[color=tan][hr][/color][sup][h1][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/sWHJ0E0.jpeg[/img][/center][b][center][color=1C1C1C] H A V E N[/color]
[color=D2B48C]H A V E N[/color][/center]
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[COLOR=tan][indent][sub][B]Location:[/B] [COLOR=SILVER][I]Chimera's Lair [/I] - [I]PRCU[/I][/COLOR][/sub][sup][right][b]Welcome Home #1.053:[/b] [COLOR=SILVER][I][b]A Matter of a Pinion[/b][/I][/COLOR][/right][/sup][/indent][sub][hr][/sub][INDENT][sub][B]Interaction(s):[/B] [COLOR=SILVER][I][b]Harper [@Qia][/b][/I][/COLOR][/sub][SUP][RIGHT][b]Previously:[/b] [COLOR=SILVER][I]Ruffled Feathers[/I][/COLOR][/right][/SUP][/INDENT][/COLOR]

[indent][color=#8A9A5B]"Haven, wait up!"[/color]

Haven heard Harper's shout behind her, but the open sky outside of the stadium was also calling to her. She could feel the muscles in her body bunching up. Like they were ready to propel her into that open space, to answer the call to let the world disappear below her. To just be free and endless for a while with it.

If she stuck around, would it be worth it? It wouldn't be the first time she cut and ran from an uncertain place. She could make a quick stop at the dorm to change... collect her things into a single bag... and then she'd be off to find her future again.

Haven's legs stopped moving just outside of the stadium. She hastily went to work on her wings. A feeble attempt to smooth out the feathers that threatened to reveal her soul to the world. She stretched them around herself, running her fingers through the plumage until she could hear footsteps reaching the entrance to the stadium. Her wings snapped behind her. Unfortunately they looked just as rough as before.

Her eyes turned towards the open sky as she took a breath, and then she turned her head towards Harper as her friend emerged. [color=#c7a679]"That was a shitshow, huh?"[/color] She began, a terrible attempt at a joke. 

Harper, ever the stoic, approached with measured steps. Her expression was a mask, concealing any emotion that threatened to break through. Her voice, when she finally spoke, was a controlled monotone—a tightrope walk between restraint and frustration. [color=#8a9a5b]"To call it a shitshow would be putting it politely," [/color]she stated, her eyes never leaving Haven’s face. She waited, knowing there was more brewing beneath the surface. Harper was willing to give her friend the space to vent, even if it meant absorbing some of that frustration herself.

Haven couldn't deny herself the words that emerged next. Her small form of word vomit few had ever had the pleasure of experiencing. [color=#c7a679]"How could they let her speak to them like that? She made a party joke about Hyperion. The guy took O'Neil's arm, and she talked about it like he spilt a drink on a new rug.”[/color]

Harper’s response was laced with shock and disgust. [color=#8a9a5b]“Appalling,”[/color] she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. The memory of the representative—whose name Harper cared not to remember—speaking about Hyperion as if it were a minor inconvenience that needed cleaning up made her blood boil. She hadn’t been present during the attack, but the pain and trauma of the people who called this place home were evident. The thought that someone could make light of such a horrific event was sickening to Harper. She clenched her fists, nails digging into her palms, and vowed to find a way to channel her own frustration later.

But for now… for now, she would focus on Haven. 

[color=#8a9a5b]“What… are you planning to do?” [/color] Harper’s voice held an intensity, a quiet fire that burned beneath her controlled exterior. She wanted to know Haven’s resolve, to gauge whether they were both on the same path or not here. 

Haven looked towards the crowd of students as they began to file past. Her eyes scanned them for an answer to Harper's question. The older faces expressed haunted memories, triggered by the mention of their past tormentor. The newer faces displayed uncertainty of their future. How could Haven make a difference, if her own past was haunted? When her own future was as uncertain as theirs, with or without a degree?

[color=tan]"If it didn't mean jeopardizing our careers, I'd put that rep on her ass."[/color] She huffed, her wings shifting behind her as if to say they were ready. She looked into Harper's eyes, searching for reason that she knew Harper could provide. [color=tan]"I want to save the school so we don't have to answer to someone like that... Do you think there's a more subtle way to get what we all want?"[/color] The question was inviting Harper's intensity to come forward. There had to be a balance between the fire and reason, right? 

Harper’s response was measured, her voice a low undercurrent of intensity.[color=#8a9a5b]“As much as I’d love to see her get what she deserves, we need to be smart about this,”[/color] she cautioned. The representative, infuriating as she was, held sway over corridors of power that could crush them if they weren’t cautious. Their careers hung in the balance, threads woven into the fabric of this institution.

