Surprise, surprise, the answer is both.
She smiled at Brianna and turned to the instructor as he began the lesson.
“Today we are going to pair up and go over what you have learned in the last month. Remember the moves, the names are less important than the moves themselves. Keep in mind the moves that break bones or maim your opponent should only be done full force when your sparring partner is in full gear, so for those moves practice with care. Now, starting from the left, turn to the right and that is your partner for today...”
Damn, this again?
She sighed when the instructor turned and looked her dead in the eyes.
“Echo, you will be training with me today. Since you’re new, I need to evaluate you to determine what you need to be taught. As you heard, these recruits have been here training for a month. This is your first day. So, if you will walk to the big mat at the far end of the room, I will meet you there.”
She glanced behind her and spotted the mat.
Well, shit! Looks like I will have everyone's attention. Back of the room? More like front of the class.
Snatching up her water bottle and towel she walked over to the mat and waited for the instructor who was walking through the crowd giving last minute instructions and answering questions. Dropping her bottle and towel, she took her place in the middle of the mat and prepared for what she knew would turn into a show for the rest of recruits. Who could blame them? A one on one with the instructor. That is always worth watching.
It took only a few more minutes before she was face to face with him.
“Okay, let's see what you know. Get ready.”
Vylette stood with her feet apart concentrating on the core of his body, trying to gauge what move he would do. A second later, she dodged his punch, dropped to the ground and tapped his knee cap with the heel of her shoe.
“Nice job. We call that move the Knee Crusher. Glad to see you already know that move. Take your place and get ready.”
Back on her feet, she took her defensive stance once more. She side stepped his elbow, slid behind him and knocked him off his feet. He was smiling when he rolled onto his back.
“Have you had training before or are you just lucky?”
Now it was her turn to smile.
“Yeah, I have had training before.”
Giving him a hand, she helped to pull him from the floor. Out of the corner of her eye, her suspicion was confirmed. They had everyone's attention. She turned her gaze to the crowd in the room. No one was training. All the recruits had stopped what they were doing and were watching them battle it out on the spongy piece of plastic. The Instructor must have noticed too.
“Alright, show’s over, back to training.”
Vylette turned back. “So, Instructor, do you have a name? What do I call you or do you prefer 'instructor'?”
He had a sweet, deepish laugh. “All the recruits call me, Hardass Haiden, but my name is Haiden Harlow. I go by Haiden.”
She plastered a wicked smile across her face. “Hardass, it is. Nice to meet you, Hardass.”
She was surprised to see him smile back at her.
“You know, Echo, I think I’m going to like you. I love a good sense of humor. Even if it is a smartassed one. Makes things...fun.”
“I try. So, now what do we do?”
Before he could answer, the entrance of Mrs. Travine caught the room's attention. Her expression and presence was sweet as always.
“Excuse me, Haiden, but can I please borrow Vylette? I have to get her picture and prints for her I.D. Cards and such. She just joined the team last night, so we are still getting her into the system.”
“No Problem, Mrs. Travine.”
As she was heading toward Mrs. Travine, Hiaden's comment caught her before she went too far. “Nice work. I'll see you tomorrow, but it may be at a different time. Mrs. Travine will know. This class is for beginners and clearly you’ve had training, so I want to put you in a more advanced class.”
“Alright. Until then, Hardass.”
Her eyes caught Mrs. Travine's face, her eyes going from her to the Haiden. No one spoke, but she noticed Mrs. Travine and Haiden share a smile. Shrugging it off as a private joke of sorts, she crossed the room and followed the woman into the elevator.
Chapter 15
Vylette stood in the slowly rising metal box with Mrs. Travine at her side, in silence. So to break the endless white noise in the air, she turned to the woman next her.
“Where are we going?”
“We are going to the set up room, located on the ground floor of the main building. You have passed it before. It is the third door in Mr. Buchanan's wing. You know the one with the window you jumped out of.”
She heard Mrs. Travine stifle a small snicker.
“Yes, well, I was in a hurry you see, so you may need to point it out to me. In my haste, I wasn't really paying attention to what was in the room at the time.”
“Fair enough, I suppose I can show you.”
She turned and placed her hand on her chest, and a mock grateful smile on her face. “Why, that would just be great, Mrs. Travine. I mean, you are so nice and stuff.”
Before the doors opened they were both laughing.
“You Know, Vylette, I am so glad that Mr. Buchanan assigned you to me. I really like you. We share the same sense of humor. Perhaps in another life were sisters or best friends or something.”
“Maybe...I like you too and I love that you get my quirky behavior and jokes. I have met so many who just don't get me. I make them nervous I guess, they always look at me like I'm a weirdo or something.”
With a straight face, this fell from Mrs. Travine's lips. “But you are a weirdo.”
Vylette just looked at her for minute and they both burst out laughing.
“Who wants normal anyway?”
“Exactly!” Mrs. Travine said as they stepped out into the main room of the warehouse.
“So, do I get a break in the day for a meal? I am starving, I was so nervous about training class I didn't eat before I went.”
