Tyler

Portwood Institute for Talented Youths (PITY) - Super-School Interest Check

I have a character from another RP that died out that I'd like to try.

In summary, he was sort of a mix of Cole from Dragon Age and a Promethean - basically, anyone who looked at his face or got too close to him immediately got a splitting, pounding headache and became really uncomfortable at his presence. He also had a natural, passive mind-reading ability that applied exclusively to things that were hurting people, either physically or emotionally.

Of course, that was a low-power RP, while this seems somewhat higher-power, so I'll probably tweak it to keep him in the game. Maybe you have some thoughts about that?

@TheWizardLizard

I like that power, it sounds quite fresh. There are kinks and details that would need to be explored, but that can all be done during the application process. I wouldn't necessarily say it needs to be amped up, but again you can pitch it however you please when it comes to applying and we can go from there.

The focus of the academy will never be "How To Make Your Power As Strong As It Can Be"; the academy is much more concerned with teaching characters to control their gifts. It is my wish for powers to simply 'exist', they won't grow stronger over time. To me that has never really made sense. For example, if you play a pyrokinetic, the academy won't be able to teach you how to 'make more fire'. That would be absurd. The academy will teach you how to control that fire, and through the Power Development classes, teach you how to expand upon what you can do with it.

Hope this helps. I went a bit off-topic, there. But it's something for everyone to think about.

I'm interested, what would you think of a power combiner of some sort? The last two active powers they saw become their power.

@Mortalbean

Thanks for the interest. Unfortunately Shard and I are taking a firm "No Power Replicators" stance, as it's a power type that has irked us both in previous roleplays. There are a few powers we flat-out won't accept (any form of power replication being one of them), and then others we would need to discuss with each other and the RPer to find a balance.

I hope this doesn't affect your interest.

Portwood Institute for Talented Youths (PITY) - Super-School Interest Check

Great to see interest, guys & girls. Thank you.

Good to hear in regards to plenty of objective-based quests as opposed to strictly combat. In that case how does telekinesis sound?

<Snipped quote by Tyler>

I'm aware of the definition of pity

@Dondude

Telekinesis is a safe bet, you can't really go wrong there.

As for the definition, I didn't mean to imply. You seem intelligent enough. I only posted the definition as an explanation as to why we chose that acronym.

Portwood Institute for Talented Youths (PITY) - Super-School Interest Check

man, this school needs a new PR department. PITY? Really?

@Dondude

pity
ˈpɪti/
noun
1.
the feeling of sorrow and compassion caused by the sufferings and misfortunes of others.

Given the hardships mutantkind have endured in this world, the name is fitting for a school that offers them shelter.

---

Regardless, thanks for the interest. The power-nullification field may indeed cause a problem further down the line in terms of plot events we have in mind. Shard and I would encourage applicants to consider powers that you will be able to have fun with outside of combat situations, as (the 'missions' later on aside), this roleplay will not feature excessive combat scenarios.

Portwood Institute for Talented Youths (PITY) - Super-School Interest Check

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To whom it may concern,

My name is Alan Portwood. For the better part of the last thirty years, I have governed over the Portwood Institute for Talented Youths; a one-of-a-kind academy that offers free, specialised education to gifted individuals across the globe. Recently, it has come to our attention that you qualify for the opportunity to enrol with us.

Enrolling is easy: simply fill in the form overleaf (or, if you are under 18, have your parents do it) and return it to us in the envelope provided by no later than June 1st 2015. The term will begin shortly after, and all transport will be arranged and taken care of by us. We appreciate how hard it is growing up with a gift like yours, and we want to make your journey with us begin as smoothly as possible.

We will send an information pack upon receiving your application, letting you know all about the curriculum, living arrangements and facilities available here at the institute. You are fortunate in that we are re-opening this year after a complete refurbishment, offering state-of-the-art care for all of our students, regardless of their talents.

I look forward to starting this new age of education with you.

