webboysurf

Pacific Royal Collegiate & University - [CLOSED]

I will start by saying the attention to detail in constructing this RP and the cultivation of an active player base that was invested in the world and characters to the point we were cheering on every single damn post is a remarkable feat. I haven't loved writing with a community as much as I've enjoyed writing with this community. But, as our thoughts are being asked, I have a few.

Honestly, not that surprised this is how things have turned out. We've had the brakes slammed on us several times after finding a solid groove early on, and it makes sense to end things here where they stand. There's no point in trying to keep this rolling, because there is no momentum. This RP was abandoned before this post was made, and it wasn't abandoned by the players.

I very much enjoyed RPing with everyone here. I loved the characters and the dynamics we were building. Despite the GM packing their toys and going home, I would love to write something of a similar style and vibe one day with you all, but perhaps with less restriction and railroading.

Shelter: A Zombie Survival Story

<Snipped quote by webboysurf>

For sure should do something there. Ethan would certainly try to befriend him, as much as he would any other team-mate. It really comes down to how well you think Aaron would reciprocate to someone like him; annoyingly optimistic, not too bright, and eager to follow the crowd. The idea of a one-sided thing where Ethan obliviously thinks they're buddies, but Aaron barely tolerates him, is funny to me too.

On Ethan's side, he'd likely look up to Aaron to a certain degree, respecting how much he's accomplished on his own without always needing to rely on others. He'd make an effort to include Aaron in other group/team meet-ups outside of school, even if he usually blows them off.

@Tackytaff

Honestly, love the idea/dynamic that Ethan thinks Aaron is his friend and Aaron just sees Ethan as this guy he just can't get away from. Though I think Aaron likes Ethan more than he's willing to admit to himself. To an extent, Ethan is what Aaron could be if he wasn't so caught up in his own crap and ego. They're foils in an interesting way that could play nicely.

@webboysurf I sort of had it in mind that it was some guy that turned out to be "not so good" but I am willing to suspend that if you want them to have that dynamic.

@PatientBean

Was just tossing it out as an option, don't want to mess with whatever you have planned.

Shelter: A Zombie Survival Story

Well, since we've got a few character sheets in, does anyone want to work on any character interactions/relationships? I know none of them accepted yet, but just in case anyone wants to workshop something ahead of time.

@Kuro

Well, I don't think Aaron would know or remember Jess in any way, so I don't know if our characters would have any history or prior connections/interactions. Don't imagine Jess would like Aaron very much. I think the same goes with Hera, though I imagine both would probably know the name.

@Tackytaff: I feel like Aaron and Ethan would have to know each other pretty well, especially if they're on the same teams. Ethan seems to have less of an ego issue, so might be one of the few people Aaron could get along with well.

@PatientBean: Seems like Quinn and Aaron would probably know each other. There is room for Aaron to have been the person Quinn dated her sophomore year, as Aaron probably would have made the varsity team that year (though Ethan is also a pretty solid, perhaps more socially advantageous choice). Otherwise, they'd probably run in somewhat similar circles, but might not be close since Aaron isn't particularly popular.

Shelter: A Zombie Survival Story

I'm with @Kuro in that regard.

Shelter: A Zombie Survival Story

What the heck, why not.

Aaron West

_{18 - Ares - Senior - 6’ - Brandon Flynn}

“I’m going to cut you off… I don’t really care, man.”

Aaron, to a partner on a group project

---

Appearance Details

Aaron West stands at a solid six feet even, and weighs anywhere between 170 and 185 lbs depending on how much he’s bulking up for a certain season. He usually has a cocky grin plastered on his face, only to be replaced by a focused stare or cold indifference when it’s called for. He wears his high school varsity jacket with pride nearly anywhere he goes, with the appropriate patches for his roles on the Football, Basketball, and Baseball teams. A closer look reveals that his Varsity jacket is the only thing Aaron keeps pristine: the soles of his shoes have been worn down and smoothed, his jeans are always covered in grass or dirt stains, and his shirts are all older and worn out.

Characterization

Aaron West was supposed to get out of here.

He was always running, from a young age. His parents say it’s because he was a born athlete, but he taught himself everything he knows. He rarely spent time home, his parents both being out working a shift or drinking themselves into a stupor to numb the pain of having to go in the next day. So, Aaron grew up on the local basketball courts, and was signed up for nearly every sports camp and little league team he could be. Anything to make sure he wasn’t home.

