Lord Wraith

Commencement: A Pacific Royal Collegiate & University RP

They came in through the open window.

Under the cover of night, they stole quietly across campus, undetected, casting no lingering shadows as they approached the dormitories. Scaling the building with ease before slipping quietly inside the Canis dormitory. Asleep in the bed was a pair of students, one belonged, the other did not.

They were not there for the one who belonged.

Two men flanked either side of the bed, while a third stood reading, his weapon trained on the pair while they slept. Liquid sprayed through the air and onto the floor, as a pair of syringes were tested before being inserted into the pair, ensuring there would be no fight and commotion to wake the rest of the dormitory.

They bound her hands first, then her feet and lastly her wings before gingerly removing her from the bed and scaling back down the side of the dormitory before disappearing into the night, they prize in tow.

No one any wiser they had come or gone.

^{________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________}

_{Location: Pacific Royal Campus - Dundas Islands, Pacific Ocean}

Take On Me #3.038: Break My Baby

^{_{____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________}}

_{Interaction(s): @Skai - Haven Barnes}

Previously: After Coffee

The first week of classes was rapidly vanishing for Blackjack and the rest of Pacific Royal as clouds rolled in with a cool Autumn breeze. Having finally made it over the hump, the senior class quickly became less occupied with their final year of classes and more focussed on the impending dance.

Especially given the change in dress code.

Normally, no forethought nor effort needed to be made into one’s formal attire. The school was built on military traditions and a dress uniform had been provided with specific stipulations in place for its use. The Senior Dress was one such occasion where the dress uniform typically would have been used. However with the Foundation’s meddling, the uniforms were out the window and with a themed dance approaching, students were planning trips to the mainland in the evenings in order to shop and find that perfect outfit.

One such trip had been planned for today by several members of Blackjack. Following the series of unfortunate events that had befallen the team, it seemed only logical that they blow off some steam and head over to the mainland for shopping, dinner and drinks.

Unfortunately, as they waited, there was no sign of Haven. No familiar sound of wings beating overhead, no cheerful call as the girl hurried along the ground. Instead they stood, waiting by the ferry with no communication about this sudden, unusual tardiness.

Haven of course had no say in the matter.

Her eyes were wide with fear as she lay strapped to an operating table in a foreign room that had once been the hidden workshop of Isabelle Christianson. The defunct transportation pad, the same one that had allowed Hyperion and his forces to secretly invade Pacific Royal, now hummed active again as a man in a dirty lab coat hurried about between unwitting students now being used as experiments in some twisted vision.

Vials labelled with various words like ‘Subject V’ were arranged neatly in a nearby case while a syringe was loaded with one reading ‘Subject R’ above Haven. She tried to scream but with no avail as the gag in her mouth restricted all noise. Several enclosures lined the walls, bodies hung suspended inside, their breathing laboured, if their chests moved at all. Lacerations and stitches marred their bodies while black marks from outlines stained their skin.

“There, there little bird,” A less than calming voice said as the man in the lab coat appeared over Haven, illuminated by the hanging lightbulb overhead. The front of his lab coat was covered in a blood stained smock while a mask hung around his grey-stubble-covered chin. His hair seemingly had a mind of its own as it stuck out in almost every direction while holding a pair of glasses just above his forehead.

“She said you had wonderful wings,” He mused, stroking one of the feathered appendages causing Haven to wince and struggle against her restraints. “They truly are majestic.” He added, before a small snarl twisted onto his face.

“Shame we have to clip them.” He snapped, his personality almost changing on a dime as Haven fought the lump forming in her throat. The man picked up several vials of blood, drawing Haven’s eye to the small bandage on her arm, they had taken blood, her blood. She watched the madman’s face as it twisted and warped, something seemingly crawling beneath his skin, fighting to get out before the man pulled an inhaler, taking a deep huff before sympathetic grey eyes looked down on the restrained girl.

“Shh, shh, shh,” The man in the lab coat stated, roughly wiping tears from Haven’s eyes with a gloved hand. “I’m not a monster,” He stated, seemingly returning to Jeykll again before Hyde peeked out from under a smile revealing slightly yellowed teeth, stained from years of smoking and too many cups of coffee based on the horrid smell coming from his breath. He began to rummage through a tray of tools and needles before speaking again.

“You’ll be sedated again before the procedure begins.”

Commencement: A Pacific Royal Collegiate & University RP

A couple of updates from our survey into the Episode Awards:

1. Do you like the current Awards format?

-The majority voted 'Yes'.

2. Would you like to see categories repeated, or new ones each episode?

-It was almost unanimous that you wanted 'A Mix of Both' new and old awards.
-Based on the submission of one player, we're going to start trialling 'Core Awards' and 'Rotating' Awards.
-The 'Core Awards' will be 'Best Post (Solo)', 'Best Post (Collab)' and 'Best Dynamic'
-Rotating Rewards will vary from episode to episode.

3. Would you like to see more specific voting Options (ie nominated posts to vote between for Best Post versus voting from the whole episode, or specific characters nominated)?

-The results were nearly split down the middle.
-We will be looking at how we could potentially introduce a nomination system before voting but we're not promising that this will be implemented for the Episode 3 Awards. As it currently stands, it takes a minimum of a week to get votes from players and put together the Awards. We're not looking to lengthen that process but we do hear your opinion and are exploring options for nominated characters, particularly for Awards that extend to all posts.

4. Should there be an award for everyone in each Episode?

-The majority ultimately voted 'No, the Awards need to be fully subjective.'
-That said, many people made comments indicating their enjoyment of the Webby's format and the desire to see @webboysurf continue to create his awards. The GMs would like to once again thank Web for the hard work he puts into producing his own awards and once again encourage those who like that format to replicate it in their own way.

5. Do you think the Awards are actually encouraging to the game overall?

-The majority voted 'Yes, I love seeing people get recognition for their work'

6. Do you think the GMs should run the Awards?

-You unanimously voted 'Yes'

7. Do you think we should continue Awards?

-You again unanimously voted 'Yes'

Thank you to everyone for taking the time to fill out the survey and we look forward to unveiling the Episode 3 Award categories for everyone and celebrating the end of another episode with the next round of Awards.

Commencement: A Pacific Royal Collegiate & University RP

^{________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________}

_{Location: Faculty Housing - Dundas Island, Pacific Ocean}

Take On Me #3.034: Suspicious Minds

^{_{____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________}}

_{Interaction(s): None}

Previously: After Coffee

Standing over a desk with a piping hot mug of black coffee, Miguel Ramos, the Fist of the Alexandria Foundation, studied the monitors in Teresa Torres’ apartment. A direct feed to H.E.L.P.’s security system had given him both eyes and ears across the entirety of the Pacific Royal Campus but there were far too many blind spots for his liking. Out of respect to the students’ privacy, the security in the dormitories didn’t exist outside of common areas and most of the campus grounds weren’t monitored, meaning the surrounding forest and trails were entirely vulnerable.

Too many variables for his ability to accurately account for, and that was without taking into consideration the students themselves. You had students who could fly, those who could teleport, phase through walls, travel underground, and the list went on and on. Without limiting students to specified routes and essentially putting the campus on high alert, the Fist had no way of controlling the variables.

It would have been well within his power to issue an alert to the Chancellor and install the Foot’s soldiers across campus but then Daedalus would have been alerted to his presence and their game of cat and mouse would be over.

Pacific Royal was subsequently the safest place in the world for Hyperhumans while also being incredibly vulnerable and void of the necessary precautions that would have stopped the likes of Daedalus, or even Hyperion from making their moves. Time and time again, the school had proven exploitable to members of their own kind while still keeping students and the surrounding community safe from the world that hated them.

While Torres would never voice it, both she and Miguel knew that Daedalus had to be one of their own. The Foundation was no stranger to experimenting on their own, and while most experiments were conducted in a safe, controlled environment, there was one girl who had been put through such horrific experiments that she was extradited by the former Chancellor of P.R.C.U. for her safety. After that, those experiments, and in fact that entire level had been ordered to be shut down.

Shortly after that, the abductions started.

Originally there was no pattern. Students would disappear and those that reappeared were too traumatized to help, bearing scars, stitches and other signs of invasive procedures. Some of those who reappeared claimed to be ‘healed’, their Hyperhuman abilities gone or at the very least inert and nigh-undetectable. Then a pattern began to emerge, firstly vulnerable students who had no family to come looking for them and then, subclass Hyperhumans. Hyperhumans who appeared inhuman or had extranormal features, appendages or otherwise couldn’t walk down a street without alarming the general populace.

No matter how many times they changed security clearances, and rotated staff, the experiments had continued and each time they were discovered, Fist only arrived in time to find an abandoned laboratory covered in blood stains. More than once a victim had died in his arms, too severely drained of blood to survive until help arrived.

While several students had vanished in the wake of the Chancellor’s takedown of House Orcinus, the Hyperion’s Children sect that had been lying in secret under Pacific Royal’s nose, one particular name fit the pattern.

Robert Arkwright.

A large man who appeared more akin to a troll or an orc than a human. He wouldn’t have been easy to subdue in a direct fight which either meant that Daedalus had ways to get a victim to come along willingly, or Arkwright had been sedated and transported otherwise.

The Fist took a long sip of his coffee, pouring over the notes he had gathered over the last few days. Robert had last been seen the day before the Trial sabotage, and while plenty of evidence pointed to the idea that he had sabotaged it, Naira Cameron took that fall. None of the other incarcerated Orcinus members tried to pin the blame on Robert either, which either meant he wasn’t directly involved or still held some sort of leverage over them.

But Miguel had to believe Robert’s disappearance could only be connected to Daedalus. Which meant he needed to return to the Southern Plateau. There was only one place to make someone as large as Arkwright disappear and that was the forest.

And if an orc fell in the forest and no one was around to hear it, would it still make a sound?

Miguel finished his coffee and adjusted his tie. If there was evidence to be found in the forest, then it was as good as found.

