Lord Wraith

Commencement: A Foundation Institute RP

“You’re not Aurora,” Lorcán protested before the molten-eyed boy pulled back as the psychopomp became more insistent, leading him further from the fire as he body became colder and colder.

“I can’t go with you, you’re not my Aurora,” He repeated, looking through the smoke towards the dark canopy overhead, “I heard her, I need to get back to her.” Lorcán cupped his hands over his mouth before yelling.

“AURORA!” It was only met with the screams of creatures barely held at bay by the quickly residing fires.

“You’re going to break her heart if you leave,” The shade of Aurora argued, holding a hand out for Lorcán to take.

“I’m going to break her heart if I stay,” Lorcán argued, “I have to get out of here, I’ve been gone too long.”

“I know the way out, I promise you, I can show you the way.” The psychopomp urged, holding out her hand again, “I only want to help you, Lorcán. Just take my hand and this can all be over,” The took a step back, pushing her hand out further, “Please, Lorcán just take my hand and put an end to all this suffering.”

But Lorcán shook his head, turning to run before he tripped. The forest around him seemingly disappeared, the heat of the fire was replaced by the warmth of the sun. He toppled forward, falling for what felt like an eternity before falling through a glassy surface. Water splashed over his face, the familiar smell of the ocean washing over him as Aurora’s giggles filled his ears.

“I told you I can’t balance.” She stated, pushing her own wet hair back from her face. Lorcán’s heart skipped a beat as the sun refracted on the gold heart pendant, water droplets collecting on her skin, slowly following the subtle curve of her collarbone before disappearing between her bosom and into the sea.

Her smile was warm and mischievous, accented by her delicate jawline and heart-shaped face. Blue eyes like the sky above lit up with amusement as Lorcán steadied the board and held it again for her.

“One more time, Lady Dude, no more clam dragging, we’re getting you upright on this board.” Waiting until Aurora was kneeling on the surfboard, Lorcán clambered up behind her, gently placing his hands on her waist. His breathing quickened as his hands touched her bare sides, ensuring he kept them above her waist while keeping his arms from wandering beyond the small of her back.

Slowly, he moved his hands upwards, pushing water droplets aside as he traced her sides before joining their hands and slowly bringing her arms outward. A few playful squeaks and squeals escaped Aurora as she swayed slightly only for Lorcán to steady the board.

“You’re tickling me,” She managed to spit out in the midst of her fit of giggles.

“Not intentionally,” Lorcán replied before Aurora suddenly spun around and danced her fingers along the male’s ribcage. Lorcán reflexively pulled his arms in, as he twisted to get away before feeling two hands firmly plant on his back and he was launched back into the shallows again.

Shaking his long hair, Lorcán sprayed Aurora with a fresh shower of water before taking hold of the surfboard and tipping it. The sudden motion sent Aurora toppling from the board before she found herself caught in Lorcán’s arm, noticing for the first time just how big his biceps actually were.

“You caught me?” She asked, her ribs hurt from laughing as she looked curiously up to Lorcán’s face only for a pearly white smirk to come as the reply. The young man quickly lowered his arms, dunking Aurora under the surface as the girl squealed in protest, splashing as hard as she could before Lorcán let her free as she scrambled back to shore.

“I don’t think surfing is for me,” She called, “But that looks like a great wave, why don’t you show me how you’d do it?” Aurora gestured towards the horizon as the swells began to pick up.

The acrid smell of smoke returned as Lorcán’s nostrils flared. He turned to the swells, watching a wall of fire engulf the horizon and spread across the shallows as it raced toward shore. Getting out of the water, Lorcán ran across the beach only to find himself back in the forest, a scream echoing behind him.

“Aurora?” Lorcán called into the empty forest.

“Sorry, dude,” A voice replied as Lorcán turned to see a different woman leaning against a tree. “You’re stuck with me now,”

“And how are you supposed to show me comfort, brah?” Lorcán retorted to the shade as she stepped out of the shadow. She pulled down her hood, allowing her vibrant red hair to spill over her shoulders before holding out her hand and igniting the air into a blade of plasma.

“We’re past comfort,” Ryan smiled, “Now is time for a lesson in letting go.”

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

Take On Me #3.047: Think About You

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_{Interaction(s): @Melissa - Aurora Mitchell}

Previously: Knockin' On Heaven's Door

Ripley’s question had hung in the room for a few seconds before Cassander broke the silence.
“Where did you hear that word?” He asked, as Ripley sheepishly shifted from one high top clad foot to the other.

