The Long Run - (Vy[?], Matt)

[Anatra]

	Alex Orca
	District 2
	Eighteen

The sun likes to shine brightly into my room all the time. At least in the mornings. I guess it is because our bedroom window is pointing east. Our being mine and Tyren's. He's still sleeping, so I just get up myself. Looking in the mirror as I do every morning. Except this morning is different because I've got to be in uniform and ready to get straight into the Peacekeeper Academy. Qualifications are important for when you exceed the reaping level, so I know for a fact doing well here will secure my chances of doing anything important in life. Not that I want to do something of importance. I would be happy doing anything useful, as long as the pay was sufficient and the people were nice.

My hair was cut yesterday. My shirt was ironed last night. My trousers are a clean shade of black just like everyone else. In that place the only thing that is different is our ID badge and our face. ORCA on my back, just like my brother. That's our similarity. Something we share that none of the others too. I undo the top button to let the tie sit lax in my collar. I can't stand the inability to breath smoothly. It's just irritating. I put a hand through the closely shaven bristles of my hair, and the stubble that is a little shorter. It's strange, being more mature and older. I can't help but become curious as to how far I will go before I reach the optimum. The middle ground to which decline follows.

I make my way out of the house after breakfast. Tyren said something about needing to see about something before coming in, so he'd have to phone in and tell them why, etc. I hope he doesn't get into too much trouble, but in reality I don't mind because he can handle the heat. I could too, but I'd likely be too quick to throw the whole idea of the Academy altogether. Tyren is smarter than that, though.

I'm not sure who will be in the room when I go in there, but as I turn the door handle to an open I don't see anybody. I walk right in and make myself at home again, I must be early. This is the start of the third and final week, and it's Monday.

I stick to the bottom bunk though, at least until Tyren comes in. I know that he won't be in when I am this time around because he had some other things to do that skip my mind right now.

I need to remake the beds, anyway. Being first here, I may as well do the other's ones as well. I start with mine though, and that's the top bunk.

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[Jack Lexington]

MATTHEW DUNHAM

To come back here is harder than ever. Kyanite and I have become very close and I enjoyed out weekend. I never wanted it to end. I even toyed with the idea of throwing the academy and staying home but I can't do that. I'm doing too well and I'm to competitive.

So return, drag my butt up the stairs with the large duffel bag slung over my shoulder that contains my clothes.
Without knocking I push the door open and find just one person in the room: Alex. So I look around.
"Where's your better half?"
Then I walk over and pull him in a brotherly hug.
"Good to see you. How was the weekend? Finally met a girl?"
I drop my bag in front of my wardrobe and open it to fold my t-shirts and place them inside.

[Anatra]

	Alex Orca
	District 2
	Eighteen

I fold out the bedding on the top bunk, the greenness of the bedding reminding me how militaristic this place is. I hop down from the top bunk though, and start on Tyren's bed. Before I know it, the door is opening. Could Tyren be here so quickly? I doubt it. I turn to see who it is and I'm met with "Where's your better half?" and a brotherly hug, which was ultimately unexpected, from Matthew Dunham. "My better half is still in bed." I tell him, joking because Tyren isn't in bed but he may well have been. Plus, didn't want to worry Matthew with any details because I seen how concerned he was about Tyren's check up yesterday.

"Good to see you. How was the weekend? Finally met a girl?" Good? I guess we're making friends quicker than I expected. I'm keeping my eyes open though, Tyren has never been the best at making friends with good people. But this guy seems alright. Not that I'm a judge or anything. "You too. And no," I say raising one brow. "Not yet. I still think the Captain has it in for me, so I'm fine." I tell him jokingly, sounding quite sarcastic.

I go back to continuing the bed making. "Are you not going to relay the details of last night then?" I ask him, wondering whether he's that type of man. Does he like joking about his triumphs? Are they triumphs to him? Is Kyanite just one big achievement?
I don't know. I don't know him yet. I will find out sooner or later.