Wraith's Little Workshop of Horrors

E P I S O D E T H R E E A W A R D S:

Best Post (Solo): GM's Choice N A M E @Username Player's Choice N A M E @Username __________________________	GM's Choice: Character Name - @Username Player's Choice: Character Name - @Username The 'Best Post' is given to the player and post that was found to be overall the pinnacle of the current episode. Did it break the tension with its humourous antics at the right time? Did it bring the characters closer together? Was it full of insightful reflection or did it extrapolate on previously unknown elements of that character's backstory and how it ties to the greater overarching narrative? Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Vivamus at mi mi. In imperdiet porta dolor, at fermentum nulla commodo eu. Suspendisse volutpat et ex tempor suscipit. Nullam tincidunt at nunc vel auctor. Donec venenatis, nisl nec fringilla varius, massa quam porttitor turpis, sed bibendum purus sem id risus. Nullam scelerisque lectus eget diam gravida malesuada. Maecenas consectetur est ac sollicitudin congue. Maecenas interdum erat dignissim lectus sodales, nec ultrices neque egestas. Integer convallis lacus at consequat volutpat. Honorable Mentions: Wraith's Choice: Character Name - @Username Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Vivamus at mi mi. In imperdiet porta dolor, at fermentum nulla commodo eu. Suspendisse volutpat et ex tempor suscipit. Nullam tincidunt at nunc vel auctor. Donec venenatis, nisl nec fringilla varius, massa quam porttitor turpis, sed bibendum purus sem id risus. Nullam scelerisque lectus eget diam gravida malesuada. Maecenas consectetur est ac sollicitudin congue. Maecenas interdum erat dignissim lectus sodales, nec ultrices neque egestas. Integer convallis lacus at consequat volutpat. Roman's Choice: Character Name - @Username Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Vivamus at mi mi. In imperdiet porta dolor, at fermentum nulla commodo eu. Suspendisse volutpat et ex tempor suscipit. Nullam tincidunt at nunc vel auctor. Donec venenatis, nisl nec fringilla varius, massa quam porttitor turpis, sed bibendum purus sem id risus. Nullam scelerisque lectus eget diam gravida malesuada. Maecenas consectetur est ac sollicitudin congue. Maecenas interdum erat dignissim lectus sodales, nec ultrices neque egestas. Integer convallis lacus at consequat volutpat. Rockette's Choice: Character Name - @Username Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Vivamus at mi mi. In imperdiet porta dolor, at fermentum nulla commodo eu. Suspendisse volutpat et ex tempor suscipit. Nullam tincidunt at nunc vel auctor. Donec venenatis, nisl nec fringilla varius, massa quam porttitor turpis, sed bibendum purus sem id risus. Nullam scelerisque lectus eget diam gravida malesuada. Maecenas consectetur est ac sollicitudin congue. Maecenas interdum erat dignissim lectus sodales, nec ultrices neque egestas. Integer convallis lacus at consequat volutpat.
Best Post (Collaborative): GM's Choice N A M E @Username Player's Choice N A M E @Username __________________________	GM's Choice: Character Name - @Username Player's Choice: Character Name - @Username The 'Best Collaboration Award' is given to the post and players involved in crafting a collaborative narrative that goes beyond the regular back-and-forth posting of forum RPing. A well-crafted collaborative post should read as though it has a single author but artfully capture the interaction between two player characters and enhance both of their direct narratives, developments and the long-term relationships between those involved in the collaboration. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Vivamus at mi mi. In imperdiet porta dolor, at fermentum nulla commodo eu. Suspendisse volutpat et ex tempor suscipit. Nullam tincidunt at nunc vel auctor. Donec venenatis, nisl nec fringilla varius, massa quam porttitor turpis, sed bibendum purus sem id risus. Nullam scelerisque lectus eget diam gravida malesuada. Maecenas consectetur est ac sollicitudin congue. Maecenas interdum erat dignissim lectus sodales, nec ultrices neque egestas. Integer convallis lacus at consequat volutpat. Honorable Mentions: Wraith's Choice: Character Name - @Username Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Vivamus at mi mi. In imperdiet porta dolor, at fermentum nulla commodo eu. Suspendisse volutpat et ex tempor suscipit. Nullam tincidunt at nunc vel auctor. Donec venenatis, nisl nec fringilla varius, massa quam porttitor turpis, sed bibendum purus sem id risus. Nullam scelerisque lectus eget diam gravida malesuada. Maecenas consectetur est ac sollicitudin congue. Maecenas interdum erat dignissim lectus sodales, nec ultrices neque egestas. Integer convallis lacus at consequat volutpat. Roman's Choice: Character Name - @Username Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Vivamus at mi mi. In imperdiet porta dolor, at fermentum nulla commodo eu. Suspendisse volutpat et ex tempor suscipit. Nullam tincidunt at nunc vel auctor. Donec venenatis, nisl nec fringilla varius, massa quam porttitor turpis, sed bibendum purus sem id risus. Nullam scelerisque lectus eget diam gravida malesuada. Maecenas consectetur est ac sollicitudin congue. Maecenas interdum erat dignissim lectus sodales, nec ultrices neque egestas. Integer convallis lacus at consequat volutpat. Rockette's Choice: Character Name - @Username Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Vivamus at mi mi. In imperdiet porta dolor, at fermentum nulla commodo eu. Suspendisse volutpat et ex tempor suscipit. Nullam tincidunt at nunc vel auctor. Donec venenatis, nisl nec fringilla varius, massa quam porttitor turpis, sed bibendum purus sem id risus. Nullam scelerisque lectus eget diam gravida malesuada. Maecenas consectetur est ac sollicitudin congue. Maecenas interdum erat dignissim lectus sodales, nec ultrices neque egestas. Integer convallis lacus at consequat volutpat.
Best Character Dynamic/Ship: GM's Choice N A M E @Username Player's Choice N A M E @Username __________________________	GM's Choice: Character Name - @Username Player's Choice: Character Name - @Username The 'Best Character Dynamic/Ship Award' is given to a pair or group of characters who display exceptional chemistry, and compatibility. They are who you genuinely sit there and cheer whenever they're on the page together. These two characters are each other's endgame, they're ride or die and you can't get enough of their highs, lows and otherwise cutesy antics. This is not limited exclusively to romance but extends to rivalries, platonic friendships and even a sibling-like relationship. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Vivamus at mi mi. In imperdiet porta dolor, at fermentum nulla commodo eu. Suspendisse volutpat et ex tempor suscipit. Nullam tincidunt at nunc vel auctor. Donec venenatis, nisl nec fringilla varius, massa quam porttitor turpis, sed bibendum purus sem id risus. Nullam scelerisque lectus eget diam gravida malesuada. Maecenas consectetur est ac sollicitudin congue. Maecenas interdum erat dignissim lectus sodales, nec ultrices neque egestas. Integer convallis lacus at consequat volutpat. Honorable Mentions: Wraith's Choice: Character Name - @Username Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Vivamus at mi mi. In imperdiet porta dolor, at fermentum nulla commodo eu. Suspendisse volutpat et ex tempor suscipit. Nullam tincidunt at nunc vel auctor. Donec venenatis, nisl nec fringilla varius, massa quam porttitor turpis, sed bibendum purus sem id risus. Nullam scelerisque lectus eget diam gravida malesuada. Maecenas consectetur est ac sollicitudin congue. Maecenas interdum erat dignissim lectus sodales, nec ultrices neque egestas. Integer convallis lacus at consequat volutpat. Roman's Choice: Character Name - @Username Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Vivamus at mi mi. In imperdiet porta dolor, at fermentum nulla commodo eu. Suspendisse volutpat et ex tempor suscipit. Nullam tincidunt at nunc vel auctor. Donec venenatis, nisl nec fringilla varius, massa quam porttitor turpis, sed bibendum purus sem id risus. Nullam scelerisque lectus eget diam gravida malesuada. Maecenas consectetur est ac sollicitudin congue. Maecenas interdum erat dignissim lectus sodales, nec ultrices neque egestas. Integer convallis lacus at consequat volutpat. Rockette's Choice: Character Name - @Username Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Vivamus at mi mi. In imperdiet porta dolor, at fermentum nulla commodo eu. Suspendisse volutpat et ex tempor suscipit. Nullam tincidunt at nunc vel auctor. Donec venenatis, nisl nec fringilla varius, massa quam porttitor turpis, sed bibendum purus sem id risus. Nullam scelerisque lectus eget diam gravida malesuada. Maecenas consectetur est ac sollicitudin congue. Maecenas interdum erat dignissim lectus sodales, nec ultrices neque egestas. Integer convallis lacus at consequat volutpat.
Took A Level in Badass: GM's Choice N A M E @Username Player's Choice N A M E @Username __________________________	GM's Choice: Character Name - @Username Player's Choice: Character Name - @Username The 'Took A Level in Badass Award' is given to the character who has displayed the most development in this episode and bonus points if they had a particular scene that put that growth on display. This doesn't mean the most improved, nor does it have to be positive changes in the slightest, this is the character journey you're enjoying the most whether it's a slippery slope or an uphill battle. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Vivamus at mi mi. In imperdiet porta dolor, at fermentum nulla commodo eu. Suspendisse volutpat et ex tempor suscipit. Nullam tincidunt at nunc vel auctor. Donec venenatis, nisl nec fringilla varius, massa quam porttitor turpis, sed bibendum purus sem id risus. Nullam scelerisque lectus eget diam gravida malesuada. Maecenas consectetur est ac sollicitudin congue. Maecenas interdum erat dignissim lectus sodales, nec ultrices neque egestas. Integer convallis lacus at consequat volutpat. Honorable Mentions: Wraith's Choice: Character Name - @Username Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Vivamus at mi mi. In imperdiet porta dolor, at fermentum nulla commodo eu. Suspendisse volutpat et ex tempor suscipit. Nullam tincidunt at nunc vel auctor. Donec venenatis, nisl nec fringilla varius, massa quam porttitor turpis, sed bibendum purus sem id risus. Nullam scelerisque lectus eget diam gravida malesuada. Maecenas consectetur est ac sollicitudin congue. Maecenas interdum erat dignissim lectus sodales, nec ultrices neque egestas. Integer convallis lacus at consequat volutpat. Roman's Choice: Character Name - @Username Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Vivamus at mi mi. In imperdiet porta dolor, at fermentum nulla commodo eu. Suspendisse volutpat et ex tempor suscipit. Nullam tincidunt at nunc vel auctor. Donec venenatis, nisl nec fringilla varius, massa quam porttitor turpis, sed bibendum purus sem id risus. Nullam scelerisque lectus eget diam gravida malesuada. Maecenas consectetur est ac sollicitudin congue. Maecenas interdum erat dignissim lectus sodales, nec ultrices neque egestas. Integer convallis lacus at consequat volutpat. Rockette's Choice: Character Name - @Username Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Vivamus at mi mi. In imperdiet porta dolor, at fermentum nulla commodo eu. Suspendisse volutpat et ex tempor suscipit. Nullam tincidunt at nunc vel auctor. Donec venenatis, nisl nec fringilla varius, massa quam porttitor turpis, sed bibendum purus sem id risus. Nullam scelerisque lectus eget diam gravida malesuada. Maecenas consectetur est ac sollicitudin congue. Maecenas interdum erat dignissim lectus sodales, nec ultrices neque egestas. Integer convallis lacus at consequat volutpat.
