[-]You return home from town, taking a shower, then fall into bed to rest and meditate. You hear your friends return sometime later, but don't bother them; you're sure they're sleepy as it is.
[17]You fall into a dreamless slumber, waking up the next morning to Emma knocking on your door. You rise, setting the table and pouring the water. Your friends are planning on going into town soon, for one last day of freedom. They've invited you along, and seem surprised when you agree. Emma smiles at you, leaning close. You have a few hours before they leave, and Emma elects to spend it with you in the library.
The time passes quickly, even when you both are merely studying in silence. When noon comes, you rise, putting your books away and heading to the gate with Emma. She's excited at the prospect of spending more time with you, you can tell, and happy your mutual friends will be along for the metaphorical ride.
[16] You go out to eat lunch at a nice restaurant, drift through the shopping district, and finish it with drinks at a local bar. Its all fulfilling, and enjoyable, and you relate more with your friends.
At first, part of you questioned why they were your friends in the first place, but a pattern emerges when you think about it. Between you and Emma, you've pushed all these people in one way or the other to better themselves. You've helped quite a few of them pass the physical training requirements, driving them to push themselves. Emma has helped most
Emma is an intelligent young woman, whose skill in translating languages leaves you stunned at times, and she isn't a slouch at athletics training, either.
McGee and James push themselves as hard as you do, managing top marks in athletics and rifle work. They're dead set on becoming Crusaders-- and they respect you because you put them both down on the ground during the first personal combat training session, then spent the rest of them building them back up until McGee knocked you on your ass when you weren't paying attention. They were criminals back in the Steelworks before Mother Gainer pulled them off the street and whipped sense into them. Literally. They've shown you the scars. As orphans, they were both given the same last name despite not being biologically related. They do look incredibly similar, however.
Johnathan is a quiet sort but pushes himself just as hard as McGee and James. His skills with firearms are where he truly excels. His aim is unparalleled in your class-- you can't even aim as well as he can. Turns out, he was a hunter for around four years for Eric's family, before a pay dispute put his father and him, to work in the mines. His father passed, leaving him an orphan. Instead of sticking around and staying a miner, possibly becoming a debt-slave, he joined the Scholars to do something with his life. He also intends to join the Crusaders.
Jesse, Erica, and Amanda are all craftsmen's daughters-- they played with Emma on rare occasions during their youth. They're smart, but coasting by, passing whatever test or quiz or report, meeting the minimum requirements of physical training. They're intending on becoming craftsmen for the SEED and move into the Holy City. John, Quincy and Other Eric are the same, if on the opposite end of the spectrum. Miner's kids that are looking for better lives in the Holy City, either as Crusaders or as Craftsmen.
[-] Last call rolls around, and Emma stumbles out of town, leaning heavily on you and giggling hysterically at a stupid joke you made about one of your teachers. It's a little challenging to get her to go to her bed, but she falls asleep quickly when she gets there. You do the same, heading to bed, readying yourself for the day ahead. Currently, you're good enough to get a posting in all but the heaviest of Scholarly work, and the Crusaders would take you in an instant if they could. Postings aren't announced until a week before the end of the Academy.
Do you have any goals for the coming school year?
You are Pheobȩ́҉̮̣̹̣ A̷̶̧ Gainer.
Local Time: 6:00 am 1/8/2010
You are constantly peckish.
Around Neck:
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.
[.35 credits] in local bills
Overload: Amateur.
Healing Factor: Amateur.
-
Endurance Boost: 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
Friends:
-McGee Foster
-James Foster
-Johnathan Shellton
-Jesse Hardhouse
-Erica Hail
-Amanda Silversmith
-'Other' Eric Armstrong
-John Frost
-Quincy Black