My Own Fanclub

updated 26.12.21

“Hate to break it to you, but …”

“Ok, this whole thing you’re doing? I’m gonna need you to stop.”

“I can’t help but feel jealous when you turn and smile at anyone else”

“So now what? You’re just gonna chase after them with a flashlight and righteousness?”

“To save you the time and me the breath …”

“Blackmail is more powerful than money. Once you have them with blackmail, you have them forever.” “I just asked you if I could borrow five dollars, I-”

“I can teach you something else if you want”

“Does anyone care what I think?” “I know I don’t!”

“Toss me!” “Toss you?!” “Do it!!”

“Hold my beer.” “This is a Capri-sun.”

“Wow that was so wild. Crazy”

“I hope common sense is the next cool trend”

“You think you can take me?”

“Bring it on.” “Enough with the movie references, can we just fight already?”

“Relax, there is no problem/we have no problems!” *B walks in* “Ok, one problem!”

“How did you even learn how to do this??” “It’s probably best that you don’t know.”

“Tell me something I don’t know.” “I guess that would be difficult.”

“You really think you can stop me? Adorable.”

“This is ridiculous, why did you make me carry you on my back?” “Stop complaining, I need a good vantage point!” “You can literally FLY!”

“Band-aids don’t fix bullet holes, *B*!” “Listen, I love a good Taylor Swift reference as much as the next guy, but now is probably not the time-”

“Don’t you have to be stupid somewhere else?” “Not until four.”

“Alright, fine. If I can’t get around you, I guess I’ll have to go through you!”

“So, you know how in _______, ___________ _______? That literally makes no sense.” “IT’S 1AM. Go to sleep!”

“For most people it goes, observe, think, speak. For *B* it goes a little differently.”

“This would be a lot easier if you weren’t so hot.”

“I don’t want your help, I want you safe!”

“Who buys 25 packs of balloons?!” “Leave me alone, it’s been a rough day!”

“Can you turn up the heat in here? It’s freezing in here!” “Sure baby, come on over here-” “nOt what I meant!!”

“Keep talking and maybe one day you’ll blurt out something intelligent.”

“I wish I was who you think I am”

“Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it.” “How?” “That’s not your department.”

“An asteroid could hit Earth right now and I’d still be more upset about this”

“Could you please make an effort with them?” “I don’t care about them, I only care about is you.”

“Why not?” “Because I don’t want to die!” “You can be so boring sometimes why do I even hang out with you?”

“You know that’s never gonna happen, right?” “Just let me have this”

“You’re the Ethan to my Hila.” “You have to stop using modern references I have no idea what any of them mean”

“Rules are meant to be broken.” Actually, that’s not-“ "Come on!!”

“If I get shot, will you have my back?” “…. Well…” “Say yes!!”

“He’s the embodiment of everything wrong with the world. I’m kind of into it”

“Wow that was awful. Truly.” “Thank you.”

“I’d die for you.” “Please live for me instead.”

“I don’t know, it could be worse!” “But it could definitely be a whole lot better too.” “You have a point there.”

“I think I just met the human version of a dubstep remix.”

“You’re a mess. But you’re my mess.”

“If you don’t stop now I’m calling your mom!”

“Every time I see your face I go crazy.” “Crazy in a bad way or crazy in a good way?” “Undecided.”

“Love is like a plant. It has to be watered and nurtured and eventually it’ll grow and become stronger and stronger.” “Can our love be the plant that eats bugs and stuff? That one’s really cool.” “… sure.”

“If they don’t kill you, I will.”

“We’re going on a trip, in our favorite rocket ship-” “Please don’t sing the song-” “ZOOMING THROUGH THE SKY!!!”

“I can’t believe you’re scared of spiders, you’re massive.” “THEY’RE SMALL AND UNPREDICTABLE AND RUN REALLY FAST, OK?”

“My therapist won’t be happy when she hears about this.”

“You look awful. You look like someone drove you over, backed up, squashed you under their tyre and did donuts in an abandoned parking lot with your face in the ground. You look like someone crumpled you up and forced you down the garbage disposal. You look like someone played a game of Operation on you and didn’t clean you up afterwards. *pause* You look terrible.” “Yeah, I got that, thanks.”

“It’s not a big deal, don’t worry about it.” “You’re literally bleeding out!” “It’s fine-” “nO it’S NOT!!”

“I just wish you’d asked me first.”

“Poopity scoop.” “… can you please just-” “Poopity scoop. Poopity scoop”

“Can I please tell you-” “No, please don’t.” “… I love you.”

“So fight me, then!”

“Everything is going as planned!” “That’s because you have no plan.” “Exactly!”

“I love you.” “You shouldn’t.” “I know/I don’t care”

“I wish this thing came with an instruction manual.”

“You’re the only drug I need, baby” “That’s sweet but you still have to take your prescription”

“That’s not very professional”

“Argh, I broke a nail!” “Is that really your main concern right now??”

“That can’t be good.”

“Yet another day of oppression and agony. When will it end?” “We’ve been married for a week stop being so dramatic.”

“If anyone else asks me if I’m ok I’m going to go ballistic.”

“This doesn’t align with my morals.” “What morals?” “… fair point.”

“Shut up.” “..I didn’t say anything?” “Shhhh.”

“I just want to throw up and die”

“You make me wish I’d never been born.” “Funny, I was just wishing you’d never been born too!”

“What are you gonna do, sing about it?” “I might!!”

“I can’t keep going. Not like this.”

“What’s that?” “What’s what??” “That thing!!”

“Hey, so, uhm-” “What is it this time?”

“You make me wish I was better, I want to be better. But I don’t know how.”

“You’re the worst person I’ve ever met.” “Aw, thank you. That means a lot.”

“Did you know that during Prohibition, moonshiners would wear shoes with wooden blocks carved to look like cow hooves under them to leave hoofprints instead of footprints, helping them evade police?” “No, I didn’t, but more importantly, how did you know that?”

“Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? Caught in a landslide …” “…*begrudgingly* No escape from reality.”

“Calm down, I don’t see what the big deal is.” “You stabbed me!!”

“What’s you excuse this time?” “I’m a little bit stupid :)”

“If you were a car, you’d be a BMW.” “Why?” “Cuz I want you to Be My Wife !” “…are you trying to propose to me?” “… Please say yes.”

“Oh no. That can’t be right.”

“You’re not allowed to do that!” “Says who?!” “Your mom.” “I can’t believe you called my mom.”

“You’re gonna have to stop narrating everything you’re doing, you’re gonna give us away.” “Sorry.”

“I’ve never wanted anything so much in my entire life.”

“He’s my worst enemy. My nemesis.” “Didn’t you meet him like five minutes ago?” “Yes.”

“This is it. This is my sign!” “… That’s a cereal box.”

“I’ve done my fair share of stupid things in my day, but this is just ridiculous.”

“I hate you. But I hate them more. So I guess my hatred for you can wait.”

“What? I told you it was going to be dinner with my parents.” “Yes but you didn’t tell me your parents were like that!”

“Whether you like it or not, I’m your only hope. So what’s it gonna be?”

“Can you stop it?” “What? I’m just looking at you.” “I know, it’s creepy, stop!”

“I don’t remember that, that doesn’t sound like me.”

“You think you can stop me? That’s so cute.”

“Can you just-” “CaN yOu JuSt-” “Stop!” “StOp!” “One of these days I am going to kill you.”

“I’ve never been this happy before.” “Not even when you had to wait at that burger place so they ended up giving you extra large fries for free that one time?” “Not even then.”

“Uhm, I fell.” “Upwards?”

“I feel like you’re not hearing me; I don’t want more flowers. I just want you here, at home, with me.”

“This is not how I thought tonight would go.” “I know, isn’t it great?!”

“Is it supposed to be able to bend that way?” “No, definitely not, this is bad.”

“How are you able to do that?” “I honestly have no idea.”

“You need me for something, don’t you?” “Oh please, like you don’t need me for something too.”

“Silvia…” “Yes, Mickey?” “How you call your loverboy?” “Come here, loverboy!” “And if he doesn’t answer?” “Oh, loverboy!” “And if he STILL doesn’t answer?” “Yo loverboy, you better listen up when I’m talking to you!-” “No babe, we practiced this”

“I’m not angry, just disappointed.” “For the last time, I didn’t know we only had one doughnut left or I would have asked you!”

“I don’t want to talk about it.” “Do you want to …sing about it?”

“You truly are one of a kind.” “Thank you.” “I didn’t mean that in a good way.”

“I know you think I’m the villain, but I’m not.”

“I just want you to be happy. Whether that’s with or without me.”

“Let’s never speak of this.” “Agreed.”

“You can’t pay to get this kind of entertainment, baby!” “You catching fifteen grapes in a row is not entertainment.” “Says who?!”

“Where are we?!” “What makes you think I’m any less lost than you are?”

“Let’s go back to our place.” “Our place?” “Yeah. If you want it to be.”

“I thought I could trust you.”

“Hey, uhm, there’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you…” “Oh, no, don’t tell me you’re gonna go all sappy and confess your love and everything to me now, are you?” “Well now I’m certainly not gonna to do it!!”

“I don’t need your protection, I just need you!”

“This is making me really upset.” “I’m sorry but we don’t really have time for you to be upset about this right now.”

“Ugh, that kid is being so annoying.” “Isn’t that your daughter?” “Yeah, so?”

“I want to speak to the manager, please.” “Dude, this is a frat party, I don’t think they have-” “The manager!!!”

“What are you doing?” “What are you doing?” “Don’t change the subject!”

“Babe, we agreed to only use that codeword for emergencies.” “I know, but-” “And a video of a turtle and a duck being best friends is not an emergency, is it?”

“I’m very easily upset and very outwardly aggressive, which is a terrible combination.”

“Wow, I’ve been really annoying today, haven’t I?” “Not any more than usual, sweetie.”

“Hey-” “No!” “Why are you groaning like that?” “No offense, but you’re the last person I wanted to see today.” “What, why?” “Cause I actually wanted to have a good day.”

“If I die on this night, then so be it! You have been a good friend, a trusted-” “You’re just going to a gas station, it’s not-” “Silence!!”

“I want you to stay. I’m asking you to stay.”

“Can you stop yawning, please?” “Sorry, but this is just so boring.” “It’s your daughter’s dance recital!”

“I don’t want to shoot you, but I will if I have to. Step aside.”

“You’re the most poorly written character I’ve ever met.” “What?” “What?”

“I don’t want to die, please don’t let me die!” “I’ll do whatever it takes to get you out of here alive, I promise.”

“I’m in love with you.” “Wow. I don’t know whether to thank you or give you my condolences, honestly.”

“What happened here?!” “I tried to catch a spider.” “With what, a flamethrower?!”

“This is amazing! How did you know I wanted this?” “What do you mean? I listened to you.” “You what now?”

“Over my dead body!” “Hm, shouldn’t be a problem.”

“Explain yourself!” “…I honestly don’t think I could even if I wanted to.”

“What are you doing here?!” “What do you mean? This is my house.” “You were dead two days ago!” “Oh, right, that. Well-”

“I don’t understand what you’re trying to tell me.” “Would it help if I presented the information by way of dance?” “No but it would be funny”

“Hey, is this a bad time?” “Yeah, actually-” “Ok, great, so-”

“Unless they can hoedown, I’m not interested.”

“I can’t, I’m allergic.” “To water?” “… Yes.”

“Not to be rude but you’re the stupidest person I’ve ever met.” “Look who’s talking!!”

“I hate your guts.” “That makes two of us.”

“Do I know you?” “You will momentarily.”

“I didn’t come this far only to come this far.” (source)

“You can’t just say ‘yo mama!’ as a response to everything!” “Yo mama!” “no!!”

“Aren’t you supposed to help me?” “What do you mean? I am helping!” “You making paper airplanes out of the wrapping paper is not helping.”

“What are you thinking about?” “Wouldn’t you like to know?” “Yes, that’s why I asked dumbass”

“I don’t know how you’re gonna top this. Hopefully you won’t”

“This is gross, and illegal.” “So?” “Just thought I’d mention it.”

“Please don’t be mad”

“Why did you do that?!” “I don’t know!!”

“A good friend wouldn’t let me do this.” “It’s lucky I’m not a good friend, then.” “You’re right about that.”

“You know, you make being your guardian angel very difficult.”

“Every time I look at you I can only think of one thing.” “Oh yeah, what’s that?” “The Boney M 1994 smash hit that inspired an entire generation-” “Oh no” “Ra-Ra-Rasputin!!!!-” “PLEASE STOP”

“Don’t you think I’d love you back if I could?!”

“I’d rather eat a whole bag of pecans than spend another minute with you.” “…” “And I’m allergic to pecans.” “Yeah I got that.”

“Grief is the price we pay for love. Ask yourself if it’s worth it.”

“Get me out of here, now!” “What’s in it for me?” “Your head.” “… Alright.”

“I can’t do this anymore.” “You don’t have a choice.”