[color=#8a9a5b]“We risk jeopardizing everything we’ve worked for,” [/color]Harper continued, her gaze drifting toward the stadium’s exit. The students flowed like a river, their futures uncertain. The weight of responsibility settled on her shoulders—an anchor she bore willingly.[color=#8a9a5b]“But,”[/color]she added, turning back to Haven,[color=#8a9a5b]“I’m not opposed to subtlety. We need a plan—one that won’t endanger us or the school needlessly.” [/color]But first…she needed to make sure. 

Harper’s eyes bored into Haven’s, a silent question.[color=#8a9a5b]“Are you with me on this? Even if it means playing the long game?” [/color] she asked. The fire within her burned, but it was a controlled flame. Patience, strategy—they were their allies now. The stakes were far too high for any impulsiveness.

Haven's hands flexed at her sides. The anger within her had calmed to a simmer. She could already feel the muscles in her wings relaxing, her feathers starting to smooth out. She considered Harper's words for a moment before giving a curt nod. [color=tan]"I'm with you."[/color]

Haven saw a flicker of acknowledgment in Harper's eyes, as if the emotions within her burned brighter. They'd found a twin flame within each other. Harper reached for her shoulder, the touch gentle.

[color=#8a9a5b]"Good," [/color] Harper said, her voice firm and resolute. [color=#8a9a5b]"Our first step should be to gather as much information as we can about the rep and her plans. Knowledge is power, and we need all the power we can get on our side."[/color]

Haven nodded in agreement, watching as Harper scanned the crowd again. Members of Blackjack were already making their way out of the stadium. Harper's gaze returned to her, a hint of caution within the intensity of her eyes.

[color=#8a9a5b]"We should keep this between us for now,"[/color] the brunette added. [color=#8a9a5b]"The fewer people who know, the less chance there is of word getting back to the rep. We need to be cautious and strategic in our approach, and we can't risk any leaks."[/color]

Haven pressed her lips together. It didn't feel right to hide this from the team. [color=tan]"I don't trust Amma, but... what if the others want to do something about this too?"[/color] She asked carefully, in case any of them were already heading their way. [color=tan]"How far can we take this before we need their help?"[/color]

Harper looked thoughtful, her brows furrowed as she listened to Haven's concerns. While she understood where the other was coming from, she knew that they couldn't afford to take any risks. [color=#8a9a5b]"I get it, Haven," [/color] she said, [color=#8a9a5b]"but we have to be careful. The fewer people who know about this plan, the better. The last thing we need is for the rep to catch wind of what we're doing and shut us down before we even get started."[/color]

Harper was fully aware of the delicate and uncertain situation they were in concerning their academic pursuits. She knew that the risk they were taking by pursuing their plan was significant and that their school would be unlikely to support them as well, especially if it meant jeopardizing its already questionable reputation. Despite the odds stacked against them, the brunette was determined to keep going. She had already come too far to give up now and giving up would be akin to surrendering in defeat. She refused to succumb to the pressure and challenges they were facing and was prepared to do whatever it took to achieve their goals.

[i]Her[/i] goals. Quitting was [i]not[/i] an option. 

She took a step closer to Haven, her voice low and intense. [color=#8a9a5b]"This person… I get the feeling she'll probably do whatever it takes to protect herself and her interests."[/color]

Harper paused, her gaze sweeping the area as well while paranoia etched lines on her features. Her eyes spotted nothing out of the ordinary, so she turned back to Haven, her next words a lifeline. 

[color=#8a9a5b]“As for how far we can take this,” [/color]she continued, [color=#8a9a5b]“it depends on what we find out. If we uncover concrete evidence against the rep, we’ll bring the rest of the team on board. I promise. But until then, we have to tread lightly and keep our eyes and ears open.”[/color]

Haven looked Harper over as if she was really, truly seeing her. [color=tan]"I feel like you could do all of this on your own, if you needed to."[/color] She murmured, before a hint of a smile etched onto her features. [color=tan]"What's the best way to get this information, then? We both have the eyes, and I have the ears. You think there's a chance I can get close to the Foundation reps without being detected?"[/color] She frowned lightly. [color=tan]"We need to find out what the bitch's ability is, before we continue."[/color]

[color=tan]"She could have precognition, or something worse."[/color]