“Do you know what it means?” She asked, avoiding the question as Cass raised an eyebrow before shaking his head.

“Not really no, I mean, I know what I think it means but you’re now the second person to bring that up.” He replied referring to his trip with Aiden. “I think it’s some kind of creature, I did a quick search and it comes from a Native American myth but nothing I turned up really explained what’s happening with Roth.”

He looked through his shaggy blonde bangs, his green eyes studying Ripley’s body language. She had clearly done something she wasn’t supposed to have.

“So I ask again, where did you hear the term?”

“Uh,” Ripley’s voice trailed off a bit while her eyes looked to Aurora for an ally. “I may have followed that Alyssa girl instead of getting that snack for ‘Rora.” Ripley muttered, “And I may have thrown my ear into a room to eavesdrop on her and Luce…” She paused, turning back to Cass accusingly.

“Wait!” She snapped, “Where did you hear it?” Cass let out a sigh, it wasn’t that he was purposefully withholding information, it was that Aiden had asked him to remain vague about their trip to the Northern Peninsula lest all of Blackjack suddenly go up there looking for clues.

“When Aiden and I were in the forest, we encountered a woman named Ellara, it was her who told us about the salve and she mentioned a wendigo.”

“Luce and Alyssa were talking about reaching out to an ‘Ellara’, do you think it’s the same person?”

“How many people do you know named Ellara?” Cass snarked, prompting Aurora to interject.

“Not the time, Cass.” But her face contorted into one of confusion as she backtracked, going back to what he had said previously. “Wait, salve? What salve?”

“Ellara mentioned a salve made of crushed chrysanthemums would slow the infection, and Uncle Aiden had one made when we got back two days ago. But unfortunately, it didn’t have any effect.” Cass replied, running a hand through his hair. “It was pretty unconventional, so Uncle Aiden wanted to keep it pretty quiet.”

Aurora’s eyes went wide, “Chrysanthemums?” She blurted, “Jonas told me that a salve of crushed chrysanthemums would slow the spread, it didn’t work?” The girl shook her head in disbelief, the older man’s words from before coming back to her.

“Jonas?!”

Both Cass and Ripley repeated the name at the same time before looking to Aurora for an answer, Cass taking the lead once again.

“When you say Jonas, you just mean a student right?” He asked, “You’re not talking about Aiden’s mentor Jonas, former Chancellor, suspected Hyperion, tainted legacy Jonas?”

“Leo always referred to him as his grandpa,” Ripley interjected, before Cass shot her a look. “Well he did,” She argued as Cass rolled his eyes.

“Either way, that Jonas is dead,” Cass retorted, turning back to Aurora, “So who is this new Jonas?”

Realization crossed the redhead’s features.

“You don’t know… do you.” She breathed, remembering a few seconds too late that Lorcán had only just found out about the late Chancellor’s ability to show up posthumously, and Tori and Aiden had kept it quiet prior to that for a reason. The looks on Cass and Ripley’s faces said it all, and she cursed under her breath, running a hand through her copper locks, perplexed and a little distressed that she had revealed this secret instead of them.

“No, I’m talking about Jonas Jonas, as in Dr. Lehrer, Jonas.” Aurora bit her lip, trying to find the right words to explain it properly. She sincerely hoped Lorcán’s parents wouldn’t be angry with her, she couldn’t wait to have that conversation with them. “He’s dead but he’s also… not. I don’t know how to phrase this correctly.” Taking a breath, she tried her best.

“Jonas he, he can travel to different points in time, but he doesn’t exactly control where he goes. So yes, he’s dead, but past versions of him are, well, not.” The girl looked at Ripley, “You just asked me if I had seen a ghost, it was because Jonas paid me a visit a few minutes ago. Took one look at Lorcán and knew exactly what had happened without me needing to tell him, but couldn’t reveal anything other than to try a salve of crushed chrysanthemums.”

Aurora conveniently left out the part where she had told Jonas she’d switch places with Lorcán in a heartbeat, and the subsequent lecture.

“Aiden can explain more about it when he’s back, just let me apologize to him first for being the one to break the news.”

“I think the only way any of that is going to make sense is when I’ve had at least three drinks in me.” Cass replied with both hands pushing on either side of his head. He shook his head several times still trying to wrap his mind around exactly what Aurora had just said.

