Pirouette

Marvel RE: Imagine 2, Electric Boogaloo - A Marvel Comics Roleplay

@mattmanganon

I have a Silk concept from one of these that I kind to play. Any room for another Spider?

The Hourglass Order

Cooking Goblin Adventure

Pan
Seni-Zola-Exui-Pan
Wazuia Tari Zana

”Eat. Drink. Smoke. Live. Die. At end, make life worthy for you.”

20 | Female | Basté Cazenax | Silver-Adorned | 6.88 Glutton, Brutalist

P E R S O N A L I T Y

❖ Expressive
❖ Contemporary
❖ Daring
❖ Snobbish
❖ Deceptive

C H A R A C T E R A P P E A R A N C E

Pan has a pale skin tone stained with a red dye on the lateral parts of her body for cosmetics. Scars of previous hunts and engagements are somewhat hidden by the dye applied but not entirely. Her white hair tends to gnarl in tangles due to her preference for wearing it down. Golden-yellow eyes seem to be complemented by the black eyeshadow she always seems to have on. She measures about 4’7” and weighs 60 lbs when wet, putting her on the smaller end of Cazenax size with her lanky form. She likes to claim herself as the height of Cazenax fashion. Jeweled bangles, rings, bracelets, and earrings shimmer and gleam from the gold, silver, and gemstones inlaid into the various bits of jewelry. Beads and metal medallions dangle to jingle with her movements.

L A N G U A G E S

❖ Avincian - Conversational
❖ Xochi - Conversational
❖ Cazenax - Native

T H E G I F T

❖ [ Arcane: ]– [ 0. Neophyte ]
❖ [ Binding: ] – [ 0. Neophyte ]
❖ [ Chemical: Culinary ] – [ III. Adept ]
❖ [ Kinetic: Motion ] – [ II. Apprentice ]
❖ [ Magnetic: ] – [ 0. Neophyte ]
❖ [ Atomic Magic: ] – [ 0. Neophyte ]
❖ [ Blood Magic: ] – [ 0. Neophyte ]
❖ [ Temporal Magic: ] – [ 0. Neophyte ]
❖ [ Dark Magic: Summoning ] – [ V. Expert ]
❖ [ Command: ] – [ 0. Neophyte ]
❖ [ Primordial: ] – [ 0. Neophyte ]

With a strong preference for dark magic, Pan is a Vozas Weaver, or VOID crafter in Cazenax Society. Her masterpiece to date is her beloved Zuzu, a massive desert Hyaenidae that appears to have been crossed with an eel. Though nowadays, Pan rarely explores the depth of VOID creation as she instead focuses on servicing her craft of cooking. Even as an expert, creations might not always be exactly what she intended though there is little danger from seasonings or foodstuff. Especially for a Glutton.

The only other aspect of magic that Pan has bothered to learn is from her time operating as an An Zenui outrider. Kinetic magic was to service her lack of range and to boost her agility to try and prevent an immediate death. In close range Pan fights like any other Cazenax, wildly lashing out with dark magic to tear apart anything.

B A C K G R O U N D

It can be such a tragic thing to live a life so short. A Cazenax’s life can’t help but be a mess with trying to elevate yourself out of an ordinary existence. Some turn to faith, others a legacy, but I have known quite a few to live it up and have no regrets. I liked them the most because life is a gift and you are allowed to use it anyway you please. How tragic that I found those that liked to live it up never ventured beyond the rolling dunes of our little part of the world or experimented in life.

At a young age, I seem to believe around my eighth birthday, I wanted to have my own Vozas Exi and to be my own crafter. If you could afford it, and my family could, lessons could start as early as you want… to mixed results, but I certainly did start learning that early. Shortly after my Tézzia, that is.

