Perfect School

Jonah:

What a mask she put on, I though seeing the transformation she went through from the time we took off to the time we landed. I followed her example and put all of my thoughts and feelings behind an untouchable barrier in my mind. On the outside I would remain outgoing, Marie knew or would be told how I was, I couldn't act like a different person. It would be carefully controlled though, my thoughts were my own and I planned to keep it that way. No one would be wriggling in my mind.

Once the plane had landed I grabbed up my backpack and slipped it on both shoulders before holding the duffle bag with one hand.  I stood by the door as I looked to Jonah, "Last chance to back out.  No shame in it if you do."  Without another word I slipped through the open door and down the waiting stairs.  At the bottom were four people two to a side and they bowed as I reached them.

"Welcome back Kira.  Marie welcomes you home."  The one on the end said after straightening.

I looked him over then nodded.  "It is good to be home James."

Jonah:

I followed her without hesitation, shielding my eyes from the sun as I stepped out. The air was hot and humid and lacked a breeze of any kind. Ignoring the discomfort, I politely introduced myself to the four and summed them up by their reactions and body language.

I glanced back at him before moving on to the limo. She slipped inside and settled against the wall green eyes locking onto the occupant inside. The large dark skinned man didn't even look up from his paper only acknowledging her presence with a simple nod of his head.

Jonah:

I slid into the seat next to Kira, grateful for the air conditioning within. I looked over the man within in interest. Paublo was the largest person I knew, and this man topped him. While I could handle Paublo in a fight, it was due to higher skill and experience. I doubted I could beat this man as easily.

Finally the man folded up his paper carefully every action stating he was done with it as he paid the pair of them no mind. I simply closed my eyes while the limo pulled away after Jonah was settled. "You must be Jonah Weston." The man rumbled in his deep bass as heavy eyes settled on him. "I am Sinclair, head of security under Marie. I've seen your scores and watched some of your videos." The man could have been talking about the weather for all the inflection his voice had.

Opening an eye I observed Jonah for a moment, knowing he'd remember my words but curious as to how he'd respond. Sinclair was a good judge of a person and even within the confines of this Limo he could squash both myself and Jonah without breaking a sweat.

Jonah:

I had figured that he was of some importance, when he confirmed that he was head of security I was not surprised. Kira said to show him respect, and I did. My posture was relaxed, neither defensive, nor guarded. If I were to die during this trip, it likely didn't matter if I was prepared for it or not, so I decided to be at home.

“It is a pleasure to meet you Mr. Sinclair.” I said respectfully with and incline of my head.

Sinclair seemed amused by his respectful tone. "You have been told to respect me. That is good. I will be watching you closely Jonah Weston. You are of interest to me. Even my best men are hard pressed to beat Kira. And from what I have seen you are better than her."

Jonah:

my lips curved up as I glanced to Kira. “In many things, yes. She has the upper hand when it comes to instincts though, and still has the power to surprise me.” I said being humble with my own skills, but not quite diminishing them.

The fact that he was interested, and would be watching me was not intimidating. It was a challenge, and I would do my best to impress him. I in turn would be watching the big man for anything I could use in the future.

"Good.  You know humility.  Your ambitious nature is known to me.  We will prove humility yet."  The man rumbled with a soft laugh.  "Kira did good in bringing you in.  Now tell me Jonah.  What is it you desire from us?"

I drew in a slow breath, utterly silent though I wanted to stiffen. Sinclair glanced at me only briefly, he knew what I was thinking but slowly his gaze returned to Jonah.

Jonah:

I was still and quiet for a moment, looking Sinclair right in the eyes. “I desire to learn. Training with Kira has been the greatest opportunity I have ever had. It has taught me many things, not only about skills as an assassin, but about myself as well. I have handled things poorly in the past, and with training I have come to understand my own mistakes.”

“My desire from here on out is to take in what I am given, and reciprocate with my best in return. I will not be a disappointment again. I will do whatever is asked of me in order to prove that I can take on higher responsibilities.” I explained myself. I would not hide my ambition, that would harm me more than it would help for I had not been subtle with it in the past. I excelled when I had something to prove.

“You have my admiration with what you have accomplished, and would be honored to ever get the chance to study under you.” I added. With his experience, I imagined that he could teach me a number of things that our tutors had not. My first speech was meant for anyone who asked the question, knowing it would get back to Marie. The latter was for him, in hopes of forging a connection there.

"He speaks with quite the honeyed words..." Sinclair said to me after gazing at Jonah for nearly a minute after his speech.

I nodded once, opening both eyes to look at the giant. "He does, and has always been that way."

"Mmm...I see. I will be keeping an eye on you Jonah. I do not trust you, your ambitions lay below the surface and while ambition can be good it can easily lead one astray. But I also do not trust Kira either and she has proven through out the many years her nature. As for studying under me, I do not believe my path is truly the one you wish to have now is it? Lay out your ambitions clearly for me now, no honeyed words, no holding back." Sinclair settled an intense glance on Jonah, pinning him with a gaze.

Jonah:

He wanted to know exactly what I was here for. “I want power.” I said without inflection. It was as simple a summation as I could give. I assumed most of the people working for Marie wanted the same, so admitting to it was not harmful to me.

"Better.". He said with a nod. "Do not beat around the bush with me. I prefer direct, truthful responses. I do not have time to listen to anything but.".

Jonah:

“I wont forget it.” I said shortly. I spared a glance at Kira but she was impassive and about as expressive as a brick wall. I wondered if everyone would be like Sinclair, or if I would have to develop a different interface with all of them.