A small knock on the door interrupted the three as their conversation came to an abrupt halt. Turning to the door, a woman dressed in scrubs and a face mask held up a clipboard with Lorcán’s chart on it before stepping in.

“I just need to check on the patient,” She stated, Cass’ ears piquing at her voice. “I’ll just be a sec if you all don’t mind stepping out of the room so I can do a full examination.”

Cass looked at the woman again, her emerald eyes locking with his before she gave him a small wink and closed the door.

“How did Luce and Alyssa say they were getting in contact with Ellara?” Cass asked, interrupting Ripley as she struck up another conversation with Aurora.

“I didn’t understand to be honest with you,” Ripley replied, “Something about a summoning charm? Rune? I don’t know, it sounded like they were talking about witchcraft or gibberish at that point.”

“Stay with Aurora,” He ordered, “And shoot me a text when that ‘doctor’ leaves Lorcán,” He added before rushing away without an explanation. If Ellara was already in that room then he had no doubt that the other two were nearby, or at least one of them.

Rounding a corner, Cass saw the flowing locks of red hair leaning against the next adjacent wall just outside of the rooms in the secure wing..

“Townsend!” Cass yelled, causing Alyssa to jump, turning to see her classmate. “Townsend, why is Ellara in my cousin’s room?”

“You know my cousin?” Alyssa asked, “Wait, are you the blonde boy with cute eyes?”

“She said that?”

“She also said you were a moron.”

“Yeah, she said that,” Cass replied, “Still doesn’t explain why she’s in Lorcán’s room.”

“Ellara Van Abrams is the only chance we have to save your cousin from death.”

“Was the only chance you had to save your cousin.” A voice replied from behind Cassander as Ellara made herself known. “I didn’t expect to see you again so soon,” She said with a small smile to Cass, before looking between both him and Alyssa.

“Your friend, cousin, whatever he is, he’s a goner. There’s nothing more I can do for him now.” She stated. “In a human, his Ünterseele would have already begun to devour his Überseele and the transformation would be irreversible.” Ellara shook her head, letting out a small curse that Alyssa didn’t recognize before the older woman continued speaking.

“But even as a Hyperhuman, even with the Einseele,” Ellara paused, “It’d still be a kindness to kill him now, the death he’s going to experience is far more painful than the transformation ever would be.”

“His unter and uber what?”

“What do they teach at this school?” Ellara asked with a raised eyebrow while turning to Alyssa.

“We’re really not that kind of school, school has a bad case of the ‘mundies’ if you know what I mean,.” She replied,

“I have no idea what either of you are talking about!”

Ellara shot Alyssa an exasperated expression before she looked back at Cass.

“Under and over soul.” She elaborated before further explaining, “The Überseele, or oversoul is seated in the brain. It contains the thoughts, memories, and personality of an individual. The Ünterseele or undersoul is seated in the heart. It contains the appetites, emotions and fears of an individual. You Hyperhumans however have one ‘unified’ soul. It comes with a lot of benefits, but it also means for your friend he’s being ripped apart.” Ellara eyes locked with Cass’

“Where a human would either become a wendigo or other undead hellion, your cousin will become an empty vessel as his soul is completely devoured, and an empty vessel is the perfect host for something far worse than a wendigo. I suggest you mourn his loss now and destroy the body while you still can.” Ellara warned, “Because I can assure you, that whatever comes through that portal, will take more than this school combined to put down.”

“You can’t ask them to do that Ellara Van Abrams,” Alyssa began to plead before Cass spoke over her.

“Better yet, we’re not going to do that.”

“Then you’re fools who’ve already damned themselves.” Ellara snapped back, “I’ve already saved you twice, don’t expect me to come running back here if you choose not to heed my warning. A vessel void of a soul is a surefire way for something to break free of Limbo, and there’s a reason that those that dwell are neither welcome on this plane nor Ünterland.”

“So you’re just going to leave?” Cass replied.

“I told you, there’s nothing I can do here so unless you want me to kill your friend, then I’m leaving.” Ellara replied ditching the scrubs and taking her leather jacket back from Alyssa who had been holding it. Adjusting her weapon holsters before swinging the garment over her shoulders she looked at Cass.

“Look, I’m not unsympathetic to your plight, but this is a futile fight. I’m not giving up, I just know when I’m beat and unfortunately there are people out I can still save so I have to keep on the Path.” Turning to leave, Ellara paused one more time.

“I hope you two do listen to me, but in the highly likely chance you don’t,” She gave a small smile, “I’ll hope for a miracle.”