“Sure, it's almost lunch time anyway. After we get your I.D.'s and stuff done we can go to the dining hall and grab something.”
They had reached the hallway and her eyes traveled up to the door with the severed head of a snake, and her heart raced. I wonder if Dorrian is in his office?
Mrs. Travine's comment brought her back from her daydream. “When we get in here, we'll look over a menu and order lunch so it will be ready when we get there. I think I’m in the mood for a rib-eye, how about you?”
“A rib- Oh, I forget its fantasy land around here. I was expecting soup and sandwich kind of thing.”
“You will learn.”
“Although, now that you mentioned it, rib-eye does sound good. Your chef makes loaded baked potatoes too?”
“That he does, and excellent ones at that.”
“Sounds like lunch to me.”
They were walking through the door and into the room. Mrs. Travine grabbed the phone to finalize lunch.
“Great, give me a second and I’ll call it in. Have a seat in front of the desk.”
Vylette picked at her nails while Mrs. Travine gave Chef their order.
I should make up some weird crazy crap just to see if they could make it. After what I have seen so far, I wouldn't be surprised.
With the clicking of the phone, she turned to the woman.
“So, what all do they serve in the dining hall?”
“Anything you could ever want.”
“Really? Say I wanted a sandwich shaped like a shoe with a splash of chips shaped like a handbag?”
Even though, she tried to keep a straight face, the woman smiled, clearly enjoying this little game.
“Then Chef can make it. There isn't any food dish, he can't make. You can keep trying to think of weird things if you like, but the answer will still be the same.”
She sighed, “How about...a steak stacked and shaped like the Eiffel tower
served with a baked potato shaped like France?”
“I tell you, he can do it. He is a genius when it comes to food. It's his passion I guess. Everyone here, hungry or not, always stops by the hall just to see what he has created. You know those shows where people create different scenes and stuff using food? He can do that...with anything. He loves it.”
“Okay, fine. I give...for now, but if I think of anything else I will be sure to ask.”
“Bring it. So, are you ready to get this done? All this talk about food is making me hungry.”
“I'm right there with you. What do we do first?”
Her gaze on Mrs. Travine, she watched as she moved about the room grabbing papers from here, folders from there and so on. When she finally sat back down, her hands were full as she emptied it on the desk.
“What is all this?”
“This stuff is for you...”
A piece of paper slid into her view, with an explanation from the woman.
“This is your schedule. You need to be sure you are on time...”
She glanced at the classes and times.
Name: Vylette Echo Rank: Recruit Status: Training Agent Number: 33VE42
Time/class Place Room
0800
MWF:Physical Training Training Facility 202
T/TH: Intro to Languages and how to speak it Main Building 124
0900
MWF: Advanced Combat Skills Training Facility 202
T/TH: Cultures and World Trade Main Building 115
1300
MWF: Field Training Training Grounds Back filed
1600
T/TH: Etiquette and Dress, Know your style Main Building 105
Wow, looks like full days.
“Do you approve of the schedule?”
“Um...I guess. I mean, it looks legit to me. Is there something that might be a problem?”
“No, but we like to know if you think it is too overwhelming. We can drop some of the classes and make it shorter, but you will have to attend and pass all these classes before you make it onto field.”
“Oh, yeah. I know. Mr. Buchanan told me as much yesterday.”
“Great, if you will sign here, saying that you approve this class schedule.”
Vylette grabbed the pen off the desk and signed the sheet of paper in the marked areas, then passed it back.
“Okay, now you need to sign these release forms saying that in the event that you are injured badly, maimed and/or incoherent and need medical attention that the Academy of Training and Culture has the right to make such decisions based on the type of care, medication and should it be necessary, the decision maker on life and death issues such as life support and 'Do Not Resuscitate' orders.”
Scrawling her initials and signature, she signed the papers and handed them back, no questions asked.
“This is the last piece of paper you sign. This just states that we have the authority to set up and maintain a bank account for you, in your name for anything you need, personal, business and training missions.”
“Really? Can I go buy a crap load of shoes with it?”
“If you wish it. It will be your money.”
“Great!”
Excited at the thought of a shopping trip, even if only online, had her scratching her name quickly across the lines.
“Great.”
She sat back in the chair while Mrs. Travine stacked and organized the paperwork in proper folders and files before pulling out little plastic squares, stamps, a sheet of pictures and badge holders.
“What is all that for?”
Mrs. Travine flashed each item and explained what they were for, starting with the glossy sheet of a pretty blonde.
“This is a proof sheet of the photos Christoph took of you. You need to choose one for your I.D. Academy badge. These small squares of plastic are to laminate your picture before we attach it to your badge. This will need to be worn at all time. On the back, here, just like your driver’s license, this back strip is activated with your security clearance and will open all the doors, according to your rank, will allow you entry. If you come across a door that once you swipe your card and entered your code and it still won't open, then you are not allowed access. However, as you are a training recruit, you will be allowed almost anywhere. Now give a look over these pictures and pick one.”
