Mortality

3 ~ Katrina

Prime Ward

-Katrina

"We are our own keys," Mistress Doll, my instructor for Kosmos Antiquity, waves her hands, walking about the classroom, "whatever door we open with them, cannot be tampered with. Whatever we want to say, whatever actions we want to demonstrate that is not the truth, can be found in our blood memories."

My parents speak often of blood memories, recalling it as though our lives are written books and the ink permanent. No matter how hard we try, we cannot rewrite them. I've never been able to see what blood memories are, my genetic mutation opting out that gene...though I hear depending on how long the blood is tasted, the gateway can feel like a flash of life slipping by. I think that would feel like a whirlwind and I'm surprised the rest of my peers are gifted with this gene, that they don't fall sick after seeing things at such high speeds.

Mistress Doll smiles and asks, "Has anyone been in trouble and lied?"

Of course, we all raise our hands.

"Has anyone had that lied challenged?" Mistress Doll asks her second questions, writing on the board the words:

Blood Trials.

She taps the last letter and turns around, seeing almost every hand raise. Mistress Doll asks, "How did it feel to have your life on display?"

Elodie raises her hand and Mistress Doll points at her. Elodie states, "It's an invasion of privacy."

"Ah, you believe you have privacy?" Mistress Doll asks her, challenging her response on an entirely different scale.

"Yes, and there are opulents forming a petition to be presented before The Synod to revoke this law," Elodie rises to her feet. She continues while placing her hands on her hips, "Unless there is reasonable evidence to believe someone has committed a crime, no one should be subjected to The Vanguard violating us!"

Mistress Doll nods her head and replies, "You have passion, Ms. Pyle. I see you want to reform Kosmos, perhaps a trade in law?"

"My parents work for the Ocklorns, and I understand what happens to those who simply look at them the wrong way," Elodie continues, engaging with Mistress Doll while I receive a few looks from the rest of my peers. She lifts her chin and states, "I want a better future, one where we are all equal and not defined by the status that we are either born into or tested by trade. It has to start small, and blood memories are precious...no one should be forced to show their life, their moments..."

Elodie's voice trails off, wavering. Hardly any sound comes from her as Mistress Doll motions for Elodie to take her seat. She does without another word, rubbing one of her eyes while Mistress Doll takes back the class' attention.

"Ms. Pyle isn't foolish to want change...but change comes at a cost, the price sometimes too high for one to pay," Mistress Doll writes under the Blood Trials:

Mr. Rexlin Collum

The vampire that instigated the use of blood memories, making them public domain.

Mistress Doll turns away from the board and says, "Mr. Rexlin Collum, can anyone tell me his significance in Kosmos Antiquity?"

Everyone in the classroom raises their hand. This isn't just taught in school, families passing down the lineage and antiquity to help their Offspring understand this law. My hand isn't raised though, staring hard at the board as if the memory of my parents was being relieved right now.

Mistress Doll calls on me, "Ms. Ocklorn?"

"Yes, Mistress Doll?" I ask, bringing myself out of my thoughts.