[CENTER][COLOR=F796A9][sup]________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________[/sup][/COLOR][/CENTER][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/hiNfTeT.jpeg[/img]
[/center][indent][sub][COLOR=F796A9][B]Location:[/B][/COLOR] [I]Southern Plateau, Dundas Island[/I] - [I]Pacific Royal Campus[/I][/sub][sup][right][COLOR=F796A9][b]Welcome Home #2.032:[/b][/COLOR] [I]With Family Like This[/I][/right][/sup][/indent][COLOR=F796A9][SUP][sub]____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________[/sub][/SUP][/COLOR][indent][sub][color=F796A9][B]Interaction(s):[/B][/COLOR][I] Banjo ([@Hound55]), Gil ([@Roman]) [/I][/sub][SUP][RIGHT][COLOR=F796A9][b]Previously:[/b][/COLOR] [COLOR=GRAY][I]Under Water, Above Board[/I][/color][/right][/SUP][/indent]

[color=darkgray]

Calliope stood in front of the door that bore her name. She knew what lay beyond it was not an escape but more trickery. Whoever had started all this intended to play with them before....what? Killing them? For what purpose? 

Either way, answers would not be given until she got through it. She looked over to Banjo and GIl. [color=F796A9]"So we just....go through our door?"[/color] Was she stalling? Perhaps. But she knew she had to anyway.

She gave Gil a meaningful nod and then looked at Banjo. [color=F796A9]"I'll see you on the other side? I love you."[/color]

[color=goldenrod]"Love you, too.  Remember what I said.  The way out is through.  Whatever it is.  Whatever we see."[/color] His words affirmed her. Whatever lay before her, she needed to get through it. Sensed she would have to get through it and whatever happened, she would be changed on the other side. [color=goldenrod]"And yeah, I'll see you on the other side, too."[/color]

Calliope turned and pushed open her door and stepped through.

[hr]

Once the door shut and her eyes adjusted she found herself in familiar territory. It would have been a comfort had this room ever been comfortable. But she recognized the couches that looked untouched because only families that spent time together had couches that looked lived in. She saw the framed pictures of their family with plastered-on smiles that never quite met their eyes. She saw her brother and felt an intense longing to speak to him. 

All around her was a living room that felt dead whenever she set foot in it. So, it seemed whoever set this up intended to torture her with one of the things she dreaded most.

[color=F796A9]"Well....shit."[/color]

[color=white]"Language, Calliope."[/color] Came a reply from behind her, a soft, feminine tone ringing true through the room. Calliope turned, taken by surprise; before her, busying about with tidying while tying her hair and fastening some jewelry, was her mother. [color=white]"Now, come on,"[/color] she continued, moving forwards to place a delicate, warm hand against Calliope's cheek, smiling as she looked into the face of her daughter. [color=white]"You're not even dressed yet! You'll make your brother late."[/color]

Calli turned upon hearing the voice. She had to admit she expected whoever had set this up for her to place her father in the scenario. Instead, she looked at the face of the main woman in her life. The one who should have protected her. The one who should have been a comforting force. Her mother was many things, but comforting wasn't one of them. Calliope had always assumed it was because of her own lack of power, but as she got older she grew increasingly angrier at her. How do you sit idly by while your own flesh and blood are abused?

[color=F796A9]"Mother."[/color] She stated it matter-of-factly. There were never terms of endearment used amongst the household. [color=F796A9]"What exactly would we be late for?"[/color]

Alexandria gave Calliope a quizzical, but slightly amused look, pausing in her fussing to gaze at her daughter with gentle eyes. Calliope stood stoic and defiant, and this amused Alexandria more, assured she was the punchline to some invisible joke only her children were in on. 
[color=white]"You're either playing or forgetful, and neither is like you, Calliope. You are a silly one."[/color] She shook her head slightly in humoured bafflement. [color=white]"Your brother's inauguration, of course! We'll miss the swearing-in ceremony."[/color]

Calliope stood still. Her mother, in as many words as she has ever spoken to her, has never called her silly. Silly wasn't allowed. Silly meant you were not taking anything seriously which meant weakness. Silly never existed in this household. Calliope knew better. Surely the Foundation or whoever intended her to fall into a lull, seeing her mother show some affection.