Cassander watched for a few moments longer as Ellara continued down the hallway before she was lost in the infirmary staff and visitors making their way through the hallway. Shaking his head he turned back to Alyssa.

“I should talk to Aurora.” She said, taking a step before being stopped by Cass.

“No,” He replied, “She needs to hear it from me, you’ve done enough, but it’s time we start bracing for the worst.” He stated, “I can’t believe we’re going to lose Lorcán.”

Cass turned to leave, waiting until he had rounded a corner out of sight from Alyssa before he ducked in an empty room and closed the door.

Even that wasn’t enough to cover the angry sobs that followed.

Commencement: A Foundation Institute RP

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

Take On Me #3.046: Hell Or High Water

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

Previously: Broken Bones

Having sedated Haven again, Daedalus moved to a sink to scrub up for the procedure. Pained groans from his other subject echoed from a covered cage nearby eliciting a snicker of amusement from Daedalus as he looked around the labyrinth-like sub-basement that lurked beneath the Academic Quadrangle. This area was off-limits to staff and students alike, having been condemned due to flooding in the foundation years ago. Previously used by Isabella Christianson as a lab while she was in the employ of Yakob Kowalski, it had since been locked up while the Academic Quadrangle had been lifted onto a new foundation through a feat of Hyperhuman ingenuity.

That left the sub-basement disconnected and completely vulnerable to rats such as Daedalus.

Behind him, seated around a small card table were the three Hyperhumans in his employ, his agents who carried out the retrieval and disposal. They sat there content with a couple of bottles shared between them and a greasy pizza from who knows where. Cards in hard, wagering bottle caps from pillaged Hyper-Aid.

“Gentlemen, and lady,” Daedalus interrupted, leaning over the table, “I’ve put the girl down for a sleep, nothing worse than operating on an anxious subject. In the meantime, I should like to drain the boy of his blood, where have you placed the body?”

“The boy?” The first man asked only for the woman across the table to shoot him a glare. Massaging his temples, Daedalus took a deep breath before explaining.

“When I sent you to capture Haaaveeen, you said there was a boyfriend. As we can’t afford witnesses, I told you to kill him and bring me the body. Her boyfriend contains the very blood type we need to continue these experiments, it would be comparable to Subject Y except more readily accessible. Now, where’s the body?”

Two blank stares met Daedalus’ face as the woman began to shrink in her seat, her glare intensifying.

“We didn’t bring no body.” One of the men stated as the other eagerly agreed.

“Yeah, we injected him with the sedative, same as the girl and left him there so as not to arouse suspicion over two missing students.”

“You left a witness?” Daedalus snapped only for the one male to shake his head.

“No, he was sedated, he didn’t see anything.”

“You were supposed to use the poison.” The woman snapped, suddenly growing bold enough to speak only for a stern eye from Daedalus to quiet her again.

“Oh,” The first man replied, the realization suddenly dawning on him.

“Right,” The second man interjected, “Oh, right. The poison. The poison for the boy, the poison chosen especially to kill the boy, the boy’s poison.”

Reaching down to the discarded belt and bag, Daedalus picked up the syringe loaded with the poison, holding it up as if to prove his point before driving it into the neck of the second man. Injecting the syringe, he watched with a cruel sneer as the man’s eyes rolled back into his head, foam appearing at the mouth before blood poured out of his eyes and ears.

“What did-” The first man protested only to find a pair of blood-stained gloved hands on either side of his head. The last thing he heard was the sickening snap of his own neck before his lifeless body slumped into the chair and landed hard on the table.

The click of a gun caused Daedalus to pause as the woman managed to stand and draw her weapon before the madman turned on her too. The twisted surgeon simply smiled as he threw his arms wide.

“Oh please, please shoot-” The sound of the gunshot echoed through the thick concrete walls as Daedalus looked down to see a patch of crimson quickly pooling beneath his clothing. He laughed wickedly before an ethereal-like form discarded the body, the wispy blue essence swirling through the air before merging into the woman’s body. She staggered backwards for a few seconds before cracking her neck.

“Please shoot me.” She laughed looking down at the weapon and holstering it. Looking at their previous body, Daedalus smiled wickedly before skipping away merrily from the corpses. Wheeling their supplies on the nearby transportation pad, Daedalus rounded up their samples and victims before taking one last look at Haven.

