To My Disappointment... [Intro]

"Freya..." The soft gentle tone the youth exuded was one of pure love and fondness - one born from a bond only siblings could truly understand. His azure blue gaze gleaned softly at nothing in particular as he held the old black phone to his ear. He could hear his sister's voice on the other end as it crackled to life - full of joy and vibrancy - one that he missed dearly and hoped to hear it in person someday soon. Maybe when he visited their home again - he was sure Freya and the servants would like that very much. He'd even cook them all dinner. He smiled despite himself releasing a small chuckle - he could just imagine their faces...

"Well, you sound happy big brother! But I don't think that's why you're calling." Ah, perceptive as always - she was always a smart cookie - even when they were kids - nothing left her quick-witted senses. "No, I suppose not - I was just checking in before I leave today - for... well, my first ever official Rune Knight business." He said hesitantly his tone almost timid as he tried to mask his worries and fears.

"You call me every day though!" She joked sarcastically before letting out a laugh. "But I'm happy for you! Now you're finally obtaining your dream! You've worked really hard for this! Don't get cold feet now!" She admonished him vibrantly her voice a mix of scolding and exasperation.

"You're right - but I-" His sister huffed on the other end of the line already getting irritated of his self-doubt. "But nothing, Rune! Have you've forgotten why our parents gave you your name?" She inquired though they both already knew the answer. "Because father had high hopes of me becoming a Rune Knight, I know, I know." He said flatly his tone going almost icy at the mere mention of their distant and disappeared sire.

"Exactly! And that's why you have no reason to worry! If your name is connected to your job then it's practically fate that you'll succeed!" Rune was pretty sure that wasn't how fate worked but wasn't going to argue with his sister on the subject - much like the rest of their family she inherited the Felcrest's signature "stubborn streak" and wouldn't back down from her beliefs. It truly was a curse if they ever had one.

"Right, right..." He relented his tone tired but endearing. Refocusing he noticed the clock on his dresser and frowned deeply. It seemed whenever he talked to Freya the whole world just became white noise - in fact he missed the alarm that went off twice already! "Ah, my apologies Freya - but it seems like your big brother has to go - the meeting starts in thirty minutes."

The girl whined a bit but otherwise gave in - knowing this was important for him. They said their goodbyes (with intentions to call each other tomorrow) before Rune hung up, fastening his Rune Knight half cloak - to match the rest of his (unfortunately all black) uniform. Making his way towards the door he quickly sheathed his freshly polished saber and briskly walked out - shutting and locking his apartment door as he did so.

---

Promptly ten minutes later he made his way to the pointed place with a whole twenty minutes to spare. Having been early there were only a handful of other Rune Knight recruits there was well - some others were cutting it a bit close or would possibly be late entirely, but that wasn't any of his business nor should he care that they refused to be punctual. Those in charge would no doubt note their tardiness for future endeavors.

Minutes later, he and the other Rune Knight Privates stood attentive as a senior officer walked through a clipboard in hand. He began listing off names in which each and every recruit replied with a crisp "Here, Sir!" Before he went into an explanation. "Welcome to the Rune Knights, however, you're not exactly Rune Knights quite yet." A wave of murmurs rippled through the line of hopefuls though Rune deigned to stay quiet his face showing perplexion, however.

"Officially, you're just recruits - but once this is over you'll be officially Privates who will be tasked with upholding peace and justice throughout Fiore." The man gazed at the eager youths before him - most were young, bright-eyed, and bushy-tailed and had no clue what being a Rune Knight entailed. Most of them would end up quitting the force before getting properly settled - it was the sad truth of such a job, many just didn't have what it takes to be a Rune Knight.

"In a moment one of your superiors will appear and give a speech. Listen to their words and engrave them in your minds. Understand that what you strive for is to bring prosperity to our lands not to covet power or to lord over the weak." He narrowed his eyes at them, knowing full well that some came here just in hopes of getting a bit of power to walk all over those beneath them. It has happened before and no doubt it'll happen again. Luckily, they have gotten better at stamping out those with such thuggish behaviors.

"Now, wait here - you got ten minutes, you can talk but talk among yourselves very quietly." With that, the man left the room leaving the hopefuls to their own devices as they chatted somewhat lively to one another - obviously not taking things very seriously. Rune, however, was far than amused and instead watched and waited - wondering exactly who would enter those doors...

