[hr] [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] [/b][/h1][/sup] [center][h2][i][color=tan]&[/color][color=darkgoldenrod]&[/color][/i][/h2][/center] [CENTER][sup][h1][center][img]https://images5.fanpop.com/image/photos/27900000/Alex-alex-pettyfer-27913840-500-238.gif[/img][/center][b][center][color=darkgoldenrod] B A N J O[/color] [color=black]B A N J O[/color][/center] [/b][/h1][/sup][/CENTER] [COLOR=TAN][indent][sub][B]Location:[/B] [COLOR=SILVER][I]Southern Plateau [/I] - [I]PRCU[/I][/COLOR][/sub][sup][right][b]Welcome Home #1.072:[/b] [COLOR=SILVER][I][b]Birds of a Feather[/b][/I][/COLOR][/right][/sup][/indent][sub][hr][/sub][INDENT][sub][B]Interaction(s):[/B] [COLOR=SILVER][I]Banjo [@Hound55] [/I][/COLOR][/sub][SUP][RIGHT][b]Previously:[/b] [COLOR=SILVER][I]... Gets the Worm?[/I][/COLOR][/right][/SUP][/INDENT][/COLOR] [indent] Haven unscrewed the cap to the water bottle with urgency as she turned away from Rory. She lifted it to her lips, proceeding to chug it's entire cooling contents. Her heart calmed now that she was out of Rory's space. Her mind, on the other hand, briefly questioned what the hell she'd just done. It was daring, something she was used to saying, but with Rory? She swallowed hard as she lowered the empty plastic. There was a certain pride blooming in her chest now to have talked to Rory that way without restraint. [color=darkgoldenrod]"Oi! Tyler! Move your bloody tent!"[/color] Haven grinned to herself as she tossed the bottle into a trash bin nearby. She continued towards the plateau, not daring to look back in case Rory understood Banjo's quip. It was better to let him simmer this way. If he didn't get it now, he would soon enough. Instead, she turned her attention onto Banjo at the front of the group. While he played off running into the giant faculty member, Haven was busy thinking about how she'd bring up her little plan to him. It was one of the rare occasions when Calli wasn't by his side. Calli's advice could help them in the future, but the law student might not approve of a prank to get their plan in motion. With that thought, it seemed like the perfect time to bounce the idea off of Blackjack's resident prankster. She broke into a light jog, and then her wings took her up about ten feet into the air so that she could catch up to the blondie quickly. She reached him within seconds, touching down on the ground before she started to keep pace with him. Her wings tucked in behind her as she started the conversation. There was a mention of an Aussie rock song that Haven thought she recognized from Banjo's playlist before, and then a rock song she [i]definitely[/i] recognized. The heat returned to her body, but she didn't let it distract her from her current goal. She put her feet back into motion, and soon was at Banjo's side again. [color=darkgoldenrod]"I'm listening..."[/color] [color=tan]"I want to know how you're feeling, about it all. I don't know if I should be angry and act on it, or jump ship and find my own way."[/color] She looked over his expression, knowing that of all people he would be the one to understand how she was feeling the best. There was a lot more she could have said, but she thought her words expressed enough. Banjo looked at her as if she had two heads. [color=darkgoldenrod]"I'm not one for tellin' anyone how they should feel about anything. But it's not like there's much that can be done at this point."[/color] [color=darkgoldenrod]"Somehow they've roped us into a situation where they're hopin' to acquire us - their words... whilst they get to run some kind of audit on us. I'll be honest, seems like a massive conflict of interest to me, but given there's only really two schools on the planet like ours, there's probably some flawed processes around it by the sounds and you're stuck with each school policing each other. I assume."[/color] [color=darkgoldenrod]"So anything we do at this point is just gunna reflect on the school and bring them that much closer to givin' 'em what they want."[/color] He spoke this last part with his hands, his frustration palpable. [color=darkgoldenrod]"Now I don't exactly give two shits about this place, they could've rolled in here and said they intend to turn the whole damn island into a parking lot if they did right by everyone and their lives here in the process. But I do care about people. And they came in and fucked with my mob. So now I'm gonna have to find a way to make them eat it. But for now that means waitin'."