But hearing about her brother sent her spinning. Not only because she missed him, but because her mother called him her brother. Her father was adamant that he would always be "his daughter" but she never thought her mother accepted him either. She never said so, at least. [color=F796A9]"Inauguration? Maybe I overslept. Remind me, what is he being accepted in to?"[/color] Her brother hated politics. Not just because of their father, but because of how the country treated trans people and other minorities. To hear he is being inaugurated into something sent a chill.

Was this when the torment began?

[color=white]"Senatorship, of course."[/color] Came the reply, but not from the warm, maternal voice of Calliope's mother; no, the answer came from behind her, and in a deeper, more masculine tone, yet still smooth and daubed with clemency. [color=white]"Have you really forgotten the last nine months of campaigning?"[/color]

Calliope turned around. Stood, unassuming and open, at the bottom of the stairs, was Leonardo De León, suited and booted, a little pin of the American flag attached to his lapel, and one of the most distinctive ties in their father's closet tied neatly around his neck. He did a little spin and gave Calliope a warm smile.
[color=white]"How do I look, sis?"[/color]

Calliope took in her brother's form. His voice sounded deeper than the last time they spoke, but he looked the same. No, he appeared the same but dressed just like their father. A sheep in wolf's clothing. Calliope stood stunned. She knew this wasn't real. There was no way her brother would ever decide to be a Senator. 

Calli wanted to hug him but fought her instinct. Who knew how this would play out if she gave into her desires? [color=F796A9]"You look handsome, Leo."[/color] Her nickname for him. A test against the test she was in. Calliope had a million questions to ask to piece together just what was expected of her to do in this scenario. She figured she would ask about the elephant in the room. Or rather, the lack of the elephant. [color=F796A9]"I imagine father is very proud. Where is he?"[/color]

There was a short, sharp inhale from where her mother stood, and Leo only looked down.
[color=white]"That's...that's not funny, Calli."[/color] He said, his face solemn and his voice steady but somber. [color=white]"You know he died. That's why I ran the campaign in the first place. You were there, sis."[/color]

Calli knew. In her heart, she knew this was the intended outcome. They didn't want to go the easy route and torment her with the man who did so for 18 years. They tried to dig the knife in and twist it with the ones who cared somewhat. Her mother did to an extent but it was always her brother who stood by her. Their little night rendevous after they were sure their parents were asleep. The way he stood for her in school whenever she was ridiculed by her classmates, often because of her father's politics impacting their families but sometimes delving into racial undertones.

Calli looked down at her feel as a small smile crept up on her lips. She shook her head. [color=F796A9]"No he isn't."[/color] She looked back up at Leo, not giving her mother the satisfaction of a reaction. [color=F796A9]"No, he isn't. A monster doesn't die. No matter how many times you cut off the head three more are put in its place. This is a lie. My Leo would die before he ever put himself in our father's shoes. And you,"[/color] she said turning to her mother, [color=F796A9]"You were never there either. You allowed the harsh words, the fists, the bruises, and you stood idly by. Part of me pitied you because I expected you to deal with possibly worse but you only found solace at the end of a bottle."[/color]

Calli took a step back, turning her head to the ceiling. [color=F796A9]"I am not going to continue with this charade. I don't know if you expected me to be complacent in having my family show actual emotion and affection but it won't work. These fake images of my family shocked me, I'll admit. But I made my peace with them a while ago. So do your worst."[/color]

Leo looked up from the floor, stepping forward and putting a hand on Calliope's shoulder. He took a long look at his sister, and his face - previously so serene and gentle - warped into a disdainful sneer.
[color=white]"Dad was right about you. You're so [i]ungrateful[/i]."[/color]

Calliope shrugged off her brother's hand and backed away, looking around to see her mother approaching with that same sneer plastered across her face. Alexandria and Leonardo began speaking together, their voices blending into one terrible chorus.
[color=white]"Everything we gave you, you threw back at us. Okay, fine - you wanted to be a fault-finding, spiteful little [i]bitch[/i]."[/color]
They were herding her into the corner of the room, their faces warped beyond recognition. Her mother wore the crayon-frown of a 15-year-old drawing Calliope had long forgotten. 
[color=white]"So if that wasn't appreciated, we thought, why not give her [i]exactly what she wants[/i]? Hand her the saccharine family, the dead abuser, the brother she misses and a mother who gives a shit."[/color]

