Cora led her past a locker room, where Quinn deposited her bag, and into a room mostly carpeted in dark blue training mats. This was where they found the rest of the Hands. They were all dressed in loose, comfortable clothing, and either stretching or chatting. There were maybe sixteen or so. Their conversation died down when she entered.
"Everybody, this is Quinn." Cora said, amiably. "Quinn, this is everybody. Your trainer will be here soon. Until then, why don't y'all get to know each other? I'll see you around. I have some work to finish."
Cora left, taking Quinn's sense of security in the sea of strangers with her.
There was half a moment of awkward silence before one of the shorter, curvier Hands spoke up.
"Hello, Quinn. You're ripped."
"Thank you." said Quinn. "I'm training to be a firefighter."
"Then why are you here?" she asked.
"Hey, now." said one of the older Hands, perhaps in her thirties.
"I'm just asking." said the short one, throwing up her hands. "I mean, I'm sure there are easier jobs you could take in the meantime."
"I don't know." said Quinn. "Seems like this and firefighting go hand in hand-"
"Ayyyyyyyyyyy!" said the short one, at the unintentional pun.
Quinn shot her with finger-guns, and then continued, "They're both about protecting people."
"Well said." said the older one. "Nice to meet you, Quinn. I'm Tasheka. This rapscallion-" she indicated the short one. "-is Valeria. This is-"
Tasheka went on, introducing her to each of the Hands in their branch. Sometimes one of the others would make a ribbing comment when their friend was introduced, and Quinn got the impression that they were all very much a family, like a theatre cast. They all left their own impression, but one in particular stuck in her mind. A woman her own age named Saqui. Her brown hair was cropped close in a pixie cut, and she had a wiry build under her sleek clothes, making her look taller than she was. When she was introduced, she gave a simple nod, and a, 'Hey,' as if she was happy enough to meet her, but she had other things on her mind.
"Great." said Kinu, one of the more athletic Hands. "Now, we'll have to go through The Speech again."
"We could all do with another listen." said Yazen, then he looked pointedly at Valeria, who acted oblivious.
"What? What speech?" said Quinn.
"She means our trainer's orientation speech." said Tasheka. "You'll love our trainer. She really looks out for us."
"She'll also kill you." said Valeria.
"She won't kill you." said Tasheka. "Probably. We think."
