PatientBean

Commencement: A Foundation Institute RP

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

Take On Me #3.060: Let's Give 'Em Something To Talk About

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_{Interaction(s): Banjo (@Hound55)}

Previously: Scars and Bruises

Calliope had an interesting week. Classes were essentially a blur. She was sure she participated; at least none of her teachers appeared to worry. But her mind was racing. The events of the Trials still fresh, as well as her conversation with some of her teammates. It all blended together into an interesting smoothie.

She also kept hearing that inner voice in her mind, questioning every move. Every night she worried she would have nightmares about her appearing. Therapy was also going….she wanted to say well, but she knew she was keeping a lot held back. On purpose though. She knew she needed to get it out. But she didn’t want to in some office. She needed to speak to the one person she hadn’t yet ‘confronted’.

She needed to speak to Banjo. There was nothing else to be said about it. They needed to have a conversation. It would be tough. It would be hard. She was sure she would probably cry (and a small part of her hoped Banjo did too, though she would not hold her breath).

She made her way to his dorm, hoping he was there.

Banjo stood in front of the open refrigerator running his eyes over the same shelves again and again.

His shelf had three different meals he’d picked up from the cafeteria which had been ‘diet approved’. None looked appealing.

He’d never seen so much flaxseed in his life.

He poked at one, and then slid it aside to get a better look at another plate. He stuck his tongue out. He was only days in and he’d had more than enough tuna for the month. He nudged that plate away to view the third.

It didn’t look recognizable as food.

He growled out a long low sigh, as his stomach joined him with a low gurgle.

The door knock broke the drudgery of a life of peripheral neuropathy-friendly nutrition. He got up a half-hitched gallop and got to the door just before Alex Zimmerman, who was eager as always. Or maybe just jittery. Hard to tell. He thought to himself.

Her appearance drew a broad smile across his face until her expression made it clear that her purpose wouldn’t be all fun and games.

”Alright, eyes back in ya head, y’ dag. This one’s here for me.” He shoved Zimmerman back playfully, as he stretched an arm across the doorframe.

”Take it ya here for more than just a friendly chinwag…” He said, picking up on the level of concern that creased her beautiful brow, and the slight pout that suggested everything was less than ideal. He looked back in his dorm and surveyed the conditions. Big Steve was stretched across the entire lounge. They didn’t talk as much as he did with Zimmerman, but something about his omnipresent nature suggested that this wouldn’t be the place for private conversation.

”I could do with a feed anyway. Walk to the Mess?”

Calliope had not expected him to answer the door. Hell, if she were being honest, she sort of hoped he wouldn’t be home so she could put this off for a minute. But it was important. ”Sure.”

She waited until he was ready and out before she started walking toward the Mess Hall. She looked down to see her rubbing her wrists and stopped it immediately. Bad habit. Once they were a bit away from the dorms, she decided to bite the bullet. ”We need to talk.”

She mentally chastised herself. We need to talk? Who the hell starts a conversation like that? ”No that makes it sound bad. I mean it is bad, but it isn’t that level bad. I just…we just…” She felt a rising panic in her chest. God, how was she supposed to get through this?

One look into his eyes though, that centered her. ”I think we need to talk about stuff. Stuff that hasn’t been said but needs to be. I know you feel it too.”

Banjo double-checked his pocket for his keys, and upon confirmation pulled the door shut behind him.

”Must be big, if it takes a preamble and opening statements.” He quipped with a widening smirk, as he hobbled along.

”S’alright, hon. Whatever it is. We’ll figure it out. Now what’s got ya knickers in a twist?”

”Banjo, that’s part of the problem. There’s time for joking and there’s time to be serious. Your girlfriend telling you she needs to talk about something important is not the time to be joking.” It was one of the things she loved about him, but it was also a crux for some of the issues they were having.

”We haven’t talked much after the Trials. We haven’t explored what happened. What I saw, what I went through, it was hard, but a part of me got through it because of you. That doesn’t mean the things I heard didn’t strike a nerve. They knew what buttons to push because they were thoughts I had been having for a while.”

“And I continued not saying anything to avoid pressuring you, but I need to talk about it. And I never got the sense you wanted to listen. You made jokes or waved it off. After we got out and we were being checked out you left me to go check on Haven. Admittedly, a sweet thing to do, but part of me hated it. I needed you there with me and you left. And in the hospital when you were being checked out and told what you needed to do to get better, you seemed to not care. Like you wouldn’t listen. And I need you to listen, Banjo. We all just went through hell and your demeanor makes it seem like it was just another Tuesday.”

“I don’t believe you think that, but I need to you to know it has impacted me and hurt me. And apart from therapy, I’ve had no outlet for it apart from speaking to Haven and Harper. But as nice as it was to speak to them, I needed you. And as hard as it is for me to admit, you weren’t there. Physically, yes, but emotionally….no.”

”I just… don’t want to push you and figured you’d talk when you’re ready. I could tell you probably needed to process things. I’m not tryin’ to remove myself or make myself unapproachable to talk to. You need to talk now, I’d love to listen.”

“If you need me, I’m here. If you’ve EVER needed me, I’m here. I don’t plan on goin’ no place, you’re not. So I guess it’s just findin’ the words. Til then… I can wait.”

”That’s another thing though. The pressure to not be the type of person that constantly needs you to keep things to yourself for my benefit. I want you to tell me when things bother you or upset you. Even if it seems like I am processing my own stuff. That’s how relationships, partnerships, work.”

“On top of that I have been pressuring you into things you may not want. I want a family and marriage and all the things with it, but I never once considered what you might want. And there’s still an underlying anger at our chosen careers. I thought I was over it, but you remember our fight about you waiting to be a public defender. That resentment I had I held on to.”

“You never did tell me what you saw in the Trials. I don’t want to push you, as I said, but I want to be there for you like you are constantly to me. We can lean on each other.”

