[COLOR=GRAY][CENTER][COLOR=8A9A5B][sup]______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________[/sup][/COLOR][url=https://open.spotify.com/track/3x7NGlfDKQYN2wnwEnL7r9?si=397009f7df5140d7][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 #1.084:[/b][/COLOR] [I]Trials and Tribulations Part 2: The Kids Are Alright[/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]Trials and Tribulations Part 1: Vive la Révolution[/I][/color][/right][/SUP][/indent]

The three of them got to work quickly. 

Thankfully, the Trials didn’t require intense labour. Inputting the designs into augmented reality was pretty straightforward. Calli took her time with hers, wanting to make sure it was as perfect as can be. Even though she wanted the message that ‘Hey here is a trial with three books attached, each one a middle finger to the authority’ she also wanted to ensure the freshmen were able to pass and enjoy themselves. It wasn’t their fault after all.

Something had been on her mind though. She didn’t know Harper or Mei well at all. And the only in-depth conversation that they really had was about the trials and they all but rushed through it. Perhaps this was why they were paired together.

That or everyone else made sense and they were just thrown into something.

[color=#f796a9]“So….how are you all feeling about...everything I guess?” [/color]She left it pretty vague to allow Harper or Mei to fill it in. Calli didn’t know if anything was bothering them like it was her. She blew up a sink for crying out loud!

[color=#f1c232]“I’m fine considering everything that has happened.”[/color] Mei paused for a brief moment before she continued. [color=#f1c232]“I mean the Rory thing is still mostly up in the air, but at least we got the dance thing settled. The fact that he is [/color][i][color=#f1c232]sleeping[/color][/i][color=#f1c232] with Haven though is definitely not reassuring.” [/color]Honestly speaking, Mei didn’t have it as bad as her other teammates who had issues with their degrees, what with the changing of the accreditation and all. She guessed she could consider herself fortunate. However, she was sensible enough to know that she shouldn’t flaunt her relief around and keep her relief low-key and empathize with those facing the unhappiness surrounding the recent events that had only just taken place not too long ago.

Harper paused, the soft glow of the holographic interface casting shadows across her face. She took a deep breath, steadying herself before she turned to face Calli. [color=#8a9a5b]“It’s been…a lot to process. Everything is so complicated now. But you know, I don’t intend to let my…personal circumstances hinder what I have to do now.”[/color] She locked eyes with Calli, her gaze piercing yet filled with a silent understanding. [color=#8a9a5b]“And you, Calliope? On the beach, you seemed to have it all mapped out—family, a career in law. But life has a way of... throwing us off course it seems.”[/color]Harper's usual stoic mask slipped somewhat, a glimmer of concern flickering in her gaze.[color=#8a9a5b]“Are you holding up alright?” [/color]

Calli had taken into account both directions the other two had directed the conversation. Mei going on about Rory and whatever that adorable mess of a human was attempting to do with the others. Calli’s mind flashed back to the beach and him essentially taking a pass at Aurora despite Lorcán standing there. And Mei attempting to fix it despite Rory’s obliviousness. She breathed a sigh of relief at not having to play dating politics amongst this lot. 

And Harper highlighting personal circumstances. What did that mean? Was she referring to the diplomas or something else entirely? [color=#f796a9]“I….exploded a sink.” [/color]

She let that sink in before she continued. [color=#f796a9]“After the announcement that some of our degrees would be essentially worthless and that we would have to change schools to finish, I…lost it. Went to the bathroom and exploded one of the sinks in an arguably beautiful ice sculpture. So I am doing about as well as one can expect.”[/color]

Harper allowed a rare, gentle smile to play across her lips, softening the stern lines that usually framed her mouth. [color=#8a9a5b]

“Exploding a sink,”[/color]she echoed, her tone laced with a touch of amusement and understanding.[color=#8a9a5b]“I must admit, that’s a new one for me. But if it provided even a moment’s respite from all this shit, then perhaps it wasn’t in vain.” [/color]As for her other teammate, Harper, typically one to steer clear of the tangled web of interpersonal drama, found herself weighing the merits of intervention. Gil’s recount had painted a clear picture, and her instinct was to remain an observer, not a participant in the unfolding shitshow that seemed to be a constant for her dunderhead teammate. 

Yet, as she stood there, a part of her- the part honed by a strong sense of loyalty towards her friends- nudged her towards speaking up. So, with a mental shrug that dismissed her lingering reservations, Harper found her voice.