Behind Calliope, the previously-sunlit living room stretched away, yawning into more white corridors and sterile laboratories. 
[color=white]"But no. Even [i]that[/i] wasn't good enough for [i]precious princess Calliope[/i], was it?"[/color]
Whatever had been imitating her brother and mother was no longer recognizable as human. The clothes remained, but the flesh beneath was misshapen. The faces were hard to look at.
[color=white]"So fine. You want [i]worst.[/i] So we'll stick you with needles, we'll zap your stupid little brain, we'll strap you down, we'll pull every inch of all those [i]flat, guarded[/i] emotions out of you until you don't even remember what they felt like to [i]repress[/i], let alone [i]feel[/i]."[/color]

'Mother' and 'Brother' no longer - a third voice had joined the chorus and dominated both of the previous, a deeper, sterner voice that Calliope was all-too-familiar with. 
[color=white][b]"Come here, Calliope. We're going to finally, [i]permanently[/i], make you [i]perfect[/i]."[/b][/color]

Calliope saw her "family" change and alter along with the room around them. As she backed away from the creatures that had taken over the form of her brother and mother, she looked for exits. It wouldn't be as easy as last time and freezing the door controls. This was meant to warp her mind.

[color=F796A9]"I wanted this years ago. Giving this to me now changes nothing. I found my family and that doesn't include you monsters!"[/color]

She turned to face the voice that called out—finally giving her what she had expected. She felt her pulse increase. Beads of sweat on the back of her neck. Even to this day, even after years away, he still did this to her. It still made her feel like she needed to hide. She could feel the sides of her vision warp and blur. She closed them. Took deep breaths.

No.

Not this time.

[color=F796A9]"If you want me so badly, come at get me. But I am warning you,"[/color] Calli lifted her hands, forming an icy aura around her hands, [color=F796A9]"I won't be so easily controlled."[/color]

[color=white][b]"Don't worry, child."[/b][/color] The amalgamated beast stepped closer, pushing Calliope down the corridor. Her father's voice overwhelmed her, drowning out her brother and mother now just as he had in life. [color=white][b]"Your 'new family' of [i]freaks[/i] will be joining you."[/b][/color]

Father paused as Calliope stood her ground, preparing herself. The fused heads looked at the frost forming around her with something approaching caution. [color=white][b]"Still so insolent. You never learnt to respect your elders. Never learnt to respect your [i]father![/i]"[/b][/color]
It raised its own hands, flames twinkling in its palms before erupting into full blasts; short spouts of fire burst forth and spilled out onto the walls and ceiling. The blast ceased as their surroundings flickered with the start of a full fire, and then it levied its pilot-light hands at Calliope, matching her stance. 
[color=white][b]"Now we'll finally see about melting down the Ice Queen."[/b][/color]

Calliope felt the intense heat surrounding her on the walls and ceiling and she felt her powers diminish, but not disappear altogether. She could still fight. Whatever this thing was though could hurt her. She put up her fists and pointed at Father. [color=F796A9]"You don't get to control me anymore! I'm strong-,"[/color] Her words were quickly snuffed as a blast of fire surged forth, sending her spiraling down the hallway. She shook herself, stood up, and looked at her outfit. Rips and patches formed from the fire leaving scarred skin in its wake.

Calli couldn't fight in the hall. Father's fire was too much in a condensed setting. So she turned and ran down the corridor, looking for some out.

[color=white][b]"Not so brave without your boyfriend! And when were you going to introduce me to that waste of air?"[/b][/color] He sent a fire blast, narrowly missing Calli as she dodged to the left. [color=white][b]"When are you going to realize you are nothing without someone to oversee you?"[/b][/color] Another blast, hitting her foot as she stumbled and felt the burn. She got up and continued, limping a bit more now. [color=white][b]"All these expectations placed on your shoulders and you dare consider yourself the Mother of the group when you don't even know your own mother!"[/b][/color]

She heard a snickering laugh and turned to look back. Not only was Father storming down, but quickly joining him was Mother. Both of them twisted forms. [color=white][b]"Mother's here now Calliope. Come give me a hug!"[/b][/color] Her mother's voice was distorted like static was woven through it. It was as if darkness had laced itself in each word.