[/color] Haven sucked on her teeth for a moment, mulling over his words. A moment of disappointment crossed her features, before resilience returned in full force as she angled her head to look over at him. [color=tan]"Soo... there's no chance you'll help me pull one over the reps?"[/color] She quickly held up her hands in a gesture of peace. [color=tan]"I'm not looking to piss that woman off, as much as I want to. Nor am I aiming to make the school look bad, either."[/color] [color=tan]"Even if we wait, like you said, for the perfect moment. I want to be in on it. I want to shove the whole cake down their throat."[/color] [color=darkgoldenrod]"Depends on what it is 'n' when."[/color] He replied. [color=darkgoldenrod]"Said it time and time again... I'm not in the habit of givin' pricks like these what they want."[/color] [color=darkgoldenrod]"Mark that one down from the Book o' Banjo."[/color] He held up a single finger, as if he'd just delivered sage wisdom quoted from on high. [color=darkgoldenrod]"'N mark my words. When I do act, it's gonna piss that woman and all of her sort off right to high heaven."[/color] He turned and gave Haven a broad grin. [color=darkgoldenrod]"And I'll enjoy every minute of it."[/color] [color=tan]"So we're on the same page, then."[/color] Haven said with a mischievous smirk of her own. [color=tan]"You already have something brewing? Nothing I can think of would end right, trust me."[/color] [color=darkgoldenrod]"Nothin' for right now."[/color] He replied. [color=darkgoldenrod]"This has kind of put everything I would have had on hold. Besides, I normally hold off until after their Homecoming. For some reason they get real on edge about doing anything 'round this time of year."[/color] He scratched at his temple. [color=darkgoldenrod]"But you know me... A bunch of things on the easel in progress. This has just put everything up on blocks. There's no way to thread the needle and not make their job easier in takin' the school."[/color] He lamented. [color=darkgoldenrod]"Don't know enough about these people."[/color] [color=tan]"That's the problem."[/color] Haven murmured. [color=tan]"I'm hoping to find out how their school operates. I want to know why they're coming for the school now and not four years ago."[/color] [color=tan]"There has to be something they want out of this besides a second campus."[/color] [color=darkgoldenrod]"Well, first part's simple. We've got a bunch of kids at this school who've transferred from over there."[/color] He bounced back to Haven. [color=darkgoldenrod]"I'll level with ya. New girl puts more wind up me than five cans of baked beans and a box a' bran flakes... but there's another team right on over who had a girl who went there. Ranga-- err-- Redhead girl. I'll be honest, what little I know you'd probably have a tougher time stoppin' her talkin' than gettin' her to start."[/color] He suggested as an alternative to the daunting option of questioning Amma, remembering Team Firebird had a member who came from the Foundation as well. [color=darkgoldenrod]"Might be worth tryin' to see if we can combine campfire stories for the night... Besides, after today's assembly, more friends might be better than less."[/color] [color=tan]"I don't know if Amma would talk to me about it or if I'd lose a few feathers trying."[/color] She said with a chuckle. [color=tan]"What's the other transfers name? I haven't mixed with Firebird since the end of summer party last year."[/color] [color=darkgoldenrod]"Aww don't do that to me, I barely know our names..."[/color] Banjo replied, as if being put upon. [color=darkgoldenrod]"She's about ye' big..."[/color] He held his hand up. [color=darkgoldenrod]"Ranga bird. You'll hear her before you see 'er. Keeps calling me 'Andrew Olyphant' no matter what I tell her. When I said my name was just 'Banjo' it practically broke her brain."[/color] [color=tan]"Ah, so I'll tell her Andrew sent me?"[/color] Haven was the one with the shit eating grin this time. [color=darkgoldenrod]"No. Like the full name, Haven Barnes. 'Andrew Olyphant'. Not to be compartmentalised or broken up for parts in any way, Haven Barnes."