Episode 5: When the Knights Go Marching In

[Necessity4Fun]

Cecilia Rizzo Pellegrini

​

Location: AEGIS Facility 108 - Entrance >> Exam Area
People Around: Nix, Lara and a nice lady (Anneliese) >> Add the parents! (Does Anneliese follows us?)
Interactions: Natealie , Lioness075 , B Bag o Fruit

I wanted them to meet my friends, but not like this!

Once done, Cecilia was wondering how effective her little speech had been, if effective at all. She wasn't good with words, in fact, since she was from the countryside time and time again her reasoning had been simple, to some even cheesy or 'fantastic'. It was clear that even after 4 years in the big city, she still lacked the notion a 'native' had of the environment itself.

But then the girl smiled. It was such a pure and innocent smile and the little Italian was filled with a warm sensation: The joy of knowing she helped, and it intensified greatly with the thanks Nix had given her:

"Y-you're welcome! I was just being honest, really", she had smiled back, "Definitely trying to remember what Lara said too. I have forgotten to tell my name so many times before...", the girl laughed awkwardly.

"Good afternoon! Is everyone alright? I thought I heard some commotion...", A lady Cecilia didn't know had come from inside and asked them kindly:

"Yep, we're alright. No commotion here, Miss!", the Italian had cheerfully replied, but just as she had done so Lara had raised her voice alerted:

"Crahp! Cecilia, we hafe to go now! The final exahm sta'ts in minutes!", instantly taking her teammate's attention.

"Dio Mio! We're going to be late for the water fun! I mean, the exam. I mean, both!", she had announced, waving a 'Bye, you two!' to the others before dashing out, trying to keep up with her British friend, but falling a bit behind as Cecil was being careful to not trip and fall, as she had done in so many other occasions.

The new student had followed after them, offering to be helpful. Cecilia figured Nix could possibly hold her shoulder bag during the event, and then it hit her:

"Wait, are you not participating?"

"Cecilia!"​

The girl instantly turned around, drawn to the duo of slightly heavier Italian accents that were calling her name:

"Mama?! Papa?!", she exclaimed in surprise, "What are you two doing here? I thought you had work today!"

But goofier as always, her dad had already started making questions. Letting the others know -specially Lara- that she had at least said something about her AEGIS friends to them:

"P-papa...", the girl muttered embarrassed, this was not something people were supposed to know! With a soft sigh, Cecilia had started introducing everyone, "This is Lara, you definitely heard about her, the British friend that can fly. That is Nix, we just met in the front, she's a new student..."

"...And these are my mom and dad, Tablita and Edmondo. I miiiiiight have told my parents about all the people I met around here...just...a little bit...?", the Italian girl had explained, wanting to die of embarrassment once again.

 

[ManicMuse]

iiNPC Card:

--Name--

Richard Chase ​

--Role--

Izzy's Dad / Volunteer​

@: Lioness075


"Um, sir...the lanyard?" The words faintly registered in his mind. Richard then realized, he had a death grip on it still. Releasing it, he frowned and twitched his mustache. Brow still wrinkled he watched the pair heading down to the edge of the pier.

"Do you have a problem with him? Has he done something wrong to you?"

"Appears he is making friends with my daughter. I suppose I am just being an over protective parent," Richard's gaze stayed on the pair for a moment longer before he shifted his full attention back to Piper.

Giving a half cocked smirk, he motioned to Piper's camera, "Reporter? Or photographer?"

A kid pushing a vendor cart passed by, selling snow cones and candy bars. Richard flagged them down.

"What can I get you, sir?"

"Second sir in five minutes. Damn, I am getting old."

The comment caused the kid to give a timid laugh and flush with color.

"Oh you're fine, kiddo. I'll take a snow cone with dragons blood and an almond joy. And whatever the young miss is having," Richard motioned to Piper, as he reached for his back pocket and pulled his wallet.

 

[ManicMuse]

iiNPC Card:

--Name--

Albert​

--Power--

Green Vine Growing Giant​

Isabella Chase

Location: Pier > Starting point of course


State of being: Focused on finding team


Nearby: Lots of students!

@: D. Rex B Bag o Fruit The Suspicious Eye

Izzy was stuck to Albert like glue after their introductions. It was no surprise, after the announcement, Isabella was delighted that the 8 foot tall boy was gonna be on her team. Each of them collected their corresponding safety equipment. Orange for Izzy and red for Albert. Now the question was, how was Albert going to get out to the course? After all, the green giant had never learned how to swim. Then there was the matter of the rest of their team.


Approaching one of the course marshals Albert made an inquiry, “I uh, can't swim. How am I gonna get out to the course?”


“Oh don’t worry dear, tell the Aqua launch staff. They have transport for those unable to do the first part,” the woman in the yellow shirt replied with a smile. “Just head out to the pier and find the rest of your team.”


With that, the pair followed the crowd and headed to the pier, where students were already being tossed off the auqa launcher into the water. Standing off to the edge of the wood planks suspended over the water, they searched for others on their team.


Albert, held Izzy up with a pair of vines and she called out, “Green Gators team over here!!!! Come on Green Gators! Greeeeeeen Ga-tors.” Chanting, Izzy made chopping motions with her arms. After a few minutes of nothing, Albert pulled her down, “How about you head out to the start point. See if any of our team is out there. I’ll stay here and look for them. Signal me if you find anyone.”


Izzy nodded and bounced off to the Aqua launcher line. A few short minutes later, Izzy was sitting on the end of a huge inflated pillow over the water. From behind she heard, “Cross your arms over your chest. Launcher on. Ready in three, two, one!”


Isabella wrapped her arms across her chest and squeezed both eyes shut. With a shrill squeal, she was airborne. Both ears down and tail flapping hopelessly, Izzy splashed down into the water. Popping to the surface moments later, a volunteer boat closest to her erupted with cheers with noisemakers blaring.