Calliope nearly ran into a wall and turned the corner. She was quickly followed by Father and Mother. [color=white][b]"Everyone on your team hates you Calliope. How could they not? You had a panic attack because things didn't go your way. A Princess locked in a tower expecting everyone to drop what they are doing and save you? You couldn't even save your own brother!"[/b][/color]

Calliope closed her eyes, holding back the tears that tried to flood forth. The words were things she had said to herself before. Another voice joined the chorus. [color=white][b]"Yeah Calliope. I needed you. I needed acceptance and love and all I got was weakness. You think you had it rough? At least Father's expectations could be reached if you gave a damn. I was never going to live up to his ideal image of me! And I lost so much time and life making sure you were protected! Why couldn't you protect me!"[/b][/color]

Calliope opened her eyes and saw an opening, but before she could reach she felt a force knocking her forward into the empty room. She stumbled and rolled before she felt a crushing weight on her. She screamed and looked. What was once Father, Mother, and Brother was now an amalgamation of all three. Twisted in some dark mass of hatred. Their faces were still shown, but it was as if her childhood drawings had come to life. There was blackness where eyes should be and sharp fangs for teeth as each face writhed amongst the shadow beast. [color=white][b]"You called me a monster Calliope,"[/b][/color] each voice rang out in unison, [color=white][b]"Let me show you a monster!"[/b][/color] Brother's face came forth, sinking its teeth into her arm as she screamed again. [color=white][b]"You are pathetic! If you cannot be perfect you are better off dead!"[/b][/color] Mother's face lashed her tongue, or what should have been a tongue, as it scraped along Calliope's cheek, drawing blood.

[color=white][b]"Dead."

[center]"You should be dead."[/center]

[right]"Die already"[/right]

[center]"Do the world a favor and accept it."[/center]

"Pathetic"

[center]"Weak"[/center]

[right]"Childish"[/right]

[center]"Damsel in Distress"[/center][/b][/color]

Calliope felt each word sink in. Every word of contempt she held for herself echoed in the dark room. She clenched her fist. 

No.

[color=F796A9]"I. Am. Not..."[/color] Callioe felt a surge within her. It was a mix of fear and power. It was as if her bones were surging with electricity. A fire formed in her gut. A storm in her brain.

No it was more.

It was ice.

[color=F796A9]"WEAK!"[/color]

Calliope surged forward, unleashing a kaleidoscope of ice shrapnel from within her, smashing into the Family's face as it was booted away. Calliope stood up, albeit slowly, and put her hands up, forming two ice shard daggers. [color=F797A9]"I will not deny your words because they are words I say to myself daily. But I am not under your control anymore. I refuse to let you win. Every day I wake up and am proud of myself, I defy you. Whenever I help a friend or do well in a class I defy you. When I look myself in the mirror and like the girl I see I defy you. When I kiss the man I love and think of a future with him, I FUCKING DEFY YOU!"[/color]

The Family got up and turned its faces at her. Each with anger and hatred. Calliope was afraid. She was scared and nervous and panicked. But she was not dead. And she would not let them win.

[color=F796A9]"You are not my family anymore. So fuck you!"[/color]

The Family screamed an unholy cry as it lurched. Calli ran forward meeting it. She dodged the tendril it shanked on her right as she dug one of the ice daggers into it and dragged it forward. Black ooze fell out. Another tendril in front of her. She jumped, removing the dagger and slamming both down on the front tendril as more ooze shot out. She ran as Brother's face got in front of her. She left both daggers in the arm as she formed a spear out of ice and, ducking under, shot it forward through Brother's chin and out his eye as he screamed. Black ooze covered Brother's face.

Father shot forth fire as Calli pulled up an ice block. Fire met ice as both forces tried to overpower the other. She felt her ice melt and the fire sent her reeling back. Mother appeared, lashing her tongue as it wrapped around Calli's ankle, pulling her toward. Callioe scrambled and, thinking quickly, grabbed the tongue and sent forth ice, freezing it before she smashed it with her other foot. Mother screamed as black ooze fell out of her mouth.

Calliope quickly got up as Father came forward. He sent more fire as Calliope shot ice. She dodged to the side as the fire missed her and she ran around. Father turned to face his prey. [color=F796A9]"Alive or not, you will always be dead to me!"[/color] Calliope ran forward and shot a mass of ice shards directly in Father's face. Each piercing dripped black ooze as he screamed in agony. Each Family member screamed in chorus. What Calliope had not realized was the black ooze forming around her. Before she knew it, it was on her feet, then legs, then stomach. She soon became wrapped in a shadow as she heard the screams of her family echo and echo until...

Silence.

[hr]

Calliope opened her eyes and sat up quickly. She looked around her. No longer was she in the room. The Family was gone. She felt each ache and bruise, each cut. She stood up slowly, feeling pain course through her body. She didn't know where she was, but she needed to find the others. She needed to find Gil. She needed Banjo.

She needed her family.[/color]