PatientBean

X-Men: Cosmic Crusades 👽

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Peregrine Mayfield

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Location: Mansion
Skills: N/A
Fit Of The Day

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Before they could go off on their arguably fantastic adventure in the Danger Room, a rough booming voice sounded throughout the mansion calling for Lance. Thankfully, it seemed some of them knew who it was. Max especially, who went off on some ramble that Perry had difficulty following. She had heard of Runa before, mainly because of her relationship with Lance, but even then she was still a mystery. Time travel was tricky in the best of times and Perry didn't have the mental fortitude or the ice cream to back up any attempt at getting through it.

She, along with the others, noticed someone else walking to the Library. Perry looked over to Jaclyn, wondering if she was going to speak up and admit she was as confused as Perry was, but she hadn't. "I'll take one for the team, I guess. Hi, name's Perry and I have no idea who or what the two of you are talking about. Mind filling the newbs of the house in on this before we make any decision because, I'll admit, I am biased and seeing as I do not know what is going on and why they feel the need to shout the house down, but I would rather still play Clue at this moment, but if they are here on important business and you can highlight in a few seconds why I should care, I am happy to go along with that plan."

The Dead Don't Die.

Location: New York City, First Floor
Skills: N/A

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Verity waved off the tow truck drivers as she watched the scene in front of her unfold. She prided herself on being able to see things for what they were even when others tried so desperately to hide the truth and this was no different. Police and ambulance, reporters, the whole shabang. This was something bad. Based on what she noticed, people were dead and being brought into the ambulances.

Her eyes gazed over one of the bodies as it was being put in the ambulance. Just as the paramedic was closing the door, the body moved inside. Verity did a double-take. Surely the body was...dead. Wasn't it?

She saw the camera operator filming and, just like her, looked confused. Verity stepped outside of her building and made her way over to the camera operator to see if she could catch a glimpse of his film. She had to be wrong.

Commencement: A Pacific Royal Collegiate & University RP

Calliope set foot in the office waiting area. The familiarity of it was a comfort in a way. Gladys sat at the reception desk, her computer screen reflecting off of her glasses to show she was doing today's Wordle rather than her actual job. That was a comfort also.

Calliope cleared her throat and Gladys looked up. "Oh, Calliope. I am so sorry. Lost in my own thoughts. Maybe my husband is right. Here for your appointment?" Calliope nodded and Gladys gave her a warm smile before pressing the intercom button. "Dr. Trinh? Ms. de Leon is here to see you." Calliope took a seat to wait, but the door opened quickly. An asian woman in her early 50's stepped out. "Calliope. Nice to see you. Please." Dr. Trinh gestured to her office and Calliope walked in.

Calliope took a seat on the larger couch while Dr. Trinh sat in one of the single chairs nearby. She had her clipboard in front of her, but it was more there for show. Early on in their work together, Calliope had made it known she didn't like seeing her therapist write notes directly in front of her. It made it feel clinical or like she was just another figure. So Dr. Trinh obliged her.

"So it's been a little under three weeks since we last saw each other. If you remember, we discussed trauma and its impact on present-day symptoms. Tell me, how have your panic attacks been?" Calliope clenched her fist without thinking before she remembered and unclenched it, allowing her muscles to relax. "Better. I haven't had a full episode for more than two months. Some anxiety has shown up, but nothing to lead to a panic attack." Dr. Trinh nodded. "That's good. You know the difference between anxiety and panic attacks, correct? We discussed that?"

"Anxiety attacks have no known cause to them whereas panic attacks have a known reason."

"Very good. Have any of your triggers shown up since?"

Calliope closed her eyes. Her triggers were varied, but so far she had managed to keep them at bay. "No, none. I haven't spoken to my parents in years now. And I have a good support system."

Dr. Trinh gave a small smile. "Ah yes. Your team at the school you attend. Blackjack was it? And I believe we discussed a certain young man who you've been seeing for..." She checked her notes, "Going on 5 years now. Impressive. How is all that going?"

"I feel like I belong with Blackjack. Even those I do not know very well have a part to play. And Andrew. Well he's been a rock for me. Two messed up people with messed up pasts who found each other and didn't let go. Before you ask, he knows about all of it."

