Divergent-Style Branch Selection
Nile and Erwin are in the same class. Erwin graduates at the top of their class, it's natural talent and wit, they say. Nile is right behind him, he strove for his seat in second place.
One by one the recruits are called up, alphabetically, to the three bowls. In one bowl is a stone, a brick from the walls. In another, a revolver, the side arm used by the police. And in the third, the feathers of the geese that freely traveled over the walls.
A blood sacrifice determined your place.
For Nile, the choice was easy. He'd been working towards joining the Military Police his entire life. There hadn't been a day where he'd considered anything else. When his name was called, he walked with confidence, slicing his palm over the revolver and standing behind it.
Name after name was called, until Erwin was next. His parents watched with pride, sure their son would take the same path as his friend. As top of his class, Erwin would be guaranteed an officer's position in the Military Police.
Nile, in contrast, could not watch as Erwin stepped up to the platform. He knew exactly what Erwin would choose, and he couldn't bear to see it first hand. The cracks in the floor suddenly become very interesting to the young man.
When the shocked sound of gasps reaches his ears, Nile knows Erwin has chosen. He looks up just in time to see Erwin stepping down the stairs behind the Legion's bowl, wrapping his hand in cloth. Nile tries to meet his eyes now, but Erwin will not look at him.
Erwin had looked to Nile for guidance and acceptance before cutting his hand, and received none. Nile would not look at him then, and now he would have no chance.