The Ranch

Representative Test (1)

Tih wakes up to the noisy bustling of voices and shoes from below. The sun in the sky indicates its morning, around seven o' clock. Tih gets out of bed and heads to the room on the left. Without knocking, he enters.

Looking around the room, Tih notices the rooms are an exact replica. He walks over to bump on bed to see a sleeping Phillip's face. His usual slicked back black hair is covering his face messily. Tih waits for him to wake up.

Phillip has a tendency to sleep in. If he happens to wake up early, he'll lay in bed until he falls asleep again. However today, no matter what he does, he can't go back to sleep. An uncomfortable feeling is prickling his body, giving him goosebumps. As he resigns himself to fate and decides to get up earlier than usual, he opens his eyes and flinches.

Startled, he tries to calm his beating heart and he talks to Tih," You're up? You could have just woken me up, it's fine. Anyways, are you hungry? Do you want to go get some breakfast?"

Tih nods.

Phillip smiles. He usually doesn't eat breakfast, because he wakes up too late, but since the adorable Tih is with him, he wants to treat the child to the most important meal of the day. "Okay, just give me a couple minutes to get ready." Changing to a white button-up and black slacks, he puts pomade in his black hair to slick it back. "Let's go."

As they walk to the cafeteria, Phillip says," I'll treat you to food on the fifth floor. Only influential individuals can eat on that floor. As master's student, I have access to it as well." He states proudly, not knowing that Tih is not only allowed up there, but is on good terms with the head chef, Instructor Raphael.

Tih silently follows Phillip up the spiral stairs to the top floor. They get in line to grab their food. "You can go sit down if you want, I'll pay for the food, Tih-"

Before Phillip can hand the worker his ID, the kitchen door slams open," Did someone say Tih!?" Instructor Raphael's eyes dart around the room before landing on a newbie. The man's mustache curls up in glee, "Tih! You're back! After a month of waiting, I given up on the idea.. Phillip? You... Wait, does that mean Tih was the newbie from the rumors!? The one that fell into a coma?!" The instructor looks at the child worriedly.

Phillip stares at the man in surprise," Instructor Raphael you...you're familiar with Tih?"

"Are you kidding me! This kid's a natural at prep work and all things cutting. I'd be an idiot not to put him to work. If it weren't for his lack of communication, I would have made him my apprentice in a heartbeat. Ah! Speaking of, I still owe you a month's worth of meals. Tih, I have some time on my hands, so I'll personally make your meal." Stating everything he has to say, he walks back into the kitchen to start Tih's food.

Phillip stares absentmindedly and laughs, Looks like you've got your own connections Tih..." He buys himself a meal and they sit down at one of the tables.

As they wait for their food, Phillip gives Tih some tips and tricks for the market, things he's learned from his master or experience, that'll be helpful for Tih is he's ever short on money, which most soldier are.

Instructor Raphael sets down two plates," Now that you're back, you can come help out any time. Ah, you'll still be paid in free meals of course." He smiles before leaving.

"Free meals huh...that's not actually a bad deal. Food is the one constant that everyone needs, since the dorms are already free. Having free food will save you, especially since it's food from the fifth floor. The ingredients used are of a higher quality that get more nutrients and have a better taste overall, they're super expensive because of that. Honestly, free meals here have more value than the wage of a worker."

They finish their respective meals and decide to part ways. "If you ever need anything, you k ow where to find me. Oh! I should introduce you to master next time!" Phillip waves goodbye.

Tih heads to the second floor to search for Kai and the others. He spots them in the large crowd and walks over.

"Hey! Tih! Where'd you go? Did you leave earlier than me? Why didn't you wake me up?" Kai grumbles.

"Good to see you're okay, Tih." Sherlock smiles.

Lucien nods his head in acknowledgement.

"We just finished eating so we're about to head to class. I was just talking about how my environment engineering instructor is complaining about how the newbie tournament is taking up all the attention." Kai says.

Sherlock comments," Same here, my accounting and logistics teachers keeping ranting about it."

"Same with computer science." Lucien adds.

Sherlock says," I guess the combat instructors and the science instructors have sort of a feud."

"Yeah, and they're more grouchy than usual, because of the tournament, so we better not be late." The group nod in agreement and leave the cafeteria.