Author Games: The Final War

Task One: Females

Fire Strong: Adena Bayzil

“So, what do you think about fighters? Good or bad?” said Drystan, twirling a piece of Makennas hair between his fingers.

I twirled my own hair my fingers, a nervous habit I'd had since I was a kid. I looked up at the couple sitting across from me, and decided on my answer.

“It doesn’t matter if they’re a fighter or a Strong, everyone’s different.” I say.

Makenna narrowed her eyes; did I say the wrong thing? I wonder for a second, before she nodded

“Good one. Next question; how did you first find out about your ability?”

I sighed inwardly, this is a good story. “Well, I remember being really little, and I was playing dress up with my cat, Archie, anyways, he wasn’t letting me put the dress on and I got really flustered and angry, and then the dress caught on fire, and my parents rushed in to save the cat.”

Drystans eyes got wide, “did the cat make it?”

“I don’t know, I left a few days after that and I don’t really remember.”

“Ah, well, anyways…” said Makenna, looking at a list in front of her, “What would you do to stop the spread of a new disease?”

Oh, they’re not going to like this one, “Uhm, I think Quarantine is the best way to do it, then research until there’s a cure, or if it dies out.”

“You’d let all those people die?” said Drystan, and I nodded

“Right, nest question, would you support building shelters for the wreaks and mediums who are thrown out of their own faction?” asked Drystan

“Yes, I-I would, support that,” I say, my voice faltering as I try to recover from my heartlessness on the last question.

“Right, would you let strong born in fighter factions go to strong faction?” ask Drystan

“And vice versa for fighters?” added Makenna

“Yes, but I'd allow for visitation between them, I never really got to know my parents, and I think I missed that.”

“Good, now why do you think you were trained?” said Drystann

“Because I’m a strong,” I say simply

“Alright, and one last thing, could you show us some of your strength?”

I grinned a little, “Where?”

Makenna produced a candle from somewhere under the table, “Show us what you can do.”

Within second the candle was completely obliterated, wick, wax and all.

“Very good. Next” called Drystan, and I was ushered out

_________________________________-

Earth Strong: Avani Granger

I stand in the wings, watching as they talk to Randy in the little room. He seems to be playing the “strong and tough” card, his voice seeming to deepen into a rumbling bass. A true gentleman. I smile as I remember the unsure atmosphere when we met, as if we were trying to distinguish between friend and enemy. Definitely friend, I think.

I shake my head as if wiping a slate clean. What am I saying? Grow up, Avani, I scold myself, slapping the tree tattoo on my forearm. You forgot boys long ago. Leave them in the dust. Randy might be dead before you know it.

The buzzer sounds, and a security guard pushes me into the living room. The seats are dark, but I can make out two faces under the gleaming white spotlights. The interviewers give their oohs and ahhs of approval as they see my dress, and I force my mouth into a thin-lipped smile. I had wanted to wear my uniform, a beautiful pairing of camo with camo, but I was denied. “You need to look… eh, fabuloso,” my Hispanic stylist had told me. “Camo is for fighting. This is a dressy event.”