As the hover slows, Gale stands. He wears a white undershirt with a black scarf and black trousers. He crosses over to the doors, and faces the Manipulators. "Now, I am not a Manipulator, so don't expect me to help you. Nobody, not me, not Highest Pyre, not Orion, not Aileen are Manipulators," He frowns. "We lost our lead Manipulator a while ago."
A small girl wearing a raggedy brown dress gets up from her seat. "Sir, when will we see our families...?"
Whiplash senses a wave of sorrow wash over Gale, as he faces the door. "Uh... Someday. I, er, don't make the rules. The dictator does." Gale responds.
The girl looks down, beach blonde hair falling over her shoulders. The doors slide open, and Gale steps onto another platform, this time much more elegant. As soon as Whiplash steps out, the whole platform is cloaked in little geometric shapes of color. He looks up, seeing a huge stained glass roof. Looking at his skin enveloped in the color, he lets out a breath. Aileen smiles at all of the non-wealthy people in awe by the stained glass. "It's unfortunate you all did not get to witness this where you lived. The dictator is amazing, but alas, he cannot contribute to all people's needs."
She begins to walk down a red embellished carpet, from long ago. The same marble pillars from before line this carpet, this time with carvings. Aileen walks up many marble steps, opening humongous dark wooden doors with golden knockers and knobs. The groups follow, Gale and Orion on either side of Aileen now. As Whiplash exits the doors, it's as if they passed through a portal. They are in a garden of a huge mansion, on a pebble path. A small pond with birdbath a littering the area around it make a peaceful sound of rushing water, a sound Whiplash never heard before.
The winding pebble path leads to the mansion's back porch. It is pure white, with futuristic curves and features. "This here is Highest Pyre's residence. He has not married, nor has children, so the Highest has allowed Gale, Orion, and I to live here with him."
As they near the mansion, Whiplash notices flashes of neon run through crevices in the house, a nice touch. He gawks at it as they pass, watching as a flock of small birds fly out of a bush, causing him to jump. Gale and Aileen get in an argument. "Peh, you don't even know what it's like to be dirt poor." Gale growls.
Aileen looks back at him, frowning. "No, but I have an understanding--"
"You have to steal to live, you have to do what people tell you, you--"
"Enough." Orion says, dark eyes flickering.
They ignore him. Aileen continues. "Ugh! How can Highest Pyre put up with you?! You're so... Eck! Annoying! So childish!"
"I don't care about your opinions, with your giant crush on the Highest!"
Aileen blushes. "Uh...!" Was all she said, before picking up the pace.
Orion shakes his head. "These two argue all of the time. They hate each other with a passion. We all know one thing, these two will never become a couple! Besides, Gale's right. Aileen loves the Highest." He chuckles.
A small wave of laughter passes over the crowd. Gale sniffs, and continues forward. Orion lowers his voice to a murmur. "It's a wonder why Gale tenses at the mention of the Highest. Maybe he's jealous? No. I know Gale is close to the Highest, very close. The Highest orders everyone but Gale out of the room when discussing important matters."
"Everyone, once we exit the front gates, we will enter the heart of the city, and from there, the training grounds!" Aileen calls back to them from up ahead.
"That's where you will live the next five years of your life." Orion nods.
Whiplash looks at the small group of seven. They all exchange glances, as they stand before the frosted glass gates, strange patterns along it. The gates begin to slide open, Whiplash staring at what was before him. A large town square was bustling with people, entering stores for certain things. Where Whiplash lived, you had to work for items. Here, apparently, you just walked into a building and came out with it. Aileen began to walk down the street, Orion and Gale following.
Many people along the sides of the street cheered, as Aileen and Orion politely smiled. Gale, however, kept focusing ahead, paying the people no attention. Whiplash watched them. They all wore bright and wealthy clothes. Some had very frilly and fancy clothes, others futuristic and tight-fit outfits, with streaks of neon. "So this is where the best of the best are?" The girl with lavender eyes said, short black hair softly waving in the wind.
"Guess so. What faction are you from?" Whiplash responds, looking at her.
"Wealthy. But not THIS wealthy." She says in awe, staring at someone wearing tall shoes walking by.
"Hm. All of this is new to me. I come from the poor district."
"Huh. Is it true you had to fight for food, and do chores?"
"Eh, sometimes," he shrugs. "It's tough. There's barely enough food."
"I'm Luna."
"Whiplash."
"Cool. I've heard that Highest Pyre came from the poor faction, but was liked by many. Mostly because of his charm. It's a wonder."
"Who IS this Pyre guy?"
"Highest Pyre," She corrected. "It is necessary to address him by his important rank."
"Highest Pyre. Who is he?"
"He's handsome, I'll give him that," Whiplash could barely hear her as they walked past a place blaring music and flashing neon lights. "Like I said, he came from the poor faction, and rose in ranks. He can persuade anyone to do anything."
Whiplash nods. "So what's your power?"
Luna looks down at her palms, then back to the front. "I dunno if I should show you. Well, I don't care. Here it goes..."
She flicked her wrists as mesmerizing orbs of purple the same shade as her eyes flickered to life from nothing. Her eyes glowed the shade, as she closed them, extinguishing the flames. Whiplash applauds. She opens her eyes again, now not glowing. "So, what's yours?" She asks.
"Uh... I have no powers."
Whiplash frowns, and suddenly lets out a laugh. "Wh...Whaddya mean, no powers? You were chosen to be a Manipulator for a reason."
Whiplash nods. "I guess."
He was chosen, but what was his power?
