[center][img]https://txt-dynamic.static.1001fonts.net/txt/dHRmLjcyLjE1NzA2Qi5RMmhoY214bGN5QkVkV3BoY21ScGJnLCwuMA,,/yolanda.regular.png[/img][/center]

[indent][indent][indent][right][color=gray][sub][color=15706B][b]Location:[/b][/color] Training Grounds | 122nd Trainee Corps | Inside Wall Maria][/sub]
[sub][color=15706B][b]Featuring:[/b][/color] Revel Belrose [@Bartimaeus][/sub][/color][/right]
[hr]
Charles had remained in the line, quiet and obedient. The instructor tasked with vetting the cadets had decided that the consequences of the blonde-haired boy’s argument would be clear. 

Charles knew he had made a mistake when Maurer asked him to pick five other cadets. Five other cadets who would be tasked to run while Charles himself was offered to stand and think about what he had just done. The young man had expected to join the five cadets he had picked for whatever punishment the instructor devised, so when Maurer instead told him that he would not in fact be joining them on their [i]three hour march[/i] a deep sense of regret overwhelmed him. At the very least he was glad he picked what looked like five able-bodied, athletic men. There was no version of Charles that would have picked a woman or meek boy who didn't look like they couldn't handle whatever punishment Maurer could invent. He had no doubt already created division between himself and the five other men. In time, he hoped they would understand that him standing up to Maurer was the [i]right[/i] thing to do even if it may not have been the [i]smartest[/i]. He contemplated all of the ways he could apologize and make it up to them when they returned. 

As the other cadets were commanded to disperse Charles remained in line, looking at the ground as if he was deep in thought. Evidently, this contemplation turned out to be a mistake as almost immediately as he heard the footsteps of other cadets moving away from him he felt a strong force collide with his body which sent him tumbling to the ground. He hadn’t expected consequences from his actions this quickly, but as his butt hit the muddied ground he supposed it wasn’t entirely surprising.

A few cadets bust out in quick laughter, obviously witnessing the event on their way back to the cabins. A sentiment he knew he deserved. If he were them he'd have a laugh at his expense as well, it was only fair.

Gripping his gloved hands into the dirt and mud he sighed as he tried to get his bearings. He figured he would be left this own, even despite some cadets trying to replicate him during Maurer’s run-down. After all, everyone was unpolished raw cadets here. Very few had the privileged that Charles had and it wasn't like Charles was trying to hide the way he talked, how he presented himself, or how he came off. It would have been inauthentic to lie and such inauthentic traits were beneath him in his mind. He would always be true to his morals no matter what. That's how he turned out nothing like his parents, after all.

As he was about to stand up, a female voice spoke out as another cadet outstretched their hand to help him to his feet. He was surprised. 

[color=9698E3]“Hey.”[/color]

The girl in front of him was tall, taller than he was, with long black hair strewn in some kind of ponytail. Her grip on his hand was firm and when she let go of Charles’ hand he couldn’t help but think she had been training long before applying to be a cadet. Most importantly were her eyes, which reminded him of his mother’s collection of amethysts that she kept in a display case alongside various other gemstones. It almost made her imposing, but Charles wasn’t one to be intimidated by someone for their appearance, even if they were several inches ahead of him. In Charles’ mind the gesture was a lot friendlier than it actually was. The woman’s tone was neutral and her expression was blank.

Charles smiled, albeit a little awkwardly as he took their hand, mud and dirt and all. [color=15706B]“Thank you, miss. Guess I wasn’t paying attention.”[/color]

[color=9698E3]“Yeah, well, you probably should.”[/color] She uttered as she helped Charles to his feet, though he couldn't help but feel partially smitten. 

He sighed, [color=15706B]“Can’t say I blame anyone for being upset.”[/color]

The blonde-haired boy looked in the direction one of the women who had been tasked with a few laps had gone in. She had expressed concern about his mistake and offered thanks for standing up for the group of cadets. He hadn’t caught her name, but he supposed if his fellow cadets had a problem with him and assaulted him as a result then he might have to take her up on her offer.

[color=15706B]“I get ahead of myself sometimes, but I still think I did the right thing.”[/color] He straightened the collar of his shirt before looking back at her. [color=15706B]“My name’s Charles. Charles Dujardin. It’s nice to meet you. Do you have a name?”[/color]


[/indent]



[/indent][/indent]