Tools of War: Replacing a Friend

[Anonymous]

A rhythmic tapping echoed through the hallway, breaking the silence in the largely empty space as a single soldier walked with purpose toward the Biological Containment Facility. It was something that Iris had put off for as long as she could, but the inevitable could only be delayed for so long. This was a promising group of mages, she had been told...but of course, this was from a strictly practical standpoint. That was all these mages were to this military: they were tools, and the Mordecai like herself were the engineers who were trained to use them.

She remembered the last time she had walked down this hallway some years ago. It was the day that she was to be assigned her first 'weapon', a mage that had first been identified with a number, but would later reveal her given name of Alexis. It was this girl who had helped Iris to realize that, despite what she was taught, a mage was more than a weapon.

And it was her that Iris had spent the last few weeks trying to forget.

Don't get close this time, she told herself as she approached the large double doors. You don't want the same thing to happen.

After a steadying breath she pushed the doors open and stepped into a large, mostly empty room where two men awaited her: one was Lt. Max Whesker, who would often be found in charge of new mage assignments. And the other...

"Nice to see you finally decided to show up, Reier," the other man spoke, his every word oozing with implied superiority. His name was Cpl. James Lewis, and he was a young man - no older than Iris, in fact. He was short as well, but with enough muscle mass and ego to more than make up for what he lacked in height.

"I'm not late, Corporal," Iris responded neutrally, with just a slight emphasis on the final word that was intended to remind him of her superior rank and - in her mind - point out that she was, in fact, better than him.

Iris and Corporal Lewis had never seen eye to eye. He was another Mordecai who had officially joined the military at the same time she had, but that was where the similarities ended. Lewis liked to throw his weight around, as small as it may be. As a soldier he was nothing special; the only thing he really had going for him was his status as a Mordecai. However in his mind all others were inferior, despite any evidence to the contrary. This is especially true for his assigned mages. They truly are nothing more than tools to him which he uses as he sees fit before casting them aside and looking for a new toy to play with. This was evidenced in the sheer number of mages that he had been reassigned; while this was to be the second mage that Iris would be introduced to, it would be Lewis' fifth in as many years. Each had been exceedingly quiet when seen in public at all, and in fact seemed afraid to so much as cough without his permission. It was also notable that each had been rather young and attractive.

Lieutenant Whesker coughed. "Well, ah, now that you're both here we can, ah, begin the selection process."

Iris raised an eyebrow in the lieutenant's direction. "Only the two of us?"

"This is, ah, a rather...irregular time. There are no new recruits to, ah, assign mages to; only replacements for the two of you," the older man responded. He held the small radio in his hand to within an inch of his mouth and spoke the command: "Send them in."

The mages, about a dozen of them, would be escorted into the room from doors at the far end of the room by a small number of armed guards. One carrying two small notebooks would break off from the group and hand one to each of the waiting Mordecai. The mages would be made to stand in a single line where they would wait until they were given further instruction.

[Anonymous]

Violet was chewing on one of her nails, most were chewed down the same way. Her eyes were flicking around and her black cat ears flicked back to face towards a guard walking by her who quickly grabbed her hand from her mouth with a jerk. She made a small noise and he gave her a closer look. Violet quickly straightened up putting her hands down completely.

The small mage looked around her at the thirteen others who stood with her. Some looked angry, those who must have been captured and pulled into this life, who hadn't grown up on Edanith. Others looked sad, like finally the day had come for their execution. More though looked nervous like Violet. A very few just held blank expressions on their faces, still not broken, still fighting against what was happening. She really hoped they wouldn't try anything in this selection. Her eyes closed and she shook a little.

The cat had known this day would come, but Violet wasn't ready at all. She brought her hands together in front of her picking at her cuticles, trying to be discreet not to draw attention and make them think she was plotting escape. Her ears twitched around on her head listening intently to the shuffling of the other shackled and the strong directive voices of the guards around them. Then the doors flew open.