It took years of simplistic education to not summon a horrific monster with basic shapes being pulled from the Vozas. You’d move on to bigger and more complex shapes. I, of course, cheated and tried to jump ahead when I was eleven. I wanted my own Vozas Exi so I snuck into the maze and tried… Do I ever regret that? The things I summoned and well.. Half-summoned sometimes were quite… impactful. I tried to use what inspirations I could but they all came out misfigured or monstrous. Save for one: Zuzu, my beloved.

He had come into my mind when looking for a protector from a disturbing figure that was chasing me through the Maze. He protected me and was happy to exist, I could tell. My first Vozas Exi and I left that cave but I had changed. I would continue my lessons but a life of crafting seemed horribly limiting so I sought something more adventurous…

Outriding was about as adventurous as a Cazenax could be. You rode out in the desert and kept our settlements safe, hunting beasts and bandits. Who knew vast dunes of the desert could be so thrilling and boring. Long mundane patrol routes made up most of the time but I could appreciate the time under the stars with the few other adventurous Cazenax. There is one figure in particular that record books would record, Stazen, but I’d get him into trouble if I spoke at length so let’s move on.

For reasons, I left the Outriders because there was no real adventure behind it anymore. You never really left the desert and so in an attempt to crave that hunger for more, I actually decided to do exactly that. Crave my hunger… Oh I suppose I should mention that I am always ravenously hungry and food ends up being on my mind before long. Creating things to eat was the first trick I learned as a child. Deciding to become a griddle chef may have been a mistake because it introduced me to taste and now I just can’t quite settle for just anything… It has to taste good. I naturally had an understanding of Vozas food so turning that around into appealing food for others was easy enough when I could taste test everything throughout the day without ever feeling full. Even the more dangerous flavors…

Back then life was seemed so simple and to think I could have probably lived it in that small corner of the world never seeing what was really out there. That would have been sooo regrettable…

M O T I V A T I O N

Pan is stricken by a wanderlust, never finding herself fitting in with one spot in her life. Tales of exploits from others fill her with envy of the adventures they’ve had, working her up to come up with future endeavors not to “one-up” others but rather to experience the thrill of adventure herself. Not to be confused as an adrenaline junkie, though Pan certainly enjoys the thrill of a little danger, but rather a desire to live up her short life to have it mean something.

I N V E N T O R Y

VOID Rifle - When you can create bullets, there isn’t ever a need of packing ammunition. Cazenax can be in one of two camps. Creation of ammunition can vary wildly and may not work out all the time. Blunderbusses are one style but Pan prefers utilizing the slower, chooser style of using a rifle. Powder and the projectile are created and inspected before loading into the muzzle as opposed to creating them blindingly in the gun.

Zuzu - He was a welcomed surprise when Pan was trying to create a riding companion. Zuzu is a mix between different creatures that ended up working out. The goal Pan had was “resilient and tough desert mount” and she got a creature with a face that only a mother could love. Zuzu has a leathery hide, quilled with barbs, and under the surface he utilizes manas to regulate his internal temperature. Add in claws, muscles, and teeth, there is either a lot to love or fear in Pan’s child.

Zuzu

S T R E N G T H S & S K I L L S

❖ Cooking Mama
❖ Logistics Savvy
❖ Shikigami Martial Arts
❖ Taste Magician
❖ Zuzu

As a griddle chef, Pan has acquired a skillset to draw out the best flavors of things she cooks. With a virtually limitless pantry and the chaotic variety it generates, she knows how to put it all together with what works and what doesn’t. Any Cazenax utilizing dark magic has to taste their own cooking and ingredients just to make sure they didn’t create a toxic ingredient. Pan, being a Glutton, has allowed her to taste even toxic items and could taste poison with ease.

Her previous career was operating as a desert rider where she would support and sometimes lead excursions out into the deserts. These are often filled with danger, not even counting the logistical issues, so Pan had to naturally learn quickly to thrive in this arena. Yet when one can summon things on a whim, logistics end up easy, but everything else like pathfinding, tracking, and so on come with talent and experience. Thankfully Pan has both.