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[Jack Lexington]

"Still in bed?" I cast a glance at my watch. We're all supposed to be here in an hour and the drive takes almost 30 minutes.
"Well, he'd better hurry up." I want to know what the doctor said but won't ask Alex but Tyren in person.

One by one the pieces of clothing get placed into the wardrobe while Alex tells me he didn't meet a girl.
"No wonder with that haircut." I motion for his shaved head. Mine's grown back from that length after the last fight to a few centimeters by now.

"Are you not going to relay the details of last night then?" I turn back to folding my stuff. Last night was awesome and not too long ago I would have been bragging about it but I respect Kyanite so I don't.
"A gentleman enjoys in silence." It's ridiculous because I'm anything but a gentleman.

Once I'm done I shove the bag on top of the wardrobe and start changing into my uniform.
"Why are you on the Captains shit list?"

[Anatra]

	Alex Orca
	District 2
	Eighteen

"Well, he'd better hurry up." He mentions after looking at his watch. I have one of those, too. Mine was from Kyanite, who I remember to be the girl that Max liked at the party but didn't get because Matthew was already with her or something. I didn't pay attention to the details and I don't really mind that much. Maybe his is from her too. "Well I think he's rung in to say he'll be late or something. I'm not sure, I wasn't paying too much attention."

"No wonder with that haircut." I brush a hand through mine. "My hair's great, leave it alone." I joke with him.

"A gentleman enjoys in silence." Oh, he's a gentleman. Ah well, this won't be as fun as I was expecting. The last thing I need is another Max to talk to. I want a friend that doesn't mind breaking the rules for fun. As long as they don't get me caught, that is. "Ah, you're one of those." I mention before moving on.

"Why are you on the Captains shit list?" He asks. "Not necessarily. I guess she just likes somebody who... tries." I put emphasis on 'tries' simply to hint at the fact that I like the look of our Captain, quite a bit. It makes her less scary, but all the more intimidating. I don't fear her, just the impression she has of me, I guess. I'm not one to bother with fantasies and such, but she is quite the looker. Not that I have a chance with her, ever. But a young man like myself was born to dream.

"What's the schedule today, do you know?" I haven't checked. It's usually posted through our doors later on, but maybe he's talked to somebody or something.

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[Jack Lexington]

"Well I think he's rung in to say he'll be late or something. I'm not sure, I wasn't paying too much attention."
You can ring in that you’re late here? That’s new. Didn’t expect them to take excuses…not unless…maybe he has a doctors note. Maybe there’s something wrong and I’m to blame.
Man, it was easier when I beat up people and didn’t make friends with them.
"Ah, you're one of those." He says as if he actually believes me so I chuckle.
“You don’t know much about me, Alex, do you?”

Alex then says something that doesn’t make much sense to me. "Not necessarily. I guess she just likes somebody who... tries."
“Tries what?” I ask and stop my buttoning up my shirt for a moment. “Which Captain are you talking about? Strong?”
Then it dawns on me what he might be trying. “Tries to get in her panties?” I joke about him. “Good luck with that. I’ll buy you a case of beer if you succeed.”

"What's the schedule today, do you know?"
“No idea. Hopefully something active. I hate those morning lectures.”
My shirts fully buttoned up, all the way like the like it here and I even tug it in my pants and use a belt. Then I start shining my shoes, something that we’ve been asked to do.
I sit there in my socks, still lots of morning stubble on my face but otherwise dressed to perfection. This is very new to me.

[Anatra]

	Alex Orca
	District 2
	Eighteen

“You don’t know much about me, Alex, do you?” He asks me, which I think was a bit obvious too. "Not at all, actually. All I know is you had a fight and it went starboard for Tyren." I mention it casually. No need to upset the guy. I do believe I commented a while back about how I wanted him to win his fight. I also remember only doing that because Alba was being a bit of a pain in the backside about it and somebody had to commend his effort.