Harper's wry smile at the compliment faded, replaced by a steely expression that spoke of her determination. [color=#8a9a5b]"Yes, finding out her ability has to be our top priority," [/color]she agreed. [color=#8a9a5b]"Perhaps we could create a clever decoy or some kind of diversionary tactic. If it's erratic or difficult to comprehend, it might throw her off, even if she [/color][i][color=#8a9a5b]could[/color][/i][color=#8a9a5b] see a part of the future."[/color] Harper's smirk hinted at a plan that was slowly coming to fruition.[color=#8a9a5b] "And who do we know on the team that's a master of unpredictability?"[/color]

Haven's lips pursed as she mulled over the question. It took her a moment, but when realization dawned on her she gave Harper an amused look. [color=tan]"Banjo? Hasn't he been on a good streak recently?"[/color]

Harper’s response was laced with a hint of amusement, her dry wit peeking through her serious demeanour. [color=#8a9a5b]“Yes, he has been surprisingly quiet lately,”[/color] she said, allowing a small smile to play at the corners of her mouth. Banjo-level reliable, at least. [color=#8a9a5b]“Perhaps he’s been saving up all his unpredictability for just such an occasion.”[/color] The thought of their clownish teammate acting as a wild card amused her. Besides, if there was ever a reason for him to break from his recent impassivity, it would be in defence of his lady love—Calliope, with her seemingly unwavering commitment to justice and helping those at their lowest. For Harper, it was a rare moment of connection with the blonde. 

Loyalty to her teammates and an unyielding determination to protect them fueled her every move. 

[color=#8a9a5b]“We’ll have to wait for his move first, though,” [/color]Harper continued, her gaze steady. [color=#8a9a5b]“And hope that he goes big. The fewer connections he has to us at that time, the better.”[/color]

Haven took a breath, noticing that the last few stragglers were exiting the stadium. She nodded. [color=tan]"I could always ask him to pull something for me. He's the only one I can think of that could get away with a prank. Plus, he wouldn't mention my involvement if he gets in trouble."[/color]

Harper’s gaze remained steady, assessing the risks and rewards.

[color=#8a9a5b]“That could work,”[/color] she acknowledged, her voice measured and thoughtful. [color=#8a9a5b]“If you think he’d be willing to take the fall for us, it could create the perfect distraction.”[/color] Banjo, however, was an enigma even to those who knew him best. His unpredictability was both a strength [i]and[/i] a liability.[color=#8a9a5b] “But make sure he understands the gravity of the situation. I don’t want any of you getting hurt…”[/color]

[color=tan]"I don't think he'd do anything reckless. Plus, Banjo's pranks have never gotten anyone hurt."[/color] Haven began with a light shrug. She frowned for a second, before giving Harper a determined look.

[color=tan]"I'll take the fall for everything... if we get busted."[/color] She started, her tone holding a quiet strength to it. [color=tan]"I can handle my own, and you're going to do great things after graduation. So, I take the fall. Got it?"[/color]

After a brief pause, Harper spoke up. Her tone was sombre yet sincere as she addressed Haven. 
[color=#8a9a5b]"While I appreciate your willingness to take one for the team, we're in this together, and I can't let you shoulder the burden alone," [/color]she explained quickly, holding up her hand to stop any interruption. [color=#8a9a5b]"I understand your need to protect. Trust me, I do. But we need to have each other's backs here.”[/color]

Harper's words were firm, leaving no room for argument. She knew that they had to do things her way, or not at all. [color=#8a9a5b] "You're also going to do great things later, Haven," [/color]she added, with a hint of encouragement in her voice.

[color=tan]"Thanks, Harps."[/color] Haven smiled at Harper. She was fully aware that the brunette would admit to helping her, if it came down to it. [color=tan]"I'll get with Banjo at the plateau. Hopefully he's already planning something."[/color]

She turned away from Harper, her eyes returning to the open sky. A quick flight to the dorms to change, pack, and then she would be high above the campus and it's problems for a while. It would give her time to think... or just to forget about it all for a little. She broke into a light jog, and then her wings lifted her up and into the space above campus. [i]Thank the heavens for bike shorts.[/i] She thought.

Little did Harper know, Haven didn't intend on letting her friend fall with her. She'd crashed plenty of times before, metaphorically and physically, and she still chose to take flight again and again. She trusted herself to do great things with or without a degree. This was the world Haven was used to. The world she'd accepted and vowed to make her own. She would carve out a space for herself somewhere. Even if the world wasn't ready for her yet.

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