Coughing out a bit of water, that had gone up her nose. Izzy gave a thumbs up to the cheering onlookers and swam the short remaining distance to the massive inflated staircase, labeled Start. A course marshal stood on either side of the staircase, giving students a hand and hoisting them out of the water as the arrived. Taking an out stretched hand, Izzy flopped onto the bouncy stair and clambered to her feet calling out, “Any Green Gators here?!”

 

[yoikes]

Naran Ihbarhasvad
Location: Training Facility 108 Event Area (Checkpoint Area)
Mood: As bright as the sun!!

Clear sky? Check!
Good wind? Check!
Bright sun? Check!
Ah! What a wonderful day! This is amazing! Such a perfect weather!, or so Naran thought. The Mongolian does not know that not everyone may appreciate the weather as she did. She currently wearing a white windbreaker and a loose running pants, hiding her superhero uniform beneath it (just in case), and a pair of Nike™ running shoes.

She is very excited to be here today, her first AEGIS event! Was a school event always this crowded and fun looking back in her days? She don't think so. She just arrived a few minutes ago and she could already tell that they need help in the checkpoint area, especially as she spots the buses carrying students from other Training Facility.

"Hey, can i help?" Naran asked, as soon as she make her way toward one of the nearest checkpoint tent. No one gives her clear answer, but some did nod as they moving around to make sure all volunteers get the white bag containing all the stuff volunteers needed to have. Naran smiled to the nearest grumpy looking lady, taking one of the clipboard placed on the table then lifted her right hand up in the air while announcing, "A new line is opened here! Please line up so i can verify your identity!"

 

[yoikes]

Mitch Castle
Location: Training Facility 108 Exam Area
Mood: (Literally) Lost
Nearby: Sato Tomoko

She heard that there might be a large number of people attending the events. I mean, all the teachers, media, volunteers, and students from other facility? Yeah, of course. But Mitch never expected that there will be this many people. It gives different feeling from Facility 108 at usual, it feels so lively and cramped with all these people going around all over the places. There are tents and vehicles, the food trucks (tasty burger btw, recommended) and some important looking vehicles hidden behind the tents.

Beneath one of the tents nearby, she can see Tomoko adorably eating a pink- strawberry flavored ice cream. Wiping sweat off her forehead, Mitch started to make her way toward Tomoko. It's not a bad idea to take cover from the sun while waiting for her friends.

 

[Gus]

Kate Barrett
​

Location: Main Building --> Roof --> Midst of the throng
Mood: Festive/sulking
Nearby: Richard Chase, Piper, The Pelligrinis and others
@s ManicMuse Lioness075

After what seemed like nearly a week, Kate gave up on Swan answering his door. Probably already gone out to the course by now to get things organized.

Or he's hiding in there in the dark because he doesn't like you!
We don't like you either!
I have the death sentence on 12 systems!
...really? Jesus christ.
What?
You fucked up the inner monologging that's what.
I just thought we could...
...you know what, I'm not doing this now.
Whatever. It's not like we can take some time apart.
...​

Kate smiled to think of anything involving supers being 'organized' in any meaningful way as she ducked out the side entrance at the end of the hall. With a quick burst of light, she vaulted up to the roof to have a look at the big picture. The entire enterprise had an atmosphere of freaky holiday, more like a festival than a final exam. There were at least a hundred students down there, and more than twice that many volunteers and onlookers. Food trucks, emergency service vehicles, parents, students and staff all milling about, filled with an aura of happy, nervous energy. Kate smiled. The city needs this. After everything that has happened this year, they need this badly. A joint enterprise. A coming together in common purpose. She can feel the article practically writing itself in her head.

Speaking of which, she really should get some press credentials.

Scanning the various tents and stations surrounding the peer, she spotted Piper, 108s unofficial photojournalist in a slight tug of war over a lanyard. Bingo. Selecting an open patch of ground nearby, she launched herself off the edge of the roof and dropped neatly into the gap. Taking a bead on Piper's flame red hair, she picked her way through the crowd, just catching the tail end of their conversation. Her eyes flicked toward the student pairing they were discussing. Izzy Chase. The cat-girl. Kate had heard a good deal about Izzy in her background research; probably second only to Tabitha Crane in being singled out for bullying behaviors. No wonder her father was defaulting to protective! She waited patiently for him to finish with the food vendor and then stepped up and proffered her right hand to him, simultaneously nodding hello to Piper.

“Mr. Chase I presume? Katheryn Barrett, Star Tribune. Do you have anymore press lanyards?”

 

[Gus]

Anthony Costanzo
​

@s Malikai The J

The kid was nervous. Sure, why wouldn't he be? He still wasn't even sure of the extent of his powers, according to his file. Anthony had private concerns about the wisdom of withholding what they knew from the testing, but he wasn't in any position to cast judgement for keeping secrets, and anyway, he didn't write the policy. That was Billy's department, and he knew better than to cross Billy. He suspected that most supers would be astonished how much testing revealed about them. Not just their powers either. You can tell an awful lot from crunching numbers. Secrets hide in plain sight in piles of raw data where nobody thinks to look. Language of the universe...

Wrenching his attention back to the moment at hand he smiled winningly. “Mostly just watching and cheering for 108. Home team and all that. Unofficially of course. Technically commonwealth doesn't play favorites. Officially I am here for follow up Re-con. Watching to see how our test data stacks up against 'real-world' challenges. Sounds like you guys better go get your helmets and stuff though... Good luck! Or as the Japanese say 'Ganbatte!' Luck, after all, has nothing to do with it.”

 

[Gus]

Aaron Mallory
​

Aaron gently tugged at the cable, testing the weld. It would do. He better get topside quick; there were already students splashing down into the water now. Or maybe that had been Manami buzzing him. At any rate, he didn't want to miss a second of this, and he didn't want to end up on the news in his boxers again either. He turned and began the long trudge back to the shadow of the pier where he had left his clothes.

