B.O.N.D.E.D.

1. Blaise: Propaganda Part 2

The representative did show up, but it was after another 10 minutes of waiting and whining. He looked surprisingly young, young enough that Blaise almost thought he was just another high schooler walking by when he first entered the door. He wasn't a hot model, but Darissa seemed to be satisfied with his level of hotness. Blaise suspected that his youthful look helped in keeping Darissa content. 

"Ahem," he walked on the stage slowly and cleared his throat into the microphone. He held up a script, took a glance at it, then slowly shook his head. A bitter smile crept onto his face, seemingly to comment on the absurdity of the script he was assigned.

Total propaganda.

He began with a most traditional "Hello, my name is Ernest Lewis and I'm your representative from the California Institute of Bonders." His voice was monotone, like a machine engineered by political ideals.

"For years, our government has been wanting to create an ideal Bonder-based society, and this can't happen without all of your help. The Institute is here to ensure everyone of you can become as great of a Bonder as you wish to be, and by doing so, creating a stronger group of talented people who can help our nation as a whole..." he went on, talking about the importance of professional Bonders in increasing societal values.

Blaise almost fell asleep at the never-changing script that all Trust Bonding conferences seemed to follow. It was just as she expected: dull and uninformative.

Looking back, it was as if reality itself refused to obey Blaise's prediction: something unexpected happened immediately after her judgment of the speech was formed.

"In the next few years, we are wishing to..." the representative paused in the middle of his speech, as if he didn't wish to continue.

Then, to Blaise's amazement, he crumpled his script in distress and tucked it away.

It was at this moment that Blaise realized the representative was going to be nothing like the other scholars or researchers who claimed to be knowledgeable in the field of Bonding. From his helpless expression, Blaise could tell that he wasn't going to follow the script and was to improvise the rest of his speech all by himself.

He seemed too hesitant for someone who had committed such a daring act, like he had completely lost his power of speech. After a while, though, he did start talking again.

"I'm here to tell you that being a Bonder is a good career choice... but honestly, it isn't," his posture became straighter, and his voice more determined, "Some of you will be better off doing something else, whether is an athlete, painter, or musician. I'm not saying these jobs are in any way 'bad,' I'm only saying that they are choices you should consider before becoming a professional Bonder. The path that I'm pursuing right now is tough, and it might be tougher than a lot of the so-called 'normal' jobs out there. So please, choose wisely. Once you decide to attend CIB, I'm afraid there is no return." For the first time, an actual, heartfelt smile appeared on his face. He was excited, Blaise noticed, he was excited about the topic he was about to cover.

His tone also completely changed. The change was so drastic that even someone as insensitive as Blaise could feel his passion, "Trust Bonding. I'm sure none of you have seen how it's done... well, the officials have their own meaning to sealing all the information regarding Trust Bonding... but, I'm here to assure you that, when you do see how it's actually done, you will be amazed at the true capability a Bonder can achieve. Trust Bonding is an art, an art that needed to be explored and appreciated. When you use it wisely, it can be truly beautiful and amazing. Hell, I had personally seen a drawing painted by a Bonder who never touched the brush with her hands." His gaze drifted away from the audience, as if he was feeling the Bond in the room.