#thingswebecomeinthedark

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.

https://www.worldanvil.com/w/pynthalia-tkalb/a/chrys-and-cassio-meet-plot?preview=true?

Initially meet after the war in the resturant/bar Chrys works at. Cass likes her but initially she is not interested at all. A couple days later he "bumps into her" at the library she manages. He convinces her to get a drink with her after her shift one day. He asks for only ten minutes, and she agrees. They meet for a drink and she ends up talking to him for a solid hour and a half before she checks the time and has to run home. Cass offers to walk her home, but she's cautious about fuck boys. She heads home and he stalks her on her way home to make sure she's okay (she doesn't notice because Cass is more than a professional). Somebody tries to mug her, and as Cass is about to jump into action, she procures a baton out of seemingly nowhere. With both the baton and trained fighting the guy is out in 0.2 seconds. Cassio falls a lot more in love with her in that moment. He decides that she can protect herself and he gives her the privacy to head home. The next morning Chrys heads down to the police station to give her statement and description of the guy who tried to mug her. All of the officers are seemingly busy and the receptionist informs Chrys that she can wait for an officer if she really wants, but otherwise she'll call down the Head Officer. She starts talking about how he's a decorated war veteran and Chrys automatically paints the picture of a cranky old man with bad hearing and sexist opinions. To her surprise, Cass comes sauntering out of his office and across the station. Chrys asks if thats him and the receptionist says yes and she turns around to get the fuck out of there, but she's not fast enough. Cass' swagger halts and he gets self consious (but doesn't show it) and he calls after her. He takes her back to his office and before she can give a statement he says, "I'm guessing you're here to report the [insert description here] guy who mugged you yesterday? I'm sorry, correction, *tried* to mug you. Where the hell did you learn how to fight like that?" she only respondes with "Did you follow me?!?"  Ca: "I just wanted to make sure that you got home safely. You're very pretty and criminals and thugs tend to start coming out at that time of night. I would know, I used to be one. Don't worry, after I saw you kick that guys ass I turned around and left to give you privacy. I swear I don't know where you live or anything. But back to my question, where the hell did you learn to fight like that? And where did the baton come from?"  Ch: "How does a criminal because Chief Officer?"  Ca: "I asked you first. An answer for an answer."  Ch: "I'm not from Daar, I was born and raised on Pynthalia. I was raised a Priestess of Pynthalia. They gave us a very comprehensive education including fighting and basic magic. I simply made my baton appear, and utilized it."  Ca: "So you can use magic? How? What kind? You didn't put a love spell on me did you?*insert wink here*"  Ch: "An answer for an answer. Go."  Ca: "Yes, I was a criminal. A good one. I did everything. But, uhh, I messed up one day. I got sloppy. I was arressted, but instead of being sent to prison, they sent me to a secret government op.. It was the beginning of the war and all of the planets were sending their best candidates for an elite group of soldiers."  Ch: "You were in the To'rasha weren't you."  Ca: "ha. uhh. yeah. *cough* I was the Black Squadron Leader of the To'ra."  Ch: "Holy shit."  Ca: "Uh, a lot of unspeakable things happened between the moment I was shipped off, and the moment I was "released" five years later. But the government promised to clear my record and provide for any family while I was in service. I will get monetary compensation for the rest of my life. I actually don't have to work, but. The government turned teenagers into monster murder machines. So when we were released, we were required some level of government oversight. It varies on a case by case situation. Me working here is enough. People see me almost every day and I behave like a normal human should. The government has stepped completely off the backs of some of the others, and some people became so violent after the war they have to have two guards on them at all times."  Ch: "..."  Ca: "But they're all good people, we play cards every weekend. Seriously, we do! Hey, you know what, you should come play cards this weekend. You'd have to take off of work because we're traveling, but I will happily compensate you monetarily for any money lost from taking the time off. Before you answer, think about it. All you need to do is take off of work, I will handle the rest. Now. Magic. Go."  Ch: "Well shit. Uhh. There's different levels and kinds of magic. I don't have natural magic but I have a predisposition to magic. So, I have to use a vessel of some kind. I can draw out magic symbols and circles, but typically I just use an object. You do not need to know what my object is. Just know that it's not crazy like putting it in my skin."  Ca: "Phiel has that. They're like silver metallic veins all through his body. Astrid didn't seem to need anything. If Lyah needed a vessel, I have no idea what it is."  Ch: "Wait. I'm sorry. Phiel and Lyah? Like The Chosen Phiel and Lyah? I know them. Like I actually know them. I "knew" Astrid but I was never really close to her, I don't think she registered my presence."  Ca: "Well that seals it! You're coming to cards this weekend, they'll both be there!... Come on, live a little."  Ch: "Alright fine."  Ca: "I'm actually at the end of my shift now. I already put in the report for that guy first thing when I got here. Can I walk you home?"  Ch: "Seeing as how you're probably gonna follow me anyway? Sure. But know that we have to make a pit stop at the bar and the library. If I'm coming with you this weekend, I need to make myself free, so I can "live a little"."

