Adalina just watched, utterly helpless in this situation. She wanted to speak up and just take the punishment. She wanted to move on with class. She wanted everyone in one piece and good spirits. Yet, she wanted freedom. She wanted peace. She wanted friendly cooperation. Nothing forced by punishment or the will of a stronger personality. The feelings were whirling around inside of her, making her dizzy. She held her head with her hands to stop the swirling. It lessened a little.

"Enough." She heard herself say. It wasn't really her though. It was some part of her deep inside that was more courageous then the Adalina she was used to. "Just do what you want. Just like we'll never learn anything from being tortured all the time, we'll never learn anything from fighting it and prolonging it." She turned to the man. "Do what you want and get it over with so we can move on."

Midori said
Spark ignored the others and sat next to Alastair. She wasn't very impressed with 'moon girl' but she was curious about Alastair's fire ability. "These three won't last long if they keep bitching to the old man." She lit up a smoke and offered one to him. "So you're pretty hot, Mister Pyro." Despite not really caring about the others she was eventually going to be working with them so she could at least get them to be cooperative.

Alastair took the ciggerate from her, "Oh yeah in two ways you know all the ladies go after the guy with the red and black demonic arm that can control fire." He said in a sarcastic tone taking two drags from the ciggerate and handing it back to her, Alastair had to admit he was fairly good and in great shape but the arm really did throw most girls off. "And you miss spark I find the name ironic to say the least."

Atisuto watched her show off her abilties. A bit more impressive than the electricity, but merely only deserving of a 'myeh', anyways. He then was interested in this new argument between Vlad, Lucy, Adalina, and Cassandra. Most of them were idiots, Vlad tried to abuse them to force them to do well, Cassandra spoke out even when it was quite obvious Vlad could punish them however he wanted, Adalina made the same mistake Cassandra did (likely going to increase said punishement), and Lucy was wanting all the punsihements Vlad would give to the others onto her. Atleat Lucy was courageous, he'd give her that, but all of them idiots, nontheless.

Obviously, he wasn't going to interject, he didn't need any open wounds, and he certainly didn't need to be caught.

Lucy turned her back to Adalina, gritting her teeth. "Stop it! I said I'd be fine. I may seem stupid for taking punishment, but if we're the only people with the balls to do anything, than fine!"Turning back to Vlad, she glared at him, hate clear in her eyes. "Do it. Show them what happens when you try to leave. Finish what you started with me." Done with her outburst, Lucy glared at him, shaking hands balled into fists. She'd had enough. Vlad could beat her until she bled, he could make her cry I front of everyone, but she wouldn't let that girl get hurt. It was like watching her childhood all over again.

"I know what it is to be helpless. I know what it is to be under someone's thumb. I know what it is to experience pain every day of my life. And I promised myself when I frwed myself of that, I wouldn't let it happen again. To anyone I know." She looked to Lucy, and Adalina. She tended up, and looked to Vlad.

"So the only way you are going to have me powerless is if I'm dead or out of it." She glanced about for any guards, wishing she had some weapon that wasn't her power.

Caits said
"I know what it is to be helpless. I know what it is to be under someone's thumb. I know what it is to experience pain every day of my life. And I promised myself when I frwed myself of that, I wouldn't let it happen again. To anyone I know." She looked to Lucy, and Adalina. She tended up, and looked to Vlad. "So the only way you are going to have me powerless is if I'm dead or out of it." She glanced about for any guards, wishing she had some weapon that wasn't her power.

"Don't tempt me Cassandra. I don't need you that badly. There are other young criminals out there." Vlad told her before turning his attention to Lucy. "I will finish what I started with you. But that doesn't change Adlina's punishment. You WILL learn that my word is law. Take your shirt off. You can keep it to cover yourself. No sense in giving the boys a free show. Cassandra, Adlina move back along the wall. If you don't I will tranquilize you all and I will dish out the punishments while your out. Which means you wont be able to protect yourselves or each other. I can do more in private then I can in this room. So make your choice now."