”But I’m not feelin’ any pressure. Not from you anyway. You’re the part of my life that’s goin’ sweet. I mean, am I scared of the possibilities which could come with ME havin’ a family. Yeah. But it’s not something that I don’t want to do with you. Every concern about it that I have has nothing to do with you. Hell, the way I see it, the only people who go into parenthood without at least a little bit of fear are people who haven’t given it real thought.”

He kicked dust as his leg jerked through on their walk. ”You’re probably right. But I know you did it tough, and I didn’t want to pile onto your stuff before you’d had a chance to talk it out. Mine’s not much, it’s just… more. And you’ve already been doin’ it tough. As for my bein’ a defense attorney. Well there I can’t help you. I mean, I get why it might be an issue for you. I get the public stigma as well. But that’s kind of just me. Part and parcel. But I get that it can be botherin’ you.”

”I mean, if you want me to give you a complete rundown play-by-play of what happened in there, fine. The one thing that that probably would have messed me up and stuck with me, wasn’t true anyway. That’s what the thing with Haven was about. It was relief. But you want to know everything that went on in there, that’s all good. It’s no secret. The one thing that’s botherin’ me, that’s makin’ me feel fenced in is this stupid bloody leg. And you’ve been there for me with that as well. Without even bein’ asked. I’ve got no issues, I know you’re there for me if I need. To me, it’s just about patience and time for when you’re willing to talk.”

There was a lengthy pause.

”Oh, NOW..?” He burst out in sudden realisation.

”Well, my leg being like this bothers me more than I might let on. And not because it hurts or anything, or regarding the trial. I just don’t like bein’ boxed in and told I HAVE to do stuff. HAVE to eat right. Have to exercise. Have to stop smokin’, drinkin’ and coffee. It’s all lifestyle-based. All of my problems with it. I might have LOOKED like I wasn’t listening, but it's more I just didn’t like what I was hearin’. That’s all. I mean, this is all just whinin’, pissin’ and moanin’ on my end. There’s people with ACTUAL genuine problems comin’ out of the trials. Mine… I’m pretty much good now. The one holdover which would’ve sucked… Didn’t happen. Haven’s still alive. So, I mean, I’m golden.”

”Long story short; it said it was goin’ to make me watch as it killed off all of you one by one, where I couldn’t do anything about it before I’d bite the bullet. Showed me Haven’s… bloody horrific death, then that made me realise I had to go and find you right-quick. Other than that… claustrophobia… bunch of other stupid fears and insecurities I have, that seein’ them only showed me even more how stupid they actually are. And I found you and we’re out.”

”So… How ‘bout you?”

Calli could understand somewhat over being told what to do. Granted, in Banjo’s case, it was for his benefit. ”Banjo, I love you dearly, but that is the dumbest thing I have ever heard. Being told to do things for your benefit so you heal faster might suck initially, but at least you’ll get better quicker. I get coffee and alcohol, but you should also quit smoking anyway. Also, if you do eventually want a family you are going to have to make sacrifices like that anyway. But it’s also cute how rebellious you are. Sometimes. I think that’s part of my worry. I know you are serious when you need to be, but sometimes you push that boundary and I hope our kids inherit some of that. Except towards us. They should listen to us.”

Then Calli listened as Banjo spoke about his Trials experience. She couldn’t imagine seeing the horrific deaths of your friends and teammates and then expecting to be okay. There was more surely, but he was at least being open.

”I was put in what they assumed was a perfect world for me. My father was dead. My mother actually gave a shit. And my brother was around and needed me. I knew it was fake and fought against it because I knew I needed to push through. Eventually they attacked me. Turned into some black ooze monstrosity. Taunting me and ridiculing me and my choices. Basically hitting every insecurity I have. I fought them off but I got hurt. And when I came out I was met with Butler who told me we shouldn’t be together. And then he shot my leg off. Or at least it felt like it, obviously.”

“But their words still had some truth to them. The feeling of always needing to be saved. The worry I am not good enough. The concerns over the future and how I expect myself to be perfect because if I am anything less than I am not living up to the potential afforded to me when I came here but also the need to fight back over the boxes people keep putting me in. I mean the only reason I was put in charge of the upcoming dance was because they said I was used to that type of thing. I don’t think they even considered that I was all but forced into being that type of person growing up and how I was expected to be what my father wanted, which put me in tough and potentially dangerous situations. And yet I have Harper coming to ask me to fix her hair because I surely know how to do it. And I don’t blame her, but I wish sometimes the others looked at me like more than some pretty face with an upper-class background. Plenty of others would say I am blessed and, to some extent, I was. But those blessings had a toll that, if I hadn’t gotten out, would have cost dearly.”

“Yeah, I– I think I saw some of that. Somethin’ horrible grabbed you by the leg. I didn’t see enough to know exactly what though. It just– It wanted me to see people at their most vulnerable. When it looked like they mightn’t make it. I heard Katie scream out… I don’t know what caused it, but I’m tellin’ ya. NOBODY should ever have to hear Katja scream out… Bloody chills you to your core. But as for Butler, you mean Old Mate? The bloke who’s been watchin’ over me? That doesn’t check out. He’d probably give you his boat as thanks and payment for takin’ me off his hands.” He chuckled.

“I’m sorry you went through that on your own.” He said, not lifting his head, his leg dragging through the dirt, kicking up dust. “And I’m really sorry, I got outsmarted by three doors with our bloody names on them, particularly when the name outside of mine isn’t even the one I think of myself as…”

“Not because you need to be saved… but just because a lot of this stuff… I wouldn’t want you to have to feel like you have to face it alone. Y’know?”