The last aspect of Pan's training is the product of an import from foreign lands. A unique band of traders from all around Sipenta had traveled through and exchanged knowledge for goods. It was a curious caravan of skilled artists, craftsman, and in Pan's interest, martial artists. A Nikanese martial artist had taught her the fundamentals of a style that relyed on VOID summons. Something that compliments her rather limited casting range.

W E A K N E S S E S & F L A W S

❖ Eternal Hunger
❖ World-Depraved
❖ Zuzu dependent
❖ Truant
❖ Habitual Liar

Food is the first thing on Pan's mind. She needs to eat and will always break for food or be lured in my enticing aromas. The need for calories has gotten her to be quite lazy when she has the choice. Wasting energy on mundane tasks will require her to cook more and eat more because settling for just basic food will not do. While she requires food, there might also be something to say about her dependency upon her mount, pet, and best friend. Zuzu is Pan's everything and she will prioritize his safety above all else in most situations.

M I S C E L L A N E O U S

O R I F L A M M E

Mémoires de Camille

Première Partie: Missionnaire

White Halls all around me
I walk, I walk but I cannot reach it
The Door that I can’t see
Just before I wake, a mutter
It calls to me…

Camille de la Saumure was there again.

White halls, marbled floors, and an endless expanse between her and where she wanted to go. The flowing darkness above had consumed the ceiling of the Cathedral, wanting to get closer but being repulsed. Her steps echoed without a response when she could compose herself enough to walk, but always, the dream would end too soon.

Camille woke with a start, gasping as if she had just come up for air out of the water. She sat up, catching the glimpse of someone peering into the small room of the Victoire that had been set aside for her. Her head snapped to identify merely her squire, Alexandre. It was a force of habit after the war and she likely accompanied with a fight response as Alex scrambled over his words and retreated from sight behind the door.

“Ah my apologies, my lady, but we are due any minute for Brimsholm.” He said, keeping his head hidden for now.

“Thank you, Alex.” She replied softly, her eyes drifting to the mess on the floor. The Victoire had been ripped apart by ferocious winds of a great storm they passed through in the Sound of Enth. Her room was a mess of belongings that lay scattered from last night’s storm swell. There wasn’t much sleep afforded to her passengers, let alone the crew.

Camille could still feel Alex waiting behind the door. “Alex?” She called and without skipping a beat, Alex answered. “Its.. Sorry, my Lady, but the High Somnian has requested that you be in full armor and regalia before we arrive.”

She could see the blush on his face, already. As her squire, Alexandre was tasked with assisting her with her armor and although she was his senior by five years, he was apparently quite smitten with her. Claude had pointed that out not long after meeting him because Camille would have never guessed. Now it made sense, especially when it came to dressing her.

“Very well.” His head slowly peered in, becoming visible and the hesitation was obvious. “You may enter, Alexandre.” Camille smiled, holding back the bit of laughter she had. She threw off the blanket and stood up and in her simple nightgown, she watched as Alex averted his eyes. She let out a silent chuckle as she walked over to the chest in the corner of the room. In it was her armor and all the bits and clothing she needed for this trip. She picked up her linen undershirt out of the chest before turning to catch Alex averting his gaze again. He still hadn’t entered and likely fully realized Camille would have to undress entirely. Poor boy, she thought to herself with a touch of giddiness.

“I can dress myself at least for this part, Alex. You may close the door and wait a moment.” He nodded and retreated back, closing the door this time. Alone, Camille took off her sleepwear and threw on her undergarments for her armor. She opened the door and let Alex proceed with the rest of the dressing such as the arming coat and armor. Camille gave him knowing looks to put Alex on edge.

He was cute, timid for a squire, but he was very kind. He had soft features, clean shaven and slightly rounded like his favorite food was glazed croissants. She liked to torment him a little like this but the truth was, Camille didn’t see herself in a relationship. With anyone for that matter. Her calling was to a devotee of Dami and many in the Faith believe she shouldn’t distract herself from her duty. She understood and for Dami, she vowed everything, but there were times where she liked to pretend she wasn’t anything other than her duty. She’d dream of that simple life back on the sands of Morrilles like she never left, but Dami took her dreams, too.

