[Olivia Favager]

Olivia couldn’t help but feel out of her depth. See, most students were admitted to UAU based-on the merit of their abilities. Perhaps their quirks were incredibly strong, or perhaps they were gifted in creating technology or outfits. In one way or another, they were exceptional, and on merit alone they had been accepted to this university.

Olivia had no such bragging right.She had rich parents who had contributed a handsome donation to the school, and then only signed the check upon the conditional agreement that UAU take Olivia and keep her. They had told Olivia this, explaining how much she had cost them down to the very last cent– and used this steep bill to caution her to not mess this up.

The blonde couldn’t help but feel that she already had messed this up. Days prior, Olivia had received an email for a counseling appointment. Then, over the video consultation, the counselor teased-out what Olivia was passionate about. Strengths in science and math, and a heartfelt interest in others, gave the girl a tentative placement in the heroics course with a focus in rescue and medicine. Her quirk was, frankly, useless in the realm of combat as far as they knew. And since she had no fantastic technological or creative abilities, Support studies was out. Should she fail the “aptitude screening”, there was always general studies, too, the counselor explained. But… they’d see what she could do, first.

An “aptitude screening” couldn’t have been too terrible, right? When doctors screened you for things at the doctor’s office, they just asked you questions, right? Olivia would just have to answer the questions honestly and professionally! If she put her best foot forward, then they’d know that she would be a good hero, right–?

The day before the screening, she received an email notification to wear her P.E. uniform and her sneakers, and bring any tools or accessories she might need to the USJ Building first thing on Thursday morning. Well, that was unusual! How rigorous could a questionnaire be, that warranted dressing-down in a P.E. uniform? Perhaps the questions were really tough, and that made people sweaty…? And what was a USJ...? It sounded very official!!

Olivia did as she was directed, donning her dark-blue P.E. Uniform and white sneakers. Her waist-length hair was tied into a long, tightly-woven plait down her back. She had arrived at the training grounds early, fully-uniformed and toting a satchel with spiral-bound notebooks, pencils and erasers, and the usual accouterments contained within her purse. She was ready to answer the heck out of those questions! Seeing no one else in front of the domed building, Olivia stood eagerly near the entrance, free hand on her hip and smile set rigidly upon her lips. Perhaps she was a little nervous, but she'd never confess that to anyone else...

(Elijah )

[Elijah]

An aptitude screening. Something that perplexed Elijah since he got the email. He already passed the university's Entrance Exam, proving himself capable enough to earn the opportunity to learn in the best hero institution in Japan. He thought he already showcased all his skills there. What more could the proctors want from him then?

Maybe they wanted him to show off his Quirk. While he claimed to be Quirkless to his colleagues, he couldn't hide that information from the higher ups. As if he'd do that though. Short of being threatened with expulsion, he'll complete whatever exercise they threw at him without it. He'd been doing well so far.

But he should save that thought for when he actually hears what the task is.

Elijah slowly made his way to USJ in his own P.E. uniform as instructed, with his hands in his pockets and dreads tied into a high ponytail to keep his bangs away from face. Unlike the girl waiting at the entrance, he had no bag on his person, donned instead with his belt housing his hilted kukri as well as a vest that held several throwing knifes. While she was ready for a written test, he was ready for a fight.

The email did mention he wouldn't be taking the test alone. He eyed the blonde curiously. "Hey. Did you get an email about a screening?"

Olivia Favager

[Olivia Favager]

Olivia’s gaze found an unusual character– a brunette boy, about her age, with his hair twisted into thick, sausage-like rolls. Olivia had never seen a hairstyle quite like that before! What more, she’d never seen a vest quite like his, either, or so many blades on one person. It was like he’d just returned from a jungle expedition! How funny! Perhaps he fancied himself an adventurer, just as Olivia fancied herself a modern Jeanne d’Arc.

The two appraised one another, and then the boy broke the silence.

”Hey. Did you get an email about the screening?”

Olivia, practically overflowing with excitement, gave an enthusiastic nod.

“Yes, I am!” she gasped. While the boy seemed to inspect her from afar, Olivia charged into her introductions, extending an eager hand, “Olivia Favager, it’s a pleasure to meet you, Sir…?”

Whether or not Olivia’s introduction was returned, the door to USJ opened with a groan, and a dusty-blonde head of hair poked through. It was a young man, likely close to thirty years old, clad in a nondescript gray suit that the head of hair belonged to. He spoke somewhat quickly, without regard for anyone that might not have caught everything that he had said.

“Mr. Hawthorne– Ms. Favager– inside if you would, please-” he stepped through the door, only to hold it open for the two prospective students, “-after you.”

What greeted Olivias’ eyes was what initially seemed to be a theme park– or perhaps a zoo– Over the entire facility was a large plexiglass dome, which allowed an abundance of natural light in. There were nearly a half-dozen separate exhibits along the perimeter, with a single booth at the facility's center.

And there wasn't a single desk or whiteboard in sight. Olivia hesitated a moment, redoubling on her inspection. No, there really wasn't any desks or chairs.

Are they going to make us sit on the ground…? How unsanitary…

The sandy-haired man turned to the face the pair as they reached the control booth, clasping his hands in front of him.

"Good morning, and allow me to welcome you to UAU," he said warmly, "My name is Skelder. I'm a hero that partners with UAU, and I will be the facilitator of your screening today… any questions before we begin…?"

Olivia gave a small bow and murmured thanks, a sheepishness inching its way into her chest. I'm so out of my depth…

[Elijah]

'Ah. One of those.'

Elijah rubbed his nose, sensitive to the cherry blossom smell that was coming off the other student. Quirk related perhaps? She did have all those flowers on her head. Unbeknownst to him was the more prominent aspect of their pollen was at work.

His lip twitched minutely at her energy. "Ah. You're one of those." As cryptic as his thoughts were. He looked down at the hand the girl offered.

Her right hand.

Sighing, he took it with his own, the prosthetic a stark contrast to his skin. "Hawthorne." While he was unopposed to revealing it - there was no point to keeping it hidden during an assignment anyway - he was internally thankful they were called inside before she could question his arm. The pity he'd be sure to get would just fall on deaf ears. He'd rather not waste time on it.

Elijah's neutral expression remained as they followed their instructor inside, brows raised as he took in the sight around them. He'd only seen glimpses of USJ in pictures, so even he felt some awe at stepping in the training ground. It would fall away when he turned to look at his partner for the test, who seemed... confused. 'Does she not know what this place was?'

Their proctor spoke before he could ask her. Thanking him but skipping his own greeting as the man knew his name already, Elijah spoke a criticism instead. "We received an email of a screening but it never spoke of what the assignment was." He tilted his head. "Are we expected to go in blind or was it forgotten?"

Olivia Favager