“Tries what?” I raise a telling brow at him, and I think he understands. “Which Captain are you talking about? Strong?” I shake my head at him. "Not strong, jesus no. Lussa." I give him a nod. “Tries to get in her panties?” He says, and I can tell that I look like I'm taking him for a ride. “Good luck with that. I’ll buy you a case of beer if you succeed.” I bite my lip jokingly. "Maybe I already have." I let a bit of laughter tell him that I'm obviously just kidding around here.

As he gets changed I can't help but notice the appearance of his physique and I have to admit to myself that it is a commendable effort at keeping in shape. Though, I do think he should hit the gym a bit more if he wants to match up to me. Because I'd gotten here a bit earlier than usual, I'd already shined my shoes. I see that the window sill is dusted from the weekend though, and I know that some kind of inspection will be made at a random hour, any hour.

Though, I didn't expect Tyren to come through the door at this point, he does. I turn quickly to see him enter with his black t-shirt and cadet cargo pants. Is that an optional uniform I see there? "Hey, Ty. Wait... Turn around." I ask him, to see whether his name is on the back. He looks a little confused but does it regardless. There it is, ORCA on the back. That little bugger got himself a better uniform. "It's optional, apparently. I fancied the comfort." So you can have the uptight smart gear, or the free moving cargo pants and black t-shirt... Damn it, I should get myself one of those too.

He gives a firm nod in the direction of Matthew before throwing his bag onto his bed along with the small black jacket he must have worn outside.

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[Jack Lexington]

I turn around when I see Tyren walk in to greet me with a nod.
Before I throw pull my newly shined shoes on I point at Alex. "No freaking way you already did. I fact I bet you never will."
With that I gove him a wise nod, tie my laces and get up to walk on over to Tyren.

"Where did you get this slick stuff?" I tug on the fabric on his shoulder. That uniform looks so much more comfortable than mine.
"And what kind of favours did you have to do for it?" I stick my tongue in my cheek grinning at him as I'm hinting at low places.

Then I step a little closer and become more serious.
"How did you appointment go yesterday? Everything okay?"
I can't rid myself of that damn guilt I'm feeling or the way he looked in that arena, down on the ground, blood gushing from his neck. It's all a big blurred memory now but it's still there.
If I could do it again I would strike so close to any vital parts of his body.

[Anatra]

	Alex Orca
	District 2
	Eighteen

"No freaking way you already did. I fact I bet you never will." I shrug at him playfully, now that Tyren is here the atmosphere has more comfort to it. Not because I don't enjoy Matthew's company, but because I've got my pal back. I want to pursue friendships and have solid foundations but I think my personality is too wary for that. I hesitate to get to know people deeply in fear of being hurt or anything like that. It is much easier to just be alone, I think. But nobody can be. "Where did you get this slick stuff?" Matthew goes up to Tyren and pulls on the t-shirt by the shoulder lightly. "Downstairs. Big sign. Can't miss it." He tells Matthew, motioning a little sign in front of him, acting sarcastic as usual with a grin on his face. It's nice to see him smiling, even if it is from afar and not by my doing.

"How did you appointment go yesterday? Everything okay?" I hear Matthew say, even though he's got closer to Tyren now in hopes to be more serious. I see Tyren pause briefly before answering, which has me concerned for half a second before he does answer. "Yeah." He nods, but confirms it again, "Yeah, it's all good." He reaches into his pocket and takes out a sealed, clear bag which has some small tablets in it. They have a label on them that have some weird medical name that I can't be bothered making out from here but as I lean on the side of the bunk Tyren gives me a brief look that I can only interpret as 'Don't worry, I trust him'. "Just a few pills, that's all." He then rolls his eyes playfully, saying "Headaches."

It's a bit cold in the room today. Not dreadful, but it is as though the heating has packed in or something. It feels like the window is open but I know for a fact is isn't. The door shuts itself so it isn't that. Must just be the heating, or lack thereof. I slip on Tyren's black jacket that he throw onto his bed, but find it stretching to fit on me. I'm taller and a bit more bulkier it seems. "Jesus Tyren, you been skipping meals?" I say jokingly because he obviously hasn't. We're both in great shape usually. Not that it really matters, it's performance that matters here. Still, it's always good to look appealing to opposite eyes.

