Markom

12: The Obelisk | C

Cadmus swore. Loudly. And screamed. And yelled. And shouted into the void. He was beyond frustrated. Finally, he had found the girl he'd been dreaming about for years, only for her to be an insufferably conniving, painfully ignorant: Five.

He wanted to vomit; but instead, he was forced to sit in complete darkness, alone with his thoughts as the girl was quickly shuffled away. The metallic taste in his mouth didn't waiver and he felt the start of a bloody nose threaten to rupture and ruin his perfectly white uniform.

Typical Five, ruining everything. Though - despite the anger washing through him - he couldn't keep himself from being intrigued, curious even. He had never heard of a Five with questions, a Five capable of wonder. And she seemed to be fueled by the knowledge that she was different and unpredictable.

After what felt like hours, a team of scientists came to escort him from the Stadium. A white shuttle pulled in front and he boarded the empty bus. Another camera was there to greet him, verifying his status before the auto-driver instructed him to sit.

"Congratulations, One." It said before taking him away from the horrid arena. He was grateful to be done. Done with this stupid day and ready for his life to finally begin.

***

The shuttle stopped in front of an opulent tower within the Inner Court. The pillar towered above the entire city, the glass structure sparkling under the full Festival moon. The base took up an entire city block while the tip of the tower got smaller the further it climbed. If he wasn't so angry, he might even feel excited about entering his new home. But no, the scowl that painted his fair features would be hard to undo.

With a confident step, he exited the shuttle and walked through the glass front doors. A garden of greenery welcomed him within the massive lobby. Flora climbed on rods lining the foyer, while a collection of luxe velvet chairs and setees dotted a large sitting area.

Though the front desk was empty, a sign of the holiday no doubt, a single unopened letter lay on top of the marble surface. "Cadmus 01," was written in golden calligraphy.

Smirking, Cadmus opened the note to discover his Placement --

Welcome to your new life at The Obelisk. Forget all you think you know.

Room assignment: 112 - J

Cadmus rolled his eyes. What an ominous note providing zero helpful information. He followed the tile floor into a room with dozens of elevators. There he approached a stand with yet another camera that scanned his features. "Going home, Cadmus 01?" It asked.

His heart sank. "Yes." He replied weekly.

"Elevator, six." The voice commanded and Cadmus awaited his convoy.

When he finally boarded, the elevator shot up into the sky, taking him to his floor in a matter of seconds. He was a mess - strewn hair and bloody clothes - and had never felt further from his coveted status.

When the elevator doors opened, Cadmus bit his inner lip at the sight of his peers laughing and drinking in the large sitting room. Similarly to his childhood home, a number of stalls lined the large marble sitting room with whatever amenities a One might dream up. The layout was large and luxurious but he couldn't push down his annoyance at the thought of sharing lodgings with his peers. 

Glass windows lined the room and without a thought, Cadmus found himself looking out at the lowlands, wondering if that was where she had returned. 

His heart sped up at the thought that maybe socking him in the face had affected - or even helped - her status. No. She was a Five. A stupid, uncultured, Five. She was back where she belonged, Cadmus was sure of it... Yet why was it that he couldn't stop thinking about her? For years she haunted his dreams, and now the knowledge of her mere existence was sickening.

He shook his head, putting on his best smile for the group of Ones looking on. Cadmus looked down at his bloody uniform and flashed a wide grin. He had a story. Every One knew that a good story was the best way to friendship and, of course, status.

"I got in a fight," Cadmus grinned wildly. He faced the marble table as his peers lounged on the various leather couches and velvet settees in the center of the room. They were all - more or less - familiar faces, peers whom he had grown up with. Now, they were all to be a kind of family, in charge of looking out for one another. 

"Well you can't say that and then neglect to explain..." The silky voice of a small brunette girl cut through the laughter. Another girl reached for a corrupting confection by the fully stocked bar.

She turned to Cadmus as she placed a powdered cookie into her mouth. "What, Science tell, happened to you?"

Cadmus bit his lip. He was never an expert at weaving tales, especially believable ones. So he started with the truth. "They took me to the bottom of the Coliseum." The group leaned towards him, completely enamored. "For more tests, you know... because I am so worthy." He added for good measure. "... and They wanted me to execute punishment on an undesirable."

The group began to whisper and Cadmus reclaimed the attention of their room. "There was a vile Five who needed punishment for her disgusting behavior. I set things right and suffered the consequences."

"Did the Five fight back?"

Cadmus looked down. Of course, he had to explain his loathsome fate. "No, of course not. I put her in the place. This was just..." He found his words. "...a consequence of getting too close."

When he had answered all their silly questions, Cadmus excused himself to his room. He was eager to get away, to have some time - finally - for peace and quiet. He needed to process this strange day, this neverending adventure.

But when he entered his lodgings, Cadmus found that he wasn't alone after all. It seemed that quiet and solitude were not in the cards for him.

Instead, he found Casida in nothing but a bathrobe lounging on the large plush settee in the center of the room. "Science, Casida, what are you doing in my room?"

He couldn't keep the annoyance from his voice and regretted it instantly.

Casida's green eyes looked up at him wantonly. She pursed her lip. "Our suite, Cadmus." She said flatly. "We are promised to eachother and Placement seems to have sealed the deal."

"That's not what I meant. I just didn't realize you'd be here. I've had quite the day."

Casida studied him and glowered at his shoddy appearance. "Rough Placement?" She asked.

"You have no idea."

"Why won't you tell me?" Her words were dripping with urgency.

"I had to beat a Five. I got too close." He said simply.

"Science. For a moment, I thought that was your blood." She stared at his stained pants. "Thank Science you'll never need that thing again." She scowled at the boring uniform. "The bath is quite lovely." She offered and Cadmus turned to face the intricate bathing room that adjoined their large corridors.

"A bath does sound lovely." He agreed.

"Would you like me to join you?" She dangled herself before him.

"No," Cadmus said, flatly, instinctively, though his breath quickened. He wanted to scream at the violation of it all. Everything was happening so quickly. He needed privacy and quiet. "Not tonight, I mean."

She nodded. "Rough placement." He repeated both to Casida as much as to herself. With that, Cadmus kissed her tenderly on the forehead and drew a scalding-hot bath. He hoped that heat might melt the memories from today far, far away.