“I just want to make sure you’re ok.” “That’s very sweet of you but please stop flashing that flashlight into my eye every two seconds.”

“You want to what now?” “Open a bakery.” “That’s weird, I never saw you as the bakery type.” “Why not?” “Well for starters you’ve killed fifty people over the last two days.”

“I’m going to make you go first.” “Of course you are.”

“This makes no sense.” “Shut up.”

“I’d rather be stuck in a time-loop playing Monopoly forever than do that again.”

“Don’t take it personal, they always argue with people they like.” “I do not!”

“It’s of elvish make!” “Look, I don’t care if Elvis made it-” “… I’m going to pretend you didn’t just say that.”

“Look upon me and fear!” “You’re 5'2” I could stomp you to death with one foot.“

"I’ve never used this before.” “It’ll be fine, just don’t- Don’t do that.”

“Can you cook me some-” “No.” “You didn’t even hear what I wanted you to make!” “Doesn’t matter. I’m never going into that kitchen ever again.” “What happened in there the last time?” “Horrors. Horrors you can’t imagine.”

“Careful!” “I’m always careful.” “That’s the biggest lie I’ve ever heard.”

“It’s just personal preference.” “Whether or not to kill someone is not personal preference!”

“I wish you’d stop doing that.” “And I wish you’d stop being so annoying. Guess neither of us are getting what we want anytime soon, huh?”

“I hate you.” “I hate you too.” “… So, want to be friends?” “Sure.”

“I can’t believe you actually spent your money on this.” “I know, right?! You can’t put a price on this thing, baby!” “That’s.. that’s not what I meant.”

“Look, it’s obvious we won’t come to an agreement on this.” “Right.” “That leaves us only one choice, doesn’t it?” “Yes.” “Fight to the death-” “-Dance off.” “…”

“What would make you think I actually cared about you?” “Oh, please. You and I know both know the truth. You’re just too much of a coward to admit it.”

“Hey, are you listening to me?” “Sorry it’s just really hard to focus when you look like that”

“This is… interesting.” “No, this is wrong! This is vile, it’s disgusting!” “… Interesting.”

“For the hundredth time, constructive criticism about your cooking is not a personal attack-” “Then why did you say it in that tone?!”

“Don’t make me choose. Please don’t make me choose.”

“Well, they’re certainly sprightly, aren’t they?” “I don’t know what that means but yeah it sounds right.”

“Why do you always think the worst of people?” “Just saving time.”

“I just want you to push me up against the wall and shake me real good!” “Can this please wait we’re at Costco”

“Do you think they’d christen the baby with a squirt gun if we asked?” “… Why would we ask them about that?” “Do you think they would or no?”

“You wanna know what I think?” “No, but you’re probably going to tell me anyway.”

“I love you.” “Yikes, let’s not get into that right now.”

“Don’t talk to me!” “Please it was just a game of Monopoly-” “Silence!!”

“To save you the time and me the breath,”

“I know who you are.” “Oh, so you’ve heard of me?” “Your face is everywhere it’s kind of hard to ignore.” “Right.”

“Ye shall not pass!” “Please I just really need to pee!”

“I can’t believe they’re gone…” “Good riddance if you ask me!” “NOT at thE FUNERAL!”

“Don’t worry, I put the ‘fun’ in 'funeral’!” “I don’t want to find out what that’s supposed to mean.” “Oh, don’t worry, you will!”

“Look what you did!!” “You’re saying that like it wasn’t the point?”

“Every moment with you is a living nightmare.” “I’m glad.”

“Everyone has a weakness. Yours seems to be that you think you don’t have one.”

“There is a darkness deep within me… No matter my efforts it never ceases to claw at my heart, filling me with dread and despair day and night as I sleep and wake in a never ending cycle of doom and disaster, knowing I shall never be set free from the traps of time and torture within me..” “… Are you ok dude?”

“May I presume that you are, indeed, an idiot?” “Yes, you may.”

“I have to talk to you.” “Ok.” “And you need to actually listen.” “Oh..”

“Why on earth do you think I’m into you??” “You always use that sweet nickname for me, remember?” “'Stupid moron’ is not a sweet nickname!!”

“Don’t worry, nobody’s gonna see me.” “Someone is definitely going to see you.” “Why?” “Look at yourself!”

“Why are you so heinously incompetent?” “Can you please calm down, it’s only Monday morning.”

“Why are you smiling? I’m not dead yet, you know.”

“Hey babe, can you let me in? I forgot my keys.” “What’s the password?” “Can we not do this again we’ve lived together for five years-” “The PASSWORD!!!”

“Life is like a game of Monopoly, sweetheart. Equally chaotic and confusing with or without a plan.”

“I’m sorry I can’t go, I avoid any social situations at all costs.” “It’s our wedding-”

“Why are you so annoying?” “Why are you so mad about it?”

“Here are my final thoughts: You are stupid and this plan was dumb.” “Thank you.” “You’re welcome.”

“I’m sorry, I tried, I really did… I’m so sorry. Please forgive me.”

“Please go away.” “We’re handcuffed together, how am I supposed to-”

“I love you with every fiber of my being.” “You’re a ghost so that really isn’t saying much sweetie.”

“Wait, you like me?” “Yeah, isn’t it obvious?” “You sure have a funny way of showing it!”

“I hate you!” “Well now we at least have one thing in common.”

“Listen, if ABBA could come together after both of their divorces and make more music together afterward, you can do this!” “Well after that passionate speech I guess I have no choice.”

“Sure, he’s handsome, but can he cook pecan pie without a recipe?” “Why would that matter?” “Answer the question!”

“You can disagree all you want but that doesn’t make me any less right.”

“You can’t make fun of me.” “Says who?” “Your ugly face, that’s who!”

“This has ‘This Will End Badly’ written all over it. Ready to go?”

“What happened in here?” “See, you ask me that but I don’t really know where to start-”

“Stop always asking me questions you know I don’t know the answer to.”

“I just wish things would make sense for a change.” “I wouldn’t count on it.”

“That’s *name*, otherwise known around these parts as the big dipshit.” “Oh, nice.”

“I’m not qualified to do this, but it’s never stopped me before, so I guess here goes nothing!”

“Oh, trust me, I can dance!” “Is that you or the tequila talking?”

“I don’t know what I thought was going to happen, but this was definitely not it.”

“What was that noise?” “What noise?”

“Gimme, gimmie, gimme a… serotonin.” “Are you ok?”

“Hi, nice to meet you. Prepare to be killed.”

“Where are we??” “Gee, I’m so glad you asked. Let me just activate my google maps implant and-”

“Hey, do you remember that time when-” “No. No, I do not. No further questions, please.”

“Why are you so upset all of the sudden?” “You killed my dad!” “Right, that.”

“I love you.” “Are we playing a game of telephone I don’t know about? What’s going on?”

“Don’t be stupid, I’m not in love with them! Why would you think that?” “Well for one thing you haven’t been able to close their facebook page from your browser in five weeks, so-”

“I just need someone to tell me they’re glad I’m alive.” “I am. So unbelievably glad, more than you could ever imagine.”

“Why aren’t you talking to me?” “Because I’m mad at you.” “Why?” “Need I remind you–”

“You’re everything I’ve ever dreamt of.” “So you’ve only ever had nightmares, huh?” “Yeah.”

“Isn’t it time for you to go to bed?” “Isn’t it time for you to mind your business??” “… Ok. Bed, now.”

“Are you drunk?” “Nooo, whyyy?” “Because you just told me you want to carry me around like a sloth baby.” “Ooooh my little sloth babyyyy!”

“Hon, it’s 4 am, why are you up?” “I… I just have to organize this bookcase…” “*sigh* ok, which is it, by height or color?”

“What did you say?” “WhAt DiD yOu SaY?” “STOP!”

“AHH!!” “What?? What is it?” “Why can you bend like that?!”

“I love you.” “YOU TAKE THAT BACK RIGHT NOW- Oh, wait, hold on-”

“That’s interesting.” “… You have no idea what I’m talking about, do you?” “Not a clue.”

You come here often?“ "I- … We both live here.”

“I’m sorry but looking like that has to be a punishable offense.”

“Are you lying?” “Why would I lie?” “Because we’re sworn enemies and hate each other’s guts?” “Oh, right, that. Forgot”

“What are you doing??” “Bold of you to assume I’d have an answer to that question.”

“… Are you singing to yourself?” “Oh, yeah, sorry, I didn’t notice.” “No, please, keep singing. It’s nice.”

“Are you okay?” “No. But I will be, with time. I hope”

“Should we do something about this??” “… Or we could just do nothing?” “Yeah let’s do that.”

“How was the cult meeting?” “For the last time, family dinner is not-

"If you so much as look in their direction again, I will kill you, is that clear?”

“What are you doing here? I thought you were dead.”

“How long have you been having these nightmares?” “For months… I just need them to stop. I’ll do anything to make them stop.” “Anything?” “Anything.”

“I haven’t seen you since you blacked out and threw up in my shoes at that party last year.” “… So is that a ‘no’ to the date, or…?”

“Bro you must have the most selective hearing known to man.” “… Sorry, did you say something?” “AAARRRGH!!”

“I miss you. Please come home. Please.”

“He’s got a stick of something stuck up somewhere is you know what I mean.” “Nice.”

“I love you more than I love Ewan McGregor.” “Wow, babe, do you really mean that?” “…. yes.”

“Bro I’m pissed, you really can’t have s#!t in Detroit.” “…I gotta be honest, half the time I have no idea what you’re saying.”

“You really should get a grip.” “You’re one to talk!”

“Why did you do that?!” “I was just trying to be cool.” “Well, it did not work.”

“I gotta tell you, I don’t like our odds on this one.” “Since when has that ever stopped us?” “Just thought I’d mention it.”

“So, about last night…”

“How do you feel?” “Torn apart.”

“And you can be sure of this: I will never cry over it. Never.”

“This isn’t a competition, you know.” “Spoken like a true loser.”

“Hey, it’s me, hope you’re doing well.” “My dog died last night.” “Aw. Anyway-”

“I’m sorry, ok? Here, I brought cookies!” “You killed five people.” “Not a raisin person I see. Noted.”

“Where’s the kid??” “The what?” “You remember that you were supposed to pick them up today, right?” “… I gotta go real quick-” “I’M GOING TO KILL YOU!”

“I can’t do it, I can’t…” “You don’t have a choice.”

“And whatever you do, don’t-” “Don’t what?” “… Do that.”

“I haven’t wanted anyone this bad in a long time.” “I hate that I have to ask this, but do you mean that in a romantic or violent way?” “Both.”

“How do you stay so good, even through all of this?”

“I need you to stay alive… please… I don’t know how to live without you.”

“I’m really glad you feel that you can be honest with me.” “Well you drugged me so I didn’t really have a choice-” “Shh. I really love the growth our relationship is going through.”

“Are you ok? And don’t lie to me.”

“Taken your meds today?” “Yeah, why do you ask?” “No reason.”

“I feel like I’m gonna throw up.” “Please don’t, this car’s new-”

“I think I’m ok now…” “You’re not.” “Why do you care, anyway? Aren’t you supposed to hate me?” “Be quiet. Lie still.”

“Ok bestie, I see what you’re saying.” “Please stop talking like that.”

“Ok, fine, it’s on. You. Me. Karaoke at eight.” “What kind of threat is that??” “You’ll see.”

“Did you just kick that guy in the nuts for no reason??” “Yeah, that’s feminism, baby!” “No, no, it’s really not-”

“Inhumane. Disgusting. I can’t believe you’d do something like that.” “Give me a break-” “Say hello to Geoffrey RIGHT NOW.” “He’s a dog, why do I have to-” “SAY IT!” “…. hello, Geoffrey.”

“Citation needed, please.”

“I don’t like the cut of their jib.” “Do you have to talk like that?” “Talk like what?” “Never mind.”

“We shouldn’t do this, it’s not right.” “Ok Mr. Geneva Conventions.”

“Now, kneel before me. Kneel!”

“Hey, come here a sec.” “Are you going to serenade me about how I’m the love of your life and how your universe would have no light if I weren’t in it?” “No?” “Then no.”

“You got what you wanted, didn’t you?” “I didn’t want it like this! Not like this…”

“I know it’s not much, but, maybe I could hold you, just for a little while.”

“If you want even the slightest chance of surviving this, you have to do exactly as I say, got it?”

“If only one of us is can make it out of here alive… it’s gonna be me.”

“Honey, what’s going on? Why are you crying?” “*sniffs* What if they don’t like the wrapping paper on the gift?” “They will, honey, don’t worry. Go back to sleep.” “Are you sure?” “One hundred percent. Trust me.” “Okay.”

“This is outrageous!” “Sweetheart, you have to calm down.”

“Back then I honestly didn’t think it could get any worse. But then I met them, and I thought, uh oh.” “And we’ve been inseparable ever since.”

“How was your day?” “Nice. Why do you ask?” “Because I wanted to make sure you had a nice last day before I kill you”

“Where are the others?” “You mean the scum you call friends?” “Yes, now where are they?”