Love Triangle: GM's Choice N A M E @Username Player's Choice N A M E @Username __________________________	GM's Choice: Character Name - @Username Player's Choice: Character Name - @Username The 'Love Triangle Award' is given to the players and characters who are entangled in romantic tension with multiple people and whose relationship could be redefined in a single post. This is the classic Archie Andrews with both a Betty and a Veronica. Bonus points if the love triangle is actually a love pentagon or even a dodecahedron. Multiple sides, multiple ships, all with their own fans and supporters. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Vivamus at mi mi. In imperdiet porta dolor, at fermentum nulla commodo eu. Suspendisse volutpat et ex tempor suscipit. Nullam tincidunt at nunc vel auctor. Donec venenatis, nisl nec fringilla varius, massa quam porttitor turpis, sed bibendum purus sem id risus. Nullam scelerisque lectus eget diam gravida malesuada. Maecenas consectetur est ac sollicitudin congue. Maecenas interdum erat dignissim lectus sodales, nec ultrices neque egestas. Integer convallis lacus at consequat volutpat. Honorable Mentions: Wraith's Choice: Character Name - @Username Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Vivamus at mi mi. In imperdiet porta dolor, at fermentum nulla commodo eu. Suspendisse volutpat et ex tempor suscipit. Nullam tincidunt at nunc vel auctor. Donec venenatis, nisl nec fringilla varius, massa quam porttitor turpis, sed bibendum purus sem id risus. Nullam scelerisque lectus eget diam gravida malesuada. Maecenas consectetur est ac sollicitudin congue. Maecenas interdum erat dignissim lectus sodales, nec ultrices neque egestas. Integer convallis lacus at consequat volutpat. Roman's Choice: Character Name - @Username Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Vivamus at mi mi. In imperdiet porta dolor, at fermentum nulla commodo eu. Suspendisse volutpat et ex tempor suscipit. Nullam tincidunt at nunc vel auctor. Donec venenatis, nisl nec fringilla varius, massa quam porttitor turpis, sed bibendum purus sem id risus. Nullam scelerisque lectus eget diam gravida malesuada. Maecenas consectetur est ac sollicitudin congue. Maecenas interdum erat dignissim lectus sodales, nec ultrices neque egestas. Integer convallis lacus at consequat volutpat. Rockette's Choice: Character Name - @Username Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Vivamus at mi mi. In imperdiet porta dolor, at fermentum nulla commodo eu. Suspendisse volutpat et ex tempor suscipit. Nullam tincidunt at nunc vel auctor. Donec venenatis, nisl nec fringilla varius, massa quam porttitor turpis, sed bibendum purus sem id risus. Nullam scelerisque lectus eget diam gravida malesuada. Maecenas consectetur est ac sollicitudin congue. Maecenas interdum erat dignissim lectus sodales, nec ultrices neque egestas. Integer convallis lacus at consequat volutpat.
Friends Who Never Hang: GM's Choice N A M E @Username Player's Choice N A M E @Username __________________________	GM's Choice: Character Name - @Username Player's Choice: Character Name - @Username The 'Friends Who Never Hang' is given to the players and characters whose characters' friendship is an informed attribute but who have never actually spent a lot of time together in the IC, or perhaps have not interacted even once but in their own posts have referred to the other as a friend. This is the award where you finally get to voice who you want to see more IC interaction between. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Vivamus at mi mi. In imperdiet porta dolor, at fermentum nulla commodo eu. Suspendisse volutpat et ex tempor suscipit. Nullam tincidunt at nunc vel auctor. Donec venenatis, nisl nec fringilla varius, massa quam porttitor turpis, sed bibendum purus sem id risus. Nullam scelerisque lectus eget diam gravida malesuada. Maecenas consectetur est ac sollicitudin congue. Maecenas interdum erat dignissim lectus sodales, nec ultrices neque egestas. Integer convallis lacus at consequat volutpat. Honorable Mentions: Wraith's Choice: Character Name - @Username Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Vivamus at mi mi. In imperdiet porta dolor, at fermentum nulla commodo eu. Suspendisse volutpat et ex tempor suscipit. Nullam tincidunt at nunc vel auctor. Donec venenatis, nisl nec fringilla varius, massa quam porttitor turpis, sed bibendum purus sem id risus. Nullam scelerisque lectus eget diam gravida malesuada. Maecenas consectetur est ac sollicitudin congue. Maecenas interdum erat dignissim lectus sodales, nec ultrices neque egestas. Integer convallis lacus at consequat volutpat. Roman's Choice: Character Name - @Username Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Vivamus at mi mi. In imperdiet porta dolor, at fermentum nulla commodo eu. Suspendisse volutpat et ex tempor suscipit. Nullam tincidunt at nunc vel auctor. Donec venenatis, nisl nec fringilla varius, massa quam porttitor turpis, sed bibendum purus sem id risus. Nullam scelerisque lectus eget diam gravida malesuada. Maecenas consectetur est ac sollicitudin congue. Maecenas interdum erat dignissim lectus sodales, nec ultrices neque egestas. Integer convallis lacus at consequat volutpat. Rockette's Choice: Character Name - @Username Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Vivamus at mi mi. In imperdiet porta dolor, at fermentum nulla commodo eu. Suspendisse volutpat et ex tempor suscipit. Nullam tincidunt at nunc vel auctor. Donec venenatis, nisl nec fringilla varius, massa quam porttitor turpis, sed bibendum purus sem id risus. Nullam scelerisque lectus eget diam gravida malesuada. Maecenas consectetur est ac sollicitudin congue. Maecenas interdum erat dignissim lectus sodales, nec ultrices neque egestas. Integer convallis lacus at consequat volutpat.
Deadpan Snarker: GM's Choice N A M E @Username Player's Choice N A M E @Username __________________________	GM's Choice: Character Name - @Username Player's Choice: Character Name - @Username The 'Deadpan Snarker Award' is given to the players and characters who has the most sass, the snappiest comebacks, the wittiest dialogue. The Deadpan Snarker is someone whose dialogue gives you a visceral reaction with how clever or cutting they are. A character prone to gnomic, sarcastic, sometimes bitter, occasionally whimsical asides. Alternatively, they may also play the straight man to the more zany antics of the other cast members. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Vivamus at mi mi. In imperdiet porta dolor, at fermentum nulla commodo eu. Suspendisse volutpat et ex tempor suscipit. Nullam tincidunt at nunc vel auctor. Donec venenatis, nisl nec fringilla varius, massa quam porttitor turpis, sed bibendum purus sem id risus. Nullam scelerisque lectus eget diam gravida malesuada. Maecenas consectetur est ac sollicitudin congue. Maecenas interdum erat dignissim lectus sodales, nec ultrices neque egestas. Integer convallis lacus at consequat volutpat. Honorable Mentions: Wraith's Choice: Character Name - @Username Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Vivamus at mi mi. In imperdiet porta dolor, at fermentum nulla commodo eu. Suspendisse volutpat et ex tempor suscipit. Nullam tincidunt at nunc vel auctor. Donec venenatis, nisl nec fringilla varius, massa quam porttitor turpis, sed bibendum purus sem id risus. Nullam scelerisque lectus eget diam gravida malesuada. Maecenas consectetur est ac sollicitudin congue. Maecenas interdum erat dignissim lectus sodales, nec ultrices neque egestas. Integer convallis lacus at consequat volutpat. Roman's Choice: Character Name - @Username Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Vivamus at mi mi. In imperdiet porta dolor, at fermentum nulla commodo eu. Suspendisse volutpat et ex tempor suscipit. Nullam tincidunt at nunc vel auctor. Donec venenatis, nisl nec fringilla varius, massa quam porttitor turpis, sed bibendum purus sem id risus. Nullam scelerisque lectus eget diam gravida malesuada. Maecenas consectetur est ac sollicitudin congue. Maecenas interdum erat dignissim lectus sodales, nec ultrices neque egestas. Integer convallis lacus at consequat volutpat. Rockette's Choice: Character Name - @Username Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Vivamus at mi mi. In imperdiet porta dolor, at fermentum nulla commodo eu. Suspendisse volutpat et ex tempor suscipit. Nullam tincidunt at nunc vel auctor. Donec venenatis, nisl nec fringilla varius, massa quam porttitor turpis, sed bibendum purus sem id risus. Nullam scelerisque lectus eget diam gravida malesuada. Maecenas consectetur est ac sollicitudin congue. Maecenas interdum erat dignissim lectus sodales, nec ultrices neque egestas. Integer convallis lacus at consequat volutpat.
Out of Character is Serious: GM's Choice N A M E @Username Player's Choice N A M E @Username __________________________	GM's Choice: Character Name - @Username Player's Choice: Character Name - @Username The 'Out of Character is Serious Award' is given to the players and characters whose character had a moment that while it seems out of character for them, it was critical in the instance and was a serious moment. Many the zany character was suddenly the straight man, maybe the stoic had an emotional outburst? Whatever it was, this moment caught your attention at first because it was different from that character's usual depiction. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Vivamus at mi mi. In imperdiet porta dolor, at fermentum nulla commodo eu. Suspendisse volutpat et ex tempor suscipit. Nullam tincidunt at nunc vel auctor. Donec venenatis, nisl nec fringilla varius, massa quam porttitor turpis, sed bibendum purus sem id risus. Nullam scelerisque lectus eget diam gravida malesuada. Maecenas consectetur est ac sollicitudin congue. Maecenas interdum erat dignissim lectus sodales, nec ultrices neque egestas. Integer convallis lacus at consequat volutpat. Honorable Mentions: Wraith's Choice: Character Name - @Username Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Vivamus at mi mi. In imperdiet porta dolor, at fermentum nulla commodo eu. Suspendisse volutpat et ex tempor suscipit. Nullam tincidunt at nunc vel auctor. Donec venenatis, nisl nec fringilla varius, massa quam porttitor turpis, sed bibendum purus sem id risus. Nullam scelerisque lectus eget diam gravida malesuada. Maecenas consectetur est ac sollicitudin congue. Maecenas interdum erat dignissim lectus sodales, nec ultrices neque egestas. Integer convallis lacus at consequat volutpat. Roman's Choice: Character Name - @Username Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Vivamus at mi mi. In imperdiet porta dolor, at fermentum nulla commodo eu. Suspendisse volutpat et ex tempor suscipit. Nullam tincidunt at nunc vel auctor. Donec venenatis, nisl nec fringilla varius, massa quam porttitor turpis, sed bibendum purus sem id risus. Nullam scelerisque lectus eget diam gravida malesuada. Maecenas consectetur est ac sollicitudin congue. Maecenas interdum erat dignissim lectus sodales, nec ultrices neque egestas. Integer convallis lacus at consequat volutpat. Rockette's Choice: Character Name - @Username Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Vivamus at mi mi. In imperdiet porta dolor, at fermentum nulla commodo eu. Suspendisse volutpat et ex tempor suscipit. Nullam tincidunt at nunc vel auctor. Donec venenatis, nisl nec fringilla varius, massa quam porttitor turpis, sed bibendum purus sem id risus. Nullam scelerisque lectus eget diam gravida malesuada. Maecenas consectetur est ac sollicitudin congue. Maecenas interdum erat dignissim lectus sodales, nec ultrices neque egestas. Integer convallis lacus at consequat volutpat.