It wasn’t until high school Aaron pieced together how bad his home life was. Two parents that hated each other, but were too tired and jaded to seek happiness elsewhere. Besides, why chase a better life when they could just blame their kid? The only times they ever seemed to be interested in him was at the games of his they could make. He could be something one day. He was an investment. Not enough of one to put effort into making sure he stayed on top of his grades and didn’t have to repeat the 8th grade… but an investment nonetheless.

Despite being somewhat popular for being a triple sport athlete, Aaron has earned himself a reputation of being a difficult jerk. He’s been called everything from sardonic (a word he probably doesn’t even know) to downright arrogant and aggressive. His teammates put up with him as much as they can, but Aaron knows they’d never stick their neck out for him if they didn’t have to. At the end of the day, it’s for the best. He doesn’t want to be stuck in Alpena Heights like his parents, and there’s no point in making connections to a place that’ll be in his rearview the rest of his life. Everyone else is just baggage that’ll slow him down.

At least, that’s what he tells himself. It’s easier than admitting his own flaws, or how his devil-may-care attitude has hurt anyone who has tried to get close. Best for his ego to just claim they abandoned him, or that he doesn’t need anyone.

Of course, maybe he would have been something in another world. But here… the only thing Aaron has going for him is he can keep running.

He always keeps running.

Character Notes

- Aaron’s father is Henry West, a used car salesman who works at a dealership near the mall.

-Aaron’s mother is Barbara West, a waitress at a local diner.

-Aaron and his parents are only children.

Inventory

-Smartphone, 2 generations old and with a cracked screen.
-Backpack, half-full since he forgot half his textbooks at home.
-Pack of cinnamon gum
-Keys to his car, a 2012 Hyundai Sonata, which is in the student lot.

---

Pacific Royal Collegiate & University - [CLOSED]

_{Location: Team Swap Ceremony - P.R.C.U. Campus}

First Class #2.60 : I'm Still Here

---

_{Mention(s) and Interaction(s): The Newbies: Coop @psych0pomp, Elle @Skai, Simone and Layla @Lord Wraith}

Previously: Rumbling

Rory felt a heavy burden as soon as he felt the small tremors in the ground. Katja’s voice had clued him in that it wasn’t Haleigh’s powers, which was a momentary relief. But as soon as Katja had stepped in and spat her words at him, it was clear Rory’s action had the desired effect: they weren’t mad at the others anymore. At least, Katja wasn’t. But as Katja stared him down, and put a firm hand on his shoulder, the words sunk in. He had misread Katja, at least in part. He took her silence and her kindness as maturity, especially given all she had experienced. But now, Rory could have sworn he saw glimpses into the past.

This wasn’t just about the team.

He was relieved when Katja finally let go, even if it was followed by an indirect threat. They had made their position clear. It was selfish, but Rory couldn’t claim his was any less so. He saw the expression on Katja’s face change when they looked at Trace. There was even a hint of a smile. It was better than the misery she had been wallowing in before. That realization was bittersweet for Rory, and he just shoved his hands deeper into his pockets. Of course, Inigo had to go and make things worse. A more direct threat, this time. He wasn’t wrong, but he lacked tact. Another provoking attack.

Yet another poor reading of a teammate.

The faculty finally stepped in and moved the ceremony along. The teams were finalized. Rory was glad to be done with the dramatics as he had fallen back in line and watched four of his teammates scatter. Four new additions swept in, strangers as far as Rory was concerned. They seemed to want to be part of the team, at least. That much gave him a little hope, as he took a few steps forward to greet them. He shoved that heavy feeling in his gut deep down, and put a smile back on his face. He held out a fist to bump each of them in greeting. ”Hey guys, welcome to Blackjack. Name’s Rory. I’m from Ottawa, used to do a lot of wrestling back in high school.”

Nailed it.