“I told you, I won’t let anyone take you from me.” She sneered before pressing a button that set off a chain reaction of small explosives. Water from springs within the island began to rapidly flood the sub-basement as Daedalus and his experiments were whisked away by the transportation pad leaving Haven to suffer a watery grave.

Commencement: A Foundation Institute RP

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

Take On Me #3.042: Broken Bones

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

Previously: Break My Baby

“You love these wings don’t you?” The man asked, looming over Haven running a hand through her feathers, tugging at them and caressing them. “The very thing that marks you as a Hyperhuman, as a sub-class, as a freak, you’ve found pride in them, how interesting.” A snort echoed through the room followed by a slight snicker before the man in the dingy lab coat continued to speak.

“How inspiring,” He cackled, “Where are my manners, I am Daedalus, the architect of a future of a world full of Hyperhumans who have pushed the boundaries of their evolution.” Daedalus boasted, a smug smile plastered over his face. “It’s a real shame you aren’t all as cooperative as Subject V, I could make you truly beautiful, Haaaveeen.” He dropped his tone to whisper, the way he said her name causing Haven’s blood to curdle in her veins before Daedalus gently wiped the back of his hand against her cheek, smearing Haven’s tears with sweat, grime and blood.

“Would you like to meet Subject V?” The madman asked Haven, spinning the girl around so that her gaze fell on the assembled remains of a person.”She’s beautiful isn’t she?” He asked Haven before softly caressing the skull of the woman’s remains.

“In another lifetime, she was known as Vanessa Bordeaux, the first victim of the Crestwood Killer. But what most people fail to stop and ask is, why Vanessa? Why was she targeted instead of, say, her brother?” Daedalus asked, looking at Haven as though he was engaging in a back-and-forth with the gagged young woman. “Vanessa Bordeaux had a Hyperhuman ability never since seen, the ability to imbue virumosis in another. Yes,” He stopped, pausing dramatically before continuing.

“She could create Hyperhumans. Did nobody ever wonder why all of Vanessa’s closest friends were Hyperhumans?” The man simply laughed to himself as though Haven had told him a hysterical joke.

“But thankfully Vanessa’s gifts carry on and we were able to exhume the body and recover enough DNA to replicate the effects of her abilities in others.” He smiled wickedly.

“Even in other Hyperhumans.”

He danced almost gleefully before gesturing to the syringes lined up nearby.

“By introducing trauma into the body and suppressing the existing Hype-Gene, we are able to force a new mutation whereby the Hype-Gene completely changes classifications to compensate. We can further accelerate the process by introducing DNA from subjects A and Y.” Daedalus proudly explained to the hostage Haven. “Though the true key was unlocked from Subject 00, the only one who evER GOT AWAY!” He roared, his mood once again changing on a dime before Daedalus kicked over a nearby light and sent a tray of instruments flying across the even more poorly lit room.

“HOW DARE THEY TAKE HER FROM ME!” He roared, “How dare they tell me to stop, what I was doing was for the benefit of us all! I am our saviour!” Daedalus was practically foaming at the mouth, jumping up on the gurney and leaning over Haven, spittle flying from his mouth every time he hit a dental sound and his tongue clicked against his stained teeth.

“Shh, shh, shh,” His tone softened as he stroked Haven’s face again before gently climbing off the gurney. “There’s no need to worry, Haaaveeen,” Daedalus soothed, looking down at the girl fondly.

“I won’t let anyone take you from me.”

Commencement: A Foundation Institute RP

“What is this?” Lorcán’s voice cracked as the shade with Aurora’s face guided him through the forest, the flames parting as the psychopomp led him back along the path the stag had run.

“These are your first steps,” She responded, “Come, don’t delay, there is someone eagerly waiting to meet you.”

“Someone?” Lorcán repeated, “Waiting to meet me?” He asked, more confused than ever.

“Yes,” The psychopomp replied with Aurora’s signature smile, her eyes lighting up, the pinch of her cupid’s bow and playful dancing at the corners of her mouth. “She’s incredibly excited, she’s waited your whole life to meet you.”

“My whole life?” Lorcán asked, repeating the odd verbiage. The roar of the inferno was slowly fading in his ears the closer he got to the light at the edge of the forest. Shivers were running up and down his body, chills setting in as he slowed his footsteps and pulled away from the shade.

“I don’t want to go yet,” He stated, looking back towards the fire. “I’m not ready yet,”

“University is a big step,” Aurora replied from beside Lorcán as the pair looked out over the beach. It was the first weekend of September the year after Hyperion’s attack, the first year that Aurora and Lorcán were transitioning from the Collegiate programs into University. Aurora had declared her major in psychology, but Lorcán had yet to declare his.