Commencement: A Pacific Royal Collegiate & University RP

^{________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________}

_{Location: San Francisco - California, United States of America}

Take On Me #3.029: After Coffee

^{_{____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________}}

_{Interaction(s): None}

Previously: Brand New Numb

Dawn’s first light peeked through the hastily drawn curtains as the early rays warmed the espresso-hued skin that had escaped from under the silk sheets. The snoring of her companion roused the woman to consciousness, prompting her to stand as long curls bounced along either side of her head, dancing above her bare back. As she stood, she draped a robe that had been eagerly discarded on the floor several hours before, over her shapely form. Quietly walking to the window, the woman opened the sliding door and moved to the balcony, overlooking the bustling city below from the hotel’s penthouse. The Golden Gate Bridge in the distance caught her attention before, stern dark eyes studied the streets below.

Triton’s body had been found no more than ten blocks from here, posed on a wall upside down, a nail through each outstretched hand. A third nail through both his feet while the body had bled out overtop of his severed head. Across the walls of the apartment, ‘No More False Gods’ had been repeatedly scrawled in the late Foundation Force Member’s own blood. Several hands had contributed to the vandalization, though all wore gloves and no DNA evidence had been found at the scene. Forensics showed countermeasures had been taken and the lips and mouth of Triton’s head had been treated with sulfuric acid post-mortem.

The welcoming aroma of a fresh Italian roast drew Torres' attention away from the San Francisco Skyline as she turned to see her companion still in all his glory holding out a steaming mug towards her.

“Please tell me you at least put a robe on before teleporting to Florence and getting this,”

“I promised never to lie to you, Teresa,” Adrián Alveraz replied with a wink and a twitch of his mustache. “Besides, what's the worst the tabloids are going to do? Call me the Day-Stripper?”

“Admittedly, I’d rather handle that P.R. nightmare over the death of one of our top agents.” Torres replied, taking a sip of the hot liquid. The richness of the flavour was unlike anything the hotel would have supplied, let alone the local baristas. She could feel her mind waking up from the haze of the previous evening. The religious imagery used in Triton’s death was a sticking point for her. There were many groups that would see Hyperhumans burn, but the list of those capable of this was much smaller. Taking another sip of the hot beverage in her hand, she was reminded of the Latino man standing eagerly nearby.

“You of course realize last night was purely transactional? I had one too many glasses of wine and had an itch to scratch. You were the first post I could find.”

“You make it sound so romantic, Señora,” Adrián replied, “I was mourning a friend, you offered a form of comfort, it’s fine. Tonight I can find comfort elsewhere. Plenty of women would kill for a mustache ride from the incorrigible Daytripper.”

“Poor choice of words,”

“They could have been better, Si,” Adrián smiled sadly.

“Can you at least put a robe on?” Torres asked, looking at Adrián as he stood proudly in front of her.

“I was hoping we could perhaps go back inside,” He replied with a smile.

“Get dressed,” Torres retorted, “The moment is gone, the wine is empty and there’s work to do.”

“Your loss,” Daytripper smiled before heading inside, pausing at the door as he put his assets on display one last time before heading inside.

“You really are incorrigible.” Torres almost allowed herself to smile before the vibration of her cellphone within the robe caught her attention and she quietly unlocked the device before holding it to her ear. “Go ahead,”

“There’s chatter about another abduction, they’re likely to strike within the next twenty-four hours. When will you be back?” The gravel-like voice of the Fist asked from the other end of the line.

“I can’t say, I’ve asked Maya to cover in my absence and I have Erin here with me in San Francisco.” Torres replied, “What happened to Triton, I think it ties into the H.E.L.P. agents that were murdered. Someone is sending a message, and it’s only the start of something bigger.”

“Nakamura gave me this mission, until told otherwise, I’ll be chasing Daedalus. You and I both know if we have any chance of success, the experiments must be stopped, permanently.”

“Understood,” Torres replied, “Until the Ears and Eyes report in, there’s no need for a Fist. In the meantime, I’ve assigned Arms to watch over each member of the Force. There’s no doubt they’re each being targeted.”

“Torres,” The First replied, “One more thing, something on this campus is interfering with my abilities, Daedalus knows I’m here.”

“Then exercise extreme caution, the Foundation can’t afford to lose you.”

“Understood,” The final word was barely audible before the click of the call ending as Torres looked towards the bridge one last time, a knot forming in her stomach.

If the Fist was compromised, more would suffer.

Commencement: A Pacific Royal Collegiate & University RP

“Death has touched you before.” The baritone voice caught Lorcán off-guard, prompting the young man to spin around. He felt like he had been wandering these burning woods for weeks, the darkness closing on every side, just beyond the fire.

Despite the fire raging on all sides, Lorcán felt cold. His thoughts lucid, unfocused. His eyes were getting heavy, no doubt the smoke affecting him as his chest tightened, and his breathing felt strained. His eyes burned from sobbing and his nose felt congested as he tried to compose himself.

“I mean you no harm.” The voice said again, Lorcán’s sunset-hued eyes darting back and forth through flame and shadow before realizing it was the raven on the bough above his head who spoke.

“I am here to offer comfort, and eventually, guidance.”

“I must be going out of my mind to be talking to a bird.”

“If this form doesn’t comfort you,” The Raven replied, flying to the ground before standing, blue eyes met Lorcán’s own as hair the colour of a starless night fell from the woman’s head, covering a pale shapely form.

“Then perhaps this one will,” She smiled, the baritone replaced with a melodic tone.

“Whoa,” Lorcán took a step back, “Nah brah, that form isn’t exactly one of comfort.” He replied, his eyes attempting not to wander along the hair that was just barely covering her modesty.

“Then how about this?” The Raven asked, her body shrinking a few inches, the hair turning from black to copper. Leggings appeared over her lower half while the top was covered in a baggy sweatshirt. She was younger than Lorcán now.

“You look like-”

"Your guiding light." The Raven replied, holding out her hand, “Come, I want to show you something.”

^{________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________}

_{Location: The Northern Forest - Dundas Island, Pacific Ocean}

Take On Me #3.025: Live and Let Die

^{_{____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________}}

_{Interaction(s): None}

Previously: Right Next Door to Hell

The insect humanoid paused, looking at the interlopers, her wings beating rapidly into a barely registrable blur. Sharp hairs and jagged pieces of chitin protruded from the exo-skeleton that covered whatever humanity was left underneath.

She had appeared from within the trees, a drowning sound of buzzing wings nearly rendered all other noises inaudible as she hovered whilst circling the three trespassers. Her body shape was human, but that’s about where the similarities ended as it was buried beneath a grotesque exterior.

Her compound eyes looked from Cass with disinterest to Aiden, as a faint familiarity washed over her face before being displaced by apathy. The filthy four-legged mammal was of no concern to her, but upon turning to the female, the insectoid’s mandibles vibrated aggressively. The female threatened her sovereignty and couldn’t bear another laying claim to her throne.

This was her territory, she was the Queen. And the Queen had entertained enough trespassers for one week and now more had come to her forest. First was the monster from the other world and then the students. Now more from the school had come, one that she remembered but she did not.

But she could not abide a threat, especially not a direct one. The female interloper had already attacked her once. It had been an underhanded assault, an insult not easily forgiven and the Queen was not in a forgiving mood.

Forgiveness was a human emotion and they had made it very clear, she was no longer human. She turned back to the graying male, hovering closer, prompting him to take a step back, an arm outstretched, protecting his young.

Finally, a human action she could at least begrudgingly respect.

It was in taking a step back that Aiden's eyes were drawn upwards once again to the numerous hives that dotted the branches above. Only then did the older male begin to connect the dots. This was not a chance encounter, this was her colony.

He had heard of the Hornet, the Swarm Queen when he was an agent. One of the first incarcerees of the Black Site, the Hornet had been a special case and left to build her colony outside the prison complex. But with the Black Site gone, and the island compromised it had sent the Queen elsewhere.

And now they were on her land.

“This is a person,” Aiden hissed towards the woman with a shotgun. “I cannot allow you to kill her.”

“Do you want to live and let it die?” The woman snapped back, “Or would you rather that the other way around.”

“She was displaced by actions beyond her control,”

“And that’s exactly why she needs to be put down.” The woman snapped back, “Boy, talk some sense into your old man.”

At the tone of her voice, the Queen turned her hostility fully on to the woman in front of her. Fingertips tipped with razor sharp barbs curled and uncurled eagerly.

And then the entire world went white.

“Run!” Cass yelled, shielding his eyes from his own flashbang before grabbing Aiden’s arm and pulling him towards the treeline. Moving through the brush, the sound of the shotgun discharging echoed behind them. A haunting howl from Rothschild filled the forest before the dog was suddenly between the two men while they moved.

“That woman is going to get herself killed,” Aiden yelled over the snapping of brush beneath their feet, “You keep going, I have to go back.”

At his words, Rothschild seemed to bark in protest before Cassander spoke up.

“I’m not going back there and telling Aunt Tori you played hero and left me to be the messenger,” He replied,“I’m coming too.”

A low growl filled the air as Rothschild stood in their path. Aiden looked down at the dog before moving to step over him. Rothschild planted himself firmly in the older man’s way again, repeating this several times before Aiden pushed past the dog and ran back to the clearing.

Breaking free of the treeline, Aiden found the ground beneath his feet suddenly transitioned from the soft forest floor to a distinct crunch. Looking down, he realized the ground was littered with the carcasses of the numerous insects from earlier. The axe blade of the strange hybrid weapon was lodged into a nearby tree and the woman’s body lay on the ground, seemingly unmoving as Aiden tentatively approached.

“Is she…dead?” Cassander asked, as Aiden paused, listening for the Swarm Queen to return. The forest was silent, void of any of its previous noises. Rothschild’s footprints broke the silence as the dog happily trotted across the field of dead bugs.

