Camarilla

01 nexton

Colette POV

My fingertips gently glide underneath Tamsin's eyes, carefully patting in a bit of makeup onto the darkness left on her skin from a sleepless night.

"We have all done it, Tam. We all know what you're feeling, the stress of choosing the path for the rest of your life. But today is the day, and then it's all over with and you'll laugh about how silly you were for being so nervous." I explain to her as Roxanne watches from the corner. "Mom would be so proud of you."

"It's more than just the stress. You knew what path you were going to go towards, you knew you'd have your dream job." She retorts. "I'm not sure I'm cut out for any of the factions." Roxanne sighs from the wall, retrieving something from her pocket before moving closer. She bends down to our younger sister, placing the small vial into her hand.

"Mom's secret recipe. Practically liquid courage. It will help calm you down, and clear your head." Roxanne explains. "Completely legal too." Tamsin nods slowly, staring at the vial.

"Don't take that." I shake my head, glancing to Roxanne. "There's a reason the President is taking action against Aircilafax, Mother gave it to us because it was normalized in her time, but it does have consequences."

"Like um, like what?" Tamsin whispers, staring down at it. "I could use some liquid courage."

"She hasn't taken action against it yet. The worst I had was the hangover feeling, but it was worth it." Roxanne shrugs.

"Roxanne used to chug that stuff, that's proof enough you shouldn't take any." I tell Tamsin. "You are braver on your own."

"Yeah, but I could also fail on my own." She huffs. "Some of the others were talking about the guy who scored zero for everything, they said they killed him. That he was a hindrance to the betterment of the society." She explains quickly. "They said if you don't score well enough it's out to space."

"If Rox can pass, you surely can." I promise her, squeezing her arm. "Plus that's not entirely true. The majority of lower-scoring citizens are sent to mundane jobs like janitorial staff." I assure her. "The boy who scored zero is a tall tale that has been around for generations." I say, cupping the vial in her hand. "Plus, they administer Nexton during the test, those two drugs can have a negative reaction." Tamsin nods slowly.

"I think I um, I think I'll go natural on this one." Tamsin laughs weakly, handing Roxanne back the vial. She shrugs and slips it back into her pocket.

"Someone will surely use it." Roxanne smirks.

"What happens if I'm put into a faction that I don't feel like?" She questions. "What if it's not till days later that I realize it's wrong?"

"You get to ultimately make the decision for yourself, the test is just to see where you are the best fit." I promise her. "Roxanne filled out...or was forced to fill out a change of faction form two weeks into her job. There are systems in place. Trust the systems."

"Can you stop making me sound like such a fuck up? I do good in my job now." Roxanne slightly snaps at me.

"You're a good example of mistakes not to make." I roll my eyes.

"I'm a good example of learning from your mistakes." She retorts with a scoff. "I wasn't made for the honesty of Veracious, sometimes it's necessary to lie and break a few rules, float me."

"Gladly." I mumble, glancing at Tamsin with a smile. "Are you ready? I'll walk you." Tamsin nods, standing slowly.

"I don't look like I haven't slept right? Like I don't look completely nervous?" She questions.

"You look smoking, sis." Roxanne assures. "You're gonna do good."

"Get to work." I remind Roxanne. "I'm sitting with Samaritans at the ceremony tonight. If you'd like to join me you may." I tell her as I grab my bag.

"We'll see." Roxanne shrugs, grabbing her messenger bag before moving down the hallway.

"Which faction do you think I'm going to be put into?" Tamsin questions. "Mom would want Samaritan." I link my arm with hers, guiding her down the hallways.

"Surely not Cunning. Maybe Veracious." I nod my head.

"Not Warrior? You don't think I have what it takes?" She questions, smiling at me.

"Mom made me swear not to choose Warrior, made Rox swear too. She was so terrified of us getting hurt." I shake my head laughing. "You'll be perfect at whatever is chosen." I promise as we push through the doors. I guide her up to the check-in desk, a member of Veracious behind the glass. "Tamsin Vaughn. Here for her placement test." I smile, laying my head on her shoulder. A few moments pass before the door on the glass slips open. She slides a wristband on Tamsin's left wrist and then slips her a small cup with a tiny pill inside.

"That's your dose of Nexton. Settle it under your tongue and allow it to dissolve. After we let that take effect for about ten minutes, you'll be called back." She smiles at Tamsin before shutting the glass. Tamsin stares at the pill as we take a seat.

"It doesn't taste bad, right?" She questions and I can tell she's stalling. "You know I can't do pills that taste disgusting."

"It's tasteless," I assure her. "Take it, Tam." I whisper. "I have to go to work once you're called back."

"You're-You're gonna leave me?" She questions. "What am I supposed to do after the test? I don't want to be alone until you get back. Could I just hang out with you?" She rambles, carefully taking the pill and resting it under her tongue.

"The um..." My voice trails off. "The test will be all day." I can say that right? She nods slowly.

"So you'll come back to get me? To walk to the ceremony?" She questions, resting her head on my shoulder.

"Yes, I promise." I nod my head at her, pressing my lips to her cheek. She intertwines her fingers with mine.

"If I get Cunning, will you be mad?" She questions softly, but she shakes her head. "How is work coming?"

"I'll never be mad at you." I assure her. "Good." I smile. A few more minutes go by before a woman in a dark coat moves out. "Tamsin Vaughn." She calls. I give Tamsin a tight hug before she is taken to the back.