As usual, nightmares had brought Aurora out to the beach, but for once, she wasn’t alone in the growing anxiety that came when the sunset. Lorcán’s stomach was in knots about moving into University and joining Blackjack, the same team both his parents had been on when they were students. The pressure of legacy was doing a number on the boy’s usually relaxed demeanor.

Lorcán looked to his right, Aurora was dressed comfortably in a pair of leggings and a baggy sweatshirt in a colour that managed to both bring out her eyes and accent her hair. He had seen her in a swimsuit, in uniform and even in a dress and still, there was never a time she looked more beautiful than she did now.

The pair had spent many nights out on the beach in this very spot. Lorcán swore it was the best spot on the entire island to look at the stars. They’d been out late before, but never to the point where they were both taking turns stifling yawns.

Lorcán looked down, feeling a weight against his shoulder, copper-toned hair catching the corner of his eye as he realized Aurora had fallen asleep against his shoulder. A smile crossed his face before he stifled another yawn.

Maybe this year won't be so bad after all.

“It won’t be, but you need to come with me.” Lorcán felt smoke fill his lungs again, prompting a cough as he took a step forward towards Aurora again. He knew she wasn’t his Aurora though and he felt himself starting to freeze, he felt worse the further he got from the fire.

“Please, Lorcán, come with me,” The psychopomp sounded eerily like Aurora as she pleaded.

“I can't lose you.”

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

Take On Me #3.039: Knockin' On Heaven's Door

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_{Interaction(s): @Melissa - Aurora Mitchell}

Previously: Live and Let Die

Two days had come and gone since Lorcán had been transferred to his private room. A nurse had been in each day to change out his bandages but the wound underneath continued to look worse despite the salve. The veins in his arms had become blue while the skin spreading outward from the wound became darker and darker, the lacerations turning nearly black. The smell of the wound itself was absolutely putrid, nearly causing both Ripley and Cassander to gag on multiple occasions.

Aiden had convinced Tori to walk back to their apartment for a decent rest while both Ripley and Cassander had returned to class. That left Aurora alone at Lorcán’s side while the young man continued to slip in and out of consciousness. Even when he was conscious, Lorcán was rarely coherent, the fever and infection in his body leaving him in states of delirium.

Rothschild had joined Aurora and was curled up beside the girl on the small sofa adjacent to Lorcán’s bed. Tori had been ensuring the girl still was getting what sleep she could, eating and had plenty to eat. In a bittersweet way, it seemed that Lorcán’s mother had been enjoying having both Aurora and Ripley around, treating the pair as if they were both her own daughter having never had the chance to properly care for girls before.

The days had started to blur together.

Aurora couldn’t tell you how long she’d been sitting there, watching as her best friend fought for every breath he took. She felt absolutely helpless, but there was nothing to be done but wait. Her hands were tied, and that in itself was debilitating. But she found solace in staying by Lorcán’s side, keeping him company even if he didn’t realize it. She didn’t want him to be alone, and knew he’d do the same if the roles were reversed.

The redhead leafed through her book as she sat on the sofa, mindlessly running her fingers through Rothschild’s soft coat as she attempted to distract herself. She looked up from the words on the page every few minutes, as if she didn’t believe the consistent and metronomic beeping of the monitors. For once, the girl opted not to have her headphones in, the sound of Lorcán’s heartbeat the only thing she wanted to hear.

Needed to hear.

Rothschild let out a small whimper, lifting his head to look at Lorcán before exhaling impatiently and placing his head back on Aurora’s lap, pushing his brow under her palm as if to demand more affection from the girl. His head suddenly snapped to the side, the dog’s black lips curling upwards as a half snarl was caught in his throat only to disappear, replaced by a happily wagging tail as Aurora’s eyes were drawn to a man who had somehow entered the room.

He stood there for a second, as if just as lost about how he ended up in the small private room. A hand decorated with a signet ring rubbed over his smooth, bald head before he tugged on the blazer of his suit, turning to greet Aurora with a smile.

“Apologies for the intrusion, Miss Mitchell,” The man bowed humbly, “I rarely get much say in it.” He vaguely explained before turning to Lorcán unconscious form laid out on the bed beside him. An outstretched hand gently hovering over the bandages, as the man examined the boy with a familiarity that should have made Aurora uncomfortable. His nose wrinkled in protest at the odour coming from the decaying flesh before he took a step back and once again straightened the neatly pressed suit he wore.

