PatientBean

《 Super H.E.R.O. 》

Hi, this sounds just up my alley!

Dragon Age: Grey Dawn

The Velvet Thorn

The Velvet Thorn

| {Full Name} |

Colette du Lafayette aka The Velvet Thorn

| {Age} |

24

| {Species} |

Human

| {Gender} |

Female

| {Class/subclass} |

Rogue/Assassin Bard

---

| {Appearance} |

Colette stands at 5'7' and has cream-colored skin and light gray eyes. Her hair is light blonde that falls to her lower back, though she usually keeps it tied up when not in disguise. Colette has a scar on her right shoulder from a job gone wrong. Despite how attractive she looks, she rarely has a smile on her face and, when she does, it is only for people who deserve it.

She walks with purpose, but usually quietly. She seldom wears cosmetics when not disguising herself, though she will put in some effort on an average day. Her ensemble consists of light armor and a cloak as it is ideal for sneaking around. She has a pendant she has with her though never wears. If you ask her about it, she is as likely to punch you in the face than answer.

| {Equipment and Personal Belongings} |

Silveer Pendant - A silver pendant on a chain. It looks like it can be opened up. Colette carries it with her but never wears it.

Dark Daggers - Her primary weapon of choice. Engraved with Orlesian markings, she is never without these at her side.

Lockpicks - Standard fare for a rogue. She's had her set for years now.

Throwing Knives - Suitable for long-distance combat and good for taking out enemies stealthily, Collete carries a few with her as needed

| {Skills} |

Lockpicking - Colette is able to pick locks with ease. She always carries her tools with her and no door or chest can stand in her way.

Stealth - As an assassin, stealth is key. Colette can use the shadows to help her blend in and move without being seen. Her footfalls are quiet.

Disguise - Colette being a trained bard as well as an assassin is able to disguise herself. She has appeared as an Orlesian noble, a scullery maid, a fishmonger, and even a Templar knight. She is able to trick others through words and actions.

Singer - Despite it all, a bard is a bard and one needs an instrument. Colette uses her voice to charm others and sings beautifully.

| {Talents} |

Dual Combat - Colette is trained and can fight using a weapon in each hand. She prefers using her dual daggers in a fight, but can also use a sword or axe in a pinch.

Weakpoints - Colette is a rogue and, as such, does not do much in-your-face combat, preferring to sneak around and identify weaknesses in her enemies. She can capitalize on these and inflict more damage, especially if she is unseen.

Throwing Knife Combat - Colette can use throwing knives in battle. She can use them both in and out of stealth. Colette can take down unaware enemies or use them to significantly weaken enemies she is facing off against.

| {Home/Family} |

Colette was born and raised in the du Lafayette family, a prominent noble house known for their silks and perfumes. Colette was the youngest of five children to parents who cared more for their wealth than any family bonding. As such, they made many enemies. An attack on their homestead left only Colette and her eldest brother, Sebastien, alive. Having fled their family home, Sebastien was eventually tracked down as the heir and was killed. Colette barely escaped. She was forced to live on the streets and find shelter and food where she could, leaving her to a life of crime. She swore vengeance on the Nobility for taking her family away.

| {Flaws and limits} |

Chip On Her Shoulder - Colette has faced many hardships and met many people who backstabbed her or worse. As such, she is slow to trust others. She often keeps people at arm's length or insults and belittles those she deems unworthy of her time. She has a barbed tongue for even those she does like. She is not without loyalty provided those she is around can prove they have her best intentions.

---

| {Personality} |

Colette can be said to be abrasive and snarky and that is not without merit. Having gone through hard times, she views the world as more morally gray than others. A stolen piece of bread might limit the baker's funds for the day, but it provides a starving child nourishment for the evening. Colette is slow to trust others having been betrayed before. She is quick to insult others, even those she considers allies, and is not one to back down from confrontation, especially if people are quick to assume she is weak or soft.

She is not without loyalty or trust though. Colette has a soft spot for children and will go out of her way to ensure they are protected if in danger. When there are those in her life that she deems trustworthy, she is loyal to a fault. She may be slow to admit it, but she has few people she considers friends, but anyone who is one has an ally for life.

| {Background} |

Colette's family was murdered before her eyes, leaving a young girl to fend for herself. Walking the streets of Orlais as an urchin did not do much to earn her favors, but Colette quickly realized how easy it was to rob the Nobility. They often did not miss it or care if a few heirlooms were gone. As she grew older, she became bolder and bolder in her crimes. She quickly grew skilled in being unseen and unheard, but she also was able to don a mask of whoever she needed to be if it suited her, allowing her to escape notice from authorities.