"I and Kira are probably unique.". Sinclair continued as he settled his bulk back and reached into the minibar. Drawing out three bottles of water he offered one to Jonah while simply tossing me mine. The bottles were glass and utterly clear with water that was as purified as possible.

"Both of us are content where we are. I have only one woman above me, and no desire to do what she does. I do not care for the game everyone else plays. You want my respect, earn it, work for it, don't suck up for it.". He opened the bottle delicately and took a long chug to empty it.

"I see no need for the games. I am where I am, and Marie is the one who placed me. Neither of us care to join the ranks of the Twos. The group high in command who view themselves as her right hand.". I stated after a small sip.

Jonah:

I paid close attention to anything either of them said during the car ride, remaining respectful the whole time. When asked a question my answered were decisive and short, I didn't need to be told twice.

The penthouse suite meant for Kira was the lap of luxury. I had never stepped foot in such an expensive dwelling. Everything was clean and had a use, no clutter or unnecessary embellishments. It seemed to be designed for Kira. Everything was of the highest technology and comfort.

My favorite thing about the place was the view of the city. I stood there watching for quite a while until Kira came to tell me the plans. Marie wanted us to be well rested for the following morning when we would face off against each other to demonstrate what we had been learning.

I had changed into soft pajamas that had been tailor made for me. Bare foot I lounged in pants as soft as silk with a Cami top. The outfit was a dark red and I ate absently at a yogurt after telling him the information Marie had wanted to pass along. "Likely after your testing they will get you tailor fit for clothes as well."

Jonah:

I looked at her pajamas and how they fit her body. I had made a comment about it earlier. “Does it make a difference? I think my clothes fit just fine. I would want it to be tighter.” I said, looking out the window again from my lounge chair. I wasn't lighthearted and flirtatious with her like I had been at the cabin. This wasn't the same kind of trip, and I remained behind my mental wall even when I was alone with her.

"You are under Marie, your equipment and things should be the best. When it is tailored it will be made for you and you can ask for such things. Tight or looser." She shrugged as she gazed out the window as well.

Jonah:

The rest of the evening was easy and relaxed, both of us went to bed early. The moment I crawled into the bed, I felt like I had curled up on a cloud and promptly fell asleep.

I was actually nervous in the morning, nervous to go before Marie. I shouldn't have been. I wasn't nervous the morning before I killed Emily. I couldn't remember the last time I had been nervous. Dressing in a neat outfit, I swallowed the nerves and put on a calm and collected mask. Every thing I did today would be scrutinized by every angle. It had never been more important to do exactly the right thing.

I wasn't chatty with Kira over our light breakfast, but I wasn't quiet either. I made the right comments when they were due, giving her no reason to suspect me. How would Kira have acted if she had been in my position? I wondered.

The car ride was quick, barely five minutes. Maybe next time I would suggest walking- no, it was too hot and humid for that. We walked into a large white building, it was long and wide but not tall, only three stories. Then we got into an elevator, and I thought that was odd, why not take the stairs a couple flights?

The elevator went down five floors under ground. The doors opened into a massive gym. My eyes raked the room.

“Come around.” I clear voice said. I followed Kira to the side where row upon row of chairs were set into an alcove in the wall. In the front row sat a woman who looked nothing like my mental image of Marie.

She was in her fifties, or early sixties. Her gray hair, streaked with tawny was clipped up in the back. The pant suit she was was a deep purple with black point-toes boots. She looked like a business woman taking in new interviewees. The only thing that looked dangerous about her were her hard, green eyes that seemed to scrape over me.

“Welcome back Kira.” She turned her eyes on Kira and they were no less abrasive. Every word she spoke was clear, but her tone was almost contemptuous. Was it contempt? No, there was just a lack of any emotion. She did not even show the slightest bit of favoritism toward Kira. I could see where Kira got her lovely personality from.

“And Welcome Jonah.” When she spoke to me I gave a small bow. “It is the ultimate pleasure to be here in front of you at last.” I responded. Sinclair had said my words were honeyed, I hoped that she would not object like he had.

I had board my head to Marie then stood off to the side with eyes straight ahead and not a single emotion in my body or face. I had dressed prepared for the days events. Nos that I was here in Her presence the need to act on my own was gone. I waited for the orders to come, the quiet commands or gestures for me to do anything.

This is how I had been brought up, a happy child broken and rebuilt over and over until only a weapon remained.

Jonah:

Marie asked me a few short questions then instructed Kira and I to prepare to fight each other to demonstrate our skill. Kira would be vicious, I knew, there was nothing keeping her from unleashing her full talents at this time. But I was equally motivated to prove myself to Marie. I would do whatever I could to win this match.

I moved over to a box sitting in a corner. From within I pulled out fighters guards and padding before tossing half of them to Jonah. I pulled on the elbow guards, knee guards, and the gloves. I had a mouth guard in a locker but since he wouldn't have one made for him yet I went without it. "Put these on." It wasn't a request, it wasn't a command. It was a statement and as I limbered up I moved into the center of the mat, fingers flexing for a moment before I went utterly still.

Jonah:

Kira liked to end things as quickly as possible, I knew this from experience. I prolonged the matched to the best of my abilities. Early on in our training my strategy had been to extend our sparing to tire her out. That was not my goal today. I extended it to show off what we had learned, and to demonstrate how I could handle Kira. At the end I was in no way unmarred, each of us had made contact with the other a dozen times. But I finished it. I found my chance in a split second and managed to twist Kira around on the floor and hold her down until Marie called to let her up and come forward.

I did my best to conceal my labored breathing, when I went to stand before her. My inclination was to glance Kira over to confirm that she was not badly hurt, but I refrained and did not give her a single look.