Lucy took off her shirt, revealing long, still healing cuts that the whip had given her. Facing back to Adalina, she nodded her head reassuringly. It was alright she had gone through this before, and Vlad was right. In the end it didn't matter to her. Her wounds would heal. She made sure to cover herself as Vlad ordered, even though she was wearing a bra. She kept her feet shoulder width apart, knowing from experience that it would keep her steady. If she fell, it would only hurt more. Eyes scanning the room, they flicked past everyone. Spark was by the wall with Alastair, Cassandra was now standing, and the others were spread out along the gym. Closing her eyes, she drew in a long breath and smiled faintly. Someone actually cared for her. She would survive, and nothing Vlad could do other than straight out killing her would stop that.

Adalina was beginning to feel something akin to anger sink in. She could feel the muscles in her hands and arms tighten. This was the part she couldn't control. The anger that lead her to the change.

"I respect your choice, but I can't keep letting people get hurt on my account. It's not fair in any way, shape or form." She kept her gaze on the floor, trying to maintain control. "You're very kind. As is Cassandra, But I don't want to be the reason anyone gets hurt. Call me stupid. Whatever. This was the punishment agreed upon for Cassandra and it's bound to happen soon enough so why not get it out of the way and put an end to the paranoia."

She flexed her fingers, trying to release the pressure. She didn't want anymore issues.

"I forfeited my life a long time ago, Vlad" Cassandra said softly "I'm not scared of you" she took a deep breath. While she wasn't afraid to die, she could afford to die right now. But she didn't have to stand and watch as he hurt others in front of her. She knew she wouldn't be able to do it, not without breaking down, but she could see any way out of it. With frustration, she stepped back, stepping towards Adalina.

She glanced about for a way out of this, but could t see one. She cursed to herself, and swallowed, and shivered lightly. How was she going to stand this? Strength and power seemed to fill her again, as looking for a way out, she reached for the lunar energy again, but knew she couldn't act

KindledBeast said
Alastair took the ciggerate from her, "Oh yeah in two ways you know all the ladies go after the guy with the red and black demonic arm that can control fire." He said in a sarcastic tone taking two drags from the ciggerate and handing it back to her, Alastair had to admit he was fairly good and in great shape but the arm really did throw most girls off. "And you miss spark I find the name ironic to say the least."

"Ironic?" A single pop of static went off as her eyebrow twitched. She took a drag from the cigarette. "You wouldn't say that if I shot 50,000 volts up your ass." Another drag from her cigarette and she handed it back. "Spark is the handle I gave myself when Vlad gave me my power. Figured since we're going to be S.F.* soldiers we might as well have code names too. My real name is Wong, Sandra Wong. What's your name anyway Pyro?"

*S.F. = Special Forces

Roxy sat on the floor. She wrapped her arms around her legs. She pulled her pulled her legs to her chest and buried her head. She couldn't watch. She didn't even want to be here when this happened. Her back she still raw from her session with Lucy. None of them knew how lucky they were. Here in the open Vlad could only touch them so much. If he tranquilized them he could do anything he wanted. She hoped that they would shut up before they made things worse.

Dark Angel said
Lucy took off her shirt, revealing long, still healing cuts that the whip had given her. Facing back to Adalina, she nodded her head reassuringly. It was alright she had gone through this before, and Vlad was right. In the end it didn't matter to her. Her wounds would heal. She made sure to cover herself as Vlad ordered, even though she was wearing a bra. She kept her feet shoulder width apart, knowing from experience that it would keep her steady. If she fell, it would only hurt more. Eyes scanning the room, they flicked past everyone. Spark was by the wall with Alastair, Cassandra was now standing, and the others were spread out along the gym. Closing her eyes, she drew in a long breath and smiled faintly. Someone actually cared for her. She would survive, and nothing Vlad could do other than straight out killing her would stop that.

Vlad signaled for one of the guards to hand him the whip. The guard left the room and retrieved the whip. "You are all so brave. This is a good quality in soldiers. But you needed to learn to take orders. Since most of you are not natural follows you need discipline. Most of you would not be intimidated by the methods of disciplined used on regular soldiers. I will keep trying different method until I find something that you fear. Something that makes you do what you're told to do."