“I’ll tell you though… the thing I figured out from mine. I saw through it a bunch of times, and it was easy to tell when I figured it out. It was targeting our fears and insecurities. And the reason I cracked it was because it hammers them, whether or not they actually make sense. I used to be scared that I’d– well, that I’d eat the sun, and kill everybody on this world, as I turned it into a frozen wasteland, and could even cause the heat-death of the universe… but that’s because I was young and dumb, and trying to come to terms with these new strange powers and also coming to terms with weird astrophysics notions I was learning at the time, and my powers were opening new neural pathways… Anyway, it’s not a thing I could actually do, not in the way it was showing me. But it was still a fear that I had– well, have. Even if it doesn’t make any sense…”

He raised his head to make eye contact with her.

“Well, hon… I think it did a bit of that with some of your insecurities which don’t entirely make sense as well. Worryin’ that you’re not ‘good enough’, worrying that you’re falling short of someone else’s notion of ‘perfect’. Because neither seems to hold any merit with me. I get that your father did a number on you… But you’ve never been less for as long as I’ve known you.”

”But I don’t want to diminish any of what you went through either… We should probably actually get in touch with your brother. It’s been too long.”

Calliope felt warmth fill her chest. Her insecurities and doubts felt miles away in that moment. She could almost picture her inner voice stomping around having a temper tantrum. It was incredible to hear Banjo open his heart. She knew this was a moment to be cherished.

”Yeah, I’ve been meaning to call him. Plan a visit. His wife and child could come too. I haven’t seen them in so long.” It brought a smile to her face, knowing that despite everything she had gone through then brought her here. And while there would be many tribulations in the future, from The Foundation, from her father, from any other enemy, she knew she could face it down so long as she had her friends with her. And especially Banjo.

She felt tears form and quickly wiped them away. ”You’re incredible. Every inch.”

“Well… you’re alright too.” He said, once again mastering the understatement. “I just… don’t want you to feel you have to worry about me. I love ya.”

Before she could speak she felt her phone buzz. She had felt it before but had ignored it to focus on the conversation. She took out her phone and read the messages as her face fell in realization. How could she have been so stupid?

”It’s Haven….” She looked at Banjo, panic in her eyes. ”She’s been taken! Everyone has gathered and are on their way to where she might be. Harper just sent it. We need to go!” Calli put her phone away and stopped. Banjo was injured. But she knew him. He’d want to be involved. ”You okay to go?

The trials were over, but the Foundation and its influence remained. And with that, Haven had once again gone missing. His mind went back to everything he’d heard around the campfire. Her screams. The dramatic splash of blood as the saw found flesh.

“Couldn’t imagine anyone stoppin’ me.”

Avengers Academy: Junior Year 💥

Sabine Bassard

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Location: The Gym - Simulation
Fit of the Day: Gym Outfit
Skills: N/A

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Sabine was gradually becoming less and less okay with Gideon's shenanigans. Especially given the number of lives they and Mary Sue had left. "So, it is very much cursed so I would recommend not being alone with it, even to test something. Playing it seems like a bad idea." Despite her belief Dorian could handle it and be okay, she didn't want to risk it. Who's to say that losing a life in this game wasn't the end, even if you had a lot left?

Sabine heard the footsteps and looked at the others to see if they did. Dorian didn't seem to. "So those were footsteps I just heard up above, so the ghost is moving. We still need to figure out what type of ghost, right? Anything we can do before they get closer to us?"

X-Men: Cosmic Crusades 👽

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Peregrine Mayfield

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Location: Mansion -> Victorian London
Skills: N/A
Fit Of The Day

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Perry was truly in heaven.

She was stepping into the shoes of her favorite detectives! Which, as she thought about it, all mainly were men. Granted there were the likes of Miss Marple and Nancy Drew. And now....Peregrine Mayfield! Or Miss Peacock as her character dictated. "Well hot dog! This place is the cat's meow and all that jazz and why don't you come on over and see me sometime!" She directed this to pretty much no one. She was just having fun!

She took out the map provided and decided to head towards the pub. Once inside she looked around. If she were a clue, where would she be? There are plenty of areas in the pub and plenty to hear also. She hoped no one followed her, though she could hardly blame them given her detective prowess. But she couldn't trust any of them!

She went to the end of the pub and began her search.

Roll Request

Perry is going to search for clues in the pub. No skills applicable.

Commencement: A Foundation Institute RP

Calliope sat on the hospital bed, holding one wrist with her other hand as she rubbed it. Her mother sat in one of the other chairs close by the bed, though her attention was taken by whatever was outside her window. Calli couldn't see clearly but she made part of the hospital's roof with some of the air conditioning units going and not much else. Her mother must be really interested in air conditioning.

The door opened and Calli tensed up thinking it was her father when she saw that it was the doctor that saw her the other day. The doctor was a kind-faced man with light brown skin and dark hair that was turning gray despite how young he looked. His eyes had tell-tale crinkles on the sides as well as by his cheeks, formed from constant smiling and laughing. Calli had never seen those before.

"How are we feeling today Calliope? You remember the scale I showed you?" he asked, pointing to the sign on the nearby wall. A scale from 1 to 10 with 10 having a giant smiley face next to it and 1 with a frowny face. Dr. Richmond had talked her through it to report how she was feeling. He made sure she knew that it wasn't just if she was in physical pain, but also if she was feeling sad or scared or anxious. Dr. Richmond prided himself on his work with children. The other doctors and nurses knew he was wonderful at his job, able to make kids feel calm and safe even in the face of dire circumstances.

Calliope remembered the conversation and remembered what her father told her after the doctor left the room. "10." Calliope said that with sure finality, as if just by her answer she would be let go and they can go back home. She at least could be in her room with her toys.

Dr. Richmond smiled warmly. "That's very good! I am glad we are taking such good care of you." Dr. Richmond glanced at her mother, who was still taking great care to ensure those air conditioning units were up to snuff. Calliope couldn't fully tell, but she noticed his warm smile dropped ever so slightly when it was apparent her mother would not look at him. "Well, if all is going well we can see about getting you out of here soon. We have some final things to wrap up, but if all goes smoothly we can get you back in your own comfy bed by tonight. Mrs. de León? Would you mind if I have you step outside to talk to the nurse to finalize some of the paperwork? Should only be a moment."