 

[Gus]

Lucas Marsolet
​

Location: Raymond's Apartment
Nearby: Raymond
@s Transparent

Lucas was rushing through the dark, jostled by the crowd around him. Everybody was in such a hurry to get somewhere. There was a pulsing urgent buzz everywhere he turned, and yet as he approached it always receded from him, as if the urgency was calmed by his presence. Or perhaps it was that the others were talking about him behind his back, and only stopped when they felt him draw near.

He rushed on.

Lucas had no idea how long he had been traveling, and had lost all sense of where he was in the world. He was beginning to suspect that there was only the dark and the rush and the urgent buzz and that the world was just a fever dream, half remembered and better forgotten. And then he felt it again: a familiarity. Something about this particular part of the dark stirred a memory in him. Somewhere nearby... he could sense... home?

His heart lurched, suddenly discordant with the background hum, beating out of time. He grasped at the familiar place, missed the exit, and several more, before finally bursting out into the light. He emerged from the outlet as if from a birth canal, squashed into a strange shape by the constrains of the wire's geometry, but as he was moving at nearly the speed of light, there wasn't time to really feel the discomfort of it. For a split second, there is an impression of a well built physique, nude, and with several prominent scars. But surely that was just a trick of the light through the blinds? The jeans and brown button down shirt that cover him must have been there all along. Oh, and the shoes. Were those there before? Of course, they must have been; the kid hadn't moved other than to sort of flop onto the floor....

Lucas inhaled spasmodically, his new lungs unused to breathing air. ...and smoke? He coughed violently and tried to sit up, still not quite registering his surroundings.

Between coughs, he gasped out “Ou est-ce, l'enfer?”

 

[Gus]

Miia and Manami
​

Location: Pier, somewhere between tents and launcher
Nearby: Lots of people, closest are probably Izzy and Albert
Mood: Excited and nervous, respectively
@s ManicMuse Necessity4Fun Lioness075 ViAdvena


Miia perked up when she heard the words 'Snow' and 'globe' shouted in tandem. That was her team, and she had been thrilled to see her name on that list. It might have been a coincidence, the choice of team name, but she didn't really believe in such things as coincidence. 108 was where the snowglobe incident had happened, among so many other things. Why did her school have to be so... boring? She turned to see who was shouting and... ew. She was a fish?! Wrinkling her nose, she flounced over to get a closer look. Ick. Definitely a fish. And smelling like seaweed. Gross. Still, it was a water based test. She'd probably be useful. And afterward they could grill her for lunch!

Gigling at her own internal joke (She'd never actually eat fish, ew!) she spoke to the fish saying

“Did you say snow-globe? That's my team too! Miia Makela, facility 106. You must be... Manami? Do you know where um... Kendrick, Sam and Mary are? We have to get to the aqua launcher quick or the other teams will get a head start!”

Manami gaped at the new girl, not sure what to say. She hadn't realized that there would be other schools here today, and it made her nervous to be working with somebody new unexpectedly. At least Kendrick, Sam and Mary she knew. She looked around, but didn't see them, and she said so.

“Maybe they're already at the launcher? We should go see.”

 

[Transparent]

Location
Raymond's Apartment
Present
Raymond, Lucas
Mood
"What The Fuck?"
@'s
Gus

Had it not been for the spoon hanging from his mouth and the bowl of cereal in his right hand Raymond might have jumped from the couch in response to the sudden appearance of the man from the outlet. Instead, he stared blankly for a moment as his mind processed events and managed to place the cereal and his phone on the table, accompanied by the spoon.

"Non, c'est mon aparte. Qui es-tu, tabarnak?" Raymond responded, giving the man a quick once-over. He didn't appear threatening, and his initial actions betrayed no intent to do harm. Either way Raymond remained wary of the situation as he awaited a response.

 

[Gus]

Lucas Marsolet
​

Location: Raymond's Apartment
@s Transparent

For a moment, he was stunned to silence, rare as it was to hear his own language, it was rarer still to hear the quebecois accent, let alone such salty usage of words! It triggered deep memories and a complicated welter of emotions. He wanted to fight the man and give him a tearful hug in the same moment.

Slowly, he began to regain control of himself, and was able to sit up and take stock of the room. It was indeed, an apartment. Smallish, untidy to say the least, though hardly approaching squalid, and the smoke was from a cigarette, burning out it's last wisps in an ashtray full of butts. So not hell after all. But purgatory seemed to still be on the table.

He returned his attention to the tall slim man on the couch across from him and considered his question. 'Who the fuck are you?'

That did seem like a good place to start. He opened his mouth, then hesitated. His face crinkled up in distress and his right hand rose to his face, seemingly of its own accord, obscuring his disfigurement. His breath hitched for a moment, a rapid fluttering sigh that was trying not to turn into a sob.

“I... ...calisse du marde... I think I remember there... there were birds? I think I need help. Can you help me? S'il t'plait. Je suis revenu, mais j'ai besoin de me retrouver...”

 

[Damafaud]

Aid Ward
Bus Stop > Event Area
Nearby: Pinkie ( Swoob )

He had spent the morning away in a public pool, swimming with two of his friends from the club. It was rare for school not to begin until later in the afternoon and he was determined to enjoy the most of it. A feeling of disappointment crept in his mind as he saw Gladys waving her hand, signalling toward her watch. It was time to go. There was no use to whine and pout. Inevitable, but disappointing nonetheless. So, he said goodbye to his friends and made his way to the shower without any complaint.

Lunch wasn't very eventful. Gladys finished hers in a matter of minutes, eager to read a book she had been carrying. On the other side of the table, Aid took his time eating his fried rice. His grandma was an excellent cook, but he felt the need to sulk after being pulled from the swimming pool. The two of them headed to a bus stop an hour after noon. Just their luck, the bus left a few moments before they arrived. Gladys opened her book and started reading again, leaving Aid to his own amusement.

