"Thank you. This really means a lot to me."
"And you standing means a lot to me. Come on. Pick your feet up. No more free rides on my Tree."
"What about your back?
...No piggyback rides?"
"You wanted this lifestyle, and now you're going to have it.
All of it."
"You know. Maybe I can…..come on feet. Stop slouching.
..Maybe I can help train the Non-bloods, and the fresh; how to get back to walking, you know. After they see that I can...they will."
"I'm sure Darius and Rainbow retrained Theresa."
"Not as much. She had four legs. All she had to do was remember what is was like without having back support. Then it's like riding a piano."
"Riding a piano?"
"You know what I meant.
But with Freshlings; like me; they have never walked a day in their life."
"That all sounds lovely, but before you can teach others; you have to teach yourself."
"I might be able to teach them how to walk and move, but who will teach them how to act in character?"
"I already have just the man for that task, thanks to Rosa."
"Rosa? You mean, Queen Rosa?"
"....Lesson one; 'Attire.'
"Present, but my name is Atarie, not Attire."
"That's not what I...…First lesson of the day is on clothing. Now, did all of you get the Memo for todays….."
"Memo?"
"I didn't think we needed a memo."
"What memo?"
"Miss, we do not need a dress code for fitting in. Our clothes represent the heritage from where we came from. To change would be to disown our Youth, and we do not ...."
*SLAP*
"Ouch."
"Mr. Theo. Let me make it very clear with all of you. I don't care who you are, where you are from, or how big you are.
I am here for one purpose and one purpose only."
"What's that?"
"To get you to where you want to go. Yes, you can lean on what you did in the past; but please. I repeat…..please.....do not....take it to your future.
If you do, then this Ruler, same as Theo has demonstrated so diligently for all of us, will also be used on you. Am I clear?"
"....Right on the Knuckles too. That's gonna leave a stain."
"So will your past if you bring it. We are here to wash...and scrub. Go to the changing station in the boys locker room. There, you will find a set of clothes with your individual names on it. I want you to get out of your baggy Potato sacks."
"Hey, now. You can't make fun of our…."
"And into some more comfortable clothing.
Can't teach a class who doesn't know the first thing about Hygiene."
"Yes, Mrs. Cora."
"......More like Cobra, if you ask me."
"What was that?"
"Nothing, Teacher.
Absolutely nothing."
"Darius, their is more than just nothing here.
We have Peace...Quiet...….Absolute Tranquility, and no disruptions.
A few more tests and we'll be ready for the Hunt?"
"Wish I could go, instead of just building these Blasters. I would really love to shoot one."
"Why can't you come, Darius? Your parents said you were too young and shouldn't be handling dangerous...."
"No. No.
I can't go because my parents called a family meeting. They want to discuss something with me, but won't tell me what. Raphael came back, but besides something being off with him; I don't want any more surprises."
"Hopefully you are not moving back home. I love hanging out with you and just talking about nothing in general all day. You are actually very smart for your age; but I understand if you have friends back home you want to see again.
When I am on Protection missions, I don't like to be out too long or else I will start worrying myself sick how my friends are at home."
"I actually don't have a lot of friends outside of the ones Ruby introduced me to."
"I'm sure her friends can be your friends too."
"That's what she said, but I want my own friends too. Just hard, you know.
Guess who was the only person who showed up to my birthday party this year; besides my family and relatives? And no, it was not my school Class."
"Ummm….The school Janitor? They always seem to know everybody."
"No, not the Janitor. He came last year, but was sick this time.
...My next door Neighbor. Said he didn't want me to feel alone."
"Must have been a dreary day, then?"
"Nope. Banana Nana picked me up and I got to hang out with Apple, in Chopped all day.
Then when I went home, Ruby greeted me."
"Those are true friends."
"But they are always so busy. I want my own friends. Friends I can hang out with at a moment's notice. Friends who when I pick up the phone, won't drop theirs. Please don't make me go back."
"Darius, maybe you are worrying for nothing."
"I saw the boxes.
If we are not moving away back home, then where are we moving to?"