Okay, darkness over. Time for more shit.

It’s just another empty bottle, I don’t need people counting them and telling me to stop. They tell me that I might start doing crazy and unpredictable things. Good. For the first time I could be truly free from them and their orders. They hijacked my brain and overrode all of my actions. My thoughts were there. They were just also being interrupted by another voice telling me to do their work. I was physically incapable of making my own choices. Well, fuck the Government, because the War is over and you don’t have control of me. So, I’m going to drink as much as I fucking want. I don’t care if I do reckless things. I don’t care if the alcohol kills me or my recklessness. I’m hardly humanoid/Sontharian anymore. I’m mostly metal and gadgets, and I don’t have a heart or soul. I had to give those up a long time ago to protect Elliot. At the end of the day, I don’t really care about my wellbeing, or the country’s, or my friends’, but Elliot has become the thing getting me through this. I will do anything to keep him safe. I would die for all of my friends and family. I would die a million different times in a million different ways if it means that he is safe, healthy, and happy.

He doesn’t know it yet, but he will be the leader of the next wave. His generation saw this happen to us. Small groups are already rising, but that sweet and hopeful boy is going to be the best damn leader. He’s going to unite everyone in his generation, and the To’rasha will have the support it needs to take down these fuckers.

Out on Pynthalia, Sidra and Tska are already gathering large groups. Meira, Dawn, and Blaire are all out on their respective home planets. Elaine is our main correspondent between our new generation of leaders. Lyah finally got Phiel out to track down old members of our group who have disappeared. Well, hidden is more like it. But if anybody can track people it’s those two. Without Faliq, Sebastian, Jonas, Kaltain, and Singer, we’re not going to get anywhere in the expected war.

 Some of them drop by on occasion. Kaltain is a close friend of mine, but she can’t stay in one place for too long. We’ll either get semi-regular visits occurring every few weeks, and then sometimes we won’t see her for a few months. Singer is also Cassio’s best friend, and he pops in very occasionally. Apart from his natural loner tendencies and enjoyment of more rural settings, I think he just can’t stand to see Cassio and what a wreck he is. But I think that’s where this new chick, Chrys, comes in, Cassio definitely has the hots for her. I think she would be a good influence. So really it’s just getting them together and then helping them realize they’re in love. But I don’t think they’ll need help with that realization. Actually, Cass might, he’s an idiot sometimes.

Press “f” to pay respects

And they were roommates - oh my god they were roommates

“Aren’t there some old flames of yours from when you were like 17 that you can revisit? If you’re not willing to go out with new women, it might be nicer to be with someone you already have a history with.” Phiel continues to give him a disgruntled stare. “Come on, there’s no old girlfriend you can go back to?”

“I have an old lover. I can’t date her. ” Phiel clarifies, “because she’s your wife.”

“Hey man, that’s not funny.”

“Do I look like the joking kind to you.”

“Shit.” Cass stops for a second, “she said she knew you from home but I didn’t realize she *knew* you. Never mind, I don’t want to think about that.” Addressing the other end of the room Cass yelled, “Lyah, do you happen to have any old flames you can hook Phiel up with?” *glare from Phiel* “I mean ‘build a relationship’ with?” Maybe a male partner would be different enough that Phiel could handle it.

“Uh, I was really only ever in one real relationship, Cass. And no, I would not recommend Phiel having a relationship with them.” Cassio walked to her for a more private discussion.

“Come on, I think a man might be the change they need in their romantic life. It would be different enough from Astrid that they could start fresh.”

“Who said it was a man?” Cass stared at her for a minute. He knew she had been with women, but that was by government order. He didn’t realize she pursued women before the war. “But no, I would not recommend her. I know for a fact that they would not make a functional couple at this point in time. Not unless Phi is looking to be the mistress in an affair.”

“Okay but what if they break up? Girlfriends and boyfriends break up all the time.”

“She’s married.”

“Married couples break up too.”

“You wouldn’t want that.”

“To make Phiel stop moping, I might.”

“CASS SHE’S MARRIED TO YOU!” 

After a solid minute of pure silence Cass just says, “She was with both of you!?!”

Phiel and Lyah look at each other and say simultaneously, “She was with you too?!?”

And that’s when it becomes an issue 

“I don’t know why I’m in love with you, seeing as how you can be such a royal ass to everyone in your life!” Chrys was still riding the high of her hurricane of fury, and couldn’t even look at him. She was just trying to not punch his skull through the wall. Cass was just standing there.

“Did you just say you love me?” Chrys’ whole existence froze, but Cassio was striding towards her. She turned around and the second she did her face was in his hands and his lips were on hers. He pulled away and looked directly into her eyes.

“I love you too.” [more kissing ensues]

“Do we tell people or are we keeping this between us?”

“Let’s just keep it between us for now. I want to savor us before we become seen as us. I just want you all to myself, basically.”

[later in ballroom, Cass and Chrys are slow dancing but her head is on his chest and everything]

“Oh so one of them finally said it.” Lyah muttered to Phiel.