"Aid, Stop it! " The person mentioned turned his face absentmindedly toward the source of the sound. Gladys, his aunt and older sister returned his bored stare with a glare. "Stop what? " With nothing else to do, he had spent the last three minutes clicking a pen. And clicking it again. And again. And again. It gave him a bit of something to do, but it had rewarded him with annoyed stares from others in the bus stop. Which of course, only encourage him to do it faster.

Gladys tried to snatch the pen, but Aid hastily stuffed it into his pocket. It wouldn't do for the pen to be taken. To everyone's relief, the bus arrived before the event became more complicated. "Remember, be good and do your best, " Gladys gave Aid one last reminder and a light pat on the head. "But I'm always good! " he said with a quizzical look before breaking into a smile to sign he was joking. He skipped into the bus and sat by the window, giving Gladys a farewell wave before the bus started moving, bringing him closer to Facility 108.


He arrived just in time to hear the announcement and saw the obstacle course. In an instant, a grin appeared on his face. This should be a piece of cake! He was worried the test would be a boring no power exercise, but this final exam passed even his wildest expectation! Easy race? Opportunity to swim? Check. Possibility for something funny to happen to others and for him to laugh at? Check! "This exam will be a lot of fun! " He attracted some stares from others, but he didn't particularly care. This would be even more fun than swimming in the pool! He was still grinning widely long after the announcement was over.

His short stature gave him a bit of trouble as he searched for his team, but Aid knew he only needed to look for one thing.

And there it was! A jumbled mass of pink hair sticking up in the crowd. He was a bit far from him, but it didn't matter. Aid took a deep breath, raised his hand, and shouted from the crowd. "Hey! Pinkieee! Over here! " He furiously jumped up and down while waving his hands wildly.

There is no way Pinkie wouldn't notice him now!

 

[Lioness075]

Name: Piper Farrar	Rank: E
Attire: White tank top with analog camera on the front, short jean shorts with some tears, white socks and black converse sneakers	Location: Facility 108 Final Exam Area
Tagged: ManicMuse (Richard), Gus (Katheryn)

Having released his death grip on her lanyard, Piper was able to finally retrieve it and put it around her neck.
"Thank you, sir."

Listening to the man's explanation for why he was glaring, Piper grinned and replied, "I'm sure every parent has an overprotective moment. Just try not to terrify the poor guy."
Just after she said this, Piper realized her parents never actually were overprotective of her. Before her emotions got all riled up, Piper reasoned that they were just too busy with their business to notice every little thing she does anyways. It wasn't that big of a deal.

Piper smiled when the man asked about her occupation to which she replied, "Both, actually! I mean, I'm not a reporter for a big organization or anything. I run my own social media and blog with a positive twist on supers. Everyone focuses too much on the powers and forgets that a human being is behind them."

Seeing the food cart flagged down, Piper's stomach almost immediately growled leaving her with a flustered expression. The man remarked on the many 'sir's he was receiving and Piper giggled at his joke. Though, speaking of, he hadn't introduced himself just yet.
"Well, sir, maybe if I knew your name then we could move on from the many 'sir's you will be called."

Hearing the man offering to cover her for a snack, Piper gave a big smile.
"Thank you, sir!"

Looking at the kid and his snow cone options, Piper decided to keep it simple today.
"I'll just take a strawberry snow cone. Thank you."

Taking her snow cone from the kid, Piper almost immediately bit a chunk out of it. Closing her eyes briefly, Piper let out a content sigh. It was a fairly hot day for anyone who wasn't going to be participating in the water exam.

She didn't get to enjoy her snow cone for too long before a woman joined their duet, making it a trio. Hearing that the woman worked at Star Tribune, Piper glanced over at her curiously. Having never worked at any journalist organization, Piper had to wonder why anyone enjoyed having their work edited to the point where they weren't even saying their own words anymore.

 

[Lioness075]

Name: Samantha 'Sam' Casan

Rank: B

Attire: Black tank top, torn jean shorts, barefoot

Location: Final Exam Event Area

Tagged: @Necessity4Fun (Kendrick)

Sam continued along at her leisurely pace, wondering if Kendrick was going to catch up with her or not. Knowing the boy, he probably wouldn't run anywhere so he likely had called a cab or waved one down. No wait, he has a private driver and fancy car, so he definitely was in that now. He surely was enjoying his luxurious ride and privacy along the way to Facility 108. Sam had to wonder what such a nice car felt like to ride in daily. Did Kendrick even appreciate it?

Sam was startled back to reality when she heard Kendrick's voice. What the...?
Looking at the street, Sam saw Kendrick's signature fancy car and Kendrick himself looking at her. Actually, speaking to her, too. He was offering a ride?

Something had to be wrong with the guy. It made absolutely no sense that the one teen she tormented the most would want to offer her a ride. Sam was officially baffled. But this was a free ride in a luxurious car and it meant she wouldn't have to sprint the rest of the way. She didn't want to needlessly tire herself before anything important even began.

Sighing, Sam decided it couldn't hurt too much and entered Kendrick's car while mindfully sitting at the complete opposite side of him. Hoping he wasn't watching her, Sam sat down slowly and tentatively before faintly grinning at the soft feeling of the seat. She practically sank into heaven and leaned back in her seat to enjoy it completely. Not wanting Kendrick to see how much she liked all of this, Sam glared suspiciously at him.
"Why'd you let me join you in this fancy car? Are you expecting me to owe you one now?"

 

[Lioness075]

Name: Scarlet Calloway	Rank: A
Attire: Plastic black small square glasses, grey sweater with an anime-style cat on front, cropped light blue jeans, grey Converse sneakers	Location: Bus Stop --> Facility 108 Final Exam Area
Tagged: Necessity4Fun (Juliana), AllHailDago (Melody), Necessity4Fun (Kendrick), Sam

Strongly resisting the urge to roll her eyes at Juliana's antics, Scarlet resolved to simply be quiet for now. It seemed any reply would just prompt Juliana to continue endlessly talking. Would she run herself to the ground if nobody responded to her?