”Glad you joined us.” Rory’s face dawned in realization as he looked between the newcomers and the various House captains. He recognized the colors of his father’s house, and his new home. Though what twinkled in his eyes was a realization as he reached into his pants pocket to pull out his phone, a smartphone a couple generations out of date and riddled with small cracks and dents. He tossed it to the nearest newcomer with reckless abandon. ”Make sure to add your numbers in, I want to try and get a group chat started for us before classes start. There’s no passcode, my brother kept breaking into it anyway.” He gave a small, polite wave as he backed away.

Rory turned on a dime and quickly marched over towards the captain for House Canis, giving a small nod as he approached. ”Uh… Rory Tyler. I’d like to accept the invitation to House Canis.” He held out the entire envelope of invitations towards them, hoping to pass off the loose papers. He couldn’t exactly fit them in his pocket.

Greetings and Salutations Rory, We are pleased to announce that after review, we have found you to possess great loyalty, a trait that we truly hold dear and revere in House Canis. We hope that you'll make ours your House of choice upon receiving your offers. Sincerely, Aiden Roth

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Pacific Royal Collegiate & University - [CLOSED]

_{Location: Team Swap Ceremony - P.R.C.U. Campus}

First Class #2.49 : Rumbling

---

_{Mention(s) and Interaction(s): Haleigh @Kuro}

Previously: Cat's out of the Bag

"You certain you want to do this? I'm not going to claim to know you. Hell, you can brush me off as unsolicited advice. But, just for a second, I want you to pause and look back at what you're leaving behind. I'm sure tensions are running high after what happened. People feel hurt. Depressed. Angry. That kind of feeling doesn't easily go away. It needs time to heal; certainly more time than a week. Trust me, I know how it goes more than most. By all means, if you still want to switch, then switch. But to me, it looks like Blackjack still gives a shit about you. You even have some of them on the verge of tears at the thought of you leaving them behind for another team."

"Don't worry about me, I heard the rules," She said in a sickeningly sweet tone to the transfer student offering up unsought opinions. "I know what I'm doing."

"She can think for herself, y'know. Keep your two cents out of our business and make your choice already."

Rory kept his fists clenched in his pockets, looking down at the ground and refusing to make eye contact with the three who stepped forward in the line. There they were, all fighting again. Fighting to leave, and to be independent. Some stranger was trying to stop things more than any of them were. A part of Rory hated himself for letting a stranger voice a desire for the others to stay. Another part hated that he wanted to supersede their decisions. His right hand had clenched itself around the crumpled eulogy, as he hadn’t bothered to change since the funeral. He remained silent, though. Inigo and Makenna were defending Trace to the end. And here he was, in some ways rooting against the three and hoping they would come back.

"Enough, Iñigo." Haleigh snapped in an assertive, commanding tone. "Drop the act. You know she's saying what we're all thinking."

Summoning all the courage she had, Haleigh stood up and pushed away the wheelchair. Although Tad had assured her back then that the inhibitor he had given Haleigh would allow her to walk as long as she wore it, she didn't quite trust him at the time. But this was different. She couldn't keep allowing things to hold her back; she needed to face things head-on.

Seemingly terrified, cautious steps soon turned into a full walk as Haleigh approached the center of the triangle where the four had stood amongst each other.

"Maybe I was... a little too harsh earlier. I'm sorry. I've been stressed out since the incident. We all have been. But she has a point. Blackjack needs each other more than ever. We need unity more than ever. I know some of us have had... differences in opinion, to say the least, but I don't want to see us fall apart like this. I know it'll probably be difficult, and honestly I'm probably making a fool out of myself here because you've likely already made up your minds, but please reconsider. If not for me, then for everyone else. We can work things out. I'm sure of it."

Haleigh held out her hand, hoping at least one of them would take her offer. She made an attempt, time would only tell if the three would leave her feeling spurned once more.

Rory’s eyes locked on Haleigh, as his mind circled back to the conversation around the fire. This literal step held with it more intent than any word she could mutter now. But the message and the meaning crept in and ate away at him instantaneously. His eyes turned to the cameras for a brief moment, trying to shove down the anxiety of being in such a public space without the comfort of having a playbook to follow. This whole situation had gotten out of hand. But Rory sighed, and scooted over to fill some empty space in their formation to get closer to the cluster of action. As he spoke, he kept his voice low while matching Haleigh’s assertive tone. That ever present awkward smile had faded. His eyes locked on Haleigh. "Stop this, Haleigh.”