Best regards,

A. Portwood
Founder & Headmaster, PITY

---

PLOT

You are a young person aged 16-19. Like most people your age, you're going through some changes that are confusing, to say the least. But you're not like everyone else. You were born with a genetic mutation, structured in such a way that it unlocked a part of you that lies dormant in other people; a part of you that allows your mind and body to perform feats that defy logic. Perhaps you can conjure flames with but a thought, or you demonstrate inhuman levels of strength. Perhaps you can fly, or talk to animals. Whatever it is, your ability is unique to you.

But it's not as great as it seems. Rumours of fantastically gifted people being born had been circulating for years, but mutants first made themselves officially known in the early 80s. Sick of hiding and being shunned from their communities, the Mutants Against Prejudice organisation was formed. MAP took their case to the White House, where they explained the importance of education on both sides; the public must be taught that mutants are not a threat, and mutants themselves must be taught to control their abilities in order to avoid accidents.

Faced with little option, considering what these people were capable of, the Protection of Mutants through Education bill was passed. Part of this involved setting up a school specifically for young mutants, where they would be taught to control their powers and blend into normal life. Alan Portwood, a member of MAP with a wealth of teaching experience, was elected to run the school, which became known as the Government Academy for Mutant Education; GAME.

However, not all went to plan. Whilst Portwood and his school were a huge success, little was done to convince the public that mutants were not a threat, and there was still a lot of global hostility towards the gifted. But Portwood's teachings encouraged mutants to persevere; one day, he said, humans would recognise them as equals.

By 2006, it seemed that day would never come. Disillusioned and enraged, a group of mutants graduating the school, now with expert control over their abilities, took a stand and attacked the White House. Each of the group was swiftly terminated by armed forces before they could cause any harm to the president, but the damage was done elsewhere: now, the world feared mutants more than ever. The PME act was overturned and GAME was closed, seemingly for good. Mutants were back where they started; shunned by their communities and forced into hiding.

But now, it's 2015. The new, liberal government has reinstated the Protection of Mutants act, and after seven years of closure the GAME academy is now re-opening its doors; with a complete refurbishment and a new name in honour of its founder, the Portwood Institute for Talented Youths. Everything seems to be heading in the right direction for mutantkind again... Or is it?

What made the government change their minds about mutant rights? And why are they so keen to keep the school hidden from the public? Portwood may sit at the headmaster's desk, but it's clear that those holding the pursestrings are the ones running PITY. And not everyone has the same vision for mutantkind as Portwood...

---

TLDR; If you couldn't be bothered to read into the above, you're not welcome in the roleplay.

GM: @Tyler
Co-GM: @Shard

We are High-Casual and looking for a group of committed roleplayers who:

• Post high-quality content that is interesting and has purpose
• Post regularly and can keep up with fast-paced content
• Bring interesting and unique characters to the table
• Bring a positive attitude to the roleplay

The roleplay will combine 'slice of life' school-based situations with an overarching plot developed by myself and Shard. Whilst the events of the roleplay will work towards that storyline, roleplayers are encouraged to explore their own subplots as much of the roleplay will be based on character interaction.

More information will come with the OOC, but any questions can be asked here in the Interest Check and will be answered by myself or Shard ASAP.

Please feel free to show interest or ask any questions you may have. Please also feel free to 'reserve' powers for your character, as we will not be accepting characters with similar powersets. Variety is important to us.

Academy 218: Still looking for new people to join - now is the primetime.

Mason Crawford

---

Mason stared at the mirror for a while. The dormitory was empty, save for himself; Harmon was probably finding some way to entertain himself. Regardless, this suited Mason... He needed to concentrate, and some solitude would aid that - not that Harmon was ever particularly distracting, of course. The two had been getting along well.

But still, the mirror called to him. It seemed to sing out in vibrations only he could here, humming enticingly. He glanced at the crumpled paper in his hand, Professor Tarblatt's diagrams scrawled across it in black ink. He looked back at the mirror. It all seemed to make so much sense... Perhaps it was Mason's creative mind, but as absurd as it seemed, he actually felt like it could work. And if it did... Well, that certainly opened a lot of new opportunities for Mason.

He drew a deep breath and rose to his feet, approaching the mirror with an air of apprehension. He stood before it for a moment, simply breathing and focussing on what Ruben had told him. He swallowed, and pushed forward through the glass, entering into the black abyss he was becoming familiar with. According to Tarblatt, if he ventured out into the blackness... He might just find other mirrors, other ports of entry back into reality.