Driving onwards to Facility 108, Scarlet soon slowed down when a nice-looking black car pulled away from the curb to drive in front of her.
Unable to help herself, Scarlet spoke up, "Wow, that's a really nice car. I rarely ever see those these days."
Realizing her mistake too late, Scarlet prayed Juliana didn't rant about the car.

The mere mention of Juliana controlling the radio simply ensured Scarlet's overreaction.
"No!-I mean, no, Juliana. It's going to be a stressful day and I want to think through what all I need to do. Hearing loud music will not help me with my thinking."

Luckily, before Juliana really got a chance to mess with the radio, Scarlet pulled into the event parking lot and quickly parked. Looking at Juliana and then back at Melody, Scarlet smiled and said, "Okay, well, good luck to the two of you! Well, good luck to you, Melody. I'm sure you'll do great and have supportive teammates. You said you weren't participating, right, Juliana? If you're a volunteer instead, then I suppose you can come with me. I'll be heading to the volunteer tent as well."
Ideally, she'd just go to the tent alone. But social etiquette meant it'd probably be rude to just ditch a student in the parking lot.

Exiting her car and locking it once both students were out, Scarlet stretched a bit and then asked Melody, "Hey, do you know where you're going? I don't want to leave you to get lost before anything starts."

 

[The Suspicious Eye]

Rank: A Rank: Limiter - Active, Level 3
Location: Event Area --> Starting Line
Mood: Annoyed at all this...excitement
@s Swoob B Bag o Fruit ManicMuse D. Rex and anyone else nearby

"And thus my torture begins..."

Bianca heard the call from her teammates and gave a short wave to the stranger she'd been talking before delving deeper into the crowd of students. She waded through the crowd trying to get to the already nauseating excitable girl on her team who was being lifted by someone or something. Not really moving quickly she grumbled to herself about the stupid government with their stupid tests. "Threaten my life with this stupid event, I can destroy this whole course if I felt like it." She'd show those scruffy nerf herders what she was worth. Though she was pretty sure this test had nothing to do with her might. They knew how strong she was, her record showed for itself, no this was about something different something she was instantly regretting choosing this life. Maybe jail is better than this? At least there I don't have to work in teams with overexcited children. I mean what kind of test is this really? Thinking back to the "tests" her father and generals would force her and the other children to do, this would be a cake walk.

Taking a deep breath she walked up to the green giant as she noticed a girl with a tail and ears scamper off. Before Bianca would have been taken aback by seeing a girl with cat like features, but after spending time here, it was nothing new to the no longer new girl. Pointing in the girl's general direction with her thumb as she looked up at to meet this guys eyes. "I'm in the Green Gators team. I'm guessing she's a member so either that makes you one too or are you just the mascot?" Making light of the excessive amount of green he was, although Bianca had no right to poke fun with her emerald mop on her own head. Looking the giant up and down she noticed the vines weren't draped around him, but growing from him. Cocking a eyebrow in interest her mind began to run wild wondering how she could take this Goliath down.

 

[Lioness075]

Name: Lara Hart	Rank: D
Attire: Blue sweatshirt with Nemo on the front, tan capris, white sneakers	Location: Facility 108 Final Exam Area
Tagged: Necessity4Fun (Cecilia), Natealie (Nix), Malikai (Jeremiah)

After pausing to catch her breath at the event area, Lara saw Nix running after her and gave the girl a wave, having totally missed whatever was said. Lara had no idea who's team Nix was on, but at least she'd be on time to the event area. Maybe she should help Nix find her teammates? If she was really new to this place, she may not know who is who.

Before she could bring up her idea, Lara heard similar Italian accents from two adults joining their group. Considering who they first greeted and their accents, it wasn't hard for Lara to decipher that they were Cecilia's parents. Lara wondered if her own parents and siblings remembered to sign up to volunteer. She'd mentioned it a couple weeks ago, well in advance for the deadline, but her family could be forgetful sometimes. Oh well.

Lara smiled warmly at Cecilia's parents, even offering her hand for them to shake. Her smile shifted to a grin at the mention of her ability to fly, as her wings ruffled underneath her sweatshirt. Feathers stuck up along the backside of the collar, as it was very hard to conceal wings with a wingspan of sixteen feet underneath any clothing.

Uncomfortable with calling any adults by their first names, Lara said, "Nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Pellegrini!"

Hearing Cecilia's embarrassed remark, Lara laughed and replied, "It's all good, I don't mind. So long as you made me sound amazing." She teasingly nudged Cecilia's elbow after saying this.

Pausing to look around the crowded area, Lara added, "We really should go find our teammates, Cecilia. The exam is sta'ting any minute."
Remembering Nix tagging along with them, Lara glanced at her and asked, "Hey, do you know your team? If not, you could just tag along with us fo' now. We need to find Jeremiah, whe'ever he is. He has to be nea'by, I hope."

Unsure of what else to do, Lara excused herself briefly and then ran to a decent-sized opening at the edge of the crowd. Taking off her sweatshirt, Lara unfolded her wings and then gave herself a running start before she was airborne. Flying up until she had a good view of the area, Lara then began shouting, "Jeremiah!" over and over again until she hopefully would see him running to join them.

 

[ManicMuse]

Page Morgan

location : SPA >Mud Bath Pre-exam start time!

State of being: Flustered


Nearby: Dano Trent Syrenrei Luther

Page took a moment, trying not to laugh at the mental image of Luther using the mud as a secret weapon in a fight. The idea of mud spewing out of her palms was enough to make Page snicker under her breath, "Now that I would like to see."

"It does seem a bit thick for that, though."​

"Could try saving some for a facial at home. Rumor is they have this stuff imported."

Page let out a sigh, laying her head back, again. The stress and tension in her body started melt away. Then Luther started to give the 411 on the previous nights adventures.