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From the moment DOPPO waltzed into the room Rune knew from a glance that the man would be a tiresome sort. It wasn't arrogance if you were right. The superior officer lacked an aura of authority - lacked the hardened glint in his eyes, the stern frown, the straight shoulders.

He was the complete and utter difference of his father. The man was the type his sire would often disparage and mock when deep in his cups after another bout of failed training.

Everything about him screamed "incompetence" and the noble couldn't help but feel himself be filled with the revoltingly acidic and bitter taste of the emotion only known as, disappoint.

This man was a complete disappointment.

Rune felt it was a testament of his honed discipline and skill that he managed to keep his face completely neutral - stony - and denying even a trace of emotion on his visage - known would know what he was thinking.

Even if his thoughts were a whirlwind of various volatile feelings threatening to split his careful facade in twine. Still, he held himself together - refusing to ruin his father's reputable reputation by making a fool of himself.

As "Suzuki" ended his "speech" with all the vigor of a comatose patient - the initiates looked at him with various degrees of expressions - as though they were flabbergasted at his mere presence. Many projecting what Rune was unable to show himself. They too thought the same thing no doubt:

"Are you really a Rune Knight?" one asked, the young man was quite tall, stalky even, with tousled brown hair, a slather of freckles, and quite boring dark brown eyes. He looked like he came from the countryside and spoke with a twang and unculturedness that basically confirmed it.

His tone was sarcastic, nigh mocking as he gained a few subtle shifts and glances, one recruit even let out a low chuckle at the young man's bluntness.

Rune himself found the youth's inelegance as deplorable regardless if he had low expectations for the senior Rune Knight in front of them. Truly some people were just so uncivilized! Yet, the youth was not finished - completely oblivious to his problematic mouth and lack of respect towards his betters.

"I mean, can you even fight? How'd they let someone like you into the Rune Knights? If you can get in - then I'm sure anyone could!" He mocked with a challenging personality - vulgar and disrespectful - as expected from those probably raised in a barn.

As the man went quiet so did the rest of the room - the other Rune Knight hopefuls no longer found the country bumpkin's words as funny and even the one who let out the chuckle looked highly uncomfortable. The youth laughed like he had made an amusing joke - yet his idiocy made him unaware that he was the only one in the room who found himself funny.

If anything, Rune was actually intrigued. While he wouldn't go as far as to say the man, DOPPO was utterly useless - as you had to have SOME skill to be a Knight. He felt by appearance alone that the red-haired man was unassuming at best and rather lackadaisical at worst - but weak, he highly doubted it. So, with a shrewd curiosity, the nobleman watched with bated breath he didn't know he was holding - wondering what DOPPO would do in retaliation...

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The disbelief was palpable as utter disbelief flooded through each and every recruit in the room. Rune himself was nearly close to facepalming at the sheer stupidity of it all. Though he restrained himself with the strictest of wills.

It dawned on him from his near aneurysm that this man would be his instructor as the blond was in the Combat Corps. Rune felt as though he made a horrible mistake and was tempted to ask for his reassignment just to ease the embarrassment that he felt for even interacting with this man. Alas, life was not that kind and he'd have to grin and bear it, unfortunately.

At the dismissal, Rune made his way out of the room in defeat - resigning himself to his fate come to the morrow. He'd be sure to rant to his sister for a while tonight, that was for sure.

---

Night came and went and dawn slowly crept over the horizon blessing the world with its incandescent light. Rune, for the first time since his childhood, lacked the motivation to make his way out of bed. But as the minutes ticked by and his alarm rang for the second time within a few minutes - he groused his way out of bed rubbing the sleep out of his eyes as he made his way to the bathroom to relieve himself and bathe.

Thirty minutes later, now dressed in his Combat Corps outfit he made his way out the door - far less eager than he was the day before - yet still holding the resolve to achieve something of himself. This whole scenario would be a mere setback, a bump on the road to success - nothing would stop him from achieving his dream, not even a lazy instructor.

Making he was to the self-same room he was in before he let out the tiniest of sighs as he realized he was one of the first people there. No doubt the others were less enthusiastic about this so-called "training" as well and were happy to take their time.

Not that Rune could blame them. He could only hope that the multitude of gods and goddesses out there could grant them mercy and make this day go by faster than usual - if only to end it sooner. Or at least bless them with a competent instructor.

But he sorely doubted most Gods granted miracles...

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