[/color] Haven's brows knitted together for a moment. [color=tan]"What if I haven't told her my full name?"[/color] He raised an eyebrow in disbelief. [color=darkgoldenrod]"You think I introduced myself as 'Andrew Olyphant'? When's the last time you caught me doing that? She's a sociable one. Probably has us all memorised by the yearbook or somethin', or heard it somewhere."[/color] Haven laughed. [color=tan]"I'm gonna crack if she says my full name."[/color] [color=darkgoldenrod]"Like an egg, Galah."[/color] Banjo stuck his tongue out at her. [color=darkgoldenrod]"And she will. Just you wait and see."[/color] Haven scrunched her nose as he stuck his tongue out. [color=tan]"What's a Galah anyways?"[/color] [color=darkgoldenrod]"Well, they're like a cockatoo... but pink and gray. Google it. I'm the one without a phone."[/color] [color=tan]"And I've got a flip phone."[/color] She teased before realization hit her, smacking him lightly on the arm. [color=tan]"Oi, watch the bird jokes too."[/color] Banjo's tongue was wedged deep in his cheek. He'd had a question running through his mind since she said she wanted to talk about it. He thought he had a pretty good feel for the people he knew, Haven in particular. [color=darkgoldenrod]"Level with me. You've already got a bag packed. Haven't ya?"[/color] Haven took a deep breath, reaching up to clear a few stray hairs out of her face. Her breath came out more of a puff than a sigh. [color=tan]"Yeah."[/color] The smile she gave him was bittersweet. [color=tan]"How'd you figure that?"[/color] [color=darkgoldenrod]"Birds of a feather."[/color] He smirked. [color=darkgoldenrod]"Been here five years. Never unpacked."[/color] Banjo dropped his head with a smile, and kicked loose stones as he walked. [color=darkgoldenrod]"Don't know if I'd have it in me to jump anymore though. Least not by myself."[/color] He sighed. [color=darkgoldenrod]"Got myself too tied in. Never thought that'd happen. But you heard last night. It's been heading that way for a while... but, can't believe things are getting put out in the open."[/color] Haven watched him carefully as he spoke. The bird comment almost earned him a real smack on the arm, but the meaning behind it was why Banjo had never [i]really[/i] irritated her. She saw the rawness behind his punky demeanor. Where Calliope understood it and loved it, Haven felt it at her core and respected it. [color=tan]"It would definitely break my heart to go, yeah."[/color] She said, the thought hitting her in the chest. [color=tan]"You have a really good thing going with Calli. I'm sure she would jump with you if you asked."[/color] [color=darkgoldenrod]“I wouldn’t though. Well, unless we’re talking about a threat to life thing again… but really, what are the odds of that happening again?”[/color] He spoke with his head down still, a smile slowly creeping across his face, thinking of her. [color=darkgoldenrod]“She has [b]BIG[/b] ambitious plans. Ambitious plans she’s worked hard at to make possible… and they actually are. Me? I’m not someone who can dream so big. Well… I can remember when just thinking about becoming a lawyer was pretty big in and of itself. Every plan I’ve ever had for myself was something I could get anywhere, because I’ve never really known where I’d be.”[/color] He stopped and turned to her, an earnest look crossing his face. [color=darkgoldenrod]“You know what’s really weird? Despite how she carries herself. The way she walks, expensive tastes, the way she was brought up, and the family she was brought up in. There’s no condemnation about her, never been any judgement about anything beyond me. I haven’t really said anything about my family to you – to be honest with you, I only know what I’m told and I’m not entirely sure how much I can believe – but I’ve told her. And my family is pretty much half a step above pond scum. Like, not scraping the bottom of the barrel… the black mould which is growing underneath the barrel. And I’m more scared of havin' a family than she is… like I’m not saying I wouldn’t. But my genes scare the shit out of [b]ME[/b], and she looks at me and just still wants—”[/color] His demeanour had darkened dramatically as he broached the subject of his family, but by the end he chuckled to himself. [color=darkgoldenrod]“She’s never seemed to judge me beyond who I am and the stuff I do. And I grew up getting bounced around boarding schools. Some of 'em wealthy and for the 'elite'. They don’t breed people like that. I used to eat shit getting bounced to city schools as being too country, I’d cop it from regional schools as being a ‘bloody townie’ or city kid. Everyone had shit to say. They could tell I wasn’t from much. She’s never thrown that in my face. Even when we’ve disagreed on stuff.”