Kai stared down at the schedule she'd been given, it had been two days and there was still no sign of her sibling which worried her. In those two days everyone had properly arrived and settled and were sorted into their proper classes. Today was the start of training. She'd been given a test to better determine what class she'd be under and apparently her skill set was best suited to sniper rifles. Who knew. Certainly not Kai.
Kai hesitated for a moment, lifting a hand to spike up her black faux hawk in thought. She was now standing in front of the door to her class. She'd have to spend all her time in this room until graduation, she had to prepare herself. It wasn't so much the idea of having to train that bothered her. It was the people she wasn't so sure about. She'd just have to jump in though. Finally she adjusted the uniform that'd been given to her as it had everyone and stepped in, taking the plunge. The room looked like something to be expected in a school, desks for two taking up majority of the room with a pedestal at the front for whoever was in charge of the class. This didn't look like a military training base.
A few people had already arrived and had chosen their seats, some were still talking to the people they arrived with while others kept to themselves. Kai joined the ones keeping to themselves by sitting at an empty desk at the back of the class. She folded her arms atop the desk and dropped her head down, instantly shutting the room out and attempting a nap which strangely she managed quite easily. This was odd considering she was an extremely light sleeper. But there she was, dead to the world.
A loud bang jolted Kai back in her seat, alert to everything. She blinked up at the man glaring at her. He was still holding the book against the desk He was clearly the source of the loud bang. "Can.. I help you?"
"Sorry for interrupting your nap, cupcake. If you're ready to join us I'll begin." He frowned, straightening and tucking the book under his arm. He marched back to the front of the class and turned to face everyone. "As I was saying, I'm Staff Sergeant Williams, I'll be your commanding officer. It is my job to assure you're all trained up and fit enough to save the galaxy. Can't have you maggots dying the second you leave this rock."
Kai glanced around at the room. Just how long was she out? The place was packed with techies now, all staring at Sgt. Williams with fear. She even had a neighbour. The boy she'd attacked a few days back. Why the hell was he sitting next to her of all people?
"Eyes front, Cupcake." Daehyun whispered with a smug smirk, his eyes locked on the Sergeant who'd went on to tell the class what was to be expected of them.
Kai glared instantly, the urge to hit him overwhelming her again. She clenched her hand into a fist but held herself back from launching. "How's your face?" She commented instead, folding her arms as she leant back against her chair, indicating to the wounds he'd received in the fight.
Daehyun scoffed, "That the best you got?" He turned his gaze to the tomboy, eyebrow raising. "Disappointing."
Kai rolled her eyes and attempted to focus on the Sergeant who had went on to explain the theories of war and how your tactics could determine your life and your comrades. "Get over yourself."
Silence fell between the two and Kai drifted off again a few minutes into the lecture. The sound of chairs being pushed back awoke the sleeping infiltrator, blinking back the drowsy feeling she glanced around to find everyone getting up to go for lunch. Apparently she'd slept through the whole lesson. Well, she was forced here so she didn't particularly care for anything they spouted at her anyway. She stood and gathered her things, she'd brought a bag as she wasn't sure what to expect. In all honesty she was treating it like an incredibly strict school.
"Stab anyone yet?" Came Youngjae's voice from the doorway which caught Kai's attention mid-pack.
Daehyun had just reached his side and all he did was flash him a smirk. "Thinking about it."
The engineer placed his hand on Daehyun's shoulder, giving him a look of mock pride. "At least you just thought about it. Baby steps."
"Keep it up and I'll act on it." Daehyun countered, eyes narrowing.
"Bring it tough guy, lets see if your implants can handle my hacking." Youngjae jumped back and got into a fighting stance like in the old fighting games Keo use to play.
Daehyun grinned and held up his fists, "I'm not a cyborg, dumbass. I'm a phantom, get it right."
With a laugh the two bounced down the halls pretending to box each other leaving Kai standing there in confusion. "... Right. I'm totally back at school." She shook her head and left the room, moving through the halls to find the canteen. Hopefully Keo would be there.
Once again Keo was a no show. Kai frowned, gaze dropping to the blobby substance they classed as food. "Mm.. Slop."
"Hey, it's got all the right stuff growing soldiers need to fight wars." Jongup grinned as he stepped over the bench to sit at her table. He set his own tray down and pulled a face. "Though I won't be surprised if it sprouts legs and kills us all."