“You’re an idiot.” “Takes one to know one.”

“Why did you do that?? I got what you were saying, I didn’t need a demonstration!”

“Listen, we don’t want any trouble.” “Well I guess that’s too bad, cuz I do.”

“What are you laughing at?- Actually, I don’t wanna know.”

“If only one of us is can make it out of here alive… it’s gonna be me.”

“Honey, what’s going on? Why are you crying?” “*sniffs* What if they don’t like the wrapping paper on the gift?” “They will, honey, don’t worry. Go back to sleep.” “Are you sure?” “One hundred percent. Trust me.” “Okay.”

“This is outrageous!” “Sweetheart, you have to calm down.”

“Back then I honestly didn’t think it could get any worse. But then I met them, and I thought, uh oh.” “And we’ve been inseparable ever since.”

“How was your day?” “Nice. Why do you ask?” “Because I wanted to make sure you had a nice last day before I kill you”

“Where are the others?” “You mean the scum you call friends?” “Yes, now where are they?”

“You’re an idiot.” “Takes one to know one.”

“Why did you do that?? I got what you were saying, I didn’t need a demonstration!”

“Listen, we don’t want any trouble.” “Well I guess that’s too bad, cuz I do.”

“What are you laughing at?- Actually, I don’t wanna know.”

“Happy birthday!” “My birthday was a month ago.” “Yikes.”

“So what are you doing to celebrate this year?” “The same thing I always do.” “Wallow in loneliness and self-loathing?” “Yup.”

“Tomorrow would’ve been their twenty-first birthday.” “Would have been?” “Yes. As in I’m going to kill them so they won’t live to see it.”

“I never thought I’d live to see this day.” “I’m so glad you have.” “Me too.”

“Happy birthday.” “How’d you know it’s my birthday?” “Just a lucky guess. Anyway, here’s your ID.” “Where did you get that??”

“I hope you like it, baby.” “Aw, this is so sweet, you shouldn’t have-” “… Well?” “Sweetie, what is that?”

“I know you usually hate celebrating your birthday, so I thought I’d make it a little bit extra special.” “By kidnapping me?” “Now you’re being a little dramatic.”

“Happy birthday!” “Didn’t we celebrate my birthday last year?” “Birthdays are kind of an annual thing.” “Oh.”

“I just want this day to go by in silence, ok?” “Sure, whatever you want.” “Thank you.”

“Do you know what kind of cake they’d like?” “How am I supposed to know that? Cake-preference isn’t really a common topic of conversation on the battlefield.”

“I need a reason to stay.” “I can’t give you any. Not any good ones, anyway.” “A bad one will do.”

“Want to know why everyone hates you? It’s because you are so obviously the envy of everyone in this room and yet totally unaware of it. It’s infuriating.”

“Remember that summer by the cabin when we stole your grandad’s boat and got stuck in the middle of the lake?” “I remember you being the reason we got stuck because you dropped one of the oars in the water.”

“Come, dance with me.”

“I don’t regret a single second I’ve spent with you.”

“You make me miserable, you know that?” “Then how come you’re smiling?”

“Don’t open your eyes yet!”

“You can’t tell me what to do.” “Listen, normally I’d let you do what you want, but when that thing involves holding a knife to my face, I feel like I should get to have some say.”

“Now, I’m not saying if I saw them in a burning building I would leave them in there, but-”

“Why does every outing with you have to turn into some sort of ethical dilemma?” “More fun that way.”

“So, yeah, anyway. Where was I?” “You’d just killed your brother with a teacup.” “Right. So, he comes back to life-”

“Boy, have I got news for you!”

“According to my sources, that’s a load of bullshit.” “What sources?” “How about my common sense?”

“Never you mind!”

“I’m not mad, she had to do what she had to do.” “She kidnapped your mom!” “I’m just saying,”

“I’m not so sure about this…” “That’s why you’re not the one in charge!”

“Suck it up buttercup, we’ve got work to do.”

“That’s interesting, but have you considered this…” “… what?” “Therapy?”

“I’d like to suggest a heart-to-heart conversation about this, but considering you don’t have one, that’d be difficult.” “Quite.”

“What happened here?” “I-” “No, stop, I don’t want to know.”

“You’re the eager kind, I see.” “No, just impatient.”

“I had no time to think, so I made a judgment call. But, as I should have known from previous experience, I have very poor judgment.”

“Well, what if you-” “No.” “What?” “I don’t want advice, I just want to complain.” “All right. Go off then, I guess.”

“I’m so single even my mom won’t return my calls.” “Your mom is dead, sweetie.” “I know, but still.”

“Just get it done; it doesn’t much matter how.” “… Machete?” “Yes.” “Gun?” “Yes.” “Lazer gun?” “Yes.” “Rabid monkey?” “Yes.” “Hm… what about a voice-activated fighting drone that shoots lemon juice into people’s eyes-” “JUST GET IT DONE!”

“How was your day?” “Oh, you know, the usual.” “I doubt there’s much ‘usual’ about your usual day.” “I won’t fight you on that one.”

“Well, what do you think?” “He’s nice.” “And?” “And I hate him with every fiber of my being.” “Why am I not surprised.”

“What are you doing?” “Waiting for inspiration to strike.” “How’s it going so far?” “Not good.”

“Crap, what do we do?!” “I don’t know! I majored in physics not in fighting big ugly monsters!” “Look, I don’t think calling it ugly is helping!”

“If nothing’s killed me so far, I doubt this will.” “One can only hope.”

“If we lose this-” “It’s just a game of Capture the Flag honey, it’s not that serious-” “If we lose this, I’m divorcing you.”

“What do you want from me?” “You’ll see soon enough.”

“Can I ask you a favor?” “Can you ask me? Yes. Will I do it?” “… you haven’t even heard what I was going to ask-” “No.”

“Never underestimate the power of a well-timed prank, young padawan.” “See, this is why I never introduce you to people.”

“Not to sound desperate, but, we’re desperate.”

“Don’t ever ask me about that again, is that clear?”

“Hear that?” “Hear what?”

“There you are! I’ve missed you!” “What- What’s going on?”

“Am I supposed to know who you are?”

“I’m bored, wanna do something?” “Sure, what do you want to-” “Bank robbery.” “…” “…” “Should I be concerned?”

“Please, tell me what’s wrong.” “*sigh* Lately, I don’t know, I guess I just don’t feel seen.” “Well, I am blind, darling.” “Yes, of course, sorry. My bad.”

“I love you.” “I don’t believe that.” “Doesn’t change the fact that I do.”

“What’s it going to take to convince you?”

“I’m in love with you.” “… What in the world for?”

“I would prefer death to this.” “I really wish you’d stop talking like that.”

“Why is your face purple?”

“I haven’t felt like this in a long time.”

“But I’ve realized that I’ll never be enough for you. And as much as it hurts me to say it, I’ve realized that you’ll never be enough for me, either.”

“I’m so nervous.” “It’ll be fine, don’t worry.”

“I was fine on my own, and then you came waltzing in with your long eyelashes and beautiful smile, and now look at me, I’m a mess of epic proportions. And it’s all your fault.”

“Something tells me I’m going to regret this.”

“This will be a lot easier for the both of us if you don’t fight.”

“Fighting is a lot more intimate than undressing, don’t you think?”

“What, you’re not hungry?” “Not hungry enough to eat whatever that is.”

“Why do you have to be so difficult? Sit still!”

“Get out of the way kid, this is none of your business.” “Oh no you don’t. If anyone’s going to kill her, it’s gonna be me.”

“This is getting ugly. We have to leave, now.”

“Don’t you realize that I’m only trying to protect you?”

“I want to stay with you.” “You know I’d never let you do that.” “Why?!” “Why do you think?!”

“Wait, were you worried about me?” “Don’t flatter yourself, I just didn’t want to have to deal with your corpse.”

“Look, I’m sorry I burned your house down and eradicated your entire family, but I think it’s time for you to stop holding a grudge.”

“Don’t give me that. You meant what you said and you know it.”

“All of that to say… I hate you and I wish you were dead.”

“Man, what’s up with that guy?” “He’s just like that. You get used to it. I hope.”

“Don’t you think you’re being a little overdramatic?” “I will literally set you on fire right now.”

“Don’t you think you should reconsider your copious intake of *insert food/drink*?” “Don’t you think you should shut your mouth?”

“This seems like a needlessly complicated way to do this.” “Well I’m in charge so if you have any better suggestions you’re free to keep them to yourself.”

“You want to tell me what’s going on here?” “No, no. Definitely not.”

“Will you stop that?” “Stop what? I wasn’t doing anything!” “I know. Just thought I’d save us the time for when you eventually do something.”

“I haven’t let a man speak to me that way since 2005, and I certainly am not about to now.”

“I promise you’ll be okay.” “What about you?” “Don’t worry about me. Just get out and don’t look back.” “But-” “Promise me.”

“We’re gonna need a whole lot of glitter glue to get out of this one, ladies.”

“That’s my girl.”

“You’re crazy!” “Oh, honey, rest assured, you don’t even know the half of it.”

“How can you be so calm right now?!” “Worrying won’t change anything. You need to calm down.” “Don’t tell me to calm down! You just blew that guy’s head off!!”

“Why are you wearing that thing?” “What thing?” “For goodness sake- YOU’RE WEARING A TRAFFIC CONE ON YOUR HEAD!”

“Don’t you realize how much is at stake?” “You know I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t.”

“That’s embarrassing.”

“Look, I’m not any more thrilled about this than you are, but can we pretend to like each other for one night?” “All right, fine. But just know that I’ll be wanting to throw up the whole time.” “Likewise.”

“Wait, are you saying what I think you’re saying?” “That kind of depends on what you think I’m saying. But, yeah, sure.”

“What’s wrong with your face?” “What do you mean?” “Oh, wait- You always look like that? Yikes.”

“I would strongly encourage you not to do that.” “Why?” “You don’t want to know.”

“Come with me, please.”

“What’s that smell?”

“You kiss your mother with that mouth?” “Well, your mom never complained.”

“Just admit defeat, you’re completely powerless.” “Maybe. But that doesn’t mean I’m defeated just yet.”

“I’m here to do a job. Feelings have nothing to do with it.” “How naïve. Feelings have everything to do with it.”

“So how do you two know each other?” “We’re married.” “Oh!”

“How dare you speak to me that way?”

“I can’t go in there! Are you crazy?” “And why on earth not?” “Look how I’m dressed!” “Darling, you could wear a potato sack and still be the marvel in any room. Now let’s go show them, shall we?”

“Trust me, you’re doing great, just keep going.” “I’m so scared, I can’t do this!!” “Yes, you can. Trust me, you’re almost there!”

“I’m quite proud of you.”

“How do I know I can trust you?” “Well you’ll be dead in about two minutes if you don’t, but it’s up to you.”

“I would be lying if I said I didn’t see the signs… But then again I’m dyslexic, so-”

“Man, not this guy again…” “What?” “I’ve killed that guy five times already but he keeps coming back, it’s really starting to get on my nerves… Wait here, I’ll be right back.”

“You’re not scared of me. I like that.”

“What’s going on??” “Be quiet.” “Why?” “I’m grieving.” “Grieving what?” “My dignity.”

“Well I might not be the smartest guy around, but even a broken clock is right once a day!” “No, that’s… That’s not…”

“Do you see now why everyone hates you?” “Yes, isn’t it marvelous!”

“Are you ok?” “Please don’t ask me that.”

“Where are you going?” “I don’t know yet. But I’ll let you know when I get there.”

“Just because I’m not allowed to do it doesn’t mean I can’t do it. There’s a difference!”

“Enough talking. You came here to play, didn’t you? So, let’s play.”

“He’s dangerous.” “How? He seems nice.” “Exactly; he’s charming. And charm is a man’s most effective weapon.”

“Stop talking, please. Your voice is shrill and piercing and thoroughly unpleasant.” “A simple ‘shut up’ would suffice, you know.”

“I’m having murder thoughts. Come back later.”

“I can’t do it!” “Just shoot your shot, dude. One day they’ll be dead and so will you.”

“I’m so sorry I hurt you.” “Don’t sweat it, I could’ve just as easily have hurt you.” “Well it’s cute that you think that.”

“May I thunder victoriously against him in the battle for your heart, my sweetest one.”

“What’s going on?!” “Just do as I say and ask questions later!”

“All right, that’s it! Your bloodline ends here!”

“This doesn’t look very promising, does it?” “In my humble opinion? No.”

“Is that mistletoe I see?” “I’m pretty sure that’s poison ivy, actually.” “Well, I’m not picky.”

“Am I crazy, or-” “Yes.” “… You didn’t even hear what I-” “Don’t need to.”

“I’ve loved you from the first moment I ever laid eyes on you.” “Wasn’t that at that party when I was hurling my guts out into the toilet?” “Okay so maybe not the very first moment,”

“Hate you.” “Hate you too. Have a nice day, sweetie.” “You too, babe. See you after work.”