Approaching the woman, Rothschild sat beside her before nudging the woman with his wet nose. He gave her a lick that ran the entire length of her face before she suddenly gasped and sat up. Cassander watched the scene unfold, surprised when the woman’s hood fell off, her long wavy, brunette hair spilling out while her green eyes met Cassander’s own emerald ones.

“You two are morons.” The woman replied standing before dusting herself off. Walking straight past Aiden, she gripped her weapon with one hand and easily removed it from the tree trunk before collapsing it into a holster.

“What did you do with her?” Aiden asked, his eyes scanning for a body.

“I sent her somewhere she can truly be free,” The woman responded, “Your island should be safe until another Conjunction now, both her and the wendigo are dealt with.”

“The wendigo?” Aiden asked.

“Don’t worry about it, Hype,” The woman replied again, “Just know you and your students are safe.”

“What happens if a wendigo had already attacked a student?” Aiden asked, “My son was attacked by something in these woods. He’s suffering right now and they have no idea how to help him. What would that kind of injury look like?”

“Never heard of that happening, especially to a Hyperhuman.” She replied, her tone softening to the older man’s plea. “But the injury would look like decaying flesh, and it’d have an awful smell. You could slow the spread with a salve of crushed chrysanthemums, maybe amputation as a last resort. Wendigos are tricky creatures, typically they seek to devour the Überseele in an effort to both feed and multiply.”

“We grow chrysanthemums in the greenhouse,” Aiden said, turning to Cass, “We need to hurry back.”

“How’d you even find this place?” Cassander asked the woman, “You’re clearly not a Hype.”

“It wasn’t hard,” She smirked, “Nice trick back there,” The brunette said, lifting her chin towards Cassander, “Stupid, but nice work.”

Rothschild barked seemingly in agreement.

“Surprised the dog likes you so much, he doesn’t take to strangers.”

“He’s not a dog.” The woman responded looking at Cass with an expression that he couldn’t help but feel insulted by. “Go help your friend,”

“Can’t you stay and help,” Cass asked, “We don’t even know your name.”

“Ellara,” She responded, “See you around.”

Ellara winked before a glyph on her collarbone began to glow and she vanished from sight.

“Pick up your jaw,” Aiden patted Cassander on the back, “We have to see if this helps Lorcán.”

Commencement: A Pacific Royal Collegiate & University RP

From the boughs above the flames, a raven watched Lorcán with intense curiosity, hopping from branch to branch while the young man ran about the shadowy woods, tripping over exposed roots and scrambling away from the flames that seemed to block every exit from the dense overgrowth.

Smoke and flame filled the air as shadows belonging to his attacker were cast by the flickering source of light. The horrific screams and groans echoed through the thick rows of trunks as Lorcán tried to put distance from himself and the sound only to seemingly be swarmed on another side.

A pack, and they were hunting him.

Panic began to set in as his powers seemingly were tapped and unresponsive. He could produce even the smallest gout of flame to defend himself. Putting two fingers to his lips, he blew a sharp whistle. A deafening silence came in response, before another scream drew closer. Sweat dotted Lorcán’s forehead before he tried again, the sharp noise whistling through the trees.

But again, Rothschild did not come.

He patted his pockets, frantically feeling for his phone but came up empty. He had it in his hand to talk to Ripley. Then he was attacked, but wasn’t he rescued? Why was he still here?

Why did they leave him behind?

A feral scream put Lorcán on the move again. The black bird watched, turning its head seemingly in amusement as the young man scurried to and fro, finding the dark forest to be a maze that always seemed to lead back to the same clearing he had awoken in.

After what felt like hours, Lorcán slumped to his knees. His body felt weak, like he had been fighting all day. The sweltering heat of the fire was unbearable, even for him as he sat there, sweat pouring out of every pore.

It was beginning to feel like there was no escape from this place. His own personal hell, a penance for his actions during the Trial. After all, he had killed his best friend twice, abandoned his teammates to find Aurora and never once thought about helping Amma despite accepting her aid in his own time of trouble.

“I’ll be back though, I promise.”

“Aurora?” Lorcán yelled, his own voice echoing back to him.

“Aurora!” He repeated, louder this time, “Aurora, I’m here! Follow my voice Lady Dude, don’t leave me!”

“Please! Don’t leave me.”

But nothing came in reply, the crackle of fire filled the air, dulling the screams of the creatures lurking among the haunting trees. A cry of anguish filled the night sky as Lorcán jumped to his feet, tortured noises ringing out on all sides prompting him to cover his ears as tears began to stream down his face.

Admitting defeat, Lorcán looked to the smoke-filled sky and embraced the encroaching darkness.

^{________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________}

_{Location: The Northern Forest - Dundas Island, Pacific Ocean}

Take On Me #3.022: Right Next Door to Hell

^{_{____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________}}

_{Interaction(s): None}

Previously: Sweet Child O'Mine

While Cassander had fully been ready to hike the island, Aiden had instead opted for a pair of horses as the two men rode out from campus towards the North West peninsula. The former H.I.T. agent turned teacher had even managed to borrow some body armour for both himself and Cassander lest whatever had attacked his son was still lurking in the forest.

“Hopefully your year is off to a better start than Lorcán’s,” Aiden smiled, attempting a joke to break the tension while the pair rode dressed for a battle that Aiden hoped didn’t come. He wasn’t a fan of dragging his nephew into a fight, especially a fight where he didn’t know what they’d be up against.

“Vanessa and Calvin are having a hard time adjusting to both you and the Ripper Snipper being out of the house.”

“Oh, I’m sure they’re enjoying the chance to be empty nesters.” Cass replied, “Between raising you, taking on foster kids like me and then their own daughter, it’s not like your sister ever got to truly enjoy just time with her and Calvin.”

“Sometimes I forget just how seasoned you are,” Aiden replied, “When you’re not unloading snark. Did you know that Aurora has you in her phone as Sassy Cassy?”

“Unfortunately,” Cass deadpanned, “Yes.”

“What do you think of Aurora?” Aiden asked,

“For me or…?” Cass replied knowingly as Aiden shot him a look that confirmed he was asking for Lorcán before Cass continued.

“He’d be so lucky, she’s smart, funny, she’s a redhead,” Cass replied, “She’s basically part of the family and they’ve been inseparable since I’ve been here. Rippers took a quick liking to her as well.”

“Hard to argue with any of that, Aurora was Lorcán’s first real friend before he was assigned to his Collegiate Team and subsequently Canis.” Aiden agreed. “Tori seems particularly fond of her as well, but Tori has always wanted a daughter,“

“As far as crushes go, Lorcán could have picked far worse, bonus in that she seems to reciprocate if her worry is anything to go off of,” Cass added as Aiden nodded before speaking again.

“And what do you think of Amma?”

“Elvira?” Cass allowed himself a small smirk, “I take it you heard about the ‘incident’ at the trial.” He asked before Aiden gave a knowing nod.

“The Queen of Darkness herself is pretty easy on the eyes if you’re into the alternative look. I still don’t believe she’s not a vampire though.” Cass quipped, “But I don’t know, she’s not exactly citizen of the year, she’s a very different person from Aurora.” He cleared his throat before urging his horse forward and riding alongside Aiden.

“Though, word of advice Uncle Aiden,” Cass stated, “You can’t really pick Lorcán’s girlfriend for him. Even if one of them turned out to be the most toxic relationship in the world, you can’t shelter him from everything. I know he’s the world to you and Aunt Tori and seeing him hurt is akin to cutting your own arm off. But he’s going to spread his wings, and one day you’ll have to let the phoenix take flight.”

“Thinking about him having a future is helping me cope with the fact he’s fighting for his life,” Aiden explained, “But, I know you’re right,” He replied, “Doesn’t make it any easier to let go, let alone hear sage wisdom from my twenty-four year old nephew.”

“Hey,” Cass replied, raising a hand in mock defensiveness, “I’m being raised by the same woman who raised you.”

“Explains the familiar know-it-all attitude,” Aiden teased, “My sister is a wonderful woman, sage beyond her years.” He added, “But if you ever tell her I said that, they won’t even find the ashes of your body.”

“Your secret dies with me,”

“Speaking of secrets,” Aiden had a mischievous glint in the corner of his blue eyes, “The grapevine also says you asked Harper Baxter to the Senior Formal,”

“I asked a girl to a dance, it’s not a big deal.” Cass replied, “Better than going stag or third wheeling with RJ and Alyssa,”

“Don’t you typically run away from romance?”

“No,” Cass replied, “I’m just not interested,”

“So what makes Harper so special then?” Aiden pried as Cass rolled his eyes.

“I dunno, I wouldn’t say she’s special. She was just easy to talk to and she didn’t find me immediately repulsive.” Cass muttered, suddenly finding his face a little warm. “Hard to get a date when everyone thinks you’re Banjo at first glance.”

“Hah,” Aiden laughed, “I can imagine that’s quite the obstacle to overcome.”

“That blowhard is still telling people he stood up to Hyperion,” Cass shook his head, as Aiden shot him a look.

“So you like Harper then?” He asked, “Have you talked to her since the trial? I imagine she’s pretty shaken up like the rest of them.”

“I didn’t say that,” Cass retorted, “And not really, I talked to her yesterday about Lorcán, asked her a bit about how she was doing. She had a new haircut, that was a surprise.”

“A good one?”

“Stop fishing!” Cass had to mind his tone, he knew Aiden didn’t mean any harm and that his Uncle was mostly trying to keep his mind off his dying son, but he certainly didn’t expect to be cross-examined about asking Harper to the dance.

“Everyone knows she likes Gil anyways, I’ll probably never see her after the dance.”

“Not with that attitude,” Aiden replied, “Sure the dance can just be a one-off, or it can be a beginning. A crush isn’t a relationship even if one has made it one in their head. If anything it could just be blinders, she didn’t even know you were an option prior to the weekend after all.”

“Now who’s being all sage,” Cass grumbled before settling further into his saddle.

The rest of the ride was fairly uneventful with both men bearing grim expressions between the rest of their attempts at casual conversation. With a day already passed, whatever attacked Lorcán could have easily moved on. But if it was still on the island, then it was a threat to them all. Ahead of the two mounted men, Rothschild ran along the ground, his nose actively sniffing out the path he and his boy had taken the day before.

“Where did you ever get Rothschild anyways?” Cass asked, watching the border collie streak by before he slowed atop a hill waiting for the two men on horseback to crest before speeding off ahead in the distance.