Rory’s eyes turned to Makenna, Inigo, and Trace. His brow furrowed as he frowned. He was unable to mask the sadness plastered on his face. ”We’ve made our choice. They’ve made theirs. We haven’t really felt like a team from the beginning. Calliope was the first to really say it… and Cass…” The name haunted him a little, and felt like clay in his mouth. He had to swallow hard to clear it from his throat. ”He… he said at the fire that there isn’t a right or wrong decision, whether to stay or leave. I think he is… was right. Not the whole thing with, like, watering grass. But none of us chose to be on this team before now. Now we get to choose.”

The pit in Rory’s stomach grew larger. He let loose the words that had been building up in his chest, gnawing at his innards. One fist clenched at the paper in his pocket, as his other hand reached up to place a hand on Haleigh’s shoulder as he stood behind her. ”I’m with Blackjack until the end, despite you and Luce trying to paint me and them as enemies. And Luce couldn’t even be bothered to come here.” Rory felt his anger rise at that last sentiment, as if he had just finally realized it. He took a small breath to reset, speaking calmly again. ”I agree Blackjack needs to stay united, but they’re not Blackjack anymore. The choice has been made. They have to live with it, seems unfair to try and guilt them back after you pushed them away. Besides, if they do come back… then what? I’ve been on a lot of teams, and you never compete well if you don’t trust the people at your side. And you never trust the guys who are forced to be there. Blackjack never felt like a team when we were forced to be. I say we make the most of what we have, Haleigh, and move on… I say we let them go, ok?”

His hand gave Haleigh's shoulder a soft squeeze. He wasn't sure if he did the right thing. Maybe he did the worst thing he could have. But his eyes turned to his three former teammates, and he gave them a solemn nod. He was out of words. Hopefully they understood. Hyperion was wrong about him. He didn't give a damn about his own comfort. All he cared about in this moment was theirs.

Even if they were leaving him alone.

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Pacific Royal Collegiate & University - [CLOSED]

Cole grunted as he laced up his freshly polished boots. He had barely noticed the child who was standing at the door of the mud room, baseball gloves and baseball in hand. It was hard to remember how old Rory was then… perhaps because this scene had played out so many different ways over and over to the point it felt like a ritual. When Cole finally looked up, his stern expression barely changed. There was never a look of remorse. Just that blank, serious stare. Cole stood up, grabbed his duffel bag off the floor, and just shook his head. ”Maybe another time, kid.” Cole turned to open the door, a bright white light on the other side obscuring the outdoors. Rory sighed, letting the glove and ball fall to the ground. He would go back to his mother to complain, only to hear about how respected and necessary his dad’s work was. To make a better future, Cole had to make sacrifices.

Rory was just one of those sacrifices.

---

_{Location: Team Swap Ceremony - P.R.C.U. Campus}

First Class #2.24 : Cat's out of the Bag

---

_{Mention(s) and Interaction(s): None}

Previously: Empty Words

Rory groggily opened his eyes with a start, hands raised in fists as he tried to scan the room with blurred vision. It took him a moment to even process what had woken him up, finally acknowledging the buzzing generic alarm coming from his phone. He had set one to make sure he didn’t miss the ceremony. He cleared the sleepy tears from his eyes before focusing on the time. Of course, he was running late. Rory stuffed his phone in his pocket and began sprinting out the door to his room in the intake house, stumbling from taking too sharp of turns at a full sprint here and there. He was able to make it in record time, catching up to his team at the last moment as Jonas was finishing his speech. A brief glimpse at his teammate’s faces indicated Dr. Lehrer’s words were not encouraging. That was only going to make his job harder.

Then, of course, next was the Team Swap. Rory looked at the empty spots where his teammates would be standing. Cass would have been in the back, if he had to guess. He didn’t seem to be the type to draw attention or be at the center of attention. But… maybe he was? Rory didn’t know a damn thing about him, at the end of the day. None of them really did, it seemed. The only one who might have was Banjo, and he was still in the ICU as far as Rory knew. There wouldn’t be some inspiring speech today to rouse the troops, or wild outburst of antics to break the tension... just silence as the faculty continued explaining their ceremony.