“Alright, my Lady, that should be it.” Alex said, stepping back to retrieve Camille’s sword from her bed. She never let Dami’s holy sword, Persévérance, out of reach. It was far too precious to her. Alex bestowed it to her and she took it with a grim expression. Her leave of absence was over and she had to go back to her duty.

Her and Alex emerged on the deck of Victoire to the rising sun, clear of the horizon on this cloudless day. You wouldn’t have even believed the Victoire had nearly sunk in a storm only a few hours ago if you were to go by the weather. Yet as Camille looked around, she saw the dogged crew working on repairs to the ship’s hull and masts. Whatever storm it was, it certainly felt like an omen of what was to come.
Camille passed by some sailors muttering as they caught their breath. “Shouldn’t even be making these voyages anymore. The Eskandr are beaten, we should leave them be.” The man was young, maybe around Camille’s age, but she scowled at him as she passed. He didn’t understand what Perrance lost all because the Eskandr were given their liberty to invade. She, along with the Quentic Faith, were seeing to that never happening again.

Her hands tightened into balled fists as she reached the bow of the ship where a few stairs offered an elevated viewing position. From there she looked out upon the calm waters to the shore ahead where the large Eskandr city of Brimsholm sat. Traditional wooden Eskandr houses and buildings sat in a disorganized cluster with the more distant, perimeter buildings being seemingly half-buried in the dirt, but as Camille had been told once, it was a way to keep the house warmer during winter. It seemed, to her, an easy way to track dirt into the house.

Her gaze shifted up to the overlooking cliff that the Victoire was soon to pass near. On top lay the impressive stone arches and walls of the Quentic cathedral and missionary, dedicated to Sant Eleanor. Although Camille knew it as Sant Eleanor’s Bastille, on account of the robust fortifications. It was an operating base for Quentic missions deeper into Northern Eskandr and it wasn’t the only one built up in the past six years either.

Camille sighed as she thought of home. This had been her home ever since the war but she thought of her real home back in Perrence. It was nice to see it again, at least. Even if the circumstances of her visit were not the brightest.

“Hooo! Steady!” A sailor called as he ran up to the bow leaning over the railing to look ahead at the stone dock. Camille followed his eyes but eventually found a familiar figure. Towering above the Eskandr and Perrench was a man in full armor, his helmet hid his face but she could tell he was meeting eyes with her. Ser Laurent of Relouse dutifully on time which meant they were being summoned.

Camille raised her hand and rubbed her tired eyes. She was way too tired to deal with his eminence Arch Somnian Osric….

Pacific Royal Collegiate & University - [CLOSED]

_{Location: P.C.R.U Campus}

First Class #2.42: Hive Been Busy

---

"Cass was our friend," Ariel replied. "I didn't get to know him that well, different teams and all. It's just...really really sad, you know? One of our own lost his life because of some power-hungry lunatics? One of our own may never walk again because of the same power-hungry lunatics?"

Ariel wanted to say more, partly to let out their feelings in more eloquent words than being 'really really sad'. But their feelings were complicated and it was difficult to let them out without sounding like either a selfish pretentious cabrón or a gradeschooler. Still, where else would those feelings go if they stayed where they were? They struggled to remember what the campus therapist advised on this, but it was 'something something reach out something something you are not alone'. Ariel let go of the deep breath they didn't know they were holding in. Time to put that advice to the test.

"And like...I'm scared about what comes next." Slowly, these words crawled out of Ariel's mouth. Words chosen carefully, tightly, not wanting overwhelm themself. Or Jonna, for that matter. "There is simply no way this...'Hyperion' stops at that. It's just not how those kind of people roll. They'll do something crazy dangerous again. Lives will be at risk again. I hope we'll be ready by then." Just barely keeping themself together, Ariel once again relied on Jo's wrist to keep their feet grounded in the now. Only after the fact did she realize how rough their hand must be and eased their grip, muttering an apology under their breath.