"I take it he is a Hyperhuman also? Is it mutual support or do you feel you put more into the relationship than you get out. And as a reminder, if you do feel that way, it's not necessarily a bad thing."

"At first, I felt there were times I cared more, but then I felt guilty. After all, our relationship started off as a lie. I wanted something to get revenge on my father and what better way than a man who my father would probably die knowing I had been with. And a Hyperhuman like myself? But it grew more. I felt like I was being seen, not as a Senator's daughter or some Hyperhuman freakshow, but as Calliope. And ever since then he has gone above and beyond to show he cares. Sometimes I think he's too good for me and then he does some fucked up thing or says something to someone and pushes buttons and I'm reminded he's a weirdo. But he's my weirdo."

Dr. Trinh smiled more this time. "You deserve happiness Calliope, even if some days it feels like you don't. There will be moments when it seems life is throwing nonstop hurdles in front of you. Remember that even little steps towards progress is still progress. Now, let's do a free thought activity. Say the first thing that comes to your mind."

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_{Location: Southern Plateau - Pacific Royal Campus}

Welcome Home #1.70: Set The World Ablaze

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_{Interaction(s): Banjo (@Hound55), Mei (@Garden Gnome), Harper (@Qia)}

Previously: Fractured

The drive to the Tria set-up was quiet. She felt bad not speaking to Banjo, but she knew she needed time to cool off. And he at least respected that much. Still, he was a comfort. The others were in various stages of unrest or worry or downright refusal that this was happening.

Once at the Southern Plateau, they got out and began getting set up. She stayed near Banjo, not really willing to be alone just yet. Rory had all but shot out of the Minotaur like a rocket.

"Geez, he's like a bloody kelpie, ain't he? Where's he off to?"

Before Calliope could even begin to hypothesize as to Rory's intentions, Rory had taken a tent. She assumed he was getting his own set up, but apparently not.

"Yo, lovebirds... picked out a nice spot for ya. Try not to keep us up all night!"

Calliope felt her cheeks burn. It wasn't like it was a secret that her and Banjo were intimate, hell she had just said she wanted to start a family with him, but to have it so loudly broadcasted was not ideal. Still, should she be surprised that Rory opened his mouth and put his foot in?

"Y'know, this is what happens when you let these drongos know we might be interested in startin' a family together..."

"We might?" Calli had noted that Banjo had not stated one way or the other if he was actually interested in a family. In hindsight, it probably should have been a conversation they had at the beginning when things began getting serious, but perhaps it was her naivete that pushed her belief that he would want a family also. She wanted one because hers was so rotten growing up. She wanted to bring children into the world and shower them with love and acceptance for whoever they were. She assumed Banjo would want the same, but his was a hard life also. The world was difficult at the best of times.

"We might."

"If anyone knows how garbage family can be - someone who's actually gunna be driven to do it right. It's you and me, hun. No half measures. Thing about startin' my own solo practice, I'd be able to control my own hours. When it comes time. It's time. Shutter it short-term. Hell, I could probably get JP Qual or the equivalent and work as a notary public from home lookin' after the little tackers. Have pimple faced teens come in lookin' for me to sign stat decs so they can get work."

It warmed her heart that he had considered this and was willing to step up. She didn't want to put her career first while her kids existed. In a perfect world she would have an established career that allowed her the time to be a mom when she needed to be. Showing up to her children's school functions, taking part in PTA stuff, talking to her children when they had questions about life or wanted to talk about their crushes or when she would need to console them when they had their heart broken. She wanted all of it.

"You wouldn't get bored?"

"Oh, I'd go absolutely barmy." He grinned. "But I'd do it. Our kids would be so sick of dear old Dad they'd be beggin' me to stay out of their lives."

"I'm not going to be one of those moms that works too much either though. We're both in."

"But anyway, speakin' of the kids..."

Sure enough, their other "children" had all gotten out and went to their respective areas. Calliope had admittedly started to feel better about everything. So much so that when Rory spoke up. "So, Barnes... you want to sleep together tonight?"

"God, they really are like our children, aren't they?" She shook her head and left Rory and Haven to deal with whatever the hell was going on there. She walked up to Tad to find out what she would be doing.

