cerulean

the sun wasn't up yet. but there we all stood, on the training grounds, each at various stages of awareness.

i; myself was in the last stage, which consisted of eye rubbing and the occasional yawn, which is quickly stopped, lest the commander see it.

when i'd shaken the last of my yawn out, i straightened my stance, tucking my hand behind my back and raised my head.

the clothes they'd given us fit well enough, not perfectly, but it wouldn't hinder my movements.

"recruits, today will we be conducting a series of tests to see where you fall in rank. as you know age determines rank, but so does ability. if someone of a lower station places higher than you, you are to obey their orders at all times."

there were multiple grunts of disapproval, but it was more for show than anything else. we'd all been raised to respect those of a higher a status. this went against the most basic rule we're taught as youth.

commander eyed us, effectively shutting up those who voiced their opinions. "this is non debatable. when i call your name please step forward, you will being testing immediately."

the names were called, and as told they stepped out of the line. the tests were as told.

running, and tracking. fighting and defending. weapons skills, magic skills (if possessed). endurance, etc.

the running course was difficult, but not overly so; i finished first, however it was an extremely close call. tracking wasn't something that the abner pack was skilled in, i finished in tenth place.

fighting and defense, i fought well, but as i'd previously predicted, i wasn't skilled enough to beat a majority of the people. i finished in twentieth place. defending was better, i was able to use my smaller stature and speed to defend myself, i came in second.

weapons skills, was something i prided myself on. i was asked to spar with many different weapons. such as a halberd, twin swords, sai, escrima sticks, and a bo staff.

i held no previous experience with the bo staff, and it was certainly heavier than expected, but i worked around it, using it mainly as and anchor for my more taxing attacks.

magic was optional, and while i did possess the power of submission, i was well versed in water magic. i used that in my training in place of submission. i wasn't ashamed of the power, but the less people knew about it. the easier it was to use.

our endurance training turned out to be, how worn out we'd back doing all for these back to back. i felt winded, however i was capable of more if needed. there were others who'd fallen asleep standing up, which i found far more impressive than anything i could've done. another had fallen to the ground, their legs worn out.

"the tests have concluded for the day. rankings will be posted by sun down," commander whitman pulled his lips up in a sneer, "now hit the showers the lot of you!"

i discreetly sniffed myself, and silently agreed, i reeked.

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i stumbled on dead legs, to my bunk, picking up the clothes i'd been given, as well as the soap bar.

gathering my things, i walked out of the bunker, and to the shower rooms.

when i entered there were multiple naked males each enjoying the feeling of being clean. and others enjoying the feeling of releasing all their pent up tension.

i found a stall on the end, and without hesitation stripped. i hung the clean clothes and threw the soiled ones to the ground.

i turned the facet, walking under the cold water. i washed myself in silence, when a gasp escaped me, the water had turned warm. i turned to face the water, dunking my face under the stream.

a smile curled my lips and exposed my canines. i couldn't help the moan that slipped from my lips. it wasn't that i hadn't had hot water before, it was simply that it'd been so long since i had.

i became aware of how much i was enjoying my shower, when a shadow appeared behind me.

i turned around my face blank.

"cerulean. you shouldn't shower by yourself!" lysander said smiling broadly.

i stepped to the side, allowing room for the bouncing gifted entry. it was common for communal showering to be a way from gifted's to get to know one another. i had never part taken in the activity before now.

"thank you for your company, ser quill."

i watched in confused amusement, as lysander's eyes comically widened. "you can call me lysander! i forgot i didn't give you permission already."

i hummed my acknowledgment of his request. "very well. thank you for your company lysander."

the use of his given name, must've meant a lot to him i figured; seeing how he grinned widely.

"thank you for allowing my intrusion, cerulean."

i dipped my head down, hiding the smile that threatened to make its presence known.

lysander and i stood under the running water speaking about various things. it wasn't until i noticed the many glances at my hair did i sense the question being held in.

"i dyed it on my sixteenth birthday two years ago. as a birthday present, to myself."

lysander ducked his head in what could be embarrassment, "sorry for staring it was just so mesmerizing. the two shades of blue are beautiful together, they way it seems to never stop blending."

it took me a moment to associate the words with lysander. oh. i thought, that's right, he's a black smith. he looked at my hair with a fascination only some one who worked with things of beauty could.

i shook my head, "i do not mind. moreover may i ask you a question?"

lysander's shoulders shook, "you just did!" he grinned, but nodded his head.

i took this as permission, "i wish to know why you're eyes are gold."

it wasn't a question, not really, i was simply curious. lysander's grin didn't dim in the slightest.

"my father is a lycan and my mother is a werewolf."

i wasn't as surprised as i probably should've been. lycans didn't often copulate, but it wasn't entirely uncommon for them to do so.

"i see. your eyes are very beautiful."

lysander's smile turned bashful, but very soon he became animated once again and our conversation flowed from there.

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lysander and i walked back to the bunkers. there was little distance between us but he walked distinctly behind me. almost like a guard of sorts.

"lysander, i do not consider you below me." i said, my
voice free and soft, it carried on the wind.

i noticed lysander pause for a moment, before he resumed walking, this time by my side as opposed as to behind me. and it was like that we walked back to the bunkers.