"I'm sorry for dumping all that on you," Ariel then said, in clearer breath. Relaxing the tense posture they didn't know they had been holding, their hands began to fidget. On their hair, on their face, on their uniform fabric, on the trans flag pin on their uniform, anything to distract themself again."Hard to think straight in a funeral, you know? Nothing's okay and that's just...not okay, for me. Maybe other people can handle better, but I can't."

"...Call me out if I'm wrong, but this is not okay for you either, is it?"

Jo was quiet, not responding to Ariel's pry into the complex structure that was the Beehive. The only noise coming from her was the occasional worker that fled or returned from an expedition, the buzzing of their wings breaking up the silence. It had taken far too long for her to respond that the original topic might have even been lost but she'd never forget. The truth was, Jo didn't know what she felt. Fear for herself being pulled into this but what choice did she have? This pathway allowed her freedom to exist as she was. A promise that seemed to be showing more and more strings attached.

When Hyperion made his offer, Jo had really considered it but was afraid to take that plunge. She did not have the perspective that Ariel did. Cass was... a stranger, hardly met in the frantic happenings of her first day at Pacific Royal. Why did he recklessly throw himself out there? Him and the other boy? Didn't they know this Hyperion was a threat, a danger that could wipe the out? The idea frustrated her. Hyperion would have just let them lived if they didn't do anything.

Weren't they scared like her?

Her and Ariel had put some distance since the original question was asked. Frankly, Jo didn't even have the bravery to even comment on the subject of Hyperion's purpose or debate the whole situation. Only one thing came to her mind on the subject:
_{"I don't want to die"}
Jo quietly muttered, masking but not entirely disguising the fearful quiver of repressed emotions over the topic. It might have even escaped Ariel's notice if not paying attention. There was a danger to exposing yourself out in the open. Emotionally or physically, it did not matter. It was a place where predators often found their prey and Jo had no desire to be prey. Too many bits of her already had.

She inhaled through her mouth, loudly, to screen against any attempt to follow-up but also to steady herself. "Do you like the sweets? I want to go find some. You are in, ya?" She steered away back to safety...

---

---

Anxious.

There were people all around and it seemed like they were all looking at her. They were muttering around her about the bees, swatting at them. Trying to kill them, Jo thought. She had an issue with public performances and grand presentations like these ones, even as a spectator, tore at her mind exposing the insecurities. It did not help that she hadn't resolved her conflict of fleeing Pacific Royal in light of offer and the potential threat that came from the future. She'd consider that one, too, however there was no guarantee of leniency should she return to civilian life. Her powers, should they be classified as hazardous by even mere complaints of others, would be restricted. Cut off from those she loved most, though in another interpretation of what Jonna was happy to be as.

Besides, what did she even have outside of this, anyway?

The stress of the day was enough to make her itchy with an easy trigger. More than once did she snap at someone waving a bee away for flying too close. "Din jävla idiot!" She snapped at one person sitting by, waving her arm around. "Don't swat!" The swarm was a low drone all throughout the speech with Jonna entering an agitated state. In many ways it was like Nuclear Warheads being on standby should DEFCON rise in level. Only with Jo, it'd be with a swarm of thousands of bees bursting from her.

When she'd finally be set upon making her decision, she raised her Firebird band on instinct. Others were doing it around her so she fell in line. The familiar was safe and a known quantity. Why would she risk it by going with a new team? That was assuming she'd even have the same team after the Team Swap. In her head, she hated all of this. The randomness and unpredictability, but there was one thing that would remain the same, she'd be a Firebird... Whatever that team would look like after this.

She shook her head, forging past even the idea of choosing a house right now. She peaked in the envelope as soon as she got it. That might end up being sudden instinctual choice as well. Jo never could quite get behind team sports so which one liked honey, again?