He raises a jestly brow at me and speaks; "Only the meals that you make." The grin isn't going from his face. I think this week will be different. Happier. I hope so, anyway. "Do you two ladies wanna go for a run?" Since we're early, it might be a decent idea.

"Is that your usual chat up line?" Tyren jokes, as usual. But the question was easily serious, too. "I'm game." He answers.

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[Jack Lexington]

The brief pause after my question has me worried but then he tells us. "Yeah. Yeah, it's all good." I'm not entirely convinced so I keep watching him but he decides not to share any more information but a bag of pills and the words 'headaches'.
Wearily I follow his gaze to the clear bag but nod. "Good. I was starting to feel guilty." Still am but I don't have to admit that.

The brotherly banter continues and I can't help but notice that Alex isn't shy at all. He seems to be pretty full of himself. Great...another one. Decent and humble seems to be non existent around me. Then again who am I to ask for such a thing.

When asked to go for a run I sigh because I'm incredibly tired after spending the nights with Kyanite but that's another thing I can't admit so I walk to the door.
"I'm game. Race you down the stairs." I've already got a good head start when I pull open the door and then run down taking two stairs at a time and jumping the last five.
On my way down I almost run into Captain...what was her name again...Alex's captain.
"This is no play ground, cadet!" She lets me know.
"Sorry, maam." I cast a glance up to the top of the stairs.

[Anatra]

	Alex Orca
	District 2
	Eighteen

"Good. I was starting to feel guilty." Guilty for what? Oh, wait. That. It must be easier for me to forget, because Tyren is already playing the respectable card. "Don't be, mate. Not your fault my blood doesn't know where my brain is." He pats Matthew on the shoulder once and walks up to me. "I'll be needed that..." He holds out his hand. I reluctantly take it off and hand it to him. But now I'm chilly...

"I'm game. Race you down the stairs." Matthew states, but he doesn't sound all too enthusiastic. I feel a need to wonder why, but then again I know I'll never find out. He quickly darts out of the room. Speedy idiot, he's going to hit someone, or something. But then, Tyren goes too. "Oh joy." I say privately to the company of myself. I take my time leaving the room because somebody will end up stopping them from parading around the hallways like it is a zoo. "This is no play ground, cadet!" I hear, and that just makes me smile. I walk my way down the steps slowly, just in time to hear Matthew say "Sorry, maam." I give him a friendly grin, but I do think that for once I had the better idea as not to get in trouble.

Not that I don't like getting in trouble. Once we've passed her, I set off running and take an immediate right which takes me out into the courtyard. "Damn it, Alex." Tyren says with humor to his tone. I stop and turn to look at them "I guess I win then, eh?"

"He said first down the stairs..." He points out, walking out into the courtyard. "Oh... Well shit, sorry sir." Joking joking joking. Constantly. It's like tennis.

Since we'd best start with a jog around the premises, I start off so the two lovebirds can talk or whatever they wanna do.

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[Jack Lexington]

Out in the courtyard the wind is quite cold today. It blows up some of the dirt on the ground. Whatever happened to the sunny weather of the weekend when we went for a 'swim'?
I fall into an easy job to warm up while Alex races ahead.
"Running in these boots is a bitch." I tell Tyren because I'm in my uniform and spit shined boots while he's in combat pants and running shoes.
"So whose duck did your really suck for these?" I point at his bottoms.
The constant innuendo between us has become a habit, especially when Kyanite isn't around. It's my way of saying 'I like you'. Tyren yes, his brother...not so much. He's okay but not my type.

The ground beneath my feet feels especially hard today. So does lifting my tired legs.
Somewhere over on the other side of the yard I see a few other cadets haul bags across the dirt after a long weekend. Nobody seems particularily keen and speegy today, except for one guy with glasses. A nerd. or maybe us...running around in circles for no particular reason.