Her mother finally turned to look at the doctor. No emotion on her face as she nodded her acknowledgement and stood up and made her way outside. Calliope felt like her mother was a ghost, just roaming the halls with no rhyme or reason to any movement. It was like her husk was there, but any semblance of her mother had been yanked out a long time ago.

Once her mother was out of the room the doctor turned to face her as he pulled up one of the chairs and sat down. "Calliope, I am so happy to hear you seem to be feeling better, but you know you don't have to lie to me, right?" Calli tried hard to remain stoic, but internally she felt herself fall. The doctor must have seen it too, but to his credit, he did not show it. "I know you said you fell off your bike at the park. But is that all that happened?"

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Calliope's mind flashed back to the moment. She didn't lie. She did fall off her bike. What she did not say was that she was pushed off. It was a park in her neighborhood so very few families ever were there as most either didn't have children or they had children that were not near Calli's age so she was often on her own or with her sister. Though more and more lately her sister kept to herself and avoided going out at all costs. Calli had wanted to ask but everytime she did her sister would get mad and shut the door in her face. Calli was sure she heard her crying, even when their father wasn't the cause.

So that day it was just her and her parents. Her father was on his phone constantly and her mother was reading a book, which left her to her own devices. Calli actually did not mind these moments. She could even imagine herself as a normal kid hanging out at the park before she went home to a family who played board games togehter or had movie nights before being tucked into bed with a story and a kiss.

But that was not how it was. Every so often she would catch her mother looking at her with a weird expression on her face. One that could be worry or sorrow. But it would be quickly erased, replaced with her vacant stare or with a wine bottle.

That day at the park she was riding around when she saw a dog. The dog was not on a leash and did not appear to have any owners. It was curled up under a tree and looking around. Calliope could tell it was probably sad or scared. She looked back at her parents, noticing they were too engrossed in their own things, as she made her way closer to it. It looked at her and did not move. She slowly reached a hand out. The dog allowed her, sniffing her hand as if to test her, before she was able to pet it. She could hear the dog whimper lightly. The poor thing was abandoned or worse. Calli felt a sort of kinship with the being.

Until she felt her bike yanked back, causing her to fall forward, hitting her stomach and lower parts against the bike. She felt the anger behind her as she saw her father. "What the hell are you doing? Do you know how many diseases that thing could have?" Calliope wanted to respond, but felt no response would be justifiable. The dog uttered a low growl. "See? It could bite you at any moment and then where would you be?" Her father grabbed her wrist and yanked, nearly causing her to fall off. The dog took that as a sign as it finally stood up and jumped at her father, biting his leg. Her father yelled out in pain and swung his leg around, attempting to get the dog to unleash him. Calliope could only look on in horror as the dog was flung every which way before it let go. Her father turned and reared his leg back before Calli looked away and could hear the yelp the dog let out. She didn't want to see what happened but she heard her father curse under his breath. Before she knew it, her bike was being moved forefully as her father kicked it, causing it to fall to the ground with a heavy thud with her on it. She felt her leg throb in pain and her arm catch herself. She looked up at her father, who was staring back. His attention was caught elsewhere and Calli looked to see two women walking forward. They clearly heard the commotion and wanted to see what happened.

Her father quickly scooped her up in his arms. It was almost loving had he not been the cause in the first place. "My daughter and I were attacked by a wild dog! Please call the police! I need to get her to the hospital!"

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Dr. Richmond waited a beat as Calli replayed the scene in her mind. "Kids will be kids, after all. It is not out of the question that there are accidents. I only want to check because you falling off your bike explains the cuts and bruises on your leg and arm, but not the ones on your stomach and upper thigh. I also noticed there was no dog bits anywhere on you despite your father saying you both were attacked by a dog."

Calli must have expressed some worry on her face because Dr. Richmond held up a hand. "You're not in trouble, Calliope. I just want to know what happened so I can do my job properly. So, is what your father said true? Is there anything else going on?"

Calliope looked into Dr. Richmond's eyes, hoping he could tell what she wanted to say. What she wanted to tell any adult that showed a modicum of care. All the words left unsaid. But he was like every other adult she had come across. If they truly cared, they were silenced. If they didn't, they were bought. Or scared. Or forced. Calli may be young, but she was not stupid. A teacher didn't quit halfway through the school year randomly.

Calli nodded her head. "It's true. My father saved me and he was hurt."

Dr. Richmond smiled again. "Well then, I am glad you are okay." Calli noticed he didn't express gratitude her father was okay also, but Calli left it at that. "Well then, let's get you processed and out of here. Your mom should be finished." Dr. Richmond grabbed the doorknob but did not exit right away. Almost like he had more to say, but he turned the knob and left her alone. A brief moment of peace.

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

Welcome Home #3.043: Scars and Bruises

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_{Interaction(s): N/A}

Previously: The Sum Of All Things

Calliope recalled this moment. She had been noticing that the Trials were bringing back memories that she thought she buried. Moments in time that were there, ever present, but she thought she had control of. She was starting to see all of it being brought back to the forefront.

Dr. Trinh sat there as Calli spoke about such memories. Each one should have felt like a weight lifted off of her, but instead she felt the pressure forced on her shoulders. Like she was being buried alive.

"Why do you think this memory became so vividly remembered?" Dr. Trinh asked. Calli thought about it, but didn't quite know why.

Sensing her hesitancy, Dr. Trinh continued. "Oftentimes trauma can come back at any moment, even if there is no identifying trigger for it. It's called re-experiencing. These can be flashbacks, nightmares, or even simple body reactions, such as a panic attack from nowhere. The fact you can recall this memory so clearly Calliope is, and this is going to sound odd, a good thing."