He shivered. It was always cold here, and he wrapped his arms around himself for warmth as he began to step away from the mirror he had passed through. He was nervous at first, with no visible floor or walls it felt almost as though he could fall into the nothingness at any given moment. But it felt solid, and the more steps he took the more comfortable he became in pressing on. Further and further into the darkness, he kept walking, straining to see a square of light like the one he had used to get here amongst all the black.

But that's all it was... Black. Just black. Endless, nondescript black. Mason began to realise that perhaps Ruben had not known as much about all this "pocket dimension" schtick as he thought. Or perhaps Mason was the problem, maybe he was doing something wrong... Regardless, it was clearly not working. Mason had lost track of how long he had been walking, but there was not a mirror in sight. He sighed, and turned back on himself.

He stopped. He couldn't see the mirror.

'Must be this way,' he thought to himself, reassuringly. 'This is the way I came.' And so he continued, walking at a much faster pace in his eagerness to get back to reality. But something wasn't right... He kept walking, but it still wasn't there. There was no sign of the mirror. Mason began to panic. 'Maybe it's this way,' he thought, more in desperation than any actual reasoning. He ran to his left. Nothing. He sprinted back in the opposite direction. Nothing.

Overcome with dread, Mason began to hyperventilate. His breathing was sharp and violent. He was the calm and collected one in situations of disaster. He was always the one who knew what to do. But in this instance, he had absolutely no idea. The thought terrified him almost as much as the prospect of being trapped here.

He continued running in all directions, desperately hoping to see the faintest trace of the mirror amongst the abyss. Tears streamed down his cheeks as he began to realise it was no use.

"Hello?!" he pleaded, his voice echoing through the void. "Somebody, please! HELP ME!"

But no one could hear him.

Academy 218: Still looking for new people to join - now is the primetime.

<Snipped quote by Tyler>

@bluemoon277

Academy 218: Still looking for new people to join - now is the primetime.

<Snipped quote by @SepticGentleman>

Thank you

@bluemoon277

I lalala love it. At least, I think I do.

Academy 218: Still looking for new people to join - now is the primetime.

Mason Crawford and Ruben Tarblatt

---

_{In collaboration with @SepticGentleman}

---

Ruben's office was a lot smaller then the others were. Or at least, it put on that facade due to its clutter. The white, tiled interior was littered with assorted equipment, varying in size and supposed function. Tanks and canisters filled with bright fluids. Small, white orbs with USB cables running from them. Terminal upon terminal upon terminal. This was less an office and more a refrigerated storage room. And oh, it was cold. A stark opposite to Rosaline's room. Ruben sat behind a metal desk placed neatly in the center of it all, various papers and a suitcase-laptop combo resting atop it. He peered at Mason without averting his gaze even the slightest distance away.

Mason stopped gawping around the office and returned his attention to the grotesque construct of flesh and steel that was Professor Tarblatt. It didn't phase Mason, and the longer he spent with Ruben, the more fascinating he found him. The unwavering glare from Ruben's solitary lens of an eye was mildly disconcerting, but ultimately Mason felt welcome in the office-turned-laboratory within which Tarblatt resided. He shifted in his seat, waiting for Ruben to break the silence.

"Mirrors." Ruben stated, raising a tendril and pushing forward a single slip of paper, full of info regarding Mason and his abilities. "This. Is not. A common. Manifestation. Of perception. Based. Pocket. Dimension. Manipulation."

Mason didn't give much away through his face, but the idea that his ability might be rare made him feel a little more positively about it. "That's what Harmon told me," he said. "That guy seems to know his stuff."

"Harmon. Knows. Much. Of what. I. Know." Ruben replied, "He. Was right. To direct you. To me. Blackmore. Is not. An appropriate. Instructor. In this. Scenario."

Mason nodded in agreement. "I don't mean to discredit Mr. Blackmore," he said with honesty. "It's just that... He seems more interested in the 'real' powers. Mine doesn't really... Do much..." he said, embodying less of a self-pitying tone and more a voice of logic and fact. He saw this approach in the way Ruben worked and wished to mirror it. Mason didn't want to waste his chance with the professor and wanted to build rapport.