The guards started to push them into the room. The guards carried long sticks, she had heard from others mages that it would give you a shock if you were too slow moving for them, or just if they deemed it. She had never seen it happen herself though, it could just be a story. Her eyes went to the floor instantly when they stopped she didn't want to see the Mordecai who were here to choose them. Her body started sending reactions to nerve-endings making her shake a little. Her dark purple hair fell into her eyes a little over her face. The guard closest to her grabbed her chin with a gloved hand and pulled her face up quickly. The pupils in her cat eyes went small from the light and she tried to avert her eye line from the guard quickly.

Her eyes looked forward spotting the Mordecai, two? She was very surprised. Violet had always heard of there being big moments, lots of mages lots of Mordecai. Then she saw the man. Lewis...he had been watching her. Showing up where she was eating, she fought the urge to look back down at the ground. She had felt like she was just on display whenever he looked at her, like she was in a zoo. Then she realized she was.

Her black cat tail hung unmoving, she tried her best not to twitch it nervously. She had learned long ago not to make any sudden movements with it. She had been threatened a few times to have it removed because she had moved it in the wrong way. Violet had never been sure what she had done, though violence is sometimes the best persuasion and she learned quickly not to twitch it.

This was the day that would decide many after for her. She tried not to put the full weight of her life on this moment. Though she couldn't help but realize that's exactly what it was, it would decide how she would live...or how long she would live...

Her cat ears perked up though, there were only two of the Mordecai, perhaps they wouldn't even pick her.

[Anonymous]

Iris took a moment to skim through the files on each of the assembled mages. Of course, mostly what the files held was each mage's assigned number (and not their name, even though they were allowed to keep theirs), a summary of the type and scope of their magical abilities as well as projections about their potential, and a listing of any personality traits that may prove to be an encumbrance on the field.

"Now look at this pathetic lot of toys we've got assembled here!" Lewis called out, sneering at the lot of them."Not even worth my time. But because I'm so generous, I suppose I can make something out of one of ya."

Of course this greeting wasn't at all uncommon from the Corporal. He always liked to establish his dominance as soon as possible. He began to pace across the row of mages, giving each a cocky stare as he passed them by. Suddenly he stopped as his eyes came to rest upon a young feline with purple hair, and his face broke out into a sort of sadistic grin. Lewis quickly changed direction and marched more swiftly this time straight toward the young girl, stopping only when his face was a few inches from hers.

"Well ain't you a cute one?" He said less loudly. "I've been lookin' forward to seein' you in here.We're going to have all sorts of fun together."

Something about his emphasis on the word 'fun' would imply that only one of them would be having fun, and it wasn't likely to be her. Grinning, he took a step back and flipped through is files. "Ahh, yes you would be number-"

"Number 331727, step forward for inspection," Iris' voice cut him off. She still stood where she had been when the notebook had been handed to her. She had been watching him, figuring that he was likely to pick either the most submissive one or the most attractive one. His words to the girl hadn't reached her ears, but it was easy enough to guess that he had made his selection when he went for his up-close 'inspection'. It could be said, therefore, that Iris was picking this girl out of spite for the Corporal, but she looked at it differently. In her eyes, she would be saving the feline from being subjected to Lewis' whims.

Lewis snapped around to shoot a glare in her direction. "Hey, you can't do that! This one's mine!"

"Those of, ah, superior rank get first choice. You should, ah, know this by now, Corporal. Stand aside," the lieutenant answered before Iris could.

"This is bullshit!" Lewis protested once again.

"You have been given an order, Corporal. Stand aside or be removed," Iris spoke this time, uttering a command she took no small amount of pleasure in giving. Reluctantly and with a lot of grumbling to the tune of 'stupid bitch,' the man stepped aside. Iris took a few steps forward, her eyes now moving to the feline. "Now, you. Step forward." There was no added harshness to her tone, nor any gentleness. It took only a forced neutral tone.

[Anonymous]

Violet started to shake as Lewis spoke again. Prowling in front of the line of mages. 'Toys' She couldn't believe he referred to people like that...then she realized she wasn't really a person to him, or anyone else living here. No point in fighting that really. So many against the mages was just wrong. She felt like she was a person, she looked...mostly like a person. She knew to Lewis though she was nothing but a 'toy'. That word sent shivers up and down her spine. She was forcing against the feeling that she needed to keep her head down. Violet gave a mental sigh, and then told herself. At least he hadn't passed her yet. Then she saw Lewis stop right in front of her. She tried her best to look unnoticeable.