[color=#8a9a5b]“I know it’s not my place,”[/color]she began, her tone even and devoid of judgment. [color=#8a9a5b]“but Rory, for all his… let’s call them ‘quirks’, doesn’t strike me as malicious. Misguided, perhaps, but not harmful.” [/color]She paused, choosing her next words with care. [color=#8a9a5b]“The proposition to Haven, I believe, was less about intent and more about a lack of foresight. Even if there’s something there…he asked you, Mei. Or maybe you asked him. Either way, him choosing to go to the dance with you has to count for something.” [/color]

[color=#f1c232]“Exploding a sink and turning that into an art piece at the same time. I’d pay to see that. Pay in snacks, mind you, and I love my snacks. I wish I could say the same whenever I destroy something unintentionally.”[/color] Mei mused. She then glanced over to Harper and replied. [color=#f1c232]“Oh sure, I treat that as good progress and any progress with Rory is something to be happy for. Of course, I love that he is going [/color][color=#f1c232]to the dance[/color][color=#f1c232] with me. There’s no reason I wouldn’t be. I’m as straight as an arrow.”[/color] She mimicked an archer firing an arrow with a smile. Mei then paused for a moment, collecting her thoughts before she continued. [color=#f1c232]“Honestly, I’d prefer if he had slept alone, or with anyone else other than Haven.”[/color] Mei had always been unafraid to openly show her jealousy regarding Rory with her friends and voiced her thoughts unabashedly.

A faint smile graced Harper's lips at Mei's jest, but it quickly dissolved into a look of contemplation. She understood well enough the potential volatility of Mei's jealousy. After all, she herself could get, and has been, quite jealous before.  For her, the feeling was like a spark near a powder keg, capable of igniting a blaze that could sweep through their ranks and jeopardize the cohesion they so desperately needed right now in the face of the Foundation.
 
Hence, the impulse to intervene, to offer a word of caution, was there. Yet, she found herself asking once again if it was even her place to step in, to guide Mei away from a path that could lead to discord. Or was it better to trust in her teammate's ability to navigate her own emotional landscape?

The weight of this decision lifted as Calliope's voice broke through her reverie, signalling a shift in the conversation. Harper silently welcomed the reprieve, allowing her to retreat from the precipice of involvement, back to her familiar ground of observation and support. 

For now. 

It really was a breath of fresh air to be hearing all of the romantic drama unfolding amongst the team. Rory seemed to be at the center of it, though Calli knew it extended to Lorcán and Aurora and now even Haven. 

[color=#f796a9]“Rory is…..ok I love Rory very much but the man is an idiot when it comes to this. He asked Aurora to the dance to help Lorcán out and that failed and now he’s playing catch up with everyone else. I agree with Harper, I don’t think he is doing this maliciously or is trying to be a player of sorts. Also just because they are sleeping in a tent together doesn’t mean they will be doing anything other than sleeping. And even then, it is Rory and Haven’s choice. You won’t know and Rory certainly won’t know until you talk to him. And you have to lay it out for him.”[/color]

[color=#f796a9]“What about you Harper? Any relationship drama to tackle? I don’t seem to recall you paying any special attention to any one of our teammates, but perhaps I missed it.”[/color]

Harper's eyes momentarily lost their focus, reflecting an internal debate. 

[color=#8a9a5b]“There might be someone,”[/color]she acknowledged, her voice betraying a hint of reluctance.[color=#8a9a5b]“But it's a topic for another time.” [/color]Her gaze shifted away, signalling an unspoken boundary she wasn't ready to cross.
 
Still…a sigh escaped her, more from resignation than sadness. Perhaps the only one between the three in a long-term relationship [i]could [/i]offer some advice. 

[color=#8a9a5b]“I've perhaps spoken out of turn recently with that someone, in matters of... personal interest.” [/color]Harper hesitated, the admission hanging between them like a delicate thread. [color=#8a9a5b]“It's challenging, you know? When a person occupies your thoughts, yet you're not quite sure where you stand with them.” [/color]She gestured vaguely, her hands illustrating the disparity she felt. [color=#8a9a5b]“They're up here,” [/color]she said, her hand aloft, [color=#8a9a5b]“and I'm... somewhere below, trying to find my proper place with them.”[/color]

Calliope cracked her knuckles. It seemed as though the two fledglings with her needed some advice. Since she was in an arguably healthy relationship, she felt it was her obligation to bestow some wisdom on them. 

Mother was here.