Taking the paper from the woman, she stared at the girl smiling back at her. She couldn't believe how pretty she actually was. So much so, that until Mrs. Travine pointed it out, she didn't know the pictures were of her. Studying each photo carefully, she finally settled on one of just her face.
“This one here, number twenty-four. The one of me in the suit, but it focuses more on my face than the rest of me. That one is my favorite.”
Mrs. Travine took the sheet back and proceeded to cut it out, affix it and create her badge and I.D. Card. It was apparent by how quickly Mrs. Travine got it all together that she had done this plenty of times before. After a flip of the hand, her badge and I.D. Card landed in front of her.
“There ya, go. All done. Your picture is on the front and your swipe part of your I. D. card is on the back. They are not attached to each other, so if you need to take them out you can. Just when you put them back, you put them back the way they are now.”
She pinned the card/badge to her shirt.”Great, let's go have lunch.”
“Agreed. Let's go.”
She sprung from the chair, eager to get to the hall and the phone rang. Mrs. Travine stopped and answered. Vylette leaned against the door frame and waited, while the woman chatted away on what sounded like business. A few more minutes later, and Mrs. Travine, with her hand over the phone spoke to her.
“I think this may take a while, go on to lunch without me. Can you have Chef send mine to me here? I’m sorry, Vylette.”
“No problem. I will just catch up with you later this evening then.”
“Sounds good. Thank you.”
Her stomach sending threatening messages to her brain, she hurried away in search of the dining hall.
Chapter 16
Vylette was amazed when she walked into the enormous dining hall. Tables, draped in pure white cloths, dotted the room here and there topped with food created scenes as the centerpieces surrounded by plates and napkins. The table closest to her housed a huge cake made to look like stacked suitcases with passports and maps scattered about. All made with edible food. Another table adorned a map of the world made from fruits and vegetables. To say she was amazed was an understatement. She had to force her mouth closed when she realized it had gaped open at all the wondrous creations.
“Beautiful, aren't they?”
Looking to her left, she noticed a short hefty man wearing a suit and apron reveling in her admiration.
“Yes, it is. I take it you are Chef?”
“Yes, I am. I see that look, and yes I have a name, but I prefer Chef, if that is alright?”
“Fine by me. Do you do all of this by yourself?”
“Mostly, but I do have a few assistants who help out. There are many people here who for one reason or another have a hard time sleeping at night, so we stay up and create beautiful things so that we can block out the darkness that haunts us. It is a healing of sorts.”
“So it helps all of you?”
“For the most part, yes. Healing, like many things, can take many forms. This is just the outlet we choose.”
“Well, I’m sorry that any of you had to endure whatever it was you endured, but your creations are really amazing.”
“I heard once that in order to enjoy and see true beauty, you must see and endure true darkness and ugliness.”
She sighed, “I can see how that would hold some truth.”
Her stomach, sending another warning, interrupted the quiet moment. Hand over her middle, she turned, chuckling, to the chef, who was laughing lightly with her. “Guess that means I need to admire beauty while I eat.”
“Yes, sounds like it.” Chef gestured to
ward a table. “Have a seat, I’ll bring your lunch right out.”
“Oh, before you go, Mrs. Travine got held up and would like for you to have her lunch sent to her.”
“I'll get right on it, thank you.”
Nodding, she bid him goodbye and walked to the nearest empty table.
Seems I have the entire room to myself. Oh, well, perhaps I can have dinner with Travine later.
Vylette thrummed her fingertips on the table, absentmindedly thinking of other things, while she waited. Before she got too far into her mind, the smell of hot seasoned steak and baked potatoes brought her right back. She looked up and saw Chef swaying between tables, a tray of hot food on hand heading her way. The steam from the food instantly made her face sweat as it was set before her and she just about laughed out loud.
“Mrs. Travine called you didn't she?”
“Yes, she did.”
Looking back at her plate, she studied the steak stacked up like the Eiffel tower and the butter dripping off the side of her France shaped potato. “Okay, you guys win. I give up. You are a genius. All hail, Chef.”
It was nice after the somber conversation when she came in, to hear his boisterous laugh.
“It is a passion of mine as she told you, and that right there, that look of pure amazement, is why.”
“I am in awe of you, kind sir. So, does this mean tomorrow I can have a shoe shaped sandwich with handbag chips?”
“I will see what I can do.”
“Oh, I look forward to it.”
“Great, I must go. Enjoy your meal, Vylette and if you need anything I will be right through that swinging door behind the buffet line.”
“No problem. Thank you.”
As soon as he walked off, she pulled off her badge, laying it on the table, so she didn't knock it in her potatoes, took a small piece of steak off the skewer and popped it in her mouth. She moaned out loud as she chewed the juicy, seasoned to perfection meat. Her eyes closed as she enjoyed every ounce of it.
“Oh my God, this is so good.”
“Yes, I have to say, I am enjoying it too.”
She jumped and opened her eyes to see Mr. Buchanan, resting his face on his hand, staring at her, smiling wickedly.
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