and use them in our events. I personally would like to keep my house Ursus, but otherwise, I am not picky. And then we can coordinate the challenges to ensure we aren’t doing the same thing.”[/color] Harper surveyed her other teammate, considering Calliope’s suggestion. [color=#8a9a5b]“That’s fine with me. Mei, since it was your idea, why don’t you do the Maze Runner, then? I’ll take Divergent.” [/color]Harper pursed her lips in thought of the values held by each house. What would be the best way to split them up? Her brow furrowed as she looked up, mentally arranging the houses into an intricate matrix, each column a book, each row a house, intersecting at the virtues they extolled. [list][*][color=#ffffff][b]House Alces: [/b][/color][color=#8a9a5b]“There’s a house in Divergent that’s like Alces, so I’ll take them.” [/color] [*][color=#ffffff][b]House Canis: [/b][/color][color=#8a9a5b]“You can have Canis Mei since it’s your house.” [/color] [*][color=#ffffff][b]House Gulo[/b][/color][color=#ffffff]: [/color][color=#8a9a5b]“Gulo’s assertive and pragmatic spirit could be tested in the mazes of The Maze Runner so they’ll also be yours, Mei, if that’s okay?” [/color] [*][b][color=#ffffff]House Lutra[/color][/b][color=#ffffff]: [/color][color=#8a9a5b]“I’ll take Lutra for the same reason I took Alces.” [/color] [*][color=#ffffff][b]House Lynx[/b][/color][color=#ffffff]: [/color][color=#8a9a5b]“If I had to pick a house for Peeta, who’s pretty social and optimistic, it would be Lynx. That one’s all yours, Call.” [/color] [*][b][color=#ffffff]House Myotis[/color][/b][color=#ffffff]: [/color][color=#8a9a5b]“Myotis is known for its creativity, and I think you’d need a lot of that to get out of a maze.” [/color] [*][color=#ffffff][b]House Strigidae[/b][/color][color=#ffffff]: [/color][color=#8a9a5b]“Strigidae’s mine.” [/color] [*][b][color=#ffffff]House Ursus[/color][/b][color=#ffffff]: [/color][color=#8a9a5b]“ And, last but most certainly not least, Ursus is yours, Call.”[/color][/list] With a brief pause, Harper met the gazes of her two teammates again, scratching the back of her head in sudden self-awareness. She sincerely hoped she hadn’t overwhelmed either of them. [color=#8a9a5b]“So…any questions, concerns or new ideas?” [/color] [color=#ffd966]“I’m alright with taking Canis, Myotis, and Gulo.”[/color] Mei nodded as she agreed to the suggestions by Harper on the schoolhouses to be assigned. [color=#ffd966]“What are your plans for the challenges? I’m thinking of having mine be inspired or tailored to the Maze Runner theme. The different roles found in Maze Runner such as Runner, Builder, Cook, Slicer and such all have different sets of responsibilities, so I think this can be easily interwoven into any challenges planned.”[/color] [color=#f796a9]“Well Hunger Games was more about taking out your competition, but obviously I don’t want people killing each other over this. Ursus is easy. I was thinking of having a gauntlet where they have to pass through being shot at. Obviously not with anything lethal, but maybe something safe but annoying, like glue bombs. But anyway, the point is to see how altruistic and protective they can be in helping others get through it or if they just decide to fend for themselves. Kind of like how Katniss and Rue form a protective friendship.”[/color] [color=#f796a9]“Lynx is a bit trickier because they are sociable and optimistic. I was thinking maybe it is like when they ask the competitors questions and it's filmed in all the districts. Sort of like a debate, but it is judging if they can answer the question in a positive way. Maybe the questions are tough and negative and they have to swing it the opposite way. I’m open to suggestions too.”[/color] Harper listened intently to Mei and Calliope, her mind piecing together the fragments of their ideas. As Mei spoke of the roles in The Maze Runner and Calliope described the gauntlet inspired by the Hunger Games, Harper’s thoughts began to coalesce into a singular, innovative concept. She interjected with a spark of inspiration in her voice.[color=#8a9a5b] “Wait, what if we combine all these elements into one cohesive challenge again? [/color][color=#8a9a5b]An escape room maybe…. that’s a representation of our entire school, each section representing the values and challenges associated with each house.[/color][color=#8a9a5b]” [/color]Harper continued to outline her thoughts, her voice steady and confident.[color=#8a9a5b]“So, we’ll have a section with a maze, one with a gauntlet, another involving intellectual puzzles, and a debate arena for last. With the arena, the freshies would have a better idea of the group they’d been working with for the other sections, so we could also ask some tough social questions.” [/color]She leaned forward, her expression earnest.[color=#8a9a5b] “So it won’t be just about finding the right answers, but also about revealing character.” [/color] Mei nodded in agreement as she listened to Harper detailing her idea of combining everything had been said into one cohesive concept. [color=#f1c232]“I agree with this. Shall we move forward with this escape room concept then? We don’t have to use all the roles I’ve mentioned. We can just use the ones that make sense for this concept.”[/color] They could go on all day arguing about the pros and cons about their own idea, but they had to come to a compromise at some point if they wanted to move forward with their plans, and Mei was happy enough to settle with what was mentioned. [/color]