Today, she's playing pool against a friend at TC. Any activity to keep her mind off things. Her friendly opponent is gorgeous - all transgenics in her class are. Her friend has long blonde hair and bright hazel eyes, which light up a room. They'd been friends before… Sure, everyone worked together well - Manticore's emphasis on teamwork and all - but they'd gotten along particularly great at Manticore. R&R time together had always been a highlight of their days. She always looked forward to getting paired with her on exercises. Even sparring on the mat had been fun, since they both knew their fighting was in good fun.
"Ha, I beat ya again,!..." The blonde proudly exclaimed as she sunk the winning shot. However, as she went to finish her exclamation of victory, she paused at a loss for her next word. The realization hit that she didn't even know her friend's name. The bubbly blonde had chosen "Cherry" for herself and thought it suited her somehow, despite her lack of red hair. Though, she still had to remember to answer to it. Having a real name all of a sudden was a bit weird.
The blonde's opponent froze at that. Her smirk at the blonde's gloating replaced with an unsure look and uncomfortable awkwardness. "Uh… about that…" She began explaining, eyes darting down.
The blonde's eyes widened and her mouth dropped open. "Don't tell me you haven't chosen a name yet! Everyone else has already! Transhumans, transgenics." The blonde's eyes looked around the room at the assortment of characters around her. She knew most of their names. She looked back at her old friend in disbelief. Of course, knowing the transgenic across from her, Cherry knew that the other girl was one for going by the rules. Max's unit wasn't the only one to give each other names. Out of hundreds of units, like two others did. It was rare and they kept it on the very downlow for fear of psy-ops, if discovered. After all, that's how Max's unit's rebellion began - with names. The other transgenic across from Cherry would never, maybe not even after being free?
They shared a hard, long look. There was shrugging before a more detailed reply, "I just haven't decided on one yet. I was thinking of choosing one from a past cover but that seems weird. Plus, I might get recognized. I just… never thought about it. I'd gotten so used to my designation for what? Like the past 20 years? My designation is just comfortable. All I have left…"
Now, the unnamed transgenic was sure that her friend was going to drop her jaw and look at her like she just grew another head or started floating. This was the closest she had ever come to admitting to someone that she was having a very difficult time adjusting to outside life and held a longing for her previous one and it wasn't even a clear admission.
To her surprise, the blonde's eyes just softened from shock to understanding and she nodded and offered a small, melancholy smile. "It's okay. I get it."
It was the other transgenic's turn to widen their eyes in shock. I was so sure no one would get it. That's why I've been burying my feelings so deep down. Is she for real?
"You do?"
"Yeah, I mean I'm happy to have a name and all. Not something I ever thought about wanting before but now that I can freely have it, it's cool. However, it does still feel weird to hear it from someone, who expects you to recognize it as your identity. It still kind of feels like borrowing one for a mission, except the mission is forever and the name isn't just a cover this time. That's a surreal feeling. Plus, it was super hard to choose one. Growing up, we weren't given many choices, and suddenly we have this huge one fall into our laps!" Cherry sighed and shook her head, making soft and shiny long blonde locks sway back and forth.
"I know what you mean!" The other transgenic related.
Cherry offered another smile and looked over at her friend, studying her. "We'll see. If you want, I'll help and together we'll come up with a name which suits you in no time! Teamwork and all...But it doesn't have to be today, we can take our time. Whenever you're ready." Her smile was back full force now. Whenever they weren't required to wear the blank face of a soldier, in their downtime or on a mission, Cherry always had the best, cheeriest smile which put everyone at ease.
The other transgenic slowly nodded her head. Still feeling unsure, but her friend had made her feel much better about everything. She looked off and thought for a moment. "What's your...name?" Even asking the blonde transgenic the question felt weird. They'd always had covers or designations.
Cherry giggled at her friend's weirdness with the strange question. She tilted her head and smiled a big, bright pearly smile. "I went with Cherry. Not sure why? I'm still learning about this stuff but I'm not sure name's need a reason why, which is kind of confusing and odd. I asked Max about this and she seemed to confirm that while sometimes name's had a meaning - like Alec's standing for smart alec, which is his nature, they can also just be names you like. Max, Logan, those are all just names their unit mates or parents' liked. I guess they like them too, cause apparently you can officially change your name, if you really want. I didn't know that." Tilting her head again, her mind drifts to the names she had heard on base, often doctors', and idly wondered if they'd changed their names or did they stick with the names given to them?
"I like the name. I don't think you should change it!" Her unnamed friend offered. "I think it suits your personality. Sweet but can pack a punch."
"Thanks! I hadn't put all that much thought into it honestly, just liked the name." She giggled. "We'll find one you love!"
Can it be my designation? I'm already fond of that one. She sighed. Homesickness again. I don't want a name, I don't want change. Fuck decisions. They both noticed her mood had suddenly shifted. Must be one of those sudden mood changes I've heard the depressed or victims of trauma might get.
"You know I'm suddenly tired again. I know I just woke up! But I could use a nap already. If it's okay, can we hunt for a name later? I'm feeling exhausted." The transgenic shared.
Cherry looked slightly surprised but nodded. Her unnamed friend, 800, offered a smile before walking away swiftly and heading straight for her room. Cherry watched her, concern written on her face, and put her hands on her hips. Her friend was normally always energetic, and while not quite as bubbly as Cherry, usually pretty happy. Something has been wrong with her since Manticore fell. What's wrong? Can I help? Would she even share enough to let me?
"Hey, is this table empty?" A transgenic asked Cherry, with another behind him who clearly wanted to play. "It is now." Cherry said in an unusually grumpy voice before turning quickly and sauntering away in thought. The male transgenic watched her hips swing away before the girl next to him slapped him on the head, rolling her eyes and shaking her head, before going to work setting up the table.
Author's note: This story is a bit of a deep dive into the psychological fuckery of the relationship between Manticore and transgenics. We get hints of it in the show during that vampire cult episode where he tries to brainwash him with "you don't exist apart from the family" stuff and with Brin and Jace intitally. Even Alec shares some enlightenment on this when he calls Manticore "home" after following newly escaped Max into Logan's penthouse. Remember, he asks if when Logan dies, if he can go "home?" Maybe we can explore Alec's feelings and strugglings with life after Manticore. I always thought on the show they adjusted to their life after Manticore, which was such a huge, sudden change, too easy but maybe that's just them not letting it show. This is a look into the inner self of a transgenic who doesn't click with her new life. I want to explore how she reacts when she sees people from her past, like doctors and superiors, maybe past missions, and if the memories and longing keep weighing on her, and if that'll put strain between her and Max and them.