“Ah,” He stated knowing, “I see my grandson has run into some trouble in the Northern Forest,” Jonas concluded, looking all too nonchalant about the entire situation. “Have they tried a salve of crushed chrysanthemums? It should help slow the spread.” He added, taking a seat across from Aurora before crossing his legs.

“And how are you, Miss Mitchell holding up? I imagine seeing him there like this isn’t the start to your final year that you had hoped.”

Aurora nearly jumped out of her seat, startled by the man’s sudden appearance, her novel falling to the floor with a dull thud. Gasping, her hand had moved to rest over her heart, pulse having skyrocketed. “Dr. Lehrer,” She breathed, recognizing him instantly with confusion in her gaze. However, it dissolved quickly, her conversation with Lorcán from the other day coming to mind, remembering that his spontaneous emergence happened from time to time. “I guess this is how everyone else feels when I just teleport in… I gotta stop doing that.” She stated, more to herself than to him.

The redhead watched as the older man examined Lorcán, raising an eyebrow at his neutral expression. She would have assumed he’d be just as torn up about this as the rest of Lorcán’s family, given how close she knew they were, asking questions and wanting answers. But at his mention of the Northern Forest, she realized that Jonas likely knew something that they didn’t, and nodded in response.

“I’m not sure what they’ve tried, but I’ll ask the nurse when she comes in to check in on him.” Aurora replied, leaning down and picking up her book and setting it on her lap. She reached out towards Rothschild and began petting him once more, seeking comfort as she spoke. “It’s been a rough couple of days,” She admitted, the bruise on her face, which had begun to fade, seemed to warm at the thought of the Trial on top of Lorcán getting injured. “I’m trying to stay strong, for him and for his family, but I’d be lying if I didn’t say I was scared.” Her blue eyes drifted over to his unconscious form, sadness in them evident.

“How much do you know?”

“I know many things, some that can ease suffering and many that are irrelevant.” Jonas replied, “But I am vowed to also allow the natural course to proceed, I am not of this here and now nor is this my place to interfere.” His expression softened, as he reached a sympathetic hand forward toward Aurora.

“And I know, that is unbearably difficult to hear. From where you’re sitting, I have all the answers and the means to save his life, to spare all of you the pain, the anxiety and the worry.” Jonas squeezed Aurora’s hand, “But truthfully, child, I unfortunately am not the one who can save him. Another still has a role to play and so the river continues to flow, no matter how many times I step foot into it, it continues to move around me.”

The redhead felt her eyes start to water, unable to stop the flow of tears that began to slowly fall over her freckled cheeks. It was cruel, that Jonas seemingly had all of the answers and yet, he held them just out of reach. But as angry as it made her, she knew it wasn’t his intention to do so. Aurora removed her hand from his and stood, not wanting the older man to watch her cry, and walked over to stand by the bed where Lorcán lay.

His tanned skin was dull, devoid of his usual sunkissed glow, and he looked fragile lying there, normally so strong and sturdy. “I can’t lose him Dr. Lehrer,” She almost whispered, resting her hand on the edge of the bed. “I thought he left me, during the Trial, and I truly didn’t know how I was going to go on.” The girl looked up at the older man, “He’s all I have.”

“Lorcán is suffering, his family is suffering.” She swallowed, “If I could switch places with him, I wouldn’t hesitate.”

“My child, I do not mean to be cruel,” Jonas replied, “I practically see you as family, much like my beloved Aiden and Victoria. Not to mention, my grandson.” He stood, walking over to Lorcán again, “But switching places with him would not lessen the suffering, do you think fewer people care for you?” He asked, looking back at Aurora.

“The only thing that would change is that he was there and you were here,” He motioned, “Aiden, Victoria, Ripley, Cassander, they would all be here worried and anxious for your well-being. That’s not including the rest of your teammates, Miss Baxter especially would likely be researching everything she could to find a cure.” He paused,

“Nor your own mother,” Jonas added, “Lorcán would have moved heaven and earth to ensure she was here if the fates were turned. No, the suffering most certainly would not be less.”

He clutched his chest, before he suddenly disappeared and then reappeared again.

“Oh Miss A, I’m afraid our time has come to a close.” Jonas stated, vibrating again, “If I could leave you with one thing, after he wakes up, just-” And then Jonas was gone, his sentence unfinished and Aurora was again left alone with only Rothschild who let out a small whimper before putting his head down between his front paws.