"Calliope, Robert has you along with Harper and Mei taking care of the inner theatrics. Basically setting the tone of the Trials look nice with a theme and programming in the puzzles and obstacles for the freshmen to overcome. Based on the last few years, I think that fits squarely in your wheelhouse."

"I should be able to scrounge something nice." She tried to hide her contempt but she knew her tone didn't match her words. She was expected to make something nice for the school not letting her have a degree?

"Tone aside, I can understand being upset regarding recent events. Still, the Trials are happening whether you graduate at the end of the year or not, so why not make it something to be remembered by? Let's try to start the new students on a positive note and leave them wanting more. I'd hate to see you not only regretting but wasting your potential by not giving this a sincere try."

Calliope thought about it and knew he was right. It wouldn't serve her or anyone if the students got punished because she had a chip on her shoulder. "I hadn't thought of that. I'll get right on it." She turned, leaving Tad to dole out the others before she went in. She began brainstorming ideas but she wanted to wait for Mei and Harper to join.

Sure enough, the two girls appeared. "Hello team. Ready to brainstorm theme ideas?"

X-Men: Cosmic Crusades 👽

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Peregrine Mayfield

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Location: Mansion
Skills: N/A
Fit Of The Day

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Perry hadn't thought about using the Danger Room for anything other than training. Hell, it was in the name. Danger Room. Still, Max had a good idea. Playing a board game in a virtual reality room would be fun and good for bonding. And maybe then Mira would like board games. "Sounds like a win-win-win to me. Let's get it going then!"

They could still have a movie night later on then as Max said. She would have to pick a good one. Did she go terribly hilarious or one of the prizes of cinema? After everything she figured they could use a night to laugh and relax so bad movie it was. So many choices there. Perhaps she could rope the others into getting snacks so they could have the full movie-viewing experience?

That could be decided later. For now, she needed to get her sleuth on.

Avengers Academy 💥

Sabine Bassard

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Location: The Gym - Simulation
Fit of the Day: Gym Outfit
Skills: N/A

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Sabine had to admit, she didn't think her plan would work, but perhaps it worked too well. She saw the glitches and the world melt away briefly, but everyone else left save for a few. She was happy to see Dorian remain, but the others, not so much. If for no other reason than Mary Sue seemed incapable of being useful and Gideon seemed TOO into this.

"Didn't the others mention that Zari wasn't with us? Perhaps she's the princess in the castle?" It seemed just as likely as anything else in this world. She tried to call upon her Mario knowledge. If it was a castle, that means Bowser was in it. Hopefully it would be like the games and be a simple dodge and move, but who knows if Arcade made anything to hinder them further.

"You all probably know more about these games than I do, so take the lead. It seems I am able to manipulate the game's memory if need be. Hopefully there are no surprises." But she stayed at the ready.

The Dead Don't Die.

Location: New York City, First Floor
Skills: N/A

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Verity looked over at Flynn, sure there was more going on, but she also had a busy rest of the day. "No, that'll be all. Thank you for the speedy service." She accepted the address and turned to get back on the elevator.

But something gnawed at her. She couldn't leave well enough alone. She moved towards the window, hoping to get a better look at what was going on. She didn't want to be seen if she could help it, though she supposed it didn't matter. Either way, she shot a quick text to Trudy to hold the fort down for a few minutes.

Police were involved it seemed. This had to be bad. And if it was bad it was juicy. And juicy equaled ratings.

Commencement: A Pacific Royal Collegiate & University RP

^{Santa Fe, New Mexico}

Garcia sat upon his mahogany leather chair in his office facing away from the door, almost as if it had affronted him and he couldn't stan looking at it anymore. He held a glass of scotch, a gift from a donor and only to be drunk when Garcia needed to relax, as he stared out the window. What had his life become? Growing up, his family always had a strong work ethic. His father toiled as a construction worker and his mother a nurse. Both were demanding jobs and, yet, he never heard a complaint. He also knew it was expected of him to maintain his household. His father had sat him down when he was only 8 years old and told him that a man ran his family. Secured it. Strengthed it. Made sure his house was in order. Often by any means necessary.

Garcia never saw the bruises until his mother was buried, God rest her soul.

And now he was sitting in his home that he built, his wife out doing who knows what or who and he hasn't seen or spoken to his daughters in years.

