"And what other skills might you bring to the Compound?" the Examiner asks the new applicant.

"I w-was the 3rd lead in Dance Club--"

Walking through the door and standing with my hands behind my back, I raise my chin. "Pardon us, we have a special applicant due to arrive soon. You may continue your interview in Room 8," I subtly grin.

"Yes, Mother Elin," the two face me, and calmly vacate the room.

I walk over to the Examiner's desk, and stand by the chair, briefly indulging my fingers in the silky, velvet covering. How endearing, for whoever might find herself working here day in and out.

"Ms. Kruger has arrived, Mother," one of the escorts state over earworm.

"Splendid. Let's begin."

The door reveals Lorianne, dressed in a grey UWWA crop top, leggings, hair tied in her usual ponytail. She is slowly chewing on what I assume is gum, eyes baggy and glaring sternly.

"What a pleasure to have you here, Ms. Kruger," I smile.

She keeps her eyes at the desk. "Thank you.... Mother."

The agent pulls out a chair for her on the opposite side of the desk. "Anything you'd like? Refreshments?"

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"No, thank you."

"Fair enough." We both take our seats. She looks flatly at me.

"Dare I ask, how the Jackal Hunter role is suiting you?"

Hesitation, before, "It's... okay."

"Is that so?"

Silence.

"And I ask not to insult your intelligence-- I am geniunely curious," I rest my chin on my knuckles, "I'm not 100% sure of what you feel about your performance, but the show is doing well, and I can only hope you are too."

She looks up and down, observing my jewelry, dress, hair, and shoulders.

"Is there anything 'not okay', or 'not okay enough'? Or are you here-"

"...to become a Chosen, correct," she bursts.

"Mmm. You'd make quite a wave at the Compound in Cauldron, or any Compound you choose. But that wouldn't be a request I'd deny," I raise a brow. "The Compounds would also love the variety, and you might even bring another show to them."

She holds firm in her position, sitting upright with her hands in her lap.

"You don't have to tell me everything. If you so wish, you've more than rectified your initial sentence, and after the final four weeks that remain, you may leave your current position, or stay as you so choose-- you are welcome either way."

"I'm honored, M-mother."

"If such a word bothers you, you may address me as Elin from hereon."

"Is there anything else you need from me?"

"I'd ask you the same, otherwise nothing except to see you again sometime soon, Daughter," I smile in genuine gratitude, hoping to get that across to her.

"Thank you."

"The pleasure is mine."

The agent opens the door, and Lorianne rises from the seat, eyes trained quietly downward.

A change of heart from what she once was, but woman is a fickle creature. A phoenix arose from the ashes, then seeks a landing and a nest for her pending brood.

"I'm ever so grateful for Academy security finding her 10 years ago, what a charm," I tell the guard. "As well as the medical team for reviving her after her incident with the glass."

"Yeah," she grunts.