The dog was considered to be owned by the Roths, but Aiden knew that no one truly owned Rothschild. He was an anomaly, even in the world of Hyperhumans, a dog with abilities that could rival Aiden’s own and many others. Most people believed it was an in-joke that Rothschild had abilities, fewer still had seen them in action. The prevailing rumour was that he was Hyperhuman trapped as a dog. That rumour only just barely kept ahead of the idea that Hyperion was turned into a dog form and kept on campus as a cruel joke by Jim.

“Rothschild came to us,” Aiden replied, “Showed up one day after Lorcán had an incident and was most in need of a friend. Before Aurora showed up, Rothschild was the closest thing Lorcán had to a friend.”

“But,” Cass started, his tone hesitant, “He is just a dog right?”

“I can assure you, he’s not a person.” Aiden replied, “I had him tested and he doesn’t have human DNA nor does he possess any presence of HZEs.”

“So the rumours?” Cass asked, “Are just rumours? But I thought he actually could, y’know?”

“I’ve seen enough things in my time to know I haven’t seen everything,” Aiden replied, “That dog has been one of the best things in my son’s life and I’m not about to call it into question.”

“Hey look!” Cass called, interrupting Aiden's thoughts as the pair pulled up on the trail overlooking the beach.

“His board is still there,” Footprints clearly made by Lorcán’s signature flip flops hadn’t been erased yet by neither rain nor wind.

“We’ll need to remember to grab any of his things that were left behind on the way back,” Aiden replied before clicking his heels to ease his horse up the slope towards the thicker brush.

“I imagine our ability to go by horseback ends up here,” He shouted back to Cass, “This side of the island is underdeveloped due to the proximity to the Black Site.” Aiden explained while dismounting. Hitching the horse to a nearby tree, he watched as Cass did the same before the two men followed the trail of trodden grass and broken branches. Cass felt unnerved walking through this part of the island. Upon entering the thicket, there was a notable drop in temperature, the thick canopy overhead blocking the island sun and leaving the forest floor soft and damp.

But it was the hives decorating the higher branches that unnerved Cassander the most as the insects hovered about, angrily buzzing as if telling both men to leave immediately. A few of the more agitated ones flew down, threatening to sting Cass before seemingly losing interest in their threat, realizing it wasn’t worth their life.

It still left Cassander feeling itchy all over, as he remembered the pain of his first bee sting. Thankfully he was given a reprieve as he followed his uncle into a clearing. The smell of burnt wood was masked by a powerfully putrid odour.

“Scorch marks,” Cass gestured, barely keeping himself from gagging as they entered the clearing. “Though these don't all look like Lorcán's,”

“No,” Aiden replied, “No, they don’t,” His distracted eyes wandered to where the ground was disturbed and turned over. Moss and leaves were raked away from the center of the clearing, a glyph or rune laid out with salt outlined a large pile of ash from which came an alarming odour that Aiden had only experienced during an investigation at a crematorium.

Numerous footprints told a story different from the one he had been fed as Aiden knelt down and examined the tracks left behind. Three distinct sets of prints, excluding Rothschild’s, none just stumbled upon this scene. All had participated in a fight.

A growl from Rothschild suddenly broke the silence.

“You need to leave.” The cocking of a shotgun further caught the attention of both Cassander and Aiden as they turned around to come face to face with a woman dressed in a leather jacket, a hood covering her dark hair while the strange looking shotgun with an axe blade on it was steadily held pointed in their direction.

“It’s not safe here.” The woman looked to be barely older than Cassander, but something about her eyes made Aiden feel she had lived several lifetimes. Rothschild continued to stay low, the hackles on his back raised like a dorsal fin, his lip quivering with the low rumbled in his throat.

“Is this your doing?” Aiden asked, gesturing with his head towards the strange rune beneath the pile of ash while his hands were held up disarmingly in front of him.

“Does that answer matter when I’m holding a shotgun to you?” The woman retorted, “These woods aren’t safe for the likes of you,” She gestured back to the direction the two men had come from. “I’m trying to do you a favour, you need to leave.”

“If it’s a favour, I’d think you’d be willing to explain.”

The light above the clearing suddenly started to diminish as a cloud of buzzing insects began to form, blotting out the sun entirely.

“I tried to warn you,” The woman snapped through gritted teeth, spinning around to put her back to the two men as she levelled the gun towards the cloud, her ears listening intently while her eyes scanned the woods on all sides. Rothschild let out a yelp, backing up as his eyes began to glow while looking towards the blackening sky.

“And now,” The woman whispered towards Aiden,

“She comes.”

Commencement: A Pacific Royal Collegiate & University RP

E P I S O D E T W O A W A R D S:

