You Never Know Unless You Try
Written by @GlymeraPunk.
[The answer? Not much. The question, from my father through a sneer over first meal? "What have you done with your life thus far?" It was a tired conversation, and yet he insisted on having it time and time again. The difference was, this time I had an answer. Pulling the folded piece of paper from the back pocket of my slacks, I smoothed it out, working to keep my features schooled as curiosity crossed his. I'd applied on a whim and to look over Paradise. Making it through the gauntlet had surprised me as much as anyone, but I was in now. Accepted into the Brotherhood training program and I planned on savoring my father's reaction. I hesitated, paused for affect, if you will, before presenting the page with the King's illegible scrawl scrolled across the bottom with the royal seal embossed beside it. Once he had it in hand, I took a step back, dropped my hands and bowed my head, my stance one of a soldier awaiting orders. It's how I would absolutely fall in line for my training, but here, standing before my father, I was just being a dick. I waited a long moment, let him absorb the information on the page, and just as I heard him inhale, preparing to speak, I took my turn instead.] I'm going to fight the enemy of the race with the Brotherhood, father. I know it's not what you want for me, but at least I'll be out of the house at night, not spending your money, and you'll still be able to belittle and berate me about what a disappointment I am. [Lifting my eyes to his, a smug smirk tugged the corner of my lips as I lifted a shoulder in a nonchalant shrug. I didn't expect acceptance or pride in his expression, and I wasn't disappointed. Bewilderment and anger seemed to war on his face, and I knew if I was seeing this, that I truly had caught him off guard. The truth was, if there was anything worse than doing nothing with my life, putting myself into the service of another was it, even if it was the king. Because I couldn't help myself, I just had to continue to poke the vampire.] Come now, father, it won't be all bad,having a son at the beckon call of the king. If I die, it will be with dignity. Think of what a tragic story of heroism you'll have to regal all the widowed female of the race with. [One eye ticked as the thought rankled even my nerves, but it was worth it to watch his cheeks muddle as he began to resemble a very percolated tea pot. It was time to go.] Now if you'll excuse me, the bus to the training facility will be here any moment and I'd rather not get my ass kicked for tardiness on my first night. [With a grin stretching wide enough to show a peek of fang, an expression he loathed on any in our race, I spun on my heel and strode with purpose from the room.
Chuckling to myself as the memory of the night this all began played in my mind, I slid my 45 into the holster at the small of my back, checked my knives again and zipped my leather jacket over the small arms collection I had strapped to my body. It still shocked even me that I'd come this far in so short a time, but somehow, the truth was stranger than fiction. Our training class had completed the rigorous program designed by the Brotherhood and was now part of the regular rotation. Crazy shit. As much as we had trained for it, that rush you get the first time you kill a lesser is like no high I'd ever experienced, and I'd tried a lot of shit. But that? Taking out a lifeless puppet, protecting the race and knowing I was part of the solution? I got it. I really did. It was why I woke up every night, grinning like an idiot. Among other reasons. Confident in my readiness for the night, I grabbed up my phone and shot a quick text, "Headed to the rendezvous point, see you there." It was habit and need. Paradise and I had been through it. I'd almost lost her friendship. We'd lost friends and family and I knew I could never lose her. So we were mending our friendship, I was trying to be more responsible and I always checked in. She did the same. Even if there was no meeting or patrol that crossed our paths on every night, we knew each other's whereabouts. It wasn't enough for me, but I was learning to live with it. I knew my chances of meeting the Scribe Virgin were better, but I still held on to a naive hope that just maybe, someday, Paradise might give me that chance at more. For now? I had our family of trainees, and I had a purpose. It was far more than my father had ever expected, and far less than he'd ever accept, but that was just fine with me.]