“Hey ‘Rora, I’ve got some time between classes, can I grab you a snack?” Ripley burst into the room, barely looking up from her phone as she asked the question. The older girl's lack of immediate response was enough to draw her attention upward.

“You look like you’ve just seen a ghost.”

Aurora quickly wiped at her tears, not wanting the younger girl to witness her losing her composure. She didn’t even have time to process everything that Jonas had said, all of his words rattling around in her head, more questions swirling in tandem. “I’m fine,” She deflected, knowing that Ripley wasn’t clued in to the older gentleman’s ability to show up from beyond the metaphorical grave. “Yeah, I should probably eat something, a snack would be good.” She mustered a smile, hoping it didn’t come off as forced as it felt. “Thanks, Rips.”

Turning around, Ripley ran out the door, her face colliding with that of another as a mess of red hair was pushed into her mouth before she managed to spit it out.

“Geez ‘Rora, you need to warn a girl before you teleport-” Ripley scolded before realizing that neither the hair nor the face belonged to Aurora.

“My apologies, friend, I just wanted to check on the boy from the forest.” The redheaded woman replied.

“You’re Alyssa right?” Ripley asked the familiar looking woman. “The one who found him?”

“Myself and Lucille Calder,” Alyssa replied.

“You really didn't see what attacked him?” Ripley asked as Alyssa's eyes darted to the left, before she nervously bit her bottom lip.

“I’d love to tell you the whole truth, but I can't.” Alyssa replied. “I hope he gets well soon.” She offered solemnly while backing into the hallway before spinning on her heels and heading in the opposite direction.

Ripley looked towards the vending machine remembering the snack she promised Aurora before opting to follow Alyssa.

Hanging back, she watched as Alyssa ducked into a room before silently slipping down the hallway and peeking into the room to see Alyssa alongside another young woman who she assumed had to be the woman who helped her bring Lorcán in.

Reaching to the side of her head, Ripley took a hold of her ear before taking a deep breath and giving it a tug. It popped off with less resistance than she anticipated before peeking around the corner again. Neither Alyssa nor her blonde companion noticed her and Ripley took the opportunity to quickly lob her detached ear across the room watching it land on a sofa cushion. Focusing on her ear, Ripley began to hear Alyssa’s conversation.

"If the cousin is asking questions, then Aurora will start soon too. Blackjack has a history of...prying."

Luce shook away memories of campfire soul-spilling and peer-pressured revelations.

"Lucille Calder, you know I can't abide lying." Alyssa retorted. "We should divulge the whole truth, even if they don't understand."

"It's not about understanding. They just won't believe us."

"We go to a school for people with superpowers. Ellara is wrong - they're more open minded than she says, they'll listen."

Luce pinched the bridge of her nose. In a way, this clash of perspectives was why they'd survived their 'gap year' so well, and continued to be such a steadfast pair. In other ways, it irritated Luce, especially when Alyssa held her to account. Being back at PRCU made Luce antsy, and she was certain Alyssa could see it.

"Superpowers are one thing - there's plenty of science to back it up. But there's no literature on Limbo, Ünterland, wendigos, or anything else we encountered in the last five years." She sighed, absent-mindedly drifting her fingers over one of the many scars that criss-crossed her skin, most of which she'd picked up during the pair's adventures in their time away.

'Good thing you can heal' indeed.

"Look. If you want to march in there and tell Aurora her boyfriend is dying because a wendigo infected him and is now attempting to devour his soul and turn him into the very same ravenous monster that we'll then have to put in the ground just like the first one, then you go right ahead. But it won't make a difference. The fight's up to Lorcán now. You'll just incite panic."

"He's not her boyfriend."

"Whatever! It doesn't matter!" Luce replied, exasperated and half-yelling, throwing her hands up. "If we want to fix this, we need Ellara. Can you get her back here?"

"She left me enough to make a summoning rune, I can get her attention."

Ripley ducked out of sight as the pair exited. Running into the room, she retrieved her ear before bursting into Lorcán’s room finding Cass had joined Aurora. They turned to look at her while Ripley looked from Cass to Aurora and then Aurora to Cass and back again.

“Do either of you know what a wendigo is?”

Commencement: A Foundation Institute 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 Foundation Institute 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 Foundation Institute 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 Foundation Institute 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 Foundation Institute 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.”