“You followed a recipe this time, right?”

“Are we really about to have this discussion again?” “Yes, and we will keep having it until you realize that I’m right and you’re wrong!”

“How did you end up way out here?”

“Let me tell you something.” “Hm?” “If anyone were ever to write a biography about you, it’d be called The Life of a Dumbass. And situations like this are the exact reason why!”

“Why?” “I don’t know why, and I don’t care why!”

“I’ll give you a word of advice: never wear two pairs of socks.”

“I learned at seventeen why you should never ever wear two pairs of socks.”

“I’m a little kerfuffled.”

“That’s a good example of childhood trauma she hasn’t recovered from.”

“Maybe the oldies are onto something with this.”

“I’m forever in your debt, my friend.” “Just buy me a burger and we’ll call it even, okay?”

“I’ve given this a lot of thought, and I think you may be overthinking this.”

“I just want to be with someone who makes me want to live. Someone who makes me glad I’m alive, who’ll make me see the beauty of it. Right now, all I can see is the pain. I want to smile again.”

“I thought you didn’t care about me.” “Only you would be stupid enough to think that.”

“I know you’re a little behind the times, but that’s extreme even for you.”

“It’s scary.” “All of life is scary, sweetheart. But you can’t give up.”

“He’s a complete and utter grump and she’s a precious ray of sunshine. It’s meant to be.”

“Whew, glad that’s over!”

“Everyone’s going to see straight through this.” “No way, I paid top dollar for this!” “Where, the dollar store?!”

“I’m really nervous.” “Me too.” “Yeah?” “Yeah.”

“I had a really good time tonight.”

“You look gorgeous. As always.”

“Look, kid, this isn’t personal. It’s just business.” “You stole my grandfather’s ashes!” “Again, nothing personal.”

“Wow, I’ve never seen such a terrible bowler in my entire life.” “Shut up!”

“But just so you know, I intend on being as confusing and annoying as possible the entire time.”

“In terms of sense, there is none detected.”

“I can fix this, I can fix this!” “How?!” “I don’t know, but I can!!”

“Whatever you decide, whether I agree with your decision or not, I’ll support you.”

“Have you seen my bee-jar?” “Your what-now?” “My jar full of bees. Thought that’d be pretty self-explanatory.” “Yeah, I got that part,”

“Being a rational person, I’d strongly advise you against doing this. But I’m also a curious person, so by all means, go ahead.”

“Down, boy.”

“I feel conflicted.” “Why?”

“You obviously aren’t able to take care of yourself right now, so, just for now, I’m going to do it for you. But just know I’m not happy about it.”

“Maybe, just maybe, this was a bad idea.” “You think?!”

“I’ve done a lot of stupid things, but that was by far the stupidest.”

“This is not an insult, just an observation,”

“Oh no! … Anyway.”

“Just seems like everyone’s coming after me these days.” “Wonder why.”

here are a few other "secret" dashboards:

Posts from your "crushes"

"What you missed" (will be empty if you already visit Tumblr every day)

"Trending"

nope! i hovered over the link and this popped up on the bottom of the browser. here's all the links in order:

https://www.tumblr.com/timeline/blog_subscriptions

https://www.tumblr.com/timeline/crushes

https://www.tumblr.com/timeline/what_you_missed

https://www.tumblr.com/timeline/trending

Chapter 2 The Doctor

They arrived at the Capitol Event Center slightly on the early side, which suited both August and Elliot, because this kind of thing gets on their nerves. As they approached the seemingly abandoned building they saw that there was an open set of double doors off to the side a little ways away, but still adjacent to the entrance. There was an attendant in a grey pantsuit next to the doorway carrying a clipboard. Her grey pantsuit was the same color as August’s dress. It’s the grey that they make all of the Assignees wear to the Assignment, it’s supposed to symbolize how everybody is equal and undesignated, until they get their job and their colors. August was pretty sure it was a way to repress people and make them love their jobs too much, so they are content and don’t rebel. But, honestly, if it works, August was happy and decided to go along with it. 

The unnamed attendant waved the Braxton’s over, and they obediently followed, more than happy to have somewhere to go and something to do, as opposed to just milling around in such open spaces. Sontharian’s naturally don’t like open spaces. Gives them a weird feeling on their back. That’s just what happens when your entire life is underwater. The lady got August signed in on her LightPad. Now all she had to do was head inside and wait. 

Inside, it was essentially empty, with the exception of random workers hustling about making last minute adjustments to things, trying to get the place ready. There were a few other Assignees floating around, mostly standing by themselves awkwardly. There were two people who had drifted a little too close together and were forced to make polite, but very awkward and forced, conversation. There was one girl who stood out from the rest.

She was this blonde girl, who looked a little nervous. Not nervous in the same way that everybody else was nervous, it was more like her resting facial expression and general temperament was ‘drowning in anxiety’. August couldn’t blame her, seeing as how she herself has a resting face that scared people away. But it wasn’t just that she seemed scared. She appeared to be at least two years younger than everybody else, which indicated to August that she shouldn’t be here. But at the same time, all the workers who were scurrying by nodded at her and smiled, seeming to not have any sort of problem with her presence. 

Subconsciously, August started slowly migrating towards the scared girl, trying to observe her more carefully and figure out what she was doing here. The more she stared at her, the more she realized that the girl was not at all nervous about being here. She acted like she was supposed to be here, among the hustle and bustle. Her nervous expression seemed to be the overflow of the constant thoughts that were running behind her eyes, as if she was thinking about every possible scenario of what could go wrong, and what could succeed.

It didn’t take long until August’s wanderings brought her face to face with the girl, who has acknowledged her presence but didn’t say anything, or diert any attention from her mental simulations to her. Feeling very awkward about the fact that she was standing three feet away from a girl she walked up to, and still hadn’t said anything, August opened her mouth hoping her brain would spit out the appropriate words. 

Unfortunately, August was still focusing too much on what the actual hell the girl could be thinking of, and why didn’t she say anything first, that August’s brain more vomited the words out in an incoherent mess. “Hi, umm, I was just wondering, not to sound rude, sorry if I’m coming across rude, some people think I’m an anti-social bitch, well, not that they’re totally wrong. Ha! Actually, they’re kind of right, I really don’t enjoy social functions. Anyways, I’m sorry, I was wondering, again, not to sound rude, exactly what you’re doing here? I couldn’t help but notice that you seem significantly younger than everybody else, also, the workers seem to know who you are and you don’t seem to be nervous about everything like the rest of us…”. August didn’t end up finishing her ramblings with a complete thought, she just left her confusion out in the air. 

Thankfully, the girl didn’t seem to mind, and her lips broke into a timid but amused smile. “My presence here is just a formality. I already know my assignment, I’ve already been working for a year. I’m a rising surgeon in the public hospital system, I mostly do sutures and stupid stuff like that because for legal reasons I cant perform actual surgeries yet. But I’m consulted on a lot, if not all, difficult and bizarre cases,” she replied.

“Oh.” August let the noise out softly, with her lips still pursed into a little “o” shape, hanging on the edge of the next few words. “So you’re a child genius?” she asked, great that’s not intimidating. The girl chuckled softly, looking down momentarily and blushing a bit, a little bit more on her left cheek than on her right.

“That’s a generous way of looking at it,” she replied, “I have an aptitude for medical sciences…”, she trailed off wondering if she should continue, but the girl felt oddly and comfortable around August despite this being the first time they’ve met. However, despite the sudden trust, the girl got softer and sounded a bit more unsteady, “I can see the entire human body in my mind… every muscle, every nerve, where every last vein and artery should be.” That explained what she was distracted by, probably running through problems and solutions for the human body, all in her brain, “That, and I’m a natural problem solver. Between the two of those I’ve gotten pretty good at fixing all bodily problems: surgery, physical therapy, treating diseases.” Seeing August’s look of surprise and inferiority the girl added, “Of course all blessings come with a curse… That’s about all I’m good at. I can’t fathom the mental aspect of humans,” She was still looking into August’s eyes, and August could see the sudden shift from poise and professionalism into unsurety and desperation, “emotions are so hard to predict and control. You never know what a human can do next. I can fix any external pain a human can feel. I can fix any problem. But I can’t fix what’s going on inside their brain, I can’t know what anybody is going to do next, and I don’t know how to fix it..” she trailed off, and August felt bad to see such a young girl have such a dark look in her eyes. 

Trying to lighten the mood, August tried to keep the discussion moving in a more positive direction. “Well that’s fine. Nobody’s perfect at everything. And I’m more than positive you have other skills to make up for it. I mean, apart from the fact that you’re a medical prodigy, I’m sure you have an affinity for other academic subjects too. History doesn’t change, I’m sure you have no problem memorizing dates and events!” she said, realizing she was slipping into the same tone of voice she used around Elliot.

“Actually,” she said, raising her eyes to look up at August, “I’ve never taken any other subjects. I’ve been taught math, biology, chemistry, biochemistry, human physiology, the list goes on. But the Counsel realized very early on in my life that I had the strongest aptitude for medicine that they have ever seen. They paid for me to be sent to the best medical institutions from a very young age, and they never taught me anything else other than what would apply to my job,” Upon seeing August’s confusion and disbelief that the Counsel could be so stupid and restricting on such a young girl, “It’s like how after Assignment, you only get training for the field you’ve been assigned to. The difference being They gave me my Assignment when I was 10. So I’ve taken ‘all of the subjects’, but only to the leel a ten year old would know.”

“Wait. Pardon my speech, but what the actual flying fuck? For the love of Quarre, who does that to a kid! Ten years old?!? And they constricted you to learning what 18 year olds would learn?!?

Wait. If you were 10 when you started.. That’ll mean you’ll be a full fledged doctor when you turn 18, the same time that kids your age will be starting their medical education…” August trailed off and now it was her turn to have her eyes zone out as she got lost in her own alarming thoughts, only to be interrupted by the young girl.

“Yes, it’s unfortunate, but ultimately beneficial. Younger children have an amazing capacity to pick up information at a faster rate and deeper understanding than we give them credit for.

They have such an educational advantage, in fact, that I will complete my learning two years earlier, when I turn 16. Meaning that if things continue the same way that they have, I’ll be a head surgeon by the time I turn 20, and I will be the most accomplished young doctor on the whole planet. My advisor likes to build me up and say that I’ll be the best in the entire Jurian System; but I doubt I’ll even be the best on Sonthar by the time I’m 20. But I will be the best at some point,” she said confidently, “….once everyone who is more experienced than me dies of old age” se clarified under her breath.

“Wow.” August just stared at the young blonde girl who talked more professionally and matter of fact-ly than most adults she knew. “So… child prodigy, huh? Does “child prodigy” have a name, so I can start placing bets on you well in advance, and make a shit ton of money?” August didn’t feel bad about swearing in front of her anymore, seeing as how her age was clearly only an indication of her body’s physical boundaries.

“Oh. Yes. Sorry.” She blushed a bit, almost being embarrassed she didn’t introduce herself earlier on in the conversation, “I’m Katarina. Katarina Fox.” she said whilst holding her pale hand out. 

“August Braxton,” she introduced herself, extending her hand back at Katarina for a friendly shake. Although at this point, August wanted to pull her into a tight hug and stroke her hair like she would for Elliot, because this poor girl seemed to have even more worries, pressures, and anxieties than Elliot. Nevertheless, she shook her hand, “Nice to meet you, Dr. Fox” she said with a bit of a coy smile.

As August was shaking Katarina’s hand, she realized that Katarina’s pale pure white skin was different from her own. August’s skin looked as if the blood underneath was metallic and grey. Katarina’s on the other hand (ehh, get it), looked as though her blood was a silver iridescent lava that shone through the paleness of her skin.

“If you don’t mind me asking,” August inquired, “but what race are you? Your skin seems to glow and have a hidden color and life to it. I’ve never seen anything like it before.” Even though she was addressing Katarina, she might as well have been addressing the hand itself because her eyes were still entranced in her iridescent shimmer. She realized her impoliteness and forced herself to look at Katarina’s face, and noticed that now she was aware of the iridescence, she couldn’t unsee it. Her face was dewy with a slight internal shimmer, and her blushing cheeks were a collection of the pink and purple iridescent bits that were typically more dispersed with the rest of the silver. Her eyes were a pale icy blue, but something also shifted behind her eyes, like translucent pools of a dark blue swirling around in her eyes.

August’s trance was broken when the Doctor interrupted her with her answer once again. “Oh yes, right,” she blushed a little bit again, still getting embarrassed by forgetting little formalities. “I’m from pod Sol-.”

“Holy shit, you’ve seen the sun?” Everything was clicking into place for August, of course, she has the Sonthar tan, duhhhh, of course she’s from Sol “Wait.” She came upon another realization, “If you’re from Sol, what the hell are you doing in Dal?” The confusion of August’s face was soon replaced with stunned horror, “…how long have you been in Dal?…” with every passing word her blood began to boil and her words were spit with her disgust. “Did they take you away from your family when you were TEN!?!” 

