"PATROL SQUAD A19, REPORT TO THE GATES." A loudspeaker called, bursting through the streets of the Oasis, falling on the deaf ears of the civilian husks around. They simply continued with their business, crowding the streets of the market quarter, buying foods and trinkets, haggling prices, living.
As Freya exited a small building, one she'd been issued and made her home, the crowds parted for her and her heavy boots. Hefting a bag on her back, she walked, emotionless and quickly, to the nearby transit center. Some husks stopped and stared at her, watching her go, but she didn't care. She had other things on her mind. She hadn't yet met the team she had been assigned to, and already it was time to patrol. So much for having time to settle in.
As she thought about the most efficient way to work with her group- and, about how they would be, the bullet monorail sped into the station, stopping as if timed for her. She boarded, and sat down before the vehicle took off, heading quickly towards the gates.
There were several other people on board, some of which- a few children and an old man- stared at her. She felt as if they could tell she had not been born in an Oasis, their judging eyes on her- especially the old mans'. In response, she moved her hair to show the metal studs in her ear, hoping that they carried significance here.
All it did was bring one of the children- A child who was still in the process of having their soul removed, come near curiously.
"Why's your ear shiny?" The child seemed to be a boy, as far as Freya could tell. "And, why do you have those marks on your face?"
She arched a brow, sliding her glasses down to look at the child, her lifeless eyes meeting the child's.
"They're shiny because I was awarded studs, for bringing more people to safety." She explained, feeling like she had to dumb down her words. "...They indicate my rank in the patrols. The marks on my face are there because of my job. Some people don't want to be safe, and will hurt others to make them go away."
Though her memories caused a logical error in her head when compared to her words, she didn't mind. She knew she was speaking the truth now, even though she had a dangerous job. As she understood it, She was to patrol since she had insisted to live a life of danger.
The child nodded, moving at first so he could better see Freyas' piercings. "Oh wow! You must be really good at your job, since I've never seen another person with those!" The childs' enthusiasm and what was left of their soul made Freya uncomfortable, and she moved her hair back to cover her ear. "But..Who doesn't want to be safe?" The child moved to the other side of Freya, unable to hide how he was looking to see if she had more studs. Hoping the child would go away, she parted her hair to show the other studs.
"...People who don't know any better." She looked at the child coldly, glancing to the others who were watching her nervously. "...Go back to your friends. I am due to go on Patrol today, and I would rather not talk." She adjusted her bag, the kid moving away, though, watching her until she got off.
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The monorail ride over, Freya was now in a dryer, less green area near the gate. There were few other husks around, sans a large armored jeep being loaded with supplies, and some Patrol officers. She approached, nodding to them respectfully as she approached.
"Freya from squad A19, reporting in, and waiting for assignment." She pulled down her sunglasses, finding that still, even now, the hairs on the back of her neck stand up when making eye contact with a husk of higher rank.
"SALUTATIONS. YOU ARE ASSIGNED TO THE ROLES OF INSTRUCTOR, DRIVER, AND DIPLOMAT ON YOUR PATROL." Its voice wasn't too loud, but it felt as easy on the ears as a jack hammer. "PLEASE WAIT IN THE VEHICLE PROVIDED. YOUR COMRADES WILL BE HERE SHORTLY." Desiring very much to not hear the Officers' voice again, she got behind the wheel, pulling her sunglasses back up, fixing them in place to make the hairs on the back of her neck go down. As she began to mentally prepare (again), the Officer approached her. "IT HAS COME TO OUR ATTENTION THAT YOU'VE YET TO MEET YOUR NEW COMRADES. IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO KNOW ABOUT THEM?"
"...Negative." She responded quickly, her body, mind, nad memories agreeing that she loathed the sounds an officer made.