Rory accepted the envelope as they were getting passed around. He took a quick read of his offers, nodding along to the options. After everything that had shaken down, the choice was obvious: the same house his father had been in when he was a student here. His father had been chosen for his motivation. Rory would settle for being chosen for loyalty. At the end of the day, gentleness and optimism were traits Rory had in abundance. He needed a competitive house if he was going to push himself properly. For their sakes. For Cass.

The counting roused Rory from his envelope. He turned to look down the line at his teammates. There was motivation and determination in the eyes of some, especially in Haleigh and Trevor. He gave them a soft smile. But as he turned his gaze to Trace, it was clear they were avoiding eye contact. Small knots twisted in his stomach. They wouldn't… they couldn't. Unless…

They spit on the ground. “Bloody fuckin’ Americans fixin’ all their problems with violence.” They released Rory’s arm. “It’s a sad fuckin’ day when I agree with Makenna and Rory here. But here I am.” They paused. “No, fuck you all, I’m not here. Not anymore. Not with the lot of you.”

@psych0pomp

Trace had already said their goodbyes, in their own way. His eyes briefly darted to the others. Trevor and Haleigh looked rooted. They didn't seem to notice. Why couldn't anyone else see it? Rory's heart rate rocketed up as Trace stepped forward. He felt his left hand reach forward just slightly yet again, as if to catch them. But his hand just held there in front of him, before weakly falling back to his side. Neither of the armbands held were for Team Blackjack.

Anywhere but here. Anyone but us. Everyone except us.

Rory's eyes turned back to what remained of his team. He didn't even clock the two transferring to Blackjack. His eyes turned to the others. His eyes lingered on Inigo and Makenna. The former had managed to pick a fight the first time they had met, and the latter had chosen to insult those who wished vengeance for Cass. He looked back at Trace, arm raised defiantly. Might as well have given them the finger, and told them to bang their mother's dogs or some other funny euphemism they could draw from their arsenal. They had done it often enough before. Trace had hardly been nice to any of them, except perhaps Katja. This was the most tame Trace's rejection of them had been, so far. But that just left a single question bouncing around his empty head.

Of all the people… why did this hurt so much?

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Pacific Royal Collegiate & University - [CLOSED]

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

The Homecoming Trials #2.24 : Empty Words

---

_{Mention(s) and Interaction(s): Haleigh @Kuro, Luce @Roman, Trace @psych0pomp, Inigo @Mao Mao, Makenna @Tackytaff}

Previously: No Sleep

Rory kept his hands planted in his pocket, fist balled around his crumpled eulogy. One by one, his teammates gathered. There was a somewhat even split in opinion on the next move, though the voices for vengeance were loudest. Haleigh had addressed him directly. Words caught in his throat. He wanted to defend himself… or agree. He wasn’t sure. His hand squeezed tighter around the empty words he refused to speak. The letters were shaky and cut deep into the notebook paper. They too called for action and justice. They were a self-serving rallying cry, the kind of speech a team captain would give at half-time. They were words that came from a deep-seated sorrow that rendered cuts across his bleeding heart.

They were just empty words meant for his benefit, not Cass’. They wouldn’t have helped his family. His sister was a few years younger than Mary.

He wasn’t going to let her, or Will even, bury another Tyler because he let himself go with the tide.

Rory shook his head at Haleigh’s words, muttering out a soft ”No” in refutation of her conclusion. He almost didn’t notice that Trace had grabbed onto his arm. He froze up for a moment at the realization, before letting himself relax slightly. It was a positive sign, if nothing else. He gave small nods of appreciation to Inigo and Makenna as they approached. He couldn’t quite find any words to say to anyone though. He was far too exhausted to think clearly, or put together any semblance of a speech. Most surprising of all was Luce, who had seemed so uncertain and fearful the night everything broke down. But now, she seemed like a completely different person. He wasn’t sure what was more unnerving: the arrogant voice that kept him up at night, or the incendiary rage that burned like oil in Luce’s throat. He understood the feelings… but he couldn’t find himself agreeing with the conclusion. Killing Hyperion… it was too easy. Too simple. Hyperion needed to be stopped, but something in Rory’s gut felt weary of the choice of words and goal. It was something to mull over, but he wasn’t fond of Luce’s ultimatum.