Ruben looked down at Mason's file. He ran his optic lens over it before saying aloud, "Ability. Application. Does not. Lie. In combat. Alone." He looked back up at Mason. "Many. Are more. Situated. For practical. Uses. And few. Beyond that. Are more." There was a brief pause as he processed the word he was about to use. "Covert. In nature. Yours. Is an ability. That puts you. In a position. Of advantage. Over. Many."

The younger man furrowed his brow as he mulled over what Ruben was saying. "Yeah, I guess," he said. Truthfully, Mason was disappointed with the information. He had already gathered that much for himself, and the way Harmon spoke about the guy made him seem like some sort of omniscient oracle. Still, Mason was not one to be impolite. "I mean, I can't think of a better hiding place, really. When I'm in a mirror, no one can see or hear me." he explained to the professor, not wishing to offend him as he eyed over the tentacle that was doing most of Ruben's work.

"The possibilities. Lie. Beyond. That notion. What you. Can gain from it." He leaned forward and spoke in a bit of a lower tone. Probably dialing down his external volume. "An agent. Of subterfuge. Information gathering. An individual. Who can bring about. Many. Forms. Of change. In a variety. Of ways. Without ever. Even. Being. Seen."

Mason was unsure whether the professor was being serious. What was he supposed to do? Wait in a room for some scandalous plot to be revealed? As enticing as the idea sounded to him, it wasn't practical in application. Not as far as Mason could see, anyway. "Sir," he said cautiously. "While I may be a great hider, there's no telling how long I would have to wait in a mirror before anyone said anything worth knowing..." he tried his best not to undermine Ruben as he spoke, though the longer the conversation lasted, the more he doubted its value.

"Is it. Restricted. To singular. Mirrors." Ruben asked.

Mason frowned. He wasn't sure what Ruben meant. "I, uh... It's worked on any mirror I've tried, sir."

"But are. They. Linked."

"I... I don't know, professor." he said. "I've never... Thought of it that way. How could they be linked, exactly?"

"Many. Manifestations. Of this. Power. Exist. On their own. Spectrum. Of ports. For you. It could be. You simply. Haven't. Explored. Enough." He set forward a slip of paper and grabbed a nearby marker with a free tendril. He began jotting down a few diagrams - rectangles and arrows, mainly. "Do this. For your own. Benefit. Set some mirrors. Aside. In various. Positions. Attempt. To percieve. An opposing. Scape. Between our. Reality. And yours."

Mason took the paper and began scrutinising the drawings. The strangest thing was that it seemed to make sense... Mason was no dimensional scientist, but it seemed apparent even to him that, in order for him to pass through a mirror, there must be something on the other side... Just waiting to be explored. He had never ventured into that blackness.

He folded the paper up neatly and with precision, before tucking it into the pocket of his dungarees. "Thank you, professor..." he said, his thoughts occupied with other business as he thought about the possibilities of extending his power.

"What's. More." Ruben continued, "And this. Is only. A theory. But you. Should attempt. To expand. Your reach. To other. Reflective. Surfaces."

Mason nodded in understanding, but his brain was too busy to form much of a vocal response. "Thanks again, Mr. Tarblatt." he said, standing and walking over to the door, before hearing Ruben's voice call after him.

"Speak. To me. Again. When you. Have made. Progress. In your. Discoveries." Ruben said aloud, "You have. My. Interest."

Academy 218: Still looking for new people to join - now is the primetime.

I've updated Mason's relationships for Casper and Harmon, as well as adding Adam, Diego, Lupe, Rosaline and Ruben. I've also added relationships for Adam, Ruben, Harmon and Mason to Rosaline's character.

Academy 218: Still looking for new people to join - now is the primetime.

Mason Crawford and Casper Hayat

---

_{A collaboration between @Tyler and @Shard}

---

Mason was sat beside Casper as Adam spoke, but he wasn't paying the younger boy much attention. He was lost in his thoughts. He felt completely embarrassed by what had happened on the course; not only had he 'fell', but he'd been made to sit-out whilst the rest of the class completed the course. He was, of course, grateful that he had not been made to continue the activity, as he didn't know how long his body would have coped, but it still felt humiliating to be removed. Was he really being picked on already? He was 19 years old, for Christ's sake.