Eventually robbing grew dull and without merit. Colette's abilities had grown then and she was handpicked by a small order of Bards to join their ranks. At first, she refused, but the Bards opened her eyes to a world of possibilities where she would make the Nobility pay in blood rather than gold. So she honed her skills and learned more. How to play the role of delicate flower to get an unsuspecting suitor into bed and finish them off.

One such job ended poorly as Colette was left alone when she was promised back-up. She was caught with a Noblle lady she intended to kill and was dragged off to jail. She was quickly sentenced to death and was brought forth for her punishment. Unbeknownst to her and others, a Gray Warden was in the crowd having come to Orlais looking for recruits. Before her sentence could be given he strode forth and conscripted her on the spot. Despite the guard's protests, she was allowed to go with the Gray Warden. Colette, obviously, fought him off at first, but he promised her a home amongst the Wardens should she survive and wouldn't that be better than being on the run so much?

With revenge still hot in her mind, she decided to go along with it and survived the Joining. Colette initially showed resistance but had to learn quickly that teamwork made things easier. Slowly she worked her way into some recognition amongst the order, though most of her work was rarely seen (which was intentional). Colette also learned that the Wardens could, for the most part, be trusted as she managed to get out of some sticky situations with their help. Colette proved to be a valuable asset for information as well as discreet operations. Despite being somewhat new to the order, Colette quickly found a home amongst them.

Dragon Age: Grey Dawn

@Apollosarcher Ok I added a little bit more. I would say she's new to the Wardens, but not brand new.

Dragon Age: Grey Dawn

Colette du Lafayette

The Velvet Thorn

| {Full Name} |

Colette du Lafayette aka The Velvet Thorn

| {Age} |

24

| {Species} |

Human

| {Gender} |

Female

| {Class/subclass} |

Rogue/Assassin Bard

---

| {Appearance} |

Colette stands at 5'7' and has cream-colored skin and light gray eyes. Her hair is light blonde that falls to her lower back, though she usually keeps it tied up when not in disguise. Colette has a scar on her right shoulder from a job gone wrong. Despite how attractive she looks, she rarely has a smile on her face and, when she does, it is only for people who deserve it.

She walks with purpose, but usually quietly. She seldom wears cosmetics when not disguising herself, though she will put in some effort on an average day. Her ensemble consists of light armor and a cloak as it is ideal for sneaking around. She has a pendant she has with her though never wears. If you ask her about it, she is as likely to punch you in the face than answer.

| {Equipment and Personal Belongings} |

Silveer Pendant - A silver pendant on a chain. It looks like it can be opened up. Colette carries it with her but never wears it.

Dark Daggers - Her primary weapon of choice. Engraved with Orlesian markings, she is never without these at her side.

Lockpicks - Standard fare for a rogue. She's had her set for years now.

Throwing Knives - Suitable for long-distance combat and good for taking out enemies stealthily, Collete carries a few with her as needed

| {Skills} |

Lockpicking - Colette is able to pick locks with ease. She always carries her tools with her and no door or chest can stand in her way.

Stealth - As an assassin, stealth is key. Colette can use the shadows to help her blend in and move without being seen. Her footfalls are quiet.

Disguise - Colette being a trained bard as well as an assassin is able to disguise herself. She has appeared as an Orlesian noble, a scullery maid, a fishmonger, and even a Templar knight. She is able to trick others through words and actions.

Singer - Despite it all, a bard is a bard and one needs an instrument. Colette uses her voice to charm others and sings beautifully.

| {Talents} |

Dual Combat - Colette is trained and can fight using a weapon in each hand. She prefers using her dual daggers in a fight, but can also use a sword or axe in a pinch.

Weakpoints - Colette is a rogue and, as such, does not do much in-your-face combat, preferring to sneak around and identify weaknesses in her enemies. She can capitalize on these and inflict more damage, especially if she is unseen.