Calli must have looked surprised because Dr. Trinh continued. "I don't mean it's a good thing it happened or that it is causing you distress. But remembering it is a good first step to overcoming it and processing it. Doing so will heal you. It is much easier to heal pain we can identify than pain we cannot."

"I know we broached the topic of forgiveness before and had a lengthy discussion about it. Do you remember?"

Calli did remember. Dr. Trinh had spoken about forgiveness as a means of healing. Forgiveness was for Calli's benefit and was to heal her of her pain. Forgiveness did not mean that the actions taken would be seen as "good" or that it wasn't still painful or hard to deal with. It also did not mean that there was no blame to be had. Dr. Trinh highlighted that it would be a part of her, but it did not have to consume her. Forgiveness would be a large step forward, but who did she forgive? Her father for his constant abuse and belittlement? Her mother for allowing it to happen and never questioning it? Her brother who tried, but ultimately failed, to be a protector of her? Any of the other adults who saw a young girl hurting and either stopped caring or couldn't quite hack it enough to save her?

"Yes, I remember. I am not ready to forgive them."

"What about Andrew?"

Admittedly, this took Calli aback. Why was he brought up? "Andrew didn't do anything to hurt me. He's been a support for me ever since we met. There's nothing to forgive."

Dr. Trinh waited a moment to see if the silence would be filled. "Then why are you punishing him and yourself?

Calli started protesting, but stopped. "By your own admittance, Andrew has been a support for you. As you and I both know, supports are vital for treatment. It is important to surround yourself with people you know have your best interests at heart so you can rely on them. Yet, in the past couple of sessions we've had, you haven't mentioned relying on him much at all. I get the sense there's something there. Something, perhaps, the both of you are too scared to admit?"

Calli sunk inwardly again. Hadn't she been having those same thoughts for a while now? Yet, when it was broadcasted to her in such a way her therapist noticed, that was....it made her feel small.

"That's not a failure on your part Calliope. Nor is it a failure on his. Relationships take work and communication is essential. Whatever is playing around in your mind, I can all but guarantee it is on his mind too. Conversations, even hard ones, are necessary if you truly care about one another. Think about it. Talk to him when you're ready."

Calliope sat up a bit straighter now. Dr. Trinh was right. Her conversations with the others, Lorcán being hurt, amongst a slew of other things. She could not reasonably be there for others if she could not stand for herself. She needed to.

She just hoped it wouldn't be a mistake.

The Dead Don't Die.

Location: New York City, Twin Seasons
Skills: N/A

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Verity was hyper-focused on the interviewer to the point she all but tuned out everything around her. What mattered most was the here and now as they began with their first question. Verity was brought back to the present when a waitress came over to take their drink order. Verity fought the urge to say anything, especially with a hot mic, but she also knew it was not the waitress' fault. Verity took another look at the diner, quickly determining they would most likely not have any of the desired beverages she would normally order at her preferred dining establishments. "A coffee would be great. Cream and suger as well, though I'll take almond milk if you have it." She gave a sweet smile to the waitress before the interviewer ordered and she proceeded to answer.

"I started from humble beginnings. Never in my life would I have imagined I got to where I am. I didn't really know what I wanted when I was in college. I was just a 'go-with-the-flow' type girl. Went to parties, goofed off with my friends. All of this kind of fell in my lap. And isn't that what America is about? Taking the chances given and doing your all to achieve those goals?"

X-Men: Cosmic Crusades 👽

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Peregrine Mayfield

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Location: Mansion -> Victorian London
Skills: N/A
Fit Of The Day

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Perry couldn't quite hold in her excitement as she let out a low squeal while Mira set up the game. She absolutely loved Sherlock Holmes. Even as a child she would gravitate towards mysteries. Nancy Drew. The Hardy Boys. Even Goosebumps to an extent, though that was more horror. To be able to set foot in the world of Holmes, even in a game, well that was the dream.

Sure enough, Mira set it up and Perry followed through the door, setting foot in the London of the past. She quickly checked the map and suspects provided. Very much still Clue (or Cluedo being in England and all). She sort of hoped she was the murderer. Enough to get the blood pumping trying to hide your own crimes. Plus, very rarely, did the villain get away. And people loved a villain.

"I say, splendid dahling. The bee's knees! And a what for and all that jazz!" She had no idea what she was saying but damn if it wasn't fun to say.

Avengers Academy: Junior Year 💥

Sabine Bassard

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Location: The Gym - Simulation
Fit of the Day: Gym Outfit
Skills: Perception, Psychometry (Power)

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---

Sabine was growing ever more irritated at Gideon. Despite how much she hated horror movies, she at least has watched some and knew the cocky individual who went into the haunted house and taunted the ghost usually met a grim end. And considering she was on her last life, Sabine didn't want to be anywhere near her. So she stuck with Dorian and Mary Sue. She, at least, could count on them. Dorian more given his knowledge of the game they were in.

Upon entering the twin bedroom, Sabine set her sights on the only thing out of place. Mary Sue tagged it also. Sabine stepped away from the two of them briefly. This was her chance. "Let me try something." Sabine called on her powers and reached out to the music box. Given the nature of the situation they were in she expected gruesome images of ghosts killing people or ritualistic sacrifices, but none of that came up. Instead, she saw the music box's history. Or as much as was connected inside the game.

Once back, she took several steps away from it. "It's a music box and whatever is haunting this place, that's its connection. It's cursed so whatever we do, be careful of that."

The Dead Don't Die.

Location: New York City, Twin Seasons
Skills: N/A

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---

Verity made her way over upon hearing the voice of the interviewer call her over. As she did, she scrolled through her phone. Apparently the govenor of New York was mobilizing the National Guard. For what reason? Was another 9/11 happening? Surely the news would be blowing up about it and they would all get notifications on their phone? Wasn't that the point of it?