He sighed, looking at the floor as Adam announced that there would be power demonstrations. Fortunately for him, his aggressor from earlier, Lupe, had kindly volunteered herself. At least the attention was off Mason for a bit. He completely dreaded the thought of being dragged up to the front and asked to demonstrate his abilities; heck, what would he even do? The minimal feat his power allowed him to achieve was reliant on the presence of a mirror, and Mason saw none. No doubt Adam would be able to 'fix' that, if he so pleased...

It was still hard to breathe calmly. The course had taken the life right out of the boy, but he was happy to know that he had 'passed' if that was what one could call it. His legs were still numb, his chest rising and sinking in tune with each passing breath. His fingers still hurt and if Adam expected him to display any amount of power now, he'd be dissapointed. Casper wanted to master his limits but he couldn't force it. If his body was tired, it was tired.

Mason had found home besides the kid, however. That felt good, knowing that he hadn't run off somewhere else. He seemed lost in thought, though. "M-Mason...?" Casper looked up at him from where he was lying, still barely able to talk. "Y-you..." He gulped. "Okay...?" It was almost as if he had run a marathon but he would probably have prefferred that to what he had actually been doing.

Mason glanced at Casper and smiled meekly. "Yeah, yeah - I'm fine," he affirmed, rather unconvincingly. "How about you? You look completely knackered..." he said, but then chuckled briefly at the look of confusion on Casper's face. "It means, uh... Worn out. But hey, at least you completed it," he said, perking up a little at the realisation he had made. "Congratulations, Casper. I'm proud of you." he continued his attempts to smile, not wanting to put a downer on Casper's victory. "Are you gonna get up there and show Blackmore what you've got?"

The younger boy couldn't help but blush at what Mason was saying. He tried to look away to hide the heating sensation in his cheeks but to no avail, the boy could barely move. "Th-thanks..." He gulped, but then managed to laugh. "I...I can't feel my legs..." If that wasn't a 'no', Casper continued. "If I..." He had to pause for a moment before he continued. "If I...try to replicate...something....I'll...faint..." At this point, fainting didn't sound like such a bad idea. "A-are...you...?"

Mason laughed at the exhausted boy's words, it was kind of adorable to see him flat-out like that. He looked completely exhausted, but Mason could only imagine how proud he must be to have overcome the course. It had to feel good. His head dropped, along with his mood, when Casper turned the conversation towards his powers. "Nah..." Mason said, avoiding eyecontact. "My ability isn't really anything to show off." There was an awkward silence. "Kinda lame, actually..." He played with a loose thread of his suit in order to distract himself.

Casper blinked a few times in confusion when Mason was so...unhappy...with his power. What could it be to have been so 'lame' as he called it. "M-Mason..." Casper tried, finally able to breathe a bit slower now. "I think...I think you're a bit..." The boy tried to sit up but that would not be done for a while. "Hard...on yourself." Of course, Casper didn't know the first thing about Mason's ability but he was sure that the older boy was too hard on himself. "S-sometimes...we..." Talking was becoming a chore, more so than usual. "Are...overcritical...of...ourselves..." Really? Casper trying to help someone else out emotionally? Well, he did like to help people, he just wasn't very good at it. "Would you...want to...show me..?" He dropped down to his back again.

Mason didn't smile this time. He wasn't offended, he just didn't like when people saw emotional sides to him. It made him feel vulnerable, which was perhaps his least favourite feeling. Casper was right, though... He needed to overcome this shame he had for his ability if he was ever gonna graduate this school. He paused for a moment, allowing the idea of showing Casper his powers to mull in his mind.

"Okay." he said firmly and with a sharp suddenness. He made up his mind and instantly said the thought out loud, in order to commit to it. "Not here, though." Mason said, scanning the area before spotting the doors that lead out to the bathrooms. He nodded towards them implicitly. "In there."