Throwing Knife Combat - Colette can use throwing knives in battle. She can use them both in and out of stealth. Colette can take down unaware enemies or use them to significantly weaken enemies she is facing off against.

| {Home/Family} |

Colette was born and raised in the du Lafayette family, a prominent noble house known for their silks and perfumes. Colette was the youngest of five children to parents who cared more for their wealth than any family bonding. As such, they made many enemies. An attack on their homestead left only Colette and her eldest brother, Sebastien, alive. Having fled their family home, Sebastien was eventually tracked down as the heir and was killed. Colette barely escaped. She was forced to live on the streets and find shelter and food where she could, leaving her to a life of crime. She swore vengeance on the Nobility for taking her family away.

| {Flaws and limits} |

Chip On Her Shoulder - Colette has faced many hardships and met many people who backstabbed her or worse. As such, she is slow to trust others. She often keeps people at arm's length or insults and belittles those she deems unworthy of her time. She has a barbed tongue for even those she does like. She is not without loyalty provided those she is around can prove they have her best intentions.

---

| {Personality} |

Colette can be said to be abrasive and snarky and that is not without merit. Having gone through hard times, she views the world as more morally gray than others. A stolen piece of bread might limit the baker's funds for the day, but it provides a starving child nourishment for the evening. Colette is slow to trust others having been betrayed before. She is quick to insult others, even those she considers allies, and is not one to back down from confrontation, especially if people are quick to assume she is weak or soft.

She is not without loyalty or trust though. Colette has a soft spot for children and will go out of her way to ensure they are protected if in danger. When there are those in her life that she deems trustworthy, she is loyal to a fault. She may be slow to admit it, but she has few people she considers friends, but anyone who is one has an ally for life.

| {Background} |

Colette's family was murdered before her eyes, leaving a young girl to fend for herself. Walking the streets of Orlais as an urchin did not do much to earn her favors, but Colette quickly realized how easy it was to rob the Nobility. They often did not miss it or care if a few heirlooms were gone. As she grew older, she became bolder and bolder in her crimes. She quickly grew skilled in being unseen and unheard, but she also was able to don a mask of whoever she needed to be if it suited her, allowing her to escape notice from authorities.

Eventually robbing grew dull and without merit. Colette's abilities had grown then and she was handpicked by a small order of Bards to join their ranks. At first, she refused, but the Bards opened her eyes to a world of possibilities where she would make the Nobility pay in blood rather than gold. So she honed her skills and learned more. How to play the role of delicate flower to get an unsuspecting suitor into bed and finish them off.

One such job ended poorly as Colette was left alone when she was promised back-up. She was caught with a Noblle lady she intended to kill and was dragged off to jail. She was quickly sentenced to death and was brought forth for her punishment. Unbeknownst to her and others, a Gray Warden was in the crowd having come to Orlais looking for recruits. Before her sentence could be given he strode forth and conscripted her on the spot. Despite the guard's protests, she was allowed to go with the Gray Warden. Colette, obviously, fought him off at first, but he promised her a home amongst the Wardens should she survive and wouldn't that be better than being on the run so much?

With revenge still hot in her mind, she decided to go along with it and survived the Joining. Colette initially showed resistance but had to learn quickly that teamwork made things easier. Slowly she worked her way into some recognition amongst the order, though most of her work was rarely seen (which was intentional). Colette also learned that the Wardens could, for the most part, be trusted as she managed to get out of some sticky situations with their help. Colette proved to be a valuable asset for information as well as discreet operations. Despite being somewhat new to the order, Colette quickly found a home amongst them.

The Season of the Enlightened

Rules for the RP

1: Posting will be done at least once per 10 days. If you wish to post more than once in that time period, you are welcome to do so, but keep in mind others who may need more time to get something up. We do not want to progress so far that we leave others behind

-If you find you are unable to post in that time period, I ask that you let me know. Real life gets in the way and it is understandable

-If you intend to collab on a post, I ask that you try to get collabs done within the 10 day span. If it is going to take longer, perhaps consider making it a Part 1 and Part 2 deal. If that cannot happen, please communicate with me.

2: Be respectful to others. If you find you are having issues with someone else in the RP, I ask that you resolve them in private.
3: This RP will be set in the 1800s during the Regency period. As such, historical issues will come up. Certain groups of people were not treated kindly during this era. Sexism, racism, homophobia, transphobia, etc. are all things that are expected. If you intend to use any of these issues in a post, I ask that you please offer a Trigger Warning. If you find you cannot handle these in the RP setting, I suggest finding a different RP. None of these will be tolerated in the OOC or on Discord.
4: Romance can and will happen but I draw the line at explicit scenes. This is a rule for this RP and well as the Guild overall. If you would like to write out a scene, I ask that you do so in the comfort of a private message. Any scene should fade-to-black before it gets that far.

