The heel of Gregori's boot quietly tapped against the marble floors, but against the tall barren ceilings it echoed like a soldier's march.
The breeding organizer couldn't have been less bothered, continuing to review and flip through paperwork in front of her. no doubt seeing much worse on the daily. It was rare people would go along with the breeding program entirely by choice.
In his case, it was the exact opposite.
At first he had been more than willing to pay the penalty fines. He was more than successful and had great renown. His savings, even now, were still far from dry.
His success, however, was exactly what landed him in the hot seat. The council didn't take too kindly to powerful eudaimonia refusing to pass on their genetics. In their eyes, it was treasonous to their entire genus.
The probationary sigil placed on his wrist ensuring his attendance hummed just enough to be distracting. If he made a break for the courtyard it would automatically light up and drop him in an instant. he wouldn't die, but he would sure wish for it.
He'd seen, and heard of, it happening to plenty of his scholarly peers and even more to regular civilians.
Greg managed to zone back in time to not miss absolutely everything. "Chiyo is an extremely powerful pyroforeis and has even developed several new technologies, not dissimilar to yourself." She set the file down in front of him, where it sat untouched from there on out.
"As you may know, G-8's mission is to push the boundaries of what the average diavolo can achieve. Being locked into a niche is dangerous and is holding us back as a species. We need individuals who can control both create light and absorb it."
It was one thing to be forced into some big experiment, it was another to be directly told that's what was happening in such a casual manner.
Gregori's jaw was clenched, too afraid if he moved so much as a muscle he'd spew everything in his stomach. which, considering his nerves and lack of appetite this morning, was nothing but bile.
"The goal of your coupling will be to try and produce an individual who can wield both fire and ice. Given both you and Chiyo's prowess among your niches, We're confident the mana will meet in the middle at least once." She pulled out several graphs, charts, and medical records and laid those out for Greg to glance at in a panic.
With great difficulty and clearing his throat several times, he managed to speak for practically the first time the entire meeting. "We've existed for hundreds of thousands of years, no one has ever occupied both niches. I'm far from the most powerful pagoforeis."
"We understand how unlikely it is, We suspect it may take several attempts before it produces any viable results."
"We've projected the two of you to retire from the program in 85 years. Should you produce a viable result before then, you may be eligible for early retirement."
Gregori stood up in a quick motion, the chair screeching like a train derailing with the force. Again, the organizer so much as flinched. "No, absolutely not." he took a cautious step back before the anger took over, slamming his palms on the desk that put oh-so-much space between them. "You can't just do this to people! You have no idea--"
"We understand how difficult this is to process, which is why you will both be compensated for your time and honored for your contribution to our species."
"We'll give you a moment to calm down."
"This is bullshit and you know it."
"Mr. Ryuusei, please take a seat so we may continue."
Greg's chest heaved to compensate for the marathon his heart was running. he looked around, just like it had been, the room was still just the two of them. He knew that didn't really matter, though.
Sensing his flightiness, the sigil on his wrist seized, his vision going white. He dropped to his knees, then all the way down while writhing.
In his delirium he felt hands grabbing him, pulling him up and into a chair despite his spasms. Several hands grabbed his arm and a newer heat seared like a hot wire sinching off his wrist.
When most of the pain finally subsided several minutes later--only when they were done assaulting him--he was left shivering and panting as he tried to regain his bearings.
his uninjured arm craddled the other and rubbed over his wrist, which now held a new sigil wrapping the extremity like a bracelet. The other was several centimeters lower, now inflamed and splitting the skin apart where it connected.
Gregori bit his tongue once more, knowing any insults or threats would only lead to worse. At some point the breeding program is completely forgone, especially for 'treasonous' diavolo like himself.
The organizer finally stood from her massive chair and walked around the island of a desk. A small pink paper with a date and fine print was placed in his hands. Her angular features looked even sharper and more piercing as she all but glared down at him for his pathetic display.
"your consummation will take place two days from now, please make sure you arrive promptly. You don't need any reminder of what happens if you disobey your breeding mandate."
and with that, she left him shivering in the too-low-to-the-ground metal chair, face reddened with tears.