The bathrooms? Just what was Mason's ability, exactly? This was the first time Casper was going to enter a bathroom with another guy to have something...shown to him. The thought was honestly a bit...weird. Trying to get up, Casper placed his elbows against the floor and pushed himself up, finally able to sit. "Okay..." The boy gulped, trying to move over to his knees but flopped down to the floor again. "Or...not..." He sighed, looking up at Mason. "C-can you..." He looked down, blushing heavier than before. "Help me...?"

Mason smiled, with warmth this time. The kid was just so damn endearing. He said nothing, and silently pulled Casper to his feet, holding him still whilst he got his balance, before they both slipped away from the group and into the bathroom.

It was empty, with neither the sinks, urinals or any of the stalls being occupied; a relief to Mason, certainly. He surveyed the room, the only mirror was one wide one, above the sinks, but it was definitely big enough for Mason to slip through. He gulped, and began climbing onto the counter. "You know, I've never done this in front of anyone..." he said, as he got to his feet atop the sinks.

When Mason started climbing atop the counter, Casper couldn't help but tilt his head slightly in confusion but stood silently, watching. His legs were carrying him but only barely. The boy had to lean against one of the stalls not to fall down. He was however very eager to see what was going to happen once Mason did whatever it was that he was doing.

With that, Mason turned to face the mirror. He wasted no time in placing his hands against the reflective surface, and breathed deeply. Instantly, his hands slid through the glass, followed by his arms and then the rest of his body with considerable speed. He'd leant too hard on the mirror and found himself hurtling through it, landing in a heap in the black abyss on the other side.

He stood and turned back to the entrance he'd just passed through. He could see the bathroom on the other side, Casper's horrified face looking back at him. Mason smiled sheepishly, "That's pretty much it..." he said. There was an uncomfortable pause as he waited for Casper to reply. "Casper?" he said, a little louder this time. His voice echoed through the blackness around him, but still there was no response from the boy. I guess he can't hear me...

'This is the ability Mason was so ashamed of!?' Casper's thoughts were louder than they had been in a while and if a telepath was close by, they would be able to hear the kid scream for the first time. He slid to the floor, his back still against the stall, as his face was that of shock and fascination. Did Mason just crawl through a mirror? "M-Mason...?" Casper managed weakly, struggling to his feet but only fell to his knees as he crawled closer to the counter. He placed his hand by the sink and pulled himself up, his arm ready to fall off after the feat. "Mason..." He repeated, looking into the mirror. The boy saw nothing but his own face, however. He reached forth, placing his palm on the surface of the mirror. "Y-you...there?"

Mason heard the boy calling his name, but he knew that it would be a waste of breath to respond. He watched as Casper struggled over to the sinks and placed his hand against the mirror. He, too, approached it from his side, and stuck his head back through the window. "Yeah, I'm here."

Yelping out, Casper fell back down to the floor, looking up at the mirror. "Mason...!" He gulped, placing his hand over his chest. "Y-you...scared me."

Mason couldn't help but chuckle as he pulled himself back out of the mirror, and swung his legs around to sit comfortably atop the counter. "Sorry," he laughed. "I figured out that you couldn't hear me." he said. "Is it safe to assume you couldn't see me, either?" he smirked, knowing that if Casper had been able to see him then he wouldn't have almost had a heartattack when Mason re-emerged.

Shaking his head quickly, Casper breathed out with a long sigh. "I...I couldn't see you." The boy responded. "B-but...that was really cool." He smiled brightly, a bit brighter than he had before. "It's almost like...magic. That's so cool...!" Casper's voice was clearly that of excitement, something that was very rare to see, or hear.

Mason smiled seeing Casper's reaction, he seemed to genuinely like what Mason had done. He began to wonder whether he really was being too hard on himself. OK, sure, his power wasn't going to make him a billionaire like Casper's could. And he wasn't going to be winning any titles in combat, either... But if no one could hear or see him when he was through the mirror, then it actually made a really good hiding place. A fucking fantastic hiding place, actually... He refocussed on the situation. "Heh... Thanks, Casper." he smiled warmly, a spark back in his voice that had not been present since the obstacle course. "You don't know how much I needed to hear that..."