Verity also caught the biker guy again. If she hadn't arrived at the scene in front of her office building or this restaurant after him she would have sworn he was stalking her. She also caught the tail end of an eye roll. He had some nerve! He hit her! And she let him go! The absolute audacity some people had.

She eventually took her seat as the tell-tail sounds of a fight were going on in the background. "Yes, hello. Thank you for meeting with me. I'm looking forward to this." Confident in her ability to wow any interview, she was ready for whatever. There had been many an interview in her past that tried to slander her or get her to own up to something for a nice clip to make viral. She never allowed anything out that she did not approve of first. This would be no different.

Commencement: A Foundation Institute RP

Trigger Warning: Attempted Sexual Assault

The doorbell rang for the second time. The young man at it looked as presentable as a teenage boy could. He wore a dark gray button-down shirt tucked into matching slacks and black loafers. He looked like he was dressed for prom, but prom was months away. He held a bouquet of pink roses. He shifted from one foot to the next, either nervous or in need to use the bathroom. Soon the door opened and Senator Garcia and his wife stood there. While the Senator eyed the young man from head to toe, his wife, at least, had kinder eyes. Though something was hidden behind them.

"You must be Jonathan. Please, come in." The senator moved out of the way while his wife took three steps back, almost like she decided never to be near him if she could not help it. Jonathan moved inside tentatively.

"Calliope should be down in a minute. Can I get you anything?" the Senator's wife asked. Jonathan shook his head. "No ma'am. Thank you, ma'am." The senator looked almost proud. He tapped his foot as a sign of growing impatience. Soon, though, they heard some movement upstairs. Calliope moved around the corner. She was dressed in a pink dress the same shade as the roses. After all, this whole thing was planned to the finest detail. She moved down the stairs with some hesitancy that could be masked to indicate direction and desire, as if to say 'look at me'. Once she was down Jonathan strode forward and handed her the roses. "You look beautiful, Calliope." Calliope smiled softly and accepted the flowers. She smelled them and allowed the scent to linger, remembering this moment. "Why don't I take those and put them in a vase so you both can be on your way? her mother asked, taking the flowers before Calli could accept or refuse. "Now you both have a good time. Don't stay out too late. I expect her back at 10 sharp." The senator directed this to Jonathan. No indication to Calliope about what she should do, though that lecture was given when this 'date' was planned weeks ago.

Jonathan grabbed her hand and Calli fought off the urge to flinch. Go with the flow. "I'll have her back by then, sir. You have my word." The senator smiled and followed them outside before they went to Jonathan's car. She got into the passenger seat and glanced over to her parents. Her father's gaze never left hers but her mother held a hand to her heart. A proud moment? Or the beginning of a prayer? Calli could not be sure.

---

The evening wasn't terrible. They went to a Mexican restaurant and enjoyed their meal. Calli ignored the subtle comments Jonathan made regarding the staff, the jokes about how they must have recently crossed the border or how the waitress reminded him of his family's maid. After all, she had to swallow it down if she wanted to get out of this quickly. Be the perfect date. Smile, laugh at his jokes, compliment him. Do not act intelligent so that he may not question his own and feel bad. She shows interest in his hobbies but do not brag about her own. She had been on a few dates before with boys set up by her father in the hopes of landing something in the future. She had always done her due diligence but the relationship never lasted beyond a second or third date, usually at the boy's insistence. She expected her father to be mad or upset, but he wasn't. Instead, he told her he 'got what he wanted' and left it at that.

Once dinner was done and paid for (with no tip though Calli slid a $20 bill to make up for it) she followed him outside. Jonathan suggested a walk in the nearby park before going to get ice cream. Calli nodded her approval and began to walk but was slowed down when he reached for and grabbed her hand. She looked at him and smiled warmly despite the ice she felt in her veins. Soon they walked hand-in-hand. Few people were milling about. "Beautiful night." Jonathan commented matter-of-factly. Calliope looked around. "Yes, it is. I love this ti-" Calli's thought was interrupted as Jonathan leaned over and began to kiss her. Calli's eyes widened in shock as she felt his tongue enter her mouth. She quickly pushed him back. He gave her an incredulous look before leaning over again. She raised her hand and slapped him audibly. He lifted his hand to his growing redder cheek. Time stood still.

Calli should have run. She should have ran back to the restaurant and told them to call the police, even though she knew little would be done. She should have done something other than stand there, waiting.

Jonathan lowered his hand. "I thought we were getting along." His tone suggested calmness, which did not match his body language. Calliope wanted to assure him that they did, but she didn't feel comfortable with intimacy on a first date. Instead, before words could be stated, she felt herself thrown back on the grass as Jonathan landed on top of her, pinning her down. His grip on her wrists fastened her in place and he was too strong to be budged. "Do you not get it, bitch? Do you not know who my family is? I get what I want!" Calli opened her mouth to scream but he quickly backhanded her across the face. "If you say one word I will kill you." Calli looked around, hoping someone nearby saw this, but even if they did, what could they do? Jonathan's family had power and prestige. Power her own family wanted.

"Now, you are going to be good and accept this." Calli struggled, moved. She closed her eyes and pictured her anywhere else. She wanted to scream and yell. She wanted to hurt him. Stop him by any means necessary. She wanted nothing more than to see him hurt.

A scream in the darkness. She felt something warm spread across her face as she opened her eyes. Jonathan had gotten off of her and fell backwards as he gripped his arm. He looked at it and then at her with a mix of fear and anger. Fear won out, it seemed. "You're a freak! You're one of those freaks!" He stood up as more blood soaked through his shirt. Calli sat up and noticed the growing ice field around her. Shrapnel pieces of icy glass poked out of the ground, all firing straight lines around her. Jonathan must have gotten poked and stabbed. The ice slowly evaporated around her as she stood up. Jonathan was backing away. "Wait until my father hears about this!" he nearly screamed before running off into the night, leaving her there. Alone.