August understood the pain of being young and having an older sibling taken away from you, that might happen to Elliot at the end of today. But to have a child taken away from their family and brought to a completely unfamiliar place…. “My parents separated when I was nine,” Katarina explained, “When I was put into the family relocation facility, they had to run a bunch of testing to fill out the adoption forms. Families want to know a child’s abilities and qualifications before they take them in.” August hadn’t known that about the system. That’s sick! Why is it once I have to start working for these people I realize exactly how immoral and cruel they are? Katarina continued despite August’s horror, “That’s when they realized my gift. They ran more intense testing to see my limits, and sent me to live with a family who had been trying for a child for years. I stayed with them for a few months while the Science Executives filled out forms and convinced the Counsel that they should be allowed to take a ten year old away from their family.

Things We Become In The Dark

Prologue

There’s no point trying to sleep before Assignment, honestly. If I haven’t been able to sleep the past two nights, what on Sonthar makes me think I’ll be able to sleep tonight?There’s no point trying to sleep before Assignment. If I haven’t been able to sleep the past two nights, what on Sonthar makes me think I’ll be able to sleep tonight? August picked up her LightPad and started playing her strategy games, hoping the mental exertion would tire her out. Worst case scenario, she doesn’t fall asleep, but her brain gets a little training out of it. Best case scenario, she gets some ACTUAL FUCKING SLEEP.

After about an hour of playing her game and still not feeling any sleepier than before, she got out of bed. She went to the kitchen trying to sneak some late-night snacks… Well, early morning, but that's beside the point. August wasn't entirely shocked to see that Elliot was already in the kitchen sitting on the counter eating a bowl of cereal. He was always very sensitive, and a desperate worrier. August bet he wasn’t too happy about his older sister leaving. Yeah, he was only 8, but he thought about more worst case scenarios than most kids August’s age. It didn’t make him any more mature though. He was still a little kid. A little kid with alarming under-eye circles.

“Hey buddy, how’s it going? You’re not worried about tomorrow, are you?” she said, trying to have a little bit of the swaggering confidence that most 18 year olds should have. “Because there’s nothing to worry about. Tomorrow, I’ll get my assignment, and I’ll move to another part of Sonthar, maybe a pod or two over, if it's really bad. But even then, I’ll still call you all the time, and visit on the weekends.” She came to stand in front of Elliot, who was about her height now that he was sitting on the counter. “Plus, you’ll have mom and dad with you, there’s nothing to worry about.”

“Yeah, but they can’t protect me like you can, Aug,” he complained, letting out a quiet whine. “They’re not like you. You can see the bad outcomes that I can. You keep me safe from the bad that I fear. Mom and Dad only protect me from things they think I’m worried about.” He looked down at his dangling feet, “It’s just not the same, Aug.” he whispered as a little droplet fell down his cheek.

“Now, now,” she said as she came to brush the tear off his cheek, “let’s keep the water OUTSIDE, huh?” she glanced out the window to the depths of the ocean pressing against the outside of the wall of the pod of Dal. “Hey El, look at that,” August exclaimed, “the sun is starting to rise.” And it was. They never felt the direct effects of the sunlight, of course. But, it reflected like beautiful glass. And, as it hit the water through the day, it would warm up the pod, creating a climate that was like other planets. Not that she would know, of course. Almost nobody from Sonthar ever travels outside of Sonthar. When you grow up with your city surrounded by water, the lack of water leaves a weird feeling on your back. As if you’re exposed. August didn’t believe in the old mythical deities. But, the comforting presence of water always made her wonder whether Quarre was real. Maybe she was watching over us, protecting us. Maybe her lover, Reth, was leaving little warm kisses along her back. But those moments were fleeting, and August was a skeptic. She only believed in herself and her abilities. Sure, she could rely on others for the most part. But at the end of the day, she knew that she was the only one she could 100% count on. Well, herself and Elliot. But he was a little young. Yet, infinitely loyal.

“Come on, bud, let’s get you to sleep. I want you to be awake tomorrow for my Assignment.” She started escorting him off to bed leaving all possibility of a snack behind. August could only hope that at least one of them would get decent sleep. “Alright, get in there,” she said, leading him through the door. August tucked him in and landed a quick peck on his forehead. As she got up to leave, Elliot grabbed her hand.

“Aug, could you stay with me? I’m scared they’re going to take you away.” he asked longingly. He wasn’t sure what he was going to do if his older sister got taken away from him and moved to a different pod. And not knowing things terrified him.

“Sure thing, El.” she said, climbing onto his bed and laying next to him on top of his sheets. “I’ll be here,” she said softly. It was her plan to wait for him to fall asleep so she could either do some work, or go sleep in her own bed. But being close to such an innocent and loyal kid relaxed her enough so she fell right asleep. She didn’t regret it. She slept soundly, reflecting on how this might be the last time she might have this opportunity.

Chapter 1 Beautify the Rabid Wolf Child

The Assignment wasn’t until the evening. But, the Assignees had to be at the Capitol Event Center in the afternoon in order for them to set everybody up. Of course, before that, August had to get ready, and before that. Well. She had to wake up. Which ended up being a harder task than normal, due to the fact that she had not had a proper night's sleep in a few days. As always, to get August to do anything, somebody had to get Elliot to ask her. Because, dammit, August Braxton will only do what she wants to do. She follows nobody’s will but her own. And Elliot’s. Because he was so cute, and innocent, and worried about everything. He was so sweet, how could anybody say no to him?

“Auggie, you’ve got to wake up,” he pleaded, “Mom says you need time to ‘beautify’”. August opened an eye to look at Elliot’s angelic face. Albeit a little tarnished by the chocolate milk on his upper lip and his massive, always present eye bags. “Of course, I think you already look beautified,” he started to shrug, “but I guess I’ll never understand women,”. He finished his statement by lowering his shoulders and looking up to meet August’s dark eyes.

August often wondered how two siblings could look so different. Where Elliot had curly light blonde hair, and big green eyes, August looked like the black and white copy of him. She had silvery white hair, and dark, steel grey eyes. They both, however, had the same lanky body, with toned muscles. Nothing bulky. Everything was slim and strong. Much like their personalities. They both looked like they could break like a toothpick, or blow away in the wind. But when it came down to it, they were strong, both in of themselves, and in their relationship with each other.

Although, with how tall Elliot was for a boy his age, August knew that he would eventually tower over her. Because while she wasn’t short she wasn't exactly tall either. She was a very comfortable height for her body, allowing her to be a bit more agile and graceful than tall lanky people. People who seem to lose track of their limbs in all their length. People who end up flopping and flailing around a lot more than a person of normal height.

“Alright El, here,” she extended her hand, “help me up, buddy.” Elliot obediently grabbed her hand and heaved with all his might. August, of course, did not need any help getting up. But she was going to take every last opportunity to enjoy playing with such a sweet kid. She got up, still holding Elliot’s hand, and made her way to the kitchen.

“Morning August,” her dad said, perkier than normal, and sitting with a cup of coffee and nothing else. Why the hell did Dad not have anything else? No LightPad. No work. Just. Nothing.

“Morning *Brian*,” she replied in a tone indicating her slight alarm at his lack of reading material. “You look… unoccupied…? What's with that?”

“Oh nothing,” he breathed, starting to adopt an overly dramatic tone. “Just enjoying my daughter for the last moments I’ll ever get to see her. She’ll be Assigned a job that’s so perfect for her she’ll never stop working, and then she won’t be able to visit us.” Even though her dad was clearly joking, August could see Elliot tense up. As if this was another bad scenario that he didn’t think through. What if her testing did land her the perfect job? What if she did decide to work all the time, even when she didn’t need to? She was always somebody who did what she wanted, and not what people expected of her. She could completely abandon him.

“Could you stop!?!” she exclaimed with a mixture of concern and agitation. She felt as if his thoughts were bombarding her head. “You’re worrying too loud.” She clarified when Elliot gave her slightly alarmed eyes. But Elliot always understood her. The truly alarmed look, however, came from her father, who was looking between her and Elliot. But mostly at her, and her sudden flash of fury.

“Now I know you’re nervous, dear, but that doesn’t mean you should blow up at Elliot like that”

“It’s alright, Dad,” Elliot interjected, “she was right. I tend to worry too much. But it’s only because I’ll miss her.” by this point he was addressing August more than their father.

“I’ll miss you too, bud,” she resigned. Admitting to herself that she likely won’t be able to visit Elliot as much as she’ll like, “I’ll miss you too.”

Completely missing the conversation, and only checking in because she heard the exclamation, Mrs. Braxton popped her head through the door of the kitchen. “Oh good, you’re down. Now hurry up and eat some food and then go get ready. I can help with hair if you need it, but knowing you and how artistically talented you are, I’m sure you won’t need my help. So, I’ll be in the den with Elliot getting him at least semi-decent for society, and ironing your outfit.” She said, giving Elliot a once over as if he was some rabid wolf child without any clothing, instead of the appropriately messy 8-year-old boy that he was.

August nodded and glanced at Elliot. “Alright, hop off with Mom, I have to go *beautify* myself,” she said playfully, trying to return the household to a cheery disposition. This was probably going to be the last semblance of normalcy in her life for a while. She wanted to take advantage of it.

Chapter 2 The Doctor

They arrived at the Capitol Event Center slightly on the early side, which suited both August and Elliot, because this kind of thing gets on their nerves. As they approached the seemingly abandoned building they saw that there was an open set of double doors off to the side a little ways away, but still adjacent to the entrance. There was an attendant in a grey pantsuit next to the doorway carrying a clipboard. Her grey pantsuit was the same color as August’s dress. It’s the grey that they make all of the Assignees wear to the Assignment, it’s supposed to symbolize how everybody is equal and undesignated, until they get their job and their colors. August was pretty sure it was a way to repress people and make them love their jobs too much, so they are content and don’t rebel. But, honestly, if it works, August was happy and decided to go along with it.

The unnamed attendant waved the Braxton’s over, and they obediently followed, more than happy to have somewhere to go and something to do, as opposed to just milling around in such open spaces. Sontharian’s naturally don’t like open spaces. Gives them a weird feeling on their back. That’s just what happens when your entire life is underwater. The lady got August signed in on her LightPad. Now all she had to do was head inside and wait.

Inside, it was essentially empty, with the exception of random workers hustling about making last minute adjustments to things, trying to get the place ready. There were a few other Assignees floating around, mostly standing by themselves awkwardly. There were two people who had drifted a little too close together and were forced to make polite, but very awkward and forced, conversation. There was one girl who stood out from the rest.

She was this blonde girl, who looked a little nervous. Not nervous in the same way that everybody else was nervous, it was more like her resting facial expression and general temperament was ‘drowning in anxiety’. August couldn’t blame her, seeing as how she herself has a resting face that scared people away. But it wasn’t just that she seemed scared. She appeared to be at least two years younger than everybody else, which indicated to August that she shouldn’t be here. But at the same time, all the workers who were scurrying by nodded at her and smiled, seeming to not have any sort of problem with her presence.

Subconsciously, August started slowly migrating towards the scared girl, trying to observe her more carefully and figure out what she was doing here. The more she stared at her, the more she realized that the girl was not at all nervous about being here. She acted like she was supposed to be here, among the hustle and bustle. Her nervous expression seemed to be the overflow of the constant thoughts that were running behind her eyes, as if she was thinking about every possible scenario of what could go wrong, and what could succeed.

It didn’t take long until August’s wanderings brought her face to face with the girl, who has acknowledged her presence but didn’t say anything, or diert any attention from her mental simulations to her. Feeling very awkward about the fact that she was standing three feet away from a girl she walked up to, and still hadn't said anything, August opened her mouth hoping her brain would spit out the appropriate words.

Unfortunately, August was still focusing too much on what the actual hell the girl could be thinking of, and why didn’t she say anything first, that August’s brain more vomited the words out in an incoherent mess. “Hi, umm, I was just wondering, not to sound rude, sorry if I’m coming across rude, some people think I’m an anti-social bitch, well, not that they’re totally wrong. Ha! Actually, they’re kind of right, I really don’t enjoy social functions. Anyways, I’m sorry, I was wondering, again, not to sound rude, exactly what you’re doing here? I couldn’t help but notice that you seem significantly younger than everybody else, also, the workers seem to know who you are and you don’t seem to be nervous about everything like the rest of us…”. August didn’t end up finishing her ramblings with a complete thought, she just left her confusion out in the air.

Thankfully, the girl didn’t seem to mind, and her lips broke into a timid but amused smile. “My presence here is just a formality. I already know my assignment, I’ve already been working for a year. I’m a rising surgeon in the public hospital system, I mostly do sutures and stupid stuff like that because for legal reasons I can’t perform actual surgeries yet. But I’m consulted on a lot, if not all, difficult and bizarre cases,” she replied.

“Oh.” August let the noise out softly, with her lips still pursed into a little “o” shape, hanging on the edge of the next few words. “So you’re a child genius?” she asked, great that’s not intimidating. The girl chuckled softly, looking down momentarily and blushing a bit, a little bit more on her left cheek than on her right.

