[center][h2][color=#FFD967][u]          [b]Tanner Harwell[/b]          [/u]
[color=#FFD967][sup][sup]Current Location: Wall Rose, Training Grounds
 Interacting With: Reese & Olivia ([@Solace] & [@Ambra])[/sup][/sup][/color]
[img]http://i.imgur.com/rX5zgAo.png[/img][/color][/h2][/center]
[center][img]http://i.imgur.com/i6fLcHF.png[/img][/center]

Night had settled and each cadet had eventually returned to their cabins, and in turn, their beds. Tanner was anxious that three other cadets would be sleeping in the same room as him. He desperately didn't want someone like Gabriel or Reese intruding on the careful documents Tanner had gathered over a series of several years. While Tanner had just became friends with his roommates, the worry and fear had forced him to search for a hiding place to store the papers from prying eyes. Eventually, after a period of searching the roomy cabin, Tanner gave up and decided to place the notes deep inside his belongings, using his jacket to cover the bag that held Tanner's items securely in place. It was the best location to hide them, Tanner thought, since surely no one would dare search another cadet's belongings. He didn't see the need to worry about thieves either, as those Tanner had met so far appeared friendly and nice, rather than the despised roguish behavior of a criminal.

By the time Tanner found a place for his revered papers, the rest of the cadets hadn't arrived. [color=#FFD967][i]I suppose I should sleep before the rowdy bunch comes in.[/i][/color] Tanner thought, sitting down on his bed. The bed itself was barely suitable for anyone to sleep on, completely different than the finest soft cushions that those deep inside the walls could afford. It was stiff, the blanket was thin and the pillow desperately needed to be fluffed once more. Glancing at the other beds in the cabin, Tanner felt that they were in this condition to break the cadets down, just as the Head Instructor wanted them to do. In order to make them soldiers, the cadets had to break out of the civilian mindset that they all had in order to face the titans, and perhaps, sacrifice their lives in the line of duty. Whatever the case was in the end, Tanner didn't mind it as much as those that had already left on the wagons to return to a life of heavy work tilling fields and mining rocks.

It had taken Tanner awhile to fall asleep. For the past two years, Tanner devoted himself to another person, and with the help of a family friend, Tanner raised the girl he had saved on that fateful day as his own little sister. She would always have nightmares about the titans and other horrific events that happened in the district, and Tanner would have to console her. For several nights, Tanner would stay awake and let his new sister rest her head on his lap, but now Tanner wasn't there to comfort her anymore. It was a change of pace, and for once in his life, Tanner was worried about someone else other than himself and the girl that haunted his dreams. He hoped that she was okay, and with a prayer on his tongue to the walls that surrounded them, Tanner wished for her nightmares to disappear.

Eventually, night had been swept away by sunlight. Tanner wasn't sure when he fell asleep, yet he knew he was one of the first to wake early like always. The boy was an early riser, and Tanner knew that those who were awake early in the morning were usually given the best there was. Freshness was always a virtue, and during his short time as a refugee, Tanner managed to receive quality food for him and the girl whereas others were given stale or even burnt bread. Tanner felt a hint of sorrow for those that hadn't received what he managed to snatch from those who were passing out the relief supplies, but each time Tanner looked back at his old neighbors, he remembered he had someone depending on him. Even if the poor sight enraged him, Tanner knew that he couldn't subject the girl to stale, burnt and perhaps moldy food. She could have gotten sick, or been famished by the poor diet that the refugees were forced to accept. It wasn't just something Tanner could accept as her temporary guardian.

Not long after Tanner woke up, Reese stumbled out of his fuzzy dream-state and rose. The two of them had shared their greetings as they were doubtlessly tired from waking up so early, but there was business to be done. Climbing out of bed, Tanner made way to the closets that held the cadets' uniforms, and proceeded to get dressed with a long yawn. Still in his tired mindset and with "sand" in the corner of his eyes, Tanner hopped around like a rabbit trying to pull on the long boots that they wore. Eventually after a moment of struggling, Tanner was ready for the day, and set out with a farewell to Reese and the rest of the cabin's inhabitants. [color=#FFD967][i]First things first. Breakfast awaits.[/i][/color] Tanner thought as he made his way to the mess hall. Today was to be eventful, and he, or any the cadets, would hardly make it through the day without some form of nutrition to eat and receive energy from. 