---

Calliope walked home. She was well past 10 o'clock. But she moved up her driveway to the front door. She took out her key and unlocked it, stepping foot into the cool front room. She shut the door and locked it. No reason to hide her entrance. She knew her father would be ready.

Sure enough, he sat in his chair in the adjoining living room. He had his phone in his hand and a cigar in the other. She moved toward him and he held a hand up to stop her. "I received a call from Mr. Ellis. Jonathan's father. He informed me his son came home bloodied and injured. So badly was he hurt he had to be rushed to the hospital. Mr. Ellis tells me Jonathan said you injured him for no reason. Attacked him in the open." He looked up at her.

She twisted one hand in the other, feeling the pressure rise. What answer would be satisfactory? Before she could speak, he followed up his response. "I expect he tried to do something to you and you acted in self-defense. I explained as such to Mr. Ellis. I also informed him that should he with to pursue anything legally that he would be ground to dirt with all I have on him and that it would be better for all parties involved to forget this evening happened."

Calli stood there, stunned. Her father had...defended her?

Calli's father stood now, setting his cigar down and putting his phone away. He took a few steps forward. Calli looked up into his eyes and before she could speak, felt the sting across her own cheek as he raised his hand and slapped her, nearly sending her to the ground.

"I told you to hide it! I told you to never show it to anyone! Do you know what I have to do to shield this from getting out? No, of course you don't. A simple date nearly killed a boy because of what a freak you are!"

Calli felt tears sting her eyes as she fought hard against them. She stood up straight again, but dared not face him.

"Next time? Let him." he said, finally, before turning and heading upstairs to his bedroom to get a night's sleep, leaving his daughter battered, broken, and confused.

^{________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________}

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

Welcome Home #3.026: The Sum Of All Things

^{_{____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________}}

_{Interaction(s): N/A}

Previously: Deep Breathing

"As lawyers, one of your jobs is to interpret the law. Laws are ever-changing. Rulings get overturned when new laws are brought forth. However, your role is to use those skills to have the law work for you. Classic cases such as Roe v. Wade in the United States can set things up that last eons, but a pitfall many lawyers make is assuming the case you try will be as groundbreaking. And no, it will not be like Elle Woods single-handedly overturning a trial because you know about hair care."

The classroom chuckled as the professor went on. Calliope sat in the back row, paying some attention but finding herself getting distracted. Recent conversations were clearing things up, but she was still worried. Guilt-ridden. And expecting the other shoe to drop at any moment wasn't helping her with sleep.

And that voice in her head. It seemed to get louder.

Her mind was racing to the others. Lorc was in the hospital and it was unknown how he was fairing. Gil was still in the hospital even though it seemed like he would be getting out soon. Their conversation was...dry. She didn't expect him to bounce back easily after everything but the way he interacted with her...there was no heart. Haven was dealing with her own struggles, thankfully having Rory around was helping, but even then Rory was now placed in a situation that was sure to add stress. Harper was going through something also. Aurora was with Lorc. Katja was....who knows where. And Amma. Girl was absent and Calli didn't like it. Amma was never warm or welcoming, but the fact someone had started the whole Trial thing made her question it. Still, she didn't think Amma was involved. She remembered seeing her once they got out. Calli didn't get the sense Amma was hiding that, though it was clear she was hiding something.

"Let's put an example. Can I get a volunteer?"

Calli snapped back to attention, wondering what was being done now. The professor glanced around the room. After a spell, she sighed. "All right, I'll choose. Let's see..." She scanned the class as her eyes rested on Calli. "Yes, Miss de León. Let's say you have a client who is charged with the sexual assault of a woman. What are some of the roadblocks you would face in providing a defense for the client?"

Calli looked around briefly, wondering how the topic got to this point. But she didn't want to make it apparent she was not paying attention. "Well, one would be in wondering if he committed the act or not."

The professor raised her hand to stop Calli. "You assume the client is male?"

"I suppose I did, but most sexual assaults perpetuated against women are from cisgender men."

"True, but would your defense be different if the client, the one accused, was a woman who assaulted another woman?"

"No, the act itself is heinous if it was committed, but I would do my due diligence and provide the best defense possible."

"So what other roadblocks could there be?"

"There's...history."

"History?"

Did the professor know? Is that why she chose her? "I was the victim of sexual assault in my past. So there's a potential block there if I felt in any way my client was guilty."

The professor nodded, though Calli couldn't gauge if they knew or not. "Do you feel you would be able to defend the client or would you need to pass it off to someone else?"

"That would largely depend on the circumstances."

"In what way?"

"Given that sexual assault can be connected to anxiety and trauma it is not out of the realm of possibility that some things might trigger a lawyer, whether it was myself or not. I would hope I am able to identify within myself how much I am able to handle, but I would use my best judgement and pass it off if I felt I could not do my job to my full potential."

"We often do not get that luxury though, Miss de León. Often you will have clients coming to you, whether through criminal or civil law, who you may find some connection to or may hate or judge. How does one get over that?"

Calli felt her breath hitch a bit, remembering events of her past. The professor continued. "I mean, what if a client came in who was charged with abusing his daughter? Could you handle that?"

The class turned to look at her as she felt every eye scan her. Judgement. She took a deep, labored breath. "I...believe I can handle it."

"Are you sure?"

The slam of the desk reverberated around the room, causing some in the room to jump. Calli's hand hurt after she slammed her fist against the desk in front of her. She took a few more deep breaths. "I would hate every minute of it. I would take several showers to wipe the grime I felt working with him. I would ensure I take proper care of myself when home and engage in self-care. I would speak to a therapist if need be. But I would do my damn job." She looked up, glaring daggers at the professor, sure that they knew exactly what they were doing. "Does that answer your question, professor?"