Trace let go of his arm… and spited him one last time before walking away. He felt his heart sink, his hand catching in his pocket as he tried to reach out for a moment. He stopped himself. Trace clearly insisted on being alone… but right now didn’t feel like the time to push the issue. He’d catch up with them later. Rory gave a weak, weary smile to Inigo and Makenna. ”I think everyone needs time to grieve in their own way… I’ll see you guys at the ceremony. I’ll be at the Intake House until then if you need me.” With that, Rory made his way back towards the dorms.

It was time he got some rest.

He needed to be at his best for his team.

Or what was going to be left of it.

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Pacific Royal Collegiate & University - [CLOSED]

"Ohhhhhh shit." Banjo thought to himself. Time froze for Banjo as his mind spun trying to figure out how to handle this fresh clusterfuck.

"Let's not panic... he just said it himself. He doesn't use it. He's not going to fool around and do anything stupid anytime soon. This is easy. You find him later, away from anyone else. No need to cause anyone any kind of panic, and you explain to him the 'rules' you came up with. The 'rules' for using it safely and not endangering anyone or... the world. I mean he can follow a simple set of rules, right?"

Banjo offered Rory a simple thumbs up and a strained smile, in support of Rory's willingness to share with the group, as he sat in more abject terror than he'd been in for quite some time.

He was pretty sure abject terror was generally an absolute for most people, and not a sliding scale. But Banjo did not grow up as most people.

Rory was the next one to open up about themselves. He seemed slightly nervous talking to the group, a feeling that Katja could very much relate with. The thought of having family in PRCU, even if they were in the collegiate, seemed nice to her. And from the way he spoke of them, Rory seemed to draw some semblance of strength at the thought of them being close by. Him mentioning he was experienced in wrestling almost made her eyes spark with joy. Finally someone who also practiced a martial art… Even if it was a completely different discipline from her own. His power seemed interesting too, the possible applications of which seemed endless to Katja. Barely able to contain her excitement at having met a fellow martial arts practitioner though, she spoke up to him after taking one last bite from her kebab, her mouth half full. ”It’s awesome you’re into martial arts too! I’m very much into kickboxing but have been interested in getting into MMA. Maybe you can teach me some moves?”

Rory’s eyes settled on Banjo for a moment, clocking a moment of… discomfort? Fear? It was hard to say… but the look on his face matched the feeling Rory had in his gut whenever he thought about what he could do. Though… quite frankly, Rory’s imagination probably wasn’t as vivid. Given the powers shared around the campfire as only a starting point, it is terrifying being around someone who can do anything given the right circumstances. But before Rory could spiral too far, his cheeks grew a little red as Katja spoke. The contrast between the reactions was jarring, but it was a welcome change. He flashed a small smile and a nod in response. ”I never really tried either… But I’d be happy to teach what I know. Maybe you could teach me some kickboxing in return?”

Things began to wind themselves down as the fire grew weak. The tents were much nicer than he expected, and Rory settled in for bed rather quickly as he stripped down to just his shorts. He spent a few minutes with his phone light looking through his notes on his team again. He needed to know what they all did… but as sleep crept over him, he welcomed the sweet embrace of sleep.

It was nice.

Maybe things were going to be ok.

---

_{Location: Dr. Morse's Office / The Funeral - P.R.C.U. Campus}

The Homecoming Trials #2.07 : No Sleep

---

_{Mention(s) and Interaction(s): Banjo @Hound55, Katja @Zoldyck, Haleigh @Kuro, Trace @psych0pomp}

Previously: Is this Kumbayah?

^{2 Days after “the incident”}

”You aren’t sleeping?” Dr. Morse’s question was phrased more as a statement. Rory looked down at the ground, refusing to make eye contact. His leg was shaking like it always did.

”No. I can’t.”

”Can’t, or won’t?”

Rory grit his teeth as he leaned back in his chair. He was having trouble keeping his eyes open. Dr. Morse leaned forward in her own chair, setting the notebook and pencil on an ornate side table. ”You need to be honest with me. I can’t help you if-”

”Help? Help what?” Rory’s leg was shaking so violently at this point that he shot up out of his chair, quickly pacing back and forth along the length of the room. He didn’t make eye contact, as his eyes were nearly closed at this point. By his movements, he looked wide awake… but his face betrayed his sleep deprivation. ”Cass needed help, and we couldn’t do a single fucking thing. I… I…” The words were thick in his throat, caught somewhere in his windpipe and threatening to choke him.