Midori said
"Ironic?" A single pop of static went off as her eyebrow twitched. She took a drag from the cigarette. "You wouldn't say that if I shot 50,000 volts up your ass." Another drag from her cigarette and she handed it back. "Spark is the handle I gave myself when Vlad gave me my power. Figured since we're going to be S.F.* soldiers we might as well have code names too. My real name is Wong, Sandra Wong. What's your name anyway Pyro?"*S.F. = Special Forces

"Well it's a pleasure miss wong, my names Alastair." He said before realizing that all the others we watching in horror as a girl took off her shirt about to receive grusome whipping it drive Alastair crazy he stood up and walked infront of the girl snapping his fingers once more he watched the flames slowly crawl up his arm, "Vlad you said they needed discipline and needed to learn to follow a leader, Well since you won't be out in combat with us I suggest you let her go I'm going to nominate myself as captain of the squad and the captain takes responsibility I'll take care of her punishment later but I suggest that I be the one getting the whipping for my lower squad mate I will teach them to be subservient sir." Alastair said snapping his fingers agin watching the fire disappear he put his arms behind his back like a good solider.

KindledBeast said
"Well it's a pleasure miss wong, my names Alastair." He said before realizing that all the others we watching in horror as a girl took off her shirt about to receive grusome whipping it drive Alastair crazy he stood up and walked infront of the girl snapping his fingers once more he watched the flames slowly crawl up his arm, "Vlad you said they needed discipline and needed to learn to follow a leader, Well since you won't be out in combat with us I suggest you let her go I'm going to nominate myself as captain of the squad and the captain takes responsibility I'll take care of her punishment later but I suggest that I be the one getting the whipping for my lower squad mate I will teach them to be subservient sir." Alastair said snapping his fingers agin watching the fire disappear he put his arms behind his back like a good solider.

Vlad crossed his arms and studied Alastair. "And why should I allow this? Why would they follow you any better then they follow me? How will you discipline them?" He asked. He wasn't really considering the idea. There was no way he would allow any of them to have any type of power. Still he was proud that his 'son' had stepped up to that the leadership role. He was curious to hear the answer to his questions.

KatherinWinter said
Vlad crossed his arms and studied Alastair. "And why should I allow this? Why would they follow you any better then they follow me? How will you discipline them?" He asked. He wasn't really considering the idea. There was no way he would allow any of them to have any type of power. Still he was proud that his 'son' had stepped up to that the leadership role. He was curious to hear the answer to his questions.

"We will need a battlefield captain it's no doubt that you're in charge here but on the battlefield plans go to hell and the need for a leader is needed to keep things from becoming chaotic and there being complete anarchy, I seem to be the strongest out of the current experiments that's why I feel they would follow me into battle, I will also punish them to the degree of there actions from physical training to beatings, Sir." Alastair said keeping his posture like a solider would keeping his eyes forward at all times.

KindledBeast said
"We will need a battlefield captain it's no doubt that you're in charge here but on the battlefield plans go to hell and the need for a leader is needed to keep things from becoming chaotic and there being complete anarchy, I seem to be the strongest out of the current experiments that's why I feel they would follow me into battle, I will also punish them to the degree of there actions from physical training to beatings, Sir." Alastair said keeping his posture like a solider would keeping his eyes forward at all times.

"That is true." Vlad acknowledged. They would need a leader once they left the labs. Still he wasn't convinced that Alastair was telling him the truth. The boy wasn't the sort to resort to physical punishments. He held the whip out to his 'son'. "Prove it. Finish giving Lucy the 15 lashes she has left. Show me that your not just trying to save her from the pain of her punishment."

Adalina had calmed down a little now. Since the boy had stepped up, it seemed as though things might finally get moving. She still wasn't happy about having to watch the girl, Lucy, she assumed, get beat, but if it ended the quarrel and moved things back to training, it might do them all some good. Besides, the guy was right. Considering Vlad had no powers him self (at least she assumed he didn't), he wouldn't likely be fighting with them. They would need someone to take orders from on the field. As for whether this guy was the best choice, she didn't really know and she didn't really care.

KatherinWinter said
"That is true." Vlad acknowledged. They would need a leader once they left the labs. Still he wasn't convinced that Alastair was telling him the truth. The boy wasn't the sort to resort to physical punishments. He held the whip out to his 'son'. "Prove it. Finish giving Lucy the 15 lashes she has left. Show me that your not just trying to save her from the pain of her punishment."