Pacific Royal Collegiate & University - [CLOSED]

Wow has it really been 14 days since the above post???

Kind of lost track of time with a lot going on.

Post tonight.

Pacific Royal Collegiate & University - [CLOSED]

I would like to clarify that if there is character v character interactions/fights it would be done with consent. I would first check with Wraith about Elle taking control of another person's ability before also checking with that person to ensure there's no conflict.

In a setting like this there will be times that characters can overwhelm their opponents if they have the upper hand. In the event that a character can take control of or negate another's ability, it wouldn't make sense for that character not to use that chance if it meant life or death or in the event that it was a fair player v player challenge or training event.

I would also like to mention that in Elle's ability description there is no mention of it affecting animals (yet.) I was thinking that it could be something she develops as she learns to hone and strengthen her ability in the story. At the time Elle is not strong enough to or has the personality trait to take control of another person's mind or parts of their conscious. She can only suggest and charm them into doing what she wants.

While the mind of a bee may be easily influenced by suggestion, I'm guessing that Jo's Bees are a part of her conscious. So you don't have to worry about it happening without Jo's consent.

Edit: This is funny timing

@Skai

For the record I’m totally cool with it in most cases. That’s a point of significant character drama which is fun for me. All those bottled up feelings knowing that someone else can undermine what Jo considers hers. It is such a driving plot point. The fear of something dear to her being taken, the drive to adapt and find a counter, etc…

Additionally the logic of Elle being able to manipulate Jo’s bees is there. Her bees are controlled by her own physiology which is basically human with some tweaks.

Pacific Royal Collegiate & University - [CLOSED]

<Snipped quote by Pirouette>

Alas, not what I had in mind, but it might be applicable to Joanna regardless.

First I was toying with a water-based power, but then I figured "well, we already have a hydrokinesis player" so I decided to retool the concept slightly to a more animal-focused power but still keeping the water theme in their backstory. It's why I asked about Noah and Zeb earlier so I can see what I have to work with.

Don't really have anything on paper right now, though. It's all just ideas in my head at the moment.

@Kuro

Skai’s chara has pheromone generation/manipulation. A lot of animals do rely on pheromones for direction so there is probably a bit of animal control intended there.

I’ve already pictured the conflict of taking control of Jo’s bees. That’s a good rift for animals.

But if you really want a wild opinion. Do Somatic with an animal-like form. Something unusual so get out of mammals. Something like a jellyfish. Imagine being in your late teens having to deal with the reality that you are some type of humanoid jellyfish? And the only way to feel “normal” is inhibiting yourself which comes with a whole set of issues.

Pacific Royal Collegiate & University - [CLOSED]

More walking beehives please.

Thanks.

Pacific Royal Collegiate & University - [CLOSED]

_{Location: Team 78 Campsite - Southern Plateau, Dundas Island}

Chapter #1.110b Beefore you freak out

---

Jo had busied herself with eating and ease dropping in to the conversations around her. Pizza topics and a few were talking about their abilities. She could feel herself tense at the casual mention of some of their powers. How gifted they were to control sound or speed but when it came to Jo, people never seemed to hold her in the same esteem. The worst of made their distaste known but even those that didn't, the ones that quietly nodded, seemed to hide a disgust for how different Jo was. That distaste they'd save to use when she wasn't in the room. However, she was happy to be what she was. They were everything to her as family. Her new and improved family.

“Uh… Okay. There’s leaks in my head and things get in so it's itchy…” Already scratching at his arms to back up his words, he scowled at the people nearest him before landing on the one wearing long sleeves and sitting there too quiet for innocence. Didn’t know if they’d said their name yet, but since no one else was next to them, he didn’t need to specify more than his stare already was. “You have bugs? They’re crawling in my skin on your clothes.” He started out almost accusing but not quite sure. It felt like the little hooked feet of insects tucking around thread, but usually that came with old things, not new. Or panic. But… No one was flailing. So, he ended with a rather more plaintive than not, “Why?”