Best Character Development: GM's Choice H A V E N @Skai Player's Choice A M M A @Rockette __________________________	GM's Choice: Haven Barnes - @Skai Player's Choice: Amma Cahors - @Rockette The 'Best Character Development Award' is given to the character who has been constantly improving and developing from the moment they first appeared in the IC. This doesn't mean the most improved, nor does it have to be positive changes in the slightest, this is the character journey you're enjoying the most whether it's a slippery slope or an uphill battle. In Episode 1, we struggled to figure out who Haven was as a person. She bounced off several characters and on one, but we never really got to know a lot about her. This drastically changed in Episode 2 once Haven was isolated from the other characters, we started to learn what makes her tick, her fears and how they came to be. We got to see some of Haven's backstory play out in action and then as a bonus, we even got to see Haven develop a rather enjoyable dynamic with a character she was previously too nervous to interact with, more on that below. Overall, of all the characters we really enjoyed seeing the growth in Haven through Episode 2. Honorable Mentions: Wraith's Choice: Amma Cahors - @Rockette Amma has been an enigma since she stepped onto the scene. Rockette made the intentional choice to forgo the optional sections of the character sheet leaving players more in the dark with Amma, her motivations and who she was than a lot of the other characters. This has worked incredibly well so that when 'Amma Lore' drops in the IC, I eat it up. Amma is a fascinating character to watch grow and develop. Throughout Episode 2 she was forced into a lot more collaborative moments and she was pivotal in several plots if only through lending her powers out. But for every step forward, we see Amma's self-destructive streak come out and pull her two back as she ends the chapter after attacking Rory. Can't wait to see the next steps in her journey. Roman's Choice: Lorcán Roth - @Lord Wraith Episode 2 wrapped with more revelations for Lorcán and further exploration into his feelings about PRCU, Blackjack, Aurora, even his own family; Wraith continues to push Lorcán in bold directions and isn't afraid to put the character in uncomfortable situations. The Aurora/Lorcán slow-burn remains meticulously paced and well-crafted; the way Raze shook Lorcán's principles opened up potentials I'm very keen to see; and early into Episode 3 his worldviews are being challenged yet again. It's a delight to read.
Best Character Dynamic/Ship: GM's Choice A M M A & H A V E N @Rockette & @Skai Player's Choice A U R O R A x L O R C Á N @Melissa & @Lord Wraith A M M A & H A V E N @Rockette & @Skai __________________________	GM's Choice: Haven Barnes & Amma Cahors - @Skai & @Rockette Player's Choice: Aurora Mitchell x Lorcán Roth - @Melissa & @Lord Wraith Player's Choice: Haven Barnes & Amma Cahors - @Skai & @Rockette The 'Best Character Dynamic/Ship Award' is given to a pair or group of characters who display exceptional chemistry, and compatibility. They are who you genuinely sit there and cheer whenever they're on the page together. These two characters are each other's endgame, they're ride or die and you can't get enough of their highs, lows and otherwise cutesy antics. This is not limited exclusively to romance but extends to rivalries, platonic friendships and even a sibling-like relationship. Unlikely friendships are often the best to watch unfold and while the closing moments of the chapter may have left this blossoming friendship on thin ice, seeing Amma and Haven bond, if only briefly was truly a treat. You can't help but wonder who Haven reminds Amma of? And Amma warning Haven to stop asking so many questions was a great moment in and of itself. Haven may not let just anyone touch her wings, but seeing her allow for Amma to course her powers through them makes you wonder just what sort of a bond these two will continue to form. Provided of course Haven can look past the scratches left on Rory's arm. Honorable Mentions: Wraith's Choice: Amma Cahors & Rory Tyler - @Rockette & @webboysurf Rory being his usual self while interacting with Amma was a fun read. Metaphors never go over Rory's head, they most slap him in the face and leave him dumbfounded much like when he asked Amma if she was a literal dragon. The idea of a guy dressed as one of the world's more notorious terrorists while coming to Amma's aid and promising he wasn't there to kill her only for Amma to end up attacking him instead was certainly amusing, if not unintentionally comedic leading to some of the best character dynamics this episode. Roman's Choice: Aurora Mitchell x Lorcán Roth - @Melissa & @Lord Wraith Honestly I've never really gotten the hang of 'will-they-won't-they' romantic see-saws, despite its staple across so much mainstream media (Sitcoms, romance novels, dramas, triple-A games). However I find Mel and Wraith's portrayal of their respective character's dance around each other so pitch-perfect that I'm hooked, even able to overlook how utterly saccharine it is. It's no small feat to break through my usual cynicism - I'm looking forward to seeing this egg finally crack.
Best Post: GM's Choice 2 . 0 4 6 @Melissa Player's Choice 2 . 0 2 7 @Rockette __________________________	GM's Choice: 2.046 Trainwreck - @Melissa Player's Choice: 2.027 asunder - @Rockette The 'Best Post' is given to the player and post that was found to be overall the pinnacle of the current episode. Did it break the tension with its humourous antics at the right time? Did it bring the characters closer together? Was it full of insightful reflection or did it extrapolate on previously unknown elements of that character's backstory and how it ties to the greater overarching narrative? Melissa had a lot of fun writing a simpler time between Lorcán and Aurora in the flashback of this post. But then compare that fun flashback to the latter half of the post where Aurora comes face to face with her mother and then is abandoned by her friends. Emotion is expertly conveyed throughout this post that you just can't help smiling along with Aurora when she's laughing and having fun while also feeling the gut punch that comes with her abandonment and the futile attempts to move through the invisible barrier. The feeling of utter dispair by the end leaves the post on such a defeated note perfect for where it falls in the episode. Honorable Mentions: Wraith's Choice: 2.049 the offering - @Rockette A masterful wordsmith, Rockette wonderful weaving of prose leaves one wanting more with each post and 2.049 is no exception. Following up on one of my favourite hooks in the entire episode, we jump back into Amma strapped down to a gurney, now again faced with her doppelgängers. This post ultimately ends on a sombre note with Amma being injected full of needles, harkening right back to one of her earlier posts in this chapter. Any post that gives a glimpse into how Amma views herself, and her shattered identities is always a treat and while Chapter 2 is full of them, I think this is the best of the bunch. Roman's Choice: 2.050 Wake Me Up Before You Dodo - @Skai Opening with a gorgeous flashback into Haven's sometimes-referenced but often-unvisited childhood was a brilliant insight into the character's history, her unique struggles with the manifestation of her hype-gene, and why she ultimately decided to abandon 'civilised' society entirely prior to her capture (and now I'm even more interested in Haven's experiences at the Foundation). Other-Haven was also delightfully vicious, and then we capped it off with the mother of all cliffhangers - even if it was ultimately a last-second-save fake out. Great stuff. Keep it up.
Best Flashback: GM's Choice 2 . 0 5 0 @Skai Player's Choice 2 . 0 0 4 @Rockette __________________________	GM's Choice: 2.050 Wake Me Up Before You Dodo - @Skai Player's Choice: 2.004 void - @Rockette The 'Best Flashback Award' is given to the post and player that contains an insightful or impactful flashback to a previous time outside of the current happenings of the IC. Maybe this flashback shed light on why the character has a deep-rooted fear of rejection, maybe it illuminated why that character has a verbal tic or perhaps it was the meet-cute of two budding lovers. Whatever the contents, this flashback found its way into the hearts or minds of the readers and continues to leave a lasting impact. We touched earlier on getting to know Haven in this chapter and this was the post that did it. The flashback with Haven at the foster home, the development of her wings and subsequent bullying were all beautifully written but ultimately heart-wrenching. Easily a stand-out flashback of this chapter and one that illuminated a lot about a character in such a simple way. Of course, there are still more questions about Haven and the journey that brought her to P.R.C.U., but we can all comfortably look forward to those being answered in the subsequent chapters. Honorable Mentions: Wraith's Choice: 2.003 I Want to Run and Hide - @webboysurf It isn't often we get to see Rory's dynamic with his whole family and even just knowing how Rory sees the world through other posts and the way he interrupts words and gestures around himself make this entire flashback so interesting. On the surface, we have a look at Rory's home life before the death of his parents and what we see is not pretty. It also tracks with the treatment we're used to seeing from his siblings. But, once you realize that Rory might not be the most reliable narrator, the whole flashback starts to drift into the uncanny, making you question if this is just Rory's interpretation of how he was treated, or if his parents truly were awful. It opens a lot of interesting faucets that I'm looking forward to seeing Web explore. Roman's Choice: 2.047 Lose Yourself - @Lord Wraith Jonas' continued time-desynchronisation shenanigans continue to charm me and the character is an absolute highlight every time he shows up. Add on top some of Lorcán's unique Dundas Island-based childhood/adolescence, some family interaction, and some father-son bonding over blowing up scarecrows with eye lasers, and you've got a recipe for 'yeah, Roman will like this'.
Best Collaboration: GM's Choice 2 . 0 3 3 @Rockette & @Skai Player's Choice 2 . 0 3 8 @Melissa, @Rockette & @Skai 2 . 0 5 8 // 2 . 0 5 9 @Rockette & @webboysurf __________________________	GM's Choice: 2.033 Feathering the Storm - @Rockette & @Skai Player's Choice: 2.038 A Name Unspoken - @Melissa, @Rockette & @Skai Player's Choice: 2.058 Dragon // 2.059 Devour - @Rockette & @webboysurf The 'Best Collaboration Award' is given to the post and players involved in crafting a collaborative narrative that goes beyond the regular back-and-forth posting of forum RPing. A well-crafted collaborative post should read as though it has a single author but artfully capture the interaction between two player characters and enhance both of their direct narratives, developments and the long-term relationships between those involved in the collaboration. Rockette and Skai both had a great run of posts this Episode, both in quality and quantity, but as with the dynamic between their characters, Skai and Rockette also proved they have great chemistry as writers, knocking out multiple collaborative posts together including 2.033 Feathering the Storm. 'Feathering the Storm' gave us the Amma and Haven dynamic but so many subsequent posts into play, including the threeway post between the aforementioned writers and Melissa, and ultimately the great crossover with webboysurf. 'Feathering the Storm' is a cornerstone of Episode 2 and we are more than happy to award it Best Collaboration. Honorable Mentions: Wraith's Choice: 2.038 A Name Unspoken - @Melissa, @Rockette & @Skai Building right off of 'Feathering the Storm', 2.038 A Name Unspoken is easily my favourite collaboration in Episode 2. The character dynamics are fantastic, you see multiple plot threads and nightmare sequences come together and you have the wonderful tension and chemistry between Amma with both Haven and Aurora. Anytime we get Amma and Aurora in the same room, there's always something interesting bound to happen and we got to see the two girls form at least a temporary alliance and Amma even lent her powers out to Aurora who subsequently was able to use her powers in a way she hadn't previously been able to. I think 'A Name Unspoken' will have a lot of plot candy carrying forward. Roman's Choice: 2.058 Dragon // 2.059 Devour - @Rockette & @webboysurf Amma continues to be a...difficult character, one I'm grappling with more and more. However that's not to say she by any means a bad character - far from it - and this collaboration features a pair we've not seen much (if any) of prior to this episode, delivering a unique dynamic, fresh perspective on both involved, and yet more tense scenarios fraught with danger - even better that that danger continues to come from within the team as our cast struggle with their trials. Rory/Amma wasn't a pair I was expecting much interaction between, looking at the cliques within Blackjack both characters run in, but the surprise was delightful to read when it came.
Most Memorable Moment: GM's Choice 2 . 0 4 2 @webboysurf Player's Choice 2 . 0 5 0 @Skai __________________________	GM's Choice: Rory putting on Hyperion's Mask from 2.042 You're No Good - @webboysurf Player's Choice: Haven's Nightmare Sequence from 2.050 Wake Me Up Before You Dodo - @Skai The 'Most Memorable Moment Award' is given to the post and players who set a fire in the social server with conversation, reactions and just generally put the dominos in motion with a post that did something so well, horrific or even just meme-worthy that it inspired numerous posts after it. This is a moment that stood out, when you think of this roleplay, this is the moment you keep coming back to. When share the game with your friends, this is the post you wait eagerly for them to read. Perhaps the hardest award to choose of Episode 2, we were not short in supply of great and impactful moments that will be remembered as the RP moves forward. Numerous fakeouts, tragic memories and torturous scenarios filled the posts of Episode 2, but the moment that Rory put on Hyperion's Mask, a plot thread was born that we're going to see continue into Episode 3 and who knows how far beyond. It's for this reason that 'You're No Good' manages to stand just ever so slightly above the other stellar options. Honorable Mentions: Wraith's Choice: "Thank you for bringing Tiamat home." - 2.038 A Name Unspoken - @Melissa, @Rockette & @Skai Personally, 'Thank you for bringing Tiamat home." from 2.038 A Name Unspoken is easily one of the most haunting lines in the entire episode. The utter despair of Amma being dragged back to a less than rosy version of where it all began, where the needles were injected, where she suffered and was experimented on, was the kind of dark and twisted I wanted to see in the Trial. That moment just was like a diminished fifth in the midst of a minor fall. It hit just right and is another great example of the gravitas that Rockette brings to her posts and her continuing threads with the Foundation. Roman's Choice: Calli losing her leg from 2.039 Monkey Wrench - @Lord Wraith & @PatientBean We all know Wraith loves curveballs, and also loves keeping us (yes, myself included at times) guessing in the dark about what quite is going on up in that peculiar, wonderful brain of his. So to say Calliope's attack by a simulated Butler was a dark surprise would be an understatement; however, Bean took it well in stride (teehee), and while it was ultimately revealed as another trick of the simulation, it kept us on our toes and reminded that our characters - loved as they may be - are still well at risk of actual mortal danger, and we should remember that this is the case.

Commencement: A Pacific Royal Collegiate & University RP

Lorcán awoke to the smell of smoke and burning. All around him, the forest was enveloped in flame, the leafy canopy above replaced by dancing flames. The sound of the ocean was lost to the crackling of timber and explosions of wood too green to be burned shattering apart from rapidly evaporating liquid.

Rothschild was nowhere to be seen, nor Luce or Alyssa. Darkness hung over every edge of the clearing as Lorcán began to feel the heat of the flames, wondering if he was the cause of this.

Beyond the curtain of trees, a chorus of that horrific sound reverberated in the distance sending chills down Lorcán’s spine, he had barely survived one with a last-minute rescue. Alone, there was no way he could fight more of them.

He looked to his arm, bracing for the wound only to find it missing. The creature made lacerations gone, not even a scar left behind to tell the tale. In fact all of his injuries felt better, his chest and back no longer stung and as Lorcán raised a hand to his face, he felt the absence of the scar given to him by Raze.

Beyond the smoke and flame, a pale light cut through the darkness and once again, Lorcán’s eyes were drawn to the majestic form of the white stag.

He ran forward, nearly tripping on the uneven ground before navigating through row upon row of trees. The stag kept ahead of him, trotting along at a pace Lorcán couldn't match but yet not fast enough to lose him entirely.

The beast exited the forest, but Lorcán couldn't follow, his path blocked by flames that continued to rise higher and higher. He was pushed back, trapped within the fire.

He watched, resigned to futility as the stag disappeared over the bright horizon.

^{________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________}

_{Location: The Infirmary - Pacific Royal Collegiate & University}

Take On Me #3.013: Sweet Child O'Mine

^{_{____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________}}

_{Interaction(s): None}

Previously: Welcome to the Jungle

The doors of the infirmary flew open as a pair of medics wheeled a stretcher through the doors while Aiden Roth kept pace beside them. Stopping just outside the door, Alyssa and Luce looked at each other before opting to stay outside the building.

“I don’t think we should go in there, Lucille Calder.”

"Obviously, Aly," Luce replied sarcastically. "But someone needs to tell his team." She said, half-scolding, half-suggesting, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed, eyes dodging Alyssa's earnest gaze.

"Lucille Calder! I was the one who told the family," Alyssa answered, "I think you should tell Blackjack - were they not your own team at one time?"

"Were indeed, Lyssa." Luce remained defiant, old avoidant patterns resurfacing. "I have to get back to my greenhouse. Last time I left it this long some freshman planted chrysanthemums in with my hydrangeas."

“Really? The garden?” Alyssa indignantly responded, “Sure, she fights a wendigo, but yeah the garden is the highlight of the day. Maybe if it had been a leshy.”

While the pair continued to bicker, they barely noticed Victoria Roth enter the infirmary before a medic came outside to gesture for both of them to follow. Ahead of them, Tori moved on a mission. Her features were pale, worry on every inch of her face as she pushed her way through the lobby before heading down the hallway towards where her husband, Aiden, stood.