The professor adjusted their tie. "This is why you check yourself when taking on cases. There will be ones with detrimental impacts on you. Thank you, Miss de León."

Calli sat back down, nursing her hand. She took a few more deep breaths. She would need to make an appointment soon.

And she damn well needed to talk to Banjo.

Dragon Age: Grey Dawn

The view from atop one of the battlements lent itself to the area. Having traveled no farther than an Orlesian city, it was easy to assume that the world was just full of towns with huge monuments dedicated to the wealthy elite who purchased and set them up as if to say "Look at me with all my money. Instead of feeding the hungry or housing the poor, I allocated my funds to building a statue because I have a small dick."

Colette scoffed at her own thought. Never would she have imagined that she would be amongst a team, let alone the Grey Wardens of yore. She had heard tales growing up as many others have. She was not one for heroic stories of epic battles facing off against oppressive forces, even ones based in reality. She always assumed the hype of the Grey Wardens was to bolster their reputation, but even in recent times she had grown to be less wary if they were telling the truth or not.

And now she found herself amongst their ranks. She was relatively new to them so many still gave her a wide berth. It wasn't like she opened herself up to allies or friends. She still remembered in the early weeks of her time when another member, some upstart braggart thought because he could hold a sword the right way up and survived his own joining meant he was better than others. She knew the Grey Wardens took all matters of people in but surely there was still a vetting process. The man had taken one look at her and had assumed, wrongfully, that she was there for entertainment. He came up to her with flowery words and a wandering hand. He left with neither her name nor the use of his sword hand for weeks. She had been chastised, but not fully punished as others who witnessed him stood up for her. She thought at the time they wanted something in return, possibly the same something the braggy man wanted, but they did not.

She remembered that day and considered it the first time she respected the Grey Wardens. Even before she was grabbed before death was serviced to her she didn't feel she owed them anything. No one cared of she lived or died, certainly not herself, so this random man who came up to her and saved her was an anomaly. One she wanted to figure out.

She stood up against the edge and looked down. She saw many others milling about and heard the sounds of people working and talking and gossiping. She figured it would be sooner rather than later that she would be called upon. She hopped down and made her way down to the courtyard.

Once there she looked. Some warriors were practicing their techniques. Some rogues showing off their skills. Mages of all sorts learn magical theories and spellwork. It was a sight to see. And yet, she felt no yearning to join them. She knew her skills were good. Hell, they were great. She was not worried about her ability to pick a lock or remain unseen. She was not worried she would falter when convincing a target to lower their guard or to slit the throat of said unsuspecting person. ]

She felt something move behind her and she quickly grabbed the wrist of a young woman. She yelped in surprise. "Sorry missus, didn't mean to..to scare you, though truth be told you gave me more of a fright than I ever could you." The woman attempted jokes which earned her some modicum of respect in Colette's eyes. She let her go and turned to face her. "Why were you reaching for me?"

The young woman quickly dusted herself off and bowed a bit. "Again, sorry missus. I was tasked with finding a person who could help us out of a spot of trouble. The kitchen pantry doors got busted and is locked and no one can enter. We are preparing meals for the troops, you see, and we really need to get in there. I don't suppose you could help us out please missus?" The woman spoke quickly and plainly and Colette had to admit it was trouble understanding her. And if she were being honest with herself, Colette did look like 'the type' with her hood over her head. "Lead the way." The woman smiled and turned, running towards the kitchen, presumably. Colette quickly followed.

It was only then that Colette noticed the woman was an elf. Her hair covered her ears when they first met but as she run, she noticed them poking out. Colette was not one to judge the other races specifically for that alone. She considered all people of this world to be worthy of judgement and mistrust regardless of what race they were born as.

Soon they came upon the kitchen. The woman ran inside and Colette quickly slid in past the closing door. "What's this then?" she heard a rather bolstered voice. The person who called out was a large, intimidating older woman with gray hair. Despite her age she was built strong and looked like she could take down an army of darkspawn. The elven woman was small in comparison. "I found a person to help us." The large woman looked over to Colette and looked back at the elf. "I asked you to find a Grey Warden girl, not some pretty courtesan!" The older woman raised her hand and smacked the elf's face with an audible clack. The elf fell to the ground and held back a sob. Colette moved forward, "She's telling the truth. I can get your door unlocked." The older woman looked back at her and scoffed. "If you get that door unlocked pretty, I'll eat my shoes."

Never one to back down from confrontation of any sort, Colette moved to the door. A quick examine of it showed it was indeed broken. Though it looked like someone did it intentionally from a cursory glance. Colette pulled out her lockpicks and got to work. She would never admit it, but this was one of her favorite things to do. How easy it was to slide the lockpick in and listen for the subtle clicks of the lock as you moved it. Soon, she was done, and she swung the door open.

"I believe this is the part where you eat your shoes."

The older woman looked aghast and the elf woman stood up with a smile despite the red mark on her cheek. It seemed she enjoyed seeing her boss put in her place. "Lucky shot. Go, we need to get the food going. And you, girl, don't stand there smiling. Get back to work!" The older woman raised her hand again but couldn't move it as Colette had grabbed her wrist and brought it behind her. "What is this! Get off of me you slag!"

"If you raise a hand to her or anyone else in your kitchen I will be sure to find you where you sleep and cut off your hand so you can never harm anyone again. And I'll make it look like you did it yourself. No one would believe you."

The older woman also was not one to back down. "My staff just heard you. They'll have my back." She glanced around the room and saw that no one was looking at her. Instead they were all working, head bowed down, pretending what was happening was not happening. "Seems they do not. And I trust any of them to come find me should you do so. Treat them kindly. Treat them with respect. Or you will have nothing to do but sit around and waste air." Colette let go and turned, leaving the kitchen.

She would probably hear about that later, but as far as she was concerned, she did her job as a Grey Warden, because surely that woman was a darkspawn in disguise.