Kai perked up instantly, a smile forming. "Jongup!.. Yeah. What's the betting it's just waiting. Get us when we're least expecting it."
"Really? I thought it'd just let us eat it and get us from inside." Came an incredibly deep voice that made Kai almost jump off her seat. Yongguk flashed a gummy smile and joined the two, followed closely by Himchan, a Vanguard who looked like he should be a model or actor.
Jongup laughed and gestured to Kai, "Hyungs, this is Kai, she's an Infiltrator. Kai this is Yongguk hyung and Himchan hyung. Guk's a Soldier like me and Himchan's a Vanguard." He watched the polite exchange of head nods before continuing, "Where's Zelo?"
Kai had tried to interupt and explain she'd already met him but he'd already changed the topic she just remained silent and watched them interact with each other in amusement.
This was where Himchan piped up, "The brats helping with his lesson. Go figure."
"Yah, he isn't a brat." Yongguk nudged Himchan in the ribs, passing a glare. "Don't talk about him like that."
"He's Guk's brat." Himchan clarified to Kai, waving his fork about as he explained. "Yongguk has a soft spot for the kid so treats him like a son. I love the kid but he doesn't listen to me at all. I think it's because he's in his teenage years. Jongup though." His gaze drifted to Jongup and he smiled, making him look like a puppy. "Jonguppie is my favourite, aren't you?"
"Hyung.." Jongup laughed nervously, hand moving up to rub at the back of his neck in embarrassment.
"He's such a nice boy! Always listens and helps. Always having my back." Himchan rose from his spot beside Yongguk who'd started a giggle fit due to his brother and shuffled around to sit beside Jongup and leech onto him. "You're the perfect son, Jongup. Much better that that Zelo. And so buff!" He grinned, dropping his head onto his shoulder.
Kai's mouth dropped, the need to edge away over coming her. She mouthed an apology to Jongup who was pleading with her silently to get him off and she shifted over to Yongguk. "Is he..?"
Yongguk glanced at Kai and instantly had to shove his tray to one side, he folded his arms on the table and dropped his head down while more giggles erupted from him. When he managed to calm himself he lifted his head enough to peek up at Kai, "Is he gay? Yeah. So gay."
Himchan was quick to bitch face. "Yah! I'm not gay! I'm just an affectionate person, yeesh."
"Overly affectionate, Hyung.." Mumbled Jongup who looked uncomfortable since his older brother had swivelled around to wrap his legs around him as well.
Himchan pulled a face and released him, just sitting beside him instead. "Oh fine. Mian. I'll stop."
Kai smiled at the group, her head shaking a little. They were pretty odd but she was beginning to like them. Not that she hated them before, she just never had an opinion to start with. Now it was positive.
In one of the training halls Daehyun stood with his arms crossed. He'd clearly been forced into attending by the way the drill sergeant was yelling at him. He didn't understand why he was so mad at him, at least he'd shown up for the punishment at all. He could have just cloaked and got on the next shuttle off the moon but he didn't. He was there. The girl wasn't. "Neh. I understand." He smiled when asked.
The drill sergeant was a shaven headed man, built like a mako and scarred from all the battle he'd seen over the years and his name was Sergeant Davis. He had all the qualities of a frightening man, so naturally when Keo came racing through the door she got the fright of her life when he came charging towards her, yelling to the point veins popped out of his neck. "You're late! I don't humour tardiness, little girl! Your mother better be dying or something for this appalling lack of organization!"
Keo flinched back instinctively, withdrawing into herself. "I know.. She is- I mean.. I.. Um.. I-.." Her gaze instantly clocked Daehyun and her stomach lept into her throat, cutting off any excuse she had. She looked back to Sergeant Davis and just dropped to her stomach, attempting some press ups. She had a marine for a father so figured the next thing to come out this mans mouth would be to drop and give him twenty.
This stalled Sergeant Davis for a moment, surprised she even knew the protocol. He then nodded and clasped his hands behind his back and started calling out the number of each press up she did. Beginning the session.
Daehyun rose an eyebrow and trudged over to watch, confused. "Why is she even..?"
"Don't just watch maggot!" Davis snarled viscously, "Follow suit! Double time!" The sergeant began clapping his hands at him loudly to snap him into action.
"Eh..Fine.." He grumbled, dropping down beside the biotic. He was only doing it to get him to shut up.