Alastair took the whip, I have to learn to take responsibility for my squad if not then I could become a tyrant and only punish my squad having them revolt against me, he took off his own shirt still half covered in cuts. If she or another one of them gets out of place I'll punish them but like I said I would receive this punishment If not I would be forsaking my word and then they wouldn't see me as a leader more of a dictator." Alastair said truth fully handing the whip back to him turning his back to Vlad keeping the solider stance he previously had, it was logical that the leader take the beating but he was very serious about them getting punishments from him if they were getting crazy he thought back to what he said to the other kid about breaking his arms if he ever makes a attempt to kill a teacher agin Alastair knew now that he had to keep his word on that none of them could get out of line without punishments from him anymore.

Spark watched as everyone else seemed to get worked up over Vlad's disciplinary measures. She was no stranger to getting beaten up but there really wasn't any reason to disobey the old man in the first place. From Spark's point of view it was their own fault for rattling the bars on their cage. Alastair's interjection was interesting though. He wanted to lead their squad? She didn't really think him the type of person but she was glad she wasn't being given the responsibility. The last thing she needed was to be responsible for a bunch of idealistic brats. She could tell that most of them had probably never even held a weapon with the intention of using it before, let alone actually killed someone. They were all so innocent and childish in her eyes. Spark learned early on that the harsh reality is that most everyone is in it for themselves and worrying about what is 'right' and what is 'wrong' was a waste of time. Living to see tomorrow is the only thing she cares about. Next to that fighting and killing was a small price to pay. She took another drag and leaned back in her chair.

"For fuck's sake, you dumb shits signed a contract voluntarily and all you do is complain the whole damn time? None of you are in jail getting butt-fucked by your cell mates, you're going to get the best training in the world, you have no bills to pay, and to top it off you've been given crazy ass fantastical powers!" she took another drag from her cigarette. "It's no surprise the old man wants beat your sorry asses. You all think that this is play time at Uncle Vlad's Playhouse but it's not. We're here to become soldiers not whiny little bitches who can't follow directions. You're all a fuckin' disgrace."

"Just because you are a hard arse, and don't give a damn about anyone but yourself, doesn't mean the rest of us have to be! Yes, I signed up for this. But if I had known what the cost would be-this evil, this treatment, this utter lack of regard for basic human dignity, I wouldn't have done it. I did it because I let perhaps one of the most evilest people I have known give me no other way out but to kill them, and I wasn't going to let that ruin my life. I will gladly follow someone who deserves to be followed, and not someone who thinks getting people in line revolves around punishment and negative reinforcement. It's not going to work on me." Cassandra was furious at Sparks attitude. She didn't even stop to think that she had just said she was a murderer

"If you think anyone deserves to be beaten, tortured and otherwise messdd up, then I feel sorry for you. Because you deserve to be here, you heartless fiend. Some of us were given no choice in the matter. I know one thing. I'll never become a monster like you, Spark. I'll never let myself. Because you can't see when someone gives a damn about you, and that makes you cranky, heartless and all about yourself"

KindledBeast said
Alastair took the whip, I have to learn to take responsibility for my squad if not then I could become a tyrant and only punish my squad having them revolt against me, he took off his own shirt still half covered in cuts. If she or another one of them gets out of place I'll punish them but like I said I would receive this punishment If not I would be forsaking my word and then they wouldn't see me as a leader more of a dictator." Alastair said truth fully handing the whip back to him turning his back to Vlad keeping the solider stance he previously had, it was logical that the leader take the beating but he was very serious about them getting punishments from him if they were getting crazy he thought back to what he said to the other kid about breaking his arms if he ever makes a attempt to kill a teacher agin Alastair knew now that he had to keep his word on that none of them could get out of line without punishments from him anymore.

Vlad turned Alastair around and placed the whip in his hand. "You are right and you are wrong. Lucy will receive her 15 lashes for escaping. Then if you wish to take Adalina's place for Cassandra's mouthing off then you can do so. Have you will first prove to me that you can inflict the punishments I deem appropriate. You will not be the one decided the punishments in this lab. Sparks is right you all agreed to training. Punishments are only handed out when I feel they are necessary. I can be a very nice guy when you cooperate. .But so far the only one even trying to cooperate is Sparks. Now last chance. Take the whip and deal with Lucy or I will send you all to your rooms and deal with you separately."