“That’s a generous way of looking at it,” she replied, “I have an aptitude for medical sciences…”, she trailed off wondering if she should continue, but the girl felt oddly and comfortable around August despite this being the first time they've met. However, despite the sudden trust, the girl got softer and sounded a bit more unsteady, “I can see the entire human body in my mind… every muscle, every nerve, where every last vein and artery should be.” That explained what she was distracted by, probably running through problems and solutions for the human body, all in her brain, “That, and I’m a natural problem solver. Between the two of those I’ve gotten pretty good at fixing all bodily problems: surgery, physical therapy, treating diseases.” Seeing August's look of surprise and inferiority the girl added, “Of course all blessings come with a curse… That’s about all I’m good at. I can’t fathom the mental aspect of humans,” She was still looking into August’s eyes, and August could see the sudden shift from poise and professionalism into unsurety and desperation, “emotions are so hard to predict and control. You never know what a human can do next. I can fix any external pain a human can feel. I can fix any problem. But I can’t fix what’s going on inside their brain, I can’t know what anybody is going to do next, and I don’t know how to fix it..” she trailed off, and August felt bad to see such a young girl have such a dark look in her eyes.

Trying to lighten the mood, August tried to keep the discussion moving in a more positive direction. “Well that’s fine. Nobody’s perfect at everything. And I’m more than positive you have other skills to make up for it. I mean, apart from the fact that you’re a medical prodigy, I’m sure you have an affinity for other academic subjects too. History doesn’t change, I’m sure you have no problem memorizing dates and events!” she said, realizing she was slipping into the same tone of voice she used around Elliot.

“Actually,” she said, raising her eyes to look up at August, “I’ve never taken any other subjects. I’ve been taught math, biology, chemistry, biochemistry, human physiology, the list goes on. But the Counsel realized very early on in my life that I had the strongest aptitude for medicine that they have ever seen. They paid for me to be sent to the best medical institutions from a very young age, and they never taught me anything else other than what would apply to my job,” Upon seeing August’s confusion and disbelief that the Counsel could be so stupid and restricting on such a young girl, “It’s like how after Assignment, you only get training for the field you’ve been assigned to. The difference being They gave me my Assignment when I was 10. So I’ve taken ‘all of the subjects’, but only to the leel a ten year old would know.”

“Wait. Pardon my speech, but what the actual flying fuck? For the love of Quarre, who does that to a kid! Ten years old?!? And they constricted you to learning what 18 year olds would learn?!?

Wait. If you were 10 when you started.. That’ll mean you’ll be a full fledged doctor when you turn 18, the same time that kids your age will be starting their medical education…” August trailed off and now it was her turn to have her eyes zone out as she got lost in her own alarming thoughts, only to be interrupted by the young girl.

“Yes, it’s unfortunate, but ultimately beneficial. Younger children have an amazing capacity to pick up information at a faster rate and deeper understanding than we give them credit for.

They have such an educational advantage, in fact, that I will complete my learning two years earlier, when I turn 16. Meaning that if things continue the same way that they have, I’ll be a head surgeon by the time I turn 20, and I will be the most accomplished young doctor on the whole planet. My advisor likes to build me up and say that I’ll be the best in the entire Jurian System; but I doubt I’ll even be the best on Sonthar by the time I’m 20. But I will be the best at some point,” she said confidently, “....once everyone who is more experienced than me dies of old age” she clarified under her breath.

“Wow.” August just stared at the young blonde girl who talked more professionally and matter of fact-ly than most adults she knew. “So… child prodigy, huh? Does “child prodigy” have a name, so I can start placing bets on you well in advance, and make a shit ton of money?” August didn’t feel bad about swearing in front of her anymore, seeing as how her age was clearly only an indication of her body's physical boundaries.

“Oh. Yes. Sorry.” She blushed a bit, almost being embarrassed she didn’t introduce herself earlier on in the conversation, “I’m Katarina. Katarina Fox.” she said whilst holding her pale hand out.

“August Braxton,” she introduced herself, extending her hand back at Katarina for a friendly shake. Although at this point, August wanted to pull her into a tight hug and stroke her hair like she would for Elliot, because this poor girl seemed to have even more worries, pressures, and anxieties than Elliot. Nevertheless, she shook her hand, “Nice to meet you, Dr. Fox” she said with a bit of a coy smile.

As August was shaking Katarina’s hand, she realized that Katarina’s pale pure white skin was different from her own. August’s skin looked as if the blood underneath was metallic and grey. Katarina’s on the other hand (ehh, get it), looked as though her blood was a silver iridescent lava that shone through the paleness of her skin.

“If you don’t mind me asking,” August inquired, “but what race are you? Your skin seems to glow and have a hidden color and life to it. I’ve never seen anything like it before.” Even though she was addressing Katarina, she might as well have been addressing the hand itself because her eyes were still entranced in her iridescent shimmer. She realized her impoliteness and forced herself to look at Katarina’s face, and noticed that now she was aware of the iridescence, she couldn’t unsee it. Her face was dewy with a slight internal shimmer, and her blushing cheeks were a collection of the pink and purple iridescent bits that were typically more dispersed with the rest of the silver. Her eyes were a pale icy blue, but something also shifted behind her eyes, like translucent pools of a dark blue swirling around in her eyes.

August’s trance was broken when the Doctor interrupted her with her answer once again. “Oh yes, right,” she blushed a little bit again, still getting embarrassed by forgetting little formalities. “I’m from pod Sol-.”

“Holy shit, you’ve seen the sun?” Everything was clicking into place for August, of course, she has the Sonthar tan, duhhhh, of course she’s from Sol “Wait.” She came upon another realization, “If you’re from Sol, what the hell are you doing in Dal?” The confusion of August’s face was soon replaced with stunned horror, “...how long have you been in Dal?...” with every passing word her blood began to boil and her words were spit with her disgust. “Did they take you away from your family when you were TEN!?!”

August understood the pain of being young and having an older sibling taken away from you, that might happen to Elliot at the end of today. But to have a child taken away from their family and brought to a completely unfamiliar place.... “My parents separated when I was nine,” Katarina explained, “When I was put into the family relocation facility, they had to run a bunch of testing to fill out the adoption forms. Families want to know a child’s abilities and qualifications before they take them in.” August hadn't known that about the system. That’s sick! Why is it once I have to start working for these people I realize exactly how immoral and cruel they are? Katarina continued despite August’s horror, “That’s when they realized my gift. They ran more intense testing to see my limits, and sent me to live with a family who had been trying for a child for years. I stayed with them for a few months while the Science Executives filled out forms and convinced the Counsel that they should be allowed to take a ten year old away from their family.

“Obviously, they won their argument and I was taken away from my adoptive family two days after my tenth birthday.” Before August could interject with her disgust and fury, the workers called over the loudspeaker that all of the Assignees need to line up in two lines, male and female, by last name. When August turned around to line up, she realized that she was so invested in what the Doctor was saying that she didn’t realize that the room had become filled with seventeen and eighteen year olds. August and Katarina said their farewells and went to line up.

Chapter 3 Transitioning

Katarina and August walked close to each other towards the line, but August left Katarina early, standing toward the front of the line with the rest of the “B” names, while the Doctor traveled on to the “F”s. Once everybody had lined up, two workers went down the separate lines checking off names and making sure everybody was in the right order. Most everyone was here, and when the workers had a missing kid, they allied out their name in case they weren’t in the right spot.

“Alexander Blake?” the worker on the male line called.

“Here!” replied the girl right in front of August.

“You’re in the wrong line, get over here!” the worker yelled as if he was done with idiotic and rebellious children for the day.

“Actually,” the girl retorted, “It’s Ilia, and no, I’m not.” August was impressed that the girl had the courage to “out” herself, and defend her gender in front of 200 kids, and a slew of workers.

“No!” the man said, coming towards her, “you are Alexander, and you will stand in the male line!” he yelled in her face while grabbing her arm a little too firmly, as if he knew it would leave a bruise that would remind her everyday that the Counsel did not approve of her transition.

He dragged her away as she sobbed and screamed, “Stop! You’re hurting me!”

“And you’re hurting Quarre by denying the gender She has set out for you!” He called both to her, and to the rest of the room, letting them know that defiance and queerness would not be tolerated under the watch of Quarre and her workers.

The female worker continued down the line passing August. August followed the worker with her eyes, turning her body to keep watching her to make sure she wouldn’t hurt anybody in her line. About halfway through August and Katarina, the worker addressed a girl named Lauren Drew. The andorgynous girl flinched a little bit as they solemnly nodded their head, as if they didn’t want to address the fact that they belonged in neither line, and they looked like they were about to create their own line in between the male and female lines, slightly inspired by Ilia. They knew, however, that it wouldn’t do them any good, because they would know they would only end up getting hurt.

Once the workers had made it down the lines, the started moving the line in and out of the ig auditorium and onto their seats on the risers over and over and over again, until they were sure nobody would fuck it up.

And that was all they did until dinner. The Counsel provided a fairly nice dinner, trying to stay on the good side of everybody, although at this point August’s view of the Counsel was so distorted that a nice dinner wasn’t going to fix her perspective. They let you sit wherever you want, so August went out to try and meet new people, especially Ilia- cause she was badass.

Ilia was sitting next to Lauren, who August found out now went by the name Sam, “because it could be either a boy’s or a girl’s name, that way it always fits whatever I’m feeling that day,” they explained. Ilia and Sam both had Terran coloring like Elliot, so they must have had one or both parents who were human. Unlike Elliot, however, Sam was a slightly below average height with soft but not extremely noticeable curves, and pitch black hair. They would probably be classified as a member of The Asian Community of Earth, if August wanted to get technical about their origins. Ilia had a slightly darker tan than Elliot, and more pronounced facial features. August had no idea what her origins were, but honestly, that didn’t matter, because it had no effect on her as a person.

Shortly after August had sat down next to Ilia and Sam, Katarina came to join them. After a simplified explanation of how Kat was already a doctor, she looked at Ilia and said in her normal soft and gentle voice, “You know, once I’m allowed to perform surgery on people, I’d be more than happy to help you get the surgery you want.” At that, Ilia’s eyes lit up, and her mouth opened in complete surprise, “free of charge, of course,” she added, “I just want to help. Oh yes, we’ll also keep a low radar from the Counsel, since they won’t let you get the surgery.” This was obvious to Katarina, because she was always three steps ahead of everyone else, but she felt the need to reassure the group that the procedure would be safe for all parties involved.

Ilia had tears in her eyes for the second time today, as she whispered a soft thank you to Katarina. “Of course, dear.” and she reached out and held Ilia’s hand softly.

Most people would be taken aback at a fourteen year old girl comforting someone and calling them dear, but as August got to know Kat, she realized she was really destined to be the best doctor. Not just performance wise, but because she had the kindest heart, and all of the best intentions in mind as she treated her patients.

The small group of newly found friends made small get-to-know-you conversation for the rest of dinner, talking about where they hope to be placed, and having some good laughs in between topics; words that would hopefully turn into inside jokes if they manage to keep in touch after their Assignments. August believed she would be Assigned purple robes, designating her to either become an engineer or a mathematician of some sort. Katarina was already a doctor, she just needed to officially receive her blue robes. Sam was hoping for brown robes so they could become a mechanic. They’d always been skilled at fixing things, and enjoyed tinkering around to make things more streamlined and efficient. Ilia was still unsure about where she would fit best, but she wanted to either receive orange robes and become a teacher, or red robes and enter politics. She was pretty okay at dealing with people, but her real inspiration for those jobs was so she could change the future of the government and the people of Sonthar to become more accepting of everyone.

Their anticipation grew steadily over the course of the meal, each one talking about how scared they were that they’d bomb the Ceremony; either by getting a horrible Assignment, or tripping on their way down the stage. After festering in their anxieties for an hour, the group was more than relieved when the workers called everyone to line up where they had been earlier. Not that the group wasn’t still anxious, but they at least knew their answers were coming soon.

The group started walking towards the lines, saying goodbye first to Ilia who was still being forced to line up with the men. Katarina and Sam left August shortly after, and it wasn’t until August was walking to the front section of the line that she realized how quickly the four had become friends, because she suddenly felt alone and unprotected. As she was waiting for everybody to finish getting in line, she stared at the floor right in front of her where Ilia was standing at the beginning of the day before the jackass dragged her away. August turned her head to the left to meet her eyes, and they shot each other a quick good luck smile before the workers started escorting the lines out of the room. August said a quick prayer to Quarre for her and her friends that they wouldn’t fall on stage and bomb the most important day of their lives.

And so it began.

Chapter 4 Annnd… They Bombed the Assignment

The Assignees were sitting for about twenty minutes making small talk with their neighbors. August’s neighbors were quite boring and she found herself looking to meet her other friends eyes in slight social desperation. Ilia was facing worse horrors than August was because the two boys sitting next to her ignored her for being “weird” and “unnatural” and talked over her lap as if she didn’t exist. Sam was in the opposite position and their own personal hell because the girls on both sides were trying to get them to talk more. Sam, unlike Ilia, hates talking to people, and would much rather be doing anything else than making small talk with two superficial girls twenty minutes before the most stressful and important moment in their life.