The Sergeant lifted his boot and placed it on Daehyun's back, applying pressure to make it difficult. "I didn't hear a yes, sir! You will show the right response to your commanding officers!"
Daehyun grunted, his arms shaking a bit under the added weight but he managed to continue. "Fine, Sir!" This comment only rewarded him with added weight to his back and his arms eventually caved in under him. Sgt. Davis was now pinning him to the floor with his boot. He attempted to push back to continue but he only pressed down harder. "..Yes, sir!" He finally yelled. The second those words escaped his mouth the boot was lifted and he was back up, executing the press ups with Keo now watching as she'd finished awhile ago into the struggle.
Keo stood at attention and the Sergeant nodded towards the bar he'd set up. She glanced over at it and frowned, heart sinking in her chest. She was terrible at this. The press ups she'd only just managed out of fear, she lacked in the upper body strength department. After receiving a yell for double time she jogged over and hopped up onto the step. Daehyun was still being yelled at and occasionally gave snark which was followed by more yelling. Authority issues. Shaking her head she calculated the distance from the bar and managed to only just grab onto it when she jumped. Unfortunately she was just hanging there. Legs kicked at the air and pain shot through her arms as she tried to do at least one pull up but failed miserably. After a good 10 minutes Daehyun had only just joined her when her hands slipped from the bar and she dropped down, arms burning intensely. Normally she'd complain or speak out about how she just couldn't but the second the Sergeant joined them, fear forced her to try again. Once again she hopped up on the step and jumped up to grab the bar, this time with Daehyun at her side to show her up.
Daehyun managed the pull ups easily, in fact he wasn't phased by the bar and completed the twenty pull ups in record time. Keo throughout the process had dropped multiple times and got up again only to repeat the cycle. Sgt. Davis allocated Daehyun with the task of running laps which he easily got to then turned his attention to Keo who'd started her struggle all over again. He'd give her the proper instruction then go right back to yelling at her which even Daehyun could see was only adding to the pressure. Daehyun had been ignoring the yells and abuse coming from the Sergeant up until he heard a cry of pain and the sound of a thud, he instantly turned and sprinted over to see Keo rolling around on the ground gripping at her arm.
"Walk it off, soldier! In battle you wouldn't be sympathised with!" Davis shouted, stoic in stature.
Daehyun cast a glare up at the sergeant as he helped the girl to sit up. "In battle she wouldn't be forced to do fucking pull ups!"
Sgt. Davis flashed Daehyun a look, matching his glare. "No but she'd be expected to be able to climb if needed, soldier. If your comrade is in danger on some cliff, you're expected to scale that cliff. No questions asked. If she can't conquer a bar, she can't conquer a cliff."
"She's a biotic, sir." Daehyun muttered. "I think she could just use her biotics to get them down. We aren't all soldiers here. If I fall from the bar you can yell at me because I know how to do it and if I failed I did something wrong. If she falls from the bar though scolding her for it will do fuck all as she hasn't been trained to physically be able to yet."
Keo winced and glanced between the two as they had a glare off. This boy was beginning to annoy her. First he wanted her dead then he defends her. Then he wants her dead again and now once again he's defending her. She pushed him away from her with her good arm and got to her feet, saluting the Sergeant instantly. "I apologize sir! I'm physically unable to do a pull up at this time but I'll get right to training so I can. Is there anything else I can do instead?"
Sgt. Davis nodded in understanding. "Very well, private. How's your arm?"
Keo kept the salute and stared ahead, "Just pulled a muscle, sir!"
"Laps then. You can still use your feet." The sergeant cocked his head in the direction she was to run in.
"Aye, aye sir!" She lowered her hand and started jogging around the lined out area of the training room.
Daehyun watched in more confusion, irritation sparking up. He'd been helping so shoving him away was uncalled for. With a click of his tongue he got to his feet and went back to his laps, catching up to her rather quickly. "What the hell was that for?"
Keo kept her gaze on where she was going, blatantly ignoring him. She wasn't being childish, he'd said not to even look at him so talking to him was out of the question. She was simply respecting his wishes even if it was now pissing him off. So she kept her focus and pace steady.
"Yah!" He almost yelled at her. "Aish, you're so fucking childish! When people help you, you thank them at least!"