-This RP is for adults so all players are 18 years old or older. Characters will also be 18 years old or over. If you intend to use a child in the RP as a support please keep in mind the nature of the RP.

5: This will be a 'One Main Character Per Person' RP but I encourage you to flesh out your story with a number of supporting characters. If you want to use someone else's supporting character in your own post, please ask that individual first and ensure they are being portrayed correctly.
6: Character death can happen, though this will always be communicated with the individual. If your character dies in the RP you are allowed to create a new character.
7: This is a game full of secrets and changing loyalties. I ask that you please not spoil anything in the OOC or Discord so others may enjoy the mystery.
8: Combat will happen. If your characters are in combat, whether between player characters or with NPCs, I expect you to respect each other and determine how it plays out. Your character will win fights. Your character will lose fights. It is just as fun to lose as it is to win.
9: Everyone will have their moments to shine in this RP. If you have a story idea, please share it with me to see how we can incorporate it into the overall plot. I want this to be a collaboration of everyone creating something fun and meaningful.

Dragon Age: The Grey Dawn

Hi, I have been circling this for a bit now. Is there room for another?

X-Men: Cosmic Crusades 👽

---

---

Peregrine Mayfield

---

---

Location: Mansion
Skills: N/A
Fit Of The Day

---

Perry did her best to hold in the fangirl squeal as Kiara wanted to talk to her about fashion later but it came out as a small wail-like echo before she clamped her mouth shut. "Cool. coolcoolcoolcoolcool. Yes, later sounds good. Once I wipe the floor with these jokers in the game I'll come find you." Perry turned to the others, ready for the game to begin.

She was happy Max seemed to take her suggestions. Being the murderer and hiding the crime would be super dope. Should she be this excited about murder? Probably not but that was Future Perry's and Future Perry's therapist's problem to handle. "Let's get this show on the road already! I didn't get dressed up to stand around."

The Dead Don't Die.

Location: New York City, Verity's Office
Skills: N/A

---

---

Verity quickly forgot Jeremy or Johan or whoever it was as soon as he got out of the office. He was not getting the job and Trudy would be the one to tell him so. Trudy excelled in that role, being direct and firm but kind to not discourage the person further at another office.

As Trudy came and told her about her interview, Verity considered options. "Call for an Uber if you would please, I need you here holding down the fort. Make sure everyone is on task now that we sent those sick and concerned people home. Order it now and I'll head down if you could. And as always Trudy, I would be lost without you."

Trudy was one of few people that Verity confided in and knew more about her than anyone else. Not even Verity's ex-husband knew half the stuff Trudy knew.

Once satisfied, Verity got up and checked herself in the mirror. She wanted to look good for the interview. She made her way down in the elevator and out to her Uber.

Commencement: A Foundation Institute RP

^{________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________}

_{Location: Southern Plateau, Dundas Island - Pacific Royal Campus}

Welcome Home #2.032: With Family Like This

^{_{____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________}}

_{Interaction(s): Banjo (@Hound55), Gil (@Roman)}

Previously: Under Water, Above Board

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

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

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

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

Calliope turned and pushed open her door and stepped through.

---

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

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

"Well....shit."

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

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

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

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

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

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

Was this when the torment began?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

No.

Not this time.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Dead."

"You should be dead."

"Die already"

"Do the world a favor and accept it."

"Pathetic"

"Weak"

"Childish"

"Damsel in Distress"

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

No.

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

No it was more.

It was ice.

"WEAK!"

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

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

"You are not my family anymore. So fuck you!"

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

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

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

Silence.

---

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

She needed her family.

Commencement: A Foundation Institute RP

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_{Location: Southern Plateau, Dundas Island - Pacific Royal Campus}

Welcome Home #2.022: Under Water, Above Board

^{_{____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________}}

_{Interaction(s): Banjo (@Hound55), Gil (@Roman)}

Previously: Perfectionist

Calliope took some centered breaths despite all around her. Her eyes were shut and darkness was all she saw. Despite this, it was a measured peace. Until she heard her voice. What was once associated with an internal monologue she struggled against every day, this one was corporeal. Or at least as much as can be. Calliope’s eyes shot open as another her stepped forward. It was like looking in a mirror. Except this mirror was laced with venom. If condescension was a person, it would be this figure. Another Calliope and one that mocked her and the others. She wasn’t alone though as another Katja stepped forward, one itching for blood.