"You should have been there last night, Page. There were a lot of one-hit wonders if you know what I mean, eh? I can hook you up! It's an even better way to relieve stress, I guarantee it. If you're going to get dirty..."
​

"Ewww, and then end up with some horrid disease? Or with some serial killer? No way. Plus, I don't want to be the frumpy loser friend that the runner up gets tossed to."

The air between them went silent just long enough for Page to hear the attendants across the room to finish up and start filing out of the room.

Ah, such a peaceful moment.

"Nothing like a morning mud, am I right or am I right?"​

"Yep."

“...There’s just nothing more relaxing that I could think of than this. Sure it’s good for those with skin issues or aches and pains or joint problems…. None of which I have by the way. I have come to enjoy these treatments on my quest to seek physical perfection. I have a bit of a secret that I’d love to share with you both…”​

'Physical perfection. Sharing his secret. Ugh, he is one of those types of men. Pig,' she thought.

Page peeled a cucumber off her eye and set it on the edge of the tub. Lifting her head, she turned to look in his direction. Seeing the wave of yellow waft over them dribbling droplets of whatever it was. Page did feel a bit of pain in her shoulder melt away. Still, the gesture of kindness was lost on her.

Page wanted to snap at him. Read him the riot act about how non super woman would likely be terrified if they had been put in such a situation as they would have no idea what his power was! But Page was Page. Instead, all she could muster up the courage to say was, "Should I be impressed?" Which she followed up with a scowl and a childish display of her tongue, before she quickly looked away from his direction.

Slapping the cucumber back over her eye, she squirmed down into her tub trying to blend in and somehow make herself invisible. That was about all the snarky-ness she had in her. Hoping Luther would take the reins on this one, she could already feel herself flushing bright red for the comment she had made.

'You stuck out your tongue? Seriously? What are you 12? Oh my god. You still have to get out of the tub. No, its fine. I'll just hide in here until he is gone. Shit, but the exam!'

 

[Necessity4Fun]

Kendrick Haywood

​

Location: En route to AEGIS Facility 108
People Around: Sam, Ivor Blecher (the driver)
Interactions: Lioness075
Today's Toys: Ted, Spiral, Lieutenant George, Humphrey and Millie.

It's like the weight of the world has been lifted from my shoulders...

While Sam pondered whether or not to take on his offer, Kendrick was already second guessing his own decision. It had been clear that the girl probably didn't want to see him again, as she sighed before approaching. Still, he felt glad that she had come...for some reason.

After unlocking the door for her to step inside, he had looked away to avoid any unneeded eye contact with Sam. This was awkward... It was always awkward. It had been so months ago in the parking lot and it still was now. The only difference is that back then, the boy had been too worried about his parents' safety to pay attention to the car ride itself. But now? It was just the two of them, and they weren't exactly friends either...

"What do I do? What do I say? Should I even say anything at all? Argh, I didn't think this through properly...!"

The only thing that had popped up was 'greetings', but such a suggestion was instantly shot down. He had invited her so 'greetings' wasn't going to cut it...In top of sounding extremely creepy in the current situation! Despite being apparently calm in the outside, though unmoving and focused into something else entirely, like the ceiling of the vehicle, Kendrick was nearing panic territory inside. Why was this so damn hard? He could solve a 9x9 Rubiks cube, but when it came to conversations the teen would always get stuck, unable to start it. That was so bloody frustrating!!

"Why'd you let me join you in this fancy car? Are you expecting me to owe you one now?"​

He looked back at her, taken by surprise. Wait. Did she really think this poorly of him? The boy watched the girl attentively. The suspicious glaring was clear evidence of an actual statement, not just playing around... Kendrick didn't let it show, but he was legitimately shocked. Even more, discouraged:

"Did I make no progress at all?"

A favour for a favour, that was business talk, the way his dad worked. There was nothing Rupert Haywood would do without thinking of self-gain, of how useful that new connection could become in the future. Lawyers, other company owners, Economists, Politicians, those were his parents' acquaintances. Relationships built over mutual-gain, money... Kendrick had wanted to be different, he wanted to be something more. To have others care for who he was, not what he had, not status! And he thought he had been making progress towards that, a few stumbles in the start of course, but that was bound to happen... Was he wrong? Had he tricked himself into believing, that the him of four years ago had been left behind?

In the middle of the turmoil of doubts, his inner child rebelled: No! He couldn't accept, wouldn't accept defeat so easily. He was trying, he was trying so damn hard. There was no way that effort was for naught. He was not going back to the 'box':

"I would never!", the words came out before he could think about them.

He averted his gaze for an instant, shifting uncomfortably at his seat, in contradiction to the heaven-like softness of the seat cushions. Should he stop? Part of him wanted to cut it right there. This was the opposite of composure, the opposite of what his behavior was supposed to be. For a moment, the only sound in the background was the Mercedes' engines and the muffled noises of the outside world. Should he call this a day?

"There's no one watching you.", a new thought came as a reminder.

That's right, Ivor was trustworthy enough to keep everything to himself. There were no bodyguards today. They were inside a car! His car! There was NO authority figure, not teachers, nor parents, it was just two students talking!! He brought his right hand to his forehead and laughed. How silly! How stupid. There was no audience, he didn't have to keep the act!

"It's a favour, an actual favour. I just figured out that since we're in the same team, it didn't make sense to have you wander by yourself. Since well, there is a lot of space right here. That's what teammates would do, right? Group spirit?", he wasn't being completely sincere, but it was a good start, "I'm not the type of person that would impose my code of conduct over others. You can owe me one if you want to. But as I said, it's simply a favour. No debt will be charged, I won't expect you to save me if I need it. Nothing of the sort. It's the word of a Haywood."

 

[Teh Frixz]

Tabitha​

B Bag o Fruit

She wasn't sure why it caused her to freeze up, it was just a simple question after all but being asked it was like being handed the keys to some sort of dangerous vehicle and told to launch it off a ramp.

