Snippet #2156803

Rhode stood up front of the observation room, watching the ongoing duel without mirth. His powerful frame was a statue of bristling frustration amongst the spectator’s cheers and whistles, their growing excitement filling the room with a buzzing warmth. He cursed the Dean of Discipline’s name all the while as the fiery arena reflected of his hooded eyes and coated his leather jacket with a deep red, his attention obviously elsewhere. He’d been given watch duty today as punishment for his earlier behaviour, and given Rhode’s abhorrence for VR battles, the Dean certainly knew how to toy with him.

Placing a trembling hand against the window sill which separated the audience from the VR room, his gaze levelled down at the two students below. The dark figures of Anya Roscoe and Anne Patra danced out in front of him, the twin blades and spear creating explosive sparks with each parry. Anya was a fast thinker, highly analytical to the point of obsessive. Rhode was impressed by how quickly she was acting. Anne on the other hand was headstrong to the point of foolhardy. Even Rhode had to admit he was entertained if not for the looming cloud of the Dean overshadowing him, a rare occasion indeed given his dislike for VR battles, such finesse was usually only seen amongst his year, the seniors.

“Mind stepping back from the windows there, sir? You’re ruining the mood with that face,” a suave voice cut in curtly.

Turning to the source of the intrusion, Rhode’s eyes fell upon the lithe figure of Janice, his senior in the security team, although that wasn't difficult to achieve given he was also the likely the youngest senior in terms of age. He watched as she stepped slowly towards him, the crowds seemingly dispersing to make space for her to pass. The dark uniform of the discipline squad hugged at her athletic figure, rolling over the curves of her body in a fashion most found incredibly enchanting. Stopping a meter back, her rosy lips smiled coyly at him, causing his eyes to twitch in a manner of disgust. “Lost it on the job again?” Her tone slithering mockingly of the tip of her tongue like a snake, “All these years and we thought even you would’ve learnt by now.”

Of course he was being reprimanded, that was the only reason he was ever inside of the VR room outside of the occasional duel. Rhode scoffed finally as he lifted his hand from the aluminium frame, realising the pressure of his grip had crushed the metal formwork. “So, I have to share watch duty with you then?” Rhode asked rhetorically.

“Whose fault is it for not having a partner even though they’re a senior?” Janice’s grin could only widen as she joined him in watching the match below. The proceedings had fallen eerily silent around them as an announcement blared over the speakers then. The broadcast informed every one of the implications of the match’s outcome, but to them it mattered little, the discipline squad were an impartial force of their own. "Reminds you of our earlier days though doesn't it?"