And yes, he said daughters. He didn't get to where he is following some woke liberal bullshit.

Garcia closed his eyes as his mind wandered through his family. His wife was a lost cause. She had checked out years prior, but she at least maintained the image. After all, it suited her well. She got expensive clothes, taken on expensive trips, ate at exclusive restaurants and attended exclusive parties. She was set up.

His oldest, Lilliana, because he damn well refused to call her whatever she decided to call herself this month, was also lost. Off gallivanting with that wife of hers and flat out refusing to let him see his grandchild. She was gone.

That left one.

Calliope.

Garcia slammed the glass on the desk, shattering it into pieces and leaving some small cuts as scotch and blood mixed.

He truly saw potential in her. She didn't talk back. She did as she was told. Good grades, perfect attendance, she did everything he had expected of her. And yet, she still disappointed him. The moment she displayed who she was, she was a failure. A freak. Everyone began talking about it and, by extension, him. All she had to do was hide it and she couldn't even get that right.

And now she was at that school in Canada doing who knew what. It wasn't like she called him with periodic updates. And his own attempts at finding out had been thwarted. Whoever ran the school over there was good. Perhaps another father would be relieved to know his child was at a school that protected them so heavily.

Not him. He needed to know what was going on with her. The more unknown, the less control he had. And Garcia needed control.

He stood up and cleaned up his mess, wrapping a bandage on his hand. The maid will take care of the rest. He walked over to his safe, hidden behind the painted family picture. And picked up the card he was given about five years ago. There wasn't much on it except a name along with a whispered promise to get him the control he craved so much.

Hyperion.

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_{Location: Chimera's Lair - Pacific Royal Campus}

Welcome Home #1.45: Fractured

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_{Interaction(s): Banjo (@Hound55), Haven (@Skai), Harper (@Qia)}

Previously: These Perfect Moments

Calliope got ready as her roommate maneuvered around their shared space, talking on her phone. Calliope let it go in one ear and out the other. The school assembly in preparation for the Homecoming trials wasn't what she would call her favorite activity, but at least she would be amongst her friends. Once she was satisfied, she grabbed her stuff and headed out. Hopefully her roommate followed suit. It would not serve her well.

Calliope didn't opt to go eat at the Mess Hall. She hadn't been feeling hungry for a bit now. Instead, she waited and met everyone outside with Tad. She sidled up to Banjo, linking her arm through his as they made their way to the Chimera's Lair.

School spirit was never a thing she had. She had always been forced into things to better herself or make her family look good, so she never cared about doing it because she liked her school. She didn't dislike PRCU, but she wasn't about the whole House points. She didn't actively seek to lose them points, but if she didn't contribute as much as maybe others wanted, that was just too damn bad. House Ursus never won anyway, it seemed.

At the stadium they took their seats. Calliope leaned against Banjo as the assembly was called to attention. She rose along with the others, but this, too, elicited an eye roll. She never understood pride for a country, but then again she wasn't Canadian. America had very little to be proud about.

After an introduction and talking about sports the mood seemed to visibly shift. Almost as if a wave of emotion hit the speaker. She leaned forward a bit in attention.

“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.”

Calliope sucked in her breath. What did he say? The school would essentially be sending them out with a piece of paper that meant fuck all? And then had the nerve to say they would work to make sure they could be transferred to a new school so they could get a degree? Oh and how kind of them to foot the bill.

She couldn't do it anywhere else. There was no way.

"Yeah, what school would accept a freak like you?" Calliope shut her eyes. Her inner voice seemed to be screaming despite talking in a whisper.

"Think about it, your dad didn't want you, your home didn't want you, and now this school doesn't even want you." Calliope tried to calm the voice but it didn't seem to be working. She felt herself shake. Her hands clenched, but she felt resistance. A pushback.

Banjo. He had squeezed her hand. A simple communication meant that he knew what was happening. That centered her. It always did. She looked up, tears begging to be unleashed from their prison, but she held firm. She nodded.

The speeches continued anyway despite her wanting to run out of the stands. A woman took to the mic from the Alexandria Foundation. She appeared controlled. She spoke in a way that made Calliope think every word was deliberate. “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.”

That struck a nerve. Who the help was this woman? As if on queue, Haven spoke up to voice her same question.