”You couldn’t save him… None of us could.” Dr. Morse closed her eyes, relying on her powers this time. Rory noticed her wince, before trying to mask the disgust. She took a couple breaths as she opened her eyes. Dr. Morse didn’t look at Rory as she grabbed her notebook again to write down a couple notes. ”What you’re experiencing is something called Survivor’s Guilt, in response to a severe traumatic event. It’s… expected, after something like this.”

Rory’s pace slowed as his body began losing steam. He looked at Dr. Morse in the eyes as she motioned towards the chair opposite to her. He relented and sat down, elbows on his knees and head in his hands as he rubbed his eyes. ”I haven’t seen it in years.”

Dr. Morse closed her eyes again, before having to stifle a chuckle. ”I’m not talking about TV. You just survived a near death encounter… and someone you knew died in that encounter. I don’t have to read your mind to know you’re wondering why it wasn’t you.”

Rory didn’t respond.

Dr. Morse stood up, moving over to a set of cabinets and opening the first drawer, sorting through the folders for a moment before finding a small two-pocket folder with some handouts. She walked back to her seat, setting the folder to the side for a moment. ”We’re going to go over some exerci-... routines you can put in place to begin the process of dealing with the guilt and grief. But before we do that… I want you to understand that you aren’t the only one going through this, Rory.”

Rory gave a small nod.

---

^Now

”I… uhh… I didn’t really get to know him that well…”

Rory stood in front of the gathered crowd, hands gripping on to the podium like it was a life raft. He had been to enough of these that he should be comfortable. Three funerals in three years… it was beginning to feel like an annual tradition at this point. He had volunteered without much thought. But now that he had to look at Cassander’s family… it became clear how little Rory knew his teammate. He was dressed up nicer than he ever had in his life. No one knew how many times he had to re-tie the red neck tie and fix his hat in the mirror before the funeral. Rory’s appearance was the only thing he could control here. Rory cleared his throat, removing his hands from the podium to grab his notes and shove them into his pants pocket.

His cheeks were dry. He had run out of tears six months ago.

That thought killed Rory.

”He was funny. He was smart. He… he understood what it means to be here. I don’t know if he wanted to be here, or if he wanted to be part of our team… I think I would have been lucky to have gotten to know him. He seemed kind… strong. When push came to shove… he acted. He would have been a good H.I.T. agent…” Rory’s eyes turned to his teammates in the crowd. ”We… we’ve just got to make him proud.”

Rory kept his eulogy quick, opting not to focus on the body before he settled back in with the others. He still looked, for lack of a better word, sick. It was clear he still wasn’t sleeping well. He could barely keep his eyes open through the rest of the ceremony. He almost hadn’t noticed when everyone began filing away, back towards the Minotaurs. Rory was practically frozen stiff staring out at the horizon where the body had drifted. He finally turned and followed the crowd, moving at a somewhat brisk pace. He tuned out most of the conversations and murmurs around him, before a small sentence crept through the noise.

"I'm going to kill him."

Rory snapped his head in the direction of Haleigh and Trace.

"Cass. Banjo. Jim. Tad. He's going to pay for everything."

“Innit what Hyperion would want? Get angry? So, he can spout more stupidity about bein’ superior while we flop around like fish? Nah, I’m good. I ain’ bathin’ in blood for Cass. You can, though. You got the power to.” They held the hibiscus out to Haleigh. “Aren’t you more interested to find out why us? Why Tad? How did they know we were goin’ to be out in the middle of nowhere? This place has its secrets, too, and I’m not happy playin’ that they’re innocent in this, either.”

Rory strolled over in their direction, lifting his hands to readjust his coat absent-mindedly. ”Trace is right.” Those words felt weird coming out of his mouth. Rory didn’t make eye contact with the two of them, and kept his voice down to avoid drawing too much attention their way. ”For now, at least. Cass tried, and I can’t do another funeral. I… I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. Asking why. It doesn’t make any sense to me… but that’s not new.” Rory paused for a moment, out of habit. Negative self talk wasn’t going to help right now. ”I think we all deserve answers. No matter what it takes.”

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