[/color] The earnest expression was back. It really was remarkable to him. He had a personality that could grate on people, and sooner or later, he'd found people would throw anything they could at him in frustration, desperation or rage. [color=darkgoldenrod]“So nah. I couldn’t ask her to jump when she’s so close now. I couldn’t up-end her life when she’s actually that kind of person. Just on a hunch. I grew up relying on my intuition, but I couldn’t do that.”[/color] Haven, meanwhile, had been watching Banjo go on and on with a wide smile. It was obvious that he was madly in love with Calli. A trait that Haven admired, and also set as a standard for her own future partner. As he finished, she sighed softly. Her hand reached up to push her stray hairs away from her face again. This time it was an act of self-soothing rather than a learned habit. [color=tan]"You're completely right."[/color] She began, realizing that Banjo had decided to stay and fight for Calli and their future. Yet when she thought about Rory the way Banjo thought about Calli, she realized that she would throw herself into the fire if it meant he'd have a better chance at happiness. Could she hold her temper back, if she wanted to stay long enough to [i]be[/i] his happiness? [color=tan]"I'm happy for you, Banjo."[/color] She started with a sincere smile his way. [color=tan]"I think you'll both carve out an entire chunk of the world for yourselves regardless of who your family is or how much you've gone through to get there."[/color] She turned to point at him, her smile turning into a grin. [color=tan]"And I expect an invitation to the wedding."[/color] [color=darkgoldenrod]"I'll make sure you don't get served the chicken."[/color] He deadpanned. Before taking a few well timed steps away, and dodging a punch to the arm. A cackle escaping his own grin. [color=tan]"You got lucky with that one."[/color] Haven said with a smile that promised retribution. She shook her head, her gaze turning towards the site as they approached it. [color=tan]"I guess it's time to get to work, huh."[/color] She slowed to a stop, sucking on her teeth for a moment. [color=tan]"When we run it, you'll already have an advantage knowing the layout. So let me know if there's any tight spaces I'll have to watch for, yeah?"[/color] She looked over at him and offered a half-hearted smirk. [color=tan]"I can't finish my first trial with a clipped wing. Would be pretty bad for my reputation."[/color] [Color=darkgoldenrod]"You'll probably get a better look than I will flying overhead. I'm just working on the foundations and inner structural work. The layout will be a shell on the inside."[/color] He replied. Haven raised an eyebrow before nodding. [color=tan]"Gotcha. I'll let you know if I peek anything of interest, then."[/color] [color=tan]"Thanks for the chat by the way. I'm feeling a bit better about it now."[/color] [color=darkgoldenrod]"Likewise. Better shoot through, but. Or Katja's liable to get her knickers in a twist."[/color] [color=darkgoldenrod]"Catch ya later this arvo, if Rory's lettin' ya stay upright."[/color] Banjo went right on back to singing [url=https://open.spotify.com/track/2SiXAy7TuUkycRVbbWDEpo?si=9gN1nI9lQm2tOnBygSq1-A]'Shook Me All Night Long'[/url] as he picked up his pace to the construction site. [color=tan]"I'll move your tent to the other side of the field, plucky! I mean it!"[/color] Haven shouted after him. Despite the threat in her words, she was grinning from ear to ear. Rory might not have meant it that way, but she still felt the fluttering of wings in her stomach when she thought about it. She was still grinning as she turned back towards the campsite, her eyes searching for a certain maple red flash of hair. [/indent] [COLOR=TAN][hr][/COLOR] [CENTER][img]https://i.imgur.com/Q9J9PIr.jpeg[/img][/CENTER]