Then Lewis was in Violet's face. Every word sent shivers down Violet's spine, she started to chew on her lip nervously as the word 'fun' left his mouth goosebumps of repulsion crawled down her skin. Her tail began to twitch nervously she couldn't help it this time.  How could she have tricked herself into thinking this wouldn't happen? Of course Lewis would come after her first. He had been watching her all this time she should have known better.

Then the woman Mordecai stepped forward and to Violet she looked like an angel. She was anxious to step forward but it looked like the disgusting man wasn't going to give up that easily. She heard screaming but was just looking at the woman, her eyes taking her in, hoping that this wouldn't relent that she would hold her ground against this twisted Mordecai. He stepped out of the way angrily and Violet watched the woman and stepped forward slowly.

There must have been some history between the two Mordecai hated or otherwise Violet wasn't sure but it was obvious in the way Lewis reacted to her. That was fine with Violet.  She tried to keep the smile on her face then remembered she could be much worse than Lewis and hiding it better. The want to smile was gone.

[Anonymous]

Iris watched the girl step forward. She was clearly nervous, likely due in no small part to the corporal. Iris stepped forward as well, stopping just a few feet short of the girl as she held the closed notebook to her side.

Poor girl, she thought. So small and timid, yet she's about to be recruited into the military. At least I can keep her away from Lewis.

Iris tried to ignore the many sets of eyes that were undoubtedly fixed on her at the moment, staying focused instead on the girl before her. She really hadn't liked calling the girl by her number, but with her name not listed in the file there wasn't any other choice. Now, however, there would be.

"What is your name?" were her first words to the nervous girl in front of her. It reminded her of five years before after she had chosen her first partner. Knowing your mage's name was neither encouraged nor discouraged. At first Iris hadn't bothered to ask, having been taught for most of her life that mages were her own personal weapon and nothing more. However she happened to have chosen a particularly spirited partner at the time who helped her to realize that mages were, in fact, people too. It was only a couple days later that she would ask that one her name.

Now here was this girl standing before her, timid and afraid. Iris wasn't about to repeat the same mistake from before. She may not intend to grow as close to this one as the last one, but the least she could do was let the girl know she was hu- well. A person.

[Anonymous]

Violet looked up but over the woman's shoulder, scared to make eye contact. Not sure how this Mordecai would want her to treat her, as lord, as master, slave driver, or she dare hope a friend, not an equal perhaps, but something that wasn't...a toy. Violet wouldn't dare put her head down though. Seeing Lewis fuming, angrier than she had ever seen him was enough to make this day worth having. Even if every day after was horrible, twisted pain, she could hold THAT image in her head for a very long time to sustain her.

Then the Cat was asked a question she wouldn't have dared though would pass a Mordecai's lips. Did she was her real name? Or was it a test about the number they were referring to her by? And then what was the right answer? her mind hurt but she decide better to appear simple than too smart.

"Violet Frei."

[Anonymous]

Iris opened the notebook back up and flipped through the files until she saw the one belonging to this girl again. She produced a pen from a pocket and scratched out the field that listed her number, replacing it instead with her name. She then closed the notebook and held it to her side again.

That's a nice name, some part of her thought.

"Okay then. Violet," she said, her eyes going back to the girl. "From here on you are to answer to your name and only your name. You are instructed to forget any other means of identification that may or may not have been used in the past. Is this clear?"

A hint of a smile tugged at Iris' lips. It wasn't terribly uncommon for a mage to be called by their name rather than just a number; many found it helpful for keeping their partnered mage emotionally stable, if for nothing else. It was a rare thing for a Mordecai to forge friendships with their mage, and it was equally rare for them to be as abusive as Corporal Lewis. Neither was especially frowned upon, so long as those who were abused could still function and those who were friendly didn't get any ideas about setting their mage free.

Iris remembered then about trying to keep her distance, and the smile was gone. She heard Lewis muttering something about her being a 'damn mage-lover,' which given past experiences wasn't untrue, as anyone who knew anything about Iris would have known. But that was just the problem...she had gotten too close, and now in a senseless act of self-sacrifice, her last partner was gone. For this girl...for Violet's own good, she would keep her distance. Hopefully.