As expected of teenagers, not many were in the mess hall, or and even less were awake at this time of day. Taking his tray, Tanner approached the almost empty line, and proceeded to be handed what appeared to be almost the same meal from the night before. The bread was there as well the soup, yet now it consisted of some cheese and what Tanner thought to be some foraged nuts and berries. It wasn't special, just as the previous meal, yet it was enough to get Tanner through the day. [color=#FFD967][i]The cheese is odd, but the nuts and berries aren't bad.[/i][/color] Tanner thought, eating his meal in silence. The cheese had barely a taste of freshness, as if it was stored for too long, yet the foraged goods were slowly becoming Tanner's favorite in terms of taste and general edibility. He hoped that the rest of the cadets would wake up so he could possibly try to get the other cadets to give him their portion, but before he knew it, Tanner was finished with his meal.

Seeing as he had nothing more to eat, Tanner placed his tray and other dishes where they belonged, and set out to scour the training grounds. Nearby the cabins and mess hall were these large contraptions, doubtlessly meant to test the cadets' maneuverability and balance with the ODM gear. Leaning against a railing, his mind wandered back to the days when Tanner would bother any soldier on duty. Tanner couldn't help but to smile as he wondered how many of them fell flat on their faces as they tried balancing in another dimension for the first time, yet the smile disappeared when Tanner remembered that his first time was to be today. The boy had trained for this moment, even going as far as trying to sit up a makeshift contraption and studying any public disclosed manuals, but Tanner wondered what would his fate be when they buckle him the machine. Would he keep his balance, or would he fall straight on his face? The latter made Tanner shudder. He was already waiting for his fight with Jade, and Tanner didn't want to look even more like a laughingstock if he failed at [i]both[/i] the ODM and hand-to-hand combat training.

Time had flown by before Tanner realized that he managed to grow lost in his thoughts. Tanner blinked once, and blinked again when he noticed that most of the cadets were now up, and a few were flocking the mess hall, but more were diverting their attention to the machines that the cadets were slated to use today. He walked over the forming crowd, and many of his fellow cadets appeared nervous about trying to balance themselves at all. Everyone knew the tales of previous cadets falling on their face, and the machines before the cadets were ruthless. Anyone could believe they had excellent balance, but then one slip up could cause the loss of dignity and the creation of a nasty bruise on their forehead. Waiting for Schulz to summon the rest of the cadets, Tanner gazed at the contraptions. One could say Tanner was starstruck by his steady glance towards the machine, yet he knew he had to take the time to understand it, to see how the contraption worked. 

Eventually, the cadets were called over for their training to start. Tanner was in the middle of the line, and he had the chance to see the failures of many of the cadets before him. As expected, the machines didn't care, and several cadets clunked against the ground harshly. Tanner had noticed a few of cadets that he met last night take their chance at the machine, but for the most part, they had failed just as well as the other cadets. Pain and hate for the contraptions would surely be a topic during the time the cadets were allowed to socialize for lunch, and Tanner hoped that he wasn't to be one of those complaining. An injury now would be a disadvantage in his fight against Jade, or any cadet.

[color=f7941d]"Harwell!"[/color] Schulz shouted in his usual booming voice, signifying to Tanner that it was his turn to test his compatibly with the ODM gear. Tanner stepped forward, approaching the machine and took a big breath of air, hoping his fate might be in his favor. The cadets aiding Schulz buckled Tanner in, and to the tune of a crank, Tanner was raised off the ground and left to try to balance himself. [color=#FFD967][i]Come on, Tanner! You've got this![/i][/color] Tanner thought as he was given full control, and soon realized that his training paid off. Many of the cadets were surprised, and some muttered their amazement as Tanner hung almost lifelessly with the makeshift ODM gear, barely moving a muscle as he swung slowly in the air.

Lowered to the ground shortly after, Tanner was nearly assaulted by anxious cadets with questions on how he hung so easily. He tried to deflect them with answers about how you just need to train, or you'll get used to it eventually, and thankfully for him, Tanner managed to keep the cadets satisfied long enough for him to shrink into the crowd and almost disappear. Tanner hated being on the spotlight, and his actions today had already made him known to many of the cadets. He didn't need them distracting him from his training or from his upcoming fights with Jade and Olivia, along with any other cadet he might face. [color=#FFD967][i]I don't see how I should help them if they can't help me. I hardly know these people.[/i][/color] Tanner thought, returning to his reclusive nature as he hid in the back of the crowd of cadets.

Not long after they finished their first practice with the ODM, they were to train with hand-to-hand combat training. Tanner was paired with Olivia, and he frowned when he heard the news. He wanted to face off against Jade first, but Tanner didn't let his disappointment show to Olivia. She was friendly enough, and Tanner had no reason to be mean to her. They were explained different stances, and before Tanner knew it, the two were off in the field ready to fight each other. [color=#FFD967]"If you'll let me be a gentlemen, I'll let you go first."[/color] Tanner stated to Olivia, holding his fists up as he taunted her with a beckoning of his hand.