Anything.

Kat, obviously, was thriving because who doesn’t like talking to a sweet and interesting girl. It was more difficult to catch her eyes, because she was enjoying her conversation and not looking for a momentary escape. But she would glance at August occasionally and blush a little bit when their eyes met, both of them letting out as much of a smile as they dared let out without having somebody notice their distraction. For Kat, this was her normal timid smile. August, however, could not give two shits and shot her the type of bright smile that was typically reserved for people like Elliot.

Eventually, the parents of the Assignees were let in, shortly followed by the general public. As everybody was waiting for the Counsel members to show up and take their places on the long mahogany table that sat on the stage in between the risers of seats, and the audience. August quickly spotted her family (mostly because Elliot yelled out “Auggie!” just a little too loudly, and caught the attention of more people than August cared for). She shot them a wave and a friendly smile, and one of the workers called for everybody to rise for the Counsel.

The crowd obeyed, and the Counsel walked in to the sound of the Sontharian Anthem, which didn’t have any words to it, so August always thought of it as the Sontharian Theme Song. Anyways, the Counsel walked in, in their deep crimson robes, several shades darker than the robes any future politicians would receive today. August knew a few of them from brief encounters throughout the years. Counselor Whiterford was a late 40s woman who showed both human and sontharian traits, which made her look a little zombie-esque, because all it did was muddy her slightly tan skin. She worked with the schools and was one of the Counselors mainly responsible for Assignments.

Counselor Montgomery was a mid-50s terran with dark brown skin. They brought him in thirty years ago to have a “young, fun, engaging, and spirited leader” to guide the transition from school to jobs, and he was good at his job. So good, in fact, that they couldn’t find anybody who did the job as well as he did, so the movement to have a young and spritely leader slowly died out as he got older. August had heard that he was very nice, but tough. Heard, of course. She had never actually seen him in real life, only his picture in government class. He was one of the only ones she bothered to learn the name of, because she knew she would work with him at some point during or after the Assignment process. Everybody does. He learns everybody’s name, and then forgets it within a year or two because he trains and moves so many kids through the transition program.

The rest of the faces looked familiar, except for one younger, newer Counsel member, who must have been a new Counselor for some new program they were running. Or maybe she was training under one of the older Counselors just in case they kicked the can sooner than expected. And of course, Head Counselor Verna Madding was sitting in the middle of the long table, with a white cloth with gold embroidery around her neck. She was somehow young and old at the same time. She looked like she was in her late 40s, early 50s, but she was really a 70 year old woman, and it showed in her cranky personality. But even though she was a cranky old lady, she addressed the crowds and the Assignees as if she was the graceful 47 year old she tried to present herself as.

The ceremony in general was pretty boring and the same as every other Assignment Ceremony that has ever happened on Sonthar. The young, new Counselor was introduced as Counselor Wickman, but seeing as how her purpose was never stated, August assumed she was right in thinking that she was training to take over for one of the old farts, so they can take a fat retirement package and move somewhere nice.

August zoned out for most of the introductory stuff, which went on for about twenty minutes. Which is about twenty minutes too long. She tuned back in once male Assignees started lining up. The boys went first in receiving their Assignments, nobody knew why, it was just tradition. She recognized a few boys here and there, mostly classmates she had never really bothered talking to. When Ilia walked up to receive her robes, that was a whisper from the table and a slight shift in robe distribution, as one of the workers switched out the original red robe with an orange one. Seeing that pissed the actual hell out of August. They were going to give her a red robe, but they probably changed it to the second option when they found out she was “unnatural”!! She was still happy for Ilia, that she was able to get a job she wanted, but she was furious at the Counsel for treating her like that.

The Assignment continued on, and August went back to blankly staring at the stage, only half registering the faces receiving their robes. Several of the kids she recognized from being in her classes. A couple of them were people she had talked to on a semi regular basis, but most people stayed away from her due to her overly critical class comments and her scary resting face. And she was more than okay with people ignoring her because she was overly critical. The reason she could tear their arguments apart in class was because they were idiots. She had no energy or interest in talking to idiots, so the symbiotic relationship between August and her peers was beneficial for both parties. With any luck, August would be in a field with other smart people, or she would be left alone in a room to do calculations all day with no one to bother her. Either way, it sounded like a dream.

“And now for the ladies.” August was slapped out of her daydream by the sound of the Head Counselor. She had zoned out so much, that she hadn't realized the men and Ilia had already been excused and were now walking into the audience to sit with their families for the rest of the Assignment ceremony. The first row of girls stood up as Head Counselor Madding called the first name. “Tiara Aberna-”

August barely processed what had happened as the room flashed blindingly white, and she was blown back by the force of what she could only assume to be an explosion. She was on the floor for a moment watching it happen through her fuzzy vision and the smoke, barely hearing the screaming through the ringing of her ears. She tried to move and run, but she couldn’t. Somebody was calling her name somewhere in the distance, and was soon dragging her deadweight body off the ground. She managed enough muscle control to blindly stumble after whoever was pulling her, as she desperately looked into the smoke filled audience trying to spot her family. Machine Gun shots faintly registered in August’s ears as she kept looking for her family and friends. Right as she was dragged off of the end of the stage, she saw one of the girls from the stage get shot and fall down. As the figure hit the floor with their face turned toward August, she saw who had fallen. Sam.

August was all the sudden being rushed down a flight of stairs into a dark room with a heavy door. Whoever dragged her down brought her inside, and either set August on the floor, or August collapsed on the concrete floor all by herself.

August sat there, with her legs hugged to her chest, dissociating from her body, and letting herself get lost in the sound of the ringing in her ears.

Chapter 5 As Destiny Should Have It

It could have been minutes, it could have been hours. Hell, it could've been days since the bomb went off that August finally stopped dissociating and regained full consciousness. Sam, Ilia. Gone. She didn’t even know if her family and Kat had made it. Oh no. Elliot. He was too young. Too young. August didn’t know what she would do if Elliot had died in the explosion, or if he had gotten shot afterwards.

August dragged herself to her feet and started slowly walking around the room looking at everyone else who had been brought into the room. Why us? She was looking for common factors for everyone in the room. Well, for one they were all girls, but I don’t think whoever put us in here had much say in that. Nobody had their robes yet, so it was too hard to tell if they were all there because they were engineers. Well, August didn’t know she was going to be an engineer, but she sure as hell hoped so.

A little more time passed, when finally a worker came in. No, not a worker, Counselor Wickman, but in a clean grey uniform. The uniform wasn’t the same as the workers outfits, which looked more like grey hospital scrubs. The Counselor’s uniform was sturdier, closer to mechanic clothes or a military uniform; they were made for running around and doing physical work. Some of the Assignees stood up, some sat up a little straighter, and some were still huddled over in their own mental prisons and simply raised their heads towards the Counselor.

“As many of you probably know, I am Counselor Wickman. But since we will now be working together very closely for the foreseeable future, refer to me as Wickman.” This received only a mild acknowledgement from the room, indicating that even those who had stood up were still hadn’t entirely returned from their internal strife. “You are all, without a doubt, wondering why you are here. The attack on the Ceremony was one of several terrorist attacks that have taken place against Sonthar in the last few years. The others have all been smaller, and more spread out over time, and were being put into the hand of local law enforcement. But over the last two months, they have started increasing at an alarming rate. This hasn’t been happening to just Sonthar. An unknown enemy has been engaging in terrorist attacks against Davonne, Daar, Xexol, and Anzar. We have decided to join forces to form an elite military force that can lead the battle against this enemy. We have been offered additional help from Pynthalia, whose planetary military force and intelligence agencies have managed to keep them protected from these attacks.

“You are all the best and brightest that we have to offer this year. We will have a few of our promising law enforcement join us, but we wanted to keep the pool mostly younger people. Those of you who are still mentally sharp and physically fit. Most of the military force will be between the ages of 17 and 20. Our collective force will have fighters, intelligence, engineers, mechanics, doctors, and all other aspects needed to win a war. We’ll have a full briefing on Harlow with the rest of the recruitments. Until then, you will be escorted to a ship where you will find your bed for the trip and see a doctor if you have any medical needs.” With that, she turned and left the room while the two guards who came in with her left their positions against the wall and started helping people up.

“But Counselor, Harlow is a wasteland!” One of the girls interjected as Wickman already had one foot out the door. At this the Counselor stopped and looked at her for a moment before continuing out the door without another word. The guards continued escorting the group out of the room.

They were led out of the building in a way that avoided the demolition and the doctors and medics running around trying to search for any remaining survivors. August wondered how many people had died. How many people were saved. As they approached the steel grey ship, it finally dawned on August exactly what she was being thrust into.

But then August remembered who killed Ilia. Who shot Sam. These people might have even killed her family. Not to mention they have killed countless other people on her planet and on other planets. She had to do this. She didn’t care if she died trying, she had to try. For Elliot. Either to avenge his death, or to keep him safe, she had to do this for him.

The group of girls from the Ceremony boarded the ship and were brought to a central meeting room. Some girls sat on the steps down the miniature pit, others stood wherever they felt comfortable. Once they were all settled, Wickman and two other girls came in with her. Wickman was still wearing the grey uniform from earlier, but the two girls were wearing sleek black outfits. They didn’t seem to be uniforms because both girls had different outfits, but there was definitely a theme.

“Hello again,” Wickman started, addressing the room of girls. “Welcome aboard Destiny SO-20. You all know me. This,” she said pointing to the girl with slightly olive skin, dark hair, and bright blue eyes, “is Naidia Maryia. But you can call her Naidia.” Wickman then gestured to the girl with light golden skin, lighter brown hair, and honey brown eyes. “This is Meira. They are both from Sontharian Law Enforcement, and they'll be leading your groups for the time being.

“And now that we’ve got that straightened out,” she said walking up to the LightScreen console in front of her, “let’s sort out Assignments. When I call your name, stand up and follow an ensign to your quarters. Once you get settled into your quarters, tell your ensign if you have a medical issue and they will take you to our ship doctor.” At this point, some of the ensigns who had scattered themselves across the center of the room had come to the front of the room with Wickman.

“Mechanics, when I call your name, follow Ensign Thomas to your group quarters. Ezra, Charlotte,...” After the Mechanics came the Doctors, and then the Politicians, and then finally, the Engineers.

“Engineers, when I call your name, follow Ensign Mac to your group quarters. Lisa, Sarah, Besharre, Torh, and Leah.” What? I wasn’t an Engineer? August prayed that she was a Mathematician instead. “Statistical Mathematicians, when I call your name, follow Ensign Polla. River, Tabitha, and Elise.” The girls left, leaving August and three other girls sitting there.

Wickman gave the four girls a once over before continuing. “You four are our military fighters. You have the hardest job. You will be pushed harder and farther than everyone else on this ship. When we get to Harlow, you will be joining other groups from the other five planets. If you can’t take it, you have the option to transfer to whatever other group you would have been a part of. August, engineer; Albany, politician; Vyra, stats; and Dia, mechanic. The fifth member of your team will do some training with you, but not as much. Dr. Katarina Fox, our ship's doctor, will be the doctor on your team. She won’t be doing any front line fighting, or hopefully any fighting. But, in the case that she is caught in fighting, she needs to be prepared. We can’t lose her.”

Thank Quarre she’s alive! Kat peered shyly at August, and let out a small smile. Naidia and Meira led the Military, whose color is black, which makes sense. They got settled in their room with five individual beds. “Dr. Fox,” Naidia said, “you have a bed here and in your Doctor’s cabin. You must sleep in the Doctor’s quarters when you are on call, but whichever bed you sleep in when you’re not on call is your choice.” With that, she left, Meira on her tail.

Meira turned back before leaving, “Your beds have names attached to them. Everything you should need is in chests below your beds, or in the nightstand. The clothing in the chests is based off of the measurements you supplied the Counsel for your Assignment, if they don’t fit, ask an ensign to help you. The medicine in your nightstands, should you need it, is the most up to date medication in the records we have. If there is an issue, head to the Med Bay or talk to Dr.Fox directly. There’s a clock on the wall. It is currently 0200. Food is in the Mess Hall if you are hungry. Tomorrow there are no activities in order for you to get to know each other, but more importantly rest and eat. Goodnight.” Seconds later, the door closed behind her.

August practically tackled Kat in a hug. “Thank Quarre you’re alive! I was worried that you had died!” But when August pulled back from the hug, Katarina was crying.

“El-Elliot got hurt. I tried helping him as much as I could…” she kept sobbing.

“Kat. Kat! Tell me he’s not dead, tell me please!” August screamed as she pleaded.

“He’s not dead,” she sniffled. “But his left lung took significant damage. We managed to stabilize his heart, but they had to transfer him and your family to Cotchcar. They have the medicine and technology required to replace his lung, and to get him back on track.”