Calliope tentatively stood up, her breath shaking as she was about to reach for Banjo. More for assurance than anything. Before she could, the duo taunted them one last time before they were shifted elsewhere. It took her time to adjust to her new surroundings.

Eventually, she centered herself and looked around. In the athletic field were scattered machinery in various forms of destruction. They were moved from the others—more than likely in an attempt to separate them further. The intentions were clear: they were not expected to get out of this alive.

Soon the sound of moving parts drew her attention as one of the robots turned to look at them. Followed by another. And another. And another. Red, raw eyes.

“I…I think we’re in trouble.” She said with a shaky breath. Knowing it was not the time to fall apart. Not yet.

She was rattled. Rattled but not broken. Pushed by a drive towards perfection from a domineering presence over her life, ‘trouble’ was to be feared. To her, the trouble was to be avoided at all costs.

Trouble was where Banjo lived.

“It’s alright. Through it is the one way out of this. So we’re gettin’ through it. Together.”

He turned and saw the third wheel. Gil.

“And him too, I guess…”

“Buddy, I’m as glad that I’m here as you are, so can it.” Gil responded, the rapidly-swinging events around them grating away all his usual patience and good-nature. The Trials were never safe safe, but the university was always in control, and that was an important distinction to make - and one that no longer applied. Gil wasn’t going to wait around to test how much damage the projection-and-neural-uplink combination was really capable of.

Banjo took no small amount of pleasure in watching the cracks appear in Gil’s usual facade in the absence of the others from their team. “Typical.” He thought to himself, reaffirming his previous opinions of the actor, a wry smirk creasing across his face.

Gil tapped his fingers together in a quick, unconscious tic as he ran his eyes over everything that surrounded them. The bots were an obvious threat, and Gil hoped they didn’t have anything flashy up their sleeves, and even if the dome and the oceanic environ beyond it were illusions conjured by projection and their neural uplinks, those same tricks would make the several-thousand-tons of water crashing down on them feel very, very real if it were to break through the glass. Up wasn’t an option, and the bots began to crowd them, herding them toward the center of the arena, and away from the doors at the far end.

“It’s a trap.” He said aloud, and then cursed himself for being so incredibly, dim-wittedly obvious as the Australian’s sarcastic reply was little more than a singular eyebrow raise. He quickly corrected himself, his voice doubling and then tripling as Gils 2 and 3 stepped forth from him to prepare for the incoming bots. “What we mean is, whoever this is is trying to keep us stuck in here,” he indicated to the bots beginning to circle them, “and away from those doors. So I reckon that’s our best way out.”

Calliope took some more controlled breaths. She glared at Banjo after his comment about Gil. “You both can put whatever feelings you have for the other aside. We are working together here or we’re dead.” Calli looked around when Gil pointed out the dome and the water. She didn’t want to add that she didn’t put it past the Foundation or whoever set this up to make it so it still felt like they were drowning, even if they weren’t.

She looked around and noticed Gil was right. The robots were doing their best to crowd-control them to the center. If nothing else it was a plan. It was better than pretend drowning in this space. “Ok, take down the robots and I will freeze the door controls. Afterwards, Banjo can use his powers to break the lock, hopefully leading elsewhere. Keep the robots at bay in the meantime. Sound good to everyone?”

“Sounds fantastic. I mean they’re only training robots. Likely training robots with the safeties probably disabled, but–”

As Banjo spoke, they began to reassemble themselves. They were modular in nature and even capable of combining to become even larger threats, as a few were even demonstrating now. Most simply took the quickest means to becoming a threat once again, reforming to attack as singular units.

“Better make a move, anyhow.” He sprinted across the arena and threw a shoulder into the first robot, driving it into a second which broke apart as it attempted to reassemble.

He grabbed a stray robot limb and began clubbing other robots with it, making sure to keep moving and not stay in any one place too long.

“See? Easy bloomin’ peasy!” He said. Standing once again, amidst an arena of separated individual robot parts.

…which once again began to seek to reassemble.

“Until they do that…” The robot arm he was holding tried to turn itself on its hydraulics to grab a hold of his throat. “Gah!” Banjo threw it back in the pile, where it reattached itself to another torso. “And of course, meanwhile we get more and more tired with every pass.”

Calliope didn’t need much as she ran towards the door. Some of the robots seemed to sense her goal and got in front of her. Calliope quickly formed an ice shard, sending it careening into and through one of the robots in front of her. She sped forward unleashing a roundhouse kick against the sharded bot as it slammed backward into another one pushing the shard through it as well.

