"You're someone special...You're one of my best friends, and I really value that connection. I am -very- open to exploring other possibilities though..." You trail off, hugging Emma close, she stares in disbelief, then kisses you. You return it. Your first kiss is like many first kisses, awkward and short. Emma giggles, leaning against you as you two continue to walk.
"McGee and James are going to be soo mad." She brags to you good-naturedly, with a wry smile, "They bet me [.2 credits] each you weren't interested in anyone. I told them that you'd fall for me, in the end." She smiles shyly, "I"m really glad you did."
That explains that, but you walk along at ease, content, no, happy with your life. You part ways in the dormitory with another kiss, you heading to the laundry room to clean your clothes, while she collapses into bed. You aren't entirely surprised when you find Brother Hop in the washroom, washing his clothes. He nods to you, passively, and politely takes his leave.
"Gainer."
"Brother Hop."
You wash in silence, cleaning your outfit and clothes while relaxing under the shower-- until that shower-heads ration of hot water runs out. No one besides you showers this late, so you hop under another. You're not tipsy anymore. Alcohol leaves your system quickly when you don't inundate yourself in it regularly.
But you are tired, and your muscles ache with the strain of the last few days, whatever mental block you have in place falling away with the steaming hot water. You wonder if this should burn you, it seems to burn others, but it just makes you feel clean.
Your thoughts drift, coming to fixate on something that's been nagging you since you woke up, something that no amount of exercise or affection can entirely hide—the brunette mother of baby Moore, her last gasping breaths, her bloodstained face. You search for regret but find nothing. Fixating on the image burned into your brain gives you a brief respite from the sense of self-doubt, a self-inflicted scar to prove to yourself...what?
Are you a killer? A soldier? A demon? Most days, you don't feel human. Everything is distant, especially these people living around you. They fall into line without you needing to speak, following along with your plans and actions like sediment in a river. Is that your birth-right? To unconsciously sweep these people along with your whims and wants?
The water turns ice cold as you lose yourself in moments of self-doubt and reflection. Did William plan this? Did he know about this gap? Does he suffer the same?
You leave the washroom, feeling the bite of the night air. You try to focus on it, on trying to feel cold. But there's no point-- something in your mind notices those impulses of your nervous system and isolates them. The cold fades to..nothing.
You don't remember crawling into bed, instead wondering if everyone else doesn't bother undressing before sleeping. Your kevlar is more comfortable than any blanket, the tough fabric of your pants and shirts holding you close.
[19] You don't dream.
The dormitory is bustling, Emma and Eric directing the morning cooking duty with trained skill. You set the table and pour the water, joining in the conversations in your usual half-hearted way. After breakfast, Emma approaches McGee and James, laughing as they fork over the money. You laugh with her.
She wants to spend the day with you, and you wonder how you'll spend the next three days after that.
You are Pheobe͚͇ ̵̳͖͙͓͔̖͜A҉͠͏͖l̷͈̪̭̥̪ ҉̺̠̗̮̣͖̞G͏̶̜̻͕̫̮ainer.
Local Time: 7:00 am 1/4/2010
You are satiated.
In pocket:
A stained mesh of grey kevlar. Over Body:
A grey, armored duster, marked with symbols. Torso:
A new, fitted grey shirt with long, tight sleeves. (hidden)
Lower Body:
Grey semi-formal, military style pants.Hands:
A pair of leather gloves. Feet:
Woolen socks(hidden)
Feet:
A pair of fur-trimmed leather boots.
In Holster: A clean, grey las-pistol 240/250
In coat pocket: Two 'Ballistic' Auto-Syringes, a reusable flaregun with one flare.
[1.2 credits] in local bills
Overload: Amateur.
Healing Factor: Beginner.
You are under contract with The Brotherhood of Scholars for twenty-four years. Grandmother(adopted): Mother Nicole Gainer, (Cordial),
--Contactable through Mail, Tyler Hop
--High Influence with Scholars, Crusaders, the Thornton Family
--Current lawful ruler of Steelworks 9 Region (Crusader Supported)
Organization: The Thornton Family
--Contactable through Mail, Emma
--High Influence within Steelworks 9 Region
--Allied with Nicole Gainer, you
Contact, Threat: William Thornton
--Contactable through Mail, Emma
--High influence within The Thornton Family
--Feared within Steelworks 9 Region
--Allied with Nicole Gainer, you
Contact, Military Trainer: Tyler Hop (Cordial)
Girlfriend: Emma Thornton (Happy)
--Low influence within The Thornton Family
Schoolyard clique:
--6 young men and women, of intelligence (respectful, friendly)
--3 young men and women, of strength (respectful, friendly)