[color=#f796a9]“All right ladies. First and foremost in the lesson plan: men are stupid. This is why sexuality is not a choice because no one would willingly choose to be attracted to that species. So they are going to say and do dumb things. It is up to us, which may not seem fair, but we all know women run the world as our goddess Beyonce states.[/color]

[color=#f796a9]Second, Harper, I want to hear none of that self-defeatist talk. You are not “beneath” anyone. You are on the same level as everyone, including this mystery person you have your eye on. If they like you, great. If they don’t, it’s their loss because you are amazing and are worth it. If this man or woman or non-binary individual cannot see that then they are blind.[/color]

[color=#f796a9]Third, Mei…Rory is going to the dance with you, but that does not mean he cannot explore other options. And that’s not even to say that’s what he is going to do. With Haven or anyone else. You are too young to be worrying too much over a boy who may or may not ultimately give you the time of day. So look at it like a night to enjoy yourself with attractive arm candy and don’t get bogged down if it doesn’t end up exactly what you want. Life throws us curveballs. And don’t get me wrong, I recognize the irony of saying all that while being in a loving relationship with Banjo, but it didn’t start off like that. Trust me, what you see took work. All of it.”[/color]

Harper managed to suppress her laughter, though she found herself momentarily at a loss for words. Calliope’s truths resonated, yet she believed deep down the complexities of her feelings for Gil weren’t so easily resolved.

Gil wasn’t just some random guy she had a crush on. He was a faraway constellation, a public figure whose life was a spectacle under the relentless gaze of the world. The idea of being with him sent a surge of excitement through her, yet it was a double-edged sword, with one side gleaming with temptation and the other shadowed by apprehension. 

His allure was undeniable, his charisma a force of nature, but the incident on the beach had cast a well-focused light on the realities of his existence and her place in it. 

Harper’s voice, once she finally spoke, was a soft murmur, laden with a truth she had long held close to her chest. 

[color=#8a9a5b]“My feelings for Gil are complex,” [/color]she admitted, a note of earnestness threading through her words. She cast a sidelong glance at Calliope, a silent plea for discretion. The last thing she needed was for Banjo to turn her confessions into ammunition for teasing.

[color=#8a9a5b]“It’s about more than just attraction,” [/color]Harper continued, her gaze returning to the middle distance as she contemplated the enormity of Gil’s world. [color=#8a9a5b]“His life is under constant scrutiny, every move analyzed and judged. It’s both thrilling and terrifying to imagine stepping into that kind of place.”[/color]

She drew in a deep breath, her shoulders squaring as if bracing against an unseen force. [color=#8a9a5b]“I’m drawn to him… irresistibly so. But to join him in the spotlight is to invite that same scrutiny upon me, and that’s no small consideration. It’s a big leap of faith, and I’m just… trying to muster the courage to take that plunge.”[/color]

Mei spoke up once the pair were finished talking. 

[color=#f1c232]“Oh, I know Rory is not being malicious, how can the doofus be so in such a manner? However, knowing that doesn’t make me any less sad or jealous though.”[/color]She sighed before she continued. [color=#f1c232]“Yeah, you’re right. I should not place all my eggs in one basket. I know that too, but after doing this for so long, it’s difficult to stop.”[/color] Mei then broke that chain of thought to rummage around in her bag before fishing out none other than a bar of Meiji milk chocolate. Sensing that the mood was down, Meiji chocolate had always been her favourite choice for lifting her spirits. One of the best chocolates she had ever tasted, Meiji’s is smooth and creamy, yet still remaining chocolatey enough to satisfy her palate. Looking at it happily, she then tossed it to Harper. [color=#f1c232]“Here. enjoy my [/color][color=#f1c232]favourite[/color][color=#f1c232] chocolate and cheer up. It’s one of the best and never fails to lift my spirits and bring a smile to my face. I hope you like it.”[/color]

Calliope shook her head, more so because, despite it all, these two were going to continue feeling these things. After all, she knew better than most how one’s past shaped current behavior. She would be a hypocrite if she decided otherwise. She was lucky in many ways. She was more sure of herself than she had ever been before and even then she still struggled with her identity. She had a loving relationship with a man who treated her better than her own family and she still wrestled with who she was with him and what it would mean for their future. She had friends amongst her team and even when she gave some of the best advice she ever did they still were unsure. It was like tiny little papercuts to her heart.

She shook it off. They still had a job to finish. 

[color=#f796a9]“Be that as it may, we need to get this finished soon. You both will work it out, I have no doubt.”[/color]

Harper caught the bar of chocolate, her eyebrows arching in mild surprise. 

[color=#8a9a5b]“Chocolate, huh?” [/color]she mused, a small smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. [color=#8a9a5b]“I can't say I'm familiar with this one, but I’ll never say no to chocolate.” [/color]With a deft flick, she unwrapped the treat, the rich aroma of cocoa enveloping her senses. She snapped off a square, letting it melt on her tongue, savouring the rush of sweetness that followed. 

Her eyes only fluttered open as Calliope’s voice cut through the momentary lapse into indulgence, grounding her with a reminder of their shared purpose. Harper straightened, her resolve returning with a nod. 

[color=#8a9a5b]“Duty calls,” [/color]she agreed. [color=#8a9a5b]“Just a few more touches on my end to add, anyway, and I think we’ll be done here.” [/color]

[/color]