Her mom had given her this cash in hopes of making friends, but maybe they had food there at the testing anyways. Her fear of disappointing her mother broke the rictus she was in, Tabby looking at the floor as she made her decision.

"Just uh.. here..." Tabby slaps a twenty to his chest, harder than she expected. "Buy stuff that you want... you can keep the extra." Brushing hair out of her eyes she looks down at Chris and smiles just a little bit.

Then her alarm went off. Not the first alarm, not even the fifth but the tenth alarm, the 'get your butt to class now alarm'. Any sort of blush to her cheeks drained out in an instant as she pulled her arm back, leaving the twenty in his grasp and running to the door.

She turns back. "I'm uh.. yeah Tabby. Talk to you at Aegis!" And with that she was gone out the door.

--------------

Long legs carrying her quickly, Tabby made surprisingly great time to The assigned AEGIS location of the day. Running up to the registration entrance and quickly making sure her paperwork and whatever else was in order.

Group 6 it was, Tabitha making her way over when she was stopped by several people with official looking yellow coats. All with something else for her to do.

"Oh you'll need this badge"
"Oh no backpacks sweetheart"
"Here, go change into this, you are Tabby right? It should grow with you"
"Hurry hurry, get out of there and go to the bullpen."
"Oh make sure to warmup!"

And so on and so on. Tabitha thinking the whole time she really should have read the reports that she was given on what this final test entailed. Teachers said it was a walk in the park, guess that wasn't super specific.

 

[Syrenrei]

Luther Rousseau
"Reliquary"
Location: Spa
Nearby: Page ManicMuse , Trent Dano
​

"Thanks for the vote of confidence," Luther said with an overly exaggerated eye roll. Not that Page could see. Her friend and co-worker had decided to cover her eyes with the proffered fruit and thus block her vision. Taking advantage Luther ate her cucumber slices, munching quietly as she watched the redhead sink into her mud bath with contentment. Was this stuff really imported? How did one come across such fantastic mud that it was shipped vast distances and people paid ridiculous sums of money just to sit in it? Whomever invented this trend was a shrewd businessman or woman with a silver tongue. Taking Page's off-handed comment about 'saving some' of the substance as an endorsement, she sucked in a few cups through her right arm.

"You've been hanging around too many paranoid soccer moms," she added as she finished her 'snack.' "Bars aren't full of serial killers and venereal disease. They're just people. I've been to enough now I think if every desperate man was a serial killer leper I'd be dead by now, don't you think. Let me check," she paused for dramatic effect. "I still have a pulse! It's a miracle! Praise Jesus!" Luther laughed more at her own joke than anything else. The half-Brazilian was not at all religious and only invoked the messiah figure when making sarcastic commentary.

"And you aren't a frumpy loser friend either." Luther wiggled her toes and lifted one leg out of the bath, noting the resistance of the ooze as she did so and contemplating if this would really help her complexion. Her profession hadn't encouraged a routine recommended by the world's leading dermatologists, that was for sure. Maybe these mudders were onto something. "My nose deserves it's own zip code, but I guarantee that's not what the guys at the bar are looking at. You just gotta learn how to advertise if you know what I mean- highlight the assets. And a lot have a thing for redheads."

She could have gone on all day trying to peer-pressure Page into doing something gloriously reckless (but rewarding); however, the man in the other mud bath had decided to start a conversation. As Trent alluded his seeking of 'physical perfection' Luther already had him pegged as the sort of arrogant jerk she usually met late at night for one reason and one reason only- and it wasn't emotional fulfillment. This wasn't one of those times she needed a jerk. Page was stressed about the exams and all the other anxieties in her life. Her poor friend needed a pleasant distraction instead of one that would irritate her further. Just as Luther opened her mouth Trent activated his powers and...

It was brilliant! As a fellow super Luther was envious that Trent had something useful, beneficial, and pretty, with no apparent draw-backs. Having access to a pocket dimension was something she had come to accept, but she could not ignore the future it had robbed her of. Her life would have been wonderfully different if barriers and healing were the product of her genetics instead.

"Now now Page," Luther playfully chastised with a mischievous tone. Already Page could hear the proverbial gears turning in her mind just by the inflection of her voice. Luther was up to something and that was very rarely a good thing for anyone involved.

"My name is Luther Rousseau," she said as way of introduction to the male patron of the spa. "I think you might have just the solution we're looking for, sir. If my friend here was to have relations with a fine specimen of the male gender such as yourself, and found herself afflicted with some sort of unfortunate condition as a result, would you say your powers could cure her of it? I'd be willing to pay of course." Luther flashed a smile and waited for Page to veritably explode out of embarrassment. Really, though, this was all for Page's good. It was time for the self-proclaimed 'frumpy loser friend' to get out and live a little- and that meant taking chances with people other than a damaged ex-soldier divorcee such as herself.

 

[Lioness075]

Name: Samantha 'Sam' Casan	Rank: B
Attire: Black tank top, torn jean shorts, barefoot	Location: Final Exam Event Area
Tagged: @Necessity4Fun (Kendrick)

Sam was perplexed by Kendrick's sudden outburst. That was very unlike him. Blinking and then furrowing her brows, Sam simply stared at Kendrick while he seemingly tried to hide himself. As if that were possible given where the two were. This thought amused Sam and she smirked despite the circumstances.

Sam's smirk eventually faded away to an expression of confusion, as Kendrick seemed to be talking to her in an unusual way. Well, unusual for him, at least. The mere mention of a favor had Sam narrowing her eyes suspiciously. Nobody just gave away favors these days. There was always something expected in the end. Still though, Kendrick had certainly reacted in an offended manner when she'd asked him if she'd owe him one.

Rolling her eyes at his mention of her wandering around, Sam replied, "I think we both know that I could've sprinted to the facility and been on time if I really wanted to."
Though, now that she mentioned it, why had she been walking at a normal pace? She really could've beat Kendrick there and been waiting on him. It made no sense to her. It's not like she actually cared to wait up for Kendrick, right?

