Perfect School

Jonah:

I shook his hand gently. “I wont deny, she puts me on my ass more often than I'd like. This girl is amazing.” I reached out and squeezed her shoulder. “I strive to be just like her.”

I rolled my eyes as they both praised me. Their flattery was welcome but I knew that behind it somewhere was the desire from both to just get into my pants.

Jonah:

The night progressed smoothly. I talked with most of the people in the room, there were approximately two dozen competitors, most closer to twenty than we were. I got a good sense of them, Kira and I could easily take them, even in a group without much difficulties, with a few exceptions.

I walked back with Kira to our cottage, the teacher having already returned. “Interesting bunch.” I commented quietly. Most of them weren't, but a few stuck out to me.

I ran my fingers through my hair as we walked back, letting my mind wander until he pulled me in. "Many of them have more training than you do. Keep that in mind, but...yes. Interesting to say the least."

Jonah:

“I know they do. I'm sure there are even some that have had more than you. You are the youngest here after all.” And smallest, I though, though she had proved that was not an issue. The amount of training didn't matter, I thought. Experience did, but I wasn't too far behind on that. I had an upper hand in that I learned quickly, and remembered everything. Not only that, but I could analyze my opponent better than they could me.

"Mmm." I hummed noncommittally. "What did you think however? In sizing them up?" I slid a sidelong glance to him as we walked together. "I know you are better at reading people than I."

Jonah:

“They will be more skilled than the students we are used to at the school. Most of them were playing a part in there, just like us. It was the ones who weren't who will be most challenging I feel. If you don't play a part that means you have nothing to gain from it.” I said as we rounded a corner on the path and our cottage came into view.

"And what does that say of us who both played parts that we are not?" I challenged softly after a long silence. I stopped on the porch, turning to look at him after my question.

Jonah:

Her head was level with mine as she was on the porch and I had not yet stepped up. “I had something to gain.” I said with a shrug. “And you, I do not think you are capable of being yourself, you simply adapted an act to whatever situation you’re in.” I told her, looking into her eyes in the dim light.

"So too did they I would think." I cautioned him softly as I searched his gaze in return. I knew he wasn't wrong in his answer. But he wasn't right either. I wasn't anyone but myself, what ever I was. I wasn't normal by any standard, even among those who shared our profession.

Jonah:

“Mm.” I stepped up onto the porch and moved to get the door. “Your friend Sean on the other hand, he wasn't doing much to hide what he wanted.” I said, a tiny bit of sullenness in my tone.

My muscles stiffened slightly when he stepped up onto the porch but it faded as he moved past me. His tone and words made my fists clench a moment before I drained out my anger in a sigh.

Jonah:

“Oh,” I paused at the door, not quite opening it. That brought emotion out of her. Any true emotion was good in my opinion. “You don't like that I said that?” I questioned, scrutinizing her.

"I am not a toy Jonah. I was brought up to be a weapon, and I still view emotions as worthless. But you can't complain about others showing interest in me when you yourself are taken." She spun gaze cold. "The only person who owns me is Marie. Not you." She closed her eyes then and forced herself to calm, to let the emotions drain away until she was empty once again.

Jonah:

My pulse quickened.  “I don't want to own you Kira.”  I said flatly.  “And he wasn't showing an interest in you.  He may have a respect for your talent, but he doesn't care about you.”  I squeezed the door knob.  “I don't understand why you do nothing to deflect it when you know all he wants is to sleep with you.”  

I was not one to anger easily, and my temper was still under control, but her accusations on my character had struck a nerve.

I snorted softly and shook my head. "Don't tell me you don't want the same Jonah. I'm trained not to feel. I can still see others. Especially yours." I stalked off the porch and away from the cabin without another word. I'd let him get to me. While this hadn't been good on either end, this was his win.

Jonah:

I exhaled and stood still for a moment, watching the ground. Her words replayed in my mind a few times before I went after her. “Hey,” I caught up to her and reached out to grab her wrist. “I wont deny that what you said has truth to it, I've thought about it. But that isn't how I see you. If you said, lets go right now to your bed, I wouldn't do it. If I thought it would get me what I want maybe… But for you, your body isn't connected to your mind or soul. That is what I want to unlock.” I laid it out as honestly as I could.

I stared at the point we were connected, just watching his hand on my wrist. "You want to unlock my mind and soul?" I asked softly without emotion. "My mind is whatever task is before me and my soul...we don't get that sort of thing while being Assassins. But I won't stop you from trying I guess." Slowly my gaze traveled up his arm and chest to his face. "I don't have some hidden secret Jonah. What you see is what I am." It was strange, but I believed him.

Jonah:

I laughed and released her. “If you say so Kira.” I didn't believe her, at least, I didn't believe it was true. She probably thought it about herself, but she was wrong. “Are you going to stalk off into the dark or are you going to come inside?” I asked her, stepping aside so she could choose her direction.

I took my wrist back, curling my fingers around it as I watched him for a moment. In the end after an inner debate I turned towards the cabin and made my way up the porch.

Jonah:

Hiding a smile I followed her back to the cabin. I hopped onto the porch and moved to get the door for her. “After you,” I motioned.

I gave him a long glance after he opened the door before going right for my room in the back. Once the door closed behind me and I was alone I couldn't help but sigh and rub at my face. A frown darkened my face as I couldn't tell what was wrong with me.

Jonah:

I returned to my room going over the entire evening in my head. The conversations with kira had special attention, particularly the most recent one.

I slowly pushed aside the feelings and emotions that warred within me. Forcing my mind blank I slipped out of the dress and prepared my medicine. Taking it with a grimace I moved to the bed and curled up under the covers in my underwear. I stared at the door until slowly I fell asleep.

Jonah:

I woke up early in the morning, before Kira and took my shower before she would need to. When I was finished in the bathroom I could hear Kira stirring in her room. I got dressed and went to see what the plans for today were.