Jo turned her head at the itchy boy, considering his words. His alarm was putting him in the former category, but that wasn't fair to him. He was rather itchy and that seemed to be bothering him. Maybe that was his ability and it flared up from time to time. She wondered about it but then the chance for the exchange of information was presented. Why?

"Hello, I am a beehive." Jo responded, her Scandivanian accent was laced heavily in her words. Thankfully she had been well taught in English up to this point. She raised a hand in between her and the itchy boy, outstretching a finger. A lone bee crawled from under her sleeve up to the tip of her finger. "So I am house to many, many bees inside me." She pointed at herself and then to her bee with her other hand. She smiled, seemingly happy with that reality. "They are all me but not really all me. More like family." She admitted, laying a finger on that very bee she had to give it a soft pet. "And you?" She nodded her head towards him. "Why do you itch?"

---

---

_{Location: Team 78 Campsite - Southern Plateau, Dundas Island}

Chapter #2.05 Honeyed Words

---

Agitated.

A low droning sound came from Jo as their camping trip was interrupted by them. Who were they? Jo did not know. She did not want to be involved and the rest of her, the swarm, did not want too. They came out in greater numbers, circling in a frenzy as man went on about what this was. She wanted to flee as soon as their tent was ripped free, escape into the woods so they'd be spared. However, there was something in that man's words that made her stay. What would have been her promise? Liberty and isolation from all the people that didn't understand her. The people cursed and swatted those bits of her that flew around, that cringed or laughed at what she was.

And those weapons... Jo tensed as her eyes settled on the drawn firearm. Those inhibitors, robbing her of what she loved to be. She hated them for it and yet, so far, they were the most understanding for who she was. All this conflict, she tried to avoid, but here and now, she found herself turning over the two sides in her head. The swarm raved in their frenzy as more bees crawled out, distressed by what Jo was feeling.

She stepped forward but faltered on her second step. She wanted to go but stopped. Even looking back, she'd not know the exact reason only that she feared what that offered hand would pull her into. She couldn't take another step and fell to her knees, frustrated, and that opportunity seemed to close as they departed.

---

@Lawful Newtral

While the swarm had calmed, Jo's mind stirred in conflict since Hyperion's visit. She just wanted to be left alone and the promise of Pacific Royal was to eventually offer her that without any power inhibition. That's all she wanted but this challenge issued to the leadership had made her think. Would they be targeted often? How worthless were the staff to protect them and if that were the case, then how long before another incursion? Jo did not want any risk and before arriving here, it seemed like this was the least risky option but now...

She let out a frustrated breath as she tried to bring herself back to where she was: A Viking funeral for Cassander Charon. Being Swedish, she had heard about these with boys back at the orphanage sometimes claiming they'd want a funeral just like this as their ancestors. She wanted to see it for herself, but Jo could only think of the horror of being surrounded by water. Her thoughts never really dwelled on the deceased, only the threat of the ocean tide as it came to rise and fall. It was best to leave but as she tried, someone latched on to her wrist.

Jo's glare went down to her wrist before turning and lifting to meet the face of one. Ariel, was it? They were on the same team, more, this was someone, Jo had figured through eavesdropping, to be a more energetic and friendly than the rest. She frowned, seeing their distress over the loss of Cass. Did they know Cass, Jo wondered, and for the sake of Ariel, Jo remained still and quiet as she turned her head back to the horrific body of water ahead.

The funeral ended and Jo silently slipped free of Ariel's grasp, but she did not leave right away. Instead she lingered further away from the water until Ariel had retreated from the ceremony as well. Jo wasn't really good at communicating with people and didn't know what to say, but she did feel like she had to say something. "Sorry for you. Cass was your friend, ya?"

She could understand the feeling of loss. She had to deal with it anytime in her own unique way, but she didn't think she had friends to feel about that way. Ariel had just seemed the type to feel that way about everyone. Probably had a lot of friends, too.

