The mess hall was set up cafeteria style, with two lines leading into the serving area and two lines leaving. The only choices they had were their drink and their dessert; water, or juice, and vanilla or chocolate ice cream. Kiera got her tray and joined Robyn, Gargax, Tamalyn and Isaac who had already sat down. She took a couple minutes to look for Locke but couldn’t find him. She had been surprised when he put her arms around her, but she didn’t object; he was cute.

“I drew the short straw,” Kiera said as she sat down, “Not only do I have Tracksuit in my barracks, but he has the bed right next to mine. We have Sergeant Savage for our proctor. He wanted to talk to me and Alanna, the other girl in the barracks, and when we came back in, Tracksuit had the audacity to announce that we were “showering” with him.”

Isaac shook his head, “That guy is a piece of work. Just from what I’ve seen he’ll likely fail to join an Officer’s Academy and have to do his service with the Planetary Guard. Of course, if he is a prince then he’ll get some cushy job with no responsibility and people to order around.”

“He’s not unique in the ‘seeing an opportunity to bed someone’ thought process. When Isaac and I walked in someone said ‘girl’ and all the guys turned their heads. A few of them then shot daggers at Isaac,” Tamalyn shook her head “The proctor in charge of my barracks did the same thing, brought the other girl and I out and gave us permission to handle anyone who got handsy however we saw fit and to report it..”

“That probably had something to do with the fact that I put my arm around Tamalyn and put my smuggest look on my face,” Isaac said, “Tam can handle herself, but if I can prevent anyone from attempting so she doesn’t have too…”

“That’s sweet,” Robyn commented, grinning. Kiera had to agree, both the guys that she had befriended here were genuinely good people, “A little overprotective, but sweet.”

Kinlsey joined them when she arrived and confirmed that the interest in girls was at an all time high in the enclosed barracks. Kinelsey also pointed out something that none of the others had noticed; there were ten bunk beds in the barracks able to sleep twenty people, but they only had ten examinees in each barracks.

“They might be planning something, or, it might just be so they can maintain this ratio,” Kinsley said with a shrug.

“Or get some insight into our personalities before going into the interview,” Kiera commented, watching one of the girls walk into the mess hall. A few of the boys following here were shoving each other to be closest to her. She pretended not to notice, but her body language gave her interest away.

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A yelp caught Kiera’s attention. Four guys held Tracksuit in the air by his arms and legs and were carrying him out of the mess hall, “He might deserve a butt kicking, but this isn’t the time or the place to be administrating vigilante justice.” Kiera stood up.

A hand on her shoulder pushed her back down as Gargax stood up from the table. He flashed Kiera a grin and followed after them. Kiera watched the ork leave the mess hall wondering if he was going to join the violence or put an end to it. The thought of Mr “Prince of Dalimar” owing Gargax a favor was amusing. The ork woman sat down on the opposite side of the table as Kiera and gave her a long look.

“Lucky,” she said, “Ork like that show interest in you.” Her Astrian was better than Gargax’s.

Kiera just flashed her a smile, “It’s flattering, but that’s all it’s going to be.”

“You have no claim?” the ork woman said, a grin spreading on her face, “Good. I claim him. He is in my hut. We mate tonight.”

Before Kiera could reply the proctors began announcing dismissals, “Have a good night, guys. Be safe,” Kiera said as Isaac and Tamalyn stood up to leave. She didn’t see Gargax before their barracks were dismissed. The ork girl walked with a spring in her step and a smug smile on her face. She was very different from Gargax and would likely be disappointed.

Tracksuit was already lying in his bed when Kiera arrived at hers. She was curious to know what had happened, but not enough to engage in a conversation with the arrogant boy. Instead she climbed into her bunk and was out in minutes.

-[]-

Kiera woke up in the middle of the night and headed to the bathroom. She didn’t think it was necessary to lock the door, as everyone should have been still asleep. She was proven wrong then someone wrapped their arms around her waist while she was washing her hands.

“There’s probably cameras in the bunkhouse, but not even the empire would be perverted enough to put a camera in here,” a voice whispered in her ear, “Door’s already locked, everyone else is asleep, perfect time for a shag, what do—” he was interrupted by Kiera elbowing him in the stomach. He lost his grip and staggered backwards.

“Maybe you didn’t listen before, or maybe you thought it was just the narcissist I was talking to,” Kiera said, turning around, “Or maybe you’re just trying to get out of the written exams due to a broken hand.” She grabbed the boy’s hand and started to bed it backwards. He gasped in pain.

“Hey, hey, sorry, I’m sorry! You’re a nymph aren’t you? I thought you’d be dying for a shag! I’ll leave you alone, just let me go!”

Kiera dropped the boy’s hand, “I’m an eladrin, I’m tired and I want to go back to sleep. What’s your name?”

“Ryan Long, why?”She unlocked the door and walked back to her bunk without saying anything else. After a quick message to Savage detailing what happened, she closed her eyes and fell back asleep.