She sped around them but was grabbed by another and pulled her in. She put her palm on its chest and began freezing it from the inside. The robot tightened its grip as she saw ice particles forming. When satisfied she punched through it and pushed it away, sending it to the ground. She could see them reforming, but it still took them some time.

She maneuvered around and got to the door. “I’m here. Keep them off me!” She put her hands on the door controls and summoned as much power as she could. Thankfully the room itself was not without some moisture as she gradually began to freeze the controls.

Gil meanwhile had leapt into the fray behind Banjo, grateful for the projected nature of the Trials as punches and kicks connected with what represented metal but thankfully wasn’t quite as rigid beneath their blows; it still felt just as bad when the retaliation met flesh, though, and Gil could feel bruises blooming beneath his skin already. The trio worked methodically, bouncing bots and each other off themselves, using the momentum to land stronger hits. They had no solar-powered strength or fancy cryokinetics to fall back on; all Gil had was numbers, and he needed to use them.

Gil whipped his head around as Calliope yelled out, pouring her focus into the door. With quick hand signals he gestured to Gil2 and Gil3, and the pair nodded in understanding: cover Calliope. Get that door open. They departed quickly, sprinting across the arena to fend off the bots coming for the ice queen.

The original, meanwhile, scooped a scrap piece of metal rod that had flung off a battered bot and hefted it in his hand, taking a long backhand swing at the nearest approaching bot and following-through as hard-light metal met hard-light metal and sent the bot careening away, sparks flying. A second, identical rod appeared in Gil’s other hand, and with a practiced flick he whipped it through the air; his aim was true, and the sharp, snapped end of the replica rod embedded itself in the chassis of his target. Lights went out in the bot’s eyes, and it crumpled to the floor.
“They’ve got us eventually, by sheer attrition.” He remarked, ducking a swing and responding with his own with the rod. “We need to leave sooner, rather than later.”

Calli felt the tension behind her as the controls gradually began to freeze. She didn’t just need them cold, she needed them beyond frozen enough for Banjo to power through it. This wasn’t even a guarantee they would get out. On top of it, she still felt panicky but it was a mixed cocktail of anxiety and adrenaline. It was kind of nice to see that she opted for Fight rather than Fly or Freeze.

The robots could see her, she felt. But Gil and Banjo were doing their part and she really wanted to see how Gil handled himself in a fight. But she needed to focus. The controls shimmered as ice coated them. Once she was satisfied, she finished it, feeling the energy sap out of her. She took a tentative step back before turning back to the fray.

“It’s done! Banjo, do your thing and everyone cross your fingers it works. Even you robots!” Banjo’s influence: fighting while joking.

Banjo raced back towards the door, taking the opportunity to kick over a few more metal menaces in the midst of re-assembling themselves, just as she stepped away to make room.

“Right-o! And here, we… hup, scuse I, ya bucket a bolts.” He slapped a robot aside that stepped in front of the door.

“Go!” With a thunderous effort, he rocked back and stomped a boot into the frozen locking mechanism, punching through it and leaving the door unpowered and able to be slid open.

“Go! Go! We’ll freeze the door closed behind us!” He called back to the others.

“Right behind you!” Gil yelled, sprinting for the door as Gil2 and Gil3 yanked it open while continuing to fend off the bots, now threatening to completely swallow them. Banjo was the last one through, and the copies let go of the door, allowing it to slam closed again behind Gil, Calliope and Banjo. Through the thick metal there were distant sounds of destruction and yelling, before suddenly being cut short and falling into silence. The copies were replaceable, but that didn’t make the doubled sound of his own demise any easier on Gil’s ears.

The trio turned away from the door again; they were in a corridor, sterile and stagnant like the ones from the initial corrupted boot of the simulation, but darker now. There was little light, and the hallway seemed to stretch on forever ahead of them, quiet and shadowed and foreboding. Cautiously, they began to make their way down. There was simply no other direction to go.

Eventually, they came to an end - one that crept up on them, surprising them in the dark, and then confused them with a silent, cryptic riddle. Three doors embedded into the wall, humble and unassuming, but labeled thusly:

CALLIOPE. ANDREW. GIL.

Banjo grunted out a sigh at the name on the door presumably left for him.

“These people… It’s like everything is bein’ done with the express intent of pissin’ me off.”