“My parents are alive!” August hadn’t thought about her parents as much as she had thought about Elliot, but she was overjoyed to know that they were alive and well.

August realized that Kat was still sobbing softly. “Hey, hey,” she said, pulling her into another hug. “You did everything that you could, and you did well. He’s alive.”

“I know, but so many others died. They didn’t even have a chance.” August started stroking her hair and rocking her a little bit, grateful that the rest of the girls had enough maturity and decency to not stare obtrusively. Once the Doctor had calmed down, two of the other girls offered hugs to help console her more. Kat soon regained her composure and left to go check the Med Bay for new crew members needing medical assistance.

The other girls in the cabin went their separate ways, some getting food, others showering or getting ready for bed. August didn’t do any of those things. August needed to stop processing new external inputs and decided to let her brain sort everything else while she went to sleep. And sleep she did. August soon lost herself to the peaceful abyss of black.

Chapter 6 Let Me Guess… *Black*

As promised, the next day had no scheduled activities. It was just a time to rest and familiarize themselves with their crewmates and the ship. August decided to linger in her own dorm for a little bit organizing and analyzing whatever possessions they had given her, and trying to emotionally and mentally prepare herself for a completely new environment.

Her first order of personal business was to put on new clothing. The bland gray outfit she wore smelled too much life smoke and anxious sweat for her liking. She opened the chest that was stored under her bed to reveal (unsurprisingly) mostly black clothing. There were a few pieces of varying shades of grey, which was a pleasant surprise, but they were few and far between. August was astonished at how much clothing the crew had managed to pack into what seemed like a small chest. She slipped on some black stretchy pants and a cropped grey shirt. She thought she had two of the same shirt, but one was designed to fit snugly against her figure, and the other to fit loosely around her frame. August opted for the looser of the two, already surprised at her choices of more revealing clothing than he was used to. Not that it was prohibited, she had just never picked them out for herself. August’s goal in social settings was to blend in as much as possible, which drove her fashion choices to mostly revolve around slightly baggier clothing in muted colors and patterns. But the clothing was surprisingly comfortable on her body, and August was trying to convince herself that the whole crew would either be too busy to notice her, or they would already be on the lookout for her presence and would notice her regardless of what clothing she wore. Unfortunately, her shoe options were more limited. There were three pairs of shoes: black structured athletic shoes that had an ankle support that made them look slightly like boots, black boots, and black combat boots. Where there was a decent amount of variety in the clothing options, the shoes were pretty uniform. August decided to wear the regular black boots, feeling that the athletic shoes and the combat boots were better suited for training activities than walking around a ship.

There was nothing else under her bed apart from the shoes and her clothing chest, so August moved on to her nightstand. There were some useful things she would need in her day to day: a water bottle with her name on it; her headache medication; some hygienic products like soap, hair care, face wash, lotions and balms, but a surprising lack of feminine hygiene products; and a lanyard with a card attached to it. The card had her name and a picture that she submitted with her Assignment papers, a barcode, and some other information: Allergens: none, Health concerns: INOEA, Room 3-B9, Special Military Forces Engineer, Security Clearance: Level 2. August presumed that this lanyard should be worn at all times, although she had no idea what INOEA meant, and didn’t understand how she had Level 2 clearance seeing as how she was a trainee who presumably wouldn’t need it.

There was also a LightPad in the dresser, a much nicer version than her old one at home, and physical paper, notebooks, and pens for her use. There was a miniature map of the ship on a thick piece of paper with certain areas highlighted that would probably be the most essential places for her to visit: the MedBay, the MessHall, the SupplyRoom, and all the public restrooms and wash areas. Meira and Naidia’s quarters were also highlighted. They had their own quarters, but they were significantly smaller than the private quarters for the higher ups. August took an extra minute to memorize the location of her room. They were on the 3rd level of the ship, in the C wing, and the 8th door. August hadn’t noticed on her way to the dorm that everything was laid out in a grid shape. Then again, August barely noticed anything on the way to the quarters she was more focused on keeping herself from breaking down into a pool of stressed out agony.

August stood up and turned to head out the door when she noticed the array of hooks on the wall with various jackets. There were four rows and three columns, August figured that Kat’s clothing was already all in her room, leaving three jackets for each of the girls. There was a thicker coat obviously designed for colder climates, a sturdier leather jacket, and a thinner athletic jacket. Unsurprisingly, these jackets were all **black**. August decided to grab the leather jacket, and headed out the door.

Chapter 7 Should’ve Brought the Map

August turned right down the hall following the decreasing numbers until she hit the end of the hall and hung a left, heading towards the A wing. She got to the A wing and looked down the hall looking for an elevator. There was one in the middle of the hall, and one at the end of the hall. She grabbed the closer one, letting her sudden hunger drive her efficiency in getting to the MessHall. She remembered the MessHall being on the ground level on the map, so she selected the ground floor button.

The lift brought her to the ground floor, and August turned left, trying to head back towards the front of the ship, because she knew how to get to the MessHall from the entrance. When she hit the front wall of the ship, she turned right heading to the middle of the front facing wall, where the entrance would be. Except the entrance wasn’t there. Instead there was one hall down the middle, separating two large rooms, and a ladder at the end of the hall. The ladder led downwards, and August didn’t remember going up any ladders when she came in. She heard some noises emerging from below, and she decided to go down the ladder to check it out, hoping that there was a human down there who could help her out and point her in the right direction.

She was right. There was a human down there. There were two humans down there in fact. And they looked just as lost as she did. “Hi.” the boy on the left said. He had dark hair that was just long enough to make him look a year or two younger than he probably was. August inferred this solely from the fact that he looked the same age as Kat, but she would’ve heard if there were two child geniuses on the ship who got Assigned years early. He looked about fifteen, maybe sixteen. But if he was anything like all the other new recruits (he had to be new, because if he was a regular he wouldn’t look like a lost puppy), he was probably seventeen, maybe eighteen. “I’m uhh-” he looked at his friend who was with him, “we are lost… ensign?” he wasn’t quite sure how to address August and the rank that she might have.

“I’m a new recruit,” she said.

“Oh thank Quarre!” he said, “Truth be told, we’re not entirely lost. Well, *we* are lost, but we’re just keeping watch. Our friend knows where we are, but she left to do something,”. He paused momentarily with a vacant expression on his face before continuing. “Oh yeah, I’m Jack Faulkes,” he stumbled as he rushed to shake her hand. She took it, both amused and humored. But also confused.

“Wait, Fox? I’m friends with your sister!” she grinned

“Oh no, sorry. People think that a lot. It’s F-A-U-L-K-E-S… Not F-O-X… I uhh, don’t get an insurance discount,” he gave an awkward chuckle, probably not totally sure how to hold a conversation with a new person.

His friend was about to pop in and introduce themself, when all the sudden, this crazy looking girl in a black tank and green cargo pants storms around the corner. “What the fuck do you two think you’re doing?!?” The girl was probably only a little more than five feet tall, but she had the ferocity of a six foot tall drill sergeant. Her dark eyebrows were twitching and raised almost up to the bandana wrapped around her forehead. The bandana was probably there to soak up some of the sweat from her dark olive skin, but it couldn’t keep up with the dampness arising on her skin entirely, because she glistened with little beads of newly forming sweat. She glared at her two henchmen who were looking at her in utter panic and beginning to sweat for reasons other than heat. “Whatever,” she huffed when the two obviously had nothing to say. She finally turned to August who she noticed earlier, but just didn’t have the momentary energy to deal with. “So what the hell is your story,” she more muttered to herself rather than asking the question to August.

“I’m a-”

“Buh! No. Shut up, I don’t really care,” completely cutting August off from her self introduction. She just kept switching between glaring at her comrades and quizzically sizing up August. August was approximately 5’8”, and had tightly toned muscles naturally, not from any form of working out. The frightening species in front of her was only 5’0”, but had sufficient enough muscles, and more than enough brutality in her that she could completely beat August’s ass in a heartbeat and probably not even break a sweat trying. Finally the girl continued, “I’m Shaye. I’m the best ship mechanic and engineer here, they just don’t know it yet. What I was doing down here is none of your business and if you mention this or allude to it in any way, shape, or form, I will float your body out the airlock without setting off any alarms, you hear me?”. August quickly nodded, not daring to speak in fear that it would anger *Sgt.* Shaye. “I assume these meatheads have already introduced themselves. Seeing as how to are stupid enough to tell you about the fact that I’m down here doing illicit activities. Regardless, this is Jackson, he’s a bit of an idiot, and a lot of an ass, but he’s okay, I guess. And this,” gesturing to the last unnamed person in the group, “is Phoenix. Since they are too nice to bring it up, I’ll say it for them. Phoenix’s gender identity is none of your fucking business, you will use the pronouns they/them unless otherwise specified by Phoenix themself. If you ever and in any way, shape, or form demean, make fun of, or disregard these rules and the information I have just told you, I will chop your body up into such small pieces that when I float you, they won’t even see your pieces out the window if they tried. Do I make myself clear.” There was no question at the end of that sentence. It was a demand of compliance under the guise of a question.

“Extremely,” August managed to get out through her fear.

“Perfect,” Shaye responded with a sly grin, “in that case, I suggest we get the hell out of here, the security teams make their sweeps through this area in two minutes.”

Chapter 8 Interlude I

At the very least, August found somebody who could get her out of the random corner of the ship she had found herself in. Granted, they weren’t people who should’ve been down there either. And August didn’t think she’d be escorted out of the basement through air vents, but she wasn’t one to complain in a scenario like this. The vents led to an essentially empty hallway. There were doors obviously, but they seemed to be some sort of janitorial closet doors, or back doors to the mess hall.

Once the four of them had gotten out of the vents, and had replaced the cover, Shaye spoke up. “Well now that we’ve got that out of the way, who the hell are you.” It was becoming clear to August that Shaye didn’t ask questions, she just states things that should be questions.

“Yeah, gorgeous, what’s your name?” August expected Shaye to beat his ass over that comment, but instead it was Phoenix who shot him a look and spoke up.

“Ignore him, he’s an asshole. Let’s start from the beginning. Hi, I’m Phoenix,” they said, extending a hand.

August shook their hand, noticing the firm yet gentle grip they had, and it reminded her of Ilia and Sam. Just this warm instant friendship bond between them. “I’m August,” she replied, “I’m part of the new Military Task Force group thing… the people in black,”. August gestured to her dark attire.

“No shit,” Shaye said more in shock than in sarcastic aggression. “Well damn, guess I better watch what I say about illicit activities. Doesn’t matter much though,” she said with a smirk, “you’re built like a toothpick.”

~~~

You don’t know how good your mom’s shitty cooking is until you’re forced to eat whatever the hell protein dense crap they serve on board. It could be worse though. It could be your own cooking. August thought she had a few decent talents, but cooking was absolutely not one of them. In the grand scheme of things, it wasn’t that bad. It was free, sometimes hot, readily available food. Better than starving to death. Maybe this would actually let her bulk up for once in her life. Shaye was right. She was built like a fucking toothpick.

August couldn’t find Kat anywhere in the mess hall, and August figured she was working. She did run into Vera though. And considering that they were going to be training together for the foreseeable future, it was probably best that they got to know each other. Vera was nice enough, but not really much of a talker. She and August did talk briefly about *the joys of statistics*, and they talked about what all that job would entail in their line of work. Probably tactical statistical analysis. And while Vera was scrawnier than August, August trusted her to carry her through a mission solely on the fact that she had a good head on her shoulders. From what August could tell, she couldn’t do a whole lot, but she could run through every variation of a situation in her head and give you various statistical outcomes from each one and determine the best course of action based on the desired end result.

Being on a team with a prodigy doctor and an all knowing statistician made August question why the hell she was here. What skills could she possibly offer to the team to help and not hinder? Definitely not cooking. Elliot popped into her head when she thought that. Elliot had only helped her mom bake bread, and a few other menial tasks around the kitchen, but he never complained when mom and dad were gone and he had to suffer through August’s cooking.

August knew she was going to be an engineer if she wasn’t in the military division, but she’d hardly call herself the child prodigy of engineering. She could find or create the most efficient way to solve a problem. That’s it. Granted, there were probably a few other reasons for her to be put in this group. She wasn’t super athletic, but she was relatively in shape and mostly muscle mass, only through the fact that she lacked fat. She had a decent brain for stats, because that would’ve been her second choice for Assignment after engineer, but Vera’s presence made it obvious she wasn’t put here for her stats proficiency.

August was glad they had a politician in their group, because she hated trying to convince people of her side and coming to a compromise, and she knew damn well she had nowhere near the speech and debate capabilities to even begin trying to pull that off. August needed to get to know Albany better before she determined whether to like and trust her though. August didn’t like politician types. Again, too much human interaction. The last person left was Dia. If she was going to be honest, August didn’t understand what being a mechanic would mean, or what having one in their group would entail.

August and Vera finished eating pretty quickly and started heading back to the cabin.

Chapter 9