[centre][h1][color=7ea7d8]Lauren Jones[/color][/h1]
[@MsMorningstar][/centre]

[color=silver]Lauren slowed to a halt, her breathing coming in short but measured breaths as her heart continued to beat furiously, as if telling her that she was not yet done running. Wiping the sweat which beaded her brow, the auburn-haired girl grinned at the blonde lagging slightly behind; oblivious to her opponent's deliberate ceding of victory. The run had served to release any remaining anxiety that had built up within her during Maurer's haranguing of the cadets, raising her spirits significantly.

[color=ff00ff][b]”I’m Elsie, by the way. Elsie Taffer.”[/b][/color] Lauren nodded her acknowledgement, trying her best to remain gracious in victory with the person who could prove to be her first friend in times to come where she would surely need that support. Perfectly aware of her own failings, Lauren knew that she often needed someone to take the lead, to motivate her to action, when she felt aimless in matters both important and inconsequential. That included where to move on to after their run and she fell into step with Elsie as the other girl led them towards the cafeteria.

[color=ff00ff][b]”You said something earlier, about your mom being in the military? What branch was she in?”[/b][/color] This was a comfortable area for her to talk about, proud as she was of her parents' vocations and achievements, and so the words started to roll out at length as was often her wont. At least, when she was feeling comfortable.

[color=7ea7d8][b]"Ma's in the Garrison down South in Shiganshina. I don't see her often, she doesn't think much of her captain and doesn't like leaving the squad to him. She became a lieutenant last winter!"[/b][/color] Lauren beamed proudly as she announced the progression and carried on chattering away with no apparent need to breath between sentences. This was often her way once she had got going. [color=7ea7d8][b]"Just before I signed up she came home and was telling me about when the Survey Corps came back through recently. Lots of casualties like usual - did you know the Garrison clear away some of the Titans before the Survey lot leave? Well, sometimes. Depends who's on duty, Ma says. I see a lot of the Survey Corps at Pa's clinic whenever they leave Quinta - that's where I'm from - though usually I don't get to talk to them until after I've helped Pa treat them. Usually taking arms or legs off because of the infections."[/b][/color] 

Lauren stopped for a moment, realising that she had veered into territory many would find distasteful or off-putting but for her, because of her years of exposure, could even be classed as dinner table talk. She glanced worriedly out of the corner of her eye at Elsie, trying to gauge her reaction and if she had perhaps made a grievous faux pas of some kind while internally reprimanding herself. Of all places and times, this was not the one to tear away any noble preconceptions people had about the Survey Corps' proud ventures out into the Titan-infested wilderness. She knew from talking to her Pa's patients that they were always short on manpower and she did not want to contribute to that issue by scaring away prospective candidates at so early a juncture. Blessedly, Elsie moved on.

[color=ff00ff][b]”Is that what brought you here….or were you just tired of wall life?”[/b][/color]

[i]This[/i] was an area where Lauren felt uncomfortable to discuss, not for any particular reason of shame, but for embarrassment at what she felt was a naive ideal she was trying to pursue. She chewed her lower lip and fiddled with her fingers behind her back, just a couple of her man tells when she was nervous or trying to think rapidly on her feet.

[color=7ea7d8][b]"I guess? Sort of. I don't know if I want to join the Garrison yet or not. I think I'll just wait to see what people do at graduation. As long as I make it that far, of course!"[/b][/color] She forced a grin and jogged on ahead to the cafeteria, pushing the door open and peering inside at the rows of benches. It was all very austere and basic although she had not expected much and it was not unlike her family's basic accommodation back in Quinta. [color=7ea7d8][b]"Looks like we're the first here. Wait, are they even serving food yet? The Instructor said we should go to the cabins first, didn't he?"[/b][/color] She winced, hoping there was not going to be any unforeseen punishments for not listening closely to what Maurer had said.

Bounding down the steps back to Elsie she pointed toward the cabins where most of the cadets were heading for, girls and boy splitting up with a few instructors milling about casually and occasionally calling out directions to cadets in a bored fashion. [color=7ea7d8][b]"Should we do that first? You can pass me my winnings later! Not that I'm bothered much either way."[/b][/color] She twirled Elsie around and headed off toward the cabins with a spring in her step, any traces of exertion from their exercise apparently having faded away.  [color=7ea7d8][b]"Oh, did you know anyone before you came here? I haven't seen anyone I know yet but there must be some people from Quinta. Lots of people wanted to get out, not a lot of money or jobs to go around there."[/b][/color][/color]