That caused her to stop and grab his arm so he stopped with her. She'd probably die for it but she couldn't take it any more. So she began yelling at him, "Oh I'm childish? Who was the one who said they'd kill me if I so much as looked at him, hm?! You. I'm just respecting your damn wishes! Don't you dare yell at me for that! Do me a favour, if you truly hate my existence so much that you'd kill me for looking at you don't change your mind and be nice to me later. I don't fucking need your pity. If I hurt my arm or even break my arm, you continue on your way. Don't stop to help. Don't show any form of kindness. Just keep doing what you're doing. I've had enough of your bullshit for one lifetime. Pick a fucking mood and stick to it. You can't be horrible one minute then nice the next. You don't get away with that. You don't get away with completely terrifying me then changing your mind. So fuck right off and just do your damn punishment. I'll stay out your way so I expect you to leave me the hell alone. Alright? Right." She went back to jogging laps, only slowing enough for one final sarcastic comment. "But thank you."
Training had only really began but aside from Sgt. Davis's yelling the hall was quiet. Daehyun had completely shut himself off after the out burst, he didn't even talk back. It seemed the roles had switched all because the biotic had snapped. Keo was clearly pissed off and only seemed more driven to complete the tasks while Daehyun kept to himself and got on with things quietly, occasionally glancing at the girl with a scolded puppy face. It seemed like hours due to the lack of talking but the session was finally over and they were excused.
Keo held her elbow to keep her sore arm from shifting and causing her pain as she made her way to the medical bay. Every bone in her body was aching and it felt like she'd been tossed about like a rag doll but she knew this was only the beginning. She also knew she'd worried Kai and Jongup with her disappearance act but for once she couldn't let others sort her problems. Normally she would have ran to Kai if a bully approached her but she couldn't keep doing that. She had to take a stand and take control of her own problems for a change. Right at this moment though, her problem was a phantom with attitude issues. Daehyun had been following a few paces behind since leaving the training hall. For awhile she was panicking or worrying that he'd beat her up or something but now it was just frustrating. It was no surprise to her when she felt herself spinning around to face him, "What?" She snapped. "What now? Come to kill me for yelling at you? On you fucking go, tough guy."
Daehyun flinched and rubbed at the back of his head, stopping in his tracks. "Actually... I came to apologize.."
"Tch." She gave him the once over and turned to continue on her path. Keo had no time for this, he'd made his choice. Now he'd only get hostility.
"Yah." Daehyun stepped forward and grabbed her arm to stop her going anywhere but it only resulted in a cry of pain from her. Of course the arm he'd grab would be the sore one. That was his luck. He'd genuinely came to apologize but ended up hurting her yet again and now she'd doubled over in pain and started to cry because of it. Instantly he let go and pulled his hands back in case he caused more damage. "Crap.. I never meant.. Mian!"
Keo pushed back the tears stinging at her eyes and stood, gripping her arm now in some attempt to stop the throbbing sensation coursing through it. She went to go off on another tangent but the look he had on his face stopped her. He looked hurt and worried. Odd. "It's fine.." She mumbled, "I know you never. If you wanted to hurt me you'd probably use your sword." She never meant it but it came out as a dig and he visibly winced. She could see him mentally kicking himself for it.
Daehyun averted his gaze, "...Yeah." For some reason that comment felt like a kick to his gut. He deserved it but it still stung. Then again he'd scared the shit out of her and messed with her head, a dig was the least he deserved. "I'm sorry."
"For?" Keo frowned. She accepted it but she wanted to know if he understood what it was he was apologizing for. Even if he didn't she'd say it was alright and move on but it was just to see.
Reluctance was clear on his face and he fidgeted a little. "..Really?" He muttered to himself before looking at her. "For scaring you...I'm not good with people after.. Look I'm just sorry, alright?"
Keo nodded, beginning to see him get hostile again. At least he'd apologized. "It's alright. I'm sorry too."
Daehyun raised an eyebrow in confusion, "For?" Why on earth was she sorry? She'd done nothing except take his abuse.
She smiled and shrugged, "I'm sorry if my hug offended you."
"What? How can a hug offend someone? No, it didn't offend me or anyth- Wait. You're joking." He realised as he saw her begin to laugh. Daehyun pulled a face and let out breath. "Right."
"And you said I was weird." She mumbled before finally heading towards the med bay again. This time he walked beside her and made sure she got there alright. It was clear he felt guilty for everything but she was still uneasy with him. He could probably tell, she wasn't that subtle about it. One action that was too fast and she'd flinch which he'd abruptly apologize for. It was something they obviously had to work on but it was a start.