[Anonymous]

(OOC: If you want I can find an excuse to leave.)

102379 was hungry, he had not been fed since yesterday morning, when his master had been unable to finish his breakfast. He often went unfed for a day or two and as a result was very scrawny. He had not grown to full hieght like many of the other mages. His only redemable quality was that he was meant to have an interesting power, the ability to enhance other's. This had meant that he had been given to an officer instead of a normal rank.

Hurry up, mage.

He hurried behind the Mordacai, Captain Kaenos. His master was once again trying to have him replaced and once more, would probably be rejected.

I will not be rejected, his master forced through their mind-connection.

102379 winced at the voice, his master loved causing him pain. He hurried forward and stumbled, brushing against his master's pants. Without stopping his master flung a full forced attack at 102379's mind. He clutched at his head and screamed. He should never touch his master.

He raised himself from the ground, shaking in both pain and fear. Sorry, Sir. He continued following his master down the long corridors, at a bit more of a distance.

They made their way to the recruitment hall, where he would hopefully be reassigned. 102379 did not look up but voices told him there were others in the room.

'Corporal Lewis, you've ruined another mage. These beasts are expensive,' 102379 could feel his master's anger and was grateful that he was not the bunt of it.

[Anonymous]

( ooc: I don't know if this is an open thread or not, if not just ignore this ^^)

Tomoyo sat upon a ceiling beam in cat form her friend the hyper two tailed fox Sumomo sat next to her. She listened to the man rant and rave. "What a cruel person" she spoke quietly not wanting the other recepients in the room to notice her. "Cruel, cruel" the blue vulpine chanted loudly only to be stopped by Tomoyo's paw to his mouth,.

"You must be quiet Momo there is no need to draw unnecessary attention to ourselves" Tomoyo said softly removing her paw.

"Sumomo understands, Sumomo will be quiet" he chanted in a low whisper.

"Good" Tomoyo replied and went back to watching the mages suddenly she saw one a young boy possibly a year younger than herself screaming in pain. "Such a cruel master" she whispered than jumping down from the beam onto a ledge she carefully made her way to the boy making sure she was not seen. She gently nudged the boy's hand and mewed softly.

[Anonymous]

((Perhaps you two could make a thread for yourselves? We were sort of thinking of this as closed =^_^= We shoulda tagged it that way though XD))

[Anonymous]

Lieutenant Whesker hesitated, 'Nobody is allowed a er, new mage unless the last one is ineffective.

102379 was still useful in some ways and the officers knew it. Kaenos saluted, turning his heal and left. 102379 scurried after him. This did not bode well.

{gone}

[Anonymous]

Violet looked the woman in the eyes this time, feeing a little less afraid than she had.

"Yes Ma'm." She saw a small smile at the corner of the Mordecai's mouth. She fought the smile she felt starting in her jaw. Perhaps she had actually lucked out this time.  Her life had been quite unlucky so far. Maybe this was the cat's break? Violet hoped it was.

The feline knew she may never be truly free again. So she had to take what she could get and try and stay somewhat positive. She couldn't become bitter like so many mages she had seen. She couldn't live her life that way, hating herself for being caught hating everything. Better to appear satisfied and deal.

That was one of the things she remembered about her mother, her constant smile, despite how they lived, despite what they were fighting. She didn't know how hard it had to have been. The memory started to fade into black and Violet's mothers tears running down her face and the taste of them. Then most of the memories went away. She pulled herself back to the moment. She reminded herself there was still a chance it could end badly. Plus, she should really be paying attention for one of the deciding moments of her life.

[Anonymous]

"Good," Iris responded with a nod. A part of her hoped that she wasn't frightening Violet too badly; it was that relentlessly kind-hearted part of herself that, while it could be suppressed, would never allow itself to become fully silent. This was probably for the best though, for it was that spark of kindness that would help to keep her human even on the battlefield. At any rate, whether the girl was frightened or not, she should be grateful not to have been stuck with the corporal instead of her.

"Come with me," Iris ordered. She did a quick about-face and walked toward Lt. Whesker, assuming that Violet would follow right behind. When she came before him she stopped and gave a brief salute.