Shaking her head at her own thoughts, Sam then snorted at Kendrick's mention of 'group spirit'. As if. She hardly even knew all of their teammates.
"'Group spirit', yeah, okay. Kenny, none of us on this ragtag team even really know each other. I doubt there'll be too much teamwork."

Listening to Kendrick practically rant about the 'owing him one', Sam resisted the nearly constant urge to roll her eyes whenever she was around him. At the mention of the 'Haywood word', Sam burst out laughing. This kid was absolutely ridiculous. The Haywood word? Seriously?
"Kenny, I don't even know anyone else in your family and could care less for whatever status they hold. Why the hell would the 'Haywood word' be meaningful to me?"
Pausing, Sam then added a bit more calmly, "Just give me your word, not your family's word. I am, at least, acquainted with you."

Before she could say more, the car slowed to a halt and Sam could hear the loud chatter coming from the gathered students, staff, and volunteers at the final exam event area. They had arrived finally.

Abruptly, Sam opened her car door and practically leapt out, her tail accidentally tearing the seat she'd been sitting in. The dagger-like end seemed to get caught on almost anything these days.
Once outside, Sam shouted back at Kendrick, "Hurry up, slowpoke! We need to find our teammates. It looks like everything's already starting!"

 

[Gus]

Aaron Mallory​

​

Location: Pier
Mood: Chipper and nostalgic
Interactions: Bianca and Albert
@s The Suspicious Eye ManicMuse B Bag o Fruit D. Rex

Aaron retrieved his clothes and re-dressed himself quickly, accepting the inevitable ruining of his boxers that would result from wearing them wet underneath his clothes. (Most people get chafed by damp underthings, but when your skin is an event horizon, the chafing tends to go the other way... in retrospect, he should have planned ahead and moved laundry day to Wednesday this week so that his 'Dana Dabbs original' would have been clean for today.) Coming out from under the shadow of the pier, with the scuba tanks slung over his shoulder, he picked his way through the gathering crowd, careful not to bump anyone, picking up bits and snatches of conversation, smiling broadly and nodding hello to everyone whether he recognized them or not. This was his first exam day at 108, having arrived a few hours too late to witness the infamous Friday the 13th snowball fight test. The festive atmosphere brought back fond memories of his own early days, back before AEGIS, before rapture and the implosion of the commonwealth.

This was how it should be all the time. Supers and normals alike, all just people, working together, preparing for tough times, but in a spirit of joy. He could hardly wait to watch the fun.

Finding his path toward the gym blocked by a giant green boy sporting a suit that had a definite 'Dabbs' look about it, Aaron paused, waiting for an opening in the crowd, and mindful that nobody hurt themselves bumping into him while he waited. A now familiar prickling sensation rippled over his skin, and he glanced to his left, unsurprised to see Bianca Attilio passing by, muttering to herself about destroying the whole course. While he had no doubt she could, having seen her in action in his class, he was unfazed. Much the same as with Ioanna, he had no trouble seeing that there was more to this young woman than her violent past, and her verbal blowing off of steam concerned him not at all. Indeed, that it was under her breath and not at the top of her lungs was arguably an improvement. In a further display of her growth, she approached the green goliath and introduced herself as a member of his team. She was even polite, almost jocular about it, making light of them both fitting the color scheme. Aaron smiled dopily, pleased as ever to watch young people's rapid development in ways they seemed utterly unaware of.

Edging forward to join the conversation, he said brightly, “Morning, Bianca! If memory serves the other members of Team Green Gator besides you two and Izzy over there...” There was a dull 'wupfh' and a shriek in the background “...whoops, over there now I guess. Besides her and you and ...it's Albert, yes? Let's see there's also... Victoria Becket and Chris Kravitz I believe. If I was to guess, I'd look for Vicky at the special outfitters tent, as she'll need a helmet that can accommodate her visor. Make sure she doesn't get that wet, ok? We don't need to replace the Key bridge a third time, eh? As for Chris, I have a feeling he may be running late. I've noticed he's been a bit... distracted in class lately. Go ahead and launch without him. He is quite a capable young man; I'm sure he'll catch up.”

Aaron left unsaid his concerns that Chris' distractibility might be related to post traumatic stress from Knight day... not to mention the tunnel incident. That was more Anneliese's turf than his anyway, though he was well aware that collateral damage was often more than merely physical. He frowned. So much pressure was riding on these kids, no wonder AEGIS put so much effort into making spring exams such a gala event... Hopefully today's festivities would help shake Chris out of his funk.

 

[Gus]

Anthony Costanzo
​

Location:front gate
Mood: Let's get this party started!
Nearby: Kate, Lara, Hadrian, and JJ
@s Lioness075 The J Malikai Necessity4Fun Natealie AllHailDago yoikes

Anthony glanced up. Somebody was shouting for his boy JJ here. Lara Hart. (Bird wings, 16 foot span, enhanced lung capacity, vision, and intellect, intuitive danger sense.) Not waiting for JJ to speak up for himself, as he clearly needed a cup of coffee or something, Anthony hollered back.

“Yo! Lara Hart! Your boy JJ is down here! Maybe he needs a lift to the start of the course, 'ay? Also, you seen Juliana Alvarenga from way up there? What about Mitch Castle? We got Hadrian Alburn in the house over here, and he needs to know where to find Team 'Celestial Body.' Anthony Costanzo bee tee dub. Commonwealth testing division."

As he looked up, shading his eyes and waiting for a response from the bird girl, a blaze of light passed overhead behind her, arcing down and disappearing behind the tents by the pier. Anthony's smile broadened. Kate. (Neuro-vascular co-extensive gray matter and white matter, possible distinct psychic entities, energized by sun, diurnal/nocturnal variation of energy expression and variable enhanced characteristics) Good old Kate. He'd have to make a point to say hi.