"So you're really okay I won't ask again. Just wanna make sure it's safe to kick your ass." With that I speed up a little hoping he'll follow my lead before Alex will overtake us.

[Anatra]

	Tyren Orca
	District 2
	Eighteen
	Quack

As the cold hits my skin, a good warm jog feels like more use than standing around. I welcome it. It's unfortunate that the weather isn't as permitting as it were the other day, but it is Spring, I guess. Nobody can ask for the Summer in Spring. "Running in these boots is a bitch." I nod at him as we begin our little jog. "So whose duck did your really suck for these?" The innuendo is welcome. It serves as a reminder that we're mates, and that we're good mates as well. His humor is something I value a lot, if I'm completely honest. It takes away from the humor that Alex and I have, which is just snarky remarks at one and other consistently. But that is a brotherhood right there, we've learned to endure the attention we give each other. "Vy's."

HA.

"So you're really okay I won't ask again. Just wanna make sure it's safe to kick your ass." I nod at him, joining his pace as he speeds up. "Don't worry, I'm all good. Though I appreciate you asking." I guess it is polite to thank him for caring. It is what friends do, but I feel as though I should, because he likely worried more about it than I did. I seem to have little regard for my own health, and more for others. Alex doesn't seem that far ahead of us but it is strange he brought us out here to only run ahead. Maybe he didn't want to walk out alone or something. He has moment like that. Dim moments, where you'd question his ability to think straight.

"How was last night, then?" I ask him, since he wasn't afraid of relaying his intentions with Kyanite whilst I was around yesterday, by the river. Not that I have a problem with it.

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[Jack Lexington]

"Vy's." oh goodness...he's so quick. That comment makes me snort while I run. I take one uneven breath and step and am painfully reminded what happened during last weeks exercises. I will have to make damn sure that this week nobody aims his guns at me.

"How did it taste?" I can't help it. I love taking the piss out of him and her!

He assures me that everything is fine with him and even thanks me for asking. I do like this newly formed friendship. I'm not sure how much he trusts me but I think he likes me. I hope so. It's not like I have ten friends on each finger. They're pretty rare, especially the good ones because of my lack of social skills. I guess I slept while those skills were handed out.

We run along side each other occasionally adjusting our speed to fall into step with the other one again. Tyrens shorter than me but I bet you he's fast if he wants to. He's not a huge bulky guy but wiry, tough.

"How was last night, then?" He's asking about personal details that weeks ago I would have denied and if it was the last thing I did.
As a light, cold drizzle sets in I keep my eyes on Alex ahead of us. "Hotter than today...much hotter." For a moment I grin over at him and then punch him in the arm.
"Oh you poor deprived, focker...is that drool right there?"
My finger wipes at his chin before I speed up laughing my ass off.

[Anatra]

	Tyren Orca
	District 2
	Eighteen
	Quack

"How did it taste?" He's asking me? "Hell, I don't know. You'd know more about them than me." Uh-oh, somebody's on fire today. I don't know where my snappy lines come from, but wherever it is I'm thankful.

"Hotter than today...much hotter." Is he talking about the weather? NO, HE'S NOT. Wow, I can be so slow sometimes. He's talking about last night. I'm not sure why, but I can't take it too seriously when he tells me. I asked and I should probably pay attention but to be honest, I'm not one for the details, I just thought it was polite to ask. He throws a punch at my arm. "Ouch, bitch." I snap at him with humor and a laugh behind it. "Oh you poor deprived, focker...is that drule right there." He wipes away nothing from my chin which has me taken aback for a moment because I didn't expect facial contact, at all. But apparently that's normal. Deprived? He's insulting me, where are my snappy comments? Damn, he distracted me.

Shit, my foot just tripped. I'm plummeting to the ground where my running shoes seem to have lost grip of the laces, which made me trip on one. "Fuck!" I curse, falling to the floor roughly, but into a roll so it isn't as painful. I pause for a moment to assess the damage mentally, but then I just begin laughing away whatever brief pain there is. It was just a shock, that's all.

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