"I've made my decision, sir," she reported, handing the notebook to the officer. He flipped through until his eyes rested on the proper file. After a few moments his eyes rose from the page and stared directly into Iris'.

"Well, ah, it would seem that..." he glanced again, "...Miss Frei's number has been...lost. How very unfortunate, wouldn't you say Sergeant Reier?"

Iris nodded. "Quite so, sir."

"Well, ah, then I suppose we shall have to refer to her by name then, won't we?"

"No other choice, sir."

"Very well then. Take her and report to Medical for fitting, Sergeant."

"Yes, sir." Iris saluted again, to which Whesker responded with one of his own.

"Let's go," she said with a quick glance over her shoulder before heading to the door to make her exit.

[Anonymous]

Violet followed a little distance behind Iris and she stopped when she did. She watched the way the other man looked at her, and noticed that there had to be some sort of past to her and the way she treated mages. The man seemed not to surprised she would want to refer to Violet by her name. A lot of things played in the Mordecais eyes and behind their words.  Though her lack of experience and knowledge of them could not make her pinpoint what she was trying to figure out.

The feline tried to watch without seeming to obvious about it. She smiled with her eyes only then looked to the ground quickly again. To be referred to by her name? She had imagined she may never hear it again. What an interesting master she had ended up with it. Though this may just be to lure her into some false sense of security. Anything could happen at this point.

She followed her out the room automatically again. She felt safe, though she had felt safe many times....and it hadn't been so true. She remembered this was the beginning of her training of her life of being used by another. She felt a knot of fear tie itself in her gut again. It was probably more appropriate than happiness at this point.

[Anonymous]

Iris waited for the girl to step through, and then just a moment longer for the door to close behind her. She couldn't help but think of what a horrible position people like Violet were forced into; from the moment they were found to have power, they are doomed to military enlistment under direct command of someone who may or may not even consider them to be people. It wasn't their fault that they were born with a dangerous power. While Iris agreed that magic was a dangerous force that should be controlled, she only wished that a better way could be found than this to control it. This method of 'control' seemed more like exploitation, practically robbing the powers of one to give to another. While there was probably little that Iris could do to change the system, she could at least make it easier on her own mage.

"Violet, I need to speak to you," she said. Iris glanced toward the door they had just passed through. It looked thick enough, they probably wouldn't be able to hear them on the other side. Even if they did it didn't matter; the way she treats the mages was fairly common knowledge, and nobody of importance seemed to care.

"This is how our partnership will work: I will treat you with respect so long as you follow orders to the best of your ability. You will follow orders from me and only me; no other Mordecai can rightfully give you an order, not even my superiors. They are well-aware of this, but there are those who would exploit your ignorance."

Iris shifted her weight and paused for just a moment before continuing on. "Like it or not, you are part of the military now. It will not be easy, but these next several weeks will be spent acclamating you to the lifestyle. We are at war right now, and you must be prepared to either kill or be killed."

There was a slight hint of a sigh from the Mordecai. It was harsh, but it was reality and there was no escaping it. "Do you have any questions? You may speak freely to me whenever you like."

With that, Iris waited for a response. She wondered if maybe she was being too lenient, but she figured with the situation Violet had been placed in she deserved a healthy bit of leniency. After all, she probably never wanted a situation like this.

[Anonymous]

Violet nodded as Iris stepping in behind her. Her cat ears twitched as she watched Iris look around as if looking for someone, then Violet cocked her head at her as she realized she was checking to make sure no one could hear her. Her cat eyes focused on the Mordecai now even more intrigued by the woman in front of her.

She listened carefully her ears twitching on her head, though otherwise she remained completely still. She was trying to figure out if maybe Iris was trying to set her up, and really break her when she was off guard. Could there really be kind Mordecai? Perhaps she  had seen too many movies. This couldn't be real? Maybe she was still dreaming...the day before her choosing maybe. She looked at the floor. Best to go along with the dream for now. Speak freely? This couldn't be real...

She gulped a second searching for the air to find a reply. She was even more unsure of what to say now that she had the freedom to say anything.

"I understand." The words even sounded empty to Violet as they left her mouth. She shook her head.