Watching from behind the glass, Aiden’s jaw was clenched, his teeth practically grinding against each other as he watched the medics examine the unconscious form of his son. There were times where he felt powerless in life, and the last time was nearly in this exact spot just over twenty-one years ago.

Watching Lorcán’s chest struggle to rise up and down, Aiden turned his eyes away as Tori came up beside him and slid under his arm, placing her head against his chest. Her eyes were pulled to her son, squeezing her husband tightly while fighting back tears.

“He’s a fighter,” Aiden whispered, kissing his wife’s forehead softly before turning his gaze back to their son. “He’s got a lion inside of those lungs, our fierce little man is going to pull through whatever this is.”

“When can we see him?” Tori asked, looking up at Aiden’s blue eyes.

“They’re still trying to determine if he’s contagious. Whatever that wound is, it’s highly infected. They told me if it weren’t for his abilities, the heat in his body actively fighting it, the infection would have already spread through his entire body. It’s rapidly attacking the cells.”

“So it’s killing him.” Her voice almost broke as Tori replied, “And he’s suffering through every moment.”

“They’ve given him something for the pain and a sedative to help his body focus on healing.”

“There are times that life can be cruel, Aiden,” Tori replied, her hand reaching out to the glass as the medics worked on Lorcán. “We lost our daughter the same day that she and Lorcán were born. Now our son is just becoming a man and we stand on the cusp of losing him too.”

“We are not losing him.” Aiden’s tone was firm, but soft. “We are not losing him.”

Minutes felt like hours, and hours felt like days, the day itself was comparable to a week as the couple took turns rotating through a chair, watching students come and go looking for treatment for minor wounds while anxiously waiting for any news on Lorcán.

In the interim, Aiden had let both Ripley and Cassander know about Lorcán’s current state, while Cassander had informed Rory and subsequently the rest of Blackjack that Lorcán would be missing. Ripley had originally left to find Aurora but she instead found that Aurora was already with Jim who had pulled her from class after hearing about Lorcán. Returning to the infirmary with Aurora in tow, Ripley firmly planted herself down with her Aunt and Uncle while Tori made room for Aurora, welcoming her with an understanding smile.

“How did Leo get attacked again?” Ripley asked, reaching across Tori to give Aurora’s hand a squeeze.

“All we know is that he was in the North Forest, two students from Firebird brought him in, said they found him in a clearing with Rothschild and his arm was already scratched.” Aiden answered.

“Wait,” Tori interjected before raising her face from between her hands. “Why would Lorcán venture into the North Forest?“ She asked, her eyes darting from her husband to her niece. “He doesn’t surf on that side of the island.”

“Dog only knows,” Aiden replied.

“Maybe Rothschild can tell us?” Ripley suggested as her Uncle shook his head sadly.

“That dog is many things, but he can’t talk.” He answered, before suddenly looking at his wife. “We are sure he can’t talk, right?”

“At this moment, hun,” Tori’s voice was distant as she watched a medic begin to exit the room while Lorcán was left to rest on the bed. “I’m not sure of anything.”

“It was the weirdest thing, Uncle Aiden,” Ripley quickly piped back up, “I was talking to Leo on the phone and there was just this terrible noise as the call was cut. I could hear Rothschild in the background growling,” Ripley persisted, “I just feel like those girls aren’t telling you something-”

“Mr. and Mrs. Roth?” The medic interrupted, calling from the doorway as they entered the hallway.

“Can we see our son, doctor?” Tori asked, rising from her seat.

“Yes, you can go in and wait with him, we’re getting him transferred to a private room now that we’re sure he’s not contagious.” The medic answered, “Once he’s there, he’ll be allowed family and relatives during regular hours, immediate family and caretakers overnight. There will be a couple forms for you to fill out.”

“Is he going to be alright?” Aiden asked. The medic looked up at the athletic older man, a heavy exhale preceding the reply.

“It’s still too soon to answer that. This infection, it’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen and as far as our resources go, it’s unlike any one on this Earth has ever seen.” The medic let out another sigh, “I know it’s going to sound unprofessional, Sir, but given my experience, it’s very possible it’s not from this world.”

“While I respect that might be exciting for you, we are talking about my son’s life,” Tori snapped as the medic took a step back.

“I am so sorry, Ma’am it wasn’t my intention to sound like your son’s life wasn’t a priority.”

“Then can you cure him?” Aiden asked, “You called it an infection so can you treat it with antibiotics?”

“Not without trial and error,” The medic responded, “Without knowing what we’re trying to treat, it’s impossible to run a course of antibiotics. At this time, the infection has proven Hype-resistant, save for Lorcán’s own abilities. Right now, they are his best defense against whatever’s attacking his cells. We’re putting him on an IV drip with a healthy dose of HZEs to keep his strength up, but in the meantime, we took some samples to run tests against. But if you have any idea what he came in contact with,”

“We’re just as lost as you,”

“Then we’ll just have to hope the tests turn something up.” The medic offered a sympathetic smile.

“If you’ll all follow me, we’ll take him to his new room.”

Commencement: A Pacific Royal Collegiate & University RP

^{| Earlier...}

The blonde woman sat knelt in the greenhouse. The light of dawn illuminated the panelled structure as she worked away, free of disruptions from new or younger students who hadn’t put the time or care into the immaculate condition of her gardens.

She was lost in her tasks, unaware of the redheaded woman who had entered silently. A task that was not easy given the leather duffle bag swung over her shoulder that nearly spanned the entire length of her torso.

The woman with fire-like hair walked up behind the other, before dropping the duffle bag beside the shorter-haired woman to announce her presence.

“Lucille Calder,” Alyssa started, her tone grim. “Grab your hunting back. We have a Conjunction.”

^{________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________}

_{Location: The Northern Forest - Dundas Island, Pacific Ocean}

Take On Me #3.009: Welcome to the Jungle

^{_{____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________}}

_{Interaction(s): None}

Previously: Monster

^{| Now}

Rothschild’s barking echoed through Lorcán’s spinning head as his eyes opened to the damp ground beneath him. Leaves hung to his hands and knees as he picked himself up, his body outlined in splinters and chunks of wood from the dead tree trunk that exploded upon impact.

A flash of red illuminated the shadowy clearing as Rothschild fought valiantly against the angered creature. The agile dog swooped through the air, before aiming its eye beams towards their assailant.

“That’s new.” Lorcán muttered before turning his own molten irises on the wiry creature that had batted him haplessly like no more than a housefly. It was vaguely human in shape, though easily as tall, if not taller than even Katja. Its torso almost appeared too small for the long, gangly arms and legs that appeared to be made solely of leather-wrapped bones.

Every vein, sinew and tendon underneath the taut skin was visible along its tightly drawn flesh. Its leather-like hide seemingly defied logic with each movement the creature made. Lorcán was expecting the skin to snap at any moment, pulling apart around its joints, but it moved fluidly with each movement, nary a wrinkle in sight. Wispy hair dotted its scalp, while sickly yellow eyes spun around in their sockets, seemingly autonomous of the creature’s head and neck. They swivelled around unnaturally, tracking Rothschild through even the solid bone of their elongated skull.

Rows of needle-like teeth filled its snake-like maw, unhinging as the creature bellowed a horrible noise. A putrid odour unlike the smell of decomposing flesh filled the air as the creature swung its haggard nails through the air against nearly catching Rothschild.

“Hey!” Lorcán called, ignoring the pain in his healing wounds, “Nobody hurts my dog.”

His eyes flared quickly before a flash of flame erupted in front of his face, the blast of flame and heat scalding the creature prompting a screech of pain. It flailed about wildly, charging Lorcán with its gangly, gruesome limbs. Moving to the side, Lorcán tried to escape the creature but his reflexes were still slowed from his injuries.

The creature’s nails dug into Lorcán’s forearm, the layers of decayed keratin splintering and cracking as it ripped his skin open. Searing pain radiated through his arm as the wound almost immediately spewed puss while slivers were left embedded in the mangled flesh.

A sharp inhale whistled through Lorcán’s teeth whilst he cradled his arm to his torso. He stumbled backwards, barely able to move out of the creature’s way were it not for the timely intervention of Rothschild, diving beneath the monster’s legs and taking hold of an ankle. The powered puppy dragged the creature back with all its might, the gnarled claws falling just short of reaching Lorcán.

Focusing his ability, Lorcán summoned a blade of plasma just like he had a thousand times before. Just like Ryan had taught him how to do since the time he was eleven. The hum of electromagnetic feels echoed through the force, harmonizing with the angry buzzing of the bees in the treetops. A snap and a hiss came from his hand as the orange blade came to life before immediately faltering as Lorcán was bowled along the damp forest floor by another blow.

The creature lunged for Lorcán’s chest, its gruesomely nailed hands targeting his chest like it was about to pry his ribs about. It suddenly howled in agony as Rothschild scorched the back of the creature with his eye blasts.

Roaring again, the horrific sound was cut short as a silver blade suddenly shot through its torso. The creature’s chest began to bleed a black ochre-like substance as the blade pulled back. Staggered, the creature stumbled backwards before being pushed further by a dropkick from a blonde-haired woman. The attack created enough space for Lorcán to scramble back to his feet as his eyes came to rest on a familiar pair of women.

Rothschild let out a couple of cheerful yelps before skidding to a landing beside Lorcán as Alyssa Townsend and Lucille Calder moved into action.

“Wendigo, Lucille Calder!”

“I have eyes, Uptown Girl!” Luce retorted, readying her weapon before lunging forward. Her assault was unpredictable, built on maintaining a form that put her in harm’s way almost as often as her attacks were aimed at her opponent. While normally Luce wouldn’t sweat a scrap, she knew better than to let the jagged fingers of the Wendigo so much as graze her skin, let alone its needle-like teeth.

Occupied with Luce’s assault, the wendigo paid no attention to Alyssa who put her hands together. From within her, her liquid metal flowed out through her pores, wrapping around her arms and hands before creating a large blade from her hands. Using her abilities to launch herself into the air, Alyssa swung her weapon hard, the blade cleaving through the creature’s neck before its head rolled along the mossy floor.

“Lorcán!” Luce yelled, “Burn the body, quickly!”

“Aurora?” Lorcán slurred looking at Alyssa, “What are you doing here?” He asked, wiping the quickly forming beads of sweat from his brow. The forest seemed to start spinning around him as Lorcán took another look at the two women.

“Hey, Lady Dude, now that you're here, I was wondering if you’d like to go to the dance with me?” He managed to spit out before his heavy eyelids fell over his molten-colored eyes. His body suddenly went limp and gravity took over.

Then Lorcán hit the forest floor.