Pacific Royal Collegiate & University - [CLOSED]

_{Location: Team 78 Campsite - Southern Plateau, Dundas Island}

Chapter #1.82 Bumble Beginnings

---

Tired.

The migration Jonna had to commit to come all out to British Columbia had been taxing. She was a first-time flyer, although in unique way, first time flying in an aircraft. It was disturbing to have been caged in metal vessel, unable to escape should something bad happen. To make matters worse, she had been onboard a regular flight with other passengers. She could feel the swarm, a part of her, anxious to break free to understand this metal coffin.

She almost caved, panic-stricken as she was during that flight, but the H.E.L.P agency had been right next to her to talk her down, or should it come to it, sedate her. Although they all suspected that sedating her would make it worse. The swarm did have a mind of its own, after all, and without her to direct the swarm...

Well, wouldn't have that been an interesting headline: Flight 987 Invaded by Bees!

It took significant concentration on Jonna's part adding a lot to the already taxing activity of relocating to a new country and being given the expedited introduction to Pacific Royal. In just twenty-four hours, she was ushered through until she found herself dressed in her PT gear: athletic shorts, a pair of sporty shoes, high socks, shirt, and her jacket. The jacket was for everyone else's sake, rather than her own. She found, from experience, that people did not like looking at the hexagonal hive vents that bees can create to leave. In most cases, only a few were needed to accommodate an everyday traffic flow. There wasn't exactly a need to as she could eat enough sugary food that would then supply the swarm but sealing them felt uncomfortable. It was like an itch that she couldn't scratch that was all over her.

Maddening, really, how others couldn't understand them. They just wanted to be free and especially times like this. Hiking through the woods and after limited time to explore, the swarm had been anxious to be free. Jonna relaxed, the hike and camping trip being exactly what she needed. She lingered towards the rear of Team 78 during the hike as bees crawled in and out of her. They busied themselves with missions as the storm clouds gathered adding a touch of frenzy in the insects as they tried to fill in their adventure before they were sealed in again.

As a result, Jonna was exploring her new home more than others could understand. Messages of the workers came back detailing about flower patches, animals seen, or major landmarks like the sea. It wasn't she could see these things, only understand where they were. Her imagination ran wild, instead. She could picture these scenes that the workers described, imagining more than what she was seeing. It was unique, even for her. She had never been outside of Sweden, and even then, a small part of it. For them to be in a completely new environment, the sense was exhilarating.

They reached their campsite.

Relaxed. Happy.

Jonna was even happier realizing there was food. Pizza, specifically. She headed straight away to prepare a pizza, feeling famished. They even had the ingredients for the best pizza: Barbeque sauce. Just a cheese pizza with BBQ sauce, specifically.

Although she'd argue there were better sauces out there than what they had. Sweet and Tangy was the best. Niklas back at the orphanage had loved American style BBQ and made the best sauce. She smiled at the memory and wondered what Niklas would be making for the orphanage tonight.

Having her pizza in front of her, she sat on the ground happily delicately tearing a piece of crust and popping it in her mouth. Of course, dipping it BBQ sauce first.

Now that she was a little more grounded to herself, her focus went to the conversations around her. Others talked about a dinosaur. Dinosaurs were old news. Extinct for a reason and not as cool as bees. Her attention shifted to those that were working on tents. Something that she maybe should have busied herself with instead of sitting around but that brought an uncomfortable thought. She'd have to share space with someone.

A few bees had been drawn out by the smell of the pizza, crawling up the sleeves of her jacket. One rested on Jonna's shoulder, watching her as she tore another dipped piece and ate it.

She frowned. There was a very real possibility that she would get somebody obnoxious to tent with. How dreadful would that be? She put the thought aside for now, believing she had to gauge the others for compatibleness finally.

"So..." She spoke up delicately wiping her hands on a paper towel, her Swedish accent . One of her bees flew lazily over to it to try and slurp up some of the sauce she wiped off. "...Who tents with who? We weren't assigned, ya?"