Calliope almost laughed after Haven threatened her, but Calliope wasn't in the mood. "Whoever she is, I hate her. If she thinks I'm doing anything to make her life easier here, she has another thing coming."

Ice ran through her words. She felt it surge. She stood up, "I need to use the restroom, I'll be right back." She told to Banjo and the others. She quickly scooted out, ready to get out of there.

She made her way into the restroom and checked to see if anyone else was there. Once she was sure she was alone, she turned to face the mirror. She gripped the counter and stared at herself.

All of the work she put in. Wasted. The friends she made. Stripped away. Her future plans essentially shot. She closed her eyes. She felt the world shift. It was a lot. She had been angry before, but she held it in. Sad? Stomped out. You didn't get to feel things. What was tat ironic Disney movie? Frozen. Conceal don't feel.

But once it started, it didn't stop. She felt it in her blood. The surge, the energy crackling. Soon, it unleashed.

The sink next to her made a guttural sound as ice shot out from it, cracking the faucet and counter in a kaleidoscope of crystal. Calliope fell back. She looked in horror and mild awe. It was back home all over again. Part of her felt bad, but also damn this school.

She collected herself and ran out, hoping no one would be going in there for a bit, though it wasn't like she could hide she did it. She made her way back into the stadium and met with Banjo, sitting down with force. "I'm fine," she said with some attitude. A simple warning. Don't poke the polar bear. Not yet.

God what was she going to do?

X-Men: Cosmic Crusades 👽

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Peregrine Mayfield

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Location: Mansion
Skills: N/A
Fit Of The Day

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Her little foray into boredom had yielded results as people came out of the woodwork. Jaclyn was first. Perry had enjoyed getting to know her. It was hard, admittedly, to be the self-employed "party planner" of the X-Mansion, but at least her attempts at fun were recognized. Max came in as well. "Ha ha, you're old now! That dad joke was so painful we'll need Ed to come heal the wounds." Spiritually, she felt she got better along with Max than most others, but it was hard to see if he felt the same.

Mira also showed up, suggesting a board game, though Mira did not appear well-invested in that idea. "Well I don't want you to do something you won't enjoy. As the Mood Booster (tm) of the Mansion I would be slacking on my duties if I allowed such a faux pas. No no, we can do better. What if we do a bonfire tonight? Or watch some hilariously bad movies on the lawn outside? We can make smores and pop popcorn and all that."

She eyed the others, curious as to what they wanted to do. It was hard to keep up with everyone's varied interests.

The Dead Don't Die.

Location: New York City, First Floor
Skills: N/A

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Verity nodded in agreement, signing where she needed to and offering up her insurance information. As she did so her attention was briefly drawn to someone standing off in the distance. He looked familiar. She focused her gaze and finally saw it. It was the guy who had hit her! God she really hoped she never had to see him again.

What also struck her as odd was the police nearby as well as a cameraman. What the hell happened? Did he crash his bike again and finally kill someone?

Once she was done, she handed the papers back to the tow truck driver. "There you go. Thanks again. And, hey, quick question, do you know what that's all about?" she asked, pointing in Flynn's direction.

Avengers Academy 💥

Sabine Bassard

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Location: The Gym - Simulation
Fit of the Day: Gym Outfit
Skills: Memory Manipulation

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It seemed their pleasant foray into video game world wasn't some active training session. Instead, Arcade intended them to die in here. What was it with this school and having students and staff be unstable? A haunted house actively hurting people and some nerd killing them in a video game. Granted, it was a school for future superheroes, but still!

Sabine thought on it. Leah proved herself valuable by distracting and going ape on anything in her vicinity and Sabine had to hold herself back from wanting to make-out with her then and there. There would be time later.

Victoria had a good idea. If they could hack into the system they could alter and change this in their favor, perhaps even get out. It made sense Zari was separated. Sabine wondered if she could aid Victoria. Didn't video games have memories? Save files were memories in a sense, right?

"I'll help how I can. I'm not super well-versed in video games," she told Victoria as Sabine attempted to boost Victoria's hacking efforts with her own.

Roll Request

Sabine is going to use her powers to see if she can help hack the game